May Human Beings Hear It!: The Mystery Of The Christmas Conference

"It is up to human beings whether they merely conceive of anthroposophy or whether they experience it." —Rudolf Steiner During Christmastime of 1923–1924, Rudolf Steiner reestablished the Anthroposophical Society at its headquarters in Dornach, Switzerland. This important event—the so-called Christmas Conference—can be studied on many levels, and its mysteries have for many years been central to Prokofieff’s anthroposophic research. He begins with the enduring question: What did Rudolf Steiner mean when he called the Christmas Conference the "start of a world turning point of time"? In this far-reaching work, the author, working from several perspectives, guides the reader toward an answer. The book suggests that the impulse of the Christmas Conference can be reenlivened today only through individual conscious efforts to experience its spiritual essence. Instead of dogmatic conclusions, he offers paths for approaching this goal by illuminating various aspects of the Conference and its essence, the Foundation Stone and its meditation. In particular, Prokofieff explores three key perspectives: the connection between the Christmas Conference with human evolution; the inner relationship between each anthroposophist and the Christmas Conference; and the significance of that conference for Rudolf Steiner. Although this is a major work of some length, its chapters form complete and independent studies. This is an important contribution to our understanding of the Christmas Conference and its significance for modern humanity.