D00.001 - topics of gender and sexuality

From Anthroposophy

Introduction and background

This is a Discussion topic page, to capture and share notes in support of an online discussion on the broad subject.

In this case: gender and sexuality related topics in a context of spiritual science.

Scoping the discussion: what?

The following related topics, and mostly about their meaning in a spiritual scientific perspective and impact on soul development

  • sexuality
  • relation to love
  • homosexuality
  • gender confusion and transgender
  • pornography and sexual aberrations
    • link with creation of elementals (see eg IIH)
    • link with asuric influences?
  • birth control: the ethics of contraception, abortion, adoption, reproductive technologies such as IVF, selective embryo reduction
  • abstinence and celibacy - also in relation to the spiritual path


Physiological perspective:?

  • the formative forces in Man
  • the threefold soul or human I aspect

'Purpose, problem statement, aim or goal'

To come up with a written statement that provides some clarity and comprehensive views on the above, and brings together various perspectives that can help to raise our conscious understanding.

References

  1. previous online discussion threads
    1. 2011-02 - blogpost by Alicia Hamberg after discussion on yahoo forum waldorf critics
    2. 2018-02 - question by Alex Hemme started on the transgender phenomenon
    3. 2020-11-30 - question by Peter Fisher on gender
      1. Peter Heinze points to key lecture(s)
    4. 2021-01-04 - question by David Wansbrough
    5. 2021-07-08 - question by Niels-Peter Hammersholt Petersen on sexuality within anthroposophy
      1. invites to Mark Burnside and George Monoff
    6. 2021-08-28 - question by David Wansbrough
      1. invite to David W.
  2. relevant pages prepared and worked on this site
    1. Gender and sexuality
    2. Model for hereditary physical body
    3. Fall and redemption - original sin and grace
      1. see notes in Discussion section

Additional materials

Gender identity disorder' (GID) - influence of past-life memories

Jim B. Tucker and co-authors investigated the relationship between gender identity and past-life recall, analyzing 469 cases. It was found that children who remembered an opposite sex previous life were far more likely to exhibit gender non-conforming behaviours than children who reported past life personalities of the same sex, suggesting an influence on gender identity from past-life memories.

see more:

  • Marieta Pehlivanova, Monica J. Janke, Jack Lee and Jim B. Tucker: 'Childhood Gender Nonconformity and Children’s Past-Life Memories' (2018)

Also: on 'Gender identity disorder' (GID):

Another way to look at gender

Consider Schema FMC00.065 on Group souls of humanity, and the bottom rows, whilst considering the different spiritual influences, from the I, the astral, the etheric.

Human races#1916-01-09-GA165

Our etheric body forms and molds the physical body. If only earthly forces worked on us, we would all be alike in our physical body. However, the influence of the etheric body makes us different. The astral body brings about further differences, such as those between male and female bodies, through forces it develops between death and a new birth, during the time when we prepare ourselves for the gender that karma requires us to have in the next incarnation.

1912-05-08-GA143

The very worst offence committed today is to correlate love and sexuality. This is the worst possible expression of materialism, the most devilish symptom of our time. Sexuality and love have nothing whatever to do with each other. Sexuality is something quite different from and has no connection at all with pure, original love. Science has brought things to a shameful point by means of an extensive literature devoted to connecting these two things which are simply not connected.

Interactive discussion

Subtopics are separated here below for the clarity in the discussion

1 - Connection between the sexual energies and the abilities to transform what is lower within us to a higher state of being.

Mark (statement from forum):

The purification and illumination of the astral body, which results in the reformation of the astral body is fundamental to preliminary esoteric development.

This development is stunted and frustrated by desires of a physical or sexual nature and the forces required, for the purification, reformation and illumination of the astral body are corrupted and dissipated through the fulfillment of such thoughts, feelings and activities as those pertaining to our lower nature.

These forces of our lower nature are what we must sacrifice in order that higher forces might be enkindled within our nature.

This is the universal sacrificial animal, put to death upon the altar of the temple as a sacrifice to the Gods, we must sacrifice this animal self, and out of its force forge a new being.


The forces which become the generative forces are born out of the Astral body, they are light and become bound, corrupt by decent into generation and into body, they must be liberated and redeemed, by Will and Wisdom. When they are won and cultivated to refinement, through the methods of anthroposophy they become again a part of our spiritual vestment, they are woven into new formations within the Astral body.

These forces enliven and strengthen us.

Dr. Steiner tells us in plain english that we fashion the higher out of the lower forces. There isn't another interpretation, and yet people will choose to ignore such statements because it is uncomfortable, and conflicts with their beliefs.

He states clearly that actually when we resist an immoral thought and impulse we increase in strength, we are granted astral forces or increase.

Updated version: by Mark, edited by Dirk (and suggested edits between [ brackets] )

.

General introduction, see also: Man's transformation and spiritualization

PART 1 - The astral body as it exists today is composed of that part which has been acted upon and conditioned by the I, and that part which has not been acted upon and conditioned by the I. The part that has been properly conditioned and acted upon by the activity of the I is called spirit-self (or manas) , this is part of the astral body has been totally spiritualised or 'spirit filled', by the activity of the incarnate I- being or I.

See Man's bodily principles, Man's higher triad, Human astral body

Each human being conciously or unconciously is already participating in this process, through spiritual science and initiation exercises we make this process concious, and it occurs more deeply and rapidly than would be the case if left to evolution (and the process of reincarnation).

