Page 9: Consciously Crossing the Threshold is a Pleasant and Easy Experience
Many anthroposophists today blissfully entertain the completely false notion that consciously ‘crossing the threshold’ into the superphysical world, whether through sleep, initiation or death, is an easily-accomplished and experientially-pleasant psychic experience. Clearly these individuals have not actually crossed the threshold in full consciousness; nor have they bothered to take note of the relevant information conveyed by Rudolf Steiner.
It is certainly true that without supersensible perception, crossing the threshold in sleep and death is normally without traumatic experience. This is because the non-clairvoyant slips into a somnolent state of unconsciousness soon after falling asleep (or dying). This veil of unconsciousness provided by our guardian angel numbingly protects the unprepared from the fearful experiences of crossing the threshold.
If one intends to cross the threshold in full clairvoyant consciousness, then specific fearful experiences cannot be avoided. One such experience is the encounter with the “lesser guardian of the threshold.” The lesser guardian is the dark side of our nature, the stored accumulation of all the evil actions from the present life and from previous incarnations. Prior to crossing the threshold, this evil psychic amassment rises up as a terrifying spectre, thereby barring access to the superphysical realms. It is hugely disturbing to realize that this horrible spectre is not an external evil entity, but an outer projection of our own evil doings. Facing this disconcerting truth and vowing to rid ourself of this odious baggage enables one to safely cross the threshold. As Rudolf Steiner vividly described in a lecture given on 6 March 1913:
Actually, all human beings who have not yet entered the spiritual world, but who have acquired an understanding of entering, have to a degree this fear, this terror in face of the spiritual world. Whatever one may think concerning this fear and anxiety that are within the depths of the soul, they are there, though they appear stronger with one person, weaker with another. Because the soul might be injured, man is protected by the wisdom-filled nature of his being from being able to look further into the spiritual world, from being able to have the experience of meeting the Guardian of the Threshold until he is ready for it. Before that he is protected. (“Errors in Spiritual Investigation: Meeting the Guardian of the Threshold”)
Even more terrifying for the first-time ‘astral traveler’ is the experience of “standing at the edge of the abyss.” After correctly exiting the physical and etheric bodies, the Christian initiate is conscious of standing before a vast, yawning abyss; a gaping chasm of extreme spatial emptiness that is necessary to somehow cross. Naïve anthroposophists have attempted to minimize this fearful abyss, but Rudolf Steiner clearly states otherwise:
At this point we come across a deeply stirring phenomenon, which appears from the very outset. It may take on various forms, but it is justified to designate it as the APPROACH TO THE THRESHOLD OF DEATH. We feel as if that part which we call our Ego or the soul were torn away from us as if by lightning, taken away from us. Everything which formerly appeared to be connected with us now seems to be severed from us. Our own self appears like a Being outside; we face it in the same way in which we confront an object of the external world.
Though it is easy to describe this in words, it is one of the most stirring experiences which we can have. The ground under our feet seems to vanish. Everything which constituted our thoughts and feelings is surrendered, given up. But if we succeed in remaining steadfast, we shall be borne over a kind of abyss. This experience awakens a feeling which lived in us in a dormant state and which must now rise to the surface: it is the FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN.
The spiritual world is always present, but we do not know it, and at this moment we confront it as if it were a void. This gives rise to a feeling of fear. But if we proceed regularly along the spiritual path, we should not think that we are in any way endangered by this experience. It forms part of self-education, for we must acquire the strength to bear the sight of the spiritual world — we develop the strength and steadfastness enabling us to bear its sight. In ordinary life we are protected against it … (Lecture given on 9 March, 1913 entitled “How can we gain Knowledge of the Supersensible Worlds?”)
In another lecture published in Wonders of the World: Trials of the Soul and Revelations of the Spirit (1974) Rudolf Steiner further adds:
[W]e stand before a fathomless empty abyss. This does actually come to pass as a “trial” of the soul. He whose soul thirsts for reality, he who, in accordance with abstract science, seeks to solve the riddles and wonders of the world, will, in the end, have to face this void, with his ideas completely dissolved as in a spiritual mist; the soul will then have to experience infinite terror in the presence of this void.
He who does not experience such fear is simply not yet far enough advanced to realize the truth regarding present day consciousness. Thus, when we seek to expand the present day consciousness into infinite space, there is this terrifying spectacle to be faced, this horror in the face of the cosmic void,―and this no one can be spared, who takes seriously what is meant by the normal consciousness of the present day. The soul must pass through such “trials” if it desires to experience the meaning and the spirit of our age. It must experience at some time the abyss which opens out on all sides when we seek to penetrate the vast fields of space with our ideas; the soul must feel this limitless dread of the void, this dread of losing itself in cosmic space, in the vast reaches of the universe.
