From Beetroot to Buddhism

16 discussions, Dornach, March 1 – June 25, 1924 (CW 353)

“[These discussions were] intended for a particular group of people, and Rudolf Steiner spoke off the cuff, in accord with the given situation and the mood of the workmen at the time...the very way in which he spoke had a freshness and directness.” ―Marie Steiner

Remarkable, entertaining discussions between Rudolf Steiner and workers at the Goetheanum in Dornach, Switzerland. The varied subject matter was chosen by the audience. The astonishing insights, knowledge, and spiritual depth of his responses to the questions is testimony to his outstanding ability as a spiritual initiate and profound thinker.

Topics include Christianity and Islam; Egyptian mummies; astronomy; Tibet and the Dalai Lama; Freemasonry; Moon and Sun religions; the mysteries; the Trinity; Moses; Easter; the ancient Indians, Egyptians, Babylonians, and Jews; Kant and Schopenhauer; nationalism, and more.

This volume is a translation of German from Die Geschichte der Menschheit und die Weltanschauungen der Kulturvölker (GA 353).

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.