This process of purification and 'ordering' of the astral body, which results in the transformation of the astral body is fundamental to esoteric development, and to the healthy development and growth of the total human being. This process of purification or Cartharsis means that through the activity of the I, certain thoughts, feelings and impulses that arise within the human being and his astral body, are in a sense corrected by the corresponding moral impulse. Each time the I conciously resists these lower impulses and acts to correct them, through what may be termed 'Strength of Will and Moral Thinking', he is strengthened.

During this process of purification of the astral body, the I must so act upon and face every single desire thought impulse that has been impressed and stored within the astral body [and is part of one's Individuality and karmic package]. Every desire or thought is faced again through this process of astral purging.

This is essentially the process of Karma Loka [kamaloka], that generally the human being experiences after death, whereby he experiences the 'burning out' or exhaustion of the forces which he has bestowed through his thinking, feeling and willing activity during life on Earth upon material desires and urges.

This astral bottle becomes the alchemical vessel within which the corrupt material or corrupt forces are cleansed by the fire, or a kind of astral combustion. As an I being, we inhabit this astral vessel, that this burning out of or combustion of the corrupt forces of the desire nature must occur within, and the greater the desire life of the individual, the more intensified this experience of astral purgation is. [re Purgatorio in Dante's Divine Comedy]

When we practice meditation and initiation excercises, this process of cartharsis is stimulated within us whilst we are incarnate in a body upon Earth. The exercises and anthroposophical literature are written with an exactly planned order and structure so as to stimulate the processes of cartharsis or astral purging).

Note: see oa Initiation exercises , Development of the chakras, Kundalini

Every time that, as I beings, we give our thoughts and forces to desires of a material nature, we are creating experiences that we must face during catharsis. And the greater force of the desire bestowed, the greater will be the intensity of the experience during the purging and cleansing of the astral body. The greater the force of the desire, the greater the 'will force and moral fortitude' that is required to redeem it.

This is one of the reasons why the individual is guided through religion, anthroposophy and philosophy to find constructive outlets for the forces that arise through his generative function.

See eg Golden rule, Sources of spiritual science

When the life is correctly ordered, and these forces applied to constructive activities,

  • not only do we prevent the increase of corrupt astral content that we have to purge,
  • but we are in the process of purging the existing content stored within this Astral body, and strengthening our being through the reclaiming of the forces previously bestowed upon the world of desire by our previous thoughts, feelings and actions.


These forces are claimed through 'moral thinking and strength of will' and enobled through the contemplation of spiritual knowledge, through meditation and specific initiation excercises, through artistic expression, through character development and improvement, through moral thought and action, through meeting the responsibilites and necessities of our life pattern and karma, through self sacrifice and community participation, through any dedication which results in inner growth we raise these forces up within ourselves and build this vestiture of our I, which is our astral body. We gradually develop our purified astral body into what is termed the 'pure, chaste and wise Virgin Sophia'. This is the fulfilment of the processes of astral catharsis, it means it has been totally cleansed, enobled and correctly developed.

This entire process also develops the organs of supersensible cognition. At this stage we are enabled to cross the threshold of the invisible veil (that separates the astral plane from our view) and are initiated, by the illumination of our astral being by the inflowing of the Holy Spirit.

Contemplating the above, is it any wonder that there are not more human beings today endowed with Supersensible perception?

and then:

PART 2 - The above development is stunted and frustrated by desires of a physical or sexual nature and the forces required, for the purification, reformation and illumination of the astral body are corrupted and dissipated.

This occurs through the fulfillment of such thoughts, feelings and activities as those pertaining to the desires arising in our lower nature. These forces of our lower nature are what we must sacrifice, and offer up in order that higher forces might be enkindled within our nature. This is the sacrifice of the animal nature with us is the universal sacrificial animal, put to death upon the altar of the temple as a sacrifice to the Gods, we must sacrifice this animal self, and out of its force forge a new being.

see also: Sacrifice (and suffering)

The forces which become the generative forces and substances arise in the astral body. These forces act upon the etheric body to stimulate the generative processes through the nervous and endocrine glandular systems, they begin as astral and etheric force or light, and through the kind of overshadowing, activiating and stimulating the glandular structures, these forces become organised into the biochemical compounds that are involved in the generative process.

These intermingled astral and etheric forces forces which have been bound into formations as biochemical substances (various hormones and precursors) and those forces which, as a karmic heredity we have received as a generative endowment, are those which must be liberated and redeemed, by 'Will and Wisdom or Moral thinking'. When these forces are won and cultivated they enliven and strengthen us.

Rudolf Steiner tells us in plain english [well actually it was German] that we fashion the higher out of the lower forces, and it occurs in somewhat the manner described above.

Comments/questions by Dirk/Derek:

2 - Sexuality and celibacy - abstinence

Reference extracts and quotes
1907 - Karl Bandler-Pracht

in 'Lehrbuch der Entwicklung der okkulten Kräfte im Menschen' or 'A Textbook for the Development of Spiritual Powers'

There is yet another passion that causes negative results as far as the exercises are concerned, namely, excessive sexual love.

