The Influences of Lucifer and Ahriman
The Influences of Lucifer and Ahriman

Author: Rudolf Steiner

Publisher: SteinerBooks

Published: 1993

Total Pages: 100

ISBN-13: 9780880103756

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In these lectures, Steiner focuses on the vital task of developing the proper orientation toward a free spiritual life. With great compassion and understanding, he offers telling examples of how humanity must walk a conscious middle way between the two tempting powers of Lucifer and Ahriman. He describes the incarnation of Lucifer in the third millennium before the Christ event, out of which flowed not just the wisdom of paganism, but also the conscious intellect we enjoy today. Ahriman, on the other hand, is shown approaching human beings through such phenomena as materialism, nationalism, and literalism, all in preparation for his incarnation in the third millennium. Keep in mind, however, that these two powers do not work separately; rather, they are working increasingly together. Our task as human beings is to hold them in balance, continually permeating one with the other. Steiner tells us that "Lucifer and Ahriman must be regarded as two scales of a balance, and it is we who must hold the beam in equipoise. How can we train ourselves to do this? By permeating what takes ahrimanic form within us with a strongly luciferic element." To accomplish this task we need a new, more conscious inner life.

The Incarnation of Ahriman
The Incarnation of Ahriman

Author: Rudolf Steiner

Publisher: Rudolf Steiner Press

Published: 2013-05-16

Total Pages: 132

ISBN-13: 1855842785

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While we know of Ahriman from Persian mythology, Rudolf Steiner spoke of him as an actual, living spiritual entity. This being, he said, works to embed people firmly into physicality, encouraging dull, materialistic attitudes and a philistine, dry intellect. In these extraordinary lectures Steiner, in rare prophetic mode, talks about an actual incarnation of Ahriman on the earth and the potential consequences. Just as Christ incarnated in a physical body, so would Ahriman incarnate in the Western world - before 'a part' of the third millennium had passed. Steiner places this incarnation in the context of a 'cosmic triad' - Lucifer, Christ and Ahriman. Ahriman will incarnate as a counterpoint to the physical incarnation of Lucifer in the East in the third millennium BC, with the incarnation of Jesus Christ in Palestine as the balancing point between the two. Over the period during which Steiner developed anthroposophy - a speaking career that spanned two decades and more than six thousand lectures - he referred to the idea of Ahriman's incarnation only six times. These six lectures, together with an additional supporting excerpt, are reproduced in their entirety, and under one cover, for the first time.

OUR CONNECTION WITH THE ELEMENTAL WORLD
OUR CONNECTION WITH THE ELEMENTAL WORLD

Author: Rudolf Steiner

Publisher: Rudolf Steiner Press

Published: 2016-11-14

Total Pages: 283

ISBN-13: 1855846160

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The heart of this volume comprises Rudolf Steiner's commentary on the elemental forces that are responsible for our earthly nature as human beings – forces that influence us through our membership of a national or geographical group. When such elemental forces are not recognised and understood, he states, they cause conflict and chaos. However, Steiner indicates an important accompanying task that calls upon each human being to develop individuality, emancipating ourselves from the earthly influences underlying national and racial groups.These great themes are framed by Rudolf Steiner's pioneering research into the two major Northern folk-poems, the Kalevala and The Dream Song of Olaf Åsteson. The former tells of the elemental spirits who created the conditions for our earthly incarnation, whereas the Dream Song has to do with the drama of excarnation – the journey of the human soul after death. Linking these vast motifs is Steiner's unique description of the mission and tasks of the Russian people and the contrast of their destiny to the North American people (who, he says, are 'dominating the Earth for a brief period of increasing splendour').Steiner explains how elemental beings, responsible for the balance of land and sea, have created conditions where various peoples are enabled to develop their gifts and fulfil their destinies. Thus he speaks of Finland as the ancient conscience of Europe, Russia as the future bearer of the Christ-imbued Spirit Self, and the differing but complementary environments of Germany and Britain. Strikingly, he states that, 'no souls on Earth love one another more than those living in Central Europe and those living in the British Isles'.Rudolf Steiner also speaks of the necessary work of luciferic and ahrimanic beings that collaborate to enable the solid spatial forms of our physical bodies. Likewise, they influence our etheric and astral bodies, facilitating thinking, feeling and will to be imbued with life and consciousness.

