The Initiation

How does one gain Knowledge of the Higher Worlds?

IInitiation is a 1904 text that brings together in a single volume the essays originally published by Rudolf Steiner as individual articles. In this book, the author presents the thesis that within every human being exist faculties that he describes as ordinarily latent. These faculties, if properly awakened, allow one to acquire knowledge of the higher worlds. In the first part of the text, he outlines practical ways to develop these faculties, supporting these indications with a broad theoretical description.
The invitation to awaken these faculties is explicitly addressed to every human being; the author states that there are no obstacles to acquiring knowledge and ability in the higher worlds for those who seriously pursue the search. However, embarking on this path presupposes a very specific attitude of soul: it consists of reverence, devotion before truth and knowledge. Every feeling of true devotion that develops in the being and in one's soul, the author maintains, in fact, stirs forces that will lead to progress in knowledge.