Fundamentals of Therapy
GA 27
XI. The Forming of the Human Body and Gout
[ 1 ] Ingestion of albumen is a process connected with one aspect of the inner activities in the human organism. This is that aspect which comes about on the basis of the absorption of physical substance. All such activities result in growth, creation of form, or new formation of material content. All that is related to the unconscious functions of the organism, belongs to this domain.
[ 2 ] The processes of this kind are opposed by those which consist of excretion. These may be excretions directed outward; but they may also be processes of secretion where the product is further elaborated internally, in the forming or laying down of substances in the body. These are the processes of secretion where the product is further elaborated internally, in the forming or laying down of substances in the body. These are the processes which provide the material foundation of conscious experience. Through the first kind of processes the force of consciousness is muted if it exceeds that which can be held in balance by means of the second kind of processes.
[ 3 ] A most remarkable excretory process is that of uric acid. The astral body is active in this excretion. This has to take place throughout the whole organism. It takes place to a particular degree through the urine. In a very finely divided way it takes place for example, in the brain. In the secretion of uric acid in the urine the astral body is mainly active, while the part played by the ego-organization is only subsidiary. In the secretion of uric acid in the brain, on the other hand, the ego-organization is the important factor and the astral body is in the background.
[ 4 ] Now in the organism, the astral body is the intermediary between the activity of the ego-organization and the etheric and physical bodies. The ego-organization must carry lifeless substances and forces into the organs. Only through this impregnation of the organs with inorganic material can man become the conscious being that he is. Organic substance and organic force would lower human consciousness to the dim level of the animal.
[ 5 ] The action of the astral body inclines the organs to receive the inorganic impregnations of the ego-organization. Its function is in fact to prepare the way.
[ 6 ] We see, therefore, that in the lower parts of this human organism the activity of the astral body has the upper hand. Here the uric acid substances must not be received into the organism. They must be excreted copiously. Under the influence of this excretion the impregnation with inorganic material must be prevented. The more uric acid is excreted, the more lively is the activity of the astral body, while that of the ego-organization impregnating the body with inorganic materials is correspondingly diminished.
[ 7 ] In the brain, on the other hand, the activity of the astral body is slight. Little uric acid is excreted, whereas more inorganic material in the sense of the ego-organization is deposited.
[ 8 ] The ego-organization cannot master large quantities of uric acid; and thus they fall under the action of the astral body; small quantities, on the other hand, enter the organization of the ego and there provide the foundation for the forming of the inorganic in the sense of the ego-organization.
[ 9 ] In the healthy organism there must be a correct economy in the distribution of uric acid in the different regions. Whatever belongs to the system of nerve-sense organization must be provided with as much uric acid as the ego-activity can make use of and no more; while, for the system of metabolism and the limbs, the ego-activity must be suppressed and the astral enabled to unfold its action in the more copious secretion of the uric acid.
[ 10 ] Now since it is the astral body that makes way for the ego-activity in the organs, a correct distribution in the deposition of uric acid must be regarded as an essential factor in human health. For in this is expressed whether the correct relationship between the ego-organization and astral body exists in any particular organ or system of organs.
[ 11 ] Let us assume that in some organ, in which the ego organization should predominate over the astral activity, the latter begins to gain the upper hand. This can only apply to an organ where the excretion of uric acid beyond a certain measure is impossible by virtue of structural arrangement of the organ. The organ becomes overloaded with uric acid uncontrolled by the ego-organization. Nevertheless, the astral body begins to bring about a secretion of uric acid. Since the organs of excretion are lacking in such a region, the uric acid is deposited not outwardly but in the organism itself. And if it finds its way to places in the body where the ego-organization is unable to take a sufficiently active part, we find inorganic substance i.e. something which is only proper to the ego-organization, but which the latter leaves to the action of the astral activity. Foci arise, where subhuman (animal) processes insert themselves into the human organism.
[ 12 ] We are dealing with gout. If gout is frequently reputed to develop as a result of inherited tendencies, it is due to the simple fact that when the forces of inheritance predominate the astral-animal nature becomes especially active and the ego-organization is thereby repressed.