Coping with Evil
Coping with Evil

Author: Bruce McCausland

Publisher: SteinerBooks

Published: 2006-08

Total Pages: 230

ISBN-13: 1584204672

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"I have much more to tell you, but you cannot grasp it now. But when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into the whole truth: for He will not speak on His own authority but will tell what is told Him, and will announce to you the things that are to come." --John 16:12,13 (Williams translation) Coping with Evil addresses one of the most important topics for all humanity--evil. The menace of evil seems stronger today than ever before. Can evil be defeated? Do we have the courage even to look at its root causes? Drawing on the spiritual investigations of Rudolf Steiner, Sri Aurobindo, and others and from his own inner work, Bruce McCausland takes us on a fascinating journey into the hidden recesses of this very timely subject, helping us understand and cope with today's events and our daily lives. What is evil? What is its source or sources? How should we view evil and those who perpetrate it? Using what he calls a holoscopic approach, McCausland stresses the importance of how we look at a problem. Traditional means no longer suffice and have proven inadequate to the task. By its very nature, evil is illusive and fraught with emotion. These obstacles must be overcome if we are to succeed in examining this manifold menace in a meaningful, productive manner. But whatever we do, we cannot ignore it. The greatest evil, it has been noted, is indifference toward evil. McCausland discusses the sources of evil in the form of spirit beings--"spiritual adversaries"--called Lucifer and Ahriman. He explains how these two beings interact with each other and with humanity as the two extremes of evil, with goodness in the center. In the end, we discover ways to deal with evil, both as individuals and as a society. In today's climate of fear and its exploitation on every side, the question of evil has become an urgent matter of human survival. Those who watch or read the news can use this guidebook to understand the forces at work behind daily events. It guides the reader through the confusion caused by evil and toward inner freedom.

Cosmos, Earth and Nutrition
Cosmos, Earth and Nutrition

Author: Richard Thornton Smith

Publisher: Rudolf Steiner Press

Published: 2013-04-03

Total Pages: 305

ISBN-13: 1855843196

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In recent years there has been an explosion of interest in organic and biodynamic produce. Although once marginal and 'alternative', escalating concerns about the environment, health, food quality and animal welfare have brought organics into mainstream consciousness. Biodynamics, a unique development of the organic approach, does not narrowly focus on agricultural techniques. It was conceived as a new way of thinking about farming, nutrition and the world of nature, allowing for a revitalized relationship with the living soil, the elemental world and the cosmos. Originating from a series of eight lectures given by Dr Rudolf Steiner in 1924, biodynamics broadens the outlook of agriculture and the science behind it, leading to a holistic perspective that incorporates astronomical rhythms and unique preparations for plants and earth. The author describes the foundations on which not only biodynamics but also the wider organic movement is based. He builds bridges between mainstream science and Steiner's insights, making it easier for the wider organic and ecological movement to approach biodynamic concepts and practise. This book has much to offer to the beginner as well as to those already involved with biodynamics. Its broad range of topics - including the ecology of the farm organism, food quality and nutrition, community supported agriculture, planetary influences, seed quality, and the vitality of water - contribute to a deeper understanding of the subject. The author is also concerned to promote innovation so that biodynamics moves with the times. An appendix includes details for contacting various elements of the biodynamic world. DR RICHARD THORNTON SMITH was formerly a geography professor at the University of Leeds, specializing in soil science, environment and conservation. Widely travelled, he has a long-standing interest in indigenous and sustainable farming. He was introduced to the work of Rudolf Steiner at an early age, although his full involvement with biodynamics dates from 1990 when he began to participate in training programmes and workshops at Emerson College, Sussex. In 1996 he began a biodynamic extension programme in Sri Lanka, for which he published a book, most recently updated in 2007. Since 2001 he has been an inspector for the Biodynamic Association's Demeter and Organic Certification in the UK. In 2003 he produced an edited selection of Steiner's work relating to agriculture. He is currently a council member of the Biodynamic Agricultural Association, and lives in Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire.