The Life, Nature, and Cultivation of Anthroposophy
GA 260a
Member Newsletter, 13 January 1924
The Foundation of the General Anthroposophical Society
To give the Anthroposophical Society the form most suitable for the development of the Anthroposophical Movement: this was the purpose of the Christmas gathering which has come to an end. A society of this kind can have no abstract rules or statutes. Its real basis is already given in all that insight into the Spiritual World which is Anthroposophy. In this a large number of men and women today already find an impulse which they feel is worthy of their spiritual striving. The union in a society with others of a like mind is what their souls require. For in mutual give and take in spiritual matters, human life unfolds its truest essence. It lies in the nature of the case that those who would make Anthroposophy an integral part of their life, should wish for a society through which to foster it.
Anthroposophy has its root in the perceptions—already gained—into the spiritual world. Yet these are no more than the root. The branches, leaves, blossoms, and fruits of Anthroposophy grow into all the fields of human life and action.
With thoughts that manifest the essence and the laws of spiritual being, the call of Anthroposophy rings into the very depths of the creative soul of man. Artistic powers of the soul are conjured forth, and Art receives incentives on all sides.
Anthroposophy pours into the hearts of men the warmth that is kindled when the eyes of the soul are lifted to the spiritual world. In unfeigned devotion to the Divine in the world, the religious sense is awakened, and true Religion is thus deepened and intensified.
The well-springs of Anthroposophy are opened, for the will of man—strengthened by love—to draw from them. Kindling the love of mankind, Anthroposophy grows creative in moral impulses to action and in the practice of a truly social life.
And Anthroposophy imbues with fertile seeds of spiritual vision Man's penetration into Nature. From the mere learnedness concerning Nature, true Knowledge of her arises.
In all these ways, Anthroposophy begets a multitude of tasks; but these can only find their way into the wider circles of mankind if fostered and developed first in a society.
The responsible people at the Goetheanum issued an invitation—a call to those who believe that Anthroposophy, in the way it is cultivated there, is seeking to be equal to these tasks. Such were invited to a Christmas gathering, where the efforts that have been going on for some time past in the foundation of the various anthroposophical societies should be brought to an adequate culmination.
The response was beyond expectation. Between seven and eight hundred people were present when the ‘Foundation Stone’ of the ‘General Anthroposophical Society’ was laid. Their transactions will be described by gradual installments in the ‘Goetheanum’ Supplement.
It fell to me to open and conduct the meetings. It was with a glad heart that I did the opening. Beside me sat Albert Steffen, the Swiss poet. The whole gathering of anthroposophists were looking towards him with thankful hearts. It was on Swiss soil that they had come together to found the Anthroposophical Society. To Switzerland, in Albert Steffen, they have long owed a leading member to whom they look up with true enthusiasm. In him I had Switzerland before me, represented by one of the ‘gentlest’ of her sons; and my first word was of heartfelt greeting to him and all our friends in Switzerland. My second was to call on him to give the opening address.
It was a deeply moving address. Albert Steffen spoke with his wonderful word-painting, his plastic, picture-forming poetry of language. Eloquent and mighty visions rose before one as one listened to him.
There stood before us the moment when in 1913 we laid the Foundation Stone of the Goetheanum. I cannot find words to describe what I experienced when the ceremony in which I had acted ten years since arose before me once again in Steffen's picture.
Words moulded with artistic beauty called to our minds the building of the Goetheanum—hundreds of devoted hands at work, hundreds of hearts beating in glad unison.
Then—the Goetheanum fire. The whole tragedy of it, the pain of many thousands throbbed again as Albert Steffen spoke. And at length another picture: in the foreground the very Being of Anthroposophy, transfigured in the soul of the poet; and in the background the enemies—not blamed, but simply, quietly portrayed, with all his plastic power of expression.
‘Ten years of the Goetheanum’—well could one feel how deeply Steffen's words sank into the hearts of those present.
After this prelude, so worthy of the occasion, I had to speak of the form which the Anthroposophical Society should now assume. I had to state what should take the place of ordinary rules and statutes. We need a simple description of what it is that human beings desire to achieve, in that they come together on a purely human basis to form the Anthroposophical Society. It is at the Goetheanum, with its scanty sheds and temporary wooden halls since the fire, that Anthroposophy is being fostered. How the leaders of the Goetheanum understand this task, and what they consider its effect will be on the civilisation of mankind, should be simply stated. Then should follow a description of how they conceive that the work should be carried on in a ‘School of Spiritual Science’.
It cannot be a matter of setting up principles to which one is then expected to declare one's adherence. An existing reality must be described, its character set forth. To which we simply add: Whoever would lend his co-operation and support to the things that are being done at the Goetheanum, can become a member.
As ‘Statutes’—which are, however, no Statutes, but a description of the society that can result from the purely human and living relationship above indicated:
1. The General Anthroposophical Society is meant to be a union of people who desire to further the life of the soul—both in the individual and in human society—on the basis of a true knowledge of the Spiritual World.
2. The persons gathered at the Goetheanum, Dornach, at Christmas, 1923—both the individuals who were present and the groups which were represented—form the foundation of the Society. They are convinced that there is in existence at the present time a real Science of the Spiritual World—elaborated for years past, and, in important particulars, already published. They hold, moreover, that the civilisation of today needs the cultivation of such a science. This is to be the task of the General Anthroposophical Society. It will endeavour to fulfill the task by making the spiritual science of Anthroposophy cultivated in the Goetheanum at Dornach the central point of its activities, with all that results from it, for brotherhood in human intercourse, for moral and religious life, and for the artistic and spiritual life in general, within the being of mankind.1The Society is continuous with the Anthroposophical Society founded in 1912. With the same objects in view which were then defined, the intention is to create an independent point of departure, in keeping with the true spirit of the time.
3. The persons gathered together at Dornach in founding the Society recognise and support the view of those responsible at the Goetheanum (represented by the Executive) in the following particulars: ‘Anthroposophy, as pursued in the Goetheanum leads to results which can be of assistance to every human being—without distinction of nation, social standing or religion—as an incentive in spiritual life. These results can in a real sense give rise to a social life based on brotherly love. The possibility of making them one's own and founding life upon them depends on no special degree of learning or education, but alone on a free, unbiased human nature. The researches however which lead to them and to the power of competent judgment on the results of research, are subject to a spiritual-scientific training which must be acquired step by step. The results are in their way no less exact than those of Natural Science. When they attain general recognition like these, they will bring about a like progress in all spheres of life—not only in the spiritual but in the practical domain.’
