Dear Allan,
Here is an example of how it is possible to use other sources to shed
some light on what Steiner said. This perspective comes from an
interpretation of the Bhagavad Gita by Paramahansa Yogananda.
We are now entering the wintertime crystallization period which
extends from January 15 to February 15. Steiner discusses this on
page 30.
Neophytes and experienced Steinerites alike should know that Steiner,
when giving a lecture, often referred to only one part of a vaster
subject so as not to get sidetracked or confuse his audience. So it
is with the concept of crystallization.
The crystallization period is that time when the cosmic forces work
to keep the earth atoms in existence. This is not the only Force of
Nature at work. There are four others, a total of five cosmic life
forces that inform all matter. The five are crystallizing,
metabolizing, assimilating, circulating and eliminating currents
The crystallization process, in a very real sense, regenerates the
molecular structure of the earth. The crystallizing force keeps the
earth atoms in existence. Through the assimilating current the earth
receives into its soil the forms of all vegetation, animals and human
beings. The circulating current keeps the life force flowing through
the earth atoms. Through the metabolizing current the "tissues" of
the earth become differentiated into rocks and minerals, vegetation,
and animal and human bodies. With the eliminating current, the earth
is kept purified.
The forces other than crystallization also enter into this having,
ultimately, a direct effect on humans, enriching their lives while,
at the same time, facilitating all the other forces to work: the
metabolizing, assimilating, circulating, and eliminating currents
(which Steiner did not mention in the Course).
This gives the concept a more complete understanding. So now, the
question is, why didn't we hear this before? The BDA, in its rush to
keep the Steiner lectures pure, forgets to explain that Steiner was
dealing with fundamental concepts that were, in many cases, of
Eastern origin. These are the very same concepts described in the
Yoga Sutras, the Vedas, the Vedantas and the Bhagavad Gita.
Sometimes, the best way to learn about a subject is to go somewhere
else. Sometimes you have to leave home to appreciate it. It seems
to me that if the BDA, Demeter and JPI really wanted to spread the
remedies around, they wouldn't close themselves to greater
possibilities.
Greg Willis
