Books published by Temple Lodge Publishing

"It is becoming more and more important to add truth to the plethora of distortion that surrounds the Knights Templar. The Order's spiritual legacy therefore needs voices that make conscious the impulse they carried, and to show how these impulses have reappeared and metamorphosed in later times, and how they continue to be of pressing relevance today in all spheres of life--from spirituality and the arts to politics and the worlds of banking, commerce, and business." (from the introduction)The beginning of the Templar Order is shrouded in mystery. Little is known about its foundation, inner workings, or its rapid growth. Such a lack of knowledge can lead to all sorts of speculation and, at times, bizarre theories. This book--the result of a conference on the theme at Emerson College in England--offers new, well-grounded perspectives that utilize both esoteric and exoteric sources. From varying perspectives, the contributors tackle key questions relating to the formation of the Templar Order, as well as its goals and intentions.The authors explore the spiritual and historical background of the Knights Templar, as well as the Order's significance today and its continuing impulse for the future. With its broad scope, this stimulating anthology encourages independent, open-minded enquiry and research.

Illuminating various dimensions of spiritual science, this work talks about, among other aspects, the relationship of the Foundation Stone Meditation to the being Anthroposophia, the spiritual hierarchies, human karma, the Rosicrucian, Michaelic and Grail streams, the Mystery of Golgotha, the two Jesus boys, and more.

With the world in turmoil, the greatest challenge facing us today, says Mario Betti, is the inner transformation of our entire being. This rebirth from within heralds a new form of consciousness--a creative imaginative faculty--that is also a reawakening of the mysterious Sophia, the feminine aspect of the Divinity. Imagination allows us to see the spiritual forces at work in the world, leading to the possibility of a comprehensive rebirth and renewal of culture.

Michaela Glockler speaks on themes relating to the esoteric path of spiritual development and its therapeutic task for the individual and community. Giving an account of the evolution of the ancient mysteries in relation to medicine, she discusses the application of inner work in outer action, reflecting on modern social and ethical issues such as organ transplantation and the termination of pregnancy. The author addresses primarily those in the healing professions, but this book will be of interest to anyone concerned with the new science of the spirit.

In a quest to discover the truth behind the twentieth century's disastrous record of conflict and war, the author considers two contradictory approaches to history: the so-called cock-up theory and conspiracy theories. Could there be truth to the often-dismissed concept of conspiracy in history: the manipulation of external events by groups and individuals mostly hidden from the public eye? In the work of philosopher and scientist Rudolf Steiner, Boardman finds convincing evidence of the existence of secretive circles in the West, which have plans for humanitys long-term future. Steiner indicated that such "brotherhoods" had prepared for world war in the twentieth century, and had instructed their members, using redrawn maps as a guide, on how Europe was to be changed. If these brotherhoods existed in Steiner's time, could they still be active today? Based on detailed research, Boardman concludes that such groups are directing world politics in our time. As backing for his theory, he studies a series of important articles and maps--ranging from an 1890 edition of the satirical journal Truth to more recent pieces from influential publications that speak for themselves. He concludes that vast plans are in progress for a New World Order to control and direct individuals and nations, and he calls us to be vigilant, awake and informed.

Following the death of the Austrian philosopher and spiritual scientist Rudolf Steiner in 1925, Ita Wegman - one of his closest esoteric pupils - began to publish regular letters to the members of the Anthroposophical Society. In Steiner's tradition, these letters were appended with 'leading thoughts' (or guiding principles). Esoteric Studies collects many of these 'letters to friends', together with various articles, reports and addresses by Ita Wegman on subjects such as the Christmas Foundation Conference, the Goetheanum building and the festival of Michaelmas. Featuring an informative foreword by Crispian Villeneuve and a commemorative study by George Adams, this book provides a fine introduction to the work of Ita Wegman, as well as a rousing call for courage and wakefulness in the spirit of the Archangel Michael!

Using an accessible question-and-answer format, this short but focused book tackles themes relating to the etheric (or life) realm. What is etheric technology? What are the impacts of radioactivity and atomic energy? How should we read apocalyptic symptoms in science and society? In a fascinating series of discussions, Nick Thomas examines a range of concepts, including: the right and wrong ways to develop an etheric technology; spiritual events in the etheric realm; how the physical world works into the etheric world and vice versa; Rudolf Steiner's "Strader machine"; the nature of truth and lies; attacks by the adversaries on forces of vitality; and humanity's crossing of the threshold to the spiritual world. His explanations and ideas help to evoke a living picture of a great struggle between forces of good and evil, with the future of humanity and the Earth at stake.

The book gives readers a delightfully illustrated introduction to the world of colors. Packed with full-color images, it leads from perception to understanding and from experience to practice. This book is ideal for parents, teachers and anyone who wishes to develop a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the phenomenon of color.

