By Rudolf Steiner

Translated by Frank Thomas Smith
Bn 241c; GA 241c; CW 241c

During the re-founding of the Anthroposophical Society at Christmas 1923, Rudolf Steiner also reconstituted the “Esoteric School” which had originally functioned in Germany from 1904 until 1914, when the outset of the First World War made it's continuance impossible. However, the original school was only for a relatively few selected individuals, whereas the new school was incorporated into the School for Spiritual Science at the Goetheanum in Dornach, Switzerland.

By the time Rudolf Steiner had given the first nineteen First Class Lessons (Volumes One and Two), so many new members had joined, or wanted to join, that he felt it necessary to recapitulate the lessons already given rather than continue to advance. However, although the mantras (verses) used are the same as in Volume One, the descriptions are sufficiently different to justify a new volume. Furthermore, much new and valuable material is introduced, which is not in the previous volumes.

This translation is presented here with the kind permission of Frank Thomas Smith editor of the Southern Cross Review, and the Rudolf Steiner Nachlassverwaltung, Dornach, Switzerland. From Bn 241c, GA 241c, CW 241c.