Rudolf Steiner e.Lib 

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These lectures were given midway between World War I and Steiner's death in 1925. They will be of particular interest to anyone wanting to comprehend Rudolf Steiner's mature understanding of his mission: “enchristing” the world. The first two lectures constitute a call to arms or return to basics. Steiner speaks existentially and phenomenologically, building upon recognizable descriptions of actual experiences. His theme is the three states of consciousness (waking, dreaming, and dreamless sleep), and he shows how these ordinary human functions have initiatory possibilities.

The next four lectures deal with the evolution of consciousness in relation to the universal significance of the Christ event. Through the resurrection, Christ's being entered earthly evolution. As a result, we see the world differently. Where ancient humanity experienced, “Not I but the divine spirit around me,” we can experience, “Not I, but the Christ in me.” With this insight, we reach the heart of this volume — esoteric Christianity.

For Steiner, our most important task as human beings is to learn to overcome death by uniting with the Christ, who overcame death. Humanity's survival depends upon the “enchristing” of the world. It is the purpose of Anthroposophy to bring this reality into world evolution, to enable all religions and all human beings to experience the new reality.

Lectures include:

• The Life of the Human Soul in Sleeping, Waking, and Dreaming,
• The Three States of Night Consciousness,
• The Transformation of Worldviews,
• Historical Changes in the Experience of Breathing,
• The Human Being as Portrayed in Greek Art,
• Investigating and Formulating the Cosmic Word in Inhalation and Exhalation,
• Exoteric and Esoteric Christianity,
• The Teachings of the Risen Christ,
• Spiritual Insight and Initiation -or-
  Knowledge of the Christ through Initiation,
• Knowledge of the Christ through Anthroposophy,
• The Significance of the Sun in Ancient and Modern Times, Zarathustra, Cardinal Newman, -or-
  The Threefold Sun and the Risen Christ,
• Anthroposophy as an Attempt to Enchristen the World -or-
  The End of the Dark Age,

Known Publications:

• , German language editions: 1999, 2000. ISBN 3-7274-0000-X,
• ,
• , ISBN 0-88010-000-X,

GA 211 ... Selections ...

Knowledge and Initiation — Cognition of the Christ Through Anthroposophy

Steiner describes exercises and aspects of the path to attain exact knowledge of the spiritual worlds. He shows how natural egotism accompanying spiritual development is overcome by the attitude 'Not I, but Christ in me.' The lectures were given to an audience familiar with Anthroposophy. The reader, who has no prior acquaintance with Anthroposophy, can gain the necessary background by reading Rudolf Steiner's books: “Knowledge of the Higher Worlds and its attainment” and “Theosophy”. The original German texts of these lectures are published under the title: Das Sonnenmysterium und das Mysterium von Tod und Auferstehung (Vol. 211 in the Bibliographical Survey, 1961.).

The Teachings of Christ, the Resurrected

This lecture is number 8 of 12 in the lecture series entitled, The Sun Mystery ... Death, Resurrection, and was published in German as, Das Sonnenmysterium und das Mysterium von Tod und Auferstehung. Exoterisches und esoterisches Christentum (Volume 211 in the Bibliographic Survey, 1961). It appears in the lecture series, Exoteric and Esoteric Christianity and was translated by Lisa Dreher and Henry B. Monges. Published in 1940. From Ga/Bn 211.

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This publication also contains lectures from GA 211

Planetary Spheres and Their Influence on Mans Life on Earth and in the Spiritual Worlds

Steiner reveals in this book the experiences we have after death, our spiritual connections with the planetary powers, and our preparations for reincarnation. With enlightening clarity, he shows us the vastness of our earthly and cosmic existence. Three lectures from: Spiritual Relationships in the Human Organism. Formerly published privately for members. Translated from the German by George and Mary Adams from Shorthand Reports unrevised by the Lecturer. From Bn 211, GA 214, and 218.4.

The End of the Dark Age

The lecture presented here was given in Vienna on June 11, 1922, and is the 12th of 12 lectures in the series entitled: The Sun Mystery ... Death, Resurrection. It appears in the original German in Das Sonnenmysterium und das Mysterium von tod und Auferstehung. Exoterisches und esoterisches Christentum, Bibliographic Nr. 211, Dornach 1978. This lecture is also known as: Anthroposophy, a Striving for Spiritual Understanding of Nature Permeated by Christ. The translator is unknown.