Anthroposophy Arizona
The School of Spiritual Science
The First Class
If you discover that anthroposophy has become an essential part of your life, the need can arise to deepen this connection. Becoming a member of the School of Spiritual Science occurs inwardly by making conscious and strengthening an identification with anthroposophy that may have previously only been vaguely felt. When this occurs, it is perhaps the moment to begin exploring the First Class of the School of Spiritual Science, often referred to as the School of Michael.
How did the School of Spiritual Science begin?
After many years when anthroposophical members failed to take seriously enough the esoteric lessons given by him, Rudolf Steiner took a bold step by creating the Foundation Stone Meeting of the Anthroposophical Society in 1923/24. He created what had been his greatest hope, a New Mystery Center on earth, a Mystery School for our time.
With the founding of the General Anthroposophical Society during the Christmas Conference in 1923/34, Rudolf Steiner brought together several aspects of the anthroposophical movement, and gave them a form in the School of Spiritual Science. He designated this school as “the soul” of the Anthroposophical Society that would be dedicated to a culture of what is common to all humanity. With this, the anthroposophical movement and the Anthroposophical Society became one.
In February of 1924, following the Foundation Stone Conference , Rudolf Steiner began giving the 19 First Class Lessons of the School of Spiritual Science, and the 7 Recapitulation Lessons.
What is the School of Spiritual Science?
The School of Spiritual Science is the first esoteric school in which the members are not called by the leadership (or by a leader); instead, the potential pupil discovers his own sense of responsibility for the cultivation of individual spiritual development.
The School of Spiritual Science has the task of supporting and furthering the representation of anthroposophy as well as a spiritual orientation in professional life. The School calls for the creation of a research community that takes up the productive activity of anthroposophy both in personal and work life..
When we consider the meditative work embodied in the 19 Lessons and 7 Recapitulation Lessons, we experience not only an instructive lecture, but also an act that connects us with the mystery stream of all time; we are to find our “true I” on the path of the 19 Lessons. Thus a membership in the School arises out of a personal decision, and an affirmation of its consequences. According to Rudolf Steiner, these can be summarized as follows:
- – pursuit of a meditative life; a wish to know and change yourself;
- – a will to work collaboratively with others on initiatives and for knowledge;
- – a will to represent anthroposophy in life.
Members of The First Class in Arizona are spread around the state; we meet regularly about every 4-6 weeks both in Phoenix and in Tucson. We often will hold a Lesson with both Tucson and Phoenix members present..
Please contact Joan Treadaway (joanaway@msn.com) and Peter Rennick (pjre2@cox.net) for more information regarding the School of Spiritual Science in Arizona.
Some resources available for study for the School of Spiritual Science:
Selg, Peter The Michael School And the School of Spiritual Science – SteinerBooks
Selg, Peter Rudolf Steiner’s Intentions for the Anthroposophical Society – SteinerBooks
Selg, Peter Rudolf Steiner and The School for Spiritual Science – SteinerBooks
———– The School of Spiritual Science (An Orientation and Introduction) – Temple Lodge Press
Steiner, Rudolf The Constitution of The School of Spiritual Science – Anthroposophical Society in Great Britain
Further Reading about the School for Spiritual Science, or First Class...
At the heart of the Anthroposophical Society is the School for Spiritual Science, an institution intended to be an esoteric school for spiritual scientific research and study.
During the course of 1924 Rudolf Steiner held 19 esoteric lessons in which he introduced his followers to a series of meditations (mantras) along with instructions and guidelines for their use. This set of lessons is known as the First Class and they are made available to those who become members of the School.
After Steiner’s death in 1925 the members of the Executive Council (Vorstand) at the Goetheanum began to convey the contents of these lessons to members of the First Class. Other leaders in the Anthroposophical Society were also assigned to take on this task and circles of Class holders grew in various countries around the world.
Today members of the Anthroposophical Society have the opportunity to become members of the First Class and to participate in the instructional lessons.
This website provides more information about the First Class (or School for Spiritual Science):