Antroposophy

History of Anthroposophy

In his early career, Steiner worked as an editor of the scientific works of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. In 1902 Steiner met the philanthropist and theosophist Marie von Sivers, with whom he began a lifelong collaboration. They founded the Theosophical Society in Germany and Steiner soon became its secretary. He was interested in the philosophy and esotericism of his time and was particularly influenced by Theosophy, a spiritual movement that sought to understand the nature of the universe and man. During this period Steiner developed his own unique spiritual philosophy, which he called Anthroposophy. The term “anthroposophy” is derived from the Greek “anthropos” (man) and “sophia” (wisdom), meaning “wisdom of man”.

Steiner began lecturing on topics such as esotericism, philosophy, art and human existence. His lectures attracted increasingly large audiences and he founded several Anthroposophical Societies in different countries. In 1912, the first Free School of Spiritual Science was founded in Dornach, Switzerland, as a center for spiritual and artistic development.

Rudolf Steiner remained active as a writer and speaker until his death on March 30, 1925. After his death, his followers continued his work and expanded the application of Anthroposophy to various areas of life.

The philosophy of Rudolf Steiner

Rudolf Steiner’s philosophy, Anthroposophy, is based on the idea that man is a spiritual being undergoing an evolutionary journey. Steiner believed that the human soul passes through multiple lifetimes, with each incarnation aimed at developing spiritual consciousness and realizing individual destiny.

A central concept in Anthroposophy is the idea of the threefold human being. Steiner viewed man as a being consisting of three parts: the physical body, the etheric body and the astral body. The physical body is the material aspect of man, while the etheric body contains the life principle (=vitalism) that maintains the physical body. The astral body is the emotional and mental aspect of man, which is connected to desires, emotions and thoughts.

Steiner also believed in the presence of an individual consciousness, which he called the “I”. The “I” is the center of consciousness and individuality and has the ability to develop and transform itself.

Anthroposophy also includes a cosmological perspective, with Steiner believing that humanity is part of a cosmic order. He described the evolution of humanity in different stages of consciousness, from an original unity with the cosmos to a phase of individual development and awareness.

Goethe’s influence on Steiner

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the famous German poet, writer and scientist, had a profound influence on Rudolf Steiner, the founder of anthroposophy. Steiner regarded Goethe as one of the greatest minds in European cultural history and drew on his works and ideas to develop his own philosophy and spiritual insights.

Born in 1749, Goethe was considered one of the most important figures of German literature. He wrote famous works such as “Faust”, “Die Leiden des jungen Werthers” and “Wilhelm Meisters Lehrjahre”. But Goethe was not just a poet; he was also a versatile scientist and philosopher. His studies in botany, geology, optics and anatomy were of great importance. Steiner viewed Goethe’s work as a bridge between art, science and spirituality.

One of the most important aspects of Goethe’s work that Steiner was inspired by was his holistic approach to nature. Goethe believed that nature could not only be studied by analyzing and dissecting its elements, but that it should also be perceived and understood as a living organism. He emphasized the importance of direct observation and intuitive perception to understand the coherence and essential character of nature.

This holistic approach to nature was closely aligned with Steiner’s philosophy, which also viewed humans as an integral part of the greater whole of the universe. Steiner believed that man not only had a physical body, but also a spiritual and spiritual dimension. He emphasized the importance of understanding and experiencing the connections between these different aspects of human nature. For example, he developed anthroposophical medicine, combining Goethe’s holistic approach with his own spiritual insights to promote a deeper understanding of human health and disease.

Another important aspect of Goethe’s work that influenced Steiner was his understanding of human development and transformation. Goethe believed that man is constantly evolving and growing, both physically and spiritually. He saw life as a process of constant change and development, in which people continually gain new insights and experiences. Steiner believed that humanity was evolving into higher states of consciousness and that individuals had the opportunity to further their own spiritual development. He emphasized the importance of personal growth, self-exploration and spiritual practices to stimulate this development.

Goethe’s influence on Steiner went beyond his ideas and philosophy. Steiner was also involved in editing and publishing Goethe’s scientific works, such as the “Metamorphose der Pflanzen” and the “Farbenlehre”. He saw himself as a custodian and promoter of Goethe’s work and sought to popularize it and make it accessible to a wider audience.

Rudolf Steiner founded the “Goetheanum”, a center for spiritual and cultural activities, named after Goethe in 1913. The Goetheanum became the epicenter of the anthroposophical movement and served as a meeting place for artists, scientists and spiritual seekers. It was a place where the ideas and insights of both Goethe and Steiner were explored and applied.

Goethe’s influence on Steiner can also be seen in the way Steiner approached art. Like Goethe, he believed that art was not only for aesthetic pleasure, but also as a means of conveying spiritual and emotional experiences. Steiner encouraged artists to base their work on deeper insights into human nature and the cosmos.

Blavatsky’s influence on Steiner

Steiner was very influenced by Helena Petrovna Blavatsky’s work. She was a Russian-American occultist and co-founder of the Theosophical Society in 1875 and was best known for her book “The Secret Doctrine”. This work presented a complex synthesis of Eastern and Western esoteric traditions and introduced concepts such as karma, reincarnation and the hierarchies of spiritual beings. Her work also emphasized the search for spiritual truth and the exploration of hidden dimensions of existence.

As Steiner developed further in his own spiritual quest, he began to differentiate himself from the theosophical movement and developed his own system of knowledge, anthroposophy. Steiner believed that Theosophy focused too much on abstract metaphysical concepts and paid too little attention to the concrete spiritual development of the individual. He also felt that Blavatsky’s work focused too much on intellectual understanding and not enough on the practical application of spiritual principles in everyday life.

Steiner’s anthroposophy built on some of the concepts introduced by Blavatsky, such as karma and reincarnation. Although Steiner ultimately distinguished himself from Blavatsky and the theosophical movement, Blavatsky’s influence on Steiner cannot be denied. Her work served as a springboard for his own spiritual development and inspired him to go further and develop his own unique system of knowledge and practices.

Influence of Anthroposophy

Anthroposophy has had a significant influence on various areas of life. One of the most visible influences can be found in education, with the establishment of the Waldorf schools around the world. These schools have introduced an alternative approach to education, aimed at the holistic development of the child and encouraging creativity, imagination and social skills.

In addition to education, Steiner was also concerned with other practical applications of Anthroposophy. For example, he developed anthroposophical medicine, which combines holistic approaches with conventional medical knowledge. Biodynamic agriculture, a form of sustainable agriculture that integrates cosmic influences on agricultural practices, is also based on the principles of Anthroposophy.

In addition, Anthroposophy has influenced art and architecture. Steiner developed his own approach to art, known as anthroposophical art, which sought a synthesis of spiritual and artistic expression. Many anthroposophical artists have created works inspired by the principles of Anthroposophy.

Anthroposophical medicine has also gained followers, with doctors combining the holistic approaches with conventional medical practices. Within anthroposophy, homeopathy is one of the forms of therapy. Biodynamic agriculture, based on anthroposophical principles, is also gaining popularity as a sustainable and ecological form of agriculture.

Although Anthroposophy has had a significant influence in various fields, it has also had its critics and skeptics. Some criticize Anthroposophy for its esoteric and mystical nature, which is difficult to verify by scientific standards. Others have questioned certain practices arising from Anthroposophy, such as anthroposophical medicine, and have advocated for an evidence-based approach to medical treatments.