FOREWORD

with a defense of his thought-world. In the following expositions, I speak about the Mystics The term "Mystics" refers to individuals who seek a direct, personal experience of the divine or spiritual reality through inward contemplation., from Master Eckhart Johannes Eckhart (c. 1260–1328) was a German theologian and philosopher known for his profound influence on Western spirituality and his teachings on the "spark of the soul." to Angelus Silesius Angelus Silesius (1624–1677) was a German Catholic priest and poet whose mystical aphorisms explored the intimate relationship between the human soul and God., with a full measure of devotion and acquiescence. Other "contradictions," which one critic or another may further count up against me, I shall not mention at all. It does not surprise me to be condemned from one side as a Mystic and from the other as a Materialist A "Materialist" is one who believes that only physical matter exists and that spiritual or mental phenomena are merely the results of material interactions.. When I find that the Jesuit Father Müller Likely a reference to a contemporary scientist-priest; Steiner uses this example to show that truth can be found in any camp regardless of their overall dogma. has solved a difficult chemical problem, and I therefore in this particular matter agree with him unreservedly, one can hardly condemn me as an adherent of Jesuitism "Jesuitism" here refers to the specific religious and political doctrines of the Society of Jesus; Steiner argues that accepting a scientific truth from a Jesuit does not mean accepting their entire religious system. without being reckoned a fool by those who have insight.

Whoever goes his own road, as I do, must needs allow many a misunderstanding about himself to pass. That,