Classics 4 - Spiritual_guidance

8/13/2019 Classics 4 - Spiritual_guidance

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THE SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE OF

THEIND IV IDUAL AND

HUMANITY


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L EC TU RE ON E i i i

THE SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE OF

THE INDIVIDUAL AND HUMANITY

Some Results of Spiritual-Scientific Researchinto Human History and Development

RUDOLF STEINER

Translated by Samuel Desch

ANTHROPOSOPHIC P RESS


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iv SP I R I TU A L GU I D AN C E

This book is a transation o!Die geistige Fhrung des Menschenund der Menschheit "vo#$% &' in th% Co%(t%) *orks+,

-#bish%) b. R#)o! St%in%r V%ra/, Dorna(h, S0it1%ran), &2345

P#bish%) in th% Unit%) Stat%s b. Anthro-oso-hi( Pr%ss,R5R54, 6o7 24 A&, H#)son, N%0 York &8'945

Co-.ri/ht : &22& b. Anthro-oso-hi( Pr%ss, In(5

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

St%in%r, R#)o!, &;


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LE C T U R E ON E v

CONTENTS

Introduction

Pr%!a(%

vii

&

L%(t#r% On% 9

L%(t#r% T0o 8'

L%(t#r% Thr%% '&

ppendi! 33

"otes 2&

FurtherReading 23

Inde! &&


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vi S PI RI T UA L G UIDA


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INTRODUCTION

This book is th% !irst vo#$% o! a n%0 %)ition o! a R#)o!

St%in%rs 0ritt%n 0ork #lassics in nthroposophy5 It (an

b% (a%) a (assi( !or s%v%ra r%asons that I 0i )%s(rib%, an)

it (ontains an i$-ortant -r%s%ntation o! R#)o! St%in%rsChris= too/. "his r%s%ar(h into th% Christ i$-#s% in %arth.

an) (os= $i( %vo#tion+5 It is on% o! th% b%st a((o#nts o! this

t%a(hin/ 0ith 0hi(h to b%/in on%s st#)., an) on% to 0hi(h 0%

(an -ro!= itab. r%t#rn a/ain an) a/ain5

St%in%r ha) itt% ti$% to r%vis% his %(t#r%s %v%n )#rin/

th% %ar. .%ars o! th% (%nt#r. )#% to th% sh%%r a$o#nt o!

his %(t#rin/ a(tivit., 0hi(h in(r%as%) %a(h .%ar h%

so$%ti$%s /av% t0o or $or% %(t#r%s in t0%nt.=!o#r ho#rs5

To)a., abo#t


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viii S PI RIT U AL G U I DANCE

#aitativ% )i!!%r%n(% b%t0%%n his 0ritt%n 0orks an) his %(=

t#r%s, 0hi(h ar% #nr%vis%) st%no/ra-hi( r%-orts5 In)%%), h%

)i) not 0rit% $an. books, an) $ost o! thos% that h% )i) 0rit%#n= )%r0%nt at %ast on% r%vision )#rin/ his i!%ti$%, as h%

so#/ht (onstant. !or th% (arit. an) -r%(ision 0hi(h

%-ito$i1% his a--roa(h to s-irit#a s(i%n(%5

Ori/ina. h% ha) not 0ant%) th% %(t#r%s to b% -#bish%)

at a, b#t his st#)%nts b%/an to -ass aro#n) %(t#r% not%s to

!a= (iitat% th%ir st#).5 On% $#st i$a/in% th%ir %7(it%$%nt in

thos% )a.s, 0h%n %a(h (.(% o! %(t#r%s s%%$%) to -r%s%ntn%0 r%v= %ations !ro$ St%in%rs r%s%ar(h5 It 0as nat#ra !or

thos% 0ho (o#) trav% to th% vario#s (iti%s an) att%n) th%

%(t#r%s to 0ant to (onv%. th%s% %sot%ri( tr%as#r%s to th%ir

!ri%n)s5 On th% oth%r han), St%in%r %(t#r%) to %a(h s-%(i!i(

a#)i%n(% a((or)in/ to 0hat h% tho#/ht th%. n%%)%) to h%ar

o#t o! th%ir kar$i( ba(k= /ro#n)s, an) $an. o! th% %(t#r%s

that ar% no0 avaiab% to th% /%n%ra -#bi( 0%r% ori/ina./iv%n !or $%$b%rs o! th% Th%o= so-hi(a So(i%t. an), at%r,

th% Anthro-oso-hi(a So(i%t.5 Man. ist%n%rs ha) b%%n

-%rsona st#)%nts o! St%in%r !or so$% .%ars an) ha) a(#ir%)

a !a$iiarit. 0ith th% /%n%ra o#tin%s o! his t%a(hin/s5 In

&289, a!t%r th% !o#n)in/ o! th% Anthro-o= so-hi(a So(i%t.,

h% )%(i)%) to $ak% a his %(t#r%s avaiab% to th% -#bi(5

Th% -#bi( %(t#r%s (ontain%) a not% that so$% !a$iiarit.0ith !#n)a$%nta anthro-oso-h. 0as n%(%ssar. !or an

int%i/%nt r%a)in/, an) that (riti(is$ not bas%) on s#(h

kno0%)/% 0o#) hav% to b% )isr%/ar)%)5

Y%t, in th% (as% o! this book, h% #n)%rtook to r%vis% th%

%(= t#r%s h% ha) /iv%n #n% ';, &2&& in Co-%nha/%n5 H%

s-%nt abo#t t0o 0%%ks on th% r%vision, an) th% %(t#r%s 0%r%

-rint%) on. t0o $onths at%r, on A#/#st 8


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I N T R O D U C T I O N i7

R#)o! St%in%r so#/ht !or $an. .%ars a -a(% 0h%r% h%

(o#) s-%ak o-%n. o#t o! his s-irit#a insi/hts5 A((or)in/.,

h% a((%-t%) an invitation in &2 to %(t#r% to th% 6%rinLo)/% o! th% Th%oso-hi(a So(i%t.5 Th% %nth#siasti( r%(%-=

tion o! th%s% an) oth%r %(t#r%s %) to his ass#$in/ th% -osi=

tion o! G%n%ra S%(r%tar. o! th% G%r$an s%(tion o! th%

Th%oso-hi(a So(i%t. in &285 Fro$ th% b%/innin/, h% ass%rt=

%) his int%ntion to t%a(h !ro$ th% r%s#ts o! his o0n r%s%ar(h

in a((or)an(% 0ith th% n%%)s o! *%st%rn h#$anit., an) this

!r%%)o$ 0as /rant%)5 *ithin th% or/ani1ationa !ra$%0ork o!th% Th%oso-hi(a So(i%t., St%in%r 0ork%) to s%rv% thos% so#s

0ho so#/ht a s-irit#a i$-#s% th%. (o#) not !in) in %ith%r

th% s(i%n(%s or in th% %stabish%) (h#r(h%s5 For s%v%ra .%ars,

St%in%rs r%ationshi- 0ith th% So(i%t. 0as ar/%. (or)ia an)

!r#it!#, an) h% %(t#r%) in $an. E#ro-%an (iti%s to th% o)/%s

o! th% Th%oso-hi(a So(i%t.5

Th% Th%oso-hi(a So(i%t. took an in(r%asin/. East%rn )i=r%(tion, both s-irit#a. an) /%o/ra-hi(a., Th% h%a)#art%rs

0as $ov%) to A).ar, In)ia5 Th% %a)%rs o! th% Th%oso-hi(a

So(i%t., at !irst th% r%$arkab% H%%na P%trovna 6avatsk.,

an) th%n Anni% 6%sant an) Char%s L%a)b%at%r, as 0% as

$an. $%$b%rs ha) stron/ !%%in/s a/ainst *%st%rn s-irit#ai=

t. an) th% Christian (h#r(h%s5 In &2&&, in Mrs5 6%sant -ro=

(ai$%) i))h# Jrishna$#rti, th%n a .o#n/ bo., th%in(arnation o! th% Christ, an) sh% (r%at%) th% Or)%r o! th% Star

o! th% East to -ro$ot% this i)%a5 This, o! (o#rs%, )ir%(t. (on=

tra)i(t%) R#)o! St%in%rs -%r(%-tion that th% -h.si(a

in(arna= tion o! Christ (o#) o((#r on(% )#rin/ th% histor. o!

th% %arth, !or r%asons (ar%!#. )%in%at%) in this book5

In &2&8, so$% o! th% G%r$an $%$b%rs, o--os%) to th%

Or= )%r o! th% Star o! th% East, )%(i)%) to !or$ a n%0or/ani1ation St%in%r, 0h%n ask%), o!!%r%) th% na$%

KAnthro-oso-hi(a


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7 S PI RIT U AL G U I DANCE

So(i%t.5 St%in%r n%ith%r )%sir%) nor a(tiv%. -#rs#%) th%

br%ak 0ith th% th%oso-hists b#t, r%(o/ni1in/ that it 0as i$=

-ossib% to 0ork 0ithin th% in(r%asin/. hosti% at$os-h%r%o! th% Th%oso-hi(a So(i%t., h% a/r%%) to 0ork 0ith th% n%0

Kanthro-oso-hi(a or/ani1ation5 Th% !irst $%%tin/ 0as h%)

in &2&9, a!t%r Mrs5 6%sant ha) %7(#)%) th% G%r$an s%(tion5

R%a)%rs n%0 to anthro-oso-h. $a. s%% th%s% %v%nts as t.-i=

(a o! th% r%/r%ttab% .%t a--ar%nt. in%vitab% in!i/htin/ that

o((#rs 0ithin s-irit#a or/ani1ations o! a kin)s5 Th%. tak%

on #it% a )i!!%r%nt (oorin/, ho0%v%r, 0h%n s%%n in th% (on=t%7t o! St%in%rs str#//% to ins#r% that his #ni#% t%a(hin/ o!

Christian %sot%ri(is$ (o#) !in) its -ro-%r a#)i%n(% an) th%

n%(%ssar. $%tho)s o! -r%s%ntation5&

Th#s it 0as that R#)o! St%in%r r%vis%) th%s% %(t#r%s

an i$-ortant %%$%nt in th% initia %7-osition o! his

Christoo/.

)#rin/ th% h%i/ht o! )i!!i(#ti%s 0ithin th% Th%oso-hi(aSo(i%t., #st b%!or% th% ina#/#rations o! th% Anthro-oso-hi(a

So(i%t.5 D#rin/ th%s% .%ars h% aso 0rot% an) -ro)#(%) his

!o#r $.st%r. )ra$as, an) b%/an th% 0ork that at%r $at#r%)

as

%#r.th$. an) s-%%(h !or$ation58 R#)o! St%in%r intro)#(%)

so$%thin/ #it% !or%i/n to th% $o)% o! th%oso-hi(a $%%tin/s

0h%n h% b%/an to in(#)% artisti( -r%s%ntations, b%/#n b. R#=)o! St%in%r in &235 Th% %!!%(t o! his )ra$as, 0hi(h in(#)%)

%#r.th$. an) th% n%0 $%tho) o! s-%%(h, /av% th% i$-%t#s to

(r%at% a s-%(ia b#i)in/ in 0hi(h to -%r!or$ th%$5 Lookin/

ba(k, 0% (an s%% ho0 St%in%rs st#)i%s in Christoo/. an) his

artisti( 0ork in )ra$a, -aintin/, an) s(#-t#r% (#$inat%) in

th% b#i)in/ o! th% !irst Go%th%an#$ in Dorna(h59

It is not s#r-risin/, th%n, to !in) that The Spiritual %uid-

ance of the Individual and Humanity r%v%as an %7tr%$%. ar=

tisti( (o$-osition5 R#)o! St%in%r 0%av%s to/%th%r th% th%$%s

o! th% b%in/s that /#i)% h#$anit., th% 0orkin/ o! th% Christ


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I N T R O D U C T I O N 7i

i$-#s% b%!or% an) a!t%r th% M.st%r. o! Go/otha, an) o#r

(o$$on so# %7-%ri%n(% in a 0a. that (an b%st b% (a%) $#=

si(a5 Ea(h n%0 %7-r%ssion brin/s a variation that i$-orts n%0in!or$ation an) .%t r%at%s to 0hat -r%(%)%s it5 In so$% o! his

oth%r %(t#r%s, R#)o! St%in%r b#i)s $i/ht. -i(t#r%s o! th%

%arth an) o! th% (os$os, an) -ortra.s th% a(tiviti%s o! s-irit#a

b%in/s 0hos )%%)s ar% r%v%a%) %7t%rna. thro#/h th% nat#ra

s(i%n(%s an) thro#/h histor.5 Unti on% a(hi%v%s a s#!!i(i%nt

ba(k/ro#n) thro#/h (ont%$-ativ% st#). o! a vari%t. o! an=

thro-oso-hi(a (on(%-ts an) $ak%s th% %!!ort to ao0 th%s%(on(%-ts to (r%at% th% inn%r or/ans !or !#rth%r 0ork, th%s% ini=

tia st#)i%s (an b% ov%r0h%$in/ in th%ir (o$-%7it. an) s%%$

#it% )r.5 For that r%ason, this book (an b% $ost h%-!#, b%=

(a#s% St%in%r r%at%s th% %ntir% s#b%(t $att%r to th% h#$an

so#, to obs%rvations an) %7-%ri%n(%s 0% shar% as h#$an b%=

in/s5 Th%s% (an h%- #s !in) an inn%r str%n/th to b%/in to tak%

anthro-oso-h. $or% )%%-. into o#r o0n so# i!%5Th% !irst (ha-t%r b%/ins 0ith a )%s(ri-tion o! ho0, in th%

!irst thr%% .%ars o! i!%, th% hi/h%r s%! in %a(h o! #s 0orks to

%stabish thr%% (a-a(iti%s5 Unik% th% ani$as, 0% learn to ori=

%nt o#r bo). in s-a(% in a 0a. that is not innat% or instin(t#a5

N%7t, 0% %arn th% #s% o! an/#a/% an) th%n (o$%s th% abiit.

to 0ork 0ith tho#/hts, 0ith i)%as5 Th#s, in th% ti$% b%!or% 0%

ar% a0ar% o! o#r KI, 0% hav% ar%a). )on% o#r 0is%st 0ork ono#rs%v%s5 I!, ho0%v%r, o#r hi/h%r, )ivin% s%! (ontin#%) to

0ork in this 0a., 0% 0o#) r%$ain as (hi)r%n an) not hav%

th% -ossibiit. o! !r%%)o$5 This a(tiv% 0orkin/ $#st !a a0a.

as 0% a(hi%v% o#r o0n s%!=(ons(io#sn%ss, 0hi(h is (onstant.

s#b%(t to th% #r% o! -ri)% an) )%(%it, b#t 0hi(h aso /iv%s #s

th% -ossibiit. o! s%!=)%v%o-$%nt5 In)%%), i! th% hi/h%r s%!

iv%) 0ithin #s in o#r -r%s%nt (onstit#tion !or on/%r thanthr%% .%ars, o#r bo). 0o#) )i%5 In th% sa$% 0a., 0h%n th%

(os$i(


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7ii S PI RIT U AL G U I DANCE

Christ %nt%r%) th% bo). o! %s#s )#rin/ th% ba-tis$ in th% or=

)an, it (o#) iv% %v%n in this s-%(ia h#$an bo). !or on.

thr%% .%ars5Ev%n i! th% Gos-%s ha) not b%%n 0ritt%n, St%in%r ass%rts,

this kno0%)/% o! th% !irst .%ars o! (hi)hoo) 0o#) r%v%a

that Christ iv%s in #s KTo -%r(%iv% an) #n)%rstan) th%

!or(%s at 0ork in o#r (hi)hoo) is to -%r(%iv% Christ in #s5

Thro#/h inn%r strivin/, 0% (an (onta(t a/ain th% 0is)o$

that 0ork%) so -o0%r!#. in o#r !irst .%ars, an) 0% (an !in)

th% Christ b%= (a#s% o! his in(arnation into h#$anit.5In)%%), th% /oa o! %arth. %vo#tion, o! th% %7ist%n(% o! this

