Three Lectures on the Mystery Dramas

by Rudolf Steiner

Overview

3 lectures, Basel and Berlin, Sept. 17, 1910 - Dec. 19, 1911 (CW 125)

Rudolf Steiner wrote four mystery dramas intended to portray the spiritual path of self-knowledge as described by spiritual science, or Anthroposophy. Those plays are not merely symbolic but realistic depictions in a spiritual sense.

In this book, Steiner describes how "The Portal of Initiation" (the first of his dramas) portrays the intense and tempestuous inner events of initiation as experienced by a young painter. He explains the spiritual background of this character's "karmic" tests and higher guidance. He also discusses the Rosicrucian nature of this play, as well as the "symbolism and fantasy" of the second drama, "The Soul's Probation." Steiner also emphasizes the power of certain fairy tales and poetry for bridging the gap between the spiritual and material worlds. As one of the mystery dramas shows, this is especially valuable for those who tend to be intellectuals.

Rudolf Steiner portrayed much of the wisdom of his spiritual science in the mystery dramas and intended them to graphically depict what he taught all his life. As he said, "If people will exert themselves...to work with the drama, I will not have to give any more lectures for a long time."

This book is a translation from German of 3 (of 14) lectures in Wege und Ziele des geistigen Menschen. Lebensfragen im Lichte der Geisteswissenschaft (GA 125).

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781621510048
Publisher:	SteinerBooks
Publication date:	03/01/1983
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	209 KB

About the Author

Rudolf 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. At the
beginning of the twentieth century, he began to develop his early
philosophical principles into an approach to systematic research into
psychological and spiritual phenomena. Formally beginning his spiritual
teaching career under the auspices of the Theosophical Society, Steiner
came to use the term Anthroposophy (and spiritual science) for his
philosophy, spiritual research, and findings. The influence of Steiner's
multifaceted genius has led to innovative and holistic approaches in
medicine, various therapies, philosophy, religious renewal, Waldorf
education, education for special needs, threefold economics, biodynamic
agriculture, Goethean science, architecture, and the arts of drama,
speech, and eurythmy. In 1924, Rudolf Steiner founded the General
Anthroposophical Society, which today has branches throughout the world.
He died in Dornach, Switzerland.
Ruth Pusch, born Ruth Barnett, was raised in New Haven,
Connecticut. After a period of time spent in Dornach, Switzerland, as a
student of spiritual science, she married the actor Hans Pusch in 1932
while in the U.S. Together, they returned to Dornach, where Ruth studied
eurythmy with some of the pioneers of that new art form. She later
taught eurythmy in New York City and was an early teacher at the Waldorf
School New York City. She and her husband were also active in bringing
the anthroposophic impulse to the dramatic arts in North America. Along
with Hans, Ruth Pusch also helped translate Rudolf Steiner's four
mystery plays.

Table of Contents

LECTURES:

1. Self-knowledge as Portrayed in the Rosicrucian Mystery, The Portal of Initiation
2. On the Rosicrucian Mystery, The Portal of Initiation
3. Symbolism and Phantasy in Relation to the Mystery Drama The Soul's Probation

This book is a translation from German of 3 (of 14) lectures in Wege und Ziele des geistigen Menschen. Lebensfragen im Lichte der Geisteswissenschaft (GA 125).