The 2008 SteinerBooks Spring Reader is now available. If you do not receive a copy by mail, you can request one or more copies for you, as well as for your friends and colleagues 〈 Send email with your name and mailing address to friends@steinerbooks.org 〉. You can get it now by paperless download on this page. Just click >> HERE<< (PDF, 8 MB).

From Venice: Doscovering a Hidden Pathway:

"Given the rapidity with which rational thought has developed during the last two centuries, I can understand why, today, we find ourselves in a world in which we analyze everything in the minutest detail. On the other hand, we have largely lost the ability to recognize the unity of all things within the universe and the intimate place each one of us occupies in it. In this unbalanced situation it is not surprising that I feel drawn to the very opposite of the rational, to the intuitive realm. Here, the separation of subject from object ceases to exist; the structure of space, which constantly separates the personal psychic world from the worlds of other beings and other dimensions, tends to be transcended; the boundaries of time are lifted, and the message of the past becomes relevant for the present." —Marko Pogacnik, author and teacher

This quote best reflects the spirit of this issue of SteinerBooks' Spring Reader. Concern for and knowledge about the crises facing the world today are not enough to make significant, lasting changes. As Marko Pogacnik points out, the real root of the problem and hindrance to change is the way we view the world in the first place. This is the main focus of the Spring Reader—transformation of the way we think, feel, and act in the world.

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Once again, in addition to dozens of new and featured books, we include several insightful articles and excerpts. Don't miss getting hold of a copy!

“Welcome back to Earth” by Marko Pogacnik

A short excerpt from Marko's new book, Sacred Geography: Geomancy: Co-creating the Earth Cosmos. Here, he addresses one of his main concerns:

One can see the ecological movement surging up within the last three decades as a kind of alternative to the classical natural sciences. Unfortunately, as a daughter of classical natural sciences, ecology refers to the same rational paradigm that does not allow the Earth to be loved while being explored and protected. As a result, ecological endeavors stay on the surface of life’s web, ignoring the subtle dimension of Earth, its beings, and its environments.... Let us put aside our preconceptions. It is life that matters!

As in all of his books, Marko opens our eyes and hearts to new ways of being on Earth.

“Bees — Introduction” by Günther Hauk

Although this book has been around for awhile now, we decided to feature Günther's excellent introduction, because not only is it not dated, but it is more relevant than ever in the face of North America's vanishing bee population.

“Transformation of the Fallen Blood” by Judith von Halle

This excerpt from Secrets of the Stations of the Cross and the Grail Blood takes an insightful look at events surrounding the Mystery of Golgotha. Her central theme:

Christ was nailed to the Cross on Golgotha because—as Rudolf Steiner describes this in various ways—He, as representative of humanity, allowed the unpurified “egotistical blood” to flow out of the physical organization. Behind this reality stands one of the mysteries of the Stations of the Cross and the flowing of Christ’s blood at the Crucifixion.

Judith von Halle unfolds the mystery of this “egotistical blood” and it's central significance for the redemption of humanity and the Earth.

“Dostoevsky: A Book Review” by John H. Beck

In our 2006 Holiday Catalog, we featured an excerpt (the introduction) from Dostoevsky: The Scandal of Reason by Maria Nemcová Banerjee. (That catalog is still available for download by clicking >> HERE<< [PDF, 8.3 MB].)

In his review, John Beck begins by explaining:

Dostoevsky: The Scandal of Reason is a penetrating exploration of two key aspects of the thought world of the great Russian novelist and thinker. Readers having some acquaintance with or prospective interest in his novels, and with European literature, history, and ideas, especially of the nineteenth century, will particularly appreciate this book, but anyone who has worked with history and ideas would find this short volume rewarding.

Beck does a fine job of opening up this gem of a book, putting it in the context of the time and relating it to some of what Rudolf Steiner had to say about Dostoevsky and his work.

“The Gifts of Death” by Christopher Bamford

Christopher's excellent talk at the “Befriending Death”
Conference, October 2007, addresses what may, paradoxically, be the central question of life. As he says:

One reason we hesitate to focus on death and dying is that it is so difficult, because they are intimately connected to the secret springs of human life itself—so intimate, in fact, that they almost define who we are.

This excellent article alone makes this Spring Reader a gem.

“Traveling Light: Walking the Cancer Path” by William Ward

It's difficult to praise this book enough. William Ward's Traveling Light is exactly that. We have excerpted two short sections from the book. In them, Ward shares his inner and outer experiences following a fateful diagnosis:

My life changed dramatically, drastically, and irrevocably on November 17, 2005. That was my death day and re-birthday. The external event was surgical removal of a glioblastoma multiforme tumor phase IV from the left occipital-parietal lobe of my cranium. Though I was unconscious during surgery, what I experienced was transcendent, like being turned inside out and hovering in timelessness, between this world and the life after life, and returning to here and now—changed forever. What sounds like a cliché describes literally what I felt.

Don't miss this excerpt ... better yet, get a copy of this excellent, heartfelt book.

An Esoteric Cosmology: From the Foreword by Edouard Schuré

This book is unusual among the works of Rudolf Steiner. Rather than verbatim notes of entire lectures, Edouard Schuré took notes that condensed what Steiner had to say, giving us a brief overview of Anthroposophy, which Steiner expanded later into An Outline of Esoteric Science. As for Schuré, he was immediately struck by his perception of Steiner upon meeting him:

I shall never forget the extraordinary impression made upon me by this man when he entered the room. As I looked at that thin, powerful face, at the black mysterious eyes flashing light as if from unfathomable depths, it struck me that for the first time in my life I was facing one of those supreme seers who have direct vision of the great beyond. Intuitively and poetically, I had described such seers in The Great Initiates, but I had never hoped to meet one in this world. The impression was instantaneous and irresistible, unexpected as well as already known. Even before he opened his lips, an inner voice said to me: Here is a true master, one who will play an all-important part in your life.

If you've been looking for a brief, accessible introduction to Anthroposophy, this is an excellent place to start.

“The Barfield School of Sunbridge College” by Gertrude Reif Hughes

There's a new and exciting post-graduate program available at Sunbridge College. A brief conversation with Gertrude Reif Hughes describes this innovative program, fully accredited by New York State. To give an idea of the inspiration behind the initiative:

The work of the British writer and philosopher Owen Barfield forms the ground of the school’s curriculum. The program also adheres to the work of Rudolf Steiner, whose anthroposophic path of consciousness and wisdom leads to knowledge based on understanding others and ourselves as beings of spirit, soul, and body. In keeping with anthroposophic ideals, The Barfield School embraces multiple means to this end and welcomes all positive contributions to the renewal of culture. Offering its students an open, nonsectarian academic and social environment, the program honors many philosophical paths, while recognizing Anthroposophy as its core.

Visit The Barfield School of Sunbridge College website at: www.barfieldschool.org

Again, the 2008 SteinerBooks Spring Reader is available here as a paperless download. Click >> HERE<< (PDF, 8 MB) to get the electronic version.

If you have comments, please feel free to send email to friends@steinerbooks.org. We enjoy hearing from our readers.