An Outline of Esoteric Science: (CW 13) (Classics in Anthroposophy) by Rudolf Steiner

An Outline of Esoteric Science: (CW 13) (Classics in Anthroposophy) Reviews

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  Kristen

  One of the key books in the study of anthroposophy. Translated from the original German, this is a tough book to read. Part of the problem I beleive is that Steiner was writing at a very high level (a genius he was) but also the translated version that I read was an older translation and not frankly well done. I would be interested in a newer version... well, someday.
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  Sarz Books

  Incredibly hard to read but worth it. The concepts discussed are incredible and Steiner explains things in a very relateable and understandable way. Although translated from German, Steiner has stated that he made the writing hard to understand on purpose so that it encaptures the readers full attention.
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  Paul Bard

  Abstract but good for what it is
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  Philip Saenger

  My favorite......
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  Max J

  Honestly, what can I say? this is the clearest and most comprehensive esoteric cosmology I have come into contact with throughout my time digging into these topics. I have no way of proving the statements in this book absolutely for myself or to anyone else (at least until I try developing supersensible consciousness and doing spiritual research myself), but that's not the point. This is the results of Steiner's own spiritual research, put out with the intent of familiarizing others with what he feels they will need to effectively expand their own consciousnesses. He does not expect you to accept his outline of spiritual and cosmic evolution as blind dogma, but rather to use the methods he outlines (in this work and especially in others like "How To Know Higher Worlds") To find and experience the truth for yourself. He provides information on his perceptions of the spiritual realms to give you a solid foundation to start with working your way back into the world of spirit and understanding the grand processes at play. Along with that, after my own reading and research into spirituality and esoterica, I have to say that Steiner's cosmology ties together everything I have learned, from many different sources, both ancient and contemporary, into one system that just makes an unbelievable amount of sense. I mean this both in terms of spiritual principles, and in terms of satisfyingly explaining the holes and mysteries that exist within our modern scientific-materialist view of the world, evolution, and history. When it comes to getting into cosmology and esoterica, outside of just the inner work (though the inner work is what matters most), this is one of the first books I'd recommend, even with how dense it is, and even with the fact that the overview style of the book skips alot of the nuances that are revealed when Steiner goes more in depth on one particular topic, as I think that was a necessary choice to provide an effective and efficient overview
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  Jenny

  This edition is the 'easier' of the two between the earlier English translation "Occult Science". When you eventually get stuck in "This is Complete-Nonsense Land", I'd suggest speed-reading until the subject begins to feel familiar again. For this essential work from Dr Steiner, the last several chapters bring clarity to the soft abstract descriptions of Old Moon through the first Epoch of Earth (middle chapters).
  
  Having the support of teachers, classmates or a fellow Anthroposophist will be extremely beneficial with wading through the many seas of nuances in Esoteric Science.
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  Cody Engstrom

  A very interesting account of the world and it’s facets, though due to that Steiner never speaks directly and clearly, in addition to the fact that it’s translated from German, it was a very difficult read.
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  Roberta

  Interesting views on our planet and planetary bodies of our galaxy, with a deeply woven creation story. I enjoyed reading this, however, I would love to see a breakdown of his references for a deeper support of his concepts.
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  Roger Buck

  For reasons indicated here:
  http://corjesusacratissimum.org/2011/... ...
  
  I do not even want to rate this book. My views on Steiner are so complex and so likely to be misunderstood that I would rather not reduce them to soundbites.
  
  I simply want to say I have read this book and that whilst Steiner served to free me from Eastern Theosophy and the New Age scene I found at Findhorn, Valentin Tomberg, in turn, provided me with a very different hermeneutic with which to engage Steiner.
  
  I hope the above link however can contribute a little to the tangled issues involving Steiner and Tomberg - and why I believe this "very different hermeneutic" is necessary for a world plunging into a cold-as-steel mechanised society ...
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  Chelsea Charping

  This book wasn't exactly my style. I prefer reading fiction, but even when I read non-fiction, I don't typically read things like this. It was a book outside my comfort zone, but I read it because my dad gave it to me. Now that I'm done with that disclaimer ...
  
  There are a lot of interesting ideas in this book, but I never fully got on board. I thought a lot of the book made assumptions without a lot of evidence and simply said one needs supersensible knowledge to understand. Perhaps it's because I lack supersensible knowledge, but I wasn't convinced. It's definitely not a light read, and it's a subject that one should already be interested in. This is my second Rudolf Steiner book. Although I do like some of his ideas, I just can't fully get behind them. Nevertheless, they were interesting to read about and ponder.
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  Allen Svensson

  Steiner's true Opus, this is the great cosmogony that is only rivaled by Whitehead. Much of the planetary portion reads like a German metaphysician rewriting the Silmarillion, its wonderful but daunting, having something of an effect that borders synesthesia(mirroring the primordial souls experience). The introductions can be briefly skimmed through, they aren't of much help in assuaging the concerns of materialists. The intros can be summed up as Steiner try to qualify his work to an audience obsessed with the natural sciences, endlessly faithful to the spectre of a universe fully enframed in rationality. Whether you come to this book as an initiate or philosopher you will likely be inspired by this book devoted to curiosity and the desire to evolve.