Comments on: Rudolf Steiner and theosophy – about local versus universal wisdom

By: Katinka - Spirituality

Katinka - Spirituality — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:32:33 +0000

Br. Bruce: I am quite skeptical at your opinion, yes. If that’s what you read in my static face on the right, it’s correct. But I’ll let you have the last word

By: Br. Bruce

Br. Bruce — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:53:38 +0000

Katinka, on the higher level all occultists agree on the facts.
Steiner on Occultism- the same for all mankind:
Quote:
“Occultism is in its results one and the same for all mankind. In reality there is no such thing as a difference of standpoint in occultism — any more than there are different mathematics. It is only necessary in regard to any particular question to have the means actually at hand to acquire knowledge on that question, and the knowledge will be the same as is reached by everyone who has the right means at his disposal. Thus, speaking in the ideal sense, we can just as little admit the existence of different standpoints in occultism as we can imagine there might be different standpoints in mathematics. Consequently occultism, wherever it has made its appearance, has always been recognised as single and universal. It is true that in the various theosophies that have existed from time to time and have supplied the outer cloak, so to speak, of occult truths, differences show themselves; but that is because the truths have had to be clothed differently for one folk or one epoch, than for another folk or another epoch. In other words, the differences between the theosophies that exist on the Earth lie in the manner of thought used to clothe the occult truths. The foundations of occultism are always and everywhere one and the same….”

These days we have the saying “belief system” and on the mundane level they may be such a thing; but there has to be a spiritual reality that all can observe – that is Spiritual Science.
Steiner did instruct on most of the ancient wisdom- the Hindu, the Greek, the Persian, the Norse etc. (The Chinese not so much.)
(You keep looking at me quizzically on the right of the screen.)

By: Katinka - Spirituality

Katinka - Spirituality — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:05:08 +0000

Br. Bruce: I think he was partial to Western Wisdom at the expense of the Eastern. In other words: he was German, instead of universal. That’s a very common failing, so as a human being I can’t fault him for that. As a spiritual teacher however, I do think he came short.

By: Br. Bruce

Br. Bruce — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:34:34 +0000

Greetings Katinka,
In what way do you think he didn’t live up to that ideal?

By: katinka - spiritual

katinka - spiritual — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 08:40:17 +0000

Hi Bruce, thank you. That’s a rather early quote, but even if it weren’t, the question would be: did he live up to that ideal? I’m saying that he didn’t.

By: Br.Bruce

Br.Bruce — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 22:22:47 +0000

Dear Katinka,
“A theosophist has always before him the ideal of a universal single occultism, free of all religious prejudice.”
-Rudolf Steiner
Here Rudolf Steiner explains the ideals of theosophy, not as Eastern or Western but as a universal movement.

http://wn.elib.com/Steiner/Lectures/ManOccult/19120602p01.html

God is no respecter of personalities and neither is occultism.

“Occultism strips itself entirely of the personal element. Systems of philosophy arise directly out of the personal in man; occultism arises out of the impersonal and is on this account capable of general comprehension. And when it is a question of expressing occultism in terms of theosophy, the endeavour is always made to speak to every human heart and every human soul, and in large measure this can be done….

Greetings,
Br.Bruce

By: katinka - spiritual

katinka - spiritual — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 05:47:03 +0000

I was referring actually to the more current and totally black version of how Antroposophy functions today in Germany. In The Netherlands Waldorf schools are usually not at all like they are painted in one of your links.

As for Hubben Schneiden – thanks for the source, I’ll definitely put that on my ‘should read’ list. But even he can hardly know with what motives Steiner went into the TS originally.

By: Hans

Hans — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 20:22:28 +0000

Hi Katinka! As the saying goes: believing is not knowing . Facts & figures are to be found @ Norbert Klatt: Theosophie & Anthroposohie. Göttingen, 1993. The book presents 81 letters from the property of Wilhelm Hübbe-Schleiden (1846-1916). Fortunately by chance the letters could be saved from destruction during WW II. However, the whole matter is not that important. I just stumbled about it while visiting your page. “Hans”

By: katinka - spiritual

katinka - spiritual — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 19:19:07 +0000

Hi Hans,

Those links put things a bit more blackly than I have at present reason to believe. But thanks anyhow.

Katinka

By: Hans

Hans — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 18:39:03 +0000

Hi Katinka!

Could be of interest to you & your readers:

• http://www.update.uu.se/~fbendz/pseudo/anthropos.html

Additional here one can find hints about the founding history of Steiner’s sect. In fact he captures the German TG (unfortunately just in German language).

• http://www.trinosophie.info/2007/07/20/waldorfschulen-rudolf-steiner-soll-abgeschrieben-haben/

Best wishes.
“Hans”