The Rudolf Steiner Archive

The Theosophical Society (Madras Headquarters) German Section.

To the esteemed members of the German Section of the Theosophical Society.

Dear friends!

The undersigned takes the liberty of inviting you to the fifth general assembly, which will take place on October 21, 1906.

The following will take place:

1. The business part: Sunday, October 21 (Berlin Wilmersdorf, Motzstraße 17) 10 a.m.

Program.

I. Opening of the meeting and welcoming address by the Secretary General.

II. Reports of the General Secretary, the Treasurer, the Recording Clerk and the Auditors.

III. Discussion about next year's congress of the Federation of European Sections.

IV. Final settlement of the matter of the Library of the German Section of the Theosophical Society.

V. Plenary motions.

VI. Any other business. 2. The Theosophical Program: Sunday, October 21 (Berlin W[ilmersdorf], Motzstraße 17), at 4 p.m.

Program.

1. Free lectures and discussions by members.

2. Free, informal discussion.

Saturday, October 20, at 4 p.m., the regular board meeting will take place (Berlin Wilmersdorf, Motzstraße 17).

On Saturday, October 20, at 8 p.m., members are invited to Berlin Wilmersdorf, Motzstraße 17, for free, informal conversation.

The undersigned requests that motions for the General Assembly and registrations from individual members for speeches on Sunday afternoon be submitted by October 15.

With theosophical greetings
he General Secretary
Dr. Rudolf Steiner.

In the days before and after the General Assembly, Dr. Rudolf Steiner will give a series of lectures on important theosophical [topics]. The first is scheduled to take place on Saturday, October 20, at 2 p.m. (Berlin Wilmersdorf, Motzstraße 17). The times of the following lectures will be announced in due course. On Monday, October 22, there will be a lecture by Dr. Steiner at 8 p.m. at the Besant branch in Berlin.

Dear Friends!

I request that you read the enclosed letter in the local lodge as soon as possible. I will soon initiate the election process in the statutory manner and in doing so, I will request the appropriate support of the branch council.

With theosophical greetings
Dr. Rudolf Steiner

Confidential.
The upcoming election of the President of the Theosophical Society.

To all those members of the German Section who are seeking an esoteric training from me.

In these days, when the vote of the German Section on the future president of the Theosophical Society is to take place, it is my duty to say a few words to those who belong to the esoteric current. The esotericist has a different relationship to spiritual life than that which requires membership of the exoteric society. The members of the exoteric Theosophical Society have nothing to do with but the statutes. And according to the statutes, Colonel Olcott's nomination of Mrs. Besant as future president is on hand. The member will therefore only have to ask himself whether he considers Mrs. Besant to be a suitable president or not, and cast his vote accordingly. Exoterically, everything that comes into consideration is exhausted.

The case looks different when viewed from the esoteric standpoint. There we have the fact that it was proclaimed from Adyar that Colonel Olcott had made the nomination at the behest of his Masters, who appeared at his sickbed shortly before his departure from the physical plane. And Mrs. Besant has emphasized with all possible clarity that she accepts the election because her Master told her to do so.

I am now speaking in this letter only to those who have confidence in me. For only such have approached me for esoteric advice. If they had not had this confidence, they would not have approached me. And I expressly request here again that only those who have this trust may hear these words of mine. The others may simply disregard them.

Occult connections are complicated. And therefore no one should believe that it is easy to talk about them. The time will come when I will be allowed to speak more clearly than today about the phenomena in Adyar.

It has been my principle so far not to advance anything within the theosophical movement that I cannot vouch for with my own knowledge. This must remain my principle. This is not to say that others should not teach what they accept on trust. I expressly emphasize that they are right to do so. Only my principle must be the above. It is only on the basis of this principle that I feel justified in esoterically relating to Theosophists and to people in general as I do.

With these qualifications in mind, I now say what I have to say about Mrs. Besant's nomination.

