Translated from the Greek word "anthroposophy" means "human wisdom" or "human knowledge." In other words, we can say that this is a spiritual science that reveals to people the methods of spiritual knowledge and self-development through thinking. Often it is called Goetheanism of the twentieth century. This is because anthroposophy is based on Goethe's teachings. What is this mystical science? Learn from our article.
Anthroposophy and Theosophy
Despite the fact that Goetheanism of the twentieth century stood out precisely from Theosophy, these two teachings are strikingly different from each other.
Anthroposophy is wisdom that is acquired consciously by a person and is aimed at knowing oneself.
Theosophy (translated from Greek - “God’s wisdom”) is knowledge that is given by the Higher Forces, that is, received subconsciously.
It is not surprising that these two sciences arose in a certain order: first theosophy, and then anthroposophy. The thing is that in order to know yourself, it is very important to establish contact with the Higher Forces.
What is anthroposophy? Determining the meaning of this word is not difficult, especially for those who know the Greek language. So, anthropos is a man, and sophia is wisdom. The whole meaning of the doctrine lies in the name - the way of self-development of a person through thinking.
The origin of anthroposophy
Given the past experience of all mystical knowledge, we can safely say that none of them arose just like that. There were certain reasons for this, which prompted society to comprehend this or that doctrine. Anthroposophy is a mystical knowledge that broke away from Theosophy at the beginning of the 20th century in Germany. Rudolf Steiner headed one of the German branches of Theosophy.
It should be noted that his activity has always been based not so much on the doctrine itself, but on personal feelings and research. To some extent, Steiner did not trust Elena Blavatsky, the founder of Theosophy, and there were good reasons for that: in 1913, the organization’s leadership proclaimed that Jeddah Krishnamurti should become the new reincarnation of Christ.
Rudolf Steiner completely disagreed with this idea and therefore left this organization. With a group of students, he founded the current, which was called "anthroposophy." The current exists to this day.
Steiner was a very ambitious and strong-willed person. The Theosophy community fettered him, not giving freedom. Separated and created his own teaching, he was able to realize himself as an architect, philosopher, mystic, occultist and playwright.
The origin of Waldorf pedagogy
By creating his own community, Steiner sought to spread knowledge around the world. He gave lectures at various enterprises and factories, talking about the principles of anthroposophy and analyzing the problems of employees.
So, at one of the seminars, which took place on the territory of the Waldorf-Astoria cigarette factory, the problems of teaching and raising children were raised. He talked about the fact that at an early age it is much easier to discover yourself as a person and to learn the essence of the science of the spirit. A child is a blank sheet of paper on which you need to write down only the necessary information.
The workers of the cigarette factory in many ways agreed with Steiner, because it is with children that the development of the nation begins. It is difficult to break stereotypes and introduce new knowledge when children attend regular school. It was decided to open a new educational institution for the children of workers, in which the kids would learn according to a new methodology based on anthroposophy. So, the first school was opened by Emil Molt - the head of the cigarette factory, and it was in honor of him that she was called the Waldorf Steiner School.
The main provisions of the science of spirit in Waldorf pedagogy
It is easy to guess that anthroposophy studies the development of man in the spiritual sphere. For children, such education is especially important. Steiner believed that every child is a personality that requires an individual approach. First of all, it is worth paying attention to the abilities of the child, given to him by nature. This method of training eliminates the compulsion of children to a particular activity. It is very important to develop faith in them in their own strengths and ways of self-knowledge - this will become a good foundation for studying ordinary school subjects.
The science of the spirit allows you to reveal yourself as a person, to believe in your own strengths and significance. The principles of education at the Waldorf school are quite simple: the child is respected, educated in him a love of spiritual values. Parents are also included in the workflow. They regularly attend parent-teacher meetings and actively participate in the life of the school and children. In order for a child to develop as a person, he needs to pay enough attention. No school can give him proper education and upbringing if his parents are not included in the process.
The Waldorf school works in two directions: the first focus is on the development of creative abilities: drawing, dancing, playing musical instruments; in the second, they bring spiritual values into a child. Mentors and teachers help children shape their inner world and worldview according to the teachings of Steiner.
In parallel, children learn traditions and culture. This makes it clear to the child that he is not alone in the big world, there are many interesting and unusual things around.
In general, the Waldorf school is very different from the ordinary. Children feel like in one big family. School performances, which are held regularly in them, help children open up, become more liberated and confident, not be afraid to speak to the public.
Goethe and Anthroposophy
Despite the fact that the doctrine arose only in the twentieth century, it is often called "Goetheanism." The secret lies in the fact that all ideas of anthroposophy are based on German classical philosophy, including Goethe's natural sciences. We can say that it was he who inspired Steiner and pointed to the path of knowledge of the spiritual world. It is important to note that Goethe was a Freemasonry, and therefore had some secret mystical knowledge, inaccessible to the layman.
