Inner Experiences of Evolution: (Cw 132) (Collected Works of Rudolf Steiner) - Softcover

5 lectures in Berlin, October 31, 1911-December 5, 1911 (CW 132)

In this most remarkable and in many ways unique course of lectures, Rudolf Steiner describes the inner experience of the states of consciousness known as the Saturn, Sun, Moon, and Earth stages of evolution.

Lecture by lecture, Steiner details the experiences of these states available to one who practices the spiritual scientific path of meditation. By this means, these stages and states gain an unexpected and existential reality: suddenly, we recognize what Steiner is talking about. Most remarkable of all, perhaps, is the description of the Earth state with its experience of death, which Christ knew on the Cross at Golgotha, transforming earthly and human evolution.

LECTURES:

1. The Inner Aspect of the Saturn Embodiment of the Earth
2. The Inner Aspect of the Sun Embodiment of the Earth
3. The Inner Aspect of the Sun Embodiment of the Earth
   and the Transition to the Moon Embodiment
4. The Inner Aspect of the Moon Embodiment of the Earth
5. The Inner Aspect of the Earth Embodiment of the Earth

Inner Experiences of Evolution is a translation from German of «Die Evolution vom Gesichtspunkte des Wahrhaftigen» (GA 132). These lectures were previously included as part of The Spiritual Hierarchies & the Physical World: Reality and Illusion (1996). A previous translation also appeared as Evolution in the Aspect of Realities (Garber).

Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) was born in the small village of Kraljevec, Austro-Hungarian Empire (now in Croatia), where he grew up (see right). 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.