It is, of course, a natural need for both genders to satisfy their sexual urges, and when this occurs, provided it does not happen too frequently, it is beneficial for our health. But in this respect, many foolish and unreasonable people overindulge in sexual intercourse as well! This is not only detrimental to themselves, but they also inflict this passion on all future generations. All our strong, stimulating foods and beverages, such as heavily spiced foods, coffee, tea, and alcohol, etc., force us also into a life of sexual pleasures to such a degree that when we honestly examine ourselves we must admit that our whole being is imprisoned by these stimulants and foods. Reflections, concentrating one's thoughts and wishes, the pursuit of happiness, and all the struggles that most people spend all their time on are mainly directed towards extensively satisfying their passions, among which animalistic love has the highest priority. The only purpose of sexual love is the propagation of the human race. Nature had nothing else in mind when we were bestowed with this urge, and it definitely has no greater significance than all the other functions of the physical body. The exhilaration of our senses, which accompanies the act of sexual intercourse, is only the means to an end. This can be compared to the magnificent colors of flowers and their strong fragrance, which are only bait with which the blossoming flowers attract the insects, so that they carry out a courier service and transfer seeds. They, in turn, are rewarded with pollen, honey, and nourishment. However, humankind has looked from time immemorial at the means as the purpose. The satisfaction of our sensual pleasures is considered to be the purpose, and propagation, which is connected with this act, is only a troublesome side effect.

From the point of view of the occult sciences, the frequent satisfaction of the sexual urge cannot be sanctioned, because the physical body loses too much Od. Any kind of sexual stimulation or excitement causes an increase of the Od emanation. However, if you allow yourself to satisfy this urge, then you squander a large amount of this vital element, the nature of which we shall go into details in another chapter of this textbook. The Od is the physical basis for the activation of the occult powers.

Whoever withdraws a large amount of Od because of the sexual act, cannot expect any results when he exercises to attain astral abilities or if he wants to employ his astral abilities. He must wait at least a few days before he has the necessary amount of Od reestablished in his body. A person who subscribes to the modern corrupt concept of sexuality and indulges in living his life in all aspects to the fullest extent, will find it completely impossible to develop his occult abilities. In a later chapter, we shall be instructed that the Od is the carrier of vital energy, and it is also the lead wire for all kinds of psychic and corporeal conditions.

and goes to explain 'odic blending' during sexual intercourse and it's side-effects

1921 - Karl Bandler-Pracht

in 'Geheime Seelenkräfte' - Unterrichtsbriefe zur Entwicklung der Willenskraft und der okkulten Fähigkeiten; ein erprobter Lehrgang in 10 Stufen

computer translation

Furthermore, the pupil, whether single or married, must abstain from all sexual intercourse from now on until he is fully developed.

To this end, it is necessary to maintain complete self-control at all times. The sexual instinct is the strongest in man and is one of the heaviest chains that bind him to earthly things. Anyone who does not learn to control himself completely in this respect will not be able to complete his development, because the sexual instinct and the associated emission of Od and distraction of thought have a downright inhibiting effect on the activity of our occult powers.

Of course, this strict prohibition only applies for the duration of development. The married disciple, when he has reached a certain degree of development, can again meet his marital needs with wise moderation. The ethical height he has then attained will prevent him from doing too much in this respect and will not allow him to sink down again to an exclusive man of pleasure. He will know how to appreciate the purpose of this process and will only tribute to his earthly nature in a way that corresponds to this purpose.

The pupil may learn the reason why he has to keep so strictly away from everything sexual during the greater part of his developmental period.

Every sexual arousal is synonymous with an enormous release of Od. This in itself would be a reason for denial, because Od serves us as a psychic mediator for the transcendental level, so this source of power must not weakened.

In the sexual union of two sexes, however, there is also a mingling of the Od emanations which is so intense that both parts influence each other completely. One takes on the Od of the other and remains with it for a longer period of time connected. The great danger, however, lies in the fact that the Od of man is psychically colored. The Od of an angry person corresponds to these vibrations, the Od of a disharmonious person is disharmonious and so on. If, for example, a disciple who has to free himself from all passions were to mix sexually with a person whose soul is still dominated by such evils, he would have to take on these qualities of Od which are hostile to him. But not only would he himself then sink down again, his occult exercises would also be a source of continual spiritual danger for him, for as he enters into contact with other planes he is also exposed to all their evil influences. If he is influenced in anger, he will attract beings, which correspond to this passion - if he is saturated with strong sensual passion, then images and feelings will force themselves upon him during his exercises, which by no means serve him for good; yes, even temporary obsession could be his fate.

It is not easy, especially for the male student, to force himself to absolute abstinence, therefore the following rules are given, by the application of which the great struggle is made easier.

Most sexual arousal is rooted in an impure world of thoughts. This is where the main leverage must be applied. Every sexually stimulating thought must nipped in the bud immediately; under no circumstances should such thoughts be allowed to grow, but they must be sent back immediately. The best way to do this is to immediately give space to the opposite thought with great energy and to hold on to it for a longer period of time. The student has already learned this.

The viewing of arousing images must be scrupulously avoided, but if, for professional reasons and where it cannot avoided, it must nevertheless be done, then one should try with all one's might to divert one's thoughts from the earthly and to transfer them to the spiritual. Immediately force yourself to think of transience; if the pupil is too strongly influenced by the beauty of a woman, imagine her dead and think of the process of decay.

Students of both sexes will do well to always go to sleep with the will to absolute chastity; the thought of purity of soul and body should always be the last thought before closing one's eyes.

Then never sleep on your back - this position usually leads to pollutions during strict abstinence. Do not socialize too much with the opposite sex. Married couples should limit their physical affection for each other and let their love for each other radiate more spiritually.

