The Way of Initiation or How to Attain Knowledge of the Higher Worlds

Stated Third Impression at title page; and, stated at copyright: "1500 printed December, 1908; 1500 printed May, 1909; 2000 printed November 1909." Translated by Max Gysi with a foreward by Annie Besant, and short biography of Rudolf Steiner by Edouard Schure. Scarce third impression of this classic. Interestingly, while it appears to match other books of Steiner from same period published by The Occult Publishing House, there are labels placed over original publisher, both at title page and at back: "Send Orders to: The Swastika Book Shop, 526 Fourteenth Street, Denver, Colo. U.S.A." Blue full cloth boards, gilt cover titles and design, some corner, edge, spine wear, rub, discoloration. Gilded symbol at cover. Frontispiece portrait of Rudolf Steiner with facsimile signature below. Pages generally very good; no writing. Bind good, square, intact. Solid first edition and scarce early issue of Gysi's translation into English. Contents: "The Personality of Rudolf Steiner and His Development; The Superphysical World and Its Gnosis; How to Attain Knowledge of the Higher Worlds; The Path of Discipleship; Probation; Enlightenment; Initation; The Higher Education of the Soul; and, The Conditions of Discipleship." "The personality of Rudolf Steiner and his development. He is both a true occultist and a true mystic. His real initiator." - Edouard Schure. "Steiner's views represent a deeply mystical Christian Theosophy and are of great utility. He is the natural heir to the German mystics, and adds to their profound spirituality the fine lucidity of a philosophic mind." - Annie Besant. Summaries: Chapter I. The Superficial World and Its Gnosis: How we may attain knowledge of ourselves. All have the same rights, the same liberty. During the nineteenth century, civilization has moved along physical lines. Higher powers are only developed on planes higher than the physical. How can one attain to superphysical truths, and of what help are spiritual powers. Chapter II. How to Attain Knowledge of Higher Worlds: Everyone has latent faculties by means of which they may acquire knowledge of the Higher Worlds. The development of these faculties. He who strives earnestly after higher knowledge need not be afraid of any difficulty or obstacle in his search for an Initiate who shall be able to lead him into the profounder secrets of the world. The opening of the spiritual eyes. Chapter III. The Path of Discipleship: How to distinguish between the real and unreal. Those who really know are always the most modest. Man and spirit can be united. Why man knows nothing of those experiences which lie beyond the borders of Birth and Death. How we may obtain such knowledge. The Occult Science the means of developing the spiritual ears and eyes and kindling the spiritual sight. Chapter IV. Probation: The dawing of the spiritual world, the so-called astral plane. Chapter V. Enlightenment: Enlightenment is a matter of developing certain feelings and thoughts which are dormant within all men but must be awakened. The inner illumination. The golden rule of true Occultism. What we have to do before we are initiated into the higher mysteries. Chapter VI. Initiation: The highest stages in an occult scholl of which it is possible to speak in a book. The Initiation. The Temple of Higher Wisdom. The Three Trials; Fire-Trail, Water-Trial, Air-Trial. Chapter VII. The Higher Education of the Soul: The culture of the soul and spirit. Chapter VIII. The Conditions of Discipleship: Everyone can receive occult training if they are willing to fulfill the claims which are put forward by the occult teacher. Note: Dr. Steiner gives advice and makes statements which are based on his own personal experience which makes his works very valuable. Advert at back for Initiation and Its Results; available from the The Swastika Book Shop. 210 pages. Insured post. Size: 8vo - over 7¾ - 9¾" Tall.…