Destiny – A Life Learning Curriculum
These two courses take a practical approach based on biographical Self-reflection, to Destiny and Karma and to Rudolf Steiner’s two main Karma Exercises: The 3-Level Karma Exercise and the 4-Day Karma Exercise.
In 1900, at the start of his public lecturing career, Steiner offered lectures on Practical Exercises for the Understanding of Karma. In 1924, one year before his death, he reflects on this time, stating that the above announced lectures were never given, due to a resistance in his esoteric circles. The audience wanted lofty pictures, not practical exercises. During the following 24 years, he comes back to the topic in his writing and lecturing. In 1912, he gives a lecture on Knowledge of reincarnation and karma through thought-exercises. (GA135)
In 1924, he concludes with 81 Lectures between 25 January and 28 September 1924, published as Karmic Relationships. As part of these Lectures, Steiner introduces on 4th & 9th May 1924, his two main Karma Exercises. The 3-Level Karma Exercise explores our Instrument Karma (GA236), what we as a person are made of in Body, Soul and Spirit. The 4-Day Karma Exercise is based on Incident Karma (GA236), exploring the origin of challenges we meet in daily life. Studying Steiner’s biography, I came to realise that he needed 24 years – 3.5 x 7-year cycles (or Septennials) to build an audience with an “I” quality ready for the practical approach.
Considering that bringing a modern, developmental concept of reincarnation and karma, was Steiner’s most intrinsic mission, it is fortunate that he had time to give these 81 Lectures, which include his last address to the members of the Anthroposophical Society,
Following Steiner’s practical approach, we use our own biographies as a database in both of these modules, trusting Coenraad van Houten’s insight: Karma is the reality we live in.