4. The General Anthroposophical Society is in no sense a secret society, but an entirely public organisation. Without distinction of nationality, social standing, religion, scientific or artistic conviction, any person who considers the existence of such an institution as the Goetheanum in Dornach—School for Spiritual Activity in Science and Art—to be justified, can become a member of the Society. The Anthroposophical Society is averse to any kind of sectarian tendency. Politics it does not consider to be among its tasks.
5. The General Anthroposophical Society looks upon the School of Spiritual Science at Dornach as the centre of its work. This School will be composed of three classes. Members of the Society will—on their application—be admitted to the School after a period of membership to be determined in each case by those responsible at the Goetheanum. They thus gain entrance to the first class of the School of Spiritual Science. Applicants will be received into the second or third class respectively when those responsible at the Goetheanum deem them ripe for admission.
6. Every member of the General Anthroposophical Society has the right to participate—under conditions to be announced by the Executive—in all lectures, performances, and meetings of any kind arranged by the Society.
7. The establishment of the School of Spiritual Science is in the first place incumbent on Rudolf Steiner, who will appoint his collaborators and his eventual successor.
8. All publications of the Society will be open to the public as are those of other public societies.2The conditions, too, whereby one enters into the training of this School, have been described in published works and their publication will be continued. The same will apply to the publications of the School of Spiritual Science; but in regard to these works, those responsible for the School reserve the right from the outset to deny the validity of opinions unsupported by the proper qualifications, namely by the training of which the works themselves are the outcome. In this sense and as is customary in the recognised scientific world, they will admit the validity of no judgment which is not based on the requisite preliminary studies. The publications of the School of Spiritual Science will therefore contain the following notice: ‘Printed in Manuscript for the members of the School of Spiritual Science, Goetheanum, Class ... No person is held qualified to form a judgment on the contents of these works, who has not acquired—through the School itself or in an equivalent manner recognised by the School—the requisite preliminary knowledge. Other opinions will be in so far disregarded, as the authors of the works in question are not willing to take them as a basis for discussion.’
9. The object of the General Anthroposophical Society will be the furtherance of research in spiritual regions; that of the School of Spiritual Science the actual pursuit of such research. A dogma in any sphere whatsoever shall be excluded from the General Anthroposophical Society.
10. At the beginning of each year the General Anthroposophical Society holds an annual General Meeting, when the Executive shall submit a full report and balance sheet. The Agenda shall be issued by the Executive together with the invitation to all members four weeks before the meeting. The Executive may summon emergency General Meetings and fix the Agenda for such Meetings. Invitations to such Meetings shall be sent to members two weeks in advance. Motions by individual members or groups of members shall be sent in eight days before the date of a General Meeting.
11. The members of the Society may join together in smaller or larger groups, on any geographical or relevant basis of activity. The seat of the General Anthroposophical Society is at the Goetheanum, whence the Executive shall communicate to the members or groups of members what it considers to be the task of the Society. The Executive enters into communication with the officials elected or appointed by the single Groups. Membership shall be applied for in writing and can be obtained through admission by the Executive at Dornach; each card of membership has to be signed by the President of the Society. As a general rule every member should join a Group. Only those who find it quite impossible to enter a Group should apply for admission at Dornach as individual members.
12. The subscription shall be fixed by the single Groups; each Group shall however send 15 Swiss Francs annually per member to the headquarters of the Society at the Goetheanum.
13. Each working Group formulates its own Statutes, but these must not be incompatible with the Statutes of the General Anthroposophical Society.
14. The organ of the Society is the Goetheanum Weekly, which shall for this purpose issue a Supplement containing the official communications of the Society. This enlarged edition of the Goetheanum will be supplied to members of the General Anthroposophical Society only. (An English translation—the Anthroposophic News Sheet—is published at Dornach. Subscriptions for this News Sheet should be addressed to the office at the Goetheanum, Dornach.)
In close connection with the opening meeting, was the festivity on the morning of 25 December, entitled ‘Laying the Foundation Stone of the General Anthroposophical Society’. It could only be a question of Laying the Foundation Stone in an ideal and spiritual sense. The soil in which the Stone was laid could be no other than the hearts and souls of those united in the Society. And the Foundation Stone itself must be the attitude of mind which grows when Anthroposophy gives shape to life. This attitude in life, as it is required by the signs of the present time, lies in the will to find—by deepening the human soul—the path to an awakened vision of the Spirit and to a life proceeding from the Spirit. I will now put down the verses wherein I tried to give shape to this Foundation Stone.
Soul of man!
Thou livest in the Limbs
Which bear thee through the world of Space
Into the ocean-being of the Spirit.
Practise Spirit-recollection
In depths of soul,
Where in the wielding
World-Creator-Life
Thine own I comes to being
Within the I of God.
Then in the All-World-being of Man
Thou wilt truly live.For the Father-Spirit of the Heights holds sway
In Depths of Worlds begetting Life.
Spirits of Strength!
Let this ring out from the Heights
And in the Depths be echoed,
Speaking:
From God, Mankind has Being.
The Spirits hear it in East and West and North and South:
May human beings hear it!Soul of Man!
Thou livest in the beat of Heart and Lung
Which leads thee through the rhythmic tides of Time
Into the feeling of thine own Soul-being.
Practise Spirit-mindfulness
In balance of the soul,
Where the surging
Deeds of the World's Becoming
Do thine own I unite
Unto the I of the World.
Then 'mid the weaving of the Soul of Man
Thou wilt truly feel.For the Christ-Will in the encircling Round holds sway
In the Rhythms of the Worlds, blessing the Soul.
Spirits of Light!
Let this be fired from the East
And through the West be formed,
Speaking:
In Christ, Death becomes Life.
The Spirits hear it in East and West and North and South:
May human beings hear it!Soul of Man!
Thou livest in the resting Head
Which from the ground of the Eternal
Opens to thee the Thoughts of Worlds.
Practise Spirit-vision
In quietness of Thought,
Where the eternal aims of Gods
World-Being's Light
On thine own I bestow
For thy free Willing.
