Product Description

“Perception of the idea in the reality is the true communion of the human being” (Goethe)

When we think of rites and rituals we usually think of something that has to do with a church. There are various rituals, however, in which we are all involved whether or not they have an outward form: pre-birth, death, and after-death, for example. There is still another ritual available to all: the path of attaining spiritual knowledge, which has been called the “reversed ritual” in anthroposophy. As Steiner describes it this ritual of knowledge is formed by “the free spiritual activity of the human being, in awareness of the God as a spirit.”

Every true ritual has the same four parts: revelation, offering, transformation (or transubstantiation), and communion. The differences between rituals have to do with the ordering of these four parts, as well as with their forms and purposes. While the sacraments proceed from revelation to offering to transubstantiation to communion, the ritual of spiritual knowledge moves from communion to transformation, then to offering and revelation. Here, Steiner’s research and lectures, and Benesch’s further elucidations, render a detailed comparison of the various ritual forms, leading us to a deep appreciation of the reversed ritual: the ritual of knowledge.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #563762 in Books
• Published on: 2001-03-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 288 pages

About the Author
Rudolf Steiner (1861–1925) became a respected and well-published scientific, literary, and philosophical scholar, particularly known for his work on Goethe’s scientific writings. At the beginning of the twentieth century, he began to develop his earlier philosophical principles into an approach to methodical research of psychological and spiritual phenomena. His multifaceted genius has led to innovative and holistic approaches in medicine, philosophy, religion, education (Waldorf schools), special education (the Camphill movement), economics, agriculture (biodynamics), science, architecture, and the arts (drama, speech and eurythmy). In 1924 he founded the General Anthroposophical Society, which has branches throughout the world.

Friedrich Benesch (1907–1991) was born in Transylvania (present-day Romania). He earned doctorates in biology, theology, and anthropology. In 1944, in the face of the Russian invasion, he led an entire village as refugees to Germany. Benesch was ordained at the seminary of the Christian Community, Movement for Religious Renewal, in Stuttgart, and was appointed to lead the seminary in 1957. He traveled, lectured and published extensively until his death.