Dante's Revelation
Dante's Revelation
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Even after seven centuries of historical development, the core of Dante’s work is probably more relevant today than ever. With his Divine Comedy, the great poet wanted to open the eyes of his contemporaries to the realities of the spiritual world and to the consequences of how we choose to live our life. He also fought for moral and social healing of society and culture and pointed to the source of all healing—the living spirit.
The author did not write this book as a memorial to Dante. Rather, it is meant to show us how Dante’s masterwork enables us to recognize and better understand ourselves, as well as our life choices and our personal and cultural situation.
This book was originally published in Dutch as Antes openbaring, Een studie over leven en werk van Dante Alighieri(Uitgeverij Vrij Geestesleven 2004).
C O N T E N T S:
Concise Overview of the Divine Comedy
1. In the Fire of Love
General introduction. Two points of view are given: (1) Dante’s current relevance; (2) the reality of Dante’s suprasensory experiences that form the basis of the Divine Comedy. The goal of this study is to develop both points of view. In order to approach the esoteric aspects of the Divine Comedy the reader has to be willing to embark on an inner path of schooling himself. Dante’s work is a call to turn to the spirit. This call also applies to our time.
2. The Essence of the Human Being as the Key to the Divine Comedy
Dante himself speaks of a fourfold interpretation of his work: literal, allegorical, moral, and anagogical, or striving for the spirit. These four aspects are demonstrated in the structure of the Divine Comedy. In the view of the author, the four aspects correspond with the four elements of the human being as described in Rudolf Steiner’s Anthroposophy.
3. Life Rhythms and Destiny Elements in Dante’s Biography
The role of developmental cycles in the course of human life. The periods of eighteen years and seven months, and the seven-year periods in relation to the rhythms of the moon and Saturn respectively. The moon and Saturn rhythms in Dante’s life.
4. Serva Italia, Serva Europa
Sketch of the historical background of Dante’s life and work. Political and spiritual streams. The special position of the Order of the Templars with which Dante had a connection. Brief sketch of the downfall of this order.
5. The Secret of the Veltro
Dante’s prophecy of the coming of a redeemer is considered from different angles. Interesting statements by Rudolf Steiner are quoted and contemplated.
6. Roma, Amor, Flora
The lingering influence, positive and negative, of Roman culture. Emperor Frederick II, Machiavelli. The three names of Rome: mystery secrets relating to Mars, Venus and Mercury.
7. Roma, Amor, Flora in the Divine Comedy
The theme of the previous chapter in direct relation to the content of the Divine Comedy—the negative Rome (Mars) aspect of Inferno, the Amor (Venus) aspect in Purgatorio, and the Flora (Mercury) aspect in Paradiso.
8. Brunetto Latini and the School of Chartres
Dante’s teacher, Brunetto Latini, was an initiate. His work, Il Tesoretto, as well as the relation of this work with the Christian-Platonic monastic academy of Chartres in the twelfth century. The information Rudolf Steiner provided concerning Brunetto’s initiation, and the spiritual emanation from the School of Chartres that worked on Dante indirectly through Brunetto.
9. Lady Natura in the Divine Comedy
The School of Chartres. Natura wisdom of Bernardus Silvestris and Alanus ab Insulis. Their influence is perceptible in passages of Purgatorio, where the earthly paradise is described. The figure of Matilda.
10. Dante, the Initiate
The four forms of rapture according to Plato (Phaedrus). The figure of Virgil on Dante’s mystical journey. The connection between the underworld and the human material body; the depths of the earth. Esoteric (Johannine) Christianity in Dante’s life and work. The Celtic element in Dante. In this connection, the strange adventure of Ulysses in the Divine Comedy: the dangerous voyage to the West.
11. Apollonian and Dionysian Initiation Motifs in the Divine Comedy
Hints of mystery wisdom that is older than Greek-Roman culture. Passages in Paradiso related to the ancient Drotten and Druid mysteries of northern Europe. The so-called macrocosmic (Apollonian) path of initiation. The mystic (Dionysian) initiation is often described as a descent into the underworld, for example by the Celtic bards. One of the most interesting precursors of the Divine Comedy is the Vision of Tondolus, an Irish knight who experiences a descent into hell and journey through heaven.
12. Beatrice—Symbol and Reality
Dante’s relationship with the troubadours and the Fedeli d’Amore. Franciscan mysticism and musical rapture. Striving for wisdom in scholasticism. Beatrice and the Sophia being.
13. Beatrice and La Somma Sapienza
Scholasticism and Arabism. The Aristotelian concepts of intellectus agens and intellectus possibilis. The doctrine of “double truth,” unredeemed thinking. Thomas Aquinas and Dante. Philosophia leads to mystical beholding. Beatrice is the guide on this path.
14. Predestination, Providence, Reincarnation
Dante’s tormenting question of the justice of God. The doctrine of St. Augustine. Predestination and grace. Reincarnation in the Divine Comedy: Emperor Trajan and Pope Gregory the Great.
15. Dante’s Cosmic Psychology
The doctrine of virtue and vice as planet-psychology. Purgatorio as the true soul world. The soul spectrum of the seven virtues as metamorphoses of amore. Old mystery wisdom and new science of the soul through Anthroposophy.
16. The Realm of the Holy Spirit
Joachim da Fiore, prophet of the realm of the holy Spirit. Apocalypse and history. The crisis of the human “I.” The situation today.
Appendix: The Fedeli d’Amore
Bibliography
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