-an%t an) o#r i!% on it, is to /ra)#a. $ak% o#r %ntir%

b%in/ an %7-r%ssion o! th%s% )ivin% (os$i( !or(%s o! th%

Christ i$-#s%5 Chi)= hoo) is a -%r-%t#a r%$in)%r o! th%

hi/h%r s%!, an) it r%v%as th% s-irit#a /#i)an(% that aso iv%s

in th% Gos-%s an) in th% /r%at initiat%s5

In th% s%(on) (ha-t%r, St%in%r )%s(rib%s h#$anit.s o0n(hi)ik% (on)ition in an(i%nt ti$%s, an) th%n h% o#tin%s ho0

th% hi/h%r s-irit#a b%in/s hav% -ass%) thro#/h th%ir o0n Kh#=

$an sta/% in %ari%r in(arnations o! th% %arth5 As r%(%nt. as

an(i%nt E/.-t, -%o-% (o#) r%(o/ni1% th% s-irit#a b%in/s

0ho s-ok% thro#/h th%ir %a)%rs an) t%a(h%rs5 Th% !o(#s

o! th% (ha-t%r is on th% an/%s, th% b%in/s (os%st to

h#$anit., 0ho /#i)%) h#$an )%v%o-$%nt )#rin/ th%E/.-tian %-o(h an) a/ain )#rin/ o#r ti$%5 H% sho0s ho0

so$% o! th% an/%s hav% -ro/r%ss%) -ro-%r. in th%ir

)%v%o-$%nt, 0hi% oth%rs hav% )%v%o-%) $or% so0.5

Th%s% t0o t.-%s o! an/%s brin/ to h#= $anit. both th%

-ossibiit. !or o#r o0n -ro/r%ssiv% %vo#tion, an) aso th%

t0o kin)s o! %vi th% t%n)%n(. to i/nor% o#r %arth= .

r%s-onsibiiti%s an) b%(o$% )r%a$%rs an) visionari%s, an)th% in(r%asin/ t%$-tation to0ar) $at%riais$5 *hi% th%ir a(=

tiviti%s (a#s% tro#b% in th% -r%s%nt i!% o! h#$anit., th%s%


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IN TR O D U C TIO N 7 ii i

b%in/s a(t#a. 0ork to/%th%r in th% s-irit#a 0or) to /#i)%

h#$an )%v%o-$%nt5 *ith )%i(a(. an) b%a#t., St%in%r in)i=

(at%s th% n%(%ssit. !or th%s% r%tar)in/ s-irits in o#r %vo#tion,!or 0itho#t th%$, 0% 0o#) not hav% th% o--ort#nit. to

a(hi%v% !# s%! (ons(io#sn%ss, )iv%rsit. an) !r%%)o$5 Th%

$or% -ro/r%ssiv% b%in/s (o#) on. hav% -ro)#(%) #ni!or$it.

in h#$an nat#r%5

This (ha-t%r (on(#)%s 0ith a (a#tion a/ainst !anati(is$5

KTh% $ost b%a#ti!# thin/s (an s%)#(% an) t%$-t #s i! 0% -#r=

s#% th%$ on%=si)%).5 To /#ar) a/ainst this, h% #r/%s #s toin= s#r% that (airvo.an(% is a#/$%nt%) b. an %!!ort to

/ras- (on(%-t#a. #st th% kin) o! s-irit#a !a(ts that ar%

-r%s%nt%) in this book5 S-irit#a s(i%n(% h%-s #s to avoi)

%rror (airvo.= an(% sho#) b% a((o$-ani%) b. initiation, th%

trainin/ that a= o0s Ka (%ar ass%ss$%nt o! 0hat is

-%r(%iv%) in th% s#-%rs%nsib% 0or)5 This is th%

)i!!%r%n(% b%t0%%n s%%in/ an) #n)%rstan)in/, b. b%in/ ab%to )istin/#ish b%t0%%n th% )i!!%r%nt kin)s o! b%in/s an) %v%nts

o! th% hi/h%r 0or)s5 Most i$-ortant, thro#/h th% st#). o!

anthro-oso-h., 0% b%/in to $%%t th% Christ 0ith o#r hi/h%r

so# !or(%s5

In th% !ina (ha-t%r, R#)o! St%in%r s#rv%.s th% s0%%- o!

th% Post Atant%an A/%, th% -r%s%nt a/% o! th% 0or)54 H%

sho0s ho0 th% -ro/r%ssiv% s-irit#a b%in/s hav% aso $%t th%Christ, b#t th% r%tar)in/ b%in/s hav% not5 Th%s% att%r s-irits

hav% ins-ir%) th% nat#ra s(i%n(% that has !or$%) th% -r%s%nt

0or) (#t#r%5 In th% !#t#r%, s(i%ntists 0i -%r(%iv% that th%

Christ has arran/%) %v%r. ato$ o! th% %arth, an) a n%0

-h.si(s an) (h%$istr. 0i r%s#t5 *% (an sa., th%n, that in

th% !#t#r% th%r% 0i iv% in -%o-%s h%arts a Christ=i)%a 0hos%

$a/nit#)% 0i b% b%.on) an.thin/ h#$anit. has b%i%v%) tokno0 an) #n)%rstan) so !ar5 *hat has )%v%o-%) thro#/h

Christ as a !irst i$-#s% an) has iv%) on as an i)%a o! hi$

#nti no0 is %v%n


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7iv S PI RI TU AL G UID ANCE

in th% b%st r%-r%s%ntativ%s o! th% Christ -rin(i-% on. a

-r%-aration !or a tr#% #n)%rstan)in/ o! Christ5 Christ !irst %n=

t%r%) h#$an h%arts thro#/h th% -i(t#r%s !ro$ his i!% on %arthin a h#$an bo).5 To)a. 0% $#st -r%-ar% !or a s-irit#a $%%t=

in/ 0ith th% Christ, si$iar to Pa#s %7-%ri%n(% at Da$as(#s5

An %ss%ntia -art o! this -r%-aration is a str%n/th%n%) (on=

s(io#sn%ss an) a s%ns% o! r%s-onsibiit. to0ar) s-irit#a -%r=

(%-tion, an) this vita )is(ri$ination (an b% %nhan(%) thro#/h

th% (ar%!# st#). o! s#(h a book as this on%5

In (on(#sion, on% ho-%s that this n%0 %)ition 0i !in) th%a(tiv% r%a)%rshi- it )%s%rv%s5 Man. -%o-% 0ho !irst a--roa(h

anthro-oso-h. !or th% !irst ti$% ar% s#s-i(io#s an) %v%n r%=

s%nt!# o! Christianit. as it has $ani!%st%) in th% -ast t0o

tho#= san) .%ars, an) 0h%n th%. )is(ov%r that

anthro-oso-h. is Christ=(%nt%r%), th%. $a. !%% )isa--oint%)

or %v%n #-s%t5 For oth%rs, it is -%r-%7in/ that St%in%rs

Christoo/. -#ts !or0ar) #it% ra)i(a %%$%nts 0h%n(o$-ar%) to th% th%oo/. o! his )a. or o#rs5 In this book,

R#)o! St%in%r /iv%s both a broa), s0%%-in/ -i(t#r% o! h#$an

an) (os$i( %vo#tion an) th% (%n= tra -a(% o! th% Christ

i$-#s% in that )%v%o-$%nt, an) aso r%at%s this %vo#tion

to o#r inn%r i!%, to th% %7-%ri%n(%s an) insi/hts that an.on%

0ith th% /oo) 0i to ook 0ithin (an hav%, an) !ro$

0hi(h th%. (an th%n !oo0 th%s% anthro-o= so-hi(atho#/hts to th% r%ait. o! th% Christ %7-%ri%n(%5 H%r% 0% ar%

/iv%n a )%%-. r%0ar)in/ -%rs-%(tiv% o! th% a/% in 0hi(h

0% iv% an) in 0hi(h 0% ar% 0itn%ssin/ th% ra-i) )isso= #tion

o! o#r (#t#ra i!% h%r% aso 0% (an !in) th% inn%r s#s=

t%nan(% to 0ork to0ar) b#i)in/ th% (#t#r% o! th% n%0 a/%5

Fro$ this -oint o! vi%0, The Spiritual %uidance of the

Individ- ual and Humanity is a K(assi( 0ork o! s-irit#as(i%n(%5

HILMAR MOORE


14/114

Not%s

&5 For !#rth%r in!or$ation, s%% G#%nth%r *a(hs$#th, The &ife and

'or$ of Rudolf Steiner "*hitti%r 6ooks, &2''+ &';&29 an) St%0art C5

Easton,Rudolf Steiner( Herald of a "e) *poch "Anthro-oso-hi( Pr%ss,

&2;+, (ha-t%rs < an) ;5 It sho#) b% not%) that Jrishna$#rti -#bi(. r%=

-#)iat%) th% (ai$s o! 6%sant an) L%a)b%at%r an) )issov%) th% or/ani=

1ation, (a%) th% Or)%r o! th% Star o! th% East, in th% &28s5

St%0art Easton has $ana/%) to -ortra. 0ith a)$irab% (arit. th% iss#%s

an) -%r= sonaiti%s 0hi(h ar% o! /r%at i$-ortan(% in St%in%rs 0ork5 In

(ha-t%r !iv% o! his Man and 'orld in the &ight of nthroposophy

"Anthro-oso-hi( Pr%ss, &23'+ h% has -rovi)%) a s#((in(t -r%s%ntation o!R#)o! St%in%rs Christoo/.5

85 E#r.th$.5 S.st%$ o! $ov%$%nt (r%at%) b. R#)o! St%in%r

%7= -r%ssin/ both $#si( an) th% so#n)s o! s-%%(h5 S%% Marori% Ra!!% %t

a5,*urythmy and the Impulse of Dance "Lon)on R#)o! St%in%r

Pr%ss,

&234+5

S-%%(h5 St%in%r )%v%o-%) a -arti(#ar $o)% o! artisti( s-%%(h in th%

-ro)#(tion o! his M.st%r. Dra$as5 S%% R#)o! St%in%r, Speech and Dra-

ma "S-rin/ Va%., NY Anthro-oso-hi( Pr%ss B Lon)on R#)o! St%in%rPr%ss, &2


15/114


16/114

LE C T U R E ON E &

PREFACE

This book r%-ro)#(%s th% (ont%nt o! %(t#r%s I /av% in #n%

o! this .%ar in Co-%nha/%n on th% o((asion o! th% G%n%ra

Ass%$= b. o! th% S(an)inavian Th%oso-hi(a So(i%t.5 Th%.

0%r% )%iv= %r%) to an a#)i%n(% !a$iiar 0ith s-irit#a s(i%n(%

or th%oso-h.

>anthro-oso-h.@, an) th#s th%. -r%s#--os% this !a$iiarit.5&

Th%. ar% in %v%r. )%tai bas%) on $. books Theosophy an)

n ,utline of ,ccult Science58 An.on% #na(#aint%) 0ith th%

-r%$is%s o! th%s% books 0o#) (%rtain. r%/ar) this r%-ort as a

(#rio#s -ro)#(t o! $%r% !antas.5 Ho0%v%r, th% abov%

$%ntion%)

books -r%s%nt th% s(i%nti!i( basis !or %v%r.thin/ sai)

h%r%5

I hav% (o$-%t%. r%vis%) th% st%no/ra-hi( trans(ri-tion o!

th%%(t#r%s, b#t $. int%ntion in -#bishin/ th%$ 0as to r%tain,

as $#(h as -ossib%, th% (hara(t%r o! th% ori/ina s-ok%n-r%=

s%ntation5 This sho#) b% not%) h%r% b%(a#s% it is $. o-inion

that a )is(o#rs% int%n)%) !or r%a)in/ $#st b% (o$-%t%. )i!=

!%r%nt !ro$ a s-ok%n on%5 I hav% !oo0%) this -rin(i-% in a

$. -r%vio#s 0ritin/s that 0%r% int%n)%) !or -#bi(ation5 Th%

st.% an) -r%s%ntation o! this book ar% (os%r to th% s-ok%n

0or) b%(a#s% I hav% r%asons !or ao0in/ this a((o#nt to b%

-#bish%)at this ti$% an) b%(a#s% a (o$-%t% r%vision in a(=

(or)an(% 0ith th% abov% -rin(i-% 0o#) tak% a v%r. on/

ti$%5

R UD O LF S TEIN ER


17/114

8 SP I R I T UA L GU ID A N C E

Munich+ ugust .+ /0//


18/114

L E C T U R E ON E 9

L ECTURE ONE

I F * E R E F L EC T #-on o#rs%v%s, 0% soon (o$% tor%ai1% that, in a))ition to th% s%! 0% %n(o$-ass

0ith o#r tho#/hts, !%%in/s, an) !#. (ons(io#s

i$-#s%s o! 0i, 0% b%ar in o#rs%v%s a s%(on), $or%

-o0%r!# s%!5 *% b%(o$% a0ar% that 0% s#bor)inat%

o#rs%v%s to this s%(= on) s%! as to a hi/h%r -o0%r5 At

!irst, this s%(on) s%! s%%$s to #s a o0%r b%in/ 0h%n

(o$-ar%) to th% on% 0% %n(o$-ass 0ith o#r (%ar,

!#. (ons(io#s so# an) its nat#ra in(ination to0ar)

th% /oo) an) th% tr#%5 An) so, initia., 0% $a. striv%

to ov%r(o$% this s%%$in/. o0%r s%!5

A (os%r s%!=%7a$ination, ho0%v%r, (an t%a(h #sso$%thin/ %s% abo#t this s%(on) s%!5 I! -%rio)i(a. 0%

ook ba(k on 0hat 0% hav% %7-%ri%n(%) or )on% in i!%,

0% $ak% a stran/% )is(ov%r., on% that b%(o$%s $or%

$%anin/!# !or #s th% o)%r 0% b%(o$%5 *h%n%v%r 0%

think abo#t 0hat 0% )i) or sai) at so$% ti$% in th% -ast,

it t#rns o#t that 0% )i) a /r%at $an. thin/s 0% a(t#a.

#n= )%rstoo) on. at a at%r )at%5 *h%n 0% think o!thin/s 0% )i) s%v%n or %i/ht .%ars a/oor -%rha-s

%v%n t0%nt.


19/114


.%ars a/o0% r%ai1% that on. no0, a!t%r a on/ ti$%,

is o#r $in) s#!!i(i%nt. )%v%o-%) to #n)%rstan) 0hat

0% )i) or sai) th%n5O! (o#rs%, th%r% ar% -%o-% 0ho )o not $ak% s#(h

s%!=)is(ov%ri%s b%(a#s% th%. )o not tr. to5 N%v%rth%%ss,

this sort o! so#=s%ar(hin/ is %7traor)inari. !r#it!#5 For

in s#(h $o$%nts as 0% b%(o$% a0ar% that 0% ar% on.

no0 b%/innin/ to #n)%rstan) so$%thin/ 0% )i) in o#r

%ari%r .%arsthat in th% -ast o#r $in)s 0%r% not$at#r% %no#/h to #n)%rstan) 0hat 0% )i) or sai) th%n

a n%0 !%%in/ %$%r/%s in o#r so#5 *% !%% o#rs%v%s

as i! sh%= t%r%) b. a b%n%vo%nt -o0%r -r%si)in/ in th%

)%-ths o! o#r o0n b%in/5 *% b%/in to tr#st $or% an)

$or% that, in th% hi/h%st s%ns% o! th% 0or), 0% ar% not

aon% in th% 0or) an) that 0hat%v%r 0% (an

#n)%rstan) or )o (on= s(io#s. is !#n)a$%nta. on. as$a -art o! 0hat 0% a((o$-ish in th% 0or)5

A!t%r 0% hav% /on% thro#/h this -ro(%ss o! )is(ov%r.

a n#$b%r o! ti$%s, an insi/ht that is th%or%ti(a. %as. to

#n)%rstan) (an b%(o$% -art o! o#r -ra(ti(a iv%s5 *%

kno0, in th%or. at an. rat%, that 0% 0o#) not /%t v%r.

!ar in i!% i! 0% ha) to )o %v%r.thin/ in !#

(ons(io#sn%ss, ra= tiona. #n)%rstan)in/ a th%

(ir(#$stan(%s an) ra$i!i= (ations in %v%r. (as%5 To s%%

that this is so 0% n%%) on. (onsi)%r ho0 an) 0h%n 0%

a((o$-ish thos% a(ts that ar% th% 0is%st an) $ost

i$-ortant !or o#r %7ist%n(%5 A $o= $%nts tho#/ht 0i

r%v%a that 0% a(t $ost 0is%. in th% ti$% b%t0%%n birth

an) th% $o$%nt at 0hi(h $%$or., that !irst $o$%nt0% (an r%$%$b%r 0h%n in at%r .%ars 0% tr. to r%(a

o#r %ar. i!%, b%/ins5


20/114

LE C T U R E O '

This is to sa. that, as 0% think ba(k to 0hat 0% )i)

thr%%, !o#r, or !iv% an) $or% .%ars a/o, 0% r%a(h a

(%rtain -oint in (hi)hoo) b%.on) 0hi(h o#r $%$or.)o%s not %7t%n)5 O#r $%$or. )o%s not /o ba(k an.

