more than books
He ate and drank the precious words,
His spirit grew robust;
He knew no more that he was poor,
Nor that his frame was dust.
He danced along the dingy days,
And this bequest of wings
Was but a book. What liberty
A loosened spirit brings!
—Emily Dickinson, " He ate and drank the precious words (1587)"
New in The Collected Works of Rudolf Steiner
Europe between East and West in Cosmic and Human History
12 lectures, Munich, Sept. 13, 1914 – May 4, 1918 (CW 174a)
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In this wide-ranging series of lectures, Rudolf Steiner sheds new light on the spiritual background to the outbreak of World War I in Europe. Given in Munich between 1914 and 1918—and published in English for the first time—Rudolf Steiner addresses an array of topics in these lectures, including the potential elimination of the soul through specific medicines; intelligence testing as an expression of an ahrimanic trend; the stunted condition of inner development of many people after the age of twenty-seven; the effects in the spiritual world of those who die young; how war teaches selflessness; and the significance of Michael for the appearance of Christ in the etheric. READ MORE
Eurythmy as Speech Made Visible
Speech Eurythmy Course
15 lectures, Dornach, June 24 – July 12, 1924 (CW 279)
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With these fundamental lectures on speech eurythmy—given just months after his course “Eurythmy as Visible Singing”—Rudolf Steiner completed the foundations of the new art of movement. In connecting to the centuries-old esoteric and exoteric Western traditions of “the Word”—the creative power in the sounds of the divine-human alphabet—he gave it concrete form and expression in the performing arts, in education, and for therapy. Although aimed primarily at the professional concerns of eurythmists who perform, teach, or work as therapists, the lectures offer a wealth of suggestions and insights to anyone interested in the arts. READ MORE
Human and Cosmic Thought
4 lectures, Berlin, January 20–23, 1914 (CW 151)
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In these concentrated, aphoristic lectures, Rudolf Steiner speaks of twelve main philosophical perspectives and the importance of comprehending each of them. Appreciating the variety of worldviews not only sharpens our thinking and makes it more flexible, but also helps us to overcome a narrow-minded one sidedness, promoting tolerance of others and their ideas and opinions. The future of philosophy rests not on defending one perspective and refuting all others, but in learning to experience the validity of all perspectives. READ MORE
The Spiritual Background to the First World War
16 lectures, Stuttgart, Sept. 30, 1914–March 3, 1921 (CW 174b)
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With the unprecedented global conflict of World War I as the overarching theme, Rudolf Steiner addresses timeless issues such as the search for harmony among peoples and nations, the development of love as a human capacity, the continuing presence of Christ, and the matters of life after death and reincarnation. Although more than a century old, the enduring themes of these previously untranslated lectures will resonate with many readers today. Published for the first time in English, the main text is supplemented with an introduction by Simon Blaxland-de Lange. READ MORE
Supersensible Impulses in the Historical Development of Humanity
8 lectures, Dornach, September 16 – October 1, 1922 (CW 216)
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With rituals or cultic forms as his central motif, Rudolf Steiner refers extensively to Indian, Persian, and Egyptian initiation rites in particular, and how these enabled people of antiquity to connect with specific spiritual beings. He explains the practical purpose of mummification for the religious life of ancient Egypt, and the ritual in certain secret societies and brotherhoods today as the mummification of Egyptian rites. But he also points to the future, describing how truly formulated rituals have a positive effect on human development. Whereas “inhalation” exercises were relevant to past cultures, the principle of “exhalation” is important for future evolution. READ MORE