In the next stage, when the student already become accustomed to sexual abstinence for some time, he will taught to find a better use for the sexual energies that he has stored up in his body. These latent energies can and should be released, but not for the satisfaction of sensual pleasure, but to support the spiritual powers, to sharpen the intellect.

1924 - Georg Lomer

in 'Seven Hermetic Letters' (original in DE ''Dr. Lomers Lehrbriefe. Teil I. bis VII. Briefe zur Entwicklung höherer Seelenkräfte'), from the first letter (along with abstinence of alcohol)

2/ Any kind of sexual intercourse weakens you; at this time you require all your energy for higher purposes.

You must also abstain from erotic thoughts, because these weaken you just as much as the actual intercourse; for some people, even more so. Avoid sensuous reading material and conversation; do not listen to any obscenities or stories on the subject.

Should you experience nightly seminal discharges without any action on your part, do not worry about it. It is the given form by which nature expels any excess, and, as a rule, only that much is expelled as nature can spare. When the number of such dis­charges is too great, the reason is a pathological over-stimulation. Consider a seminal discharge of two times a week a healthy limit. Should you exceed this limit, seek medical advice or try a cool sitz bath before bed to have an effect on the repro­ductive centers. (Most people do not have these frequent dis­charges. )

Andrei Belyi quoting Rudolf Steiner

The following extract is by Andrei Belyi in the essay 'The Man, Rudolf Steiner' taken from the book 'Meeting Rudolf Steiner' (classics from the Journal of Anthroposophy, No 75 of Fall 2005)

[sexuality]

The way in which Steiner dealt with the problem of the sexes was markedly chaste. His formulation of the question was far removed from Freud's. Professor S. N. Bulgakov said to me once, "Steiner's ideology is sexless." That is not true. Steiner never closed his eyes to the significance of the sexes.

He said, "The spiritual forces at work in sexuality ..." or "The spiritual forces inherent in sexuality ..."

He merely emphasized that sex is not in itself these "forces," but is only the form in which they make their appearance.

He stressed that it is dangerous to confuse the source of these forces and the form in which they are manifested. From this arise sexual aberrations.

[image]

He compared the forces of sex with the branches that stretch themselves heavenward, and their outward form with the roots of the tree.

Indulging one's interest in sexual problems he considered idle curiosity that lays the roots bare. He never denied the roots themselves.

But he stressed that the ascetics as well as the followers of sexual philosophy have an exaggerated interest in the bared roots. The tree that is planted roots uppermost dies.

The transformation of the powers of sex takes place through the intensification of the functions of that part of the tree that is above the earth, the foliage, which also provides nourishment for the roots.

The foliage is consciousness.

[end image]

Steiner's seemingly abstract idealism is very concrete. He stood for the transformation of the spiritual forces within sex through the powers of the I, for shifting the focal point of sexuality.

The true evolution of sex is its transformation.

[relationships]

In daily life he was free and independent, and he welcomed all independence. It was whispered that he destroyed marriages. This criticism, like any distortion, was not altogether unfounded. The falsity of middle-class marriage that is no marriage at all, but an arrangement upon a sexual or economic basis, made him indignant. Ungenuine middle-class marriages burst at every seam when they came in contact with anthroposophy. He did not take people who separated out of a love of freedom and drag them back by the ears into marriage. Every true marriage he greeted with enthusiasm.

An example of his independent attitude in matters of love: A married man complained that when his wife had asked Steiner whether she should return to her husband, she had been advised against it. Later the Doctor said to this man,

"I know that you have been angry with me because I did not say to your wife, 'Go back to him'. But please think it over. Could I really have said that! You still love her, but your wife asked. If you love, you do not ask."

Thereupon the husband, an admirer of the Philosophy of Freedom, understood him. His reproach against the Doctor changed into warmest gratitude.

In his kindness, the demands he made upon himself were unending.

"Compassion has its limits," Mariya Yakovlevna said to him. But he replied: "No, compassion has no limits."

Of love he said:

"It is a giving faculty. The more one gives, the more one has to give."

Every true love, according to his words, has the quality of infinite extension. He extended himself.

1966 - Elisabeth Haich

book "Sexual Energy and Yoga' (1966)

Notes:

  • The purpose of this book is to introduce the concept of transmuting the physical, emotional, mental and psychic energies people normally disperse in sexual activity. This process assists in uniting with the higher Self or God.
  • Topics include: The Creative Primal Serpent; Sexual Energy in Its False & True Light; The Magical Powers of Suggestion; Hypnosis; Mediumship; The Urge For Unity & Its Corruptions ; The Sun Creator & Destroyer of Life; The Magic Flower
  • "The Transformation of sexual energy into spiritual, divine, creative power, is the resurrection from death to eternal life".

.

The book goes into how inadvisable it is to practice celibacy until one is ready to mentally and emotionally, for physical abstention alone is insufficient to grow. It is the transformation and sublimation of that energy by thought and will that is necessary, not mere abstention.

Also Harold W. Percival says it has to be only for a seeker that is ready for it, it should not be forced, or a whole lot of neurosis and harmful effects might come to the surface. When a seeker is ready, Life Herself, the Holy Spirit shifts a seeker’s life in order to start.

