The Spiritual Guidance of Man (eBook)

Spiritual Guidance of Man: Secrets of Spiritual Leadership from Ancient to Modern Times

Behind the outer events of human history spiritual forces have guided human destinies. In this book Rudolf Steiner portrays the spiritual leadership of ancient India, Egypt, and Greece. He explains how the guidance of humanity later came under the beneficent influence of Christ, as well as angelic beings working for both good and ill. After the turning point of 1250 A.D. a modern form of esoteric spirituality arose to shape human development. Now our century witnesses a revival of spiritual influences from ancient Egypt.

Reviewed by Steiner for publication, these three lecture also treat secrets of the connection between the early stages of childhood and the Christ being, and the role of the unborn child in choosing its parents and horoscope.

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.