Etheric Forces, Inner Peace, and Esoteric Development

GA 266II — 7 June 1912, Oslo

Esoteric Lesson

Record A

How did you come to be here? Where does this urge for esotericism come from? About four thousand years ago, before the events at Golgotha, the etheric body animated the physical body in such a way that forces remained which were not used to sustain the physical body. Esotericism turned to these forces and used them to turn to the spiritual worlds. Then, about 3,000 years ago, all etheric bodies were sunk into the physical body, especially in Greece, and those who developed the highest in the physical realm felt the spiritual world as a realm of shadows. Now, however, the physical body no longer absorbs all the forces of the etheric body; it rejects them. It is in the process of withering away, for we are more than halfway through the Earth's development, and it is only through these forces, which the physical body can no longer absorb, that we can live in the spiritual world.

And you who have felt this urge for esotericism, for whom purely physical life and knowledge are not enough, you have felt these unused forces within you, they have driven you to seek the esoteric life.

What is the difference between esotericism and exotericism? In exotericism, we receive messages drawn from esotericism as nourishment for our souls. In esotericism, we strive to see for ourselves the worlds from which the esoteric messages are drawn.

It is not merely messages that are given here, but advice that flows from spiritual inspiration. These are not merely words, concepts, or ideals, but words, concepts, and ideals imbued with life, seeds of life that are planted in our etheric forces and are meant to blossom there; they are realities. They are tested again and again by those we call the masters of wisdom and harmony of feeling.

Esotericism is a source of life, forces that flood the world and should also flow through us. Therefore

Sundays at 9 [o'clock]¹

When we begin our exercises, it is of utmost importance that we first establish inner peace. This can be achieved through patience. The only thing we have to fight is the thought, “I won't be able to do it.” We must reject this as a temptation. And no matter how long it takes, the time will come when our mental horizon will become clear, if we reject with all the willpower we can muster everything that distracts us from our senses and thoughts. Let the formulas and symbols live actively and energetically within us, do not form thoughts about them, but experience them as an inner light. They must seize us with power, for they are created from the inexpressible word that has creative power. This is the Mahavach of the Indians; these are inspirations from the word that resounds through the spiritual worlds, and it should shine within us like an inner sun. (Change in our life situation.)

Then we must create an inner emptiness, wipe out and suppress everything that rises from memory, even if it is of a theosophical nature, and wait only for what can rise in our soul, either something completely new that we have never suspected or heard of, or a living vision of the occult facts that we have received in exoteric life. It takes an enormous amount more strength to make one's own discoveries than to understand a fact that has already been discovered, such as Pythagoras' theorem.

What is now being communicated to us, we can also find out for ourselves, but probably only after twenty-five incarnations. We have a duty to contribute to the present state of human development by shortening the path as much as possible.

Record B

What is communicated exoterically is also gained esoterically. In esoteric gatherings, advice can be given that can become sources of strength for human beings.

Four thousand years ago, there was still a surplus of etheric body energy that was not used in the physical body. In Roman-Greek times, this surplus of energy had ceased to exist. Now there is again a part of the etheric forces that has no access to the physical body, that is repelled by the physical body and the physical world. In order to access this part of the forces, we have meditation, concentration, or contemplation as our guides. This is very important. But it is no less important to develop morality in the process. That is what the supplementary exercises are for. Those who faithfully carry them out will notice how they begin to develop morality. It is a matter of connecting the currents that come from outside with what is in one's own body.

The astral body is difficult to overcome, but it is possible. Patience is the only means to this end. Our motto should be: Constant dripping wears away the stone. Constant meditation conquers the spiritual world for us – sooner or later, depending on our karma. At first, the experience will be very subtle, so that you hardly notice it; only with frequent repetition of the exercise does the experience gradually emerge with great power.

The urge to develop is met by those who can give the teachings and exercises. If one were to reject this and want to develop everything from within oneself, then perhaps twenty to twenty-five incarnations would be necessary.

