Theosophical Conscientiousness and Proper Esoteric Development

GA 266II — 24 December 1910, Stuttgart

Esoteric Lesson

Our esoteric sense of responsibility must be sharpened, and we must accustom ourselves to theosophical conscientiousness. Today, this is rarely found in the world outside. Example: 1. A gentleman who wants to write a major work and also learn something about theosophy asks Dr. Steiner to give him his opinion on the subject, as he does not have time to study it himself. — 2. An American who has heard lectures given here by Dr. Steiner summarizes them as far as he understands them and has them printed as a book in America.

We must accustom ourselves to theosophical tact, speaking about the esoteric school, etc., only where it is appropriate; never talk about occult matters at meals.

Our physical body is very closely intertwined with the etheric body. There are two ways to loosen this connection:

1. in an exoteric way through external exercises and a vegetarian diet.

2. in an esoteric way through training, meditation, etc. These have an effect on the astral body, which then acts on the etheric body, causing it to loosen. One could say that as a counterpart to the physical spinal cord and brain, through

meditation, concentration, etc., a front marrow with lotus flowers is built up.

This is the right way, so that no damage to the physical body can occur. If, on the other hand, only external means are used, the etheric body loosens without being strengthened by meditation or the inflow of theosophical truths. The result must be diseases of the physical body or, if the etheric body has also loosened from the physical brain, confusion and so on.