The Rudolf Steiner Archive

Welcome Address

Ladies and gentlemen!

[ 1 ] The exceedingly kind and warm words spoken by Mr. Dunlop and Mr. Collison in welcoming Dr. Steiner and myself have prompted me to say a few words today, even before the lectures that begin tomorrow. I have been extremely pleased that Mr. Dunlop, together with his assistants, has chosen to organize this summer course on anthroposophy, and I hope that the content of this summer course will bring some satisfaction to the esteemed audience, whom I would also like to welcome most warmly on my own behalf.

[ 2 ] I was filled with particular joy at Mr. Dunlop’s choice of topic, for it will give me the opportunity to connect what anthroposophy has to say—particularly with regard to the present and, indeed, the near future—to the oldest wisdom traditions and the oldest spiritual life of humanity. However, in a certain sense it is indeed necessary—and I confess that, from the spirit and meaning of our contemporary civilization, I understand the organizing committee perfectly—that we step somewhat out of line even when it comes to the main focus of the event: an anthroposophical course, or anthroposophy in general. For in those most ancient times—which we so fondly recall because they revealed humanity’s oldest wisdom regarding the spiritual homeland of the souls—and at those most ancient gatherings where this wisdom was cultivated, people would come together at times they had to tear themselves away from the daily concerns that otherwise occupied them throughout the year. These were times that were, so to speak, set aside for the universe, for the cosmos, and during which people did not ask: “Are we neglecting any worldly affairs when we gather for these annual festivities—which were derived from the cosmos—to cultivate knowledge, to gain insight into the spirit, and to engage with the mysteries?”

[ 3 ] We can’t do it that way, because, for example, in the winter, all of us—insofar as we come together in summer schools—have other things to do. So we can no longer uphold this old custom. And so today, since anthroposophy is, after all, only meant to take hold of civilization in the future, we must come together during our summer vacations—at a time when, so to speak, we have nothing else to do. We must take summer trips and festival trips; we must use our vacations to cultivate anthroposophy.

[ 4 ] Well, Mr. Dunlop has already mentioned all the things that can happen in such a situation; but even if we had happened to lose one or the other suitcase on the trip—Anthroposophy wouldn’t have been inside them, and we would still have been able to bring them here safely. For anthroposophy is meant precisely to lead us beyond what can happen materially in space and time. Especially in discussing the theme chosen by this committee, anthroposophy will first be able to lead us back to the earliest times of human development, when a living science formed the foundation for everything that civilization and culture encompass. What human beings could perceive on their path to wisdom were not dead ideas; it was the living spirit itself, which could then flow into artistic creation, which could flow into religious experience, and which, through artistic creation and religious experience, led human beings up into those realms where they can behold those beings who otherwise—albeit only vaguely, yet clearly—speak as ethical and moral ideals.

[ 5 ] In the course of human development, what once formed an overwhelming unity—science, art, religion, and moral and social life—has become separated. The single tree of humanity’s overall development has sprouted four branches: science, art, religion, and morality. This was necessary within the course of human development, because only in this way could each of these branches of civilization develop the strength necessary for itself and for humanity.

[ 6 ] But today we find ourselves at that crucial juncture in human development where human beings can no longer reconcile those one-sided tendencies—which have arisen because what was once a totality and has developed into many branches— can no longer be united with what his entire being must demand from within—from the soul, from the spirit, from all subconscious and even unconscious inner forces—in order to fulfill his full humanity. We truly stand at a crucial juncture in human development. Those brothers who have one mother—science, art, religion, morality, social life—are yearning, after having wandered alone in the world for a while, to return once more to that home where the common mother can be beheld. And today we can no longer reach the spiritual light of humanity by the same paths that an ancient humanity took to reach it. Humanity is in a process of living development. | Today’s humanity is different from the one that, in the ancient Indian, Egyptian, Chaldean, and Greek mysteries, sought that which was once the Mother of all humanity’s knowledge and skill, both spiritual and material. We must take new paths today because we have become a new humanity.

[ 7 ] Anthroposophy wishes to speak of these new paths—which are fitting for the present and can lead into the future—these new paths toward the spirit; and it may perhaps best express what needs to be said for the present and the near future if it succeeds in at least sketching out the theme that the esteemed committee has selected for this summer course. And it will be a source of particular satisfaction that we will be able to present several performances drawn from an art form that, while still in its infancy, nevertheless—perhaps precisely because it is in the midst of a full-fledged struggle to discover its own essence—best demonstrates how, once again, something artistic can and should be created today from the spirit.

[ 8 ] Of course, in the short time available to us, it will only be possible to present a small portion of what we would like to share. Nevertheless, when one’s heart is filled with the sense of the necessity of allowing anthroposophy to flow through the world today, one is also filled, from the depths of that heart, with warm gratitude toward those who make it possible to give expression, in whatever field, to what anthroposophy aspires to achieve for the further development of human civilization.

[ 9 ] Based on all these feelings, you can take my word for it that I thank Mr. Dunlop, Mrs. Merry, and all the members of the committee who helped make this event possible from the bottom of my soul and with all my heart. This gratitude truly stems from an understanding of all that such a committee must accomplish before an event like this can begin.

[ 10 ] Just as you, my esteemed audience, will not see in the coming days—which I would just like to mention in passing—the efforts that are necessary behind the scenes for a eurythmy performance, for example, so too do people very often fail to consider all the extensive, far-reaching efforts that such a committee must undertake. Of course, anyone who has been on such committees—not just repeatedly, but “repeatedly to the power of two”—sees, upon arriving at such an event, the pale faces of the committee members, and he then fully appreciates all that has gone before and the fears and worries that still weigh on the minds of such committee members even immediately before the event and throughout the entire event. The person who is able to judge such things based on genuine life experience—that is, who knows how to assess the degree of pallor among the committee members with expertise—can truly express his gratitude with heartfelt warmth. Let this be expressed both on behalf of Dr. Steiner, who has been so warmly welcomed, and on my own behalf.

[ 11 ] I only hope that, through our contributions to the events of the coming days, we can make these days as satisfying for you as we possibly can, and that we can fulfill at least some of the expectations you have brought with you here to this event. For we also know this: expectations are not left behind with your suitcases; you carry them with you in all their weight. And it is, in turn, extraordinarily difficult to fulfill these expectations.

[ 12 ] But anthroposophy as such is something that should actually speak so deeply to the soul of present-day humanity—arising from the needs of our current civilization, from the needs that every person who feels their full humanity carries within—that even if, with limited strength, only relatively modest achievements can be made, there can at least be some intention behind them. And we need these intentions. After all, we see everywhere how humanity can no longer make do with what it has established over the last three to four centuries in the form of such a glorious, outwardly material culture. This culture is, after all, like a material body that has spread across a large part of the earth in all its material perfection, but which, like everything that is meant to live, yearns for soul and spirit. And anthroposophy will, after all, bestow soul and spirit upon what has emerged in such a glorious way as a body within the outwardly material civilization of recent times. Just as it is inspired by this spirit in everything it does, so too, I dare to hope, will this spirit prevail during the days of this summer school. And today, in this spirit, I myself would like to welcome you most warmly on behalf of Mrs. Steiner and myself!