Even in his own day, Rudolf Steiner also noted that certain esoteric students wished to connect with the spiritual world but continue dwelling in their physical bodies because they wanted to avoid crossing the fearful abyss. As he stated in the same lecture given on 9 March 1913 that was quoted above:
It is most interesting and instructive that the best individuals today, those human beings who long to have their soul life connected with a spiritual world, are not capable of grasping the core of the actual science of the spirit. Instead, where it involves distinguishing the true path from the two possibilities for error, they stumble, because they do not dare leap over the abyss; they wish either to make use of their dependence on the ordinary world, in phenomenalism, or, if they do not do this, they seek an intensification of the sense of self in ecstasy.
Furthermore, even after the fearful abyss has been successfully crossed, there are still other terrors to be faced upon entering the superphysical realm, such as the experience of moral coldness and hatred and the initial encounter with the “greater guardian.” As detailed by Rudolf Steiner in two separate lectures:
When one crosses the threshold into the spiritual world, the first thing one becomes aware of is something terrible, something which at first it is by no means easy to sustain. Most people wish to be pleasantly affected by what seems to them worthy of attainment. But the fact remains that only by passing through the experience of horror can one learn to know spiritual reality, that is to say true reality. For in regard to the human form, as this is placed before us by anatomy and physiology, one can only perceive that it is built up out of two elements from the spiritual world: moral coldness and hatred. (From a lecture given on 11 November 1923 and published in Man as Symphony of the Creative Word; 1991)
However, if we approach this experience [of crossing the threshold] without having been prepared for it by proper spiritual training, when we encounter the greater guardian something of immeasurable horror or boundless fear will fill our souls. (An Outline of Esoteric Science; 1997)
It is abundantly clear, then, from the clairvoyant research of Rudolf Steiner that anthroposophists must entertain no illusions about the fears and terrors of consciously crossing the threshold. These fearful trials cannot be avoided, but proper training and preparation will enable the sincere Christian initiate to successfully face these fears and to overcome them.
A very good read, thank you. I may be being naive here, but is the mention of Gautama Buddha as being taught by Christian Rosencreutz in the sixteenth century (not the sixth) a typo? Also, some of the images heading the ‘misleading thoughts’ are very good. Is it possible their creators be credited, unless they prefer anonymity of course.
Hiya Erno,
Thanks so much for your kind and thoughtful comments.
Regarding the meeting of Christian Rosenkreutz with Gautama Buddha in the sixteenth century, surprisingly this is not a typo. In the words of Rudolf Steiner from a lecture given on 18 December 1912 entitled “Esoteric Christianity and the Mission of Christian Rosenkreutz” (published in The Secret Stream; 2000):
Consequently, around the end of the sixteenth century … that esoteric conference of leaders united Christian Rosenkreutz with … The individual who had incarnated as Gautama Buddha six centuries before Christ also participated.
As for the “Misleading Thoughts” images:
– Page 5: Is artwork designed by Rudolf Steiner for the original Goetheanum interior.
– Page 6: Artist is Russian artist Nicholas Roerich (1874-1947).
– Page 7: Artist is American artist Charles Sindelar (1875-1947), best known for the image on Quaker Oats cereal.
– Page 8: Detail from another painting by Roerich.
– Page 9: Detail from Roerich painting.
only by choosing the title anthroposophical misleading thoughts you are already revealing a lack of modesty ,,the second lack is your all too publick resume of encounters with CR or his messengers, a thing that wise people usually keep to themselvs ,,all the rest , the michael mysteries and the interpretation of what is ment by new mysteries can only be dealt with in a privat meeting ,for now look a bit at the 2 points i mentiond and think also abit about your own mileading thougts
regards
Hello Gad,
Thank you for showing an interest in my website and for taking the time to send me your comments (albeit negative ones).
Regarding the title” “Anthroposophical Leading Thoughts,” this was chosen as a tongue-in-cheek juxtaposition to Rudolf Steiner’s “Anthroposophical Leading Thoughts.” This in no way was an intention to criticize or correct the information of Rudolf Steiner; but rather the misconceptions and misunderstandings held by many present-day anthroposophists (including leading ones). Rather than being “immodest” as you suggest, as a sincere anthroposophist, I consider it a duty to correct any widespread errors that may corrupt true anthroposophical teaching.
As for publicly sharing my own experiences regarding Christian Rosenkreutz (and/or his emissary), I feel it is vitally important these days to re-assure struggling esoteric students that Master CRC is still physically and telepathically active in the world today, and not just in the past. Moreover, Rudolf Steiner also shared his own encounters with “the M” and his emissary; I’m sure for exactly the same “wise” reason as my own.
You suggestions to avoid “public” disclosures, and to reserve information for “private meetings” is out of step with the modern-day requirement to avoid secrecy whenever possible. Furthermore, as with Rudolf Steiner, I’m not a member of any secret society that insists on a vow of silence concerning spiritual knowledge. As a Rosicrucian student, like Rudolf Steiner, I’m entirely free to publicly share any esoteric wisdom that Christian Rosenkreutz has graciously vouchsafed to me.
