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Willem Zeylmans van Emmichoven

An Inspiration for Anthroposophy: A Biography

Hardback
January 2003
9781902636351
More details
  • Publisher
    Temple Lodge Publishing
  • Published
    22nd January 2003
  • ISBN 9781902636351
  • Language English
  • Pages 312 pp.
  • Images 8 b / w plates + illus
$45.00

Born in Holland in 1893, Willem Zeylmans van Emmichoven was an original pioneer of Anthroposophy, the science of spirit established by Rudolf Steiner. As General Secretary of the Anthroposophical Society in the Netherlands, he worked closely with Steiner. A medical doctor and founder of the Rudolf Steiner Clinic in Scheveningen, Netherlands, he also conducted important research into the influence of colors, the psychology of peoples and nations, and individual human psychology.

Emanuel Zeylmans’ biography of his father draws on beautifully written and moving autobiographical extracts, as well as numerous other first-hand source materials. He traces Zeylmans’ remarkable life from his upbringing in Holland and his first contact with Rudolf Steiner to his later attendance at the momentous Christmas Foundation Meeting and his many travels around the world to further Anthroposophy. The author examines the spiritual conflicts in which Zeylmans van Emmichoven became embroiled, his life during the war years, and his innovative work in numerous fields.

The author also catalogs Zeylmans van Emmichoven’s written works and provides a full chronology of his life.

Willem Zeylmans van Emmichoven offers a compelling documentation of a leading figure connected with Rudolf Steiner. It brings to life the context of his biography—an exciting and yet difficult time in the development of new spiritual ideas—and the vibrant individuals around him. Zeylmans van Emmichoven is portrayed as a warm, dynamic, and fascinating individual with enormous interest in people from widely differing cultures and backgrounds. A true “world citizen,” he recognized that every nation has its own special task and importance.

C O N T E N T S:

Introduction

1. Childhood: Place of Birth and Ancestors—Paradise Lost

2. Youth: Soul’s Awakening—Youth in Amsterdam

3. Student Years: Stella Maris—A Medical Student in Leiden

4. My Path to Rudolf Steiner: Marie Tak and Jacoba van Heemskerck—Leipzig Color Experiments in 1920—First Meeting

5. Rudolf Steiner in Holland: The Beginnings 1904–1913—School of Spiritual Science Course in The Hague—Founding of the Anthroposophical Society in Netherlands

6. From the Christmas Foundation Meeting to Rudolf Steiner’s Death: Paris, Arnhem, Dornach

7. A Pioneer of Anthroposophy: The Clinic—Zeylmans as Speaker—The Amsterdam Conference—The Stakenberg Camp

8. Development of Spiritual Conflict: Trials—Steiner Biography—Goethe—Trip to Indonesia—Spiritual Conflicts—England—Egypt—Sicily—Society for Color Research—The Human Soul—King and Queen

9. The War Years: Letter to Queen Wilhelmina—Before the Outbreak of War—Netherlands Union—Mysteries—The Images—The End of the War

10. New Beginning: Rich and Poor—Health of the Soul—Psychology of Nations—America Trips—Goethe and Novalis—Summer Conferences—An Initiative and What Became of It—Center for the Free Life of Spirit—Berlin, Whitsun 1952—Europe Conference—The Rhythms

11. The Reality in which We Live: World Tour 1954—Book on the Hierarchies—Categories—Greece and Majorca—Ingeborg Zeylmans

12. Could It Not Be . . . : Rudolf Steiner and the Future Community of Mankind—“Because We Have the Will”—The Last Journey: South Africa 1961

Conclusion

Appendix
Chronology
Bibliography
Notes and References
Additional Sources
List of Illustrations
Acknowledgments

Afterword by Josiana Arippol

Emanuel Zeylmans

Emanuel Zeylmans was born in the Hague in 1926. In 1951 he established the Dutch journal Castrum Peregrini. He then worked for many years as a book dealer, editor and publisher. In 1966 he was ordained as a priest in the Christian Community. Later, he was instrumental in founding the Dutch journal Jonas. He has lived in Reutlingen, Germany, since 1977, and is the author of a number of works, including a major biography of Ita Wegman.