|
Fall of the Spirits of Darkness
by
Rudolf Steiner. From Behind the Scenes of External Happenings, 1917
<<
Back -- Page 3 of 4 -- Next
>>
In the lecture here a week ago I dealt with a
theme of vital importance in view of the events that are breaking with such
tragic consequences into the life of mankind. This theme may be indicated,
briefly, by saying: �It is urgently necessary for mankind once again to know
and realise that the physical world is connected with spiritual realities, to
become conscious of the fact that a spiritual world is working into the actual
details of physical existence.�
Our age, above all, must be alive to the necessity for the
spreading of this consciousness among mankind. The human being of the present
time does not differ so very markedly in outward, physical appearance from human
beings living in those past ages with which ordinary history deals. History,
after all, goes no farther back than the Third Post-Atlantean period. What lies
before that is a very vague chapter in the only kind of historical scholarship
that is recognised by modern man. Although in the intervening period, man's life
of soul has undergone very great changes indeed, it cannot be said that equal
changes have taken place so far as the external, physical organism is concerned.
Therefore people neither notice, nor try to notice, what is really happening as
the outcome of impulses from the spiritual world. We are living in very
momentous times. This has nothing to do with the trivial remark, so often heard,
that this age is an age of transition. Naturally, every age is one of
transition. The point is to know what is in transition in any particular
age.
We become particularly conscious of what is thus in transition
in our time � that is to say, of what is assuming new forms and undergoing
great change � when we are able to observe not only the life of beings moving
about the Earth in physical bodies, but also the beings who do not belong to the
physical world � among them, the Dead. In the world in which the human being
lives between death and a new birth � there, the changes, especially the
transformation that is proceeding during this present age, are to be observed in
all their deep significance. But modern man is loath to take in earnest matters
concerning the spiritual world. The fact that this is so gives rise to many
reflections in regard to the growth and existence of Anthroposophy. It really is
the case that one need not be particularly biased in favour of the ideas
represented in the Anthroposophical Movement before being willing to advocate
them. In other Movements � and countless numbers of leagues, unions and the
like are founded today, all of them convinced that they represent the most
urgent needs of the world � in all such Movements people have the subjective
fanaticism of their particular cause. They are infatuated with their own
programme, maintaining that it will bring universal happiness, that it is an
absolute necessity. In the case of the Anthroposophical Movement, such
infatuation is simply not necessary, for the urge to advocate such ideas may
come from something quite different. Briefly � and I must be brief because we
can only be together for such short intervals � let me say the following: When
a man has become convinced of the truth of the idea of Anthroposophy, he is
impelled to do everything he can to spread them by the feeling of compassion for
those who need these ideas at the present time � in other words, practically
every human being with whom one comes into contact � compassion for men who
need these ideas and without them will fall upon evil times.
In the last lecture here I tried to give you a conception of
how a great deal that is unintelligible on the physical plane only begins to be
intelligible when it can be viewed in its connection with the spiritual world.
Today I want to put before you certain other points of view, which to begin with
will appear to relate to quite different matters. We will start from a very
common experience. Many people who consider themselves qualified to pass
judgment on such matters, regard it as sign of religious enlightenment to
repudiate ideas presented in Anthroposophy, for example, that on the other side
of the threshold of the spiritual world, many Spiritual Beings, whole
Hierarchies of Spiritual Beings are to be found ... Angeloi, Archangeloi, and
still higher Hierarchies. It is considered to be a sign of enlightenment |
