figures in the USA for decades. 6 The Anthroposophical Society, which does not see party politics as belonging within its sphere, includes many who strive to connect the deepest esotericism with the greatest openness, out of a conviction that this is a contribution toward increased brotherhood throughout humanity; out of a conviction that it is relevant for a social, political, and economic life that can accommodate 6 Leo Strauss, On Tyranny: Corrected and Expanded Edition, Including the Strauss-Kojève Correspondence (University of Chicago Press, 2013).
the dignity and spirit of the human being. Many of these active members not only work to foster these new “habits of the heart,” but also to set them to work for the common good. Nathaniel Williams is currently the leader of the Section for the Spiritual Striving of the Youth, a part of the Independent School of Spiritual Science at the Goetheanum in Switzerland. He is originally from the USA. He studied art and anthroposophy in Basel, Switzerland and Political Science at the University at Albany, where he also taught.
The Christmas Conference Impulse—A Distillation R. J. Harlow Made out of Nature’s materials, The Goetheanum wanted to speak through its forms Of the Eternal to the eyes of men. The flames were able to consume the matter. Henceforward Anthroposophia— Her edifice formed of the Spirit— Shall speak to the inner soul of man In words of fire, tempered by the flames— The flames of the Spirit. —Rudolf Steiner1
The Goetheanum was an embodiment of living anthroposophy upon the earth. Through its artistic forms and colors, the Mysteries of cosmic evolution and the transformative power of the Christ impulse spoke to human beings. From its stage, Rudolf Steiner’s lectures, the Mystery Dramas, and eurythmy rang out as cosmic Word— anthroposophy, spiritual science, a modern path of initiation capable of fructifying and renewing all fields of art, science, religion, and practical life. On New Year’s Eve, 1922, the Goetheanum was set ablaze by an act of arson. As the wooden shapes, metals, and stained glass colors rose into the night sky, Rudolf Steiner said to those present, “Impress this moment on your minds.”2 Afterward, in addition to anthroposophy’s enemies, he pointed to spiritual fecklessness within the 1 Verses and Meditations (Rudolf Steiner Press, 2004). 2 Account of Heinz Müller, early Waldorf teacher. Raab, Klingborg, & Fant, Eloquent Concrete (Rudolf Steiner Press, 1979), p. 32.
Society—to “inner opposition,” “unwillingness,” “lethargy”—which kept the exoteric anthroposophical institutions from embodying their esoteric spirit. Speaking in private, he related that the members “do not want to wake up. So they have to be awakened by catastrophes and personal sufferings. It is not karma that is prevalent here but only the members’ lack of wakefulness, and human envy that works even into the physical.”3 This dichotomy of exoteric institution vs. esoteric impulse, of Society vs. Movement, even found expression in the fact that the Goetheanum hadn’t been officially opened. Rudolf Steiner was waiting for the conditions to be right.4 Until then, the Representative of Humanity statue could not be rightly placed within it. When the Anthroposophical Society was founded on December 28, 1912, having split off from the Theosophical Society, Rudolf Steiner maintained his independence. He held no office and was not a member. As the leader of the spiritual Movement, and as the spiritual teacher of the private Esoteric School, he could not become involved in bureaucratic, exoteric institutions. This, he related, was a spiritual law. As an initiate, every action and relationship had to be a living embodiment of the spirit. After the burning, the being of the Goetheanum returned as flaming, cosmic Word. The year 1923 was 3 T.H. Meyer, Ludwig Polzer-Hoditz: A European (Temple Lodge, 2014), Appendix: “From Conversations with Rudolf Steiner,” p. 523. 4 See R. Steiner: “Address to the Members of September 12, 1920.” Printed in the English edition of Rudolf Grosse’s The Christmas Conference—Cosmic Turning Point of Time (Rudolf Steiner Book Centre, 1984). december 2023 • 57
