Occult Science

Rudolf Steiner

ISBN 10: 1855842599 / ISBN 13: 9781855842595

Published by Rudolf Steiner Press, GB, 2011

About this Item

Given his energetic involvement in practical initiatives and extensive lecturing, Rudolf Steiner had little time to write books. Of those he did write - belonging almost entirely to the earlier years of his work - four titles form an indispensable introduction to his later teaching: Knowledge of the Higher Worlds, Theosophy, The Philosophy of Freedom and Occult Science. The anthroposophy of Rudolf Steiner is not a theoretical system, but the results of research based on direct observation. As Steiner's research was so vast and conducted over such a long period of time, no single book can be said to contain the whole of his spiritual teaching. However, of all his books Occult Science comes closest.--- Steiner even referred to it as 'an epitome of anthroposophical spiritual science'. The book sets out, in systematic order, the fundamental facts concerning the nature and constitution of the human being and, in chronological order, the history of the universe and man. Whereas the findings of natural science are derived from observations made through the senses, the findings of spiritual science, or anthroposophy, are 'occult' inasmuch as they derive from direct observation of realities which are hidden to everyday perception. And yet these elements of humanity and the universe form the foundation of the sense world. A substantial part of Occult Science is taken up with a description of the preliminary training which is necessary to make such spiritual observations. Although Occult Science is not all-inclusive, it is indispensable to serious students who seek to master Rudolf Steiner's extraordinary philosophy.

Seller Inventory # LU-9781855842595

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Occult Science
• Publisher: Rudolf Steiner Press, GB
• Publication Date: 2011
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1855842599
• ISBN 13: 9781855842595
• Binding: Hardback
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

Written in 1909 (CW 13)

Given his energetic involvement in practical initiatives and extensive lecturing, Steiner had very little time to write. Of the books he found time to write, four titles are considered indispensable introductions to his teaching as a whole: How to Know Higher Worlds; An Outline of Esoteric Science; Intuitive Thinking As a Spiritual Path; and Theosophy. With the exception of his Anthroposophical Leading Thoughts and his Autobiography, Steiner’s important writings belong largely to his earliest work.

The Anthroposophy of Rudolf Steiner is not a theoretical system but the results of research based on direct observation. Because his research was so vast and conducted over such a long period of time, no single book can be said to contain the whole of his spiritual teaching. However, of all his books, this one perhaps comes closest. Steiner even referred to it as “an epitome of anthroposophic spiritual science.” In a systematic way, he lays out fundamental facts concerning the nature and constitution of the human being and, in chronological order, the history of the universe and humankind.

Whereas the findings of natural science are derived from observations made through the senses, the findings of spiritual science are “occult,” inasmuch as they arise from direct observation of realities hidden to ordinary human perception. Nevertheless, these elements of humanity and the universe form the foundation of the sensory world. A substantial part of this important work describes the basic training needed to make such spiritual observations.

Although Occult Science is not all-inclusive, it is indispensable to any serious student who wishes to master Steiner’s extraordinary philosophy and methods of inner development.

Rudolf Steiner Press published this series of re-edited, re-formatted, and re-designed editions of the classic, authorized translations of Rudolf Steiner's foundational books, printed in a limited edition of 1,000 copies and sewn-bound in high-quality cloth, finished with colored end papers and a bookmark ribbon.

Occult Science: An Outline is a translation from German of Die Geheimwissenschaft im Umriss (GA 13).

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.