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The following information is taken from
Rudolf Steiner College at
www.steinercollege.edu.
Rudolf Steiner
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 awareness to nature's cycles, daily meditation and
concentration practices, and clear critical thinking 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, medicinal, 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 the handicapped, anthroposophical medical work, and an
art of movement called eurythmy.
"My meeting with Rudolf Steiner led me to occupy
myself with him from that time forth and to remain always aware of
his significance. We both felt the same obligation to lead man once
again to true inner culture. I have rejoiced at the achievements
his great personality and his profound humanity have brought about
in the world."
Albert Schweitzer
Steiner designed the extraordinary first
and second Goetheanum buildings in Switzerland, inspiring many
architects in Europe and America to this
day.
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 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 embraces painting, sculpture and
architecture, furniture design, glass engraving, color studies and
plant-color research; The Literary Arts and Humanities. For more
information please contact any local US branch to find out more
about the sections work and offerings.
Further
reading:
Essays on
Rudolf Steiner
Rudolf Steiner: A Sketch of
His Life and Work
by John
Davy
An Essay
on Rudolf Steiner and His Work
by Henry
Barnes
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