!#rth%r5 Par= %nts or oth%r -%o-% (an t% #s 0hat

ha--%n%) b%!or% that ti$%, b#t o#r o0n $%$or. )o%s

not /o ba(k b%.on) a (%r= tain -oint5 This is th% -oint in

o#r iv%s 0h%n 0% !irst b%= /an to -%r(%iv% o#rs%v%s as

an I5 P%o-% 0hos% $%$or. is inta(t (an #s#a.

r%$%$b%r ba(k to, b#t not %ari%r than, this $o$%nt5

O#r so#s, ho0%v%r, hav% ar%a). -%r!or$%) th%ir

0is= %st )%%)s before this ti$%5 N%v%r a/ain in at%r i!%,

a!t%r 0% hav% attain%) !# (ons(io#sn%ss, 0i 0% b% ab%

to a(= (o$-ish s#(h s-%n)i) an) tr%$%n)o#s )%%)s as

thos% 0% a((o$-ish%) o#t o! th% #n(ons(io#s )%-ths

o! o#r so#s in th% !irst .%ars o! (hi)hoo)5As 0% kno0, 0% brin/ th% !r#its o! %ari%r iv%s on

%arth 0ith #s into th% -h.si(a 0or) at birth5 For %7a$=

-%, at birth o#r -h.si(a brain is sti an in(o$-%t% an)

#n!inish%) instr#$%nt5 Th% so# $#st th%n 0ork on it,

a))in/ th% !in%r, )%tai%) str#(t#r%s that $ak% it th%

$%)i= #$ o! a th% so#s !a(#ti%s5 In !a(t, b%!or% th%

so# is !#= . (ons(io#s, it 0orks on th% brain to

trans!or$ it into an instr#$%nt to %7-r%ss a th%

(a-a(iti%s, a-tit#)%s, (hara(= t%risti(s, an) so on, that it

has as a (ons%#%n(% o! %ari%r iv%s5 This 0ork on o#r

o0n bo). is /#i)%) !ro$ a -%r= s-%(tiv% that is 0is%r

than an.thin/ 0% (an a(hi%v% at%r 0ith o#r !#

(ons(io#sn%ss5 Mor%ov%r, )#rin/ this ti$% 0h%n th%brain is b%in/ trans!or$%), 0% $#st aso a(#ir% th%

thr%% $ost i$-ortant (a-a(iti%s !or i!% on %arth5


21/114

< S PI RIT U AL G U I DANCE

Th% !irst (a-a(it. 0% $#st %arn is to orient o#r bo).

in s-a(%5 P%o-% to)a. )o not r%ai1% 0hat this $%ans

an) that it to#(h%s on th% $ost %ss%ntia )i!!%r%n(%sb%t0%%n h#$an b%in/s an) ani$as5 Ani$as ar%

)%stin%) !ro$ th% b%/innin/ to a(hi%v% th%ir %#iibri#$

in a (%rtain 0a. on% is )%stin%) to b% a (i$b%r, anoth%r

a s0i$$%r, an) so on5 Ani$as ar% so (onstit#t%) that

!ro$ th% o#ts%t th%. (an ori%nt th%$s%v%s in s-a(%

(orr%(t.5 This is tr#% %v%n o! -ri$at%s5 I! 1ooo/ists0%r% a0ar% o! this, th%. 0o#) -#t %ss %$-hasis on th%

n#$b%r o! si$iar bon%s, $#s= (%s, an) so !orth that

h#$an b%in/s an) ani$as hav%5 A!= t%r a, this is not

n%ar. as i$-ortant as th% !a(t that h#$an b%in/s ar% not

/iv%n an innat% 0a. to a(hi%v% %#iibri#$ in s-a(% b#t

$#st )%v%o- it o#t o! th%ir tota b%in/5&

It is si/ni!i(ant that 0% $#st 0ork on o#rs%v%s to )%=v%o- !ro$ b%in/s that (annot 0ak into on%s that 0ak

#-ri/ht5 *% a(hi%v% o#r v%rti(a -osition, o#r -osition o!

%#iibri#$ in s-a(%, b. o#rs%v%s5 In oth%r 0or)s, 0%

%s= tabish o#r o0n r%ationshi- to /ravit.5 Thos% 0ho

)o not 0ish to (onsi)%r th% #%stion )%%-. 0i, o!

(o#rs%, %as= i. )is-#t% o#r %7-anation on a--ar%nt./oo) /ro#n)s5 Th%. $a. (ai$, !or %7a$-%, that 0%

ar% #st as 0% (onstit#t%) !or 0akin/ #-ri/ht as

(i$bin/ ani$as ar% !or (i$bin/5 U-on (os%r

%7a$ination, ho0%v%r, 0% !in) that ani$as ori%ntation

in s-a(% is )%t%r$in%) b. th%ir -h.si(a or/ani1ation5 In

h#$an b%in/s, ho0%v%r, it is th% so# that %stabish%s th%

r%ationshi- to s-a(% an) sha-%s th% or/ani1ation5Th% s%(on) (a-a(it. 0% %arn o#t o! o#rs%v%s !ro$

o#r %ss%ntia b%in/0hi(h r%$ains th% sa$% thro#/h


22/114

LE C T U R E O 3

s#((%ssiv% in(arnationsis language5 This ao0s #s to

r%at% to o#r !%o0 h#$an b%in/s an) $ak%s #s b%ar%rs

o! th% s-irit#a i!% that -%r$%at%s th% -h.si(a 0or)-ri$a= ri. b. $%ans o! h#$an b%in/s5 It has o!t%n b%%n

%$-ha= si1%), an) 0ith /oo) r%ason, that so$%on%

stran)%) on a )%s%rt isan) 0ho ha) ha) no (onta(t 0ith

oth%r h#$an b%in/s b%!or% %arnin/ to s-%ak 0o#)

n%v%r %arn to )o so5 *hat 0% r%(%iv% thro#/h h%r%)it.,

on th% oth%r han), 0hat is i$-ant%) in #s !or

)%v%o-$%nt in at%r .%ars, )o%s not )%-%n) on o#r

int%ra(tions 0ith oth%r h#$an b%= in/s5 For %7a$-%,

0% ar% -r%)is-os%) b. h%r%)it. to (han/% t%%th in o#r

s%v%nth .%ar5 Ev%n on a )%s%rt isan) o#r s%(on) s%t o!

t%%th 0o#) /ro0 i! 0% r%a(h%) that a/%5 6#t i! o#r so#

b%in/, th% -art o! #s that (ontin#%s !ro$ on% i!% to th%

n%7t, is not sti$#at%) 0% 0i not %arn to s-%ak5 In as%ns%, 0% $#st so0 th% s%%) !or th% )%v%o-= $%nt o!

th% ar.n7 in th% ti$% b%!or% o#r %ari%st $%$= or.

b%!or% 0% attain !# I=(ons(io#sn%ssso that th%

ar.n7 (an th%n b%(o$% an or/an o! s-%%(h5

Th%r% is sti a thir), %v%n %ss 0% kno0n, (a-a(it.

that 0%%arn on o#r o0n thro#/h 0hat 0% b%ar 0ithin #s

thro#/h s#((%ssiv% in(arnations5 I a$ r%!%rrin/ h%r% to

o#r abiit. to iv% 0ithin th% 0or) o! tho#/hts an) i)%as,

th% 0or) o! tho#/ht its%!5 O#r brain is !or$%) an)

0ork%) on b%(a#s% it is th% too o! thin$ing5 At th%

b%/innin/ o! i!%, th% brain is sti $a%ab% b%(a#s% 0%

$#st sha-% it o#r= s%v%s to $ak% it an instr#$%nt !or th%

thinkin/ a--ro-ri= at% to o#r %ss%ntia b%in/5 Th% brainat birth is th% r%s#t o! th% 0ork o! !or(%s inh%rit%) !ro$

o#r -ar%nts, /ran)= -ar%nts, an) so on5 It is in o#r

thinkin/ that 0% brin/ to


23/114

; S PI RIT U AL G U I DANCE

%7-r%ssion 0hat 0% ar% as in)ivi)#as in (on!or$it. 0ith

o#r !or$%r %arth. iv%s5 Th%r%!or%, a!t%r birth, 0h%n 0%

hav% b%(o$%-h.si(a. in)%-%n)%nt o! o#r -ar%nts an)an(%stors, 0% $#st trans!or$ th% brain 0% hav%

inh%rit%)5

C%ar., th%n, 0% a((o$-ish si/ni!i(ant st%-s in th%

%ar. .%ars o! i!%5 *% 0ork on o#rs%v%s in a((or)an(%

0ith th% hi/h%st 0is)o$5 In !a(t, i! 0% ha) to r%. on o#r

o0n int%i/%n(%, 0% (o#) not a(hi%v% 0hat 0% $#sta(= (o$-ish )ithout o#r int%i/%n(% in th% !irst !%0

.%ars o! o#r iv%s5 *h. is this so *h. $#st a th%s%

thin/s b% a(= (o$-ish%) !ro$ so# )%-ths that i%

outside o#r (on= s(io#sn%ss 6%(a#s%, in th% !irst .%ars

o! o#r iv%s, o#r so#s, as 0% as o#r 0ho% b%in/, ar%

$#(h $or% (os%. (onn%(t%) 0ith th% s-irit#a 0or)s

o! th% hi/h%r hi%rar= (hi%s than is th% (as% at%r5Cairvo.ants, 0ho (an tra(% th% s-irit#a -ro(%ss%s in=

vov%) b%(a#s% th%. hav% #n)%r/on% s-irit#a trainin/,

)is(ov%r that so$%thin/ tr%$%n)o#s. si/ni!i(ant ha-=

-%ns at th% $o$%nt 0h%n 0% a(hi%v% I=(ons(io#sn%ss,

that is, at th%$o$%nto! o#r %ari%st $%$or.5 Th%. (an

s%% that, )#rin/ th% %ar. .%ars o! (hi)hoo), an a#ra

hov= %rs abo#t #s ik% a 0on)%r!# h#$an=s#-%rh#$an

-o0%r5 This a#ra, 0hi(h is a(t#a. o#r hi/h%r -art,

%7t%n)s %v= %r.0h%r% into th% s-irit#a 0or)5 6#t at th%

%ari%st $o= $%nt 0% (an r%$%$b%r, this a#ra -%n%trat%s

$or% )%%-. into o#r inn%r b%in/58 *% (an %7-%ri%n(%

o#rs%v%s as a (oh%r%nt I !ro$ this -oint on b%(a#s%

0hat ha) -r%vio#s. b%%n (onn%(t%) to th% hi/h%r0or)s th%n %nt%r%) th% I5 Th%r%a!t%r, o#r

(ons(io#sn%ss %stabish%s its o0n r%a= tionshi- to th%

o#t%r 0or)5


24/114

LE C T U R E O 2

This (ons(io#s r%ationshi- to th% o#t%r 0or) )o%s

not .%t %7ist in %ar. (hi)hoo)5 In (hi)hoo), a )r%a$

0or) sti s%%$s to hov%r abo#t #s5 *% 0ork on o#r=s%v%s 0ith a 0is)o$ that is not in #s, a 0is)o$ that is

$or% -o0%r!# an) (o$-r%h%nsiv% than a th%

(ons(io#s 0is)o$ 0% a(#ir% at%r5 This hi/h%r

0is)o$ 0orks !ro$ th% s-irit#a 0or) )%%- into th%

bo). it %nab%s #s to !or$ th% brain o#t o! th% s-irit5

*% (an ri/ht. sa., th%n, that %v%n th% 0is%st -%rson

(an %arn !ro$ a (hi)5 For th% 0is)o$ at 0ork in

(hi)r%n )o%s not b%(o$% -art o! o#r (ons(io#sn%ss in

at%r i!%5 It is obs(#r%) an) %7= (han/%) !or

(ons(io#sn%ss5

In th% !irst .%ars o! i!%, ho0%v%r, this hi/h%r 0is)o$

!#n(tions ik% a Kt%%-hon% (onn%(tion to th% s-irit#a

b%in/s in0hos% 0or) 0% !in) o#rs%v%s b%t0%%n )%athan) r%birth5 So$%thin/ !ro$ this 0or) sti !o0s into

o#r a#ra )#rin/ (hi)hoo)5 As in)ivi)#as 0% ar% th%n

)ir%(t. s#b%(t to th% /#i)an(% o! th% entire s-irit#a

0or) to 0hi(h 0% b%on/5 *h%n 0% ar% (hi)r%n#-

to th% $o= $%nt o! o#r %ari%st $%$or.th% s-irit#a

!or(%s !ro$ this 0or) !o0 into #s, %nabin/ #s to

)%v%o- o#r -arti(= #ar r%ationshi- to /ravit.5 At th%

sa$% ti$%, th% sa$% !or(%s aso !or$ o#r ar.n7 an)

sha-% o#r brain into ivin/ or/ans !or th% %7-r%ssion o!

tho#/ht, !%%in/, an) 0i5

D#rin/ (hi)hoo), th%n, 0% 0ork o#t o! a s%! that is

sti in )ir%(t (onta(t 0ith th% hi/h%r 0or)s5 In)%%), to a

(%rtain )%/r%%, 0% (an sti )o this %v%n in at%r i!%, a=tho#/h (on)itions (han/%5 *h%n%v%r 0% !%% that 0% )i)

or sai) so$%thin/ in%ari%r .%ars that 0% ar% on. no0

(o$in/ to #n)%rstan), 0% hav% an in)i(ation that 0%

0%r%


25/114

& S PI RIT U AL G U I DANCE

/#i)%) b. a hi/h%r 0is)o$ at that %ari%r ti$%5 On.

