"I have never in my life pursued personal ambitions, nor will I in future." --Rudolf Steiner

To acknowledge and understand Rudolf Steiner's unique achievement and life's work, one must be able to accept that the founder and spiritual researcher of Anthroposophy was "a citizen of two worlds"--both the spiritual and the physical. Anthroposophy teaches that this duality, rather than being a quality reserved for special individualities, is inherent to human nature. According to Rudolf Steiner, it is a central aspect of being human, even in times when the suprasensory aspect of humanity is eclipsed (for ordinary day consciousness) and almost eliminated by certain civilizations.

The interest in Rudolf Steiner's person and essence, in his attitude toward life and work, will continue to grow in the decades and centuries that lie ahead, both within and outside the anthroposophical movement. It will take hold of entirely different groups of people, including those who come with spiritual questions or discover them in times of need. Rudolf Steiner's work grew to be "one unique effort of bringing courage to human beings" (Michael Bauer).

This is the first of seven comprehensive volumes on Rudolf Steiner's "being, intentions, and journey." It presents Rudolf Steiner from childhood and youth through his doctorate degree and up to the time of his work for the Goethe Archives as editor of Goethe's scientific writings. By considering his formative years in depth, we come to understand better the roots and development of Rudolf Steiner's later spiritual research and teachings.

-- -- --

"In the summer of 1881, Rudolf Steiner visited Felix Koguzki twice in his village. He saw the cottage that was full of medicinal herbs and the library, and he met Koguzki's wife and his children, whose development Koguzki recorded so impressively in his diary. 'God's blessing is everything, ' was written above the door of Koguzki's cottage in Trumau, where he prepared his herbal teas. Richard Koguzki wrote about his father, 'With all his spiritual openness, he was pious and devout. Goethe said: "Who ne'er his bread in sorrow ate, Who ne'er the mournful midnight hours Weeping upon his bed has sate, He knows you not, ye Heavenly Powers." He knew them.'" --Peter Selg (chapter 2)

Rudolf Steiner, Life and Work - nidottu, Englanti, 2014