The Social World as Mystery Center

This book explains the social vision of anthroposophy, with reference to its own development and its more general relevance for our time in terms of drawing on knowledge of spiritual principles in the social realm as an impulse of love for renewal in a time of 'growing social isolation and materialism.' Harrie explains the genesis of Rudolf Steiner's vision in central Europe, noting that he prioritised individual freedom over social coercion exercised by the state. Already in 1898, he presciently wrote that 'the present government is founded on violence and authority; it hates the individual and hinders his free development.' Harrie explains how Steiner split from Theosophy with his insistence on the central importance of Christ in reconnecting us to our higher self.

He formulated his own philosophy with a fundamental sociological law that the power of social institutions over individuals has to decrease (the opposite has proved the case with continuing militarism and the rise of authoritarianism and technocracy) and a fundamental social law that the well-being of the total community working together is greater when individuals are prepared to give and share in accordance with the force of love. His ideas of social threefolding and community building are still fundamental; here, spiritual life is characterised by individual self-determination and freedom, political life by equality, and economic life by brotherhood. Interestingly, Steiner noted the inception of the Michaelic era in 1879, and the end of the Kali Yuga in 1899. Disappointingly for him, the bureaucratic impulse within the Society itself did not lead to unification through differentiation and individualisation but rather through centralisation and the exertion of power – also a lesson for our times; and there is an interesting post-mortem communication from Steiner to the effect that his inner circle was not mature enough to enact his spiritual impulse.

Harrie explains the principles of community building (p. 160) where each step requires sacrifice of ego to create 'culture islands' (see review of Margaret Wheatley and her 'islands of sanity' below) at a time when spiritual life is subordinated to the economy and the uniform pressures of bureaucratic standardisation and control. He analyses the reasons for the difficulties experienced in the Society following the death of Steiner in 1925, including dogmatism and the elimination of the feminine element. We have yet to find our way to viable decentralisation and cultural renewal in our own materialistic era of digitisation, and in this respect Harrie spells out some key principles, also noting that Peter Deunov founded a spiritual community rather than an association with members. We now need to create new social forms that allow for the cultivation of the soul, bringing [the] 'forces of cognition, courage, morality and our heart to development in the new era'- towards a culture of the heart as prefigured by both Steiner and Deunov.