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Sergei Prokofieff on Rudolf Steiner review by Stephen E. Usher Rudolf Steiner, Fragment of a Spiritual Biography, by Sergei O. Prokofieff, Temple Lodge 2020, 251 pages Arriving six years after Sergei O. Prokofieff crossed the threshold, this book comes as a beautiful gift to those seeking a deeper understanding of Rudolf Steiner. As the title states, this is a spiritual biography, which means it is a study not only of Rudolf Steiner’s life from his birth in 1861 to his death in 1925, but also of his past incarnations, and indeed of his time in the spiritual world between incarnations. Knowing the real spiritual biography allows one to recognize the true Rudolf Steiner. The author explains that it is important not to confuse Rudolf Steiner with the individualities of other great masters of humanity. One reason for such confusion is that Rudolf Steiner, on a number of occasions, allowed one or another of these masters to speak through him while he lectured. Examples of such occasions are reported in the book. During these occurrences Rudolf Steiner was perfectly aware of what he was allowing to happen, and always with full ego consciousness. A right understanding of Rudolf Steiner’s spiritual biography—“based on the sole firm foundation of what he himself said” about himself “to the members of the Anthroposophical Society, above all,” about what he said “in connection with the heavenly development of anthroposophy—can open up the possibility of building up a true relationship to his spirit-figure. This means finding him in the spiritual world, which will be of decisive significance for the further development of Anthroposophy on earth.” The book explains that Rudolf Steiner is a “young soul.” This means Rudolf Steiner had his first incarnation on earth rather late, compared to other souls. Most of us have had incarnations during the period prior to the Great Flood, during Atlantis, and even earlier. We have had many incarnations since our first. Consequently, we have developed much earthly karma. In contrast, Rudolf Steiner first incarnated about 3000 BC in Chaldea, thousands of years after the flood. In fact, Rudolf Steiner’s entelechy—in his first earthly incarnation—was the figure of one of the protagonists of the ancient Chaldean myth, “The Epic of Gilgamesh.” Rudolf Steiner was then the wild man of the myth know as Enkidu. At the beginning of the myth, Enkidu goes on 44 • being human
all fours and lives with the animals in astral consciousness. During the course of the myth he learns to stand upright and develops a strong ego consciousness. The second chapter of the book is titled “A Spiritual-Scientific Interpretation of the Epoch of Gilgamesh,” where the myth, its spiritual hierarchy of gods, and the relation between Enkidu and the other protagonist, Gilgamesh, the King of Chaldea, is explored. The chapter dives deep into this ancient period, exploring what the two protagonists achieved and the great consequence their deeds had for that ancient time and the future. Among other events from the myth, the book explores the two great battles the protagonists fought against frightful enemies. The one enemy is the Luciferic figure of the Heavenly Bull. The other is the Ahrimanic figure of Humbaba. Though the heroes are victorious in both battles, a consequence of the battle with Humbaba is the untimely death of Enkidu.
Enkidu (left above, right below) and Gilgamesh battle the Heavenly Bull (above) and Humbaba.