.%ars at%r )o 0% $ana/% to /ain insi/ht into th% $otiv%s

o! o#r -ast (on)#(t5 A this in)i(at%s that at birth 0% )i)not %n= tir%. %av% b%hin) th% 0or) 0% iv%) in b%!or%

%nt%rin/ into o#r n%0, -h.si(a %7ist%n(%5 In !a(t, 0%

n%v%r %av% it b%hin) (o$-%t%.5 *hat 0% hav% as o#r

-art o! hi/h%r s-irit#ait. %nt%rs o#r -h.si(a i!% an)

r%$ains 0ith #s5 Th#s, 0hat 0% b%ar 0ithin #s is not a

hi/h%r s%! that has to b% )%v%o-%) /ra)#a., b#t on%that ar%a). %7ists an) that o!t%n %a)s #s to ris% abov%

o#rs%v%s5

A that 0% (an -ro)#(% in th% 0a. o! i)%as an)

artis= ti( (r%ativit.as aso th% nat#ra h%ain/ !or(%s

in o#r bo)., 0hi(h (ontin#o#s. (o$-%nsat% !or th%

in#ri%s i!% in!i(tsori/inat% not in o#r or)inar.,

rationa $in)s b#t in th% )%%-%r !or(%s that 0ork in o#r%ar. .%ars on o#r ori%ntation in s-a(%, on th%

!or$ation o! th% ar.n7, an) on th% )%v%o-$%nto! th%

brain5 Th%s% sa$% !or(%s ar% sti -r%s%nt in #s at%r5

P%o-% o!t%n sa. o! th% )a$a/%s an) in#ri%s 0% s#stain

in i!% that %7t%rna !or(%s 0i not b% o! an. h%- an)

that o#r or/anis$ $#st )%v%o- its o0n inh%r%nt

h%ain/ -o0%rs5 *hat th%. ar% takin/ abo#t is a

0is%, b%n%vo%nt in!#%n(% 0orkin/ #-on #s5 Fro$ this

sa$% so#r(% aso aris% th% b%st !or(%s that %n= ab% #s to

-%r(%iv% th% s-irit#a 0or)that is, to hav% tr#%

(airvo.an(%5

*% (an no0 ask 0h. th% hi/h%r -o0%rs 0ork on #s

on. in th% %ar. .%ars o! (hi)hoo)5 It is %as. to ans0%ron% ha! o! this #%stion, !or i! th%s% hi/h%r !or(%s

(ontin= #%) to 0ork on #s in th% sa$% 0a. into at%r

i!%, 0% 0o#) a0a.s r%$ain (hi)r%n an) (o#) n%v%r

a(hi%v%


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LE C T U R E O &&

!# I=(ons(io#sn%ss5 *hat 0ork%) -r%vio#s. !ro$ 0ith=

o#t $#stb% trans!%rr%) into o#r o0n b%in/5

6#t th%r% is a $or% si/ni!i(ant r%ason, on% that (an t%#s $or% abo#t th% $.st%ri%s o! h#$an i!%5 S-irit#a s(i=

%n(% t%a(h%s that 0% hav% to (onsi)%r th% h#$an bo). at

th% -r%s%nt sta/% o! th% %arths %vo#tion as havin/

)%v%= o-%) !ro$ %ari%r (on)itions5 P%o-% !a$iiar 0ith

s-irit#= a s(i%n(% kno0 that in th% (o#rs% o! this

%vo#tion vario#s !or(%s hav% 0ork%) on o#r 0ho%

b%in/so$% on th% -h.si(a bo)., oth%rs on th% %th%ri(

bo)., an) oth= %rs a/ain on th% astra bo).59 *% hav%

%vov%) to o#r -r%s%nt (on)ition b%(a#s% b%in/s 0%

(a luciferic an) ahrimanic hav% a!!%(t%) #s5 Thro#/h

th%ir !or(%s, o#r %s= s%ntia b%in/ b%(a$% 0ors% than it

0o#) hav% b%%n i! on. th% !or(%s o! th% s-irit#a

/#i)%s o! th% 0or), thos% 0ho 0ant to a)van(% o#r)%v%o-$%nt in a strai/ht in%, ha) 0ork%) on #s5

In)%%), s#!!%rin/, )is%as%, an) )%ath (an b% tra(%) to th%

!a(t that, in a))ition to th% b%in/s 0ho a)van(% o#r

)%v%o-$%nt in a strai/ht in%, #(i!%ri( an) ahri$ani(

b%in/s ar% aso at 0ork an) (ontin#o#s. th0art o#r

-ro/r%ss5

*hat 0% brin/ 0ith #s at birth (ontains so$%thin/

that is b%tt%r than an.thin/ 0% (an $ak% o! it in at%r

i!%5 In %ar. (hi)hoo), th% #(i!%ri( an) ahri$ani(

!or(%s hav% on. a i$it%) in!#%n(% on o#r b%in/5

Ess%ntia., th%. ar% a(tiv% on. in 0hat 0% $ak% o!

o#rs%v%s thro#/h o#r (on= s(io#s i!%5 I! 0% r%tain%) th%

b%st -art o! o#rs%v%s in its !# !or(% b%.on) th% !irst-has% o! (hi)hoo), its in!#%n(% 0o#) b% too $#(h !or

#s b%(a#s% th% #(i!%ri( an) ahri= $ani( !or(%s o--osin/

th% -art o! o#rs%v%sthatis b%tt%r


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&8 S PI RIT U AL G U I DANCE

than th% r%st 0o#) 0%ak%n o#r 0ho% b%in/5 O#r

(onstit#= tion as h#$an b%in/s in th% -h.si(a 0or) is

s#(h that, on(% 0% ar% no on/%r so!t an) $a%ab% as(hi)r%n, 0% (an no on/%r stan) to hav% th% !or(%s o! th%

s-irit#a 0or) (ontin#% to a!!%(t #s )ir%(t.5 Th% !or(%s

that #n)%ri% o#r ori%ntation in s-a(% an) th% !or$ation

o! th% ar.n7 an) th% brain 0o#) shatt%r #s i! th%.

(ontin#%) to in!#%n(% #s )i= r%(t. in at%r i!%5 Th%s%

!or(%s ar% so -o0%r!# that o#r or= /anis$ 0o#) 0ast%a0a. b%n%ath th%ir hoin%ss i! th%. (ontin#%) to 0ork

on #s5 Ho0%v%r, !or th% a(tivit. that brin/s #s into

(ons(io#s (onta(t 0ith th% s#-%rs%nsib% 0or), 0%

hav% to (a #-on th%s% !or(%s a/ain5

This %a)s #s to a r%ai1ation that is v%r. si/ni!i(ant i!

0% #n)%rstan) it ri/ht.5 In th% N%0 T%sta$%nt it is -#t

th#s KUn%ss .o# t#rn an) b%(o$% ik% (hi)r%n, .o#0i n%v%r %nt%r th% kin/)o$ o! h%av%n5 "Matth%0

&;9+ *hat th%n s%%$s tob% th% hi/h%st i)%a !or a

h#$an b%in/ i! th% abov% stat%$%nt is (orr%(t.

#n)%rstoo) S#r%. that o#r i)%a $#st b% to a--roa(h

%v%r (os%r a (ons(io#s r%ationshi- 0ith th% !or(%s that

0ork%) on #s, 0itho#t o#r a0ar%n%ss, in th% !irst .%ars

o! (hi)hoo)5 Atth%sa$% ti$%, 0% $#st r%ai1% that 0%

0o#) (oa-s% #n)%r th%-o0%r o! th%s% !or(%s i! th%.

0%r% immediately and too easily to a!!%(t o#r (ons(io#s

i!%5 That is 0h. a (ar%!# -r%-aration is n%(%ssar. to

a(hi%v% th% (a-a(iti%s that %a) to a -%r(%-tion o!

s#-%rs%nsib% 0or)s5 Th% /oa o! this -r%-aration is to

%nab% #s to b%ar 0hat 0% si$-. (annot b%ar inor)inar. i!%5


28/114

LE C T U R E O &9

O#r -assin/ thro#/h s#((%ssiv% in(arnations is si/ni!=

i(ant !or th% ov%ra %vo#tion o! o#r %ss%ntia b%in/,

0hi(h has #n)%r/on% s#((%ssiv% -ast iv%s an) 0i (on=tin#% to /o thro#/h !#t#r% iv%s5 Th% %vo#tion o! th%

%arth r#ns -ara% to o#r o0n5 At so$% -oint in th%

!#t#r%, th% %arth 0i hav% r%a(h%) th% %n) o! its

(o#rs% th%n th% -an%t %arth, as a -h.si(a %ntit., 0i

hav% to s%-arat% !ro$ th% totait. o! h#$an so#s#st

as 0h%n 0% )i% th% bo). s%-arat%s !ro$ th% s-irit, an)

th% so#, in or)%r to iv% on, %nt%rs th% s-irit#a r%a$

b%t0%%n )%ath an) r%= birth54 Fro$ this -oint o! vi%0,

o#r hi/h%st i)%a $#st b% th% strivin/ to $ak% a th%

!r#its to b% /ain%) in %arth. i!% tr#. o#r o0n b%!or%

0% )i%5

Th% !or(%s that $ak% #s too 0%ak to b%ar thos% !or(%s

that 0ork on #s in (hi)hoo) ori/inat% in th% or/anis$o! th% %arth5 6. th% ti$% this s%-arat%s !ro$ h#$anit.,

0% $#st hav% a)van(%) to th% -oint o! /ivin/ ov%r o#r

0ho% b%in/ to th% !or(%s that-r%s%nt. 0ork on #s on.

in (hi)= hoo)5 On. 0h%n 0% hav% r%a(h%) this %v%

(an 0% (ai$ to hav% attain%) o#r /oa5 Th#s, thro#/h

s#((%ssiv% %arth= . iv%s, 0% $#st /ra)#a. $ak% o#r

%ntir% b%in/, in(#)= in/ o#r (ons(io#sn%ss, an

%7-r%ssion o! th% !or(%s that 0ork on #s #n)%r th%

/#i)an(% o! th% s-irit#a 0or) in %ar. (hi)hoo)5 This

is th% -#r-os% o! %vo#tion5

A!t%r s#(h (onsi)%rations, th% r%ai1ation that 0% ar%

not aon% tak%s ho) o! o#r so#5 This r%ai1ation i$b#%s

#s 0ith h#$iit., b#t aso 0ith a -ro-%r (ons(io#sn%ss o!o#r h#$an )i/nit.5 *% r%ai1% at th% sa$% ti$% that

so$%= thin/ iv%s in #s that (an -rov% at a ti$%s that 0%

(an ris% abov% o#rs%v%s to a s%! that is ar%a).

s#r-assin/ #s an)


29/114

&4 S PI RIT U AL G U I DANCE

0i (ontin#% to )o so !ro$ on% i!% to th% n%7t5 As this

r%= ai1ation ass#$%s a $or% an) $or% )%!init% !or$, it

(an hav% a v%r. soothin/, h%art0ar$in/ %!!%(t an), atth% sa$% ti$%, i$b#% th% so# 0ith th% a--ro-riat%

h#$iit. an) $o)%st.5 *hat iv%s 0ithin #s is tr#. a

hi/h%r, )i= vin% h#$an b%in/, an) 0% (an !%% o#rs%v%s

-%rva)%) b. this b%in/ as b. a ivin/ -r%s%n(% o! 0ho$

0% (an sa., This is my inner guide in me5

Giv%n this, th% tho#/ht %asi. aris%s that 0% sho#)striv% in %v%r. 0a. -ossib% to a(hi%v% har$on. 0ith

that -art in #s that is 0is%r than o#r (ons(io#s

int%i/%n(%5 Th%r%a!t%r, o#r att%ntion 0i no on/%r b%

)ir%(t%) to th% (ons(io#s s%! b#t 0ib%!o(#s%) inst%a)

on an %7-an)%) s%!, an) !ro$ this -%rs-%(tiv% 0% (an

th%n (o$bat an) %ra)i(at% a o#r !as% -ri)% an)

arro/an(%5 Fro$ this !%%= in/ 0% 0i /ra)#a. (o$%to a ri/ht #n)%rstan)in/ o! o#r -r%s%nt in(o$-%t%n%ss5

*% sha (o$% to s%% that 0% 0i b%(o$% (o$-%t%

0h%n th% (o$-r%h%nsiv% s-irit#a= it. at 0ork in #s has

th% sa$% r%ationshi- to o#r a)#t (ons(io#sn%ss that it

ha) to o#r #n(ons(io#s so# i!% in %ar. (hi)hoo)5

Ev%n tho#/h 0% $a. not r%$%$b%r an.thin/ !ro$

o#r !irst !o#r .%ars o! i!%, 0% (an sa!%. sa. that th%

a(tiv% in= !#%n(% o! th%hi/h%r s-irit#a r%a$s asts !or

abo#t th% !irst thr%% .%ars5 6. th% %n) o! this -%rio) 0%

hav% b%= (o$% ab% to (onn%(t th% i$-r%ssions !ro$

th% o#t%r 0or) 0ith o#r I=(on(%-t5 To b% s#r%, this

(oh%r%nt I=(on= (%-t (annot b% tra(%) ba(k b%.on) th%

!irst $o$%nt 0% (an r%$%$b%r5 This is a $o$%nt that is)i!!i(#t to o(at%, !or 0ith th% a0ak%nin/ o! )istin(t I=

(ons(io#sn%ss,o#r


30/114


31/114

&< S PI RIT U AL G U I DANCE

o#r a(t#a, r%a h#$an I 0i not .%t b% ab% to brin/ th%

hi/h%r s%! !#. to i!%5

L%t #s no0 ass#$% that a h#$an or/anis$ 0%r% to %n=t%r th% 0or) at so$% $o$%nt in th% $i))% o! th%

%arths i!%ti$%, an) that, at a (%rtain -oint b. $%ans o!

(%rtain (os$i( -o0%rs, this or/anis$ 0as !r%%) o! its I

an) r%= (%iv%) in its st%a) th% I that is #s#a. a(tiv%

on. in th% !irst thr%% .%ars o! (hi)hoo)th% I that is

(onn%(t%) to th% s-irit#a 0or)s 0% iv% in b%t0%%n)%ath an) r%birth5 Ho0 on/ 0o#) s#(h a -%rson b% ab%

to iv% in an %arth= . bo). S#(h a -%rson 0o#) b%

ab% to s#rviv% in this %arth. bo). on. !or abo#t thr%%

.%ars5 A!t%r thr%% .%ars, 0or) kar$a 0o#) hav% to

int%rv%n% an) )%stro. this h#= $an or/anis$5

*hat 0% hav% ass#$%) h%r% )i) a(t#a. o((#r at on%

ti$% in histor.5 *h%n th% h#$an or/anis$ kno0n as%s#s stoo) on th% banks o! th% or)an to b% ba-ti1%) b.

ohn, his I %!t his -h.si(a, %th%ri(, an) astra bo)i%s5

6#t a!t%r th% 6a-tis$, that or/anis$ bor% 0ithin its%!

th% hi/h%r s%! o! h#$anit. in !#. (ons(io#s !or$5 Th%

s%! that 0orks on #s 0ith (os$i( 0is)o$ in (hi)hoo),

b%= !or% 0% ar% (ons(io#s o! it, 0as th%n !#.

(ons(io#s in %s#s o! Na1ar%th5 An) b. this v%r. !a(t,

this s%!, 0hi(h 0as (onn%(t%) to th% hi/h%r s-irit#a

0or), (o#) iv% in this h#$an bo). !or on. thr%%

.%ars5 Ev%nts th%n ha) to !oo0 a (o#rs% that bro#/ht an

%n) to %s#s -h.si(a i!% thr%% .%ars a!t%r th% 6a-tis$5

In)%%), 0% hav% to #n)%rstan) th% %7t%rna %v%nts in

th% i!% o! %s#s Christ as r%s#tin/ !ro$ th% inn%r (a#s%s)is(#ss%)abov%5Th%. ar% th% outer e!pression o! th%s%


32/114

LE C T U R E O &3

(a#s%s5 This r%v%as th% )%%-%r (onn%(tion b%t0%%n th%

/#i)% in#s0hi(h ra)iat%s into o#r (hi)hoo) as into a

)ark roo$ an) a0a.s 0orks #n)%r th% s#r!a(% o! o#r(on= s(io#sn%ss as o#r b%st s%!an) 0hat on(% %nt%r%)

into h#$an histor. to iv% !or thr%% .%ars in a h#$an

sh%ath5

This Khi/h%r I, 0hi(h is (onn%(t%) to th% s-irit#a

hi%rar(hi%s, %nt%r%) histor. in th% -%rson o! %s#s o!

Na1= ar%than %v%nt that is s.$boi1%) b. th% s-irit

)%s(%n)= in/ in th% !or$ o! a )ov%, sa.in/ KThis is

$. 0% b%ov%) Son, to)a. I hav% b%/ott%n hi$

"Matth%0 9&3+5 "S#(h is th% ori/ina $%anin/ o! th%

0or)s+5 *hat is r%= v%a%) h%r% I! 0% ho) this i$a/%

o! th% 6a-tis$ b%!or% o#r %.%s, 0% hav% b%!or% #s th%

hi/h%st h#$an i)%a5 That is 0hat is $%ant 0h%n th%

/os-%s t% #s that Christ (an b% s%%n an) kno0n in%v%r. -%rson5 Ev%n i! th%r% 0%r% no /os-%s an) no

tra)ition to r%-ort that a Christ on(% iv%), o#r

kno0%)/% o! th% nat#r% o! th% h#$an b%in/ 0o#) t%

#s that Christ is aiv% in #s5

To kno0 th% !or(%s at 0ork in (hi)hoo) is to kno0

th% Christ in #s5 Th% #%stion th%n aris%s 0h%th%r this

r%ai1a= tion aso %a)s #s to a(kno0%)/% that Christ at

on% ti$% r%a. iv%) on %arth in a h#$an bo). *%

(an ans0%r K.%s to this 0itho#t r%#irin/ an.

)o(#$%nts, b%(a#s% tr#% (airvo.ant s%!=kno0%)/%

(onvin(%s -%o-% in o#r ti$% that th%r% ar% !or(%s in

the human soul that (o$% !ro$ Christ5

In th% !irst thr%% .%ars o! (hi)hoo) th%s% !or(%s ar%a(= tiv% 0itho#t an. %!!ort on o#r -art5 Th%. (an aso

0ork on #s in o#r at%r i!%i! 0% s%%k Christ in

o#rs%v%s thro#/h (ont%$-ation5 It 0as not a0a.s

-ossib% to !in) th%


33/114

&; S PI RIT U AL G U I DANCE

Christ 0ithin in)%%), as (airvo.ant -%r(%-tion r%v%as,

-rior to Christs i!% on %arth, th%r% 0%r% ti$%s 0h%n no

a$o#nt o! (ont%$-ation 0o#) hav% h%-%) -%o-% to!in) th% Christ5 Cairvo.ant (o/nition t%a(h%s #s that this

is so5 6%t0%%n th% ti$% 0h%n Christ (o#) not b% !o#n)

0ithin an) th% -r%s%nt, 0h%n h% (an b% !o#n) in this

0a., i%s Christs i!% on %arth5 It is b%(a#s% Christ iv%)

on th% %arth that 0% (an no0 !in) hi$ 0ithin, in th% 0a.