[ 13 ] We shall, however, understand the matter more clearly if we look for the true cause of gout in this: substances are introduced into the human body in the process of nourishment, which the activity of the organism is not strong enough to divest of their foreign nature. The ego-organization, being weak, is unable to lead them over into the etheric body, and they thus remain in the region of astral activities. If an articular cartilage or a portion of connective tissue become over-charged with uric acid and, as a result, overburdened with inorganic materials and forces, it shows that in these parts of the body the ego's activity lags behind that of the astral. And since the whole form of the human organism is an outcome of the organization of the ego, this abnormality must necessarily give rise to a deformation of the organs. In effect, the human organism will then strive away from its true and proper form.
XI. Die Gestaltung des menschlichen Körpers und die Gicht
[ 1 ] Die Aufnahme des Eiweißes ist ein Vorgang, der mit der einen Seite der inneren Betätigung des menschlichen Organismus zusammenhängt. Es ist dies die Seite, die auf Grund der Stoffaufnahme zustande kommt. Jede derartige Betätigung hat zu ihrem Ergebnis Formbildung, Wachstum, Neubildung von substantiellem Inhalt. Alles, was mit den unbewußten Verrichtungen des Organismus zusammenhängt, gehört hierher.
[ 2 ] Diesen Vorgängen stehen diejenigen gegenüber, die in Ausscheidungen bestehen. Es können Ausscheidungen sein, die nach außen gehen; es können auch solche sein, wo das Ausscheidungsprodukt im Innern weiter verarbeitet wird in der Formung oder Substanzierung des Körpers. Diese Vorgänge bilden die materielle Grundlage der bewußten Erlebnisse. Durch die Vorgänge der ersteren Art wird die Kraft des Bewußtseins herabgestimmt, wenn sie über das Maß dessen hinausgehen, was durch die Vorgänge der zweiten Art im Gleichgewicht gehalten werden kann.
[ 3 ] Ein besonders bemerkenswerter Ausscheidungsvorgang ist derjenige der Harnsäure. Bei dieser Ausscheidung ist der astralische Leib tätig. Dieselbe muß durch den ganzen Organismus hindurch geschehen. In besonderem Maße geschieht sie durch den Harn. In einer ganz fein verteilten Weise z. B. im Gehirn. Bei der Harnsäureabsonderung durch den Harn ist in der Hauptsache der astralische Leib betätigt; die Ich-Organisation ist in untergeordneter Weise daran beteiligt. Bei der Harnsäureabsonderung im Gehirn ist in erster Linie die Ich-Organisation maßgebend, der astralische Leib tritt zurück.
[ 4 ] Nun ist im Organismus der astralische Leib der Vermittler der Tätigkeit der Ich-Organisation für ätherischen und physischen Leib. Diese muß in die Organe die leblosen Substanzen und Kräfte tragen. Nur durch diese Imprägnierung der Organe mit Unorganischem kann der Mensch das bewußte Wesen sein, das er ist. Organische Substanz und organische Kraft würde das menschliche Bewußtsein zum tierischen herabdämpfen.
[ 5 ] Der astralische Leib macht durch seine Tätigkeit die Organe geneigt, die unorganischen Einlagerungen der Ich-Organisation aufzunehmen. Er ist gewissermaßen für sie der Wegmacher.
[ 6 ] Man sieht: in den unteren Teil des menschlichen Organismus hat die Tätigkeit des astralischen Leibes die Oberhand. Es dürfen da die Harnsäuresubstanzen von dem Organismus nicht aufgenommen werden. Sie müssen reichlich ausgeschieden werden. Da muß unter dem Einfluß dieser Ausscheidung die Imprägnierung mit Unorganischem verhindert werden. Je mehr Harnsäure ausgeschieden wird, desto reger ist die Tätigkeit des astralischen Leibes, desto geringer die der Ich-Organisation und damit die Imprägnierung mit Unorganischem.
[ 7 ] Im Gehirn ist die Tätigkeit des astralischen Leibes gering. Es wird wenig Harnsäure ausgeschieden, dafür um so mehr Unorganisches im Sinne der Ich-Organisation eingelagert.
