Books by Rudolf Steiner

The remarkable discussions in this volume took place between Rudolf Steiner and workers at the Goetheanum, Switzerland. At Rudolf Steiner's instigation, the varied subject-matter was chosen by his audience. He took their questions and usually gave immediate answers. The astonishing nature of these responses - their insight, knowledge and spiritual depth - is testimony to Steiner's outstanding ability as a spiritual initiate and profound thinker. Accessible, entertaining and stimulating, the records of these sessions will be a delight to anyone with an open mind. In this particular collection, Rudolf Steiner deals with topics ranging from sunspots to strawberries! He discusses, among other things: Lemuria and Atlantis; Chinese and Indian cultures; raw food; vegetarianism; children's nutrition; manure and soil; hardening of the arteries; the sense of smell; planetary influences; weather and its causes; creation of the world; origin of the human being; Saturn, Sun and Moon; Darwinism; earth strata and fossils; Biela's comet; star wisdom; evolution of human culture; lightning, and volcanoes.

The underlying thesis of these lectures, Volume XX in the Foundations of Waldorf Education series, is that true education must be founded on a knowledge of the whole human being and that there can be no knowledge of the whole human being without love. On this basis, Rudolf Steiner lays out an understanding of every aspect of a child's development--bodily, psychological, and spiritual. At the same time, he shows that to prove worthy of their calling, teachers must begin to develop themselves inwardly. In Steiner's view, humanity gives value and meaning to the world. Modern education, however, is gradually undermining this meaning. The lectures demonstrate, however, that education can heal this lack of meaning and thereby restore the meaning of humanity for the world.

In the age of the internet and the proliferation of 'conspiracy theories', the idea that secret groups are seeking to gain control over humanity is no longer uncommon. This was not the case in 1917, however, when Rudolf Steiner spoke on this theme in these extraordinary lectures. His unique contribution to this controversial topic is no abstract theory, but arose from his specific research methodology involving the use of advanced forms of perception and cognition. With the firsthand knowledge available to him, Steiner takes us behind the scenes of external events, revealing the dark world of secret, elitist brotherhoods working to control the masses through the forces of economics, technology and political assassinations. These hidden groups, he explains, seek to gain power through the use of ritual magic and suggestion. Among the many other topics tackled here, Steiner speaks on the geographical quality of the American continent and the forces that proceed from it; the nature of the double (doppelganger) and the dangers of psychoanalysis; the spiritual origin of electromagnetism; the abuse of inoculations and vaccinations; the meaning of Ireland for world development; the confusion of angels with higher beings and the divinity; and, above all, the need for clear insight into world events based on spiritual knowledge. Never before available in English as a complete volume, the text of this book has been freshly translated for this edition.

In one of his most popular lecture courses - formerly published as Man as Symphony of the Creative Word - Rudolf Steiner presents an extraordinary panorama of spiritual knowledge centring on the human being. We are the harmony of creation - a microcosm - containing within us 'all the laws and secrets of the world'.Steiner begins by speaking about our inner relationship to three ancient and sacred representatives of the animal kingdom - eagle, lion and bull - and to the forces of the cosmos that form them. He goes on to deepen these themes by approaching the plant and animal worlds in the context of planetary and cosmic evolution. A new category is then introduced: the elemental nature spirits - the metaphysical beings who work with plants and animals. Steiner gives a unique and intimate description of them and describes the cooperation they offer to mankind. Finally, the human being - the 'harmony of the Creative Word' - is placed at the heart of this spiritual celebration of life.

The remarkable discussions in this volume took place between Rudolf Steiner and workers at the Goetheanum, Switzerland. The varied subject-matter was chosen by his audience at Rudolf Steiner's instigation. Steiner took their questions and usually gave immediate answers. The astonishing nature of these responses - their insight, knowledge and spiritual depth - is testimony to his outstanding ability as a spiritual initiate and profound thinker. Accessible, entertaining and stimulating, the records of these sessions will be a delight to anybody with an open mind.In this particular collection, Rudolf Steiner deals with topics ranging from elephants to Einstein. He discusses, among other things, ants and bees; shells and skeletons; animal and plant poisons - arsenic and lead; nutrition - proteins and fats, potatoes; the human eye and its colour; fresh and salt water; fish and bird migration; human clothing; opium and alcohol; thinking, and bodily secretions.

