The Foundation Stone Meditation
By Rudolf Steiner
January 13th, 1924
The German text of the Foundation Stone Meditation reproduced here is as given by
Rudolf Steiner to the members of the General Anthroposophical Society and as published
in the Nachrichtenblatt, No. 1, January 13, 1924.
The translator, Daisy Aldan, gratefully acknowledges the collaboration of Ingeborg
Maresca.
This e.Text edition is provided through the wonderful work of:
Various e.Text Transcribers
The Foundation Stone Meditation
PREFACE
It was George De Ris who first presented the Foundation Stone
Meditation of Rudolf Steiner to me when, as a new member of the
Anthroposophical Society, I began that ‘voyage’ into Anthroposophy. It has
never ceased to be a source of healing, strength and revelation in the crises of
life. Therefore, it has been a special joy for me to add my translation to those
already existing, in the hope that it may shed another small light on this
awe-inspiring work which will continue to reveal aspects of itself for
generations to come. May I urge readers to use the translation only in
conjunction with the original.
The original Foundation Stone was a double pentagon-dodecahedron
made of copper which was laid into the ground for the first Goetheanum
building in Dornach, Switzerland. Ten years later, a tragic fire destroyed the
nearly completed building. In 1923, at the Christmas Foundation meeting,
Rudolf Steiner presented a ‘spiritual Foundation Stone,’ the ‘Dodecahedron
of Man,’ as he called it, to the members of the newly-formed General
Anthroposophical Society, which was to initiate a new phase in the
revelation of the Mysteries of mankind. The meditation is mantric, that is, a
spiritual revelation in which sound, form and rhythm integrate with the
esoteric meaning which lies in layers of evocative multiplicity.
The mantram has four major divisions, three of which are in parallel
structure, concerned with the threefold aspect of the human being, as a being
of willing, feeling and thinking. A progression is in process. If the three
divisions are placed side by side, the lines may also be read across, and there
will occur an experience as of music, with major and minor themes,
commingling vertically and horizontally, which directions in subtle
variations, are evident throughout. Indeed, penetration into the complex
structure will reveal a pentagonal dodecahedron implicit in the number of
lines, directions indicated, etc.
Part four veers off into its own direction, yet encompasses, concludes and
unifies the whole. Much more may be said of the intricate inner structure of
the work, but the above will indicate the potent workmanship and artistry of
its author.
It is not my intention in this brief introduction to enter into a study in
depth of the far-reaching relationship of the Foundation Stone Meditation
with the Lord's Prayer, or with the Macrocosmic Lord's Prayer given by
Rudolf Steiner on the occasion in 1913 of the laying in the ground of the
Foundation Stone for the first Goetheanum in Dornach, or with Knowledge
of Higher Worlds, The Philosophy of Freedom, The Letters to the Members,
and other works, but merely through direct concentration on the mantram
itself, to point out some of the central directions of meaning which readers
may then further pursue.
It is important to bear in mind that the meditation is addressed, not to
mankind in general, but to the human soul.
In the first verse of part one, the soul is reminded that it has its existence
within the limbs of the human being, the instruments of will, which bear him
through the world of space. It is not physical space alone which is here
referred to but space which leads into the being of the Spirit-ocean. The
limbs may here be considered as arms, legs, and in a certain aspect, the head
which is a kind of metamorphosed limb. A dynamic of direction is implied
which makes the immediacy of the meditant's identification with the process
of the mantram possible.
The head, mirroring the vault of heaven, is directed upward to the
cosmos and thereby may connect with cosmic existence. The arms extend to
the periphery in an exchange with the world — giving and receiving. The legs
meet earth, and as they walk in the footsteps of one's biography, they create
world destiny. To be aware of this is to begin liberation from imprisoning
substance.
