Earthly and Cosmic Man (eBook)

Earthly and Cosmic Man

Nine lectures, Berlin, 1911-1912 (CW 133)

These lectures concentrate on laws of human destiny and reincarnation in the development of the free, self-conscious, independent human personality.

C O N T E N T S:

Foreword by Marie Steiner

1. Introductory Lecture. Winter Session
2. Evidences of Bygone Ages in Modern Civilization
3. “Chance” and Present-Day Consciousness – An Easter Meditation
4. The Forces of the Human Soul and Their Inspirers – Kalewala: The Epic of the Finns
5. The Idea of Reincarnation and its Introduction into Western Culture – The Heralding of Christianity
6. The Mission of the Earth – Wonder, Compassion and Conscience. The Christ Impulse
7. The Signature of Human Evolution – The Advancing Individuality. The Dawn of the New Power of the Spirit-Self in Man
8. Consciousness, Memory, Karma – Thought Forms
9. Form-Creating Forces – The Principle of Progress in Evolution. Seriousness of the Hour

About the Author

Rudolf Steiner (1861–1925) was born in the small village of Kraljevec, Austro-Hungarian Empire (now in Croatia), where he grew up. As a young man, he lived in Weimar and Berlin, where he became a well-published scientific, literary, and philosophical scholar, known especially for his work with Goethe’s scientific writings. At the beginning of the twentieth century, he began to develop his early philosophical principles into an approach to systematic research into psychological and spiritual phenomena. Formally beginning his spiritual teaching career under the auspices of the Theosophical Society, Steiner came to use the term Anthroposophy (and spiritual science) for his philosophy, spiritual research, and findings. The influence of Steiner’s multifaceted genius has led to innovative and holistic approaches in medicine, various therapies, philosophy, religious renewal, Waldorf education, education for special needs, threefold economics, biodynamic agriculture, Goethean science, architecture, and the arts of drama, speech, and eurythmy. In 1924, Rudolf Steiner founded the General Anthroposophical Society, which today has branches throughout the world. He died in Dornach, Switzerland.