I hav% in)i(at%)5 Th#s, !or (airvo.ant -%r(%-tion, th%!a(t that Christ iv%) on th% %arth is -rov%n 0itho#t

r%(o#rs% to an. histori(a )o(#$%ntation5

It is as i! Christ ha) sai) H#$an b%in/s, I 0ant to b%

an i)%a !or .o# that -r%s%nts to .o# on a hi/h%r,

s-irit#a %v% 0hat is !#!i%) in th% bo).5 In th% %ar.

.%ars o! i!% 0% %arn o#t o! th% s-irit, !irst, to 0ak

that is, 0% %arn, #n)%r th% /#i)an(% o! th% s-irit, to !in)o#r )ay in %arth. i!%5 Th%n 0% %arn to s-%akto

!or$#at% th% trutho#t o! th% s-irit5 In oth%r 0or)s,

0% )%v%o- th% %ss%n(% o! tr#th o#t o! s-%%(h so#n)s5

Fina., 0% aso )%v%o- th% or/an !or o#r life as

%arth. I=b%in/s5 Th#s, in th% !irst thr%% .%ars o! i!%, 0%

%arn thr%% thin/s5 *% %arn to !in) th% K0a., that is,

to 0ak 0% %arn to r%-r%s%nt th% Ktr#th 0ith o#r

or/anis$, an) 0% %arn to %7-r%ss Ki!% in o#r bo).

thro#/h th% s-irit5 Th%r% is no $or% $%anin/= !#

-ara-hras% i$a/inab% o! th% 0or)s KUn%ss .o# t#rn

an) b%(o$% ik% (hi)r%n, .o# 0i n%v%r %nt%r th% kin/=

)o$ o! h%av%n5 "Matth%0 &;9+

Most $%anin/!#., th%r%!or%, th% I=b%in/ o! Christ is%7-r%ss%) in th% 0or)s 1I am the 'ay+ the Truth+ and

the &ife23 Th% hi/h%r s-irit#a !or(%s !or$ o#r

or/anis$ in


34/114

LE C T U R E O &2

(hi)hoo)tho#/h 0% ar% not (ons(io#s o! thisso that

o#r bo). b%(o$%s th% %7-r%ssion o! th% 0a., th% tr#th,

an) th% i!%5 Si$iar., th% h#$an s-irit /ra)#a. b%=(o$%s th% consciousb%ar%r o! th% 0a., th% tr#th, an) th%

i!% b. -%r$%atin/ its%!0ithChrist5 Th%r%b. 0% trans=

!or$ o#rs%v%s in th% (o#rs% o! o#r %arth. i!% into th%

-o0%r at 0ork in #s in (hi)hoo)5

*or)s s#(h as th%s% abo#t th% 0a., th% tr#th, an) th%

i!% (an o-%n th% )oors o! %t%rnit. !or #s5 On(% o#r s%!=

kno0%)/% has b%(o$% tr#% an) s#bstantia, th%s% 0or)s

0i r%so#n) !or #s !ro$ th% )%-ths o! o#r so#5

*hat I hav% -r%s%nt%) h%r% o-%ns #- a t0o!o) -%r=

s-%(tiv% on th% s-irit#a /#i)an(% o! th% in)ivi)#a an)

o! h#$anit. as a 0ho%5 First, as in)ivi)#as, 0% !in)

th% Christ, th% /#i)% in #s, thro#/h s%!=kno0%)/%5 *%

(an a0a.s !in) Christ in this 0a. b%(a#s%, sin(% hisi!% on %arth, h% is a0a.s -r%s%nt in #s5 S%(on), 0h%n

0% a--. th% kno0%)/% 0% hav% /ain%) 0itho#t th%

h%- o! histor= i(a )o(#$%nts to th%s% )o(#$%nts, 0%

b%/in to #n)%r= stan) th%ir tr#% nat#r%5 Th%. ar% th%

histori(a %7-r%ssion o! so$%thin/ that has r%v%a%)

its%! in th% )%-ths o! th% so#5 Th%r%!or%, histori(a

)o(#$%nts sho#) b% r%/ar)%) as -art o! that /#i)an(%

o! h#$anit. that is int%n)%) to %a) th% so# to its%!5

I! 0% #n)%rstan) th% %t%rna s-irit o! th% 0or)s KI a$

th% *a., th% Tr#th, an) th% Li!% in this 0a., 0% )o not

n%%) to ask 0h. 0% hav% to %nt%r i!% as (hi)r%n %v%n

a!t%r havin/ -ass%) thro#/h $an. in(arnations5 For 0%

r%ai1% that this a--ar%nt i$-%r!%(tion is a -%r-%t#ar%$in)%r o! th% hi/h%st that iv%s in #s5 *% (annot b%

r%$in)%) o!t%n


35/114


%no#/h0% n%%) to b% r%$in)%) at %ast at th%

b%/innin/ o! %a(h n%0 i!%o! th% /r%at tr#th o! 0hat

0% r%a. ar% in o#r inn%r$ost %ss%ntia b%in/, that#n)%ri%s a o#r %arth. iv%s b#t r%$ains #nto#(h%) b.

th% i$-%r!%(tions o! %arth. %7ist%n(%5

It is b%st not to -r%s%nt too $an. )%!initions or (on=

(%-ts 0h%n takin/ abo#t s-irit#a s(i%n(% or th%oso-h.

>anthro-oso-h.@ or abo#t o((#tis$ in /%n%ra5 It is

b%tt%r to )%s(rib% thin/s an) to tr. to (onv%. an i)%a o!0hat th%. r%a. ar% ik%5 That is 0h. I hav% tri%) h%r% to

/iv% .o# a s%ns% o! 0hat is (hara(t%risti( o! th% !irst

thr%% .%ars o! i!% an) o! ho0 this r%at%s to th% i/ht that

ra)iat%s !ro$ th% (ross on Go/otha5 Th% )%s(ri-tion I

hav% /iv%n b%s-%aks an i$-#s% in h#$an %vo#tion that

0i $ak% St5 Pa#s 0or)s KNot I, b#t Christ in $%

(o$% tr#%5 A 0% n%%) to kno0 is 0hat as h#$an b%in/s0% r%a. ar% on th% basis o! this kno0%)/% 0% (an th%n

/ain insi/ht into th% b%in/ o! Christ5 On. a!t%r 0% hav%

arriv%) at this Christ=i)%a thro#/h a r%a #n)%rstan)in/

o! h#$anit., an) a!t%r 0% hav% #n)%rstoo) that to !in)

Christ 0% $#st s%%k hi$ in o#rs%v%s, 0i t#rnin/ to

th% 6ib% b% #s%!# !or #s5 No on% has a /r%at%r or

$or% (ons(io#s a--r%(iation o! th% 6ib% than thos% 0ho

hav% !o#n) Christ in this 0a.5

I$a/in% that a Martian 0ho ha) n%v%r h%ar)

an.thin/ abo#t Christ an) his 0orks, (a$% )o0n to

%arth5 This Martian 0o#) not #n)%rstan) $#(h o!

0hat ha--%n%) h%r%, an) $#(h o! 0hat int%r%sts

-%o-% to)a. 0o#) not int%r%st this visitor5 Ho0%v%r,this Martian 0o#) b% int%r%st%) in 0hat is th% (%ntra

i$-#s% o! %arth. %vo= #tion, na$%., th% Christ=i)%a

as %7-r%ss%) in h#$an


36/114

LE C T U R E O 8&

nat#r%5 On(% 0% #n)%rstan) this, 0% 0i !or th% !irst

ti$% b% ab% to r%a) th% 6ib% (orr%(t., !or 0% 0i

th%n s%% that it %7-r%ss%s in a 0on)%r!# 0a. 0hat 0%hav% !irst -%r(%iv%) 0ithin o#rs%v%s5 Yo# s%%, 0% )o

not n%%) to b% ta#/ht a -arti(#ar a--r%(iation o! th%

/os-%s5 *h%n 0% r%a) th% /os-%s as !#. (ons(io#s

in)ivi)#as, 0hat 0% hav% %arn%) thro#/h s-irit#a

s(i%n(% %nab%s #s to !#. r%ai1% th%ir /r%atn%ss5

I a$ har). %7a//%ratin/ 0h%n I (ai$ that th%r% 0i

(o$% a ti$% 0h%n th% /%n%ra o-inion 0i b% that -%o-%

0ho hav% %arn%) to #n)%rstan) an) a--r%(iat% th% (on=

t%nt o! th% /os-%s thro#/h s-irit#a s(i%n(% 0i s%%

th%$ as s(ri-t#r%s int%n)%) !or th% /#i)an(% o!

h#$anit. an) that th%ir #n)%rstan)in/ 0i )o th%

6ib% $or% #sti(% than an.thin/ %s% has so !ar5 It is

on. thro#/h #n)%r= stan)in/ o#r o0n inn%r b%in/ that0% (an (o$% to s%% 0hat i%s hi))%n in th%s% -ro!o#n)

s(ri-t#r%s5 No0, i! 0% !in) in th% /os-%s 0hat is so

(o$-%t%. -art o! o#r o0n b%in/, it !oo0s that it $#st

hav% %nt%r%) th% s(ri-t#r%s thro#/h th% -%o-% 0ho

0rot% th%$5 Th#s, 0hat 0% hav% to a)$it (on(%rnin/

o#rs%v%san) th% o)%r 0% /%t, th% $or% o!t%n 0% hav%

to a)$it itna$%., that 0% )o $an. thin/s 0% )ont

#n)%rstan) !#. #nti $an. .%ars at%r this $#st aso

b% tr#% !or th% 0rit%rs o! th% /os-%s5 Th%. 0rot% o#t o!

th% hi/h%r s%! that 0orks on a o! #s in (hi)hoo)5

Th#s, th% /os-%s ori/inat% in th% sa$% 0is= )o$ that

!or$s #s5 Th% s-irit is r%v%a%) -h.si(a. in th% h#$an

bo). as 0% as in th% 0ritin/ o! th% /os-%s5In this (ont%7t, th% (on(%-t o! ins-iration b%(o$%s

$%anin/!# on(% a/ain in a -ositiv% s%ns%5 #st as hi/h%r


37/114


!or(%s 0ork on th% brain in th% !irst thr%% .%ars o! (hi)=

hoo), so th% s-irit#a 0or)s i$b#%) th% 0rit%rs o! th%

/os-%s 0ith th% !or(%s o#t o! 0hi(h th%. 0rot% th%ir/os-%s5 Th%s% !a(ts r%v%a th% s-irit#a /#i)an(% o!

h#$anit.5 A!t%r a, i! th%r% ar% -%o-% in th% h#$an ra(%

0ho 0rit% )o(#$%nts o#t o! th% sa$% !or(%s that 0is%.

sha-% h#$an b%in/s, th%n h#$anit. as a 0ho% is tr#.

b%in/ guided5 An) #st as in)ivi)#as sa. or )o thin/s

th%. #n)%rstan) on. at a at%r a/%, so h#$anit. as a0ho% -ro)#(%) %van/%ists as $%)iators 0ho -rovi)%)

r%v%ations that (an b% #n)%rstoo) on. /ra)#a.5 Th%s%

s(ri-t#r%s 0i b% #n)%rstoo) $or% an) $or% as

h#$anit. -ro/r%ss%s5 As in)ivi)#as, 0% (an !%% a

s-irit#a /#i)= an(% 0ithin #s h#$anit. as a 0ho% (an

!%% it in -%rsons 0ho 0ork as th% /os-% 0rit%rs )i)5

Th% (on(%-t o! th% /#i)an(% o! h#$anit. 0% hav%#st %stabish%) (an no0 b% %7-an)%) in $an. 0a.s5

L%t #s ass#$% a-%rson has !o#n) st#)%nts or )is(i-%s,

that is, -%o-% 0ho )%(ar% th%ir !aith in hi$ an) b%(o$%

his o.= a !oo0%rs5 S#(h a -%rson o#t o! /%n#in%

s%!=kno0= %)/% 0i %asi. r%ai1% that havin/ !o#n)

st#)%nts /iv%s hi$ th% !%%in/ that 0hat h% has to sa.

)o%s not ori/inat% 0ithin hi$5 Inst%a), s-irit#a !or(%s

!ro$ hi/h%r 0or)s 0ant to (o$$#ni(at% 0ith th%

st#)%nts an) !in) in th% t%a(h%r a s#itab% instr#$%nt

!or r%v%ain/ th%$s%v%s5

S#(h a t%a(h%r $a. th%n r%ason as !oo0s *h%n I

0as a (hi), I 0ork%) on $.s%! b. $%ans o! !or(%s that

(a$% !ro$ th% s-irit#a 0or)5 Th% b%st I (an no0 (on=trib#t% h%r% $#st aso (o$% !ro$ hi/h%r 0or)s5 I $#st

not (onsi)%r it as -art o! $. or)inar. (ons(io#sn%ss5


38/114

LE C T U R E O 89

In)%%), s#(h an in)ivi)#a $a. !%% that so$%thin/ ik%

a daemonth% 0or) daemon h%r% r%!%rs to a

b%n%vo%nt s-irit#a -o0%r0orks !ro$ th% s-irit#a0or) thro#/h hi$ on th% st#)%nts5

A((or)in/ to Pato, So(rat%s !%t so$%thin/ ik% this

0h%n h% s-ok% o! his daemon as so$%thin/ that /#i)%)

an) )ir%(t%) hi$5' Man. att%$-ts hav% b%%n $a)% to %7=

-ain So(rat%s daemon5 Ho0%v%r, to %7-ain it 0% $#st

a((%-t th% i)%a that So(rat%s (o#) !%% so$%thin/ akinto 0hat %$%r/%s !ro$ th% abov% (onsi)%rations5 6as%)

on this, 0% th%n r%ai1% that )#rin/ th% thr%% or !o#r

(%nt#ri%s 0h%n th% So(rati( -rin(i-% -r%vai%) in

Gr%%(%, So(rat%s intro)#(%) a $oo) into th% Gr%%k

0or) that s%rv%) as -r%-aration !or anoth%r /r%at %v%nt5

Th% $oo) I a$ r%!%r= rin/ to a((o$-ani%) th%

r%ai1ation that 0hat 0% -%r(%iv% o! an in)ivi)#a )o%snot (o$-ris% th% 0ho% o! 0hat %n= t%rs this 0or) !ro$

th% hi/h%r on%5 This $oo) (ontin#%) to -r%vai on/ a!t%r

So(rat%s )%ath5 Th% b%st -%o-% 0ho ha) this !%%in/

at%r aso b%st #n)%rstoo) th% 0or)s KNot I, b#t th%

Christ in $%5 Th%. r%ai1%) that So(rat%s ha) to s-%ak

o! a daemon-li$e !or(% 0orkin/ o#t o! th% hi/h%r

0or)s, b#t thro#/h th% i)%a o! Christ it b%(a$% (%ar

0hat So(rat%s ha) r%a. $%ant5 O! (o#rs%, So(rat%s

(o#) not .%t s-%ak o! Christ b%(a#s% in his ti$% -%o-%

(o#) not .%t !in) th% Christ=b%in/ )ithin5

H%r% a/ain 0% !%% so$%thin/ o! a spiritual /#i)an(%

o! h#$anit. nothin/ (an %nt%r th% 0or) 0itho#t -r%-a=

ration5 *h. )i) Pa# !in) his b%st !oo0%rs in Gr%%(%6%(a#s% So(ratis$ ha) -r%-ar%) th% /ro#n) th%r%5 That

is, $or% r%(%nt %v%nts in th% )%v%o-$%nt o! h#$anit.