Meditation on “the unrevealed light” mentioned in the cycle is important; even more important is the result that can occur. Let go of the content of the meditation, empty yourself completely, and wait to see what comes. Now you know: you will experience something new, even though it is already known. The theosophical teachings appear as if new, become clear, and penetrate the heart. One feels it like a sun shining forth.

Today, every child can understand Pythagoras' theorem, but to discover it, it took a Pythagoras. So let us gratefully accept whatever accelerates development and gives us a head start.

Record C

Prayer of the day, Friday.
On exoteric and esoteric communications. Many things are now being communicated exoterically that were first communicated only esoterically. It [the esoteric] lies in the way we apply these things to ourselves. Esoteric life must be led in such a way that it is kept free from all external influences. Everything that can cause us grief or worry, everything that is sensual and can flow into it, must be kept out of our consciousness.
We are given three things, three means, which are supposed to bring us to esoteric experience: concentration, meditation, and contemplation. That which is to occupy our minds during the exercises is given to us in certain phrases that have been tried and tested for a long time and are not merely words, but also forces.
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About the theosophical knowledge we must acquire. The manner in which the esoteric exercises must then be carried out can be read in detail in the books “How to Know Higher Worlds” and “The Secret Science.”
About the various members of the human being: the physical body, the etheric body, the astral body, and the I. The etheric body has worked on the physical body up to now. But in earlier times, forces were hidden in the etheric body that human beings have not been able to use. A large amount of the forces contained within remain unused. Then came a time when these forces had to be used for higher development, and eventually this force will become weaker and weaker, so that a time will come when the physical body can no longer be completely sustained by the force ... [illegible word]. The physical body will gradually dry up, and in later incarnations we will have increasingly inferior bodies at our disposal.
The life force of the etheric body that was previously held back is now used for esoteric development. Without this earlier savings, which is now available to us, spiritual ascent would not be possible.
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From the accumulated life force.
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On the significance of the words of meditation given to us. They have been brought down from the spiritual world and contain true spiritual power, powers of inspiration. If we use them correctly and allow them to work within us, they open up the possibility for us to develop the powers of inspiration in our souls.
Then the forces we need for our development flow to us from the spiritual worlds.
A primary requirement, indeed the first, is to establish inner peace within ourselves. We must strive with all our might to learn this inner peace. Everything that comes into our soul from outside must be kept away. It is difficult, but we must achieve it. For all the disturbances that come from the world—images, sounds, sensations, feelings—bring disorder and confusion to the soul, so that the spiritual becomes imperceptible to us.
When we achieve inner peace, the spiritual world opens up to us. Spiritual forces are already at work in many of us, but we are not aware of them because we lack this inner peace and attention.
But when we have them, spiritual experiences flow to us from the spiritual world.
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When we are then able to perceive the forces within us, we will first have a [illegible word] world within us.
This world is summarized and concentrated within us.
But it must be expanded further and further.
Then we will also recognize and perceive forms, figures, and currents in light and other phenomena.
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Goal
Example of Pythagoras with his Pythagorean theorem. It took all of Pythagoras' genius to discover this theorem. Today it is taught in all schools and understood by boys and girls. It is considered a mnemonic device.
It is similar with esoteric tasks. These are things that have been brought down from the spiritual worlds, and when we apply them, we will advance in our development, even if we do not notice it at first. It is true that one can achieve the same goal without these means, but then it takes many incarnations to achieve what we can achieve in one lifetime.
We therefore have an obligation to use these means so that, once we have advanced in our development, we can be of service to humanity.
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Repeating the exercises is important. Constant dripping wears away the stone. Even if it is difficult at first, we will find more and more that one fine day we will complete the exercises and see the results before us.
Unity with all esotericists. Therefore (?) every Sunday at 9 o'clock, immerse yourself in the thought: “In the spirit of humanity, I am united with all esotericists of the world.” This will connect us with everyone and give us a significant influx of energy.
The Rosicrucian motto.
The Rosicrucian conclusion: /m The spirit was the seed of my body ...

See note B of the lesson of May 9, 1912 ↩