These twelve lectures by Rudolf Steiner form the basis for an entirely new psychology, demonstrating that anthroposophy is itself a new form of psychology. This lecture course is made up of three individual courses, each viewing the whole human being from a different perspective."Anthroposophy" (wisdom of the human being) describes the human being from the midpoint between theosophy and anthropology, focusing on the human body and the senses in terms of their spiritual aspects and functions in the human being and not merely as bodily receptors of physical stimuli. He also discusses the higher, more spiritual senses that will be developed by humankind in the future."Psychosophy" (wisdom of the soul) discusses the primary aspects of the human soul, the activities and interaction of our various soul forces, the dynamics of love and hate, and the process of judging, or making decisions."Pneumatosophy" (wisdom of the spirit) approaches the human spirit in terms of truth and error and the meaning and the effects of imagination, intuition, and inspiration. Here, Steiner also explores the significance of karma for the human soul as well as the evolution of human consciousness.

This volume contains Rudolf Steiner"s leadin g thoughts and letters written for the Anthroposophical Soci ety. In brief paragraphs they succinctly present Steiner"s s cience of the spirit '

In this fine introduction to Waldorf education, written out of a series of lectures given in 1924, Steiner provides one of the most comprehensive introductions to his pedagogical philosophy, psychology, and practice. Steiner begins by describing the union of science, art, religion and morality, which was the aim of all his work and underlies his concept of education. Against this background, many of the lectures describe a new developmental psychology. On this basis, having established how children's consciousness develops, Steiner discusses how different subjects should be presented so that individuals can grow and flourish inwardly. Only if the child absorbs the right subject in the right way at the right time can the inner freedom so necessary for life in the modern world become second nature.

In this selection of insightful lectures, Rudolf Steiner addresses the mystery of evil, offering a complex and original picture. Evil, he asserts, is a phenomenon that arises when something appears outside its true context. A thing which is initially "good, " therefore, can become "evil" when it is out of place. He speaks of this as the effect of particular spiritual beings -- principally Lucifer and Ahriman -- who work as polar forces, putting hindrances in our path. Yet confronting and coming to terms with such difficulties can ultimately further our development, as these fascinating lectures show us.

11 lectures, Karlsruhe, 4-14 Oct 1911 (CW 131)Although once experienced in an intuitive way by early Gnostic thinkers, knowledge of the cosmic meaning and importance of Christ and his mission faded with the centuries. Theologians and historians of the Church have critically scrutinized the Gospel records to the point where their focus shifted almost entirely from the Christ being to the human man of flesh, Jesus of Nazareth.Today, people are beginning a renewed search for an understanding of the life, death, and resurrection of Christ and the meaning of those events for life today. In these enlightening lectures, Steiner shows how the Mystery of Golgotha can be seen as the pivotal event of human history. The Gospels themselves, he says, are "initiation documents" that guide us along a path of spiritual development.Steiner also demonstrates how manifold spiritual entities are involved in the events in Palestine two thousand years ago, and describes the problematic aspects of Christian theology, such as the resurrection of the physical body. And, throughout these talks, he emphasizes the esoteric path to Christ and encourages us to awaken to the new revelation manifesting in our time--the Christ as "Lord of Karma."This edition also contains a public talk given prior to the beginning of the course.This volume is a translation from German of Von Jesus zu Christus (GA 131).

