The Rudolf Steiner Archive

30. Inauguration of the Steiner Lodge

My dear Theosophical friends!

[ 1 ] Those who have joined the Theosophical Movement are like a shoot on the ancient tree of human evolution. The difficulties of the task they have set for themselves lie in understanding and assimilating the great Theosophical ideals that are to be presented here, and in unifying these great ideals. Like a branch, this shoot has grown from the trunk of Western ideals, and here it is important to raise the question of how we, as a new shoot, relate to the branch that has been growing for more than thirty years. On this occasion, it is best to turn our gaze to the great world leaders and then look back at what our specific mission is and should be.

[ 2 ] The new Western movement came to Europe thirty years ago through Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, who, together with the first president, Olcott, did an immense amount of work in preparing the vessel so that what was to be poured into it could be poured in.

[ 3 ] No new sources that may emerge in the future, whether from the East or the West, will be able to diminish what Helena Petrovna Blavatsky and Olcott have accomplished. We must now recognize what they sought to convey, but it can be interpreted in various ways. How to explain their work and in what manner what they began should be continued—that is the question we must answer.

[ 4 ] Over the next three days, we will see that people in the last third of the previous century needed a new impetus. Many searching souls would have withered away had they not received the spiritual help and insight of Helena Petrovna Blavatsky. If we speak without excessive enthusiasm and seek only to see the significance of the facts, it is through the unique qualities of her personality that she attained this vast body of knowledge that came to her. Even if the highest intelligence were applied, only a small part of what she was a channel for could be described, and it would otherwise have had to come to us by other means. This shows us that a human mind, through normal ability, was not capable of producing what was to be realized here.

[ 5 ] What has been stated in her Isis and The Secret Doctrine is so sublime that no human being has been able to rise to that level; yet its scope must be recognized by those who are familiar with this spiritual life. She has created a new teaching that possesses a new power and such insight that it is capable of influencing and inspiring people—a powerful new force. Added to this is a new reality. This new teaching can be a great blessing for humanity, but it can also pose a great danger. People need a new force if they wish to move forward, but there is a danger inherent in this because human beings are weak, and because the new can easily become a collection of dogmas, which in turn can become a source of discord rather than cooperation. Many new teachings have already brought this about and will continue to do so in the future. What [Helena Petrovna Blavatsky] wanted was to prevent strife and fragmentation.

[ 6 ] What was the nature of Helena Petrovna Blavatsky’s ability to protect us from this? This is something that has not been properly recognized. She speaks so truthfully to us because the greatest teachings—which could not have come to us in any other way—have flowed to us through her. In Isis one finds much that stands in contrast to science, but not to thinking; [one finds] many contradictions that must be examined. Why do her writings contain contradictions that must be examined? Because anyone who wants to understand for themselves—and not merely parrot what others say—must realize: what one finds in her writings are not irrefutable dogmas, but rather food for thought that can have an inspiring effect. Anyone who wishes to read them can see that they invite criticism. It is therefore a fact that one should not blindly dwell on all the contradictions present in the writings; rather, one must view Helena Petrovna Blavatsky as the vessel through which spiritual life flowed into the new culture, embodying all that was great to be given. She herself stood at this level of utmost humility and self-sacrifice. Everything she gave led back to the Masters of Wisdom. She was the prism through which everything radiated, as she herself said, and the new revelation emerged through her with a humility rarely seen before—an impersonal teaching. In this way, one can be protected from dogmatic belief, and one should learn to channel this toward the supersensible currents.

[ 7 ] In this teaching, we are to regard the personality as a tool of the spiritual world. We allow it to influence us, but our sound reason, our need for truth, and the feelings of the heart must work together. No instruments are to be used, nor should anything be built upon one’s own personality. This is what it teaches. It seeks precisely to challenge criticism and to engage with it. No one will be able to understand the great personality without criticism. We must seek to find the spiritual and to recognize reality. That is why it was possible for different people to come together under the banner of Helena Petrovna Blavatsky and work together. [What came through Helena Petrovna Blavatsky] was too great to be grasped by a single person. But just as the refracted rays converge in a prism, so they gathered here under the banner of Helena Petrovna Blavatsky. The immense power of Isis and The Secret Doctrine—even if they are one-sided—provides humanity with the greatest tool. And even if it fails to satisfy us, we must still understand that we must pour into the movement whatever must flow into it. That is why it was also a legitimate development when Western Theosophy joined the movement. It is not in the knowledge of the Higher that one can diverge, but only in the point of departure. This was the case in Eastern Theosophy, although that was not its intention.