Then from the ground of the Spirit in Man.
Thou wilt truly think.For the Spirit's Universal Thoughts hold sway
In the Being of all Worlds, craving for Light.
Spirits of Soul!
Let this be prayed in the Depths
And from the Heights be answered,
Speaking:
In the Spirit's Universal Thoughts, the Soul awakens.
The Spirits hear it in East and West and North and South:
May human beings hear it!At the turning-point of Time
The Spirit-Light of the World
Entered the stream of Earthly Being.
Darkness of Night
Had held its sway;
Day-radiant Light
Poured into the souls of men:
Light that gives warmth
To simple Shepherds' Hearts,
Light that enlightens
The wise Heads of Kings.O Light Divine,
O Sun of Christ,
Warm Thou our Hearts,
Enlighten Thou our Heads,
That good may become
What from our Hearts we would found
And from our Heads direct
With single purpose.
The Executive Of The General Anthroposophical Society
The Executive was formed at the Christmas Meeting of persons who through the nature of their connection with the life of Anthroposophy will be able to take the initiative for action in the direction indicated in these paragraphs. They must be persons whose work is situated at the Goetheanum itself. Their relations to the other functionaries of the Society will be discussed in future numbers of the News Sheet. The names of the members of this Foundation Executive or Vorstand are as follows:
First President: Dr. Rudolf Steiner
Second President: Albert Steffen
Recorder: Dr. Ita Wegman
Frau Marie Steiner
Fraulein Lili Vreede
Secretary and Treasurer: Dr. Günther Wachsmuth
It will be desirable for the News Sheet to be published in translation for the Members in the different countries. We ask the General Secretaries or Councils of the various Societies or Groups to make proposals to us on the subject of these translations.
Die Bildung der Allgemeinen Anthroposophischen Gesellschaft durch die Weihnachtstagung 1923
Der Anthroposophischen Gesellschaft eine Form zu geben, wie sie die anthroposophische Bewegung zu ihrer Pflege braucht, das war mit der eben beendeten Weihnachtstagung am Goetheanum beabsichtigt. Eine solche Gesellschaft kann nicht abstrakte Richtlinien oder Statuten haben. Denn ihre Grundlage ist gegeben in den Einsichten in die geistige Welt, die als Anthroposophie vorliegen. In diesen findet schon bis heute eine große Zahl von Menschen eine sie befriedigende Anregung _ für ihre geistigen Ideale. Und in dem Gesellschaftszusammenhange mit andern in dieser Richtung gleichgesinnten Menschen liegt, was die Seelen brauchen. Denn im gegenseitigen Geben und Nehmen auf geistigem Gebiete entwickelt sich das wahre Wesen des Menschenlebens. Deshalb ist es naturgemäß, daß Menschen, die Anthroposophie in ihren Lebensinhalt aufnehmen wollen, sie durch eine Gesellschaft pflegen möchten.
Aber wenn auch Anthroposophie zunächst ihre Wurzeln in den schon gewonnenen Einsichten in die geistige Welt hat, so sind das doch nur ihre Wurzeln. Ihre Zweige, ihre Blätter, Blüten und Früchte wachsen hinein in alle Felder des menschlichen Lebens und 'Tuns. Sie ruft mit den Gedanken, die Wesen und Gesetze des geistigen Daseins offenbaren, in die Tiefen der schaffenden Menschenseele hinein: und deren künstlerische Kräfte werden durch den Ruf hervorgelockt. Die Kunst erhält allseitige Anregungen. — Sie läßt die Wärme, die von der Aufschau zum Geistigen ausströmt, in die Herzen fließen: und der religiöse Sinn erwacht in wahrer Hingabe an das Göttliche in der Welt. Die Religion erhält eine tiefe Verinnerlichung. — Sie öffnet ihre Quellen, und der liebegetragene Menschenwille kann aus ihnen schöpfen. Sie macht die Menschenliebe lebendig und wird damit schaffend in Impulsen des sittlichen Handelns und der echten sozialen Lebenspraxis. — Sie befruchtet den Blick in die Natur durch die treibenden Samen der Geistesschau und macht dadurch aus dem bloßen Naturwissen wahre Naturerkenntnis.
Durch all das erzeugt die Anthroposophie eine Fülle von Lebensaufgaben. In die weiteren Kreise des Menschenlebens können diese Aufgaben nur gelangen, wenn sie von der Pflege in einer Gesellschaft ihren Ausgangspunkt nehmen.
Die Leitung des Goetheanums in Dornach hat an diejenigen Persönlichkeiten, die der Meinung sind, daß die an diesem Goetheanum gepflegte Anthroposophie den charakterisierten Aufgaben zu entsprechen sucht, den Ruf gerichtet, in einer Weihnachtstagung die schon seit lange bestehenden Versuche zur Bildung von anthroposophischen Gesellschaften in einer befriedigenden Weise zum Abschluß zu bringen.
Der Ruf ist in einer gar nicht zu erwartenden Weise erhört worden. Sieben- bis achthündert Menschen erschienen zur «Grundsteinlegung» der «Allgemeinen Anthroposophischen Gesellschaft». Was sie getan haben, soll in dieser Beilage zum «Goetheanum» nach und nach geschildert werden.
Die Eröffnung und Leitung der Versammlungen oblag mir. —- Und sie wurde meinem Herzen leicht — diese Eröffnung. Neben mir saß der Schweizer Dichter Albert Steffen. Die versammelten Anthroposophen sahen mit dankerfüllter Seele zu ihm hin. Auf Schweizer Boden hatten sie sich zur Bildung der Anthroposophischen Gesellschaft versammelt. Der Schweiz verdanken sie in Albert Steffen seit langer Zeit ein führendes Mitglied, zu dem sie mit wahrer Begeisterung aufschauen. Ich hatte in ihm die Schweiz in einem ihrer edelsten Söhne vor mir; ihm und unseren schweizerischen Freunden herzlichsten Gruß zu sagen, war mein erstes Wort — und das zweite die Aufforderung an ihn, der Versammlung den Anfang zu geben.
Es war ein tiefergreifender Anfang. Albert Steffen, der wunderbare Maler in Worten, der dichterische Bildgestalter sprach. Man hörte ihn und sah seelengewaltige Bilder wie Visionen vor sich.
