Today we are celebrating the 154th Birthday of Rudolf Steiner (February 27 1861)!

Rudolf Steiner disliked “commemorative and remembrance days”.

And yet he stressed the importance of Birthdays. Why? Because drawing near to the person in question on their birthday we come closer also to their angel and thus we get to understand their impulses and their personality better. We can align ourselves closer to them -or distance ourselves from them.

(I am surprised how often people remark that their birthdays were never observed in any way.)

He again and again expressed a desire to be understood not worshipped.

How often that in itself is misunderstood! Because understanding Anthroposophy is to Do Anthroposophy.

I would like to hear from the readers how they understand this.

To be better able to understand him here are some verses from his Mystery drama, The Soul’s Probation, Act 1:

My words don’t want to just convey

What they reveal when they are taken as mere sheaths of concepts;

They steer the Soul’s Powers

To the Realities of Spirit;

Their meaning is only fully comprehended

Wenn they loosen the Seeing in those Souls

Who give themselves to their Power.

They don’t result out of my research

But rather are entrusted to me by Spirits

Who have insights into the signs

By which world karma reveals itself.

To lead to the very origins of knowledge

Is purpose of these Words.

Let our activities on this day be a Birthday Gift to him.

Ross Rentea

Today is Rudolf Steiner’s birthday. There is some controversy on whether he was born on February 25, or on February 27^th 1861. Either way these next few days are a good time to turn our thoughts, feelings and will impulses toward this individuality.

To the Jesus Being the Three Kings brought Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh.

What can we bring Rudolf Steiner this year, and increasingly every year, as a worthy gift?

Rudolf Steiner once said that he did not want to be revered but rather he intensely wished to be understood. Because to truly and really understand him is to understand ourselves to Know Ourselves.

So let’s bring him our understanding. Let’s try to better comprehend his intentions, his impulses. Let’s ask the questions that will lead us to “get it”.

It is a worthwhile endeavor. Understanding his work, Anthroposophy, the science of the Spiritual Man, ultimately benefits us ourselves. As the saying goes

“It helps us to become what we are.”

Ross Rentea MD