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

GA 265

The Lodge or Temple

From a teaching session in Munich, December 12, 1906

Every object that can be seen in the lodge has its meaning; every word that is spoken, every ritual that is practiced has its meaning, which points to a process in the evolution of the world. (...) The Lodge itself is the Temple of the World.

From Instruction Lesson Berlin, December 16, 1911

When we are together in an occult temple, we should be aware that we are in a very special place that completely isolates us from the outside world. It is a sacred place where every object in it has a special and occult significance. (...) Every object in a complete temple not only has a special significance, but it must also be there and has the purpose of stimulating and effecting that which makes it possible to draw the stream of those entities to our temple, which we call the wise masters of the East. They then pour this stream out upon us and thus we are enabled to receive those spiritual teachings that are necessary for human development. Without such reception nothing could be done for the spiritual development of humanity. From here, what has been received should flow forth to other people.

From a teaching session in Berlin, December 17, 1911

It has been said many times that the symbols and rituals of our temple are not created arbitrarily, but have a deep connection with cosmic constellations and correspond to laws that can only be revealed to us slowly and gradually. They are handed down from century to century from the mysteries of the most ancient times so that they can serve as the right channels for the spiritual currents that the wise masters of the East pour over us. It is therefore impossible to explain or understand them in an esoteric way.

From a teaching session in Cologne, May 12, 1913

Everything that belongs to our temple is unearthly, and the activities in it must be considered supersensible.

From a teaching session in Kassel, May 10, 1914

The temple is a reflection of both man and the world. All these relationships are expressed in it.

From a teaching session in Basel, June 1, 1914

The temple is meant to represent the sacrifice that the spirits want to make. The sacrifice must be, without sacrifice there is no becoming, no progress. We want to sacrifice our intellect and offer it to the Christ, that the Christ may also add it to the wreath of pearls that the Christ can wind out of the sacred sacrifices he has brought for the evolution of humanity.¹