STEINERBOOKS

September 29, 2019

CHINESE PROVERB

If there is light in the soul,
there will be beauty in the person.
If there is beauty in the person,
there will be harmony in the house.
If there is harmony in the house,
there will be order in the nation.
If there is order in the nation,
there will be peace in the world.

 

What draws us into active study instead of just accepting that teachings or principles are right for us and live our lives accordingly? There are those of us that must find out for ourselves, find our own truth through study, reflection, and experiences. It’s not an easy road, but it is one with great rewards.

We find ourselves in a life of constant research and study as we look for inner peace in a world that requires constant decision making. We look with humility for that feeling that this is the right answer now, and we do that with the help of a meditative practice that provides our minds with a kinder gentler process. A process that does not judge, but rather provides space to consider, space to think carefully about the options that are available, space to walk a meditative path to find the truth.

This week we are sharing some books that can help us all sink into contemplative reading this fall to find our place of strength that only comes from knowing yourself, and your principles. A practice of focused inquiry and reflection on the smallest of details that can shine light on our best choices.

Until next time,

Kathy Donchak

 

Staff Picks of the Week

Michael Ridenour contends that, before human beings can progress, we must cease our reliance on external authorities in the form of dogma, power, and control. We need, instead, to find spiritual and creative solutions from within. Fundamentally, we should discover what makes us truly human and not merely animal. “The direction of this book is to indicate how this may be addressed in artistic and imaginative terms that touch the powder, so to speak, with a different fire that ignites a different future.”

With Meditations, Ridenour provides a fresh and varied look at themes explored in his recent book The Greatest Gift Ever Given. The more meditative, intimate format of this short volume allows content and mode of expression to complement each other by expanding these themes into realms of individual experience. Part one uses a shorter poetic commentary, allowing greater variety and flexibility of focus. Part two builds on paths of individual initiation from the esoteric Christian tradition, showing how they address contemporary concerns for greater spiritual awareness and a more perceptive quality of consciousness. Learn more

Ancient architects and artists had a way of striking resonant chords in those who viewed of their work. However, this skill seems to have disappeared. Beauty Memory Unity points toward a possibility of regaining a new sense of unity in the visual arts through a combination of theoretical ideas and practical methods, of narrative description and visual exercises.

Although Beauty Memory Unity focuses on architecture in particular, artists and designers in any visual field may use the methods presented here. The author suggests several pathways along which contemporary designers might move forward to create a sane and beautiful world by merging art and science. Learn more

Rudolf Steiner draws a clear distinction between the spiritual meaning of the word Intuition and its conventional definition. As the highest form of spiritual perception, Intuition is existentially significant for our process of knowing. Through systematic self-training, we can develop thinking into an intuitive “organ” through which spirit can be understood and penetrated consciously. Intuition can reveal the essence of spirit and the processes through which human beings and the world manifest, as well as events in our life after death.

In his later works, Steiner spoke of Intuition as a form of suprasensory knowledge that is able to provide direct insight into ordinary, practical life as exemplified in his commentaries on geometry, architecture, education, medicine, eurythmy, painting, and the social organization.

The concept of Intuition is fundamental to Rudolf Steiner’s spiritual philosophy. It denotes a clear, pure mode of comprehension akin to a mathematical concept. We encounter this in Steiner’s earliest writings on Goethe, in the development of his philosophical ideas, and in his numerous lectures and addresses. Ably compiled and introduced by Edward de Boer, this volume clarifies a concept that evolved in Steiner’s thinking. By following the idea of Intuition in its gradual transformation and amplification throughout Steiner’s life of writing and lecturing, this book offers not only inspiring paths to spiritual knowledge, but also insights into how Anthroposophy developed. Learn more

 

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