Rudolf Steiner's fundamental handbook for spiritual and personal development has grown more modern as time has passed, although his methods remain clearly distinguishable from the many others now in circulation. For one thing, Steiner's path of spiritual growth is based on the clarity of thought normally associated with scientific research. Rather than denying clear thinking, his aim is to extend it beyond its present limitations. Secondly, Steiner recognizes - as all genuine disciplines always have - that the path to spiritual experience is an arduous and dangerous one, calling for self-control in thought, word and deed. Human beings comprise a unity, and we cannot develop knowledge without a corresponding development in feeling and will. Rudolf Steiner foretold that humanity would begin to experience a longing for forms of experience that transcended intellectual, materialistic thinking. More than one hundred years after the first publication of this book in 1904, there are countless means to achieve such experience, such as eastern meditation, channelling, remote viewing and astral projection. In addition, there has been a huge growth in people reporting extrasensory perceptions of various kinds, such as near-death experiences and meetings with angels. In this context, Steiner's key spiritual workbook - reproduced here in the classic Osmond/Davy translation - is needed more than ever, given its unique, precise instructions for inner training, its protective exercises, and its indications for grounding and centring. Knowledge of the Higher Worlds begins with the conditions required for personal development, and guides us through the stages of initiation, its practical aspects and its effects.

Steiner's original contribution to human knowledge was based on his ability to conduct 'spiritual research', the investigation of metaphysical dimensions of existence. With his scientific and philosophical training, he brought a new systematic discipline to the field, allowing for conscious methods and comprehensive results. A natural seer from childhood, he cultivated his spiritual vision to a high degree, enabling him to speak with authority on previously veiled mysteries of life. The evolving human being; Cosmos as the source of life; Plants and the living earth; Farms and the realms of nature; Bringing the chemical elements to life; Soil and the world of spirit; Supporting and regulating life processes; Spirits of the elements; Nutrition and vitality; Responsibility for the future.

In this classic introductory work on spiritual medicine, Rudolf Steiner worked in unique literary collaboration with the physician Ita Wegman. Their aim was to revitalise the art of healing through spiritual knowlege - yet in so doing they did not underrate or dismiss modern scientific medicine, but illumined it beyond its present materialistic outlook to a fuller realisation of the human condition.As Ita Wegman wrote in her preface: "e;The aim was not to underestimate scientific medicine in an ameteurish way; it was given full recognition. But it was important to add to existing knowlege the insights that can come from true perception of the spirit, enabling us to understand the processes of illness and healing."e;Today this new extension of practical medicine, known as 'anthroposophical medicine', is used and valued by many physicians and in many clinics around the world.Dr. ITA WEGMAN was born in the Dutch West Indies in 1876 and trained in gymnastics and massage and later medicine. After founding the Institute of Clinical Medicine in Arlesheim, she was made leader of the Medical Section of the Anthroposophical Society in 1923. Her last years were devoted to her work in the clinic where she died in 1943.

Usually, motivating ourselves to geth through the demands of daily life is difficult enough; finding the will to excel is even harder. Our occupations can become routine and boring, leading us to to ask: What is the purpose of my work? Is it merely to satisfy the demands of survival, which in turn simply allows me to keep working? Or is it a matter of more disposable income and consumerism? In the end, it can all seem rather pointless. In these remarkable talks, Rudolf Steiner takes us behind the scenes of the routine activities of vocation where we are shown how the combined vocational activity of all humanity affects the higher suprasensory realms. This activity mobilizes forces that lead to future worlds, which is the "karma of vocation." It prepares new worlds in which we will participate. By understanding this deeper aspect of our daily work, we can bring new meaning to the most insignificant activities. In fact, we begin to understand that no human work is insignificant; it all contributes to grand cosmic processes. Such understanding helps us to bring new enthusiasm to our work and lives.

8 lectures, Prague, March 20-28, 1911 (CW 128)Given the upsurge of interest in complementary therapies and treatments, medical researchers are gradually being pressured to reassess and expand their knowledge of the structure and organization of the whole human body. Despite advances in modern technology, there are vast areas of human physiological activity that remain undetectable to conventional scientific observation. Those processes, according to Rudolf Steiner, are related to spiritual forces and beings.In these revealing lectures, Steiner concentrates on the relationship between those forces and the human physical organs. In particular, he discusses the organs that make up our digestive and respiratory systems; the significance of "warmth" in the function of the blood and its effects on the I, or Ego; and the evolutionary process implicit in the formation of the spinal column and brain. He deals with all of this in a scientific way that will appeal equally to doctors and therapists, as well as students of Steiner's spiritual science. These talks--long out of print--are also remarkably accessible to the general reader.An Occult Physiology is a translation from German of Eine okkulte Physiologie (GA 128) The translator's name is unknown.