The soul is reminded to live in remembrance of Spirit. This does not
imply that a horizontal line of memory of past events of earthly life be traced,
but that a vertical direction should be charted to the origin of the soul itself
within the breast of the Divine wherein it still has existence. The soul was
involved in majestic Creation, and in that process, the individual began to
evolve out of the great I AM. If the past is drawn into the present, the
present with its vast potential may be enriched, and thereby, the future also
is drawn into the point of presence. Thus the present is redeemed from
fleeting insignificance and despair. The Self may be experienced as a
participant in eternal world-being and becoming.
In verse two of part one is revealed that He who is referred to as ‘The
Father Spirit of Heights’ descends into the depths to bring forth creative
being — as a ceramist might bring forth and mold the amorphous clay with
care and sensibility, imbuing it with his very essence.
The Spirits of Form are exhorted to sound forth the creative clarion call
of shaping in such a way that the depths may respond, for nothing exists in
isolation and that which is formed is created by the loving encounter with its
creator. In this way, mankind itself has its origin in the Divine Thought and
is responsively defined by that Divine.
Already the Elemental worlds of Spirit are aware of this great truth which
is heard in the East, heard in the West, heard in the North, heard in the
South. Those locations must not be conceived of as physical geography: They
have particular esoteric significance and form a balancing cross, which
image may serve as a support for the knowledge which is to penetrate into
human souls. Through remembering their origin in Spirit, those souls will be
enhanced by the ever-waxing revelation of the truth expressed.
In part two, the human soul is again addressed. It is reminded that not
only does it have its existence in the limbs, but also in the pulsating of heart
and lungs, the middle region. In this rhythmic beat and flow —
diastole/systole, inbreathing/outbreathing, expansion/ contraction, the soul
may grow conscious of Time — not merely chronological time, but the
eternal rhythms of life and death. Meditation will reveal the soul's
relationship to all cosmic being: the rotation of the planets and the fixed
stars, day and night, the seasonal cycles, the passing years, the great epochs.
It will breathe with oceans, winds, tempests, and will know itself as a being
of feeling which makes of it an individual.
“Meditate on Spirit,” urges the mantram, in conscious equanimity, and
through deeds rising out of the heart's unsullied feeling, the union of the
higher self with the I of evolving worlds will be revealed. Then will be
overcome the tendencies to lose oneself in the flood of excessive
sentimentality or to rigidity in the ice-cold regions of repression: in
composure born of right meditation, with a sense of measure, creative deeds
of love in community with free individuals will become possible. This
community entered reality when the Christ united Himself with earthly
destiny, and He now moves horizontally within the earth-sphere bestowing
grace so that human beings may rise upright.
The Spirits of Light are beseeched to allow that which the East has to
offer — spiritual insight — to ignite the defining capacity of the West, thereby
creating a harmonious Middle. Through the sacrifice of the Christ — His
union with earthly being — the twin evils of death — dissolution and
rigidification — were transformed. Death becomes Life.
Already the beings of the world of Spirit in East, West, North, South,
know this, and now it is time for human beings to grasp it. Through the free
act of meditation, consciousness will dawn and as that dawn breaks, despair
and death may be consumed.
“And death shall have no dominion,” as John Donne wrote, “for the
Christ Light overcomes death.” Thus, “Death itself shall die.”
In verse one, part three, the soul is addressed for the third time, and is
reminded that not only does it realize existence in the limbs and in the throb
of heart and lungs (will and feeling), but also in the realm of thinking, the
calm reposing head.
In exercising control over all haphazard meandering, the soul may attune
itself to the reception of universal thinking which makes human being
possible. As the Great Poem, Cosmic Thought graces mankind. Through
expanding Vision (in the larger sense of that word) to encompass spiritual
reality, the growth of moral and creative intuition becomes possible. The
soul recognizes itself present in that reality as the physical body is present in
the world of nature.
The charting and defining aims of the Divine and the individual's own
part in that process, clarify themselves. Light from universal thinking pours
in to stir the will forces which are needed for evolving acts of destiny.
