The Mystery of Death

15 lectures, various cities, January 31 – June 19, 1915 (CW 159)

“Life will have been worthless for us if we have lived for several decades and continue at a later time to judge something that we have experienced in the same way that we evaluated it when we were younger. If we spend our life in such a way, we are very far removed from wisdom. Karma may have brought it about that we became angry when we were young and condemned this or that quality in other people. If we hold fast to this, we will have made poor use of our life.” — Rudolf Steiner (Jan. 31, 1915)

Speaking during the early stages of World War I—with the Western Front just miles away and thousands of young men dying—Rudolf Steiner focuses on the subject of death. In particular, he addresses the difficult question of why some people die prematurely, especially in youth. He also speaks about the deaths of three acquaintances, having made contact with their living souls in the afterlife, voicing their own words and describing the first stages of their journeys after death.

Steiner strikes a second chord with his description of the task of Central Europe in the context of the various “folk souls.” The influences of these spiritual entities are reflected in the culture and life of various peoples but do not promote nationalism. Indeed, nationalism cannot be transcended until we understand and recognize our differences. This approach is based on phenomenology rather than on value judgements.

The third main theme that runs through these lectures has to do with understanding the active impulses and connections in history. Reaching beyond simple notions of “fate,” can we allow for the activities of the Christ impulse?

These extraordinary lectures previously unpublished in English—are presented here with an introduction, notes, and index.

This volume is a translation from German of Das Geheimnis des Todes. Wesen und Bedeutung Mitteleuropas und die europäischen Volksgeister (GA 159).