Written in 1909 (CW 13)
A Guide to the Evolving Destiny of Humanity and the Cosmos...
This book “contains the outline of Anthroposophy as a whole,” as Rudolf Steiner states in his preface. The “occult science” presented here is not a “secret” knowledge, but rather knowledge of what remains hidden from ordinary sensory perception. The light of suprasensory research illumines this knowledge and makes it her into an “open secret.”
Following an introduction to the invisible nature of the human body, soul, and spirit―including Steiner’s spiritual-scientific research on sleep, dreams, after-death experience, and reincarnation―the main content of the book begins in chapter 4.
This is a systematic description of cosmic evolution as it presents itself to an individual consciousness that has transcended the limits of space and time. Steiner portrays the immense drama of the cooperative activity of lofty spiritual beings on the complex harmony of the human structure during the seven cycles of previous incorporations of Earth.
Following this sweep through long ages of time, the higher tasks and events of more recent “historical” periods are traces up to the present time and beyond. The fulcrum of this cosmic evolution is shown to be the “Mystery of Golgotha.”
An additional chapter describes the training that students must undertake to prepare for the that of initiation. Steiner depicts the first stages of knowledge of the new “Grail” initiation with the Christ mystery at its center. This path begins with a study of results of spiritual science, including those presented in this book.
The cosmogony outlined in An Outline of Occult Science provides an inexhaustible source of insights into cosmic and human evolution and eventual destiny. With repeated study of this material, readers will find ways to open new vistas of understanding the spiritual origins and connections of the universe, Earth, and humankind.
This volume is a translation by Maud and Henry B. Monges of Geheimwissenschaft im Umriss (GA 13). Lisa D. Monges revised that translation for this 1972 edition.
Rudolf Steiner (b. Rudolf Joseph Lorenz 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. Steiner termed his spiritual philosophy
anthroposophy, meaning “wisdom of the human being.” As an exceptionally developed seer, he based his work on direct knowledge and perception of spiritual dimensions. He initiated a modern, universal “spiritual science” that is accessible to anyone willing to exercise clear and unbiased thinking. From his spiritual investigations, Steiner provided suggestions for the renewal of numerous activities, including education (general and for special needs), agriculture, medicine, economics, architecture, science, philosophy, Christianity, and the arts. There are currently thousands of schools, clinics, farms, and initiatives in other fields that involve practical work based on the principles Steiner developed. His many published works feature his research into the spiritual nature of human beings, the evolution of the world and humanity, and methods for personal development. He wrote some thirty books and delivered more than six thousand lectures throughout much of Europe. In 1924, Steiner founded the General Anthroposophical Society, which today has branches around the world.
Madeleine (Maud) Breckenridge Monges was married to Henry B. Monges, with whom she lived in Berkeley, California. Together, they were active and devoted students and promoters of Anthroposophy, and both she and Henry translated numerous works by Rudolf Steiner into English. She passed away in March 1936.
Henry Babad Monges (1870–1954) was born in Texas. As a student of architecture, he received M.S. degrees from the U. C. Berkeley and also graduated from the California School of Design with a teaching certificate. At twentythree, Monges joined the Theosophical Society; twenty-one years later, he resigned over his dissatisfaction with the society’s leadership. In 1915, Henry married Madeleine (Maud) Breckenridge. That year, he also encountered Anthroposophy, to which he dedicated the rest of his life. Henry was instrumental in establishing Anthroposophy and the Anthroposophical Society in North America. In 1922, Henry and his wife Maud began publishing anthroposophic works from their home in Highland, New York, which led to founding Anthroposophic Press (now SteinerBooks). Henry worked tirelessly for the remainder of his earthly life to make Rudolf Steiner and Anthroposophy known in North America. He died in New York City at the age of eighty-five.