From all the discussions that have taken place about the Master's appearances in Adyar, one thing is clear: either they are true, in which case it would be a rebellion against the Masters not to follow them; or they are false, in which case there can be no question of taking them into account, and then everything connected with Mrs. Besant's leadership is called into question. But there is no such opposition. Within real occultism, there should be no talk of the possible inauthenticity of the phenomena in Adyar. It would never occur to a true occultist to question their authenticity.

Nevertheless, I myself must have a different view of these phenomena than Mrs. Besant. But that does not change the following facts.

Mrs. Besant is part of the spiritual life. She is inhabited by the spiritual life that emanates from the spiritual powers. And anyone within the Theosophical Society who wants this spiritual life will see Mrs. Besant as the appropriate person to hold the presidency at the present time.

I have different experiences in relation to many things that are difficult to consider, as Mrs. Besant does. I have to assume that there may be some difficulties in conducting Central European esoteric matters through her. And I will never relate to those who have trust in me differently than in a way that I can answer for it with my own knowledge, that I can answer for it myself before the individuals that we call the Masters. Once again I emphasize: Whoever does not have this kind of trust in me, should not listen to me. I want to give everyone the message that I am able to give, but I want no one to accept it other than through the completely free decision of his or her heart.

Precisely because I feel so completely independent from any sense of authority towards Mrs. Besant, precisely because I must find other paths mapped out in many ways by the exalted individuals we call the Masters, precisely for that reason I may also say: I am completely of one mind with Mrs. Besant in that the Theosophical Society has its strength, power, and indeed its content from the Masters, and that it must die if it were to deny the Masters and thus spiritual life.

Even if I had to go in a different direction from Mrs. Besant in some respects during her presidency, I would still have to say: she seems to me to be the right president. And even if I have said that I have different experiences of the Adyar apparitions than Mrs. Besant, I must still say: esoterically Mrs. Besant is right in her appeal to the Masters.

All this is decisive for me alone, when I express just as clearly as openly to those esoterically striving that for me Mrs. Besant is the suitable personality for the presidency, as on the other hand, that for all those who have confidence in me, no “psychic tyranny” will ever be exercised by any personality.

The occultist, however, can only regard the discussion as to whether the Adyar phenomena are genuine or not as unesoteric, and must refrain from entering into it.

In view of the responsibility I am assuming in this letter towards the wise men of humanity, I greet you

Rudolf Steiner
Munich, May 4, 1907.

May 8 is the anniversary of the passing of Helena Petrovna Blavatsky from the physical plane. It will therefore remain as a day of remembrance within the Theosophical Society. Theosophists may direct their thoughts in particular to the spiritual mediator of a tremendous stream of spiritual wisdom and spiritual power in our time. And on this day, they may be especially mindful of the important occult truth that thoughts are facts. When we direct our thoughts to the spirit that was embodied in the physical body of HP Blavatsky until May 8, our thought powers provide this spirit with the bridge through which it can shine into our souls during the moment of celebration. And through this illumination of our souls, HPB can also be present in the work that is connected with her earthly deeds. — It will be of great help to our movement, especially in the present difficult events in society, if we present these facts to our souls on the White Lotus Day. This will give us the strength to do good in society. And on this day in particular, we should bear in mind the significance of the life of HP Blavatsky. The course of human development had brought it about that in the second half of the nineteenth century, life had to be permeated by the spirit of materialism. This is more the case than people today can admit. For the man of the present has forced his way of thinking and his direction in life into materialistic habits, so that he is often still materialistic in his feelings and perceptions, even if he strives to be an idealist in his thoughts. The great leaders of humanity, the masters of wisdom and of the harmony of perceptions, have poured a stream of spirituality into this materialistically colored life. And the soul of HP Blavatsky was the gateway through which this stream flowed to humanity. To recognize this, all that is needed is an unbiased look at the works of HP Blavatsky. Today we are able to examine many of HP Blavatsky's occult messages through these works. And those who can test them will only become greater admirers of the creator as a result of this examination. It can be said that HP Blavatsky's opponents can only be those who are unable to penetrate her works.

