How to Know Higher Worlds: A Modern Path of Initiation (Classics in Anthroposophy)

This book has a lot of interesting information about stages of spiritual growth and the experiences one encounters on the path. However, the philosophy behind the book has limitations. Specifically, the beginning of chapter 8 describes three states of human consciousness: waking, dreaming sleep and dreamless sleep. In the yoga literature is described a fourth state, superconsciousness, which is a state transcending the three other states. I have been practicing mediatation with the Yoga Sutras system for 28 years. It maps out states of consciousness from normal waking state to pure consciousness without an object. Although Steiner is fun to read, his system has limitations and there are better systems around.

As an avid Waldorfer and follower of Steiner I am also a follower of Reichs work...the ending of Higher Worlds asks for a person to go within and confront the "person" within-or as Reich would have said, confront your Armors.
So-you would have to have some basic knowledge of Reich to understand armor-as it is complex-but in a nutshell- it is your defenses (or more Freudian ego) -although Freud and Reich had a falling out and Reich had to leave Germany and Freud was able to stay because he was working "for" the Nazis, while Reich had exposed them.

I have to say-honestly, after going through Orgonomy myself-that I believe the majority of people would not be able to truly conclude Steiner's book-One cannot "see" their armors forthemself- in fact most people would rather kill someone, kill themselves, take drugs, get a divorce-etc, than actually confront this "person within" or their armors-as Steiner and Reich says- people contract-and the expansion is only very minimum for most people unless they use drugs-which makes them expand more but also contract more as well....which, you know anyone addicted to MJ-has two very polarized sides-

Now, there is of course some individuals who have escaped childhood without any abuse, sex shame, drugs and trauma....right? -Well, if there is a person such as this, well, then-they maybe able to easily attain the higher worlds as prescribed by Steiner-

but because Steiner ignored the very deep and real "armor" of sexuality-he may have over simplified the means to the end.....and I imagine in the early 1900's in Germany-you have a severely armored society-even moreso than now- rigid dress codes, separation of the sexes in schools, severe child abuse, etc....Steiner was a very highly developed person-he may have just had high hopes for humanity-

Now in this day and age-Steiner said there is a time coming when mankind is split- indicating the same rampant level of schizophrenia that Reich talked about-and we are living in this age....
I also compare this information to Hindu Yoga information about taking off the Yoga Maya veil of illusion to see Satya the truth- I even made a painting on it- you can see it in my healing center photos on my website...
So, after you read this book-please pick up Saharasia by Dr. James DeMeo or "Me and the Orgone" to help you attain the "higher worlds"....

Only that day dawns to which we are awake- Thoreau

Aurore Adamkiewicz, N.D.
www.beyondnaturalmedicine.com

This book is inspiring even if you do not do the exercises in it, and ultimately effective if you do. After over 30 years of living with it, I still discover something new with each reading. Steiner is quite forthcoming with information and guidance for inner development and initiation. It is a good companion for a lifetime.

While this may be described as one of Steiner's "basic" books, the label is a little misleading. Perhaps a better one would be "foundational", in that it forms a foundation for understanding his other works. "How to Know Higher Worlds" is also a classic, originally written between 1904 and 1906, from the point of view of one who has walked the path himself. Highly recommended.

This book carries you into depths of perception, but uses simplicity as its guide. Steiner appears to believe in slow and easy, yet persistant. If one is willing, this book offers a way into the connection of our higher forces, and how they act upon us, through us, with us. With exact despription of techniques and understanding towards the goal, this literature begs the reader to come to your own comprehension. Out of your own experience, within this framework, on should find the way to higher perception, and contented understanding. If you're for real, this information is for real....give it a try