[ 8 ] Große Harnsäuremengen bewältigt die Ich-Organisation nicht; sie müssen der Tätigkeit des astralischen Leibes verfallen; kleine Harnsäuremengen gehen in die Ich-Organisation über und bilden dann die Grundlage für die Formung des Unorganischen im Sinne dieser Organisation.
[ 9 ] Es muß im gesunden Organismus die rechte Ökonomie herrschen in der Harnsäureverteilung für die einzelnen Gebiete. Für alles, was Nerven-Sinnesorganisation ist, muß eine nur so große Harnsäuremenge geliefert werden, als durch die Ich-Tätigkeit gebraucht werden kann; für die Stoffwechsel-Gliedmaßenorganisation muß diese Tätigkeit unterdrückt werden; die astralische Tätigkeit muß in der reichlichen Harnsäureabsonderung sich entfalten können.
[ 10 ] Da nun der astralische Leib der Wegmacher für die Ich-Tätigkeit in den Organen ist, so muß man die richtig verteilte Harnsäureablagerung als ein ganz wesentliches Glied der menschlichen Gesundheit ansehen. Denn in ihr kommt zum Ausdrucke, ob zwischen der Ich-Organisation und dem astralischen Leib in irgendeinem Organ oder Organsysteme das rechte Verhältnis besteht.
[ 11 ] Man nehme nun an, in irgendeinem Organe, in dem die Ich-Organisation vorherrschen sollte gegenüber der astralischen Tätigkeit, beginne die letztere die Oberhand zu haben. Es kann dies nur ein Organ sein, in dem die Ausscheidung der Harnsäure durch die Einrichtung des Organes über einen gewissen Grad hinaus unmöglich ist. Es wird dann dieses Organ mit Harnsäure überladen, die von der Ich-Organisation nicht bewältigt wird. Der astralische Leib beginnt dann damit, die Ausscheidung dennoch zu bewirken. Und da die Ausführungsorgane an den betreffenden Stellen fehlen, so wird die Harnsäure statt nach außen, im Organismus selbst abgelagert. Gelangt sie an Stellen des Organismus, wo die Ich-Organisation nicht genügend eingreifen kann, so ist da Unorganisches, d.h. solches, das nur der Ich-Organisation zugehört, aber von dieser der astralischen Tätigkeit überlassen wird. Es entstehen Herde, wo 58 in den menschlichen Organismus untermenschliche (animalische) Vorgänge eingeschoben werden.
[ 12 ] Man hat es mit der Gicht zu tun. Wenn gesagt wird, diese entwickle sich vielfach auf Grund vererbter Anlage, so geschieht das eben deswegen, weil beim Vorherrschen der Vererbungskräfte das Astralisch-Animalische besonders tätig wird, und dadurch die Ich-Organisation zurückgedrängt wird.
[ 13 ] Man wird aber die Sache besser durchschauen wenn man die wahre Ursache darin sucht, daß in den menschlichen Körper durch die Nahrungsaufnahme Substanzen gelangen, die durch dessen Tätigkeit ihre Fremdheit innerhalb des Organismus nicht verlieren können Sie werden durch eine schwache Ich Organisation nicht in den Ätherleib übergeführt verbleiben daher in der Region der astralischen Tätigkeit Ein Gelenkknorpel oder eine Bindegewebspartie können mit Harnsäure nur überladen und dadurch die Überbürdung mit Unorganischem in ihnen bewirkt werden daß in diesen Körperteilen die Ich Tätigkeit hinter der Astralwirksamkeit zurückbleibt Da die ganze Form des menschlichen -Organismus ein Ergebnis der Ich Organisation ist, so muß durch die gekennzeichnete Unregelmäßigkeit eine Deformierung der Organe eintreten. Der menschliche Organismus strebt da aus seiner Form heraus.
XI. The organization of the human body and gout
[ 1 ] The absorption of protein is a process that is related to one side of the internal activity of the human organism. This is the side that comes about as a result of the absorption of substances. Every such activity results in the formation of form, growth, new formation of substantial content. Everything connected with the unconscious activities of the organism belongs here.
