The Rudolf Steiner Archive

17. Occult Historical Research

Abstract of Rudolf Steiner's work

[ 1 ] Dr. Rudolf Steiner spoke on this topic on October 18, 1903, at the annual meeting of the German Section of the Theosophical Society. A very brief summary of his remarks is provided here.

[ 2 ] The founder of the “Theosophical Society” has bequeathed to us the “Esoteric Doctrine,” which lays the foundation in two respects for a solution to the great mysteries of existence. In a comprehensive doctrine of the origin of the world (Cosmogenesis), the plan is revealed according to which, out of the primordial spiritual forces of the universe, the stage has developed on which humanity undergoes its earthly existence. From a second volume (Anthropogenesis), we see the stages that humanity itself has gone through until it became a member of the present race. It will depend on the development of the Theosophical Movement, on when it has attained a certain state of maturity, as to when the same spiritual forces that have bestowed upon us the great truths of the first two volumes will also give us the third. This will contain the deeper laws governing what, outwardly speaking, so-called “world history” presents to us. It will deal with “occult historical research.” It will show how, in the true sense, the destinies of peoples are fulfilled, how guilt and atonement are linked in the great life of humanity, how the leading figures of history come to their mission, and how they fulfill it.

[ 3 ] Only those who understand how the great triad—body, soul, and spirit—intervenes in the wheel of becoming can truly comprehend the development of humanity. Above all, one must understand how physical existence, in the broadest sense, is conditioned by the great cosmic forces of nature, which take on a specific form in the characteristics of races and peoples and in what is called the “spirit” of an age. One will come to understand how the material foundation comes into being, which is expressed in the fact that human beings represent certain types (peoples, epochs) in which they resemble one another. Here, the characteristics of the human race will be illuminated more clearly than they can be by cultural history, which is directed solely toward the external. One will understand how the influence of the soil, the climate, economic conditions, and so on actually affects human beings.

[ 4 ] We will then examine the role that the truly personal element plays in history. The drives, instincts, feelings, and passions arise from this personal element. And these can only be understood if one is aware of the influence of the world—which is called the astral or psychic (soul) world—upon the world that unfolds before our physical senses and our intellect. Through this part of occult history, an understanding will dawn regarding what is usually attributed to the caprice of individual personalities. And one will understand the interplay of the individual personality, the people, and the age. The enlightening light will be cast into world history from the astral realm.

[ 5 ] Thirdly, one will learn how the Universal Spirit intervenes in human destiny, how the life of this Universal Spirit pours into the higher self of a great leader of humanity, and how, through these channels of higher life, it is communicated to all of humanity. For this is the path that this higher life takes: it flows into the higher Selves of the leading spirits, and they communicate it to their brothers. From incarnation to incarnation, the higher Selves of human beings develop, and there they learn more and more to make their own Self a missionary of the divine world plan. Through occult historical research, one will come to understand how a leader of humanity develops to the level at which he can undertake a divine mission. One will come to see how Buddha, Zarathustra, and Christ came to their missions. The speaker illustrated these general principles with references to several examples of how one should conceive of the development of great leaders of humanity through their successive incarnations.

Report (presumably by Richard Bresch)

[ 6 ] At 5:30 p.m., Dr. Steiner delivered the announced lecture on occult historical research, which was attended by an audience of 40 to 50 people. The speaker made the following remarks:

[ 7 ] After the Theosophical Society was founded in 1875, H. P. Blavatsky, with the help of her teachers, began work on the monumental work known as *The Secret Doctrine*, in which a treasure trove of profound knowledge has been bequeathed to us. This work consists of two parts, the cosmological and the anthropological, the first dealing with the evolution of the universe, the second with that of humanity. Over time, this work will be supplemented by a third part, which will deal with what profane science calls “history.” Historical research must, for better or worse, content itself with the facts that unfold on the physical plane; Theosophy, on the other hand, which goes directly to the causes, finds the answer to all those questions whose solution secular science has so often and so futilely struggled with.

[ 8 ] When we examine historical facts, three aspects emerge: Just as the active human being is enveloped in a threefold system—the physical, the psychological, and the spiritual nature—so too are historical facts subject to such a threefold division. The external actions that unfold before our senses belong to the physical realm; the soul is the center where pleasure and displeasure, sympathy and antipathy reign; and in the spiritual realm we find the sphere where the events of history arise. Here we must seek the true causes of all events on earth; here the leading figures of history consult face to face with the great and invisible guides of humanity. Only when we explore the intention that drove them to act do we comprehend the often inexplicable facts of history.

[ 9 ] For example, in the 15th century there lived a cardinal named Nicholas of Cusa (Cusanus), who possessed profound scientific insights. Long before Copernicus, he had recognized and taught the Earth’s dual motion, though his contemporaries did not understand him. It was a kind of preparation for what Copernicus (b. 1473) was able to communicate to a more perceptive generation (16th century). Occult researchers now unanimously teach (and H. P. Blavatsky also openly stated this and hinted at it in Volume III of *The Secret Doctrine*) that Copernicus was none other than the reincarnated Cardinal Cusa, who in this way brought his work to completion. Thus tasks are set and solved; the soul that prepares something great returns later to fulfill and complete its mission.

