The History of the Esoteric School 1904–1914, Volume One

GA 264 — Berlin

To Anna R. Minsloff in Russia

Berlin, November 16, 1908

My dear Miss Minsloff!

From your kind letters, I see that you consider my trip to Russia to be necessary at this particular time. Now you can be sure that I will always do everything in my power to further the cause we are serving with you in Russia. And even now I would be prepared to overcome obstacles if the situation were not such that, at this very moment, my trip to Russia would do more harm than good if it were to be arranged as it would have to be arranged now. And the harm would be all the greater, as a journey at a later period will bring much benefit. But we would be depriving ourselves of this if we were to do something now, at the most inopportune time, that could be nothing more than a waste of time and energy. There are many reasons for all this. Firstly, the most important one: the powers watching over the spiritual movement indicate a later point in time as the one when the theosophical mission should begin in your country. This is because it must be based on solid scientific ground in Russia, otherwise it will remain fruitless.

Secondly, my trip at the present time can only cause misunderstandings. Especially misunderstandings in the Theosophical Society. But we already have enough misunderstandings there. The point is that in the not too distant future we will be facing completely new situations in the Theosophical Society. We would define these matters in an unfavorable way if we were to arrange my trip now in such a way that I would present it as if I were summoned by opponents of the Russian Theosophical Section in Russia. We would then have everything against us, even in Adyar. But our concern is the cause, and we would do it harm if we were seen as opponents of the Russian Section. It would now even be necessary for me to demand, before coming to Russia, that all our German members join the Russian Section in order to avoid harming the cause. Then, if I were summoned by a group of Russian section members, there would be nothing to be said against my coming; but inwardly the present moment would remain as unfavorable as possible. Whether you join the Russian section or not, I will never influence you in that regard. Your and your comrades' relationship to me will not change in any way, whether you are members of the German or the Russian section. The only thing is that you should go the way that suits you best in this matter. And that consists in preparing a theosophical matter for you that is based on a solid foundation, avoids all theosophical dilettantism, and takes into account the historical development of humanity. My dear Fräulein Minsloff, you have been guided by all of this in everything you have done so far. It must, of course, be left to you to decide how you will relate to the newly established Russian Section. In Adyar, it seems that they believe that I have influenced your decisions, while you have, in fact, come to them on your own, realizing that this Section, with these institutions, does not correspond to Russian conditions.

But whether or not it is a section, things will take their course as they must according to spiritual necessities. In all the decisions you make, you will always have to ask yourself the question: is this action in line with spiritual necessities? These are too serious times for mere abstractions, as are currently beloved of in some Theosophical circles.

So, as I said, let the situation of the Theosophical Society in Russia be clarified. Much of what will happen in the Theosophical Society in the near future will contribute to such a clarification. Everything will be all right. This letter is only for you.

Sincerely and faithfully,

Dr. Rudolf Steiner