Supplements to Member Lectures
GA 246
28 February 1913, Karlsruhe
Translated by Steiner Online Library
57. Working with the Spirits of Health
[ 1 ] Do not furnish the lodge rooms in a formulaic manner, even while adhering to fundamental, uniform principles. This symbolizes that diversity is created and nurtured within all our endeavors. Not a blind repetition of the teachings, but an individual interpretation.
[ 2 ] When [we] look at a pyramid, we can see the connection to the mysteries of the world. A Greek temple [is] an expression of inner unity; God within Himself; the temple was a self-contained whole—[that is] the essence of Greek architecture. The Gothic cathedral [is only] complete when the congregation seeks to nurture that which connects it to the divine; the faithful congregation is part of this.
[ 3 ] We will cultivate interior design. Architectural forms must adapt to the demands of the times. — The design of train stations and department stores; these are our external building sites. Where theosophical contemplation is practiced, there should only be [an] interior design. Interior design.
[ 4 ] Color, seemingly unpretentious, will find increasing understanding among members. What lies in the depths of the soul is connected to a person’s health. Wholeness arises within us. The movement of a variety of colors in different places. [Every room has its own very special atmosphere.] This room evokes a sense of sorrow if the truth is not found here. The somewhat uncomfortable, unsympathetic feeling of a punishing judge arises from the flow of the red color. Those who have no love for the truth will leave this room dissatisfied. Summoning the spiritual powers into the room where the people of Karlsruhe will carry out their work. Those who bring the right feelings and [the right] mood will accomplish fruitful work.
[ 5 ] [A] person who is said to live righteously does not think particularly badly of his /illegible]. [Whoever] acts not out of duty, coercion, or propriety, but [out of] enthusiasm for [what is] right and good, [that person] acts well and rightly. Action can arise from enthusiasm, love, freedom—or under duress. Outwardly, it appears to be the same and often leads to the same deeds. But for the entirety of life, there is a considerable difference—especially when one considers the time between death and a new birth.
[ 6 ] A comparison [of the death] of a soul [to] water and steam; it returns as rain—comparable to [new] human life.
[ 7 ] Water, air—behind all the elements stand spiritual beings of the higher hierarchies who guide and foster the healing powers of human beings. —After death, human beings become servants of the spirits of health, growth, and the flourishing of humanity on Earth. These are souls who, in their entire spiritual constitution, previously [knew how] to think and act well with enthusiasm and a religious spirit. For a certain time after death, they serve as guardians of health. Not only through external factors, but by allowing enthusiasm for good thoughts, feelings, and actions to [take root] in souls—that is, not merely out of a sense of duty.
[ 8 ] [Modern] people know nothing about it, so to speak. The prevailing opinion is that what one cannot see does not exist. [There are] people who reject the spiritual world, among other reasons, because they cannot see it. The human soul is connected to the hidden forces of the spiritual world.
[ 9 ] [A soul will] never truly be capable of producing healing effects [if it] is not connected to [the] work of the Lords of the healing elements. Let [us] prepare ourselves to [be] servants after death for health and a flourishing life out of love for it, and [then] humanity should allow itself to be inspired by [the aforementioned] powers. [In this way] [we] create the causes of the healing and life-giving elements on Earth. [But the] opposite [is] also true: Through a lack of conscience, [one becomes] a servant of evil spirits, [who] bring illness and early death.
[ 10 ] Avoid conceptualizing things. Mere conscientiousness will not achieve the opposite result. Enthusiasm and love—these are what lead us to become servants of healthcare, not merely conscientiousness.
[ 11 ] The seer must try to keep the process of exploration involving as little thinking as possible. Wait for inspiration and intuition; [wait] to be graced with these or those truths. In this regard, people often place strange, impossible demands on the clairvoyant. They believe that all one needs is the ability to see. [There is also] the temptation to twist concepts. Resignation [is] necessary—waiting until inspiration comes as a result. That is one thing.
[ 12 ] Then comes the second task: translating thought into concepts. So first research, then think. There is far too much speculation about “seeing.” The supersensible world cannot be constructed on the basis of ordinary thinking.
[ 13 ] [A] large part of our lives [is] connected with an immense amount of comfort. Obstacles [are] Ahrimanic forces here. We must take upon ourselves [the] chains of slavery from the Lord of Obstacles for [a] time if [we] have loved comfort. Certain people may go through life in a dull-witted manner, insensitive to [a] beautiful landscape. This has significant consequences after [the] death. If, [however], [we] live with lively admiration, then [we] may participate in humanity’s progress from the supersensible world.
[ 14 ] Creative minds help drive progress; like [a] sudden surge of ideas. [It’s not] the best [ideas]—the ones we have to squeeze out of [our] brains or that come after we’ve spent a quarter of an hour gnawing on a pen. [The] best ideas are the ones that come to us. They come from souls who have taken an active interest in everything on Earth and now live in higher worlds. (After all, there are men who cannot even sew on a button, let alone do many other things.) Skill—mood—taking an interest, regarding it as impossible not to be able to do something.
[ 15 ] One more thing: On earth, certain things [are] the most perfect: works of art that are truly beautiful. [These] have [a] certain significance even after [one’s] death. — Important earthly events: Sounds [are] produced by physical strings, [which are inaudible; or also:] the Sistine Madonna [is] not visible from higher worlds. That which is most perfect on earth reaches its perfection on earth. But souls carry it into higher worlds once [they] have grasped it. Raphael could not see his Madonna [as the seer does]; she lived in his soul.
[ 16 ] Supernatural worlds depend on this: [They are] reliant on souls to bring them the most beautiful things from Earth. This is needed for the powers that are developed up there.
[ 17 ] The dull-witted arrive there empty-handed; the others, with full hands. Every soul that goes through life in a dull-witted manner contributes to the death and withering of earthly existence. [Let us imagine] how Leonardo envisioned Christ on the wall in his painting, radiating light from within; and at the same time [let us realize that Leonardo] wanted to remain faithful to the truth in [the] painting; that is why [Christ on the wall] did not turn out [exactly] as he had envisioned it in his soul. - After his death, because [he] had been unable to express himself in life as [he] had intended, [he] inspired many subsequent minds, for Leonardo took so much that remained unfinished with him into the spiritual world.
[ 18 ] The Doctor's educational work—working with what is directed from the supersensory world. Theosophy will help people bridge the gap in which we live—between birth and death, and between death and new birth.
[ 19 ] One of the figures—who caused us so much trouble that it became necessary to found the Anthroposophical Society—wanted to be witty and coined the phrase: “Theosophists want to live theosophy; anthroposophists want to experience theosophy.”—A play on words, a game with words.
[ 20 ] [We want to] forge an ever-stronger bond between the souls here and there. [The] vast majority of monists and materialists are so out of fear [and] anxiety. [They] fear the uncertainty of entering [the] spiritual world. [This] has been observed: They are afraid of being tested.
[ 21 ] Comparison with iron and magnetic force: People would not want to concern themselves with such matters. What business is it of ours to concern ourselves with forces that are said to come from supernatural realms? They do not see, after all, [that] theosophy arises from [a] serious, worthy necessity.
[ 22 ] Whoever has seen the souls who are slaves to evil spirits, [and whoever] has seen the one who follows out of enthusiasm for goodness, [out of] an interest in life, [knows] [that] theosophy must soon permeate earthly life.
[From the Q&A:]
[ 23 ] Higher beings must intervene when [a] person sleeps, [just as] in the time between death and rebirth. Likewise, higher beings must intervene in [the] regulation of the present day and [the present] night, [as is also] mentioned [in] Genesis.