The philosophical views of this thinker are clearly traced in the work on which he worked all his life. “Faust” is a tragedy where the battle of God and Satan for the human soul is well described. The main character of the work is Faust, carefully looking for a way to discover the meaning of life. He understands that only self-improvement and dedication can lead to what he dreams about. The second part of the tragedy is the writer’s thoughts about the natural sciences and his scientific study of the spiritual world. Goethe encrypted deep symbolic and mystical associations in it.
The architectural image of the universe
Steiner was not only a philosopher, mystic, occultist, architect and playwright, but also the author of mystery plays. For their productions, he decided to build a building, which was later called the Goetheanum. After some time, the idea became larger. The Goetheanum became the center of the anthroposophical movement, it was located in the city of Dornach in Switzerland. The building itself and the surrounding buildings symbolized the model of the universe. Steiner was sure that man and the whole system of the universe are very closely interconnected. In order to know yourself, you must understand the whole essence of the Universe and be one with it.
By 1920, the construction of the building was completed - it was a unique project of organic architecture. Steiner's students and followers took part in its construction. In 1923, as a result of arson, the building burned down, but since it was insured, it was rebuilt. The new Goetheanum in the Dornach was much larger and more spacious than the former. Adherents of science often gathered there to discuss anthroposophy and share their discoveries and impressions. In addition, as was supposed from the very beginning, mystery plays were performed in the Goetheanum, in which Steiner's followers played.
Quite a lot of people gathered at the center of the anthroposophical movement. They listened to lectures, watched plays, and simply talked. Today the Goetheanum is considered a monument of history and culture. Various festivals, events and conferences are held here. As a rule, tourists often visit this place, especially they are interested in magnificent organic architecture.
Root cause of being
Anthroposophy is a theory that is based on the fact that the spirit is the root cause of being. It consists of all material objects, phenomena and processes perceived by a person with the help of the senses. Developing them, you can improve your psychic abilities, penetrate the other world and communicate with its "inhabitants". Of course, improving the senses is not an easy task. Steiner has developed a whole range of special exercises. The primary task remained the study and understanding of Goetheanism of the twentieth century.
In the anthroposophy of Rudolf Steiner, there are certain requirements that everyone must fulfill. Without them, learning the teachings is impossible. Basically, all the rules are aimed at self-discipline.
So, the first requirement is to organize your thoughts. This is where any spiritual development begins . You should be the master of your thoughts, clear your mind of the endless stream of unnecessary information and listen to the silence within yourself. For a month, every day, you must perform this exercise (about 10 minutes): sit in a comfortable position, close your eyes and try to stop the flow of thoughts. It seems that everything is banal simple, but after the first minute a person begins to understand what kind of mess is going on in his head. In the modern world, this is called an internal dialogue that needs to be stopped.
The second requirement is to come up with a task for yourself and do it every day at the same time. So, for example, water a certain plant every day for a month, but do not forget about the first requirement.
The third rule is to learn to see positive things in any situation. In order not to happen to a person, he must carefully analyze and highlight the pros and cons for himself. Moreover, scientific research of the spiritual world should begin precisely with the search for positive things, trying not to react so sharply to negative ones.
Meditations
Among the exercises for developing spirituality, two of the most important are distinguished. They are based on the pronunciation of certain words. The first must be performed in the morning, immediately after waking up, and the second - after him. It is very important that there are no extraneous thoughts during the meditation period, and that no one distracts the person.
So, waking up early in the morning, without getting out of bed, you need to smile at the new day, discard all sorrows and anxieties. Repeat these lines to yourself for five minutes. It is very important that they sound not only in the head, but also in the heart. Penetrate them:
In the pure rays of light
The deity of the world shines.
In pure love for all beings
The divinity of my soul is radiated.
I rest in the deity of the world.
I will find myself
In the deity of the world.
The second exercise is a little more complicated, it must be repeated 4 times. First you need to master the breathing technique: inhale - 2 seconds, exhale - 4 seconds, breath hold - 6 seconds. At the last stage, you need to focus on the third eye and say “I Am” to yourself. Then, after inhaling, exhaling and holding your breath, concentrate on the point inside the larynx and mentally say "It thinks." The third time, performing this technique, when holding your breath, you need to feel your hands, how they receive energy, and say “She feels”. Here, it is understood that “She” is a world soul. On the fourth delay, focus on your whole body and say, “He wills.” Performing these exercises regularly, you will feel a strong flow of energy.
Famous followers of the teachings
Steiner's path was quite difficult and difficult. Many considered anthroposophy a false eclectic science. In addition, opponents of the doctrine claimed that Rudolf Steiner created the sect. Of course, any esoteric science has both its adversaries and admirers. Note that Steiner was a very bright personality and many believed that he has the gift of hypnosis. And in fact, those who attended his lectures were as if enchanted by his words, facial expressions, gestures. It seemed that everything was perfect in this person.