Die Grundsteinlegung des Goetheanums von 1913 stand da vor dem Seelenauge. Ich kann nicht Worte finden, zu sagen, wie es mir um die Seele war, als ich diesen Vorgang, bei dem ich vor zehn Jahren wirken durfte, in dem Steffenschen Gemälde wieder vor mir sah.
Die Arbeit am Goetheanum, in der sich hunderte von hingebungsvollen Händen regten, und bei der hunderte von begeisterten Herzen schlugen, zauberten künstlerisch vollendet geprägte Worte vor den Geist.
Und - der Brand des Goetheanums: die ganze Tragik, der Schmerz Tausender, sie erzitterten, als Albert Steffen zu uns sprach.
Und dann - im Vordergrunde eines weiteren Bildes: das Wesen der Anthroposophie selbst in der Verklärung durch die Dichterseele Albert Steffens — im Hintergrunde deren Feinde, nicht getadelt, aber mit gestaltender Kraft einfach hingestellt.
«Zehn Jahre Goetheanum»; Albert Steffens Worte darüber drangen tief - man empfand es - in die Herzen der Versammelten.
Nach diesem so würdigen Auftakt kam es mir zu, von der Form zu sprechen, die nunmehr die Anthroposophische Gesellschaft wird annehmen müssen.
Was an die Stelle eines gewöhnlichen Statuts zu treten habe, war zu sagen. Eine Beschreibung dessen, was Menschen in einem rein menschlichen Lebenszusammenhang — als Anthroposophische Gesellschaft vollbringen möchten, solle an die Stelle eines solchen «Statuts» treten. Am Goetheanum, das seit dem Brande nur aus Holz notdürftig hergerichtete Räume hat, wird Anthroposophie gepflegt. Was die Leiter des Goetheanums unter dieser Pflege verstehen und welche Wirkung für die menschliche Zivilisation sie sich davon versprechen, solle gesagt werden. Dann, wie sie sich diese Pflege in einer Freien Hochschule für Geisteswissenschaft denken. Nicht Grundsätze, zu denen man sich bekennen solle, dürfen aufgestellt werden; sondern eine Realität in ihrer Eigenart solle geschildert werden. Dann solle gesagt werden, wer seine Mitwirkung zu dem, was am Goetheanum geschieht, geben wolle, könne Mitglied werden.
Als «Statut», das aber kein «Statut», sondern die Darstellung dessen sein soll, was sich aus einem solchen rein menschlich-lebensvollen Gesellschaftsverhältnis ergeben kann, wird nur dieses vorgeschlagen:
1. Die Anthroposophische Gesellschaft soll eine Vereinigung von Menschen sein, die das seelische Leben im einzelnen Menschen und in der menschlichen Gesellschaft auf der Grundlage einer wahren Erkenntnis der geistigen Welt pflegen wollen.
2. Den Grundstock dieser Gesellschaft bilden die in der Weihnachtszeit 1923 am Goetheanum in Dornach versammelten Persönlichkeiten, sowohl die Einzelnen wie auch die Gruppen, die sich vertreten ließen. Sie sind von der Anschauung durchdrungen, daß es gegenwärtig eine wirkliche, seit vielen Jahren erarbeitete und in wichtigen Teilen auch schon veröffentlichte Wissenschaft von der geistigen Welt schon gibt und daß der heutigen Zivilisation die Pflege einer solchen Wissenschaft fehlt. Die Anthroposophische Gesellschaft soll diese Pflege zu ihrer Aufgabe haben. Sie wird diese Aufgabe so zu lösen versuchen, daß sie die im Goetheanum zu Dornach gepflegte anthroposophische Geisteswissenschaft mit ihren Ergebnissen für die Brüderlichkeit im menschlichen Zusammenleben, für das moralische und religiöse sowie für das künstlerische und allgemein geistige Leben im Menschenwesen zum Mittelpunkte ihrer Bestrebungen macht*.
3. Die als Grundstock der Gesellschaft in Dornach versammelten Persönlichkeiten erkennen zustimmend die Anschauung der durch den bei der Gründungs-Versammlung gebildeten Vorstand vertretenen Goetheanum-Leitung in bezug auf das Folgende an: «Die im Goetheanum gepflegte Anthroposophie führt zu Ergebnissen, die jedem Menschen ohne Unterschied der Nation, des Standes, der Religion als Anregung für das geistige Leben dienen können. Sie können zu einem wirklich auf brüderliche Liebe aufgebauten sozialen Leben führen. Ihre Aneignung als Lebensgrundlage ist nicht an einen wissenschaftlichen Bildungsgrad gebunden, sondern nur an das unbefangene Menschenwesen. Ihre Forschung und die sachgemäße Beurteilung ihrer Forschungsergebnisse unterliegt aber der geisteswissenschaftlichen Schulung, die stufenweise zu erlangen ist. Diese Ergebnisse sind auf ihre Art so exakt wie die Ergebnisse der wahren Naturwissenschaft. Wenn sie in derselben Art wie diese zur allgemeinen Anerkennung gelangen, werden sie auf allen Lebensgebieten einen gleichen Fortschritt wie diese bringen, nicht nur auf geistigem, sondern auch auf praktischem Gebiete.»
4. Die Anthroposophische Gesellschaft knüpft an die im Jahre 1912 gegründete Anthroposophische Gesellschaft an, möchte aber für die damals festgestellten Ziele einen selbständigen, dem wahren Geiste der Gegenwart entsprechenden Ausgangspunkt schaffen. 4. Die Anthroposophische Gesellschaft ist keine Geheimgesellschaft, sondern eine durchaus öffentliche. Ihr Mitglied kann jedermann ohne Unterschied der Nation, des Standes, der Religion, der wissenschaftlichen oder künstlerischen Überzeugung werden, der in dem Bestand einer solchen Institution, wie sie das Goetheanum in Dornach als Freie Hochschule für Geisteswissenschaft ist, etwas Berechtigtes sieht. Die Gesellschaft lehnt jedes sektiererische Bestreben ab. Die Politik betrachtet sie nicht als in ihren Aufgaben liegend.