But anyone who might doubt that HP Blavatsky was in contact with the great Masters of Wisdom and of the Harmony of Feelings would have to answer the question: Where do the spiritual truths of her writings come from, which only those who do not understand them can doubt? For the one who understands, these truths are facts, and he needs no others. Or where have such truths ever been obtained other than from the sources where initiation arises? What is needed other than this realization to bring the significance of HP Blavatsky to mind?

And in this year in particular, we remember with deep love on the day of the lotus also the brave fellow campaigner of HP Blavatsky, who has now also recently left the physical plane. It was only through his energy and organizational talent that the stream of spiritual life flowing through HP Blavatsky was also embodied in a society.

If HP Blavatsky's cultural achievement is shrugged off in small circles, or if the vast multitude of people in the world are still unaware of it, then the Theosophists may remember that contemporary writers of the Christ Jesus also say nothing about him. The great advances of human evolution must arise from small beginnings. And the Theosophists must remember that their strength is reckoned with in the spirit of the world's course, that it is through this strength that the rise of the Theosophical movement is to be effected. The exalted guides of humanity are the souls of this ascent; but just as the human soul must organize the body out of the substance of the flesh in order to function on the physical plane, so the guides of humanity must form the spiritual body that is to serve their work out of human souls. And it is up to us to make our souls available to them by surrendering to spiritual wisdom.

In this sense, the human soul must voluntarily surrender to the spirit of the wise masters, just as the flesh surrenders to the service of the human soul through the wise laws of nature when the temple of the human body is built for the work of the soul.

Let us shape our thoughts in this way when we commemorate HP Blavatsky on the white lotus day.

Something of her great qualities will always strengthen the Theosophical Society if its members allow themselves to be influenced by the exemplary character of the foundress of the Theosophical Society.

The Theosophical Society (Madras Headquarters) German Section.

To the esteemed members of the German Section of the Theosophical Society.

Dear Friends!

The undersigned takes the liberty of inviting you to the sixth general assembly, which will take place in Berlin on October 19, 20 and 21, 1907.

The proceedings will be as follows:

I. On Saturday, October 19, at 8 p.m., members are invited to Berlin W[ilmersdorf], Motzstraße 17, for a free, informal conversation.

II. On Sunday, October 20, at 10 a.m. (Berlin

Wilmersdorf, Motzstraße 17), the business part

will be held with the following program:

1. Opening of the meeting and welcoming address by the Secretary General.

2. Reports of the Secretary General, Treasurer, Secretary and Auditors.

3. Election of a new member of the board to replace a resigned member.

4. Motions from the plenum.

5. Miscellaneous.

III. On Sunday at 4 p.m., (Berlin

Wilmersdorf, Motzstraße 17) a factual-theosophical

part with the following program:

1. Free lectures and discussions by members.

2. Free, informal debate.

IV. Monday, October 21, 10 a.m. (Berlin Wfilmersdorf, Motzstraße 17): Continuation of the Theosophical part:

1. Free lectures and discussions by members.

2. Free, informal discussion.

On Saturday, October 19th, at 4 p.m. (Berlin Wilmersdorf Motzstraße 17), the members of the board are requested to attend the regular board meeting.

Proposals for the General Assembly and registrations from individual members for lectures and addresses etc. on Sunday afternoon and Monday morning are requested (to be sent to the address of the Secretary General) by October 10.

Hoping to welcome as many of our dear members as possible on the days mentioned above,

Theosophical greetings, the General Secretary:
Dr. Rudolf Steiner

In the days before and after, and possibly also on these days themselves, Dr. Rudolf Steiner will give some lectures on important Theosophical topics. Further information about time and topics will be made available to each member at Motzstraße 17. On Monday, October 22, at 8 p.m., the Berlin Besant Branch will host a lecture by Dr. Steiner, to which all members of the section are invited.

Lucifer - Gnosis, No. 34

Dear friends!

At the meeting of the Besant branch held on the evening of October 14, the following delegates were unanimously elected for the General Assembly:

Fräulein von Sivers,
Herr Kiem,
Frau von Bredow,
Mr. Tessmar,
Ms. Mücke,
Mr. Selling,
Mr. Korth.

We hope that you agree with this selection. Otherwise, we ask that you propose names.