Margarita Sabashnikova, Anna Alekseevna Turgeneva (Bugaeva), Andrei Bely, Maximilian Voloshin are well-known followers of Steiner who helped him with the construction of the Goetheanum. For example, Voloshin carved bizarre patterns on wooden arches and walls, and his wife Margarita Sabashnikova painted beautifully on a small dome. Anna Alekseevna (Asya) Turgeneva - the first wife of Andrei Bely, was one of the most capable students of Steiner. Together with their spouse, they went after their spiritual master. Asya decided that anthroposophy is her calling and was happy to engage in meditations and other exercises of this teaching.
Andrei Bely and his wife were not only followers of Steiner, but also his good friends. However, spiritual self-improvement threatened their family life - their marriage began to slowly collapse, and Andrew almost went crazy. How did this happen?
Indifferent Asya Turgeneva
In 1914, on March 23, a marriage was concluded between Anna Alekseevna Turgeneva and Boris Nikolayevich Bugaev (real name of Andrei Bely). They traveled a lot, and now, having arrived in Cologne, they met Rudolf Steiner. Many believed that Asya never loved Bely and always behaved with him a little arrogantly. Perhaps it was for this reason that Andrei loved her so much. Asya was a little unusual girl: she heard different sounds that no one heard, and saw things hidden from many eyes. Having become better acquainted with Steiner, she was imbued with the idea of anthroposophy and remained forever in the Goetheanum. She devoted herself so much to this teaching that she became very distant from her husband.
Everything changed when Asya accepted the new spiritual path of austerities - they began to live with Bely as a brother and sister. The man in love for a very long time was tormented and worried, but in the end he left Dornach and left for Moscow. There his life was not sweet. He starved, worked hard and raved about his beloved. After many years, when they met, Asya told him that he had betrayed her, their ideals and recoiled from the teacher. They were probably too different, and even one spiritual path was never able to unite them.
The main theses of anthroposophy
Steiner argued that anthroposophical society is a single knowledge that is based on certain theses and rules. Performing them, you can develop further in the free direction.
This doctrine is a path of knowledge that combines the spiritual in man and the Universe as a whole. Only a person who seeks to find answers to questions about the essence of man and the world order can become a real anthroposophist - this is a vital task of the initiate. Anthroposophy gives knowledge acquired spiritually. Such a transition can be called a boundary, but not because the path ends on this, but because sensory perception and the prospect of cognition of the spiritual world are opened. Steiner compares this transformation to fish in water. When the fish swims to the shore, it is forced to turn back, since it cannot exist outside the water. The spiritual forces that make it possible to live in an element that is not covered by sensory perception - this is existence beyond the limits of physical capabilities.
Each person needs spiritual knowledge in order to be confident in his feelings and successfully develop his will. Many feel the greatness, wisdom and beauty of our world, but at the same time do not receive an answer to the question of their origin and existence. It is a constant thirst for knowledge that distinguishes the anthroposophist from other people.
It is interesting that all the main points do not have any scientific evidence and are based only on Steiner’s imagination. The question remains open: was it a gift from heaven or just quackery?
Critical publications about Steiner
Some people think that anthroposophy is a sect. But is there any reason for this? So, for example, the Russian religious philosopher Nikolai Aleksandrovich Berdyaev believed that this doctrine so absorbs people that they do not own occult powers, but, on the contrary, unknown forces own people. He did not recognize Rudolf Steiner as an initiate person with occult knowledge. Rather, he considered him a graceless, hypnotist and psychologist who, with the help of his teaching, decomposes the integrity of the human soul.
Separately, the compatibility of anthroposophy and Christianity should be highlighted, since it is around this issue that the greatest number of disputes arise.
So, Steiner argued that the purpose of this science is not the foundation of a new religion. Anthroposophy helps to religiously tune the soul of man and bring it to Christ. But is it possible, following this teaching, to come to God? Here is what Steiner answers to this: “A strange mistake is made by those who struggle with spiritual science from the point of view of Christianity. Let them once ask spiritual science if it is struggling with what can be found inside Christianity! It confirms everything on which Christianity is based. But to this she adds something else. To prohibit this other does not mean to insist on Christianity, but it means to insist on the limitations of Christianity. " It turns out that, according to Steiner, if a Christian does not agree with the doctrine, then this is a mistake. But at the same time, the doctrines of the doctrine contradict what is written in the Bible.
Many Russian philosophers believe that Steiner used the idea of Christianity in order to attract as many people as possible into his community, but in fact his philosophy is far from true religious teaching. In addition, some adherents of Theosophy are convinced that anthroposophy is a false doctrine created by dark forces. They believed that Steiner was obsessed with the Devil, that he was led by an evil creature that moved it in the right direction.
Opponents of anthroposophy are also convinced that the fire in which the first Goetheanum burned was destroyed by the Pure Ray. In other words, it was the Lord God who wanted to burn the temple of the wicked with righteous fire.
Summing up, we can say that anthroposophy, Theosophy, and Agni Yoga are quite similar religious and mystical teachings. Each of them helps not only to come to God, but also to discover certain talents and abilities in oneself. Of course, around the anthroposophy and the founder of this theory, there is a lot of mysticism and it is still not clear what makes this teaching interesting. It is important to remember that each person has the right to decide for himself what to believe in and what to strive for.