Freedom from compulsive action, and deeds of love emerge through
ennobled thinking. This may be designated as union with the Holy Spirit.
Past, present and future become that pinpoint of conscious being. Illusion
gives way to truth as what is perceived in all worlds unites with primal reality
by means of thinking. The universal thought is ever present, awaiting the
encounter with the vision of the human being which alone may individualize
its essence.
The very Spirits of the Soul are petitioned to formulate in the depths the
question which will draw forth an answer from the heights, for only the right
question can accomplish this. Parsifal could become the Grail King only
when he had learned to ask the appropriate question out of the depths of
being.
Then the Heights will answer, and they will say: The soul may awake to
know the universal thoughts of Spirit.
In Elemental worlds of Spirit this is known: in East, West, North and
South. Through enlarging Vision to encompass spiritual being, mankind will
grow in spiritual stature, and earthly existence itself thereby will be
ennobled.
In part four, a new rhythm and impulse spiral in as revelation of how all
that has been declared has been made possible. We are told that,
“At the turning point of time,” that is, at that crucial point of midnight in
humanity's evolution, that time when all ends and all may begin — the Christ
Being entered earthly existence. Utter debasement was rampant and the
corrupt soul of mankind stood on the brink of annihilation. But that fall had
run its course and there was a breakthrough from spiritual worlds:
Daybreak! “The day breaks and the shadows flee away ...”
This day-Light began to stream into human hearts, for the Sun-Spirit
came not for an elite but for all humanity — for simple shepherds whose
hearts held innocent love, as well as for great rulers — Kings with golden
wisdom. Now all might meet in equality around the Cradle of the Child — the
I AM who brought redemption, renewal and the seed of freedom and
individuality.
The mantram addresses this Majesty directly: “Christ-Sun”/Son,
imploring Him to lead present humanity to flower from that seed of
awakening planted at that turning point of time.
“Bring love into our hearts, wisdom into our heads,” so that through our
hearts' warmth, we may be receptive to those living thoughts which will
stream into our will, enabling us to carve out our destiny and that of the
world in harmony, in dignity, in truth and beauty.
Indeed, this might become reality if all mankind took into its heart and
consciousness the Foundation Stone Meditation, for it is a healing source of
strength and inspiration, a path which leads to a transubstantiation.
Rudolf Steiner placed this mantra as a seed in fertile soil of hearts:
May human beings tend it!
Daisy Aldan
Dornach, 1979
The Foundation Stone Meditation
DER GRUNDSTEIN
THE FOUNDATION STONE
Menschenseele!
Human Soul!
Du lebest in den Gliedern,
You live within the limbs,
Die dich durch die Raumeswelt
Which bear you through the world of space
In das Geistesmeereswesen tragen:
Into the Spirit-Ocean-Being:
Übe Geist-Erinnern
Live remembering Spirit
In Seelentiefen,
In soul-depths,
Wo in waltendem
Where in majestic sway
Weltenschöpfer-Sein
Of World-Creator-Being
Das eigne Ich
Your own I
Im Gottes-Ich
In God's I
Erweset;
Is begotten:
Und du wirst wahrhaft leben
And you will live truly
Im Menschen-Welten-Wesen.
In the Being of the Human World.
Denn es waltet der Vater-Geist der Höhen
For there reigns the Father-Spirit of
In den Weltentiefen Sein-erzeugend:
Heights
Ihr Kräfte-Geister
In World-depths, creating life.
Lasset aus den Höhen erklingen,
You Spirits of Force
Was in den Tiefen das Echo findet;
Let from the heights resound
Dieses spricht:
What in the depths an echo finds;
Aus dem Göttlichen weset die Menschheit.
This speaks:
Das hören die Geister in Ost, West, Nord,
Of the Divine is Mankind born.
Süd:
Menschen mögen es hören.
This hear the Spiritual Beings in East, West,
North, South:
May human beings hear it!
Menschenseele!
Human Soul!