5. Die Anthroposophische Gesellschaft sieht ein Zentrum ihres Wirkens in der Freien Hochschule für Geisteswissenschaft in Dornach. Diese wird in drei Klassen bestehen. In dieselbe werden auf ihre Bewerbung hin aufgenommen die Mitglieder der Gesellschaft, nachdem sie eine durch die Leitung des Goetheanums zu bestimmende Zeit die Mitgliedschaft innehatten. Sie gelangen dadurch in die erste Klasse der Freien Hochschule für Geisteswissenschaft. Die Aufnahme in die zweite, beziehungsweise in die dritte Klasse erfolgt, wenn die um dieselbe Ansuchenden von der Leitung des Goetheanums als geeignet befunden werden.
6. Jedes Mitglied der Anthroposophischen Gesellschaft hat das Recht, an allen von ihr veranstalteten Vorträgen, sonstigen Darbietungen und Versammlungen unter den von dem Vorstande bekanntzugebenden Bedingungen teilzunehmen.
7. Die Einrichtung der Freien Hochschule für Geisteswissenschaft obliegt zunächst Rudolf Steiner, der seine Mitarbeiter und seinen eventuellen Nachfolger zu ernennen hat.
8. Alle Publikationen der Gesellschaft werden öffentlich in der Art wie diejenigen anderer öffentlicher Gesellschaften sein.1Offentlich sind auch die Bedingungen, unter denen man zur Schulung kommt, geschildert worden und werden auch weiter veröffentlicht werden. Von dieser Offentlichkeit werden auch die Publikationen der Freien Hochschule für Geisteswissenschaft keine Ausnahme machen; doch nimmt die Leitung der Schule für sich in Anspruch, daß sie von vorneherein jedem Urteile über diese Schriften die Berechtigung bestreitet, das nicht auf die Schulung gestützt ist, aus der sie hervorgegangen sind. Sie wird in diesem Sinne keinem Urteil Berechtigung zuerkennen, das nicht auf entsprechende Vorstudien gestützt ist, wie das ja auch sonst in der anerkannten wissenschaftlichen Welt üblich ist. Deshalb werden die Schriften der Freien Hochschule für Geisteswissenschaft den folgenden Vermerk tragen: «Als Manuskript für die Angehörigen der Freien Hochschule für Geisteswissenschaft, Goetheanum Klasse ... gedruckt. Es wird niemand für diese Schriften ein kompetentes Urteil zugestanden, der nicht die von dieser Schule geltend gemachte Vor-Erkenntnis durch sie oder auf eine von ihr selbst als gleichbedeutend erkannte Weise erworben hat. Andere Beurteilungen werden insofern abgelehnt, als die Verfasser der entsprechenden Schriften sich in keine Diskussion über dieselben einlassen.»
9. Das Ziel der Anthroposophischen Gesellschaft wird die Förderung der Forschung auf geistigem Gebiete, das der Freien Hochschule für Geisteswissenschaft diese Forschung selbst sein. Eine Dogmatik auf irgendeinem Gebiete soll von der Anthroposophischen Gesellschaft ausgeschlossen sein.
10. Die Anthroposophische Gesellschaft hält jedes Jahr im Goetheanum eine ordentliche Jahresversammlung ab, in der von dem Vorstande ein vollständiger Rechenschaftsbericht gegeben wird. Die Tagesordnung zu dieser Versammlung wird mit der Einladung an alle Mitglieder sechs Wochen vor der Tagung von dem Vorstande bekanntgegeben. Außerordentliche Versammlungen kann der Vorstand berufen und für sie die Tagesordnung festsetzen. Er soll drei Wochen vorher die Einladungen an die Mitglieder versenden. Anträge von einzelnen Mitgliedern oder Gruppen von solchen sind eine Woche vor der Tagung einzusenden.
11. Die Mitglieder können sich auf jedem örtlichen oder sachlichen Felde zu kleineren oder größeren Gruppen zusammenschließen. Die Anthroposophische Gesellschaft hat ihren Sitz am Goetheanum. Der Vorstand hat von da aus das an die Mitglieder oder Mitgliedergruppen zu bringen, was er als die Aufgabe der Gesellschaft ansieht. Er tritt in Verkehr mit den Funktionären, die von den einzelnen Gruppen gewählt oder ernannt werden. Die einzelnen Gruppen besorgen die Aufnahme der Mitglieder; doch sollen die Aufnahmebestätigungen dem Vorstand in Dornach vorgelegt und von diesem im Vertrauen zu den Gruppenfunktionären unterzeichnet werden. Im allgemeinen soll sich jedes Mitglied einer Gruppe anschließen; nur wem es ganz unmöglich ist, die Aufnahme bei einer Gruppe zu finden, sollte sich in Dornach selbst als Mitglied aufnehmen lassen.
12. Der Mitgliedsbeitrag wird durch die einzelnen Gruppen bestimmt; doch hat jede Gruppe für jedes ihrer Mitglieder i5 Franken an die zentrale Leitung am Goetheanum zu entrichten.
13. Jede Arbeitsgruppe bildet ihre eigenen Statuten; nur sollen diese den Statuten der Anthroposophischen Gesellschaft nicht widersprechen.
14. Gesellschaftsorgan ist die Wochenschrift «Goetheanum», die zu diesem Ziele mit einer Beilage versehen wird, die die offiziellen Mitteilungen der Gesellschaft enthalten soll. Diese vergrößerte Ausgabe des «Goetheanum» wird nur an die Mitglieder der Anthroposophischen Gesellschaft abgegeben.2Der Einzelbezug der Mitteilungen ist den Mitgliedern möglich. Die Bedingungen dafür finden sich am Kopfe dieser ersten Nummer. Alles, was sich auf die Ausführung der Statuten im einzelnen bezieht, wird in einer besonderen «Geschäftsordnung» gegeben werden. Diese wird in einer der nächsten Nummern der Mitteilungen enthalten sein.
Im engsten Zusammenhang mit der Eröffnungsversammlung vom Vormittag des 25. Dezember stand die Festlichkeit am Morgen des 25, die den Namen trug: «Grundsteinlegung der Allgemeinen Anthroposophischen Gesellschaft.»