[ 10 ] The speaker cited two further examples to illustrate how occult historical research operates in its challenging field, and how it connects seemingly unrelated facts in an explanatory manner; and through these examples, he simultaneously provided a glimpse of the forthcoming supplementary work to *The Secret Doctrine*: Epochs and races were the subjects of the parts published so far; the third part, occult historical research, will deal with reincarnation.

[ 11 ] Finally, Dr. Steiner spoke at length about the Theosophical Movement. He emphasized that it was also an absolute necessity in the occult sense; there were many reasons for this, one of the most important being the following:

[ 12 ] Every human race is entrusted with a secret; we are in the fifth race and have reached the fifth secret, though the latter cannot yet be revealed today; however, we are in the process of gradually becoming attuned to it. Paul, who was an initiate, already hints at its nature—it will only be revealed in the course of our race’s development. Prematurely guessing this secret through purely intellectual means would pose an indescribable danger to humanity. Since such a guess has already nearly occurred twice and is imminent again in the foreseeable future, the great teachers of humanity have brought about the Theosophical Movement. Humanity must be prepared for the great truth. Theosophy is working toward a specific point in time; a core group is to be formed that will understand this truth when it eventually emerges unveiled—a core group that will grasp it correctly and use it not as a curse but as a blessing for humanity. The earlier races were formed from an already existing stock, through the selection of suitable individuals or families and their settlement by the Manu in suitable uninhabited regions. This method is no longer feasible given today’s global communications, nor is it necessary; in its place stands the education provided by the cosmopolitan International Theosophical Society, which forms this core.

Editor's Note:

[ 13 ] On November 14, 1903, Günther Wagner, who had heard this lecture, wrote the following to Rudolf Steiner from Lugano:

[ 14 ] «... I would be grateful if you could provide me with some specific information: The reference to a riddle that each race must solve was completely new to me; I found nothing about it in *The Secret Doctrine*. Could you name the four riddles that the first four races (apparently) solved? I would also like to read H. P. B.’s reference to this; perhaps you could point me to the exact passage.”

[ 15 ] Rudolf Steiner replied to him on December 24, 1903:

[ 16 ] Dear Mr. Wagner! On page 73 of the (German edition) of The Secret Doctrine, with reference to Stanza 1.6 (Dzyan), it states: “Of the seven truths or revelations, only four have been handed down to us, since we are still in the fourth round.” — When you were in Berlin, I pointed out—in accordance with a certain occult tradition—that the fourth of the seven truths mentioned above goes back to seven esoteric root truths, and that of these seven partial truths (the fourth being considered as the whole), one is—as a rule—entrusted to each race. The fifth will be fully revealed when the fifth race has reached its goal of development. Now I would like to answer your question as best I can. At present, the situation is such that the first four partial truths constitute meditation phrases for the aspirants of the Mysteries, and that nothing more can be given than these (symbolic) meditation phrases. From them, many higher things then emerge for the meditator through occult means. I therefore present the four meditation phrases here—translated into German from the symbolic sign language:

[ 17 ] I. In the sense that: how the point becomes a sphere and yet remains itself. Once you have grasped how the infinite sphere is, after all, merely a point, then come back, for then the infinite will appear to you as finite.

[ 18 ] In the broadest sense: just as the seed becomes an ear of grain, and then comes back again, for then you will have grasped how the living exists within the number.

[ 19 ] III. Follow your senses: just as light follows darkness, heat follows cold, and the masculine longs for the feminine, then return, for then you will have grasped the face that the great dragon will show you at the threshold.

[ 20 ] IV. In short: enjoy the hospitality offered in a stranger’s home, then return, for then you will have grasped what lies ahead for those who see the sun at midnight.

[ 21 ] Now, if the meditation has been fruitful, the fifth mystery emerges from the four. Let me say for now only this much: that Theosophy—the partial Theosophy found, for example, in the “Esoteric Doctrine” and its esotericism—is a sum of partial truths of the fifth. You will find a hint as to how to go beyond this in the letter from Master K.H. [Kuthumi] cited by Sinnett, which begins with the following words: “I have to read every word …”. In the first (German) edition of *The Occult World*, it appears on pages 126 and 127.

[ 22 ] I can only assure you that in K.H.’s sentence (page 127), “When science has learned how impressions from leaves originally come to be on stones …,” almost the entire fifth secret is hidden in an occult manner.

[ 23 ] That is all I can say for now regarding your questions. I may have more to say if you ask further questions.

[ 24 ] The four sentences above are what are called “living sentences”; that is, they take root during meditation, and shoots of insight grow from them.