Egyptian Myths and Mysteries: 12 lectures, Leipzig, Sept. 1908 (CW 106)

by Rudolf Steiner

Overview

12 Lectures, Leipzig, September 2-14, 1908 (CW 106)

Rudolf Steiner emphasizes the astonishing and special relationship between our own time and that of ancient Egypt--how, in the natural rhythm of the ages, the so-called third post-Atlantian (Egyptian) epoch is mirrored by the fifth (present) epoch. In this sense, today it is especially relevant to look at ancient Egypt with fresh eyes. The evolution of Western civilization has been profoundly influenced by Egyptian myths through the Greek mysteries. Because of other influences, however, this heritage has degenerated; thinking has mummified and and myth has all but disappeared. Consequently, it is important to revive the seed of goodness passed down to us from ancient Egypt.

Through true imagination, it is our task to renew human knowledge related to the creative forces in nature, which the Egyptians attempted through the Osiris-Isis myth, and the Greeks through the myth of Demeter. This is what Rudolf Steiner attempts in this lecture cycle.

Steiner's subjects include: experiences of Egyptian initiations; esoteric anatomy and physiology; the stages of evolution of the human form; and much more. The final lecture is on the Christ impulse as the conqueror of matter.

This volume is a translation from German of «Ägyptische Mythen und Mysterien im Verhältnis zu den wirkenden Geisteskräften der Gegenwart» (GA 106).

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780880108560
Publisher:	Steiner
Publication date:	12/01/1990
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	160
File size:	418 KB

About the Author

Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) was born in the small
village of Kraljevec, Austro-Hungarian Empire (now in Croatia), where he
grew up. As a young man, he lived in Weimar and Berlin, where he became
a well-published scientific, literary, and philosophical scholar, known
especially for his work with Goethe's scientific writings. At the
beginning of the twentieth century, he began to develop his early
philosophical principles into an approach to systematic research into
psychological and spiritual phenomena. 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, spiritual research, and findings. The influence of Steiner's
multifaceted genius has led to innovative and holistic approaches in
medicine, various therapies, philosophy, religious renewal, Waldorf
education, education for special needs, threefold economics, 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.

Table of Contents

C O N T E N T S:

1. Spiritual connections between the culture streams of ancient and modern times
2. The reflection of cosmic events in the religious view of human beings
3. The old initiation centers; the human form as a subject of meditation
4. Experiences of initiation; the mysteries of planets; descent of the primeval world
5. The genesis of the trinity of Sun, Moon, and Earth; Osiris and Typhon
6. The influence of Osiris and Isis; facts of occult anatomy and physiology
7. Evolution in the human organism up to the Moon's departure
8. States of evolution in the human form; the four human types
9. Influence of the Sun and Moon spirits and the Isis and Osiris forces
10. Ancient myths as images of cosmic facts; dimming of spiritual consciousness
11. Ancient Egyptian doctrine of evolution; cosmic view of the organs
12. The Christ impulse as conqueror of matter