[ 8 ] Western Theosophy is based on human authority and freedom. It is the task of the Western Theosophical School to help ensure that this can be achieved under the symbol of the Rose Cross in its true meaning, so that the teachings flowing from the Holy Grail can be presented as the findings of Spiritual Science research. Take these and test them against life; the more deeply they are examined, the truer they will prove to be—the holy Rishis, Hermes, Moses, the Mystery of Golgotha, the entire wisdom of the Gospels. What has been possible in recent years, we owe to the Rosicrucians or the Holy Grail. Whether you consider what is said about Moses, Zarathustra, Krishna, and the Rosicrucians to be true or false—examine the facts. Examine the history of primeval times and the Mystery of Golgotha. What do the external facts reveal? The more precisely one knows the historical record, the more deeply one recognizes: These are truths that may be disputed today, but in millennia to come, science will prove them. These are truths that are being reported—for now, one can only sense them. In the natural sciences, one will not yet be able to discern the difference between the outer and the inner. In a hundred years or more—perhaps in two hundred years—one will be able to do so.

[ 9 ] The Rosicrucian movement can already be felt in the heart, and many will have to recognize it out of necessity. Those who have been able to see into the spiritual world for centuries need not look to any authority; in time, what has been communicated will necessarily align with what the natural scientist and the spiritual researcher see—they will both become the truest apostles. Thus, we should consider the currents [with which we hereby dedicate this] lodge.

[ 10 ] If we understand what the Rosicrucians bring in this way, we will easily be able to guide this lodge into the great current of humanity. One should not engage in disputes with others, but rather seek that which warms the heart and gives strength to work toward the future. This requires fire and enthusiasm. The symbol of the Rosicrucifix has one characteristic. It promises us that spiritual life will flow in, and that dogmas will not dominate the substance of our work. Life—new life—is what the Rosicrucifix promises. Everything that takes shape from a book, an opinion, or a speech continues into new life, which, like a plant, sprouts anew again and again and grows constantly. This is how it should grow, and when a new revelation comes once more, it emerges in a new form. This is what the Mystery of the Rosicrucians promises: a spiritual life that arises from a transformed inner life. It emerges as love, as a creative force in our lives. It transforms into an aspiring power; it is transformed into love, and true brotherhood arises within us. People wage war against one another because their wills differ. The inner is the cause of the outer. If we cannot love a brother because he holds a different opinion, then we cannot work on the great questions. One must understand; otherwise, there is no love. True love must be so great that it can encompass everything and understand all opinions.

[ 11 ] We must all live under the sign of humility and overwhelming love—the black cross with the red roses. We then see that a human opinion is neither entirely wrong nor entirely right; it is more one-sided than logical—like various instruments—and we see this when we view it from a broad perspective. Even the holiest things can be misunderstood when forced into the confines of human reason. The general current works against the Rose Cross, for it is necessary—if one wishes to ascend to the Highest—to see humility in the black cross and sacrifice in the roses; this is difficult because certain dispositions recoil from the love of the red roses. Even Jesus’ red cloak will have a frightening effect on many. The baser aspects of human nature feel repelled by it. The bull is repelled by the color red. It is against its nature.

[ 12 ] The essence of life can only be understood if one is imbued with genuine brotherly love. This should be said today in response to the kind words addressed to me. On this point, it must be said that naming something after a person who is still alive will lead to hatred and disputes. These things will happen. We must be clear that we will not pursue any personal goals with such a name; otherwise, it can easily be misunderstood. This name must not have any repercussions in other areas. The more thoroughly you forget this name, the more beneficial it will be for the cause, but I will never forget your work.

[ 13 ] That is the gift you can give me. We must learn that everything is impersonal and understand that our first duty is to make a promise that we will cooperate in the great spiritual progress and strengthen our hearts. Then we will always truly find the Mighty One who works and blesses our work. I myself will undertake nothing within the Theosophical Movement that is not in harmony with the Masters of Wisdom and the harmony of sentiments. Truly, such a promise will have a blissful and heartwarming effect on us. We will feel that the heart will be warmed by this kind of work and by the creation of a new center for these currents. All human work is a process of spiritual perfection and will inspire us through the Masters of Wisdom and the Harmony of Feelings. It is important how we think, so that the forward-striving forces may be able to guide us.

[ 14 ] These words were spoken in this spirit. This will become even clearer in the coming days through the symbol of the Rosicrucius. Let us strive ever more toward this symbol in this spirit. May what is described here apply to each individual as well as to the entire lodge.

[ 15 ] Let us invoke the strength and the spirit that are to serve as the starting point for our work. May these words be spoken to you.