Week 5
Within the light that out of spirit depths
Weaves germinating power into space
And manifests the gods' creative work:
Within its shine, the soul's true being
Is widened into worldwide life
And resurrected
From narrow selfhood's inner power.
Week 31
The light from spirit depths
Strives to ray outwards, sun-imbued;
Transformed to forceful will of life
It shines into the senses' dullness
To bring to birth the powers
Whereby creative forces, soul-impelled,
Shall ripen into human deeds.
—Translation by Ruth and Hans Pusch
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These lectures, given after the burning of the first Goetheanum and before the refounding of the Anthroposophical Society, form an important part of the history of the Anthroposophical Movement. Steiner calls for a “searching of conscience” and without reservation makes an assessment of the Movement “free from illusions.” He explains that in anthroposophical communities we can experience our first awakening to the spirit in our encounters with others and describes how the “reversed cultus” forms the foundation for a new community life.
Here are ten lectures given in Stuttgart and Dornach, January 23rd through March 4th, 1923, from the lecture series entitled, Anthroposophical Community Building. They were published in German as, Anthroposophische Gemeinschaftbildung. Translated by Marjorie Spock
Lecture I | January 23, 1923 | |
Words of grief. A challenge to search our consciences. The need to develop an awareness of responsibility. | ||
Lecture II | January 30, 1923 | |
Forming judgments on a sound basis of fact. The twofold re-casting of spiritual scientific judgments. | ||
Lecture III | February 6, 1923 | |
New thinking, new willing. The three phases of anthroposophical work. | ||
Lecture IV | February 13, 1923 | |
The development of the Anthroposophical Society. The soul-drama of the anthroposophist. | ||
Lecture V | February 22, 1923 | |
The renewal of art, science and religion, mankind's three great ideals. | ||
Lecture VI | February 27, 1923 | |
Anthroposophical community building. First lecture at the meeting of delegates. | ||
Lecture VII | February 28, 1923 | |
Anthroposophical community building. Second lecture at the meeting of delegates. | ||
Lecture VIII | March 2, 1923 | |
Report on the delegates' meetings in Stuttgart. The inner reality of a community and the unity it creates. | ||
Lecture IX | March 3, 1923 | |
Building community with speech and cultus. The awakening of the consciousness soul through a connection with one's fellow men. | ||
Lecture X | March 4, 1923 | |
Causes of the lack of a brotherly spirit in spiritual societies. Origins of enhanced egoism. The necessity of overcoming sectarianism. |
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