The Life of the Soul

The Life of the Soul Between Subconsciousness and Supraconsciousness

In this formative study, Georg Kühlewind establishes a truly spiritual psychology. This psychology distinguishes between the subconscious regions explored by previous psychological schools and the supra-consciousness, which is identified as the light-filled, living source of our normal waking awareness and thought. As such, it is radically “present,” in contrast to our normal thoughts and emotions, which belong to a “past-consciousness,” composed of pre-formed elements. The principle of higher cognition guides Kühlewind’s presentation, as it guides the individual psyche, to a place in which human and world are no longer separate.

Kühlewind shows, and the attentive reader can experience, that the non-dual realm is not to be found spatially or temporally, but exists within the processes of cognition. From this it becomes clear how the diseases of consciousness so familiar to us today arise from the decay of this higher cognitive potential. Special chapters on memory and on the subconsciousness offer specific results of Kühlewind’s own spiritual scientific researches. The book also includes new indications about the meditative path—the steps by which our current cognitive powers can be developed in the direction of their spiritual source.

About the Author

Georg Kühlewind (1924–2006) was a Hungarian philosopher, writer, lecturer, and meditation teacher who worked from the tradition of Rudolf Steiner’s spiritual science. Setting aside his early interest in music and psychology, he pursued a successful professional career as a physical chemist. Meanwhile, he continued to deepen his spiritual practice and insights. A prolific author (most of whose works are still only in German), Georg Kühlewind spent much time traveling the world, lecturing and leading workshops and seminars in meditation, psychology, epistemology, child development, anthroposophy, and esoteric Christianity. He was the author of numerous books. Kühlewind died January 15, 2006 at the age of 83.