The Essence of the Active Word

From the publications of the Lectures by Rudolf Steiner

The complete works of Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) is divided into three parts: the written works, lectures and artistic work.

From 1900 to 1924 the open lectures, courses as well as lectures to members of the Theosophical and later of the Anthroposophical Society, Rudolf Steiner did not originally want to have written down because “the spoken word brings across something specific”. Later, due to incomplete and error filled auditory reports having been customised and spread, he was prompted to regulate the notes taken. This task he gave Marie Steiner-von Sivers. She was incumbent with the stenographers, the management of transcripts and the publication of the need for issuing a review of the texts. As Rudolf Steiner, due to a shortage of time, could only in rare cases correct the transcripts himself, it must be taken into account that all open lectures must be considered with reservations: “It must be realized that in anything I have not reviewed there might be some errors”.

Regarding the relationship of lectures to the members which are only available internally in printed manuscripts, Rudolf Steiner expressed himself in “My Biography” (Chapter 35). The corresponding text is given at the end of this publication. What is said there is equally valid to single fields of knowledge which borders on the basics of spiritual science directed at loyal participants.

After the death of Marie Steiner (1867-1948) her guidelines were adhered to in creating the publication of the Complete Works (Gesamtausgabe). This particular publication forms a part of this Complete Works. If necessary, you will find further information on text documents at the beginning of the Notes.