Es konnte sich dabei nur um eine ideell-geistige Grundsteinlegung handeln. Der Boden, in den der «Grundstein» gelegt wurde, konnten nur die Herzen und Seelen der in der Gesellschaft vereinigten Persönlichkeiten sein, und der Grundstein selbst muß die aus der anthroposophischen Lebensgestaltung quellende Gesinnung sein. Diese Gesinnung bildet in der Art, wie sie von den Zeichen der gegenwärtigen Zeit gefordert wird, der Wille, durch menschliche Seelenvertiefung den Weg zum Anschauen des Geistes und zum Leben aus dem Geiste zu finden. Ich möchte zunächst hieher setzen, womit ich in Spruchform den «Grundstein» zu gestalten versuchte und die weitere Schilderung der Eröffnungsversammlung in der nächsten Nummer dieses Mitteilungs blattes geben.
Menschenseele!
Du lebest in den Gliedern,
Die dich durch die Raumeswelt
In das Geistesmeereswesen tragen:
Übe Geist-Erinnern
In Seelentiefen,
Wo in waltendem
Weltenschöpfer-Sein
Das eigne Ich
Im Gottes-Ich
Erweset;
Und du wirst wahrhaft leben
Im Menschen-Welten-Wesen.Denn es waltet der Vater-Geist der Höhen
In den Weltentiefen Sein-erzeugend:
Ihr Kräfte-Geister
Lasset aus den Höhen erklingen,
Was in den Tiefen das Echo findet;
Dieses spricht:
Aus dem Göttlichen weset die Menschheit.
Das hören die Geister in Ost, West, Nord, Süd:
Menschen mögen es hören.Menschenseele!
Du lebest in dem Herzens-Lungen-Schlage,
Der dich durch den Zeitenrhythmus
In’s eigne Seelenwesensfühlen leitet:
Übe Geist-Besinnen
Im Seelengleichgewichte,
Wo die wogenden
Welten-Werde-Taten
Das eigne Ich
Dem Welten-Ich
Vereinen;
Und du wirst wahrhaft fählen
Im Menschen-Seelen-Wirken.Denn es waltet der Christus-Wille im Umkreis
In den Weltenrhythmen Seelen-begnadend;
Ihr Lichtes-Geister
Lasset vom Osten befeuern,
Was durch den Westen sich formet;
Dieses spricht:
In dem Christus wird Leben der Tod.
Das hören die Geister in Ost, West, Nord, Süd:
Menschen mögen es hören.Menschenseele!
Du lebest im ruhenden Haupte,
Das dir aus Ewigkeitsgründen
Die Weltgedanken erschließet:
Übe Geist-Erschauen
In Gedanken-Ruhe,
Wo die ew’gen Götterziele
Welten-Wesens-Licht
Dem eignen Ich
Zu freiem Wollen
Schenken;
Und du wirst wahrhaft denken
In Menschen-Geistes-Gründen.Denn es walten des Geistes-Weltgedanken
Im Weltenwesen Licht-erflehend:
Ihr Seelen-Geister
Lasset aus den Tiefen erbitten,
Was in den Höhen erhöret wird:
Dieses spricht:
In des Geistes Weltgedanken erwachet die Seele.
Das hören die Geister in Ost, West, Nord, Süd:
Menschen mögen es hören.In der Zeiten Wende
Trat das Welten-Geistes-Licht
In den irdischen Wesensstrom; Nacht-Dunkel
Hatte ausgewalktet;
Taghelles Licht
Erstrahlte in Menschenseelen;
Licht,
Das erwärmet
Die armen Hirtenherzen;
Licht,
Das erleuchtet
Die weisen Königshäupter.Göttliches Licht,
Christus-Sonne
Erwärme
Unsere Herzen;
Erleuchte
Unsere Häupter;
Daß gut werde,
Was wir
Aus Herzen gründen,
Was wir
Aus Häuptern führen
Wollen.
Der Vorstand der Allgemeinen Anthroposophischen Gesellschaft
Der Vorstand wurde auf der Weihnachtstagung aus Persönlichkeiten gebildet, die durch die Art ihres Verbundenseins mit dem anthroposophischen Leben in der Lage sein werden, von dem Goetheanum aus mit Initiative dasjenige zu tun, was in der Richtung des auf diesen Spalten Ausgesprochenen liegt. Es müssen dies Persönlichkeiten sein, die am Goetheanum selbst ihre Tätigkeit haben. Über die Art, wie sie sich zu den andern Funktionären der Gesellschaft stellen, soll in der nächsten Nummer dieser Mitteilungen gesprochen werden. Vorläufig sollen hier nur ihre Namen genannt werden: i. Vorsitzender: Dr. Rudolf Steiner. 2. Vorsitzender: Albert Steffen. Schriftführer: Frau Dr. Ita Wegman. Beisitzer: Frau Marie Steiner, Fräulein Lili Vreede. Sekretär und Schatzmeister: Dr. Guenther Wachsmuth. Dieser Vorstand wird in Paragraph i5 des «Statuts» als Gründungsvorstand genannt.
Im Inhalt des nächsten Mitteilungsblattes wird vorkommen:
1. Aufruf an die Mitglieder durch Rudolf Steiner
2. Fortsetzung der Mitteilungen über die Weihnachtstagung
3. Konstitution der Gesellschaft
4. Die Freie Hochschule für Geisteswissenschaft.
Es wird ‚wünschenswert sein, dieses Mitteilungsblatt für Mitglieder der einzelnen Länder in Übersetzung erscheinen zu lassen. Wir bitten die verehrten Generalsekretäre oder Vorstände der einzelnen Gesellschaften und Gruppen, uns über diese Übersetzungen Vorschläge zu machen.
The formation of the General Anthroposophical Society through the Christmas Conference of 1923
The intention of the Christmas Conference at the Goetheanum, which has just ended, was to give the Anthroposophical Society a form that the anthroposophical movement needs in order to nurture itself. Such a society cannot have abstract guidelines or statutes. For its foundation is given in the insights into the spiritual world that are available as anthroposophy. In these, a large number of people already find satisfying inspiration for their spiritual ideals. And in the social connection with other like-minded people in this direction lies what souls need. For it is in mutual giving and receiving in the spiritual realm that the true essence of human life develops. It is therefore natural that people who want to make anthroposophy part of their lives should wish to cultivate it through a society.
