Theosophy : an introduction to the spiritual processes at work in human life and in the cosmos

Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1910. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER III THE THREE WORLDS i. THE SOUL WORLD OUR study of man has shown that he belongs to three worlds. From the world of physical corporality are taken the materials and forces building up his body. He has knowledge of this world through the perceptions of his external physical senses. Anyone trusting to THESE senses ALONE, and developing his perceptive abilities alone, can gain for himself no enlightenment concerning the two other worlds, the SOUL and the SPIRITUAL. A man's ability to convince himself of the reality of a thing or a being depends on whether he has an organ of perception, a sense for it. It may, of course, easily lead to misunderstandings if one call the higher organs of perception spiritual SENSES, as is done here, for in speaking of "SENSES" one involuntarily connects with them the thought "physical." The physical world is in fact designated the "sensible," in contradistinction to the "spiritual." In order to avoid this misunderstanding, one must take into account that "higher senses" are spoken of here only in a comparative or metaphorical sense. As the physical senses perceive the physical world, the soul and spiritual senses perceive the soul and spiritual worlds. The expression "sense" will be used as meaning simply "organ of perception." Man would have no knowledge of light and color had he not an eye able to sense light; he would know nothing of sound had he not an ear able to sense sound. In this connection the German philosopher Lotze rightly says, "Without a light-sensing eye, and a sound-sensing ear, the whole world would be dark and silent. There would be in it just as little light or sound as there could be toothache without the painfeeling nerve of the tooth." In order to see what is said here in the right light, one need only think how entirely di... A clear, concise explanation of human nature; the worlds of body, soul, and spirit; the laws of reincarnation; and the workings of karma.Theosophy is a key work for gaining a solid footing in spiritual reality as described by Rudolf Steiner. It is organized into four parts. First, Steiner builds a comprehensive understanding of human nature: physical bodily nature; soul qualities; spirit being, or I-being; and the higher spiritual aspects. This leads us to Steiner’s description of the human being as sevenfold:-Material, physical body-Ether body, or body of life forces-Sentient soul body-Mind soul-Spirit-filled consciousness soul-Life spirit-Spirit bodyIn the next section, Steiner offers an extraordinary overview of the laws of reincarnation and the principles of karma, as we pass from one life to the next. This prepares us for the third section, in which he shows the various ways in which we live—during life on earth and after death and in the three worlds of body, soul, and spirit.Finally, we are given a succinct description of the path of knowledge, along which each person can begin to understand the marvelous and harmonious complexity of the psycho-spiritual worlds in their fullness.Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. A clear, concise explanation of human nature; the worlds of body, soul, and spirit; the laws of reincarnation; and the workings of karma. Theosophy is a key work for gaining a solid footing in spiritual reality as described by Rudolf Steiner. It is organized into four parts. First, Steiner builds a comprehensive understanding of human nature: physical bodily nature; soul qualities; spirit being, or I-being; and the higher spiritual aspects. This leads us to Steiners description of the human being as sevenfold: -Material, physical body -Ether body, or body of life forces -Sentient soul body -Mind soul -Spirit-filled consciousness soul -Life spirit -Spirit body In the next section, Steiner offers an extraordinary overview of the laws of reincarnation and the principles of karma, as we pass from one life to the next. This prepares us for the third section, in which he shows the various ways in which we liveduring life on earth and after death and in the three worlds of body, soul, and spirit. Finally, we are given a succinct description of the path of knowledge, along which each person can begin to understand the marvelous and harmonious complexity of the psycho-spiritual worlds in their fullness. THEOSOPHY......Page 1 Contents......Page 6 Foreword by Michael Holdrege......Page 8 Preface (1922)......Page 34 Preface to the 9th Edition (1918)......Page 36 Preface to the 6th Edition (1914)......Page 38 Preface to the 3rd Edition......Page 40 Introduction......Page 46 The Essential Nature of the Human Being......Page 54 The Bodily Nature of the Human Being......Page 59 The Soul Nature of the Human Being......Page 61 The Spirit Nature of the Human Being......Page 62 Body, Soul, and Spirit......Page 64 Addendum......Page 94 Destiny and the Reincarnation of the Spirit......Page 96 Addendum......Page 123 The Soul World......Page 126 The Soul in the Soul World after Death......Page 142 The Country of Spirit-Beings......Page 155 The Spirit in Spirit Country after Death......Page 164 The Physical World and Its Connection to the Worlds of Souls and Spirits......Page 180 Thought Forms and the Human Aura......Page 192 Addendum......Page 204 The Path to Knowledge......Page 208 Related Reading......Page 230 Index......Page 234 Austrian philosopher, playwright, and artist Rudolf Steiner (1861 1925) is perhaps best known as an educational philosopher and reformer, the founder of Steiner (or Waldorf) schools located around the world. These schools' philosophy represents the priorities Steiner discusses in Theosophy: the development of body, soul, and spirit. Goethe was an important influence on Steiner, and he edited the poet's scientific works (1889 1896). Steiner was an active member and leader of the German branch of Madame Blavatsky's Theosophical Society, eventually broke away from theosophy, as he developed his own spiritual philosophy termed 'anthroposophy'; this philosophical movement asserted the potential of realizing a spiritual reality through cognition. This 1910 translation by Elizabeth Douglas Shields is of the book's third German edition; it was first published in 1904. This work will be of particular interest to historians of philosophy, of spiritual movements and of education. Classics in Anthroposophy THEOSOPHY 1 Contents 6 Foreword by Michael Holdrege 8 Preface (1922) 34 Preface to the 9th Edition (1918) 36 Preface to the 6th Edition (1914) 38 Preface to the 3rd Edition 40 Introduction 46 The Essential Nature of the Human Being 54 The Bodily Nature of the Human Being 59 The Soul Nature of the Human Being 61 The Spirit Nature of the Human Being 62 Body, Soul, and Spirit 64 Addendum 94 Destiny and the Reincarnation of the Spirit 96 Addendum 123 The Three Worlds 126 The Soul World 126 The Soul in the Soul World after Death 142 The Country of Spirit-Beings 155 The Spirit in Spirit Country after Death 164 The Physical World and Its Connection to the Worlds of Souls and Spirits 180 Thought Forms and the Human Aura 192 Addendum 204 The Path to Knowledge 208 Related Reading 230 Index 234