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The Collected Works of Rudolf Steiner
Series
216
Read Description
Supersensible Impulses in the Historical Development of Humanity
(CW 216)
Paperback
July 2024
9781855846630
More details
- Publisher
Rudolf Steiner Press - Published
9th July - ISBN 9781855846630
- Language English
- Pages 184 pp.
- Size 6" x 9.25"
$30.00
8 lectures, Dornach, September 16 – October 1, 1922 (CW 216)
“When you perform a ritual, it is an appeal to the spiritual powers of the universe, an appeal to the powers that are meant to connect with the earth precisely through what people do.”— Rudolf Steiner
With rituals or cultic forms as his central motif, Rudolf Steiner refers extensively to Indian, Persian, and Egyptian initiation rites in particular, and how these enabled people of antiquity to connect with specific spiritual beings. He explains the practical purpose of mummification for the religious life of ancient Egypt, and the ritual in certain secret societies and brotherhoods today as the mummification of Egyptian rites. But he also points to the future, describing how truly formulated rituals have a positive effect on human development. Whereas “inhalation” exercises were relevant to past cultures, the principle of “exhalation” is important for future evolution.
On the one hand, these extraordinary lectures relate to Steiner’s ceremonial work in the Esoteric School of 1906 to 1914, but more significantly they were given in parallel to the founding of The Christian Community, whose sacraments were mediated by Steiner. Today, he states, Christ must be sought through new access to the spiritual world, and that any remaining traditional ritualistic forms should be permeated with the power of the Mystery of Golgotha. These lectures are introduced by Dale Brunsvold and include editorial notes and an index.
This volume is a translation from German of Die Grundimpulse des weltgeschichtlichen Werdens der Menschheit, Rudolf Steiner Verlag; 3rd ed., 1988 (GA 216).
C O N T E N T S:
Introduction by Dale Brunsvold
1. Experiences between Death and a New Birth
2. The Connection of the Human Being with Divine Spiritual Beings
3. The Connection between Historical Life and the Spiritual Worlds I
4. The Connection between Historical Life and the Spiritual Worlds II
5. The Significance of Mummification for the Spiritual Live of Ancient Egypt
6. The Significance of Ritual for the Future of the Earth
7. The Urgent Need Today to Enliven Dead Thinking
8. The Need for a New Openness toward the Spiritual World
Rudolf Steiner’s Collected Works
Significant Events in the Life of Rudolf Steiner
Index
Rudolf Steiner
Rudolf Steiner (b. Rudolf Joseph Lorenz Steiner, 1861–1925) was born in the small village of Kraljevec, Austro-Hungarian Empire (now in Croatia), where he grew up. As a young man, he lived in Weimar and Berlin, where he became a well-published scientific, literary, and philosophical scholar, known especially for his work with Goethe’s scientific writings. Steiner termed his spiritual philosophy anthroposophy, meaning “wisdom of the human being.” As an exceptionally developed seer, he based his work on direct knowledge and perception of spiritual dimensions. He initiated a modern, universal “spiritual science” that is accessible to anyone willing to exercise clear and unbiased thinking. From his spiritual investigations, Steiner provided suggestions for the renewal of numerous activities, including education (general and for special needs), agriculture, medicine, economics, architecture, science, philosophy, Christianity, and the arts. There are currently thousands of schools, clinics, farms, and initiatives in other fields that involve practical work based on the principles Steiner developed. His many published works feature his research into the spiritual nature of human beings, the evolution of the world and humanity, and methods for personal development. He wrote some thirty books and delivered more than six thousand lectures throughout much of Europe. In 1924, Steiner founded the General Anthroposophical Society, which today has branches around the world.
