The Spiritual Guidance of the Individual and Humanity: Some Results of Spiritual-Scientific Research into Human History and Development (Classics in Anthroposophy)

Rudolf Steiner's written works differ from his lectures in their concision, depth, and ramifications. In addition, each written work is different. The Spiritual Guidance of the Individual and Humanity is an intermediate work, consisting of lectures reworked for publication. Steiner begins by pointing to our awareness of a second self guiding us through life. This self guides us as we grow to vertical balance in space, speech in community, and thinking in the world. We exchange this wisdom, which is still connected to the spiritual hierarchies, for I-consciousness and memory. Who or what is this wisdom? Steiner suggests it is connected with the higher self of humanity that lived in Jesus during the years between the Baptism and the Crucifixion. Even if there were no Gospels to tell us of the Christ, he says, we would know it from human nature. Looking within ourselves and at human history we can understand the spiritual guidance of humanity and human beings. Christ's sacrifice for humanity is only a part of the cosmic, spiritual participation of beings of all levels and kinds in human evolution.