These essay of Rudolf Steiner first appeared in 1904. They were written for a periodical to begin with. In the essays Steiner talked by use of a terminology that he coined for the Occident from one has been taken from Oriental literature of the Theosophical Society.

The gist that follows is from Paul Marshal Allen's introduction to the work Cosmic Memory (1959). Some of Steiner's topics are continued in the books Theosophy and Geheimwissenschaft im Umriss.

Writings like these about the Akasha Chronicle cannot fail to appear as wild phantasy . . . we include some points relating to Atlantean humanity. - Marie Steiner-von Sivers (1867-1948), Steiner' second wife

Seek to evaluate what is worth striving for, and put the best choices - and still more - to good use if you can.

Steiner Enigmas ☼

1. One editor to another: "How to develop others may pay."

"When correctly understood, the truths of the science of the spirit will give man a true foundation for his life, will let him recognize his value, his dignity, and his essence, and will give him the highest zest for living. For these truths enlighten him about his connection with the world around him; they show him his highest goals, his true destiny." - Rudolf Steiner

In certain ways Steiner tried to reach the utmost possible - in matters of style, even, also when he lectured and described his outlooks in city after city on the European continent. He also worked as an editor of Das Magazin fur Litteratur, a well-known literary periodical.

He laid the foundation for a spirited educational movement in the light of the science of the spirit. He attracted men and women to his movement, and got help to build a centre at Dornach near Basel in Switzerland.

Getting something out of his readings today demands willingness to read and understand on our part. It is also sound counsel to sleep on his thoughts.

It is not one's educational background, but the healthy, sound, judgement and good will of the individual that enables one to comprehend what he says and writes.

2. Many enigmas must be evaluated and freedom is worth striving for

Today a rebuilt Goetheanum is the world headquarters of his movement that means to improve the future of mankind. It encompasses Waldorf Education (or Rudolf Steiner Education)

NOTE. The Goethanum that Steiner talks about, was the First Goetheanum, a timber and concrete structure designed by him. This building was destroyed by arson on New Year's Eve, 1922/1923. During 1923, Steiner designed the Second Goetheanum, wholly built of cast concrete. It lies in Switzerland. (Wikipedia, "Goetheanum")

Rudolf Steiner's educational movement has documented that many of his ideas can be grasped by simple people and put into practice too. His methods of Bio-Dynamic Farming and Gardening have become much popular in many countries.

Apart from these fruits, Steiner has left methods for gaining first-hand experience of certain things he has told of. He confined himself to what was meant as objective statements, leaving readers and entirely free to reject or accept his words. Here are some:

The vehicles of the Atlanteans, which floated a short distance above the ground travelled at a height lower than that of the mountain ranges of the Atlantean period, and they had steering mechanisms by the aid of which they could rise above these mountain ranges.

One must imagine that with the passage of time all conditions on our earth have changed very much. Today, the above-mentioned vehicles of the Atlanteans would be totally useless. Their usefulness depended on the fact that then the cover of air which envelops the earth was much denser than at present. - Rudolf Steiner, in chap. 3

NOTE: What makes air denser is how cold it is; nearness to the gravity centre of the earth, and the weight of air above it. One may wonder just how the much in "much denser" is supposed to mean, and find no good answer -

3. If you succumb to deep impressions, you may have to work on them too.

The philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche made a deep impression on Steiner, and many who have read the lecturing Rudolf Steiner have been impressed and experienced a kind of awakening within themselves. Here is a quote to brood on for those who like:

"At that time [long, long ago] the body consisted of a soft malleable mass . . . One must by no means think that the egg-man . . . was brooded. . . . He could . . . (concentrate) heat. He was thus in a position to supply the young organism with the warmth which it needed for its maturation." - Rudolf Steiner, Ibid, ch 7. ✪ 

So

Articles and much else in life need to be evaluated. Skills should be developed for it, as there is much to learn. "If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck."

Hence, "If it looks like speculation [that is, is proof-less] and quacks like speculation, it may be treated as speculation." And hos is that done? By putting the assertions in the large drawer labelled "Devoid of staunc evidence so far". That is how proof-less assertions are dealt with in top-notch physics.