197X - Shelly Trimmer

in an interview with Ray Grasse in 1977-78, see 'An Infinity of Gods' - see More sources on the topic of initiation; extracts SWCC

When you breathe with Kriya, you're turning the Scorpio part of your third chakra upward, so to speak, and pouring energy upward from there. That energy is normally directed downward towards the sex organs, but in the Kriya system we're circulating the energies in the opposite direction from where they normally go. If you're really breathing your Kriya correctly, there is a cessation of all desire in the sex organs. The energy's going up; it ain't going down into the organ. Your creativity is pointed in the reverse direction of the natural flow, it's now going up. In other words, when you breathe upward in Kriya, you're going from Capricorn to Sagittarius to Scorpio. So you're turning Scorpio upward, and it's not dissipating itself in the sex organ, it is going up to the head.

.

But if you let the natural flow go, the energy descends into the sex organs and is causing a buildup of the glandular secretions. And a man always knows what's wrong with him when his glands become full. See, a woman does not have glands that get filled up in quite the same way, to let her know something is wrong. She will get nervous and irritable and not know that she needs to be made love to. But a man always knows what he wants.

in an interview with Steven J. Cozzi (taken from the document Kriyayoga 2002, in PDF on public internet)

If a person wants to work real magic they have to become celibate for a period of time. .. You see it’s almost impossible to work magic unless you have a reserve of energy. The woman holds the power, they are the battery ... .

The way things are set up the men have a more difficult time. The pressure builds up and presses against certain nerve endings. Unless he can lift that energy in meditation he is going to relieve that pressure. When he does this he dissipates his power and temporarily breaks the loop of energy around him. Even masturbation will do this.

..

When you can lift the energy to the higher centers you just won’t feel it as much. The physical pressure will not continue to build up. You are closing off the loop so that it does not activate the solar plexus.

198X - Daskalos

in the book by Markides: Homage to Sun (HTS), 1987 - based on visits summers 83-84-85 and period 85-86

... for the advanced mystic food is nothing more than a necessity in keeping the body alive. Sexuality, too, is not an end in itself, but a means for cooperating with the Absolute in the process of creation.'

I pointed out that to me what he had said about sexuality sounded like a doctrine for the ascetic life.

Not so: the ascetic aims to subdue his desires, whereas the advanced master has transcended his desires.

I am not at all suggesting that sexual desire should be suppressed. It is a need for you. I cannot demand that you abstain. You are at a phase of your existence when sexual pleasure is a necessity.

I am not urging you not to cook delicious gourmet food which you have a craving for. ...

You may say that pleasures of the flesh are illusions. For those who need them, however, they are good and beautiful illusions that can create harmonious relationships between human beings, men and women. I am not underestimating physical desires. But as for myself, I am not enamored of them.

A true mystic .. overcome[s] the illusion and passion for ownership. Our real possessions are not the amounts of material things we own, but what we have stored within ourselves. Attachment to material objects, therefore, is an impediment to one's spiritual advancement.

I do not have to own flowers in order to enjoy them. When I enjoy beautiful flowers, the gardens of the whole world are mine. I need not own them. What I possess in reality is what I can behold, not what I own. The moment that you grab something and call it "mine," you are a very poor man. The moment you open your palm and say, "everything is mine," without restricting what is yours to what is in your hand, you are truly a rich person.

2025 - Richard Cloud

post taken from facebook forum, titled 'Rosicrucian initiation based upon subjugation of the lower nature and conservation of the sex force', here edited SWCC

Other methods exist and are valid in their own right, but this is the method known and taught by the Rosicrucian stream as well as others which I’ll mention later.

Most occult students know the foundational force of magic, and true initiation centers around the procreative force. This is the Secret that is not a secret. The generative force is the battery which makes occultism possible in all its aspects.

The differences center around the proper use (or misuse) of this force. Some schools teach the utilization of this force with a partner, as in the Hieros Gamos. Others avoid the topic altogether. Some go into the Mysteries of Eros, Baccus, Eulis, and other rites. A few, however, teach a form of “inner alchemy” wherein this force is conserved within the aspirant and used as a pabulum for self-development, as in 1st John 3:9, “Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for his seed remains in him.”

Outside of the Rosicrucian teachings, certain other Orders also acknowledge this path as well: the Grail Order of ECH Piethmann seems to be one, another is the Hermetic Brotherhood Of Luxor (HBOL).

In documents relating to the HBOL, we have an author named 'Sirius', who I have not been able to identify. Some claim it was Emma Hardinge Britten (which she denied), others think it was Max Theon himself, or possibly Thomas Burgoyne. Regardless, 'Sirius' wrote several things included in the HBOL documents. In one such document it says,

“A practical occultist may be of either sex, but must observe as the first law Inviolable Chasity - and that with a view of conserving all the viral powers of the organism. No aged person, especially one who has not lived the life of strict chastity, can acquire the full sum of the powers above named. It is better to commence practice in early youth for after the meridian of life, when the processes of waste prevail over repair, few of the powers above described can be attained; the full sum never.”

This method of initiation (meaning “initiation” into spiritual realities, not just membership in a group), is achieved through the proper use of the generative force, which is correspondent with the purification of the astral body.

[purification of astral body, and illumination - for more info on what is described below, see Kundalini#Note 3 - The process of illumination]

In ancient times, the purification of the astral body through meditation and concentration (two of the main Rosicrucian exercises) was called “katharsis”. The purpose of this process was to eliminate from the astral body everything that stops it from developing spiritual organs of perception.

Rudolf Steiner says this purified astral body, which has none of the impure impressions of the physical world, is called (in esoteric Christianity) the “pure and wise Virgin Sophia.” By means of all that we receive during katharsis, the pupil cleanses and purifies the astral body so that it is transformed into the Virgin Sophia.