But even though anthroposophy has its roots in the insights already gained into the spiritual world, these are only its roots. Its branches, leaves, blossoms, and fruits grow into all fields of human life and activity. With thoughts that reveal the beings and laws of spiritual existence, it calls into the depths of the creative human soul, and its artistic powers are drawn out by this call. Art receives inspiration from all sides. — It allows the warmth that flows from the ascent to the spiritual to flow into the hearts: and the religious sense awakens in true devotion to the divine in the world. Religion receives a deep internalization. — It opens its sources, and the love-filled human will can draw from them. It brings love for humanity to life and thus becomes creative in impulses for moral action and genuine social practice. — It fertilizes the view of nature with the driving seeds of spiritual insight, thereby transforming mere knowledge of nature into true understanding of nature.
Through all this, anthroposophy generates a wealth of life tasks. These tasks can only reach the wider circles of human life if they originate from being cultivated in society.
The leadership of the Goetheanum in Dornach has called upon those personalities who believe that the anthroposophy cultivated at this Goetheanum seeks to fulfill the tasks described above to bring the long-standing attempts to form anthroposophical societies to a satisfactory conclusion at a Christmas conference.
The call has been answered in a way that was completely unexpected. Seven to eight hundred people appeared for the “laying of the foundation stone” of the “General Anthroposophical Society.” What they did will be described step by step in this supplement to the “Goetheanum.”
I was responsible for opening and chairing the meetings. —- And it was easy for my heart — this opening. The Swiss poet Albert Steffen sat next to me. The assembled anthroposophists looked at him with grateful souls. They had gathered on Swiss soil to form the Anthroposophical Society. They have long owed Switzerland a leading member in Albert Steffen, whom they look up to with true enthusiasm. In him, I saw Switzerland represented by one of its noblest sons; my first words were to greet him and our Swiss friends warmly — and my second words were to ask him to open the meeting.
It was a profound beginning. Albert Steffen, the wonderful painter in words, the poetic image creator, spoke. As we listened to him, we saw powerful images like visions before our eyes.
The laying of the foundation stone of the Goetheanum in 1913 stood before our mind's eye. I cannot find the words to describe how I felt when I saw this event, in which I was privileged to participate ten years ago, before me again in Steffen's painting.
The work on the Goetheanum, in which hundreds of devoted hands were busy and hundreds of enthusiastic hearts were beating, conjured up artistically perfect words before the mind.
And then there was the fire at the Goetheanum: the whole tragedy, the pain of thousands, they trembled as Albert Steffen spoke to us.
And then – in the foreground of another picture: the essence of anthroposophy itself, transfigured by the poetic soul of Albert Steffen – in the background, its enemies, not condemned, but simply placed there with creative power.
“Ten Years of the Goetheanum”; Albert Steffen's words about it penetrated deeply — one felt it — into the hearts of those gathered.
After this dignified opening, it fell to me to speak about the form that the Anthroposophical Society would now have to take.
It had to be said what was to take the place of ordinary statutes. A description of what people in a purely human context — as the Anthroposophical Society — would like to achieve should take the place of such “statutes.” At the Goetheanum, which since the fire has only had makeshift rooms made of wood, anthroposophy is cultivated. What the leaders of the Goetheanum understand by this cultivation and what effect they expect it to have on human civilization should be stated. Then, how they envision this cultivation in a Free University of Spiritual Science. Principles to which one should profess should not be established; rather, a reality in its own right should be described. Then it should be said that anyone who wants to contribute to what is happening at the Goetheanum can become a member.
As a “statute,” which is not meant to be a “statute” but rather a description of what can result from such a purely human and lively social relationship, only the following is proposed:
1. The Anthroposophical Society should be an association of people who want to cultivate the spiritual life in the individual and in human society on the basis of a true knowledge of the spiritual world.
2. The foundation of this society is formed by the personalities who gathered at the Goetheanum in Dornach during the Christmas season of 1923, both individuals and groups who were represented. They are imbued with the conviction that a real science of the spiritual world already exists, one that has been developed over many years and in important parts has already been published, and that today's civilization lacks the cultivation of such a science. The Anthroposophical Society shall have this cultivation as its task. It will attempt to accomplish this task by making the anthroposophical spiritual science cultivated at the Goetheanum in Dornach, with its results for brotherhood in human coexistence, for moral and religious as well as artistic and general spiritual life in human beings, the center of its endeavors.
3. The personalities gathered as the foundation of the Society in Dornach agree with the view of the Goetheanum leadership, represented by the Executive Council formed at the founding meeting, with regard to the following: "The anthroposophy cultivated at the Goetheanum leads to results that can serve as inspiration for the spiritual life of every human being, regardless of nationality, social status, or religion. They can lead to a social life truly based on brotherly love. Their appropriation as a basis for life is not bound to a scientific level of education, but only to an unbiased human being. However, its research and the proper evaluation of its research results are subject to spiritual scientific training, which must be acquired step by step. These results are, in their own way, as accurate as the results of true natural science. If they achieve general recognition in the same way as natural science, they will bring about the same progress in all areas of life, not only in the spiritual but also in the practical sphere."
4. The Anthroposophical Society builds on the Anthroposophical Society founded in 1912, but seeks to create an independent starting point for the goals set at that time, in keeping with the true spirit of the present. 4. The Anthroposophical Society is not a secret society, but a thoroughly public one. Anyone can become a member, regardless of nationality, social status, religion, or scientific or artistic convictions, who sees something justified in the existence of an institution such as the Goetheanum in Dornach as a Free University of Spiritual Science. The Society rejects any sectarian aspirations. It does not consider politics to be part of its tasks.
5. The Anthroposophical Society sees the School of Spiritual Science in Dornach as the center of its work. This will consist of three classes. Members of the Society will be admitted to these classes upon application, after they have been members for a period of time to be determined by the Goetheanum leadership. They will thus enter the first class of the School of Spiritual Science. Admission to the second or third class will take place when those applying for it are found suitable by the leadership of the Goetheanum.
6. Every member of the Anthroposophical Society has the right to participate in all lectures, other presentations, and meetings organized by it under the conditions announced by the Executive Council.
7. The establishment of the School of Spiritual Science is initially the responsibility of Rudolf Steiner, who is to appoint his colleagues and his eventual successor.
