The Power of Spiritual Companionship: Rudolf Steiner and Goethe

A TALK BY DR. DOUGLAS MILLER

On September 28, 1924, Rudolf Steiner concluded what would be his final address to the members with the thought of what might be possible if there were 4 times 12 individuals who were recognized by the Goetheanum leadership at the time as bearing within them the mood of a true Michael festival: “Then we will be able to gaze upon the light that will be spread among human beings in the future through the Michael stream and Michael deeds” (GA 238, pp. 173–174). This call for a Michaelic spiritual community represents a culmination of what Rudolf Steiner had experienced much earlier in his life through the spiritual companionship he found with Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Today we can explore how the young Rudolf Steiner found this spiritual companionship, what it meant for Rudolf Steiner, how it came to expression in anthroposophy—and how finding such companions can be important for the 21st century and beyond.

Dr. Douglas Miller served as a professor of German and as an administrator at the University of Michigan-Flint for more than 40 years. Now retired, Dr. Miller lectures and writes on anthroposophical topics, including the life of Rudolf Steiner, the history of the Anthroposophical Society, and the esoteric of the First Goetheanum. For several years, he was also the editor of the Anthroposophical Society in America’s News for Members and of the English-language edition of the Goetheanum’s Anthroposophy Worldwide. He translated and edited a modern collection of Goethe’s scientific studies published in 1988, and continues to explore this aspect of Goethe’s writings with special emphasis on the Theory of Color.

Up-Coming Café Guests
Please watch for special Saturday Cafés
as we periodically will hear from Café Guests outside of North America!

*Feb. 3: Angus Jenkinson from the UK (First Saturday)

Feb. 9: Lynn Jericho

Feb. 16: Harlan Gilbert

Feb 23: Alice Stamm

*Mar. 2: Anne de Wild from Switzerland (First Saturday)