Rudolf Steiner and Anthroposophy

Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) was born in Austria. He found his life’s work in the realms of consciousness and cognition. His techniques for the development of clear critical thinking, the cultivation of daily meditation and concentration practices and awareness of nature’s cycles, can lead individuals to reach spiritual levels of consciousness safely. He believed working along with the spiritual worlds enriches the life of the individual and the world.

A university student of mathematics, science and philosophy in Vienna, he later earned a doctorate from the University of Rostock. He edited the scientific writings of Goethe, whose approach, based on intensified, selfless observation of nature, became a source of inspiration for his own work. Steiner’s doctoral dissertation dealing with Fichte’s theory of knowledge was later expanded and published as Truth and Science. In 1894, he published The Philosophy of Freedom, which he felt to be his most important philosophical work.

Steiner brought forth out of his spiritual experiences an abundance of scientific, medical, agricultural, social, educational, architectural, and artistic renewal. Steiner called this science of spirit Anthroposophy, meaning ‘wisdom of the human being.’ Anthroposophy is non-religious, and enhances many Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, and other traditional practitioners’ endeavors.

Author of almost thirty books, Steiner also gave approximately 6,000 lectures on a wide range of subjects. He initiated Waldorf education, biodynamic farming and gardening, an approach to the care and education of people with disabilities, anthroposophical medical work, and an art of movement called eurythmy.

There is a more detailed biography on the international web site (www.goetheanum.org).

The Anthroposophical Society

The Anthroposophical Society is an entirely public society: membership is open to all without regard to ethnic or national origin, social standing, religion, scientific or artistic conviction.

The Goetheanum

The Goetheanum, the center of the Anthroposophical Society, is located in Dornach, Switzerland. Steiner designed the extraordinary first and second Goetheanum buildings, inspiring many architects in Europe and America to this day.

The Goetheanum offers public workshops, lectures and artistic events to an international audience. For people interested in furthering specific fields of research and training within anthroposophy, the School of Spiritual Science offers: The General Anthroposophical Section, The Section for Mathematics and Astronomy,The Medical Section, The Agriculture Department, The Pedagogical Section, The Section for the Spiritual Striving of Youth, The Section for Social Sciences, The Section for the Arts of Eurythmy, Speech, Drama and Music, The Art Section (embracing painting, sculpture and architecture, furniture design, glass engraving, color studies and plant-color research), and The Literary Arts and Humanities Section. For more information about activities of the Anthroposophical Society in America and about organizations inspired by Rudolf Steiner’s work, go to www.anthroposophy.org.