The board of the Besant branch.

The Theosophical Society (Adyar Headquarters) German Section.

Dear Members of the German Section of the Theosophical Society.

Dear Friends!

The undersigned takes the liberty of inviting you to the seventh General Assembly, which will take place in Berlin on October 25 and 26, 1908.

The proceedings will be as follows:

On Sunday, October 25, at 10 a.m. (Berlin

Wilmersdorf, Motzstraße 17), the business part will be held with the following program:

1. Opening of the meeting and welcoming address by the Secretary General.

2. Reports of the Secretary General, Secretary, Treasurer, and Auditors.

3. Election of the new executive committee.

4. Motions from the floor.

5. Miscellaneous.

On Sunday, at 4 p.m. (Berlin Wilmersdorf, Motzstraße 17), there will be a factual-theosophical part with the following program:

1. Free lectures and discussions by members.

2. Free, unconstrained debate.

Monday, October 26, 10 a.m. (Berlin Wilmersdorf, Motzstraße 17): Continuation of the factual-theosophical part:

1. Free lectures and discussions by members.

2. Free, unconstrained debate.

On Saturday, October 24, at 3:30 p.m. (Berlin W[ilmersdorf], Motzstraße 17), the members of the board are requested to attend the regular board meeting.

Proposals for the General Assembly and registrations of individual members for lectures and addresses etc. on Sunday afternoon and Monday morning are requested (to the address of the Secretary General) by October 18.

On Thursday, October 22, Dr. Rudolf Steiner will give a lecture at 8 p.m. in the architects' house (Wilhelmstr. 92/93) on Goethe's Secret Revelation (exoteric), and on Saturday, October 24, a lecture on the esoteric in Goethe's secret revelation, also in the architects' house, at 8 p.m.

On the days before and after, and if possible also on these days themselves, Dr. Rudolf Steiner will give some lectures on important theosophical subjects. Further information about time and topics will be available to every member at Motzstraße 17. On Monday, October 26, at 8 p.m., there will be a lecture by Dr. Steiner at the Berlin Besant Branch, to which all members of the section are invited.

Members are requested to notify Dr. Rudolf Steiner, Berlin Wilmersdorf, Motzstr. 17, of their attendance at the General Assembly as soon as they receive this invitation, as the General Assembly is expected to be very well attended this time and it may be necessary to find additional space.

Hoping to welcome as many of our dear members as possible on the days mentioned above,

The Theosophical greeting,

Dr. Rudolf Steiner, Secretary General.

Lucifer - Gnosis, No. 35

Dear Readers,

(Due to the long interval between the publication of the previous issue and this one.

Our readers have had to wait a long time for this issue of the journal as well. Some may have become impatient about it. Some may even have thought that it would no longer appear at all. There is no reason for the latter. For even if, in the sense of the school of thought that the journal serves, it would be good if the share were much larger than it already is, it may nevertheless already be described as one that, from one point of view, made the regular publication absolutely necessary. If nothing else were taken into account, a new issue of this journal would certainly appear before the reader's eyes every month. However, another aspect has so far necessitated longer intervals between issues. The intellectual current represented in it requires its editor to engage in a wide range of other activities (lectures, lecture series, etc.) in addition to working on the journal. And it is much more important that this intellectual current be served in the best possible way than that it be harmed by pedantic adherence to the publication dates of the journal. This is not to deny that it remains desirable to meet these deadlines. It is all the more the case right now, as important communications in the humanities will have to be published in the next few issues. Therefore, the editor will make every effort, as far as circumstances permit, to ensure a more regular publication. Hopefully there will never again be such a long break as there is between the publication of the previous and this issue.

April 1908
Dr. Rudolf Steiner

On various occasions, one of my writings has been translated into English by several people at the same time. To prevent such duplication of work, I have appointed Mr. Max Gysi, Belsize Lodge, Belsize Lane, London N.W., as my representative in England for this purpose and request that anyone intending to translate one of my works into English should communicate their intention to Mr. Gysi, who is willing to provide any information.

Dr. Rudolf Steiner