Rudolf Steiner taught that, beginning in the twentieth century, Christ would reappear in the etheric (or 'life') realm of the Earth. And he made two further predictions in relation to that event: firstly that, before such a reappearance could take place, mankind 'must have passed through the encounter with the Beast, which will appear in 1933'; and secondly that, around the end of the twentieth century, 'Sorath' - the Sun Demon - would oppose people's personal vision of the etheric Christ. Taking these statements as his starting point, Tradowsky examines the question of evil and its relationship to Christ. He describes Sorath and his activities, asserting that knowledge of this elusive and terrible being helps individuals to overcome him; and he explains the role of the 'Apocalyptic Beast' in relation to Ahriman - or Antichrist - and the latter's physical incarnation on earth. Intended for those with a close concern for anthroposophy, this book provides essential background information to understanding the events of our time and clarifying our tasks in relation to Christ, evil and the new millennium.

"Enthusiastic readers are sometimes heard to say of a book: 'I couldn't put it down.' This is obviously either a metaphor or else a gross hyperbole. But I can't recall any book as to which in my case it came nearer to the literal truth than The Bodhisattva Question." -- Owen BarfieldAccording to Eastern tradition, the twelve sublime beings known as bodhisattvas are the great teachers of humanity. One after another, they descend into earthly incarnation until they fulfil their earthly missions. At that point, they rise to buddahood and are no longer obliged to return in a physical form. However, before bodhisattvas becomes a buddhas, they announce the name of their successors.According to Rudolf Steiner, the future Maitreya Buddha--or the "Bringer of Good," as his predecessor named him--incarnated in a human body in the twentieth century. Presuming this to be so, then who was this person? Theosophists believed they had discovered the bodhisattva in an Indian boy named Krishnamurti, who did indeed grow up to become a teacher of some magnitude. Adolf Arenson and Elisabeth Vreede, both students of Steiner, made independent examinations of this question in relation to Steiner's personal mission. They reached contrasting conclusions. More recently, a claim has been made that Valentin Tomberg--a student of Anthroposophy but later an influential Roman Catholic--was the bodhisattva.In this book, Meyer analyzes these conflicting theories and demonstrates how the question can be useful as an exercise in developing sound judgment in spiritual matters. Elisabeth Vreede's two lectures on the subject, included here in full, are a valuable contribution to our understanding of the true nature and being of Rudolf Steiner.Includes a new afterword by T. H. Meyer and Carla Vlad.

In this inspiring lecture, addressed primarily to the anthroposophic movement, Prokofieff gives an overview of how the spiritual hierarchies and Christ, the Lord of Karma, work in the ordering of human karma. We are led to the karma and mission of the Anthroposophical Society, with indications as to what needs to happen before that karmic mission can be fulfilled. Prokofieff explains why true modern Christian research into karma does not arise out of intellectual speculation, curiosity or nebulous mystical experiences. The process of karmic research based on spiritual science should lead to a fundamental transformation of human nature, leading to a full experience of the cosmos.

Many individuals with autism are highly intelligent and gifted, but some are effectively imprisoned in their bodies and unable to communicate verbally. However, developments in technology have enabled autistic people to transmit their thoughts directly. In this true account, three autistic people, two of them brothers, speak via the method of "facilitated communication," with the aid of a computer keypad. What is conveyed are not just everyday thoughts and experiences, but surprising and sometimes shattering spiritual and metaphysical perceptions. The conversations reveal remarkable clairvoyant gifts, such as the ability to read other people's thoughts, to see past lives, and to communicate with supernatural entities. The insights in this book provide an astonishing glimpse into the way some people with autism appear to experience the world, and how their experiences can enrich our own.

Saved by good fortune from the flames that engulfed the first Goetheanum, Rudolf Steiners wooden sculpture of the Christ, "the Representative of Humanity," standing between the adversary forces of Lucifer and Ahriman, remains intact, although unfinished, and on display to this day. Unique in the history of art, the Sculptural Group was deeply connected to Rudolf Steiners inner being. The great Christian initiate even died by its side, having made efforts to work on the sculpture days before he crossed the threshold.

Originally published in a hardcover English ed. in 2007.

Rudolf Steiner's core mission, repeatedly delayed due to the incapacity of colleagues, was to pursue contemporary spiritual-scientific research into the phenomena of reincarnation and karma. This stimulating book describes the winding biographical path this mission took, and in particular focuses on the mystery of Rudolf Steiner's connection with the influential medieval philosopher and theologian, Thomas Aquinas. Utilizing numerous archival sources and publications, Thomas Meyer reveals many facts relating to Steiner's core mission, and shows the critical roles played by Wilhelm Anton Neumann and Karl Julius Schroer in its genesis and development. Meyer examines how Steiner's pupils responded to his insights into karma, and places this 'most intrinsic mission' into the context of current divisions within the anthroposophic movement. In particular, he highlights the place of spiritual science within culture and history, showing how Steiner developed the great scientific ideas of evolution propounded by Darwin by raising them to the plane of each individual's soul and spiritual development. As Steiner stated in 1903: 'Scientific researchers explain the skull forms of higher animals as a transformation of a lower type of skull. In the same way one should explain a soul's biography through the soul biography which the former evolved from.'

