The Threshold of the Spiritual World
GA 17
Translated by Steiner Online Library
Introductory Remarks
[ 1 ] In this paper some descriptions are given in aphoristic form of those parts of the world and of the human being that are seen when spiritual cognition crosses the boundary that separates the world of the senses from the world of the spirit. Neither a systematic presentation nor completeness in any respect is aimed at, but rather some descriptions of spiritual experiences are attempted in a free manner. In this respect, this writing, like the one published last year, "Ein Weg zur Selbsterkenntnis des Menschen", is intended to supplement and extend my other writings. But here, too, an attempt has been made to present the writing in such a way that it can be read on its own, without knowledge of the others.
[ 2 ] Those who truly wish to penetrate the insights of spiritual science will feel the necessity of being able to view the spiritual realm of life from ever new angles. It is only natural that a one-sidedness is inherent in every such description. This must occur much more in descriptions of the spiritual realm than in those of the sensory world. Therefore, one cannot be truly serious about spiritual knowledge if he is satisfied with an account once it has been accepted. With writings such as this one, I would like to serve those who are serious about their search for knowledge of the spiritual world in the manner indicated. That is why I try to present spiritual facts, which I have described in my writings from certain points of view, again and again from other points of view. Such depictions complement each other like pictures of a person or a process taken from different points of view.
[ 3 ] In every such description, which is made from a certain point of view, one has the opportunity to express insights that do not arise from another point of view. For those who seek spiritual insight themselves, this writing again offers points of reference for meditation. One will notice this if one seeks these points of reference in order to apply them in an appropriate way in one's spiritual life.
Munich, August 1913
Rudolf Steiner