The Rudolf Steiner Archive

63. First Aid Course Speech

My dear Theosophical friends!

[ 1 ] We who are gathered here to work on our building—which is to become a landmark of the spirit—are undoubtedly all deeply affected by the events that have swept across Europe while we are still fully engaged in our construction. Those of our dear friends who have listened more closely to what has been said within our circles in recent years know, of course, that in a certain sense we have always been under the influence of what has now so terribly befallen us, and that much has been said with an eye toward what was bound to befall the peoples of Europe—and which, for certain reasons, did not come sooner—reasons that need not be discussed at this very moment.

[ 2 ] But as we find ourselves here, on the one hand, in the immediate vicinity of these painful events, and on the other hand, as if protected from them by what is unfolding in the land to which our good karma has carried us along with our building—we who stand within direct view of these events and yet are protected from them— we may—and indeed must—at this very moment bring two thoughts quite seriously before our souls. The thought that we tried to express in the last of our reflections held here—the thought that can inspire us in the depths of our hearts: the unshakable trust in the power and efficacy of the Spirit, in the victory of the Spirit and its life. And we would be poor members of our spiritual movement if we did not hold this thought in our souls, if we had not gained it over the years we have stood within our movement, if we did not carry within us the firm certainty: Whatever serious trials may come, whatever may befall us, we hold within us unshakable trust in the power and triumph of spiritual life! - If we do not feel: In the end, the Spirit will triumph!

[ 3 ] But another thought must be added to all that which so permeates us with trust. This is the thought of—it need not be misunderstood, but it may nevertheless be spoken and can be understood—the present physical powerlessness of what can be done for the spirit. To truly bring this to mind, let us consider a contrast that may weigh heavily on our hearts at this time; let us consider that we have three principles, and that the first of these principles must be to nurture within ourselves a seed of people with a spirit of brotherhood that transcends all nations. Undoubtedly, the trust we have in the spirit will clearly fill us with the awareness that this ideal, too, is a just and a great one.

[ 4 ] But let us compare the present in which we live with this ideal; let us not compare it in an abstract form, but in the immediate, concrete form that concerns us—each and every one of us: And then we may come to realize how little we have been able to contribute—even in the slightest way—to the realization of this, our very first thought! We need not examine in detail what is now being reported about current events, but the state of mind is something we must give serious consideration to. And there we will sense: We travel around the world—a large number of us—from country to country, warmly welcomed everywhere; everywhere we feel how necessary it is to carry the spiritual seed to every corner, and we now see how, across the borders and regions where we have thus thought, lived, and spoken with love, how across these borders sentiments of hatred and antipathy are being hurled at one another to such a marked degree!

[ 5 ] There, before the eye of our soul, stands the contrast: how great are the demands of the spirit, and how little we have been able to do for our very, very first thought. And if we—who are now gathered here among our own ranks around our building, which is meant to be an expression of our spiritual aspirations—were to force a model and example into our hearts and into our interactions with one another, a model of brotherly spirit, then this thought would have to be it.

[ 6 ] May it serve to instill in the heart of each and every one of us an appreciation for each and every one of us! After all, everything that must be done regarding our project can only be done with a heavy heart, since we know how little what is happening corresponds to what should be happening. Let us take comfort in the fact that our ideal—the one we hold regarding our building—will triumphantly sweep through the world in the future: This is not a thought of weakness; it will be transformed within us into a thought of strength.

[ 7 ] Some things will have to change, my dear friends, if we are to once again reach out to the hearts and minds of those out there in this terrible world. We will find that many things have changed; some hearts and minds will respond to us differently than before, and some of what has been done in our movement will have to be done differently in the future. And if, out of the turmoil that will unfold, we wish to do something for the spirit, then we must not continue to cling to old ways of thinking. We will need new ideas; such ideas will develop as the situation dictates. But we will be strong only if we arm ourselves with this conviction: Wherever events may lead us, whatever they may demand of us, we will do so with confidence in the triumph of the spirit.

[ 8 ] Our building rises up amid peaceful thoughts and peaceful work. In these times, when everything seems to be in turmoil, let us strive to be a community that nurtures and cultivates peace and harmony in each person’s heart, so that everyone may hold the best thoughts for one another, without envy or discord. That, my dear friends, will be the only thing that, in the face of painful events, makes it possible to continue what must be continued. For our work must and will continue, despite all the obstacles that pile up. What must happen in the spirit of our movement will happen. It will happen, no matter what obstacles may appear before us!

[ 9 ] But this can only happen if we strive to maintain love and peace in our hearts—which should be born of holding fast to the Spirit within us. Without this, the world outside cannot move forward either; yet for the group gathered here, it is a very special duty to maintain love, peace, and harmony in our hearts. For whatever is to take place in our building will be disrupted if it does not occur within these feelings of love and peace; it will be disrupted by envy and discord. Only when thoughts of harmony, peace, and love are built into the forms we are working on will they become what they are meant to be for humanity—once peace has returned to the world. To the extent that we cultivate a spirit of harmony in our hearts, to that extent it will, so to speak, adhere to these forms and means of expression inherent in our building. If we truly understand this, then it may be possible for us to imbue our innermost being with the spirit that is, after all, the ideal of our spiritual striving.

[ 10 ] I wanted to preface today’s remarks with these words, which are meant to justify why we continue to work here in peace during these times and do not step out to participate, here or there, in the events that will unfold outside. As for what is required of each individual in this regard, all that can be said is that each individual should do his or her duty. If we now hold fast to our ideal with all our strength, courage, and confidence, then it will indeed grow ever larger and, once peace has returned to the world, will be able to fulfill its mission. Of course, it will be necessary—to a much, much greater extent than has been the case within our own ranks—for us to try to set aside our own personal aspirations and to strive for that which, like a spiritual lifeblood, is to permeate our entire spiritual movement.

[ 11 ] Just as these words come from the depths of my heart, my dear friends, so I hope they will touch the depths of your hearts!