Biodynamic agriculture, which has consistently increased in popularity over the years, was born from a single course of 8 lectures delivered by Rudolf Steiner in Poland in June 1924. Peter Selg presents a study of the context within which the lectures took place.

"Anthroposophy can become fruitful in the world when a community of people is actively working with the Foundation Stone Meditation. When Zeylmans van Emmichoven revived this Meditation around the whole world, a process began though which the Anthroposophical Society itself, which has been through many conflicts and battles, could be healed again." -- Joop van DamDuring the Christmas Conference of 1923-24 when the Anthroposophical Society was refounded, Rudolf Steiner presented to its members for the first time the Foundation Stone Meditation. On consecutive days during that week, Steiner showed how elements of the Meditation could be rebuilt into new meditations (sometimes referred to as "rhythms"), which could be inwardly practiced.Zeylmans van Emmichoven was present at that formative meeting and lived intensively with these "rhythms" for more than thirty years. Initially in the Netherlands, and later during his many journeys around the world, Zeylmans began to make people aware of the germinating forces contained within the Meditation.This volume remains a seminal book that has inspired generations of students of Anthroposophy.

In 1924 at Koberwitz, the estate of Count and Countess Keyserlingk, Rudolf Steiner gave a key course of lectures on agriculture. At a time when industrial methods were being introduced into farming, Steiner had a radically different, evolutionary vision. Based on a revitalized relationship with nature, his approach encompassed knowledge of the cosmos, the elemental world and the Earth, and utilized special planting methods and preparations. Today biodynamic agriculture is widely valued and used around the world.In addition to the lively and entertaining accounts of the agriculture course held at Koberwitz, this extraordinary book features Countess Keyserlingk's memories of her meetings with Rudolf Steiner, who told the Countess her form of consciousness would be usual "in the third millennium." Her reminiscences reflect this uncommon quality. Also included are essays by the editor that incorporate rare material, including communications received by Countess Keyserlingk after Steiner's death.This book will be of interest to students of biodynamics as well as those interested in how Rudolf Steiner worked to develop Anthroposophy. It is compiled and edited by Adalbert Graf von Keyserlingk, the son of the Count and Countess who hosted the Koberwitz conference.

An esoteric study of beekeeping with practical applications.

Prokofieff's thoughtful commentary sheds new light on the connection between Rudolf Steiner's early work and what he developed later in life. Study of the relevant texts reveals that the roots of Steiner's early work lie in the same spiritual reality--the Christ impulse--as that of the later Anthroposophy he would develop.

This major work comprises a comprehensive study of Eastern and Western esoteric streams and the occult powers that stand behind them. In Part 1 Prokofieff discusses the spiritual movement of Agni Yoga, presented to the world by Helena Roerich and her husband, the painter Nicholas Roerich. Part 2 focuses on the teachings developed by Alice Bailey, whilst Part 3 considers the relationship between Eastern and Western spiritual masters and the occult streams they represent. The first two Parts of the book give descriptions of both the Roerichs' and Alice Bailey's philosophy, based on their own perspective, together with anthroposophical commentaries that give an understanding of these two streams in the light of modern Christian esotericism. As Prokofieff points out, both the Roerichs and Bailey were convinced that the occult teachers who inspired them were the same as those referred to by the founder of Theosophy, Helena Blavatsky. Part 3 deals directly with the mystery of the Eastern teachers, or mahatmas, and their relationship to Christian esotericism. On the basis of extensive research, Prokofieff comes to the startling conclusion that the occultists whom both the Roerichs and Alice Bailey named as their leaders actually have nothing in common with Blavatsky's Eastern mahatmas. In Prokofieff's words: 'Hence...one has to do not with the Eastern mahatmas but with quite different occultists who had illicitly appropriated their names and then tried - while deliberately misleading their followers - to attain their highly dubious occult political aims with the help of the occult movements which had already been initiated.' Prokofieff argues that this appropriation led to a distortion of the age-old Eastern philosophies, giving them an anti-Christian character, and led to phenomena such as 'occult materialism', insidious political goals, and prophecies of a physically incarnating 'Messiah'. Previously available only in German as three separate books, with just an early version of Part 1 published in English, this long-awaited translation of Prokofieff's incisive study offers a fine schooling in discernment, judgement and spiritual insight.

Much plagiarized and its contents distorted over the years, Stein's seminal work is a classic of original scholarly and spiritual research. In studying the central Grail narrative of Wolfram von Eschenbach's Parzival, Stein takes a twofold approach. On the one hand, he searches historical records for the identity of actual people and events concealed behind the Grail epic's veil of romance. On the other hand, Stein deciphers Eschenbach's hidden spiritual messages, showing Parzival to be an esoteric document containing powerful pictures of the human being's inner path of development.Stein reveals the period of the ninth century to be far deeper and more important than to be of mere historical and academic interest. It is the karmic ground from which grows the very destiny of our modern era--the grand battle that must take place between the powers of the Grail and the hindrance of sinister anti-Grail forces at large today.