8. All publications of the Society shall be public in the same way as those of other public societies. The conditions under which one may attend the training have also been described publicly and will continue to be published. The publications of the School of Spiritual Science shall make no exception to this public nature; However, the school's management reserves the right to dispute any judgment of these writings that is not based on the training from which they originated. In this sense, it will not recognize the validity of any judgment that is not based on corresponding preliminary studies, as is customary in the recognized scientific world. For this reason, the writings of the School of Spiritual Science will bear the following note: "Printed as a manuscript for the members of the School of Spiritual Science, Goetheanum Class ... No one will be granted a competent judgment on these writings who has not acquired the preliminary knowledge claimed by this school through it or in a manner recognized by it as equivalent. Other assessments are rejected insofar as the authors of the corresponding writings do not engage in any discussion about them."
9. The aim of the Anthroposophical Society will be to promote research in the spiritual realm, and that of the School of Spiritual Science will be this research itself. Dogmatism in any field shall be excluded from the Anthroposophical Society.
10. The Anthroposophical Society shall hold an annual general meeting at the Goetheanum, at which the Executive Council shall present a full report. The agenda for this meeting shall be announced by the Executive Council in the invitation sent to all members six weeks before the meeting. The Executive Council may convene extraordinary meetings and set the agenda for them. It shall send invitations to the members three weeks in advance. Motions from individual members or groups of members must be submitted one week before the meeting.
11. Members may form smaller or larger groups in any local or subject-related field. The Anthroposophical Society has its headquarters at the Goetheanum. From there, the Executive Council shall communicate to the members or groups of members what it considers to be the task of the Society. It shall communicate with the officers elected or appointed by the individual groups. The individual groups shall be responsible for the admission of members; however, the confirmation of admission shall be submitted to the Executive Council in Dornach and signed by the latter in confidence to the group officers. In general, every member should join a group; only those for whom it is completely impossible to find admission to a group should be admitted as members in Dornach itself.
12. The membership fee is determined by the individual groups; however, each group must pay 15 francs for each of its members to the central administration at the Goetheanum.
13. Each working group shall draw up its own statutes; however, these shall not contradict the statutes of the Anthroposophical Society.
14. The organ of the Society is the weekly magazine “Goetheanum,” which shall be supplemented for this purpose with an insert containing the official communications of the Society. This enlarged edition of the Goetheanum will only be distributed to members of the Anthroposophical Society. Individual members may subscribe to the communications. The conditions for this are listed at the top of this first issue. Everything relating to the implementation of the statutes in detail will be set out in special “rules of procedure.” These will be included in one of the next issues of the Communications.
Closely connected with the opening meeting on the morning of December 25 was the celebration on the morning of the 25th, which bore the name: “Laying of the Foundation Stone of the General Anthroposophical Society.”
This could only be a spiritual laying of the foundation stone. The ground in which the “foundation stone” was laid could only be the hearts and souls of the personalities united in the Society, and the foundation stone itself must be the attitude of mind springing from the anthroposophical way of life. This attitude, in the way it is demanded by the signs of the present time, forms the will to find the way to contemplate the spirit and to live from the spirit through human soul deepening. I would like to begin here with what I attempted to formulate as the “foundation stone” in the form of a saying, and I will give a further description of the opening meeting in the next issue of this newsletter.
Human soul!
You live in the limbs
That carry you through the spatial world
Into the spiritual sea of being:
Practice spiritual remembrance
In the depths of the soul,
Where in the reigning
world-creator being
The self
In the God-self
Be present;
And you will truly live
In the human-world-being.For the Father-Spirit of the heights reigns
In the depths of the world, creating being:
You spirits of power
Let resound from the heights,
What finds its echo in the depths;
This speaks:
From the divine is humanity.
The spirits hear this in the east, west, north, and south:
May humans hear it.Human soul!
For the will of Christ reigns in the sphere
You live in the beating of your heart and lungs,
Which guides you through the rhythm of time
Into the feeling of your own soul:
Practice spiritual reflection
In the balance of the soul,
Where the surging
World-becoming deeds
The self
Unite with the world-self;
And you will truly feel
In the workings of the human soul.
In the rhythms of the worlds, blessing souls;
Let your spirits of light
Let the East ignite
What is formed through the West;
This speaks:
In Christ, death becomes life.
The spirits in the East, West, North, and South hear this:
May humans hear it too.Human soul!
You live in a resting head,
Which, from the depths of eternity,
Opens up the thoughts of the world to you:
Practice spiritual vision
In the tranquility of thought,
Where the eternal goals of the gods
The light of the essence of the worlds
To your own self
For free will
Give;
And you will truly think
In human-spirit reasons.For the spirit's world thoughts reign
In world beings, imploring light:
Your soul spirits
Let them implore from the depths,
What is heard in the heights:
This speaks:
In the world thoughts of the spirit, the soul awakens.
The spirits hear this in the east, west, north, and south:
May humans hear it.At the turn of time
The light of the world spirit entered
The earthly stream of beings;
Night darkness
Had worn itself out;
Daylight
Shone in human souls;
Light,
That warms
The poor shepherds' hearts;
Light,
That enlightens
The wise kings.Divine light,
Christ-sun
Warm
Our hearts;
Enlighten
Our heads;
That good may come,
What we
Establish from our hearts,
What we
Want to lead
From our heads.
The Executive Council of the General Anthroposophical Society
At the Christmas Conference, the Executive Council was formed of individuals who, through their connection with anthroposophical life, will be able to take the initiative from the Goetheanum to do what has been expressed in these columns. These must be individuals who are themselves active at the Goetheanum. The nature of their relationship to the other functionaries of the Society will be discussed in the next issue of these Communications. For the time being, only their names will be mentioned here: First Chairman: Dr. Rudolf Steiner. Second Chairman: Albert Steffen. Secretary: Dr. Ita Wegman. Assessors: Mrs. Marie Steiner, Miss Lili Vreede. Secretary and Treasurer: Dr. Guenther Wachsmuth. This executive committee is referred to in paragraph i5 of the “Statutes” as the founding executive committee.
The contents of the next newsletter will include:
1. Appeal to members by Rudolf Steiner
2. Continuation of reports on the Christmas Conference
3. Constitution of the Society
4. The School of Spiritual Science.
It would be desirable to have this newsletter translated for members in individual countries. We kindly ask the esteemed secretaries-general or executive committees of the individual societies and groups to make suggestions to us regarding these translations.