An Esoteric Cosmology

Esoteric Cosmology, Steiner was able to successfully condense a grand cosmology into eighteen lectures with easy readability. These lecture notes will prove invaluable for all those who wish to better understand Rudolf Steiner’s book An Outline of Esoteric Science, as well as his Christian cosmology and perspectives on esoteric Christianity and the Christian mysteries.

A congress of the Federation of European Sections of the Theosophical Society was held in Paris in May 1906. Rudolf Steiner attended with a number of students and presented a series of lectures to a small circle of friends, mostly society members. Édouard Schuré was present and made succinct notes of those talks, the result of which is An Esoteric Cosmology: Evolution, Christ, and Modern Spirituality. In is foreword, Schuré describes his initial impressions of Rudolf Steiner and the force of his vision: “These priceless lectures mark a significant phase of Rudolf Steiner’s thought—that of the spontaneous burst of his genius and its first crystallization.” Indeed, his notes record perhaps the first general outline and summary of what would become Anthroposophy, or spiritual science. At the time of these lectures, most members viewed Theosophy as a kind of Europeanized Indian philosophy. Thus, one purpose of these lectures was to outline Steiner’s Christ-centered spiritual science in contrast to the more Eastern orientation of Theosophy. He carefully connected the essence of spiritual science to the role of the Christ in human evolution, as well as to the Rosicrucian and Christian mystery traditions, the primary carriers of the esoteric Christian stream. To accomplish this, Steiner presented the roots of Christianity in the ancient mysteries and in the evolution of the whole universe itself. Édouard Schuré was able to capture their essence in the relatively brief notes that constitute this book. 

Product Details:

ISBN#9780880105934
Paperback, 132 pages
Publisher: Steiner Books, Published: January 15, 2009
Size: 6 x 0.32 x 9 inches, Weight: 0.80

Author

Rudolf Steiner (b. Rudolf Joseph Lorenz Steiner, 1861–1925)
was born in the small village of Kraljevec, Austro-Hungarian Empire (now in Croatia). As a young man, he lived in Weimar and Berlin, where he became a well-published scientific, literary, and philosophical scholar. He is known especially for his work with Goethe’s scientific writings. Formally beginning his spiritual teaching career under the auspices of the Theosophical Society, Steiner came to use the term Anthroposophy (and spiritual science) for his philosophy, and spiritual research. The influence of Steiner’s multifaceted genius has led to innovative and holistic approaches in medicine, philosophy, religious renewal. He is known for the Waldorf education system, biodynamic agriculture, Goethean science, architecture, and the arts of drama, speech, and eurythmy. In 1924, Rudolf Steiner founded the General Anthroposophical Society, which today has branches throughout the world. He died in Dornach, Switzerland.          

 Translator

René M. Querido, LLD, was a seminal figure in Waldorf education for a half century. He was educated in Holland, Belgium, France, and England and studied mathematics and physics at London University. Mr. Querido lectured throughout the world on historical and educational topics and was director of Rudolf Steiner College (Fair Oaks, California). He was also Secretary of the Anthroposophical Society in America.      

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