title: The Way of Initiation: or, How to Attain Knowledge of the Higher Worlds
author:  Rudolf Steiner 
description: Rudolf Steiner (1861 1925) was born in the small village of Kraljevec, Austro-Hungarian Empire (now in Croatia), where he grew up. 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.
zlib_text: ![](Images/image00123.jpeg)
  
  Steiner: Knowledge of the Higher Worlds: Contents **KNOWLEDGE OF THE HIGHER**
  
   **WORLDS AND ITS ATTAINMENT**
  
   **by RUDOLPH STEINER**
  
  ANTHROPOSOPHIC PRESS, INC.
  
  Spring Valley, New York
  
  Third Edition
  
  Copyright © 1947
  
  **CONTENTS**
  
  Preface to the Third Edition
  
  Preface to the Fifth Edition
  
  Preface to the Edition of May 1918
  
  I. How is Knowledge Of The Higher Worlds Attained?
  
  II. The Stages of Initiation
  
  Preparation
  
  Enlightenment
  
  The Control of Thoughts and Feelings
  
  III. Initiation
  
  IV. Some Practical Aspects
  
  V. The Conditions of Esoteric Training
  
  VI. Some Results of Initiation
  
  http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~dcandmkw/spirit/stein1.htm (1 of 2)12/15/2006
  5:15:57 AM
  
  Steiner: Knowledge of the Higher Worlds: Contents
  
  VII. The Transformation of Dream Life
  
  VIII. The Continuity of Consciousness
  
  IX. The Splitting of the Human Personality during Spiritual Training
  
  X. The Guardian of the Threshold
  
  XI. Life and Death. The Greater Guardian of the Thresh