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 What
is Anthroposophy?
Three Perspectives on Self-Knowledge
3 lectures by Rudolf Steiner
Introduction by Christopher Bamford
What is
Anthroposophy? consists of
three previously un-translated lectures which provide a masterly introduction
to what Rudolf Steiner means by "anthroposophy." They explain why he
describes this path - which means literally the wisdom of the human
being - as one that "unites what is spiritual in the human being
with what is spiritual in the universe."
Steiner
begins by describing what happens when we die. He shows the
relationship between our physical life on earth and the etheric,
astral, and spiritual life of the cosmos. He also explains how
physical lives are interwoven with cosmic existence, and how the
"missing links" in evolution are spiritual in nature. He then
demonstrates how mainstream psychology, since the second half of
the nineteenth century, lost the idea of soul, and, consequently,
understanding of our inner lives has been without a sure foundation.
Finally, Steiner takes as his guide our three states of being -
waking, dreaming, and sleeping. He describes in detail what happens
in these three states, and how each is bound up with our lives as
physical, psychic, and spiritual beings.
Trans. M. Spiegler
3 lectures, Dornach 20-22 July 1923, GA225
Anthroposophic Press
96pp; paperback
ISBN: 0 88010 506 2
Other
introductory works:
Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) called his spiritual philosophy
'anthroposophy', which he defined as 'the consciousness of one's
humanity', and the disciplined methods of studying this he termed
‘spiritual science’. As a highly developed clairvoyant and
spiritual initiate, he spoke from
his direct cognition of the spiritual world. However, he did not see
his work as religious or sectarian, but rather sought to found a
universal 'science of the spirit'.
His
many published works (written books and lectures) - which include
his research into the spiritual nature of the human being, the
evolution of the world and humanity, and methods of personal
development - invite readers to develop their own spiritual
faculties. He also provided indications for the renewal of many
human activities, including education - both general and special -
agriculture, medicine, economics, architecture, science, philosophy,
religion and the arts. He wrote some 30 books and delivered over
6000 lectures across Europe, and in 1924 founded the General
Anthroposophical Society which today has branches throughout the
world.
Copyright © 2003 Skylark Books
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