[ 2 ] These processes are contrasted with those that consist of excretions. They can be excretions that go outwards; they can also be those where the excretory product is further processed internally in the shaping or substantialization of the body. These processes form the material basis of conscious experiences. Through the processes of the former kind, the power of consciousness is diminished when they exceed the measure of what can be kept in balance by the processes of the latter kind.
[ 3 ] A particularly remarkable excretory process is that of uric acid. The astral body is active in this excretion. This must take place through the entire organism. In particular, it takes place through the urine. In a very finely distributed way, for example, in the brain. In uric acid secretion through the urine, the astral body is mainly active; the ego organization is involved in a subordinate way. In the case of uric acid secretion in the brain, the ego organization is primarily decisive, the astral body takes a back seat.
[ 4 ] Now, in the organism, the astral body is the mediator of the activity of the ego organization for the etheric and physical body. This must carry the lifeless substances and forces into the organs. Only through this impregnation of the organs with the inorganic can man be the conscious being that he is. Organic substance and organic power would dampen human consciousness down to animal consciousness.
[ 5 ] Through its activity, the astral body makes the organs inclined to absorb the inorganic deposits of the ego organization. In a sense, it is the pathfinder for them.
[ 6 ] You see: in the lower part of the human organism, the activity of the astral body has the upper hand. The uric acid substances must not be absorbed by the organism. They must be excreted in abundance. Under the influence of this excretion, impregnation with inorganic substances must be prevented. The more uric acid is excreted, the more active is the activity of the astral body, the less that of the ego organization and thus the impregnation with the inorganic.
[ 7 ] In the brain, the activity of the astral body is low. Little uric acid is excreted, but all the more inorganic matter is stored in the sense of the ego organization.
[ 8 ] The ego organization cannot cope with large quantities of uric acid; they must lapse into the activity of the astral body; small quantities of uric acid pass into the ego organization and then form the basis for the formation of the inorganic in the sense of this organization.
[ 9 ] In a healthy organism, the right economy must prevail in the distribution of uric acid for the individual areas. For everything that is nerve-sense organization, only as much uric acid must be supplied as can be used by the ego activity; for the metabolic limb organization, this activity must be suppressed; the astral activity must be able to unfold in the abundant uric acid secretion.
[ 10 ] Since the astral body is the pathfinder for the ego activity in the organs, the correctly distributed uric acid deposit must be regarded as a very essential element of human health. For it expresses whether the right relationship exists between the ego organization and the astral body in any organ or organ system.
[ 11 ] Now suppose that in some organ in which the ego organization should predominate over the astral activity, the latter begins to have the upper hand. This can only be an organ in which the excretion of uric acid is impossible beyond a certain degree due to the organ's structure. This organ then becomes overloaded with uric acid, which cannot be dealt with by the ego organization. The astral body then begins to excrete it anyway. And since the excretory organs are missing in the relevant places, the uric acid is deposited in the organism itself instead of outside. If it reaches places in the organism where the ego-organization cannot intervene sufficiently, then there is inorganic matter, i.e. that which belongs only to the ego-organization but is left by it to astral activity. Foci arise where sub-human (animal) processes are inserted into the human organism.
[ 12 ] We are dealing with gout. When it is said that this often develops due to hereditary disposition, this is precisely because the astral-animalic becomes particularly active when the hereditary forces predominate, and the ego organization is thereby pushed back.
[ 13 ] But one will see through the matter better if one seeks the true cause in the fact that substances enter the human body through the ingestion of food, which cannot lose their foreignness within the organism through its activity They are not transferred into the etheric body through a weak ego organization and therefore remain in the region of astral activity A joint cartilage or a connective tissue area can only be overloaded with uric acid and thereby cause the overloading with inorganic substances in them that in these parts of the body the ego activity lags behind the astral activity Since the whole form of the human organism is a result of the ego organization, a deformation of the organs must occur due to the marked irregularity. The human organism strives out of its form.