I discovered your website last evening and have to say I never cease to be amazed
at the people and topics that seem to accidentally come my way. I have many questions
I would love to ask you and discuss with you; but for now I would love to know how
you work out your Catholicism with Anthroposophy when the Church condemned
Anmthroposophy in 1910.
I will stop here to see if you even respond and perhaps we can go further from there.
Thank you
vic
Hiya Vic,
Thanks for your interest and commentary. In answer to your question, I’ve published a book entirely dedicated to the compatibility of Anthroposophy and Catholicism; entitled: The Greater and Lesser Mysteries of Christianity: The Complementary Paths of Anthroposophy and Catholicism (2015). The book is available to order from Amazon.com. It should answer any questions you might have. If not, let me know.
Sincerely,
Ron
Hello dear Ron,
Happy new year 2016 !
I would like to comment on page 6: Rudolf Steiner is the Greatest Christian Initiate of the Twentieth Century (did you forget the ?)
My hook to stumble over is your citation of Mark 9:34-35, which occupies the mind a bit.
If according to Mark (i.e. Christ) the greatest under the servants (initiates) is the one, who comes last and should be servant of all others, then I guess that initiate should have the capacities to come up with a final solution, that is: should also show the willingness to help “ironing out” (outbalance) the differences of opinion of the AAG members and the furious rows fought over the most diverse issues within or outside the AAG already since 1924. Shouldn’t that initiate be somehow the one who indeed shows willingness to outbalance the current state of development even with his next life on Earth – a servile life that also would even need to end abruptly ? Or – how would that solution of the best servant materialize for the AAG you think? If someone is the servant of all – how would that look like?
But that would in that case be the most developed initiate, Christ is pointing to?
In that case, that highly developed initiate/adept/clairvoyant would NOT be R. Steiner or anyone else from his (teaching) ranks, since the problems accumulated since the foundation of the AAG are gigantic and also inextricable intertwined with Steiners diverse initiatives. Or would we even need another perspective as the one taken by the citation from the Gospel of Mark to answer the question of the greatest initiate? You are surely right: We shouldn’t go into the question of the greatest at all. To that extend the citation is correct and at its place. But take care – in my opinion the topic as such is simply not relevant.
Take care and greetings from Hitzacker, Germany
Albert
[Commenting on: Sergei O. Prokofieff]
I have been for some time disturbed by his ‘authority’ and adulation, stemming from firstly his pedigree and copious output of exhaustively footnoted texts bearing quotations from RS which no-one ever really checks of course. His MO is to quote Steiner correctly the first few times then make conclusion implicitely Steiner’s but really his own and wrong. There are many more such mistakes and he got away with it because of his and our own good intentions as members of a spiritual brotherhood so that he was taken on faith
The most serious for me was his fiat that the seasonal dynamic for celebration of the festivals was that of the nothern hemisphere only thus siding with the Christian Community which of course requires and rightly so, to celebrate such festivals globally and simultaneously, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But for the spiritual dynamic behind the year (eg; the 12 Holy Nights) that dynamic which favours human spiritual development go to the seasonal reality (25th June down here and 25th Dec up there in the case of the Holy Nights) for the esoteric student. RS went to a lot of trouble throughout 1923 to give us this aid for approaching the Spirit of the Earth almost, I feel, as consolation or legacy on his passing and to forestall us driving into the ditch, a tragedy of which he was all too aware of and sadly has happened
Dear Ron,
I am very excited to have stumbled across your books on Amazon.com. It is interesting to me that I’ve never come across them before, but they are recent publications. I like the clarity and integrity of your energy and the way you think and write. I am a student of Anthroposphy who thinks very much like yourself I suspect. Anyway, it is wonderful that you have written these books and have a website up!
Is it possible to gain an ebook version of your works?
My comment is as follows: you mention that many “Anthroposophists” accept uncritically many ideas of certain authors and ‘authorities’. I want to say that such uncritical acceptance is non-anthroposophical and thus, a contradiction in terms. No true anthroposophist would accept something as important as the mistakes you outline without, at the very least, checking them against reason, experience, and the clear statements of Steiner. Because (in my opinion) most people who follow his teachings are mainly passive receptors of dogmatised and stereotyped ideas, they have neither the knowledge or ability to reflect clearly on this. By definition, they are not true Anthropsophists. This might seem harsh but I see it as a clear truth. It seems to me that the Anthroposophical society is, or is in danger of going down the same path as the early church, in its esoteric side. That is, in a negative sense, especially as the AS isn’t a true religious vehicle or tradition.
What do you think? Thanks for your time and work,
Sincerely,
Asher