39/114


(an b% tra(%) ba(k to %ari%r %v%nts that -r%-ar%) -%o-%

to ao0 th% at%r %v%nts to 0ork #-on th%$5 This /iv%s

#s an i)%a o! ho0 far th% /#i)in/ i$-#s% o! h#$an%vo#= tion r%a(h%s it -#ts th% ri/ht -%o-% at th% ri/ht

ti$% in th% -a(% 0h%r% th%. ar% n%%)%) !or o#r

)%v%o-$%nt5 In !a(ts s#(h as th%s% th% /#i)an(% o!

h#$anit. is %vi)%nt in a /%n%ra 0a.5


40/114

LE C TUR E T* O 8'

LECTURE T*O

*E CAN FI ND an int%r%stin/ -ara% b%t0%%n 0hat isr%= v%a%) in th% i!% o! th% in)ivi)#a an) 0hat r#%s in

th% )%v%o-$%nt o! h#$anit. as a 0ho% i! 0% (onsi)%r,

!or %7a$-%, 0hat th% t%a(h%rs an) %a)%rs o! an(i%nt

E/.-t to) th% Gr%%ks abo#t th% /#i)an(% an) )ir%(tion

o! E/.-= tian s-irit#ai!%5Th% stor. is to) that 0h%n an

E/.-tian 0as ask%) 0ho ha) /#i)%) an) %) his -%o-%

sin(% an= (i%nt ti$%s, h% ans0%r%) that in r%$ot%

anti#it. gods ha) r#%) an) ta#/ht th%$ an) that on.

at%r )i) h#$an b%= in/s b%(o$% th%ir %a)%rs5 H% a))%)

that th% !irst %a)%r th%. a(kno0%)/%) on th% -h.si(a

-an% as a h#$an=ik%b%in/ rath%r than a /o) 0as (a%) M%n%s5& In oth%r

0or)s, a((or)in/ to Gr%%k a((o#nts, th% E/.-tian

%a)%rs ass%rt%) that th% /o)s th%$s%v%s ha) /#i)%) an)

)ir%(t%) th%ir -%o-% in %ari%r ti$%s5

*% $#st a0a.s tak% (ar% to #n)%rstan) in th% ri/ht

0a. r%-orts that hav% b%%n han)%) )o0n to #s !ro$ an=

(i%nt ti$%s5 *% n%%) to think (ar%!#. abo#t 0hat th%an(i%nt E/.-tians $%ant 0h%n th%. sai) that th% /o)s

ha) b%%n th%ir kin/s an) /r%at t%a(h%rs5 Th%. $%ant that


41/114

8< S PI RIT U AL G U I DANCE

in an(i%nt ti$%s thos% -%o-% 0ho !%t in th%ir so#s a

kin) o! hi/h%r (ons(io#sn%ss, a 0is)o$ !ro$ hi/h%r

0or)s, ha) to -#t th%$s%v%s into a (airvo.ant stat%b%= !or% th%. (o#) !in) th%ir tr#% ins-ir%r an) t%a(h%r,

!or th%ir tr#% t%a(h%r 0o#) a--roa(h th%$ on. 0h%n

th%ir s-irit#a %.%s 0%r% o-%n%)5 S#(h a -%rson 0h%n

ask%), K*ho is .o#r t%a(h%r 0o#) not hav% -oint%)

to this or that in)ivi)#a, b#t 0o#) hav% %nt%r%) a

(airvo.ant stat%an) 0% kno0 !ro$ s-irit#a s(i%n(%that it 0as %asi%r to a(hi%v% a (airvo.ant stat% in

an(i%nt ti$%s than it is to)a.5 In that (airvo.ant stat%, a

-%rson 0o#) hav% $%t his t%a(h%r, !or in thos% )a.s

b%in/s (a$% )o0n !ro$ th% s-irit#a 0or)s 0ho )i) not

b%(o$% in(arnat% in h#= $an bo)i%s5 Th#s, in th%

r%$ot% -ast o! an(i%nt E/.-t, th% /o)s sti r#%) an)

ta#/ht, #sin/ h#$an b%in/s as th%ir (hann%s5 At thatti$%, ho0%v%r, th% t%r$ K/o)s r%= !%rr%) to b%in/s 0ho

ha) -r%(%)%) h#$an b%in/s in th%ir )%v%o-$%nt5

S-irit#a s(i%n(% t%a(h%s #s that b%!or% b%(o$in/ th%

K%arth as 0% kno0 it to)a., th% %arth -ass%) thro#/h an

%ari%r -an%tar. stat% or (on)ition (a%) th% K$oon

stat%5

8

D#rin/ this $oon stat%, h#$an b%in/s 0%r% not.%t h#$an in o#r s%ns% o! th% 0or)5 N%v%rth%%ss, th%r%

0%r% oth%r b%in/s on th% o) Moon 0ho ha) %vov%) to

th% sa$% %v% as h#$ans hav% no0 r%a(h%) on th%

%arth, tho#/h th%. ook%) v%r. )i!!%r%nt !ro$ #s5 In oth%r

0or)s, on th% o) Moon, 0hi(h -%rish%) an) at%r

)%v%o-%) into o#r %arth, th%r% 0%r% b%in/s 0% (an

(onsi)%r as o#r !or%= r#nn%rs5 In Christian %sot%ri(is$th%s% b%in/s ar% (a%) angeloi "an/%s+, 0hi% thos%

b%in/s abov% th%$, 0ho


42/114

L E C T U R E T 83

r%a(h%) th% h#$an sta/% o! th%ir )%v%o-$%nt %v%n

%ari%r than th% an/%s, ar% (a%) archangeloi

"ar(han/%s+5Th% angeloi, kno0n as dhyanic beings or dhyani in

ori%nta $.sti(is$, r%a(h%) th% h#$an %v% o! th%ir )%=

v%o-$%nt )#rin/ th% Moon sta/%5 Cons%#%nt., i! th%.

(o$-%t%) th%ir %vo#tion on th% o) Moon, th%. ar% no0

on% %v%abov% #s5 At th% %n) o! %arth. %vo#tion, 0%

0i arriv% at th% %v% th%. r%a(h%) at th% %n) o! th%

$oon sta/%5

*h%n th% %arth stat% o! o#r -an%t b%/an an) h#$an

b%= in/s a--%ar%) on it, th% an/%s (o#) not $ani!%st in

o#t%r h#$an !or$ b%(a#s% th% h#$an !%sh bo). is

%ss%ntia. an %arth. -ro)#(t a--ro-riat% on. !or b%in/s

no0 at th% h#$an sta/% o! )%v%o-$%nt5 Sin(% th% an/%s

ar% a %v% abov% th% h#$an, th%. (o#) not in(arnat% inh#$an bo)= i%s th%. (o#) -arti(i-at% inth%/ov%rn$%nt

o! th% %arth on. b. %ni/ht%nin/ an) ins-irin/ h#$an

b%in/s 0ho ha) a(hi%v%) a stat% o! (airvo.an(%5 Th%s%

hi/h%r, an/%i( b%= in/s #s%) (airvo.ant in)ivi)#as to

int%rv%n% in th% /#i)= an(% o! th% %arths )%stin.5 Th#s

th% an(i%nt E/.-tians sti r%$%$b%r%) a ti$% 0h%n

th%ir %a)%rs 0%r% vivi). (ons(io#s o! th%ir (onn%(tion

0ith th%s% hi/h%r b%in/s, (a%) vario#s. /o)s, an/%s,

or )h.ani( b%in/s5 Th%s% b%in/s 0ho in!#%n(%)

h#$anit. 0itho#t in(arnatin/ in h#$an bo)i%s, 0itho#t

takin/ on !%sh. h#$an !or$, 0%r% o#r !or%r#nn%rs

th%. ha) ar%a). o#t/ro0n th% %v% o! )%v%o-$%nt 0%

hav% r%a(h%) on. no05Th% 0or) Ks#-%rh#$an9 is o!t%n $is#s%) th%s% )a.s,

b#t in this (as% 0% (an #s% it (orr%(t. an) a--. it to

thos% b%in/s 0ho ha) ar%a). a(hi%v%) th% h#$an %v%


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8; S PI RIT U AL G U I DANCE

o! )%v%o-$%nt )#rin/ th% $oon -%rio)th% -an%tar.

sta/% -r%i$inar. to o#r %arthan) hav% no0 /ro0n

b%= .on) it5 S#(h b%in/s (o#) a--%ar on %arth on.in an %th%ri( bo). an) th#s (o#) b% -%r(%iv%) on. b.

(air= vo.ant in)ivi)#as54 That is ho0 th%. (a$%

)o0n to %arth !ro$ th% s-irit#a 0or)s an) r#%) on

th% %arth %v%n in -ost=Atant%an ti$%s5'

Th%s% b%in/s ha) th% r%$arkab% (hara(t%risti(in=

)%%) th%. sti hav% it to)a.that th%. )i) not n%%) tothink5 In !a(t, it $a. b% sai) that th%. (annot think at a

th% 0a. 0% )o5 A!t%r a, ho) )o 0% think *%, #s#a.

0% start !ro$ a -arti(#ar -oint, an) on(% 0% hav%

#n)%r= stoo) it, 0% tr. to (o$-r%h%n) oth%r thin/s on th%

basis o! this #n)%rstan)in/5 I! o#r thinkin/ )i) not

!oo0 this -at= t%rn, $an. -%o-% 0o#) hav% an %asi%r

ti$% %arnin/ in s(hoo5 Math%$ati(s, !or %7a$-%,(annot b% %arn%) in a )a. b%(a#s% 0% $#st b%/in at

on% -oint an) -ro(%%) so0. !ro$ th%r%5 This tak%s a

on/ ti$%5 An %ntir% 0or) o! i)%as (annot b% tak%n in

at a /an(% b%(a#s% h#$an thinkin/ tak%s its (o#rs%

over time5 A (o$-%7 tho#/ht str#(t#r% (annot b%

-r%s%nt in th% $in) a at on(% rath%r, 0% $#st $ak% an%!!ort to !oo0 it st%- b. st%-5

Th% hi/h%r b%in/s I hav% )%s(rib%) ar% not %n(#$=

b%r%) b. this -%(#iar (hara(t%risti( o! h#$an thinkin/5

Inst%a), th%. r%ai1% an %7t%nsiv% train o! tho#/ht as

#i(k. as ani$as kno0 to /rab so$%thin/ th% $o$%nt

th%ir instin(t t%s th%$ it is %)ib%5 In hi/h%r b%in/s,

th%n, instin(t an) r%!%(tiv% (ons(io#sn%ss ar% on%an) th% sa$%5 *hat instin(ts ar% !or ani$as at th%ir

%vo#tionar. %v%, in th%ir kin/)o$, )ir%(t s-irit#a

thinkin/, or )ir%(t


44/114

L E C T U R E T 82

s-irit#a (on(%-t#ai1ation, is !or th%s% )h.ani( b%in/s or

an/%s5 An) this instin(tiv%, (on(%-t#ai1in/ inn%r i!% is

0hat $ak%s th%s% hi/h%r b%in/s so %ss%ntia. )i!!%r%nt!ro$ #s5

Obvio#s., th% an/%oi (annot -ossib. #s% th% kin) o!

brain or -h.si(a bo). 0% hav%5 Th%. $#st #s% an

%th%ri( bo). b%(a#s% th% h#$an bo). an) brain (an

-ro(%ss tho#/hts on. ov%r ti$%5 Th% an/%oi )o not

!or$ th%ir tho#/hts ov%r ti$% th%. !%% th%ir 0is)o$

!ash #- in th%$ b. its%!, as it 0%r%5 Th%. (annot

-ossib. $ak% $is= tak%s in th%ir thinkin/ th% 0a. 0%

(an5 Th%ir thinkin/ is a )ir%(t ins-iration5 Th%

in)ivi)#as 0ho 0%r% ab% to a-= -roa(h th%s%

s#-%rh#$an or an/%i( b%in/s 0%r% th%r%= !or% a0ar% o!

b%in/ in th% -r%s%n(% o! s#r% an) r%iab% 0is)o$5

In an(i%nt E/.-t, th%n, thos% 0ho 0%r% t%a(h%rs orr#%rs kn%0 that th% (o$$an)$%nts 0hi(h th%ir

s-irit#a /#i)%s /av% th%$ an) th% tr#ths th%. #tt%r%)

0%r% immediately ri/ht an) (o#) not b% 0ron/5 An)

th% -%o-% to 0ho$ th%s% tr#ths 0%r% th%n i$-art%) !%t

th% sa$% 0a.5 Th% (airvo.ant %a)%rs o! an(i%nt ti$%s

(o#) s-%ak in s#(h a 0a. that th% -%o-% b%i%v%)

that th%ir 0or)s (a$% !ro$ th% s-irit#a 0or)5 Inshort,

th%r% 0as a )ir%(t (#rr%nt !o0in/ )o0n !ro$ th%

hi/h%r, /#i)in/ s-irit#a hi%rar(hi%s5

Th#s, th% n%7t hi/h%r 0or) o! th% s-irit#a

hi%rar(hi%s /#i)%s th% %ntir% %vo#tion o! h#$anit. it

0orks both on th% in)ivi)#a in (hi)hoo) an) on

h#$anit. as a 0ho%5 Th% an/%oi or s#-%rh#$an b%in/so! this r%a$ ar% on% %v% abov% #s an) r%a(h )ir%(t.

#- into th% s-irit#a


45/114


s-h%r%s5 Fro$ th%s% s-h%r%s th%. brin/ to %arth 0hat

0orks into h#$an (#t#r%5 In th% in)ivi)#a, this hi/h%r

0is)o$ %av%s its i$-rint on th% !or$ation o! th% bo).)#rin/ (hi)hoo), an) it !or$%) th% (#t#r% o! an(i%nt

h#= $anit. in a si$iar 0a.5

This is ho0 th% E/.-tians, 0ho r%-ort%) that th%.

0%r% in (onta(t 0ith th% )ivin% r%a$, %7-%ri%n(%) th%

o-%nn%ss o! th% h#$an so# to th% s-irit#a hi%rar(hi%s5

#st as th% (hi)s so# o-%ns its a#ra to th% hi%rar(hi%s#nti th% $o$%nt in)i(at%) in th% -r%vio#s %(t#r%, so,

thro#/h its 0ork, h#$anit. as a 0ho% o-%n%) its 0or)

to th% hi%rar(hi%s 0ith 0hi(h it 0as (onn%(t%)5

This (onn%(tion to th% hi/h%r hi%rar(hi%s 0as -arti(#=

ar. si/ni!i(ant in th% (as% o! th% ho. t%a(h%rs o! In)ia5

Th%s% 0%r% th% /r%at t%a(h%rs o! th% !irst -ost=Atant%an

%-o(h, o! th% !irst In)ian (#t#r% that s-r%a) in th% so#tho! Asia5 A!t%r th% %n) o! th% Atant%an (atastro-h%, 0h%n

th% -h.sio/no$. o! th% %arth ha) (han/%) an) Asia, E#=

ro-%, an) A!ri(a ha) )%v%o-%) in th% %ast%rn

h%$is-h%r% in th%ir n%0 !or$, b#t b%!or% th% ti$%

)o(#$%nt%) in an= (i%nt r%(or)s, th% (#t#r% o! th%

an(i%nt t%a(h%rs o! In)ia !o#rish%)5

P%o-% to)a. /%n%ra. hav% a (o$-%t%. !as%

-i(t#r% o! th%s%/r%at In)ian t%a(h%rs5 I!, !or %7a$-%, an

%)#(at= %) -%rson o! o#r ti$% 0%r% to $%%t on% o! th%

/r%at t%a(h= %rs o! In)ia, h% or sh% 0o#) ook -#11%)

an) -robab. sa., KThis is s#--os%) tob% a )ise $an

That is not ho0 I i$a/in%) a 0is% $an5 A((or)in/ to

o#r (#rr%nt )%!ini= tion o! th% t%r$s K(%v%r an)Kint%i/%nt, th% an(i%nt ho. t%a(h%rs o! In)ia 0o#)

not hav% b%%n ab% to sa.


