Introducing Anthroposophical Medicine: Twenty Lectures Held in Dornach, Switzerland March 21-April 9, 1920: 312 (The Collected Works of Rudolf Steiner) - Tapa blanda

In these twenty lectures, given to medical doctors and students, Rudolf Steiner presents a new approach to the art of healing, based on the insights of anthroposophical spiritual science.

Taking account of modern medical knowledge and practice, and deeply versed in alchemical, Paracelsian, and naturopathic approaches, as well as in homeopathy, aromatherapy, and of her alternative therapies, Steiner demonstrates on the basis of his own researches how a truly integrated "whole person" medicine is possible-one that understands the human as a being of body, soul, and spirit: a microcosm in the macrocosm; a mirror of the earth and of the heavens.

Many of the lectures arose directly in response to the questions of practicing physicians. Specific organs and specific diseases are brought into new relations and connections. The whole question of diagnosis, health and treatment is viewed from different perspectives. The result is a new vision of medicine: one that is practical, spiritual, psychological, and fully human.

Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) was born in the small village of Kraljevec, Austro-Hungarian Empire (now in Croatia), where he grew up (see right). As a young man, he lived in Weimar and Berlin, where he became a well-published scientific, literary, and philosophical scholar, known especially for his work with Goethe's scientific writings. At the beginning of the twentieth century, he began to develop his early philosophical principles into an approach to systematic research into psychological and spiritual phenomena. Formally beginning his spiritual teaching career under the auspices of the Theosophical Society, Steiner came to use the term Anthroposophy (and spiritual science) for his philosophy, spiritual research, and findings. The influence of Steiner's multifaceted genius has led to innovative and holistic approaches in medicine, various therapies, philosophy, religious renewal, Waldorf education, education for special needs, threefold economics, biodynamic agriculture, Goethean science, architecture, and the arts of drama, speech, and eurythmy. In 1924, Rudolf Steiner founded the General Anthroposophical Society, which today has branches throughout the world. He died in Dornach, Switzerland.

Christopher Bamford is Editor in Chief for SteinerBooks and its imprints. A Fellow of the Lindisfarne Association, he has lectured, taught, and written widely on Western spiritual and esoteric traditions. He is the author of The Voice of the Eagle: The Heart of Celtic Christianity (1990) and An Endless Trace: The Passionate Pursuit of Wisdom in the West (2003). He has also translated and edited numerous books, including Celtic Christianity: Ecology and Holiness (1982); Homage to Pythagoras: Rediscovering Sacred Science; and The Noble Traveller: The Life and Writings of O. V. de L. Milosz (all published by Lindisfarne Books). HarperSanFrancisco included an essay by Mr. Bamford in its anthology Best Spiritual Writing 2000.