Once this is achieved, a second power approaches and fills the Virgin Sophia. In esoteric Christianity this is called the “Holy Spirit.” And so the purified astral body acts somewhat like a chalice, or Grail, to receive the Holy Spirit. Therefore according to Rosicrucian doctrine, through the processes of initiation the Christian occultist creates a “Grail” within themselves. Through the purification and cleansing of the astral body we make our astral body into the “Virgin Sophia” which is then filled by the Holy Spirit.

The purification of the astral body, i.e., the creation of the Virgin Sophia within the neophyte, and the union with the Holy Spirit that fills it, is what Christian occultists refer to as the “Immaculate Conception,” or “Chemical Marriage.”

This doctrine of the Immaculate Conception, or alchemical union, is one of the most sublime mysteries of the Christian religion.

...

The Immaculate Conception is a true Arcana of the Mysteries. And perhaps for this reason it has suffered the most injustice by being dragged down into materialism. Various erroneous and clumsy theories have been promoted by the Church about this great mystery, often changing Immaculate Conception into the “Miraculous conception.” This popular, but mistaken idea says that around 2025 years ago Jesus was born from a mother, Mary, without the cooperation of an earthly father. And among Christians, this is looked at as a unique event. But in reality the Immaculate Conception has taken place many times in human history.

[moon and sun]

To understand this better we may consider our own evolutionary stage and our relationship to animals.

  • The animals have 28 pairs of spinal nerves, which links them to what the Rosicrucians call the Lunar stage of existence. They are perfectly attuned to the 28 days of the Lunar cycle around the zodiac (it takes the moon 28 days to completely encircle the 12 signs of the zodiac). In the wild, when they are not interfered with by humans, the group-spirit of each species regulates their mating, so there is no error in their coupling. This is why during certain times female animals come into “heat”. Outside of this allotted time there is no mating between them.
  • Humans, on the other hand, have progressed beyond the lunar stage. We have 31 pairs of spinal nerves, which links us to the solar month of 31 days. But through our divine free will, we can abuse the creative function and unite with a partner at any time of the year.

[the Fall and the journey of humanity - for more info on what is described below, see Fall and redemption - original sin and grace]

The bible is divided into two main parts: The Old Testament and the New Testament. In the Old Testament we learn about the “fall”. Occultists recognize this as being linked to the ignorant use of the procreative force. “Knowing” in the biblical sense referred to the sex act.

Hence we have the example that Adam “knew” Eve and she bore Able. And Adam “knew” Even and she bore Seth. This should shed light on “eating from the Tree of Knowledge”, which resulted in casting us out from the Garden of Eden. Then, in shame, humankind covered itself with the fig leaf, prompting God to ask, “Who told you that you were naked?”

Prior to eating from the Tree of Knowledge, prior to the self-realization that accompanied the “Fall”, conception was guided by divine hierarchies just as they are in the animals today. After the fall, passion entered the flesh and the purity of union, once guided by the Gods, was dragged down into sensual pleasure.

Thus, we gradually became more and more imprisoned in the flesh, and subsequently became subject to pain and death.

However, this was a necessary part of our evolution. It denotes the beginning of our evolution through matter. Since then, we have been living in a physical body which obscures the light of Heaven because of the 'pollution' of the flesh.

[redemption]

The spirit within us is like a rough diamond, uncut and covered by the grime of the earth. The spiritual hierarchies that help guide our evolution, are like heavenly lapidaries. They help us cut through the outer covering so the spirit within may shine through the body which surrounds it. When the lapidary holds the diamond to the grindstone it emits a scream, like a cry of pain, as the outer crust is removed. But gradually the diamond, because of the grindstone, becomes something more beautiful than if it had never met the friction of the stone.

Similarly, the hierarchies hold us to the grindstone of experience. And this painful friction of life causes the sleeping spirit within to stir and awaken. Gradually the light of the spirit begins to shine through as the rough coat is ground away. We are filled with discontent at the polutions of the flesh as we are simultaneously filled with a desire for the higher life.

The shift from the gratification of the senses to a desire for the higher life is not accomplished without a severe struggle against the lower nature. It was while wrestling with problem that caused Paul to say in Romas 7:19-24, “Oh wretched man that I am! For the good that I would do - I do not: But the evil which I would not do, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.”

When a flower is crushed it emits a beautiful fragrance that fills its surroundings. Similarly, heavy blows of fate seem to overwhelm those who have reached this spiritual stage. But it serves to strengthen the soul, purifying it until it shines through with such beauty that it clothes the aspirant with a spiritual golden “Robe of Glory”. At this point we begin the path of initiation.

[back to initiation]

Unbridled indulgence in pleasure and abuse of the generative force imprison us in the physical body. But the proper use of that same force - in harmony with the cosmos - gradually purifies the astral body until we finally attain liberation, piercing this physical shell and uniting with the divine. This is when the divine virgin Sophia unites with the Holy Spirit; when the Holy Grail is filled with the Glory of God.

The pupil who has tasted the friction of life originating in the indulgence of pleasure and abuse of the creative force, who has drank from the cup of bitterness resulting therefrom, gradually learns to seek the higher life rather than indulgence in passion, regardless of the sophistries used to justify indulgence and the pursuit of initiation simultaneously.