"Translated by Frederick Amrine and Konrad Oberhuber from shorthand reports unrevised by the lecturer, from the 4th edition (1969) of the German text published under the title Grenzen der Naturerkenntnis (Vol. 322 in the Bibliographic survey)"--Copyright page.

Rudolf Steiner's beautiful meditative verses for the yearly cycle have been used by countless people over the years. Their purpose is to awaken a feeling of unity with nature, and at the same time to stimulate a discovery of self. In listening to the changing language of the year and awakening a profound sympathy for it, we can in turn discover our own individual nature. Steiner's original and unique meditations facilitate this process, leading to a healthy feeling of being at one with the natural world. This edition features Anne Stockton's fifty-two celebrated and evocative paintings, a wonderful complement to the text. John Thomson has translated Steiner's words especially for this edition.

These profound studies of the cosmic forces behind the four great festivals of the year provide a wealth of material for fruitful meditation. Rudolf Steiner presents great imaginative pictures which unite the heavens and the earth through a portrayal of the activities of the archangels Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and Uriel. In the course of the lectures he offers spiritual wisdom on subjects which include the alchemical processes of sulphur, mercury and salt in the cosmos, man and the plant, spiritual combustion processes, crystals, clouds, meteors, the movement of elemental beings in nature, and the conflicting efforts of the two great adversaries to divert the earth from its true goal.

Initiation enables a person to see, understand, and communicate what may be observed with spiritual eyes. St. John's text arises from such an initiation. It addresses the fundamental questions of existence that every human being asks: Where are we? Where have we come from? Where are we going? And because it arises from esoteric Christian vision, it emphasizes the task of the individual: What am I, and what is my purpose now in this era of cosmic and human evolution? These talks by Rudolf Steiner unveil the mysteries of John's vision and show it to be a profound description of Christian initiation. As he says, "The deepest truths of Christianity may be considered quite naturally in connection with this document, for it contains a great part of the mysteries of Christianity-that is, the profoundest part of what may be described as esoteric Christianity." Steiner shows that the messages to the seven Churches and the unsealing of the seven seals must be understood as an initiation text. On the basis of his own initiation and spiritual science, Steiner interprets John's insights into cosmic and human history. In this way, the spiritual images of John's writing-the twenty-four elders, the sea of glass, the woman clothed with the sun, the vials of wrath, the lamb and the dragon, the new heaven and the new earth, and the number of the beast -all take on new meaning. Since the previous painful century has closed, these important words have even greater meaning and significance; readers interested in contributing their moral will to future generations cannot afford to pass them by.

What is the meaning of life? This most fundamental of all questions has challenged human beings for millennia. Rudolf Steiner addresses the eternal enigma with a refreshing directness, giving profound and enlightening answers. In the other lectures which make up this inspiring collection, Steiner addresses themes related to illness and health, reincarnation, destiny, luck and the trials of modern life. The varied subject matter is united by the fact that all the lectures address practical and fundamental issues connected to modern life. The richness and wisdom of their content provides ample stimulation for any individual earnestly seeking a deeper understanding of life. Originally published separately in various booklets, these seven lectures have now been brought together under one cover.

Meditation instructions, meditations, exercises, verses for living a spiritual year, prayers for the dead, and other practices for both beginning and experienced practitioners--Start Now! has become the classic, indispensable text and reference for all those who are serious about the practice of Rudolf Steiner's spiritual science.Start Now! is an inspiring guide to the practical aspects of Anthroposophy. It offers the most extensive collection available of Steiner's spiritual instructions and practices, including meditation instructions; mantric verses; daily, weekly, and monthly practices for developing one's soul qualities; karmic exercises and meditations for working with the dead, with the angelic hierarchies, and with our guardian angels.Start Now! might be the most unique and comprehensive spiritual guidebook available, and it will become a lifelong friend and help along the way. No one who is serious about spiritual practice--beginners or seasoned students--should be without this book!