An Outline of Occult Science - Softcover

Steiner, Rudolf

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1908388102 ISBN 13: 9781908388100

Publisher: Aziloth Books, 2011

Synopsis

Occult Science is Rudolf Steiner's term for the ancient Way of Initiation, and in this book he shows that an objective description of the spiritual experience, (one quite as balanced as the findings of external science), is both possible and attainable. Material scientists pour scorn on the idea of other spiritual worlds, but it is unreasonable to expect that instruments of gross matter will ever detect the highly attenuated spiritual dimensions. Occult scientists consider the human body is the best, perhaps the only, instrument capable to reaching these dimensions, and while all such detection must perforce be subjective, it is no means non-objective. Regarded by many as Steiner's masterpiece, 'An Outline of Occult Science' is a book with many levels of meaning, one that will repay re-reading on a regular basis.

About this title

Book Description

Steiner's work argues that body, spirit, and soul are bound together and determine the capacity of cognition. Exploring and developing ideas of occult science, the world, human nature, and similarly large, difficult concepts, this work asserts the existence and importance of the 'supersensible' world.

About the Author

Rudolf Steiner (Feb. 27, 1861-Mar. 30, 1925) was born in the small village of Kraljevec, Austria (now in Croatia) in 1861 and died in Dornach, Switzerland in 1925. In university, he concentrated on mathematics, physics, and chemistry. Having written his thesis on philosophy, Steiner earned his doctorate and was later drawn into literary and scholarly circles and participated in the rich social and political life of Vienna. During the 1890s, Steiner worked for seven years in Weimar at the Goethe archive, where he edited Goethe's scientific works and collaborated in a complete edition of Schopenhauer's work. Weimar was a center of European culture at the time, which allowed Steiner to meet many prominent artists and cultural figures. In 1894 Steiner published his first important work, Intuitive Thinking as a Spiritual Path: A Philosophy of Freedom, now published as one of the Classics in Anthroposophy. When Steiner left Weimar, he went to Berlin where he edited an avant-garde literary magazine. Again he involved himself in the rich, rapidly changing culture of a city that had become the focus of many radical groups and movements. Steiner gave courses on history and natural science and offered practical training in public speaking. He refused to adhere to the particular ideology of any political group, which did not endear him to the many activists then in Berlin. In 1899, Steiner's life quickly began to change. His autobiography provides a personal glimpse of his inner struggles, which matured into an important turning point. In the August 28, 1899 issue of his magazine, Steiner published the article "Goethe's Secret Revelation" on the esoteric nature of Goethe's fairy tale, The Green Snake and the Beautiful Lily. Consequently, Steiner was invited to speak to a gathering of Theosophists. This was his first opportunity to act on a decision to speak openly and directly of his spiritual perception, which had quietly matured since childhood through inner development and discipline. Steiner began to speak regularly to theosophical groups, which upset and confused many of his friends. The respectable, if often radical scholar, historian, scientist, writer, and philosopher began to emerge as an "occultist." Steiner's decision to speak directly from his own spiritual research did not reflect any desire to become a spiritual teacher, feed curiosity, or to revive some ancient wisdom. It arose from his perception of what is needed for our time.

Edition details

• Publisher: Aziloth Books
• Publication date: 2011
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1908388102
• ISBN 13: 9781908388100
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 218