Author Description

“In September 1924, all of us who attended the new courses in Dornach felt we were living far beyond our ordinary consciousness. We felt lifted into another sphere; we all looked different, all seeing and hearing beyond our own capacities. When we looked at one another, we said, Is that really him? It was an incredible and indescribable experience. We were living in a world of spirit that was, of course, far beyond our own powers. There were moments during the final lectures of the pastoral medicine course when Rudolf Steiner emanated so much love and spirit that it was hard to listen to his actual words.” (Willem Zeylmans van Emmichoven) In this study, Peter Selg illumines the period from September 5 to 28, 1924, in Dornach, when Rudolf Steiner gave seventy lectures in five parallel courses, met regularly with the workers at the Goetheanum, held four hundred individual consultations, and undertook countless initiatives, including sorting out the building application for the second Goetheanum. Drawing on first-hand accounts, Peter Selg sheds light on the harmony and coherence of these courses, on Rudolf Steiner’s intentions and the deeply moving picture of these final weeks in which he accomplished monumental feats, despite his forces being severely depleted. This work culminated in his last address on September 28, 1924, which is also printed here. This book is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking to understand the final efforts of Rudolf Steiner to awaken humanity to its most important tasks.