--- ga: 264 title: "To Michael Bauer in Nuremberg" date: 1904-08-14 words: 766 --- # The History of the Esoteric School 1904–1914, Volume One ## GA 264 — 14 August 1904, Berlin ### To Michael Bauer in Nuremberg *Michael Bauer had apparently written to Rudolf Steiner on July 28, 1904, based on a previous conversation:* > Dear Doctor, > Without beating about the bush, I will say what I would like: I would like to be your student for a while and would be glad if you would give me a task that is necessary for me. With loving greetings, > Yours sincerely, Michael Bauer *Rudolf Steiner noted in the margin: “answered with rules 14. 8. 04”. His answer*: Dear Mr. Bauer! In response to your kind words, I would like to say the following: Your relationship with the Theosophical movement is so intimate that you will find the best satisfaction in your esoteric life by joining the so-called “Esoteric School”. However, I ask you to consider the messages I am sending you about this as intended only for you and to treat them in the strictest confidence. Nobody is asked to join this occult school. But we may communicate its existence to those to whom we think it possible. And I want to give you such a communication. If you do not consider it appropriate for you to join, then you may disregard the communication and write to me to that effect. I will then immediately give you, without you being a member of the school, the necessary information for an esoteric course of development and will meet all your wishes. First of all, you will find enclosed the rules of the so-called Shrâvaka Order, [see page 141]. One must first become a Shrâvaka (literally a listener) and follow the prescribed rules, then one is promoted to the higher degrees. You will see that observing the “rules” is quite easy to begin with. However, strict adherence to them is necessary because only under this condition is real progress in spiritual life possible. If you are ready to enter, please write to me. I will then send you a short “promise” by which you become a member and then, on September 22 or 23, for example, I will give you all the further information. I would just like to write a few words about the nature of the school. You know that the “Theosophical Society” has a relationship to our exalted masters in that they gave the theosophical impulses to H.P.B. [H. P. Blavatsky], then leaving it to her to shape the movement on the physical plane. The Theosophical Society was founded by H.P.Blavatsky and Olcott in 1875 for this reason. Our occult school has nothing official to do with it. For it is precisely an “occult” school. It was founded directly by the Masters and is under the leadership of these Masters. And so the Theosophical Society constantly receives the truly living knowledge from this occult school. Little by little, the exercises prescribed by the school lead to knowledge of the masters. As long as she was on earth, H. P. Blavatsky was the head of the school. Now it is Annie Besant. Within Germany, Austria and German-speaking Switzerland, I have been entrusted with the leadership of the school. As I said, this is not meant as pressure, but only as a message based on trust. If you join, you will have no obligation other than to follow the rules. If you cannot do it, please return the rules to me. I will then answer your letter in another form so that your wishes are also fulfilled outside the school. But within the school one does have the necessary support from the higher planes. I will write to you immediately if you are a member in Germany and let me know of your interest. I will also send you all instructions for a proper meditation that imparts occult knowledge. Annie Besant can possibly give a few lectures in Germany in September. However, since she can only stay in Germany for a few days, she will only be able to give a lecture in Munich for Bavaria. Believe me, dear Mr. Bauer, if it had been possible, I would have considered a lecture by Annie Besant in Nuremberg as well. However, due to Ms. Besant's limited time, it is absolutely not possible. She will speak in Weimar on September 18 and in Munich on September 20; and I hope that you and your wife will be able to attend the lecture at one of the locations. Kind regards to your wife and family, Dr. Rudolf Steiner Berlin W, Motzstrasse 17