Founding a Science of the Spirit

by Rudolf Steiner, M. Barton (Translator), Brien Masters (Introduction)

Overview

'Everyone can derive joy and hope from the communications of another, for what we are told about the higher worlds is not mere theory, unrelated to life. As its fruits, it brings us two things we must have if we are to lay hold of life in the right way – strength and security – and both are given in the highest measure.' – Rudolf Steiner Rudolf Steiner speaks with great clarity and precision on the fundamental nature of the human being in relation to the cosmos, the evolution of the Earth, the journey of the soul after death, reincarnation and karma, good and evil, and the modern path of meditative training. Throughout, his emphasis is on a scientific exposition of spiritual phenomena. As he says in the final lecture: 'the highest knowledge of mundane things is thoroughly compatible with the highest knowledge of spiritual truths'. This popular course of lectures offers a fine introduction to the whole of Steiner's teaching, and is an excellent complement to his fundamental texts. At the same time, it features valuable material that cannot be found elsewhere, such as two rare question-and-answer sessions, where the lecturer offers immediate and often surprising responses to audience members' queries. This new edition features an introduction by Brien Masters, notes and an index. Fourteen lectures, Stuttgart; Aug.–Sept. 1906, GA 95

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781855847101
Publisher:	Rudolf Steiner Press
Publication date:	06/09/2025
Series:	The Collected Works of Rudolf Steiner , #95
Sold by:	Bookwire
Format:	eBook
Pages:	200
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Rudolf Steiner (b. Rudolf Joseph Lorenz 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. Steiner termed his spiritual philosophy anthroposophy, meaning "wisdom of the human being." As an exceptionally developed seer, he based his work on direct knowledge and perception of spiritual dimensions. He initiated a modern, universal "spiritual science" that is accessible to anyone willing to exercise clear and unbiased thinking. From his spiritual investigations, Steiner provided suggestions for the renewal of numerous activities, including education (general and for special needs), agriculture, medicine, economics, architecture, science, philosophy, Christianity, and the arts. There are currently thousands of schools, clinics, farms, and initiatives in other fields that involve practical work based on the principles Steiner developed. His many published works feature his research into the spiritual nature of human beings, the evolution of the world and humanity, and methods for personal development. He wrote some thirty books and delivered more than six thousand lectures throughout much of Europe. In 1924, Steiner founded the General Anthroposophical Society, which today has branches around the world.

Brien Masters, Ph.D., was qualified as both a state and a Waldorf teacher and taught everything from music to math to map reading. He taught around the world and acted as a consultant to government ministries. He wrote numerous articles and several publications for use in schools. His doctoral thesis is a critical appraisal of Waldorf praxis in the light of Rudolf Steiner's original educational ideas. Brien Masters was director of the London Waldorf Teacher Training Seminar, as well as a seminar in Gran Canaria, the Canary Islands. He died in October 2013.

Matthew Barton is a translator, editor, teacher, and poet, and taught kindergarten for many years at the Bristol Waldorf School. His first collection of poems was Learning To Row (1999). He has won numerous prizes for his work, including an Arts Council Writer's Award and a Hawthornden Fellowship.