46/114

L E C T U R E T 9&

an.thin/ int%i/%nt5 6. to)a.s stan)ar)s, th%s% t%a(h%rs

0%r% si$-% an) v%r. -ain -%o-% 0ho 0o#) hav%

/iv%n th% si$-%st ans0%rs to #%stions, %v%n to#%stions -%r= tainin/ to %v%r.)a. i!%5 O!t%n, it 0as

s(ar(%. -ossib% to %i(it an.thin/ !ro$ th%$ oth%r

than so$% s-ars% #tt%r= an(% that 0o#) s%%$ #it%

insi/ni!i(ant to th% %)#(at%) (ass%s o! o#r )a.5

Ho0%v%r, at (%rtain ti$%s, th%s% ho. t%a(h%rs -rov%)

to b% $or% than $%r%. si$-% -%o-%5 At th%s% ti$%s

th%. ha) to /ath%r in /ro#-s o! s%v%n, b%(a#s% 0hat %a(h

(o#) s%ns% in)ivi)#a. ha) to har$oni1% as i! in a

s%v%n=ton% har$on. 0ith 0hat th% oth%r si7

%7-%ri%n(%)5 Ea(h 0is% $an 0as ab% to -%r(%iv% this

or that, )%-%n)in/ on his -arti(#ar !a(#ti%s an)

)%v%o-$%nt5 An) o#t o! th% har= $on. o! th%

in)ivi)#a -%r(%-tions o! th%s% s%v%n in)i= vi)#as,th%r% %$%r/%) th% -ri$%va 0is)o$ that r%so#n)s

thro#/h an(i%nt ti$%s5 Its r%v%rb%ration (an b% h%ar)

%v%n to)a. i! 0% )%(i-h%r th% o((#t r%(or)s (or= r%(t.5

Th% r%(or)s I a$ r%!%rrin/ to ar% not th% r%v%a= tions

o! th% V%)as, tho#/h th% V%)as ar% (%rtain.

$arv%o#s in th%ir o0n ri/ht5< Th% t%a(hin/s o! th%s%

ho. $%n o! an(i%nt In)ia -r%(%)% th% 0ritin/ o! th%

V%)as b. a on/ ti$%5 Th% V%)as, thos% tr%$%n)o#s

0orks, ar% on. a !aint %(ho o! thos% %ari%r t%a(hin/s5

*h%n th%s% 0is% t%a(h%rs !a(%) on% o! th% an/%oi or

s#-%rh#$an !or%r#nn%rs o! h#$anit., an) ook%) (air=

vo.ant. into th% hi/h%r 0or)s, ist%nin/ a th% 0hi%

(aira#)i%nt. to this b%in/, th%ir %.%s shon% ik% th% s#n5An) 0hat th%. 0%r% ab% to i$-art th%n ha) an a0%

ins-ir= in/ %!!%(t on th% -%o-% aro#n) th%$ a 0ho

h%ar) th%$


47/114


kn%0 that th%. 0%r% not s-%akin/ o#t o! h#$an 0is)o$

or h#$an %7-%ri%n(%, b#t thatgods, s#-%rh#$an b%in/s,

0%r% int%rv%nin/ in h#$an (#t#r%5Th% an(i%nt (#t#r%s ori/inat%) !ro$ this in!#7 o! )i=

vin% 0is)o$5 Th% /at% to th% )ivin%=s-irit#a 0or) 0as

(o$-%t%. o-%n !or th% h#$an so# )#rin/ Atant%an

ti$%s5 In th% (o#rs% o! th% -ost=Atant%an -%rio)s, ho0=

%v%r, /ra)#a. th% /at% (os%)5 Litt% b. itt%, -%o-% in

$an. (o#ntri%s !%t that h#$an b%in/s ha) to r%. $or%an) $or% on th%$s%v%s5 H%r% 0% (an s%% a/ain that th%

)%v%o-$%nt o! h#$anit. as a 0ho% -ara%s that o! th%

(hi)5 At !irst th% )ivin%=s-irit#a 0or) sti %7t%n)s into

th% (hi)s #n(ons(io#s so#, 0hi(h is a(tiv% in th%

!or$a= tion o! th% bo).5 Th%n (o$%s th% $o$%nt 0h%n

%a(h -%r= son b%/ins to -%r(%iv% hi$s%! or h%rs%! as an

I, th% !irst $o$%nt on% (an r%$%$b%r5 6%!or% this i%sa ti$% 0% (annot in an. or)inar. 0a. #s#a. r%(a5

This is 0h. it is sai) that %v%n th% 0is%st a$on/ #s (an

sti %arn so$%= thin/ !ro$ th% so# o! th% (hi) as it is

in th% ti$% b%!or% $%$or. )%v%o-s5 Th%r%a!t%r, th%

in)ivi)#a is %!t to his or h%r o0n )%vi(%s I=

(ons(io#sn%ss a--%ars, an) 0% b%= (o$% ab% to

r%$%$b%r o#r %7-%ri%n(%s5

In th% sa$% 0a. th%r% (a$% a ti$% 0h%n nations b%=

/an to !%% th%$s%v%s (#t o!! !ro$ th% )ivin%

ins-iration o! th%ir !or%!ath%rs5 For #st as 0% ar%

s%-arat%) $or% an) $or% !ro$ th% a#ra /#i)in/ #s

)#rin/ o#r %ar. (hi)hoo) .%ars, so in th% i!% o!

nations th% )ivin% !or%= b%ar%rs /ra)#a. an)in(r%asin/. 0ith)r%05 As a r%= s#t, h#$an b%in/s

0%r% %!t to th%ir o0n r%s%ar(h an) th%ir o0n

kno0%)/%5 In histori(a r%(or)s that )%s(rib%


48/114

L E C T U R E T 99

this )%v%o-$%nt, 0% (an !%% th% int%rv%ntion o! th%

/#i)%s o! h#$anit.5

Th% an(i%nt E/.-tians (a%) th% !irst !o#n)%r o! (#=t#r%, 0ho 0as h#$an rath%r than )ivin%, KM%n%s5 An)

th%. )at%) th% h#$an -ossibiit. o! error !ro$ th% sa$%

$o$%nt, b%(a#s% !ro$ th%n on h#$an b%in/s ha) to

r%. on th% instr#$%nt o! th% brain5 Th% an(i%nt

Ori%ntas ik%0is% /av% th% na$% KMan%s to th%

h#$an b%in/ as think%r an) (a%) th% !irst b%ar%r o!

h#$an thinkin/ KMan#5 Th% Gr%%ks (a%) th% !irst

)%v%o-%r o! th% -rin(i-% o! h#$an tho#/ht KMinos,

0ith 0ho$ th% %/= %n) o! th% ab.rinth is asso(iat%)5

Th% !a(t that h#$an b%in/s (an !a into %rror is

s.$boi1%) b. th% ab.rinth5 Lab.rinths 0%r% !irst

b#it at th% ti$% 0h%n th% /o)s 0ith)r%0 !ro$

h#$an b%in/s5 Th%. ar%, o! (o#rs%, i$= a/%s o! th%(onvo#tions o! th% brain, in 0hi(h th% think%r (an /%t

ost5 At th% ti$% o! Minos -%o-% s%ns%) that th%. ha)

/ra)#a. $ov%) a0a. !ro$ b%in/ /#i)%) )ir%(t. b.

th% /o)s an) 0%r% )%v%o-in/ a n%0 !or$ o! /#i)an(%

in 0hi(h th% I %7-%ri%n(%) th% in!#%n(% o! th% hi/h%r

s-irit#a 0or)5

To s#$$ari1% 6%si)%s th% !or%r#nn%rs o! th% h#$an

ra(%, 0ho (o$-%t%) th%ir h#$an sta/% on th% Moon an)

hav% no0 b%(o$% an/%s, th%r% ar% oth%r b%in/s 0ho )i)

not (o$-%t% th%ir )%v%o-$%nt at that ti$%5 *hi% th%

an/%oi or )h.ani( b%in/s a)van(%) on% %v% abov% o#rs

at th% $o$%nt 0h%n h#$an %vo#tion b%/an on %arth,

th%s% oth%r b%in/s, ik% th% hi/h%r (at%/ori%s o! #(i!%ri(b%in/s, )i) not (o$-%t% th%ir h#$an %vo#tion on th%

o) Moon, an) th#s r%$ain so$%ho0 in(o$-%t%5


49/114


Th#s 0h%n th% %arth. (on)ition o! o#r -an%t b%/an

th%s% %ar. h#$an b%in/s 0%r% not aon% th%. r%(%iv%)

ins-iration !ro$ )ivin%=s-irit#a b%in/s5 *itho#t th%irin= s-iration, ik% (hi)r%n 0itho#t /#i)an(%, th%s% %ar.

h#= $an b%in/s 0o#) hav% b%%n #nab% to

-ro/r%ss5 Th%r%!or% th% b%in/s 0ho ha) (o$-%t%) th%ir

%vo#tion on th% o) Moon 0%r% in)ir%(t. -r%s%nt on th%

%arth 0ith th%$5 6%t0%%n th%s% an/%i( b%in/s an)

%ar., (hi)ik% h#$ankin), ho0%v%r, th%r% iv%)b%in/s 0ho ha) not (o$-%t%) th%ir %vo#tion on th%

o) Moon5 Th%s% b%in/s, o! (o#rs%, 0%r% on a hi/h%r

%v% than 0% ar% b%(a#s% th%. (o#) hav% b%(o$%

an/%s )#rin/ th% o) Moon -%rio)5 6#t th%. ha) not

r%a(h%) !# $at#rit. th%n an) th#s r%= $ain%) b%o0

th% an/%s, atho#/h th%. ar% sti !ar s#-%= rior to #s in

t%r$s o! t.-i(a. h#$an attrib#t%s5 In)%%), th%s% b%in/s0ho stan) b%t0%%n #s an) th% an/%s o((#-. th% o0%st

%v% a$on/ th% $#tit#)%s o! #(i!%ri( s-ir= itsth%

r%a$ o! th% #(i!%ri( b%in/s b%/ins 0ith th%$5

It is %7traor)inari. %as. to $is#n)%rstan) th%s% b%=

in/s5 *% (o#) ask 0h. th% )ivin% s-irits, th% r#%rs o!

th% /oo), -%r$itt%) s#(h b%in/s to r%$ain b%hin), th#s

a= o0in/ th% #(i!%ri( -rin(i-% to %nt%r h#$anit.5

*hi% 0% $a. ob%(t that th% /oo) /o)s 0i

(%rtain. t#rn %v%r.thin/ to th% /oo), this #%stion

n%v%rth%%ss s#/= /%sts its%!5 Anoth%r$is#n)%rstan)in/

aris%s i! 0% (on= si)%r th%s% b%in/s as si$-. K%vi5

To think that th%s% b%in/s ar% K%vi, ho0%v%r, is to

$is#n)%rstan) th%$ b%= (a#s%, atho#/h th%. ar% th%so#r(% o! %vi in h#$an %vo#tion, th%. ar% not K%vi

at a5 Rath%r, th%. #st stan) $i)0a. b%t0%%n #s an)

th% s#-%rh#$an b%in/s5 In a


50/114

L E C T U R E T 9'

(%rtain 0a., in)%%), th%s% b%in/s ar% $or% -%r!%(t than

0% ar%5 Th%. hav% ar%a). a(hi%v%) a hi/h %v% o! $as=

t%r. in a th% (a-a(iti%s 0% sti hav% to a(#ir%5 At th%sa$% ti$%, #nik% th% an/%i( !or%r#nn%rs o! th% h#$an

ra(%, th%s% #(i!%ri( b%in/s, b%(a#s% th%. )i) not

(o$-%t% th%ir h#$an sta/% o! )%v%o-$%nt on th% o)

Moon, ar% sti ab% to in(arnat% in h#$anbo)i%s)#rin/

%arth. %vo= #tion5 Th% an/%oi, on th% oth%r han), th%

/r%at ins-ir%rs o! h#$anit. #-on 0ho$ th% an(i%nt

E/.-tians sti r%i%), (annot a--%ar in h#$an bo)i%s b#t

(an on. r%v%a th%$= s%v%s thro#/h h#$an b%in/s5

Th#s, in th% r%$ot% -ast, b%si)%s h#$an b%in/s an)

an/%s, th%r% %7ist%) b%in/s 0ho 0%r% n%ith%r an/%s

nor h#$ans an) 0%r% ab% to in(arnat% in h#$an

bo)i%s5 In)%%), in L%$#rian an) Atant%an ti$%s a

n#$b%r o! in)ivi)#as bor% s#(h Kr%= tar)%) an/%i(b%in/s 0ithin th%$ as th%ir inn%r$ost (or%5 D#rin/

thos% -%rio)s or)inar. h#$an b%in/s, 0ho 0%r% to

)%v%o- thro#/h s#((%ssiv% in(arnations to an a-=

-ro-riat% %v% o! th% h#$an i)%a,(o%7ist%)0ith b%in/s

0ho ook%) o#t0ar). ik% or)inar. -%o-%5 Th%s% #=

(i!%ri( b%in/s ha) to (oth% th%$s%v%s in h#$an bo)i%s

b%(a#s% %arth. (on)itions r%#ir% th% o#t0ar) !or$ o! a

-h.si(a bo).5 Th#s, -arti(#ar. in an(i%nt ti$%s, h#=

$anit. iv%) si)% b. si)% 0ith th%s% oth%r b%in/s 0ho

b%= on/ to th% o0%st (at%/or. o! #(i!%ri(

in)ivi)#aiti%s5

*hi% th% an/%s 0ork%) on h#$an (#t#r% thro#/h

h#$an in)ivi)#as, th% #(i!%ri( b%in/s in(arnat%) an)!o#n)%) (#t#r%s in vario#s -a(%s5 Th% %/%n)s o! an=

(i%nt -%o-%s o!t%n tak abo#t /r%at -%rsons 0ho %stab=

ish%) (#t#r%s in this or that -arti(#ar -a(%5 Th%s%

0%r%


51/114

9< S PI RIT U AL G U I DANCE

%$bo)i%) #(i!%ri( b%in/s5 Ho0%v%r, it 0o#) b% 0ron/

to ass#$% that b%(a#s% s#(h an in)ivi)#a 0as an in(ar=

nation o! a #(i!%ri( b%in/ h% or sh% 0as th%r%!or% n%(%s=sari. %vi5 In !a(t, h#$an (#t#r% has r%(%iv%) (o#nt%ss

b%ssin/s !ro$ th%s%b%in/s5

A((or)in/ to s-irit#a s(i%n(%, in an(i%nt ti$%s, s-%=

(i!i(a. in th% Atant%an -%rio), th%r% %7ist%) a kin) o!

h#$an -ri$a or root an/#a/% that 0as th% sa$% ov%r

a th% %arth b%(a#s% s-%%(h in thos% ti$%s (a$% $#(h$or% o#t o! th% inn%r$ost (or% o! th% so# than it )o%s

to)a.5 Th% !oo0in/ 0i $ak% this (%ar5 In

Atant%an ti$%s -%o-% %7-%ri%n(%) o#t%r i$-r%ssions in

s#(h a 0a. that to /iv% %7-r%ssion to so$%thin/

%7t%rna th% so# 0as (o$-%%) to #s% a consonant5

Th#s, 0hat 0as -r%s%nt in s-a(%th% #niv%rs% an)

%v%r.thin/ in itin)#(%) -%o= -% to i$itat% %v%r.thin/aro#n) th%$ 0ith (onsonants5 P%o-% !%t th% 0in)

bo0in/, th% so#n) o! 0av%s, th% sh%t%r a ho#s%

-rovi)%s, an) i$itat%) th%s% %7-%ri%n(%s b. $%ans o!

(onsonants5 On th% oth%r han), -%o-%s in= n%r

%7-%ri%n(%s, s#(h as -ain or o., 0%r% i$itat%) b.

vo)els5 Th#s,on% (an s%% that in s-%%(h th% so# b%(a$%

on% 0ith%7t%rna%v%nts or b%in/s5

Th% Akashi( (hroni(% r%v%as, !or %7a$-%, that

0h%n -%o-% in th% -ast a--roa(h%) a h#t ar(hin/ ov%r a

!a$i., sh%t%rin/ an) -rot%(tin/ th% -%o-%, th%.

obs%rv%) -ri= $ari. its sha-% (#rvin/ aro#n) th%

inhabitants53 This -rot%(tiv% (#rvin/ o! th% h#t 0as

%7-r%ss%) thro#/h a consonant, b#t th% !a(t that th%r%0%r% %nso#%) bo)i%s in th% h#t-%o-% (o#) !%% this

s.$-ath%ti(a.0as %7= -r%ss%) thro#/h a vo)el5

Gra)#a., th% (on(%-t o!