Du lebest in dem Herzens-Lungen-Schlage,
You live in the heart-lung throbbing,
Der dich durch den Zeitenrhythmus
Which guides you through the time-rhythm
In's eigne Seelenwesensfühlen leitet:
Into the feeling of your own soul's being:
Übe Geist-Besinnen
Live meditating on Spirit
Im Seelengleichgewichte,
In soul equanimity,
Wo die wogenden
Where the surging
Welten-Werde-Taten
World-evolving acts
Das eigne Ich
Your own I With cosmic I
Dem Welten-Ich
Unite;
Vereinen;
And you will feel truly
Und du wirst wahrhaft fühlen
In Human-Soul-Creating.
Im Menschen-Seelen-Wirken.
Denn es waltet der Christus-Wille im
Umkreis
For there reigns the Christ will in the
earth-sphere
In den Weltenrhythmen Seelen-begnadend;
In Cosmic rhythm gracing souls.
Ihr Lichtes-Geister
You Light-Spirits
Lasset vom Osten befeuern,
Let from the East ignite
Was durch den Westen sich formet;
What through the West takes form:
Dieses spricht:
This speaks:
In dem Christus wird Leben der Tod.
In the Christ, death becomes life.
Das hören die Geister in Ost, West, Nord,
This hear the Spiritual Beings in East, West,
Süd:
North, South:
Menschen mögen es hören.
May human beings hear it.
Menschenseele!
Human Soul!
Du lebest im ruhenden Haupte,
You live in the reposing head
Das dir aus Ewigkeitsgründen
Which out of eternal springs
Die Weltgedanken erschliesset:
Unfolds for you Cosmic thoughts:
Übe Geist-Erschauen
Live with Spirit-Vision
In Gedanken-Ruhe,
In thought's tranquillity,
Wo die ew'gen Götterziele
Where the eternal goals of Gods
Welten-Wesens-Licht
Grant
Dem eignen Ich
Cosmic-Beings'-Light
Zu freiem Wollen
To your own I
Schenken;
For free willing;
Und du wirst wahrhaft denken
And you will think truly
In Menschen-Geistes-Gründen.
Out of founts of Human-Spirit.
Denn es walten des Geistes Weltgedanken
For there reign the Spirit-Cosmic-Thoughts
Im Weltenwesen Licht-erflehend;
In the World-Being, Light imploring.
Ihr Seelen-Geister
You Soul-Spirits
Lasset aus den Tiefen erbitten,
Let from the depths be prayed for
Was in den Höhen erhöret wird;
What from the heights is granted:
Dieses spricht:
This speaks:
In des Geistes Weltgedanken erwachet die
In the Spirit's Cosmic Thoughts
Seele.
Das horen die Geister in Ost, West, Nord,
Süd:
The soul awakens.
This hear the Spiritual Beings in East, West,
North, South:
Menschen mögen es hören.
May human beings hear it.
In der Zeiten Wende
At time's turning point
Trat das Welten-Geistes-Licht
The Cosmic Spirit-Light entered
In den irdischen Wesensstrom;
Into earthly life-stream.
Nacht-Dunkel
Night-darkness
Hatte ausgewaltet;
Had ended reign.
Taghelles Licht
Day-bright Light
Erstrahlte in Menschenseelen;
Rayed within human souls.
Licht,
Light
Das erwärmet
Which warms
Die armen Hirtenherzen;
The simple shepherd-hearts,
Licht,
Light
Das erleuchtet
Which enlightens
Die weisen Königshäupter.
The wise heads of Kings.
Göttliches Licht,
Godly Light
Christus-Sonne,
Christ-Sun
Erwärme
Warm
Unsere Herzen,
Our hearts
Erleuchte
Enlighten
Unsere Häupter, —
Our heads
Dass gut werde,
That good may become
Was wir
What we
Aus Herzen gründen,
From hearts found
Was wir
What we
Aus Häuptern
From heads
Zielvoll führen Wollen.
Direct with single will.