There is a virginity of soul that is possible independent of the body. Indulgence in passion locks the ethers of the etheric (vital) body tightly in place, which makes it almost impossible to bring about the separation necessary to acquire the golden Wedding Garment of the adept.

In olden days, the passionate nature was curbed by God-given laws. Obedience to divine commands was enforced by swift punishment. Rewards for observing the laws of God were also plentiful. The "righteous" person’s children, cattle, and crops were numerous; They were victorious over their enemies, and the cup of their happiness overflowed.

By the time of Christ, because of the Mystery of Golgotha, the passionate nature had come under the control of the will. We were no longer subject to the “sins of the father being visited upon the son” (Exodus 34:7), thus enabling the Immaculate Conception, or the Chemical Wedding to take place within us individually.

What does this process look like?

According to the Rosicrucian teachings, when we “hold the seed within”, it builds a force within that climbs the spinal column and unites with the pineal gland in the brain.

When this creative force thus reaches the pineal gland, it awakens a vibrational force which expands outward in the brain until it reaches the pituitary (think of dropping a pebble in water, wherein the ripples expand across the body of water). ... When this radiating force strikes the pituitary gland, it awakens spiritual sight in the pupil.

This is called “The Bridge”,

[maybe see also: Gustav Meyrink's book 'Green Face' and what he called ‘The bridge of Life’]

and is often accompanied by a pain that travels from the sinuses around the circumference of the head. In Rosicrucian Christianity, this is known as the “Crown of Thorns”.

The force then radiates to the extremities of the body causing a spiritual stigmata, or “crucifixion” of the pupil.

Then each of us may say “Consumatum est,” ... it has been accomplished.

Commentary

see also: Kundalini


Discussion

Mark:

Celibacy is an almost universal expectation amongst the mystery schools of old, and the true ones of today.

Initiates slay the dragon as the archangel Michael, plunging the serpent into the abyss, with a lance through its heart.

It seems as though Dr. Steiner wished to direct the minds of his pupils towards that which is true (Spirit and spirit knowledge) more so than to focus the attention upon that which is not true (the knowledge of maya, or illusion, which is knowledge if the bodies of things).

Everything that is a physical occurance has as its source of animation and existence a spiritual reality, without which it cannot exist.

Anthroposophy pertains to the religious inclinations of the human being and towards that which is moral.

That which is immoral, of which the unrestrained impulses of the lower nature are.. do not pertain to the religious impulse in man and in fact are its antithesis.

In the above sense I also feel compelled to make the distinction that I believe all people can gain from the practice and study of Anthroposophy, Religion, Philosophy etc even those who do not practice abstinance and chastity, however the deeper teachings relating to them and the true path of Esoteric initiation and development is definitely a distinct and different story altogether and these do teach and require abstinence and chastity of the candidate.

Edited version:

The topic of chastity, and how it relates to the average individual, is an important one, and there is no 'one size fits all' pattern or universal recommendation.

However one can say it is safe to start with the encouragement of the gradual enobling of the tought, feeling and will life of the individual - from whatever stage in their overall development that they are currently at - through whatever branch of channel of moral teaching: be it religion, philosophy, or the love that comes through wisdom via spiritual science.

[When we open up ourselves and commit to spend emotional and mental energy on this, we listen to and let ourselves be guided by the voice of our own conscience. A voice that becomes ever clearer once one finds one's higher self with meditation and initiation exercises].

Comments/questions by Dirk/Derek:

  • regarding 'renunciation', see the quote 1908-10-26-GA107 on Astral world

With the smallest renunciation that we take upon us, we make a step forwards in the sense that we evolve upwards to the good side of the astral world on the path of sacrifice. When one renounces the most insignificant thing, it is an inculcation of something that contributes essentially to experiencing the good side of the astral world. Hence, in esoteric traditions so much weight is laid on the test carried out by the pupil of denying oneself this or that, the exercise of renouncing.

  • an important aspect is that suppression of desires does not really work, because the elementals will resurface. Rather the process requires starvation of elemental energies, and this is best done by transmutation: to put something better in place of an old urge or habit. See Bardon's IIH step 2 astral.

3 - Discussions on topics of sexuality within a spiritual scientific context and community

Furthermore .. Here is a thought that might not be entirely accepted in the wider community, but worthy of consideration none the less.

Anthroposophy which is intended to enoble, inspire and spiritualise the human being .. what exactly does it have to do with the teachings regarding sexuality?

That which is related to the enkindling of desire and to the fulfillment of the impulses of the desire nature, which anthroposophy is supposed to metamorphose within the the human being and enoble, is essentially the antithesis of Anthroposophy or of religious instruction.

It really seems to me to be an absurdity, quite obscene. These peddlers of corruption ought to have their tables in the temple upturned, and be expelled, as Christ did in the Gospels to the money changers. Let us think about it this way.. would we expect to see the pornographers in their houses of corruption and in their visual gospels of lust and depravity to encourage morality and biblical virtue? Such a thing is as absurd as intermingling the ideas of sexuality with anthroposophy.

.. none of this is said in a sense of judgement against those who hold contrary view or opinions, or against those who live in a different manner .. but I believe there is a great risk for a kind of cancerous corruption of ideaology to enter into the last sacred institutions that we have in this world, and the anthrophosophical movement is one of those sacred institutions that must be preserved from this corruption, in my humble opinion.

Response on the last statement

My view is that sexuality, just like anything which is part of human nature and experience, is to be positioned and understood from a spiritual scientific perspective. This is useful and required for education, and so that every individual can give sexuality 'the right place' based on such understanding.

