Clivi Hamiltonis Summae Metaphysices contra Anthroposophos

"An outline of esoteric science" isn't a general or popularized overview of Rudolf Steiner's teachings, which I assumed when ordering it. Rather, it's an incredibly torpid, boring and extensive survey of just a few aspects of Anthroposophy.

Steiner describes, in almost impossible detail, the "cosmic evolution" of humanity through various re-incarnated versions of planet Earth (!), which he calls Saturn, Sun and Moon. Apparently, further re-incarnated Earths await us in the future, including a Vulcan incarnation. The other planets of our present solar system are inhabited by spiritual beings on different levels of evolutionary accomplishment. Many of these ideas are obviously derived from Madame Blavatsky's Theosophy, but have been subtly altered by Steiner in various ways.

Humanity emerged (sort of) during the Old Saturn incarnation of Earth, with some aid from various angelic beings. A kind of cosmic fall or mistake took place when the Moon separated from Earth. The details escape me, but because of this evolutionary mishap, humans are influenced by two alien spirits known as Lucifer and Ahriman. Of these, Ahriman seems to be the worst. The Christ being is a solar spirit who works to reverse the negative developments, a process which will take millennia.

But how are we to know that Steiner isn't making it all up? The second half of the book deals with this question. Steiner believes that anyone can develop the clairvoyance necessary to see and confirm his "esoteric science". This part of his work is truly fascinating! Thus, Steiner claims that those who *don't* have visions identical to his own, are being deluded by their own subjective consciousness or perhaps by evil spirits. To get the right kind of visions, the student should prepare himself by reading Steiner's books, so he knows what awaits him. The student should also feel reverence for true and accomplished spiritual teachers. Steiner himself, perhaps?

It's obvious even to a casual reader, that Steiner's spiritual "science" is really a form of dogmatic self-suggestion. The author also writes that everyone on the true path will meet his own double in the spirit-world (the guardian on the threshold) and eventually the Christ himself - obviously another attempt to induce the right kind of visionary experiences in his followers. Incidentally, this particular work only mentions one meditation technique, and Steiner therefore refers interested chelas to his more well-known work "How to know higher worlds".

I have no doubt that Dr. Steiner's methods do work. A defector from the Anthroposophical Society in Sweden even says in one of his books that he saw *Steiner himself* during one particularly vivid vision caused by meditation. He even spoke to the man (Steiner, of course, died already in 1925).

I'm beginning to understand why C.S. Lewis was a wee bit sceptical to Owen Barfield's life long entanglement with this curious and even somewhat bizarre new religious movement! But perhaps Clive and me just don't have the chakras necessary for esoteric science?