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The first English version of this basic work by Rudolf Steiner, appeared in print in 1904 as two volumes with the titles:

1. “The Way of Initiation or How to Attain Knowledge of the Higher Worlds,” (Bn 10.1)
2. “Initiation and Its Results.” (its sequel) (Bn 10.2)

It was extensively rewritten, and the new version appeared in English translation in 1923 with the title, Knowledge of the Higher Worlds and Its Attainment. This book, perhaps the most controversial of Steiner's extensive literary legacy, suggests the possibility of a person in the 20th century developing sufficient skills of concentration, empathy, etc. to be able to obtain first-hand knowledge of spiritual realities consciously. It was originally published in German as, Wie Erlangt Man Erkenntnisse der Hoeheren Welten?.

The contents of this book are:
    How is Knowledge of the Higher Worlds Attained?
    The Stages of Initiation
    Initiation
    Some Practical Aspects
    The Conditions for Esoteric Training
    Some Effects of Initiation
    The Transformation of Dream Life
    The Continuity of Consciousness
    The Division of Personality during Spiritual Training
    The Guardian of the Threshold
    Life and Death, The Greater Guardian of the Threshold

Known Publications (GA/BN 10):

• Wie Erlangt Man Erkenntnisse der Hoeheren Welten? German language editions: 1904, 1907, 1909, 1910, 1914, 1914, 1914, 1918, 1919, 1920, 1922, 1931, 1935, 1939, 1945, 1947, 1948, 1951, 1955, 1961, 1972, 1975, 1982, 1993 ISBN 3-7274-0100-1,
• Knowledge of the Higher Worlds and Its Attainment, G. P. Putnam's Sons, London and New York, 1923 et seq., translated from the German by George Metaxa, 1923, 1928, 1932, 1934
• Knowledge of the Higher Worlds and Its Attainment, Rudolf Steiner Press, London, translated from the German by George Metaxa, 1937, 1938, 1942, 1944, 1947
• Knowledge of the Higher Worlds and Its Attainment, Anthroposophic Press, New York, 1947, 268 pp., translated from the 11th German edition of 1922 by H. Monges
• Knowledge of the Higher Worlds and Its Attainment, Anthroposophical Publishing Co., London, 1958, translated from the German by G. Metaxa and M. Cotterell
• Knowledge of the Higher Worlds and Its Attainment, Anthroposophic Press, New York, 1961, 272 pp., translated from the German by G. Metaxa, H. Monges, and L. D. Monges
• Knowledge of the Higher Worlds and Its Attainment, Rudolf Steiner Press, London, 1963, 159 pp., translated from the German by G. Metaxa, M. Cotterell and J. Davy
• Knowledge of the Higher Worlds: How Is It Achieved? Rudolf Steiner Press, London, 1969, 222 pp., translated from the German by D. S. Osmond and C. Davy
• Knowledge of the Higher Worlds and Its Attainment, Anthroposophic Press, Spring Valley, N. Y., 1975, 1983, 1984, 1986, 272 pp., translated from the German by H. Monges and L. D. Monges ISBN 0-88010-045-1, Cloth; ISBN 0-88010-046-X, Paper
• Knowledge of the Higher Worlds: How Is It Achieved? Rudolf Steiner Press, London, 1976, 222 pp., translated from the German by D. S. Osmond and C. Davy
• How To Know Higher Worlds, A Modern Path of Initiation, Anthroposophic Press, New York, 1994, 288pp., translated from the German by C. Bamford ISBN 0-88010-372-8 Also see: ISBN 0-85440-221-7, ISBN 1-85440-002-2 ISBN 0-88010-372-8,
  Also see: ISBN 0-85440-221-7,, ISBN 1-85440-002-2,
• Reprinted by Kessinger Publications.

Known Publications (BN 10.1):

• The Way of Initiation or How To Attain Knowledge of the Higher Worlds, Theosophical Publishing, London, 237 pp., translated from the German by Max Gysi. Published 1908, 1912, 1914.
• The Way of Initiation or How To Attain Knowledge of the Higher Worlds, Macoy Publishing and Masonic Supply Co., New York, 163 pp., translated from the German by Max Gysi. Published 1910, 1920, 1923.
• The Way of Initiation or How To Attain Knowledge of the Higher Worlds, Health Research, Mokelumne Hill, California, 70 pp. Published 1970.
• The Way of Initiation or How To Attain Knowledge of the Higher Worlds, Occult Publishing Co., Chicago, 210 pp. Published 1909, 1911.
• Reprinted by Kessinger Publications.

Known Publications (BN 10.2):

• Initiation and Its Results, Theosophical Publishing Society, London, translated from the German by Clifford Bax, and published 1909, 1910.
• Initiation and Its Results, Macoy Publishing and Masonic Supply Co., New York, 134 pp., translated from the German by Clifford Bax. Published 1909, 1916.
• Initiation and Its Results, Occult Publishing Company, Chicago, 180 pp. Published 1910.
• Reprinted by Kessinger Publications.