I agree that today this intention and perspective does not always come across as pure as this intention, when the topic is raised, because of how our souls and minds are influenced and maybe already corrupted by mainstream culture and media in this respect.

Hence, sexuality is enlarged to a much bigger and more important topic than it should be, given its right place in the context of the whole human being and it's task for spiritualization.

Also, in a way the more (mental) energy one gives to a topic, the larger it becomes. And in that sense it is a bit perverse to focus tremendously on matters of the lower astral and physical bodies, only .. without placing them immediately in context of the whole, because they can not be considered on their own.

What do you think, does that make sense?

This is something that is indeed apparent in threads and discussions on matters of sexuality, they are put forth as relevant. For sure they are, as example children are strugging with gender confusion - to give just one example. But at the same time media and culture is allmost promoting the sensation of the current transgender phenomena, as if feasting on it. Whether that is judged as perversion or ignorance is a matter of perspective, imho, because contemporary culture is blind and ignorant in many ways and on many or most matters, and this is no different.

One could say that the sensational aspects do speak to the lower drives of the audience and population worldwide. And those people are withheld, or not ready or interested, in the bigger picture. This is no different than pornography, or other additions such as alcohol which is also societally embedded (and culturally promoted) whereas it is a force working against spiritual development.

Another thought that occured, thinking about the above threads on anthro forums, was the question: what are people really after, or looking for. Is it a moral ethical judgement, a physiological understanding from a spiritual scientific perspective, an explanation so as to understand and accept (by 'giving it its place')?

Maybe our task, or the position in general, could be to draw the big rectangle of the whole frame, point out what matters most, and then include the physical sexuality in that bigger frame, so it has its place.

4 - Contemporary gender confusion and transgender

Before putting forth some though lines on the matter, it's good to organize the various points and perspectives in an orderly fashion, in support of further discussions.

Quote: see Gender and sexuality#Shelly Trimmer

Three points

The premise put forth here is that two different effects can be distinguished:

  • [a] - societal and cultural factors influencing gender confusion with children
  • [b]- children genuinely 'born in the wrong body'


Furthermore,

Discussion

Regarding [a]

Facts from witness reports: in primary schools in Europe, children of 8 and 9 years old receive lessons on transgenders in the classes of religion. At that age children are developing their etheric body, not even their astral body. These are children, they are influenced with these matters long before puberty.

One angle of perspective is: this is part of the reality in the world, so it's normal children are educated 'in time' about this. Maybe this takes place with the right intentions, but it is probably also caused by the attention given in the media.

Another angle of perspective is: this is the next step after the rise of porn for adults.

  • Pornography pollutes and infects the astral body with elementals of sexual nature that pull the human being down. There are forces that are actively working to pull humanity down, rather than to pull it up (eg with ideals, spiritualization, etc). These ahrimanic and asuric influences are working in the world amongst us, they are not vague ghostly effects but societal realities. It is a fact that alcohol, drugs, pornography are socially established and accepted as part of our culture.
  • Could it be that these influences attack the younger generations of transgenders.


Regarding [b]

Hypothesis: this is a new development that was definitely less apparent, less visible, but the assumption is that it was also less a reality say half a century ago. What could be a spiritual scientific explanation for this? This has been the subject of discussions in the anthro community, but very little light has been shed on the matter.

Here are a few lines of thoughts:

[b1] - influence via The double, which enters Man at birth with subconscious influences. Children's feelings with regards to 'gender confusion' are very strong and felt as part of their own identity.

It is known about the Double that "they directly affect human beings and can cause diseases as well as influence human thinking. Especially America is an area where those magnetic forces are rising up that bring the human being into relationship with his double." America is also the source of the social media influences that have an immense cultural impact on the world at large, especially for the young generation (re youtube, tiktok, instagram, ..)

However in this case one has to include the pure sexual aspect of this subconscious influence, in a context of media and mobile phone culture that strongly cultivates egotism, just considering how many pictures children take every day of themselves whereas this was totally inexistent just two decades ago. Both elements point to soratic influences in the third component of the double.

Indeed Rudolf Steiner pointed out that "in the age now approaching .. the asuras will creep into the consciousness soul" causing "cultural death and cultural illness" (see Asuras page)

The argument of subconscious influences is supported by the following statement by Rudolf Steiner (see the 1915-01-03-GA275 extract on Embryo in the womb), our bold and italic:

.. these beings .. seize hold of the evolution of the human being before he makes his physical entry into the world. They attack Man during the embryonic period and share his existence between conception and birth.

These things play a great part in Earth evolution as a whole, and they bring us into contact with deep secrets of human existence. This is often the cause of people acquiring certain prejudices and points of view before they are born into earth existence. And people are tormented by doubts and uncertainties in life and all kinds of other things, because of these demonic parasites.

There is not much more these beings can do with the human being once his I has entered and made itself felt, but they prey on him all the more before he is born or during his earliest years.

...

If you think about it, you will find a great number of things that are connected with these subconscious impulses; in fact, there are far more of these subconscious impulses in materialistic humanity of modern times, than there were in bygone ages when people were less materialistic.

Regarding [c]

One may say that this connects to what Rudolf Steiner laid out about the opposing forces and influences, and "what it is that is really battling in the world today" .. as these "seek to enlist a great number of men all over the world as a kind of army in the service of these principles" (reference: quote 1917-11-25-GA178 on Contemporary worldview war)

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