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The Rudolf Steiner Archive

a project of Steiner Online Library, a public charity

Awakening to Community
GA 257

These lectures, given after the burning of the first Goetheanum and before the refounding of the Anthroposophical Society, form an important part of the history of the Anthroposophical Movement. Steiner calls for a “searching of conscience” and without reservation makes an assessment of the Movement “free from illusions.” He explains that in anthroposophical communities we can experience our first awakening to the spirit in our encounters with others and describes how the “reversed cultus” forms the foundation for a new community life.

Here are ten lectures given in Stuttgart and Dornach, January 23rd through March 4th, 1923, from the lecture series entitled, Anthroposophical Community Building. They were published in German as, Anthroposophische Gemeinschaftbildung. Translated by Marjorie Spock

Lecture I January 23, 1923
Words of grief. A challenge to search our consciences. The need to develop an awareness of responsibility.
Lecture II January 30, 1923
Forming judgments on a sound basis of fact. The twofold re-casting of spiritual scientific judgments.
Lecture III February 6, 1923
New thinking, new willing. The three phases of anthroposophical work.
Lecture IV February 13, 1923
The development of the Anthroposophical Society. The soul-drama of the anthroposophist.
Lecture V February 22, 1923
The renewal of art, science and religion, mankind's three great ideals.
Lecture VI February 27, 1923
Anthroposophical community building. First lecture at the meeting of delegates.
Lecture VII February 28, 1923
Anthroposophical community building. Second lecture at the meeting of delegates.
Lecture VIII March 2, 1923
Report on the delegates' meetings in Stuttgart. The inner reality of a community and the unity it creates.
Lecture IX March 3, 1923
Building community with speech and cultus. The awakening of the consciousness soul through a connection with one's fellow men.
Lecture X March 4, 1923
Causes of the lack of a brotherly spirit in spiritual societies. Origins of enhanced egoism. The necessity of overcoming sectarianism.