Motivation for Everyday Work
from Worlds Beyond the Senses
Motivating oneself to get through the
demands of daily life is difficult. Finding the will to excel
is even harder. Occupation or vocation can become routine,
even boring. What is the purpose of our work? Is it just to
satisfy the demands of our stomachs which in turn allow us to
keep working. Is it for the additional income allowing us to
buy more things? It can all come to appear without meaning.
In these remarkable lectures Steiner's
spiritual perception takes us behind the scenes of the routine
activity of vocation, we are shown how the combined vocational
activity of humanity affects higher or super-sensible worlds.
This activity sets in motion forces which will bring about
future worlds. This is the karma of vocation. It prepares new
worlds in which we will participate.
An understanding of this deeper aspect
of our work can bring meaning into even the most insignificant
activity. We understand that, in fact, no human work is insignificant.
It all contributes to great cosmic processes. An understanding of
these connections can bring us enthusiasm for our work and life.
During the last two decades of the
nineteenth century the Austrlan-born Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925)
became a respected and well-published scientific, literary, and
philosophical scholar, particularly known for his work on Goethe's
scientific writings. After the turn of the century he began to
develop his earlier philosophical principles into an approach to
methodical research of psychological and spiritual phenomena.
His multi-faceted genius has led to innovative
and holistic approaches in medicine, science, education (Waldorf
schools), special education, philosophy, religion, economics,
agriculture (Bio-Dynamic method), architecture, drama, the new art
of eurythmy, and other fields. In 1924 he founded the General
Anthroposophical Society, which today has branches throughout the
world.