52/114

L E C T U R E T 93

-rot%(tion %$%r/%) KI hav% -rot%(tion, -rot%(tion !or

h#= $an bo)i%s5 This (on(%-t 0as %7-r%ss%) in

(onsonants an) vo0%s, 0hi(h 0%r% not arbitrar., b#t an#na$bi/#= o#s an) )ir%(t %7-r%ssion o! th% %7-%ri%n(%5

This 0as th% (as% %v%r.0h%r% on %arth5 Th% %7ist%n(%

o! a K-ri$a an/#a/% (o$$on to a -%o-% is not a !i/=

$%nt o! th% i$a/ination5 To a (%rtain %7t%nt, th% initiat%s

o! %v%r. nation ar% sti ab% to #n)%rstan) this ori/ina

an/#a/%5 Ev%r. an/#a/% (ontains (%rtain so#n)s r%$i=

nis(%nt o! it in !a(t, o#r $o)%rn an/#a/%s ar% th% r%i(s

o! th% -ri$%va, #niv%rsa h#$an an/#a/%5

This ori/ina an/#a/% 0as ins-ir%) b. th% s#-%rh#=

$an b%in/s, o#r tr#% !or%r#nn%rs, 0ho (o$-%t%) th%ir

)%v%o-$%nt on th% Moon5 I! th%r% ha) b%%n no oth%r in=

!#%n(% than this, th% %ntir% h#$an ra(% 0o#) basi(a.

hav% r%$ain%) #ni!i%) th%r% 0o#) hav% b%%n on% #ni=v%rsa 0a. o! s-%akin/ an) thinkin/ %v%r.0h%r% on

%arth5 In)ivi)#ait. an) )iv%rsit. (o#) not hav%

)%v%o-%), an) h#$an !r%%)o$ ik%0is% (o#) not hav%

b%%n %stabish%)5 Divisions an) s-its in h#$anit. 0%r%

n%(%ssar. !or th% )%v%o-$%nt o! h#$an in)ivi)#ait.5

Lan/#a/%s b%(a$% )i!!%r%nt in %a(h r%/ion o! th% %arth

b%(a#s% o! th% 0ork o! thos% t%a(h%rs 0ho 0%r% an

in(arnation o! a #(i!%ri( b%in/5 Th%s% #(i!%ri( or

Kr%tar)%) an/%i( b%in/s #s%) th% an/#a/% o! th%

nation in 0hi(h th%. in(arnat%) !or th%ir t%a(hin/5

Th#s, 0% o0% th% !a(t that %v%r. nation s-%aks a

-arti(#ar, non#niv%rsa an/#a/% to th% -r%s%n(% o! s#(h

/r%at, %ni/ht%nin/ t%a(h%rs, 0ho 0%r%, in !a(t,Kr%tar)%) an/%i( b%in/s 0ho ha) r%a(h%) a !ar hi/h%r

%v% than th% h#$an b%in/s aro#n) th%$5 6%in/s ik%

th%


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9; S PI RIT U AL G U I DANCE

%ar. h%ro%s (%%brat%) b. th% an(i%nt Gr%%ks 0ho

0ork%) in h#$an !or$, !or %7a$-%, as 0% as b%in/s

0ho 0ork%) in h#$an !or$ in oth%r nations, 0%r% s#(hin(arnations o! an/%i( b%in/s 0ho ha) not (o$-%t%)

th%ir )%v%o-$%nt5

C%ar., th%n, th%s% b%in/s (annot b% )is$iss%) as

(o$-%t%. K%vi5 On th% (ontrar., th%. hav% -rovi)%)

0hat has)%stin%) th% h#$an ra(% to b% !r%% b. intro)#(=

in/ )iv%rsit. into 0hat 0o#) oth%r0is% hav% r%$ain%)#niv%rsa. #ni!or$ ov%r th% 0ho% %arth5 This is tr#%

!or $an. oth%r as-%(ts o! i!% as 0% as !or an/#a/%s5

In)i= vi)#ai1ation, )i!!%r%ntiation, an) !r%%)o$ ar% )#%

to th% b%in/s 0ho r%$ain%) b%hin) on th% Moon5

To b% s#r%, it $a. b% sai) that th% 0is% %a)%rshi- o!

th% 0or) int%n)%) to /#i)% a b%in/s to th%ir /oa in th%

-an%tar. %vo#tion5 Ho0%v%r, i! this ha) b%%n )on% )i=r%(t., (%rtain oth%r thin/s 0o#) not hav% b%%n

a(hi%v%)5 C%rtain b%in/s ar% h%) ba(k in th%ir )%v%o-=

$%nt b%(a#s% th%. hav% a s-%(ia task in th% %vo#tion o!

h#$anit.5 Th% b%in/s 0ho ha)(o$-%t%.!#!i%) th%ir

task on th% Moon 0o#) hav% (r%at%) on. a #ni!or$

h#= $anit. an), th%r%!or%, th%. ha) to b% o--os%) b.

th% #= (i!%ri( b%in/s5 An) this in t#rn /av% th%s%

#(i!%ri( b%in/s th% -ossibiit. o! (han/in/ so$%thin/

that 0as a(t#a. a )%!%(t into so$%thin/ /oo)5

On this basis 0% (an (onsi)%r th% #%stion o! 0h.

%vi, i$-%r!%(tion, an) )is%as% %7ist in th% 0or) !ro$ a

0i)%r -%rs-%(tiv%5 *% (an ook at K%vi in %7a(t. th%

sa$% 0a. 0% hav% #st ook%) at th% i$-%r!%(t,Kr%tar)%) an= /%i( b%in/s5 Ev%r.thin/ that is at on%

ti$% i$-%r!%(t or


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L E C T U R E T 92

r%tar)%) in its )%v%o-$%nt is (han/%) into so$%thin/

/oo) in th% (o#rs% o! %vo#tion5 This is, o! (o#rs%, no

#s= ti!i(ation o! o#r %vi )%%)s5This aso t%s #s 0h. th% 0is% /ov%rn$%nt o! th%

0or) ho)s ba(k th% )%v%o-$%nt o! (%rtain b%in/s an)

-r%v%nts th%$ !ro$ r%a(hin/ th%ir /oa5 Th% r%ason is

that th% ho)in/ ba(k 0i s%rv% a /oo) -#r-os% in

s#bs%#%nt %vo#tionar. -%rio)s5 In an(i%nt ti$%s, 0h%n

th% nations 0%r% not .%t ab% to )ir%(t th%$s%v%s,

t%a(h%rs /#i)%) -arti(#ar %ras an) -arti(#ar

in)ivi)#as5 In a s%ns%, a th% t%a(h%rs o! th% nations

Ja)$os,J%kro-s, P%o-s, Th%s%#s, an) so onbor% an

an/%i( b%in/ in th% inn%r= $ost )%-ths o! th%ir so#5;

This is a (%ar in)i(ation that h#$anit. is in !a(t s#b%(t

to /#i)an(% an) )ir%(tion in this r%s-%(t as 0%5

Th#s, at %a(h sta/% o! %vo#tion th%r% ar% b%in/s 0ho!ai to r%a(h th% /oa th%. sho#) hav% attain%)5 In

an(i%nt E/.-tian (ivii1ation, 0hi(h !o#rish%) s%v%ra

tho#san) .%ars a/o on th% banks o! th% Ni%,

s#-%rh#$an t%a(h%rs r%v%a%) th%$s%v%s to th% -%o-%

an) 0%r% (onsi)%r%)b. th%$ to b% )ivin% /#i)%s5 At th%

sa$% ti$%, ho0%v%r, oth= %r b%in/s 0%r% a(tiv% 0ho ha)

not .%t (o$-%t%. r%a(h%) th% %v% o! an/%s5

Th% an(i%nt E/.-tians ha) attain%) a (%rtain %v% o!

)%v%o-$%ntthat is, th% so#s o! -%o-% to)a. ha) )%=

v%o-%) to a (%rtain %v% )#rin/ th% E/.-tian -%rio)5

Th#s th% /#i)an(%I a$ takin/ abo#t h%r% has a t0o!o)

b%n%!it it h%-s th% -%rson 0ho is /#i)%) to a(hi%v%

so$%thin/, an) it aso h%-s th% /#i)in/ b%in/s toa)van(% in th%ir )%v%o-$%nt5 For %7a$-%, an an/% is

more a!t%r


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havin/ /#i)%) -%o-% !or a 0hi% than it 0as b%!or%

takin/ this /#i)in/ ro%5 In oth%r 0or)s, an/%s a)van(%

thro#/h th%ir /#i)in/ 0orkK!# an/%s as 0% asthos% 0ho hav% not .%t (o$-%t%) th%ir )%v%o-$%nt5

A b%in/s (an a)van(% at a ti$%s %v%r.thin/ is in

(ontin#o#s )%v%o-= $%nt5 N%v%rth%%ss, at %a(h sta/%

so$% b%in/s r%$ain b%= hin) an) !ai to (o$-%t% th%ir

)%v%o-$%nt5

An(i%nt E/.-tian (#t#r%, th%r%!or%, 0as in!#%n(%)b. thr%% (at%/ori%s o! b%in/s )ivin% %a)%rs or an/%s,

s%$i=)ivin% %a)%rs 0ho ha) not .%t !#. r%a(h%) th%

%v% o! an/%s, an) h#$an b%in/s5 No0 0hi% th%

h#$an b%in/s on %arth -ro/r%ss%) in th%ir %vo#tion

)#rin/ th% an(i%nt E/.-tian -%rio), so$% s#-%rh#$an

b%in/s or an= /%s 0%r% h%) ba(k, that is, th%. )i) not

!#!i th%ir /#i)= in/ ro% in a 0a. that 0o#) hav%ao0%) th%$ to brin/ a o! th%ir -o0%rs to %7-r%ssion5

Cons%#%nt., th%s% b%= in/s r%$ain%) b%hin) as an/%s

an) )i) not )%v%o- !#r= th%r5 Si$iar., th% i$-%r!%(t,

Kr%tar)%) an/%i( b%in/s, 0ho ha) not .%t )%v%o-%) to

th% %v% o! th% K!# an= /%s, 0%r% aso arr%st%) in

th%ir )%v%o-$%nt5 Th#s, 0h%n th% E/.-to=Cha)%an

(#t#ra -%rio) )r%0 to a (os% an) th% Gr%(o=Latin

-%rio)b%/an, /#i)in/ b%in/s !ro$ th% %ari%r (#t#ra

%-o(h 0ho ha) not !inish%) th%ir )%v%o-= $%nt 0%r%

sti -r%s%nt5 Ho0%v%r, th%. (o#) no0 no on/%r #s%

th%ir -o0%rs b%(a#s% th%ir -a(% in /#i)in/ h#$anit.

ha) b%%n tak%n ov%r b. oth%r an/%s or s%$i= an/%i(

b%in/s5 As a r%s#t, th%s% b%in/s 0ho 0%r% %!t ov%r, soto s-%ak, 0%r% #nab% to (ontin#% th%ir o0n %vo= #tion5

Th#s 0% hav% a (at%/or. o! b%in/s 0ho (o#) hav% #s%)

th%ir -o0%rs )#rin/ th% E/.-tian -%rio), b#t )i) not


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L E C T U R E T 4&

)o so to th% !# %7t%nt -ossib% an) so 0%r% #nab% in

th% s#bs%#%nt Gr%(o=Latin -%rio) to #s% th%ir o0n

!or(%s b%= (a#s% oth%r /#i)in/ b%in/s ha) tak%n th%ir-a(%5 In a))i= tion, th% nat#r% an) (hara(t%r o! th%

Gr%(o=Latin %-o(h aso $a)% th%ir int%rv%ntion

i$-ossib%5

Eari%r 0% sa0 that th% b%in/s 0ho ha) not %vov%)

to th% %v% o! an/%s on th% o) Moon at%r ha) th% task

o! a(tiv%. -arti(i-atin/ in th% %arth. %vo#tion o!

h#$an= it.5 6. th% sa$% tok%n, thos% /#i)in/ b%in/s

0ho )i) not (o$-%t% th%ir )%v%o-$%nt in th% E/.-to=

Cha)%an -%= rio) ar% si$iar. $%ant to int%rv%n% in

h#$an )%v%o-= $%nt in a at%r %-o(h5 This is to sa.

that, in a /iv%n at%r (#t#ra %-o(h, th% nor$a -ro/r%ss

o! h#$an %vo#tion is to b% )ir%(t%) b. b%in/s 0hos%

t#rn it is to tak% on a /#i)in/ ro% b#t, at th% sa$%ti$%, oth%r b%in/s 0i b% a(tiv% 0ho )i) not )%v%o-

!#. in %ari%r ti$%s, !or in= stan(%, thos% 0ho !ai%) to

(o$-%t% th%ir )%v%o-$%nt in th% an(i%nt E/.-tian

%-o(h5 This (hara(t%ri1ation a-= -i%s to o#r o0n -%rio)

as 0% that is, 0% iv% in a ti$% 0h%n, b%si)%s th%

nor$a %a)%rs o! h#$anit., th% in= (o$-%t%.

)%v%o-%) b%in/s !ro$ th% an(i%nt E/.-to= Cha)%an

(#t#ra -%rio) a(tiv%. int%rv%n%5

To #n)%rstan) th% #n!o)in/ o! %v%nts an) b%in/s, 0%

$#st s%% %v%nts in th% -h.si(a 0or) as %!!%(ts "r%v%a=

tions+ o! (a#s%s or ar(h%t.-%s that i% in th% s-irit#a

0or)5 O#r (#t#r%, b. an) ar/%, is (hara(t%ri1%) b. a

tr%n) to= 0ar) s-irit#ait.5 Th% #r/%nt strivin/ !ors-irit#ait. 0% s%% in $an. -%o-% is th% r%s#t o! th%

0ork o! thos% s-iri= t#a /#i)%s 0ho hav% attain%) th%

)%v%o-$%nta %v% a-= -ro-riat% to th%$5 Th%s%

nor$a. )%v%o-%) s-irit#a


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/#i)%s o! o#r %vo#tion ar% at 0ork in %v%r.thin/ that

(an %a) #s to th% /r%at tr%as#r%s o! s-irit#a 0is)o$ that

th%= oso-h. >anthro-oso-h.@ (an i$-art to #s5Ho0%v%r, th% b%in/s 0ho )i) not )%v%o- -ro-%r.

)#rin/ th% E/.-to=Cha)%an -%rio) ar% aso sha-in/ th%

(#t#ra tr%n)s o! o#r ti$%5 Th%. ar% at 0ork in $#(h

that is tho#/ht an) )on% in th% -r%s%nt an) th% n%ar

!#t#r%5 In -arti(#ar, th%s% b%in/s ar% a(tiv% in

%v%r.thin/ that /iv%s o#r (#t#r% a materialistic (ast, b#to!t%n th%ir in!#%n(% (an b% !%t %v%n in th% tr%n) to0ar)

th% s-irit#a5 In)%%), 0% ar% %7-%ri%n(in/ 0hat a$o#nts

to a r%s#rr%(tion o! E/.-tian (#t#r% in o#r ti$%5

Th% b%in/s invisib. /#i)in/ %v%nts in th% -h.si(a

0or) th#s b%on/ to on% o! t0o (ass%s5 Th% !irst (o$=

-ris%s thos% s-irit#a in)ivi)#aiti%s 0ho )%v%o-%)

-ro-= %r. an) nor$a. #- to o#r ti$%5 Th%s% 0%r% ab%to h%- in th% /#i)an(% o! o#r (#t#r% at th% ti$% 0h%n

th% %a)%rs o! th% Gr%(o=Latin -%rio) -r%(%)in/ o#r

o0n /ra)#a. (o$-%t%) th%ir $ission o! /#i)in/

h#$anit. thro#/h th% !irst Christian $i%nni#$5 Th%

s%(on) (ass 0orks to= /%th%r 0ith th% !irst an)

(onsists o! thos% s-irit#a in)i= vi)#aiti%s 0ho )i) not

(o$-%t% th%ir )%v%o-$%nt in th% E/.-to=Cha)%an

-%rio)5 Th%s% ha) to r%$ain ina(tiv% )#rin/ th% Gr%(o=

Latin -%rio), b#t th%. (an a(tiv%. -ar= ti(i-at% in

/#i)in/ #s no0, b%(a#s% o#r ti$% is v%r. si$= iar to th%

E/.-to=Cha)%an -%rio)5

That is 0h. $#(h in (ont%$-orar. (#t#r% s%%$s to

b% a r%s#rr%(tion o! an(i%nt E/.-tian !or(%s5 Ho0%v%r,th% !or(%s that 0ork%) s-irit#a. in an(i%nt E/.-t no0

!r%= #%nt. a--%ar r%(ast in $at%riaisti( !or$5 L%t #s

ook,


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L E C T U R E T 49

!or %7a

Classics 4 - Spiritual_guidance

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