No one can be taught how to make people well, without at the same time learning how to make people ill

So one sees how the physical is a result of what preceded it spiritually and how in particular circumstances people have it in their power, through knowledge of certain relationships, to connect the physical with its spiritual origin. For example, if one knows how a particular illness is connected with particular feelings and emotions, he knows that by calling up these feelings he can also call up the illness. The black magician can make use of this knowledge to destroy the people. The deep occult truths can therefore not be taught to everyone without due consideration, for it would immediately bring about a sharp demarcation between good and evil. This is the danger inherent in the spreading of occult teachings, for no-one can be taught how to make people well, without at the same time learning how to make people ill. 

Source: Rudolf Steiner – GA 93a – THE FOUNDATIONS OF ESOTERICISM – Lecture XXIX – Berlin, 3rd November 1905

Drawing by Marcin Rutkowski

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About hypnotizing

Hypnotizing is generally not good. It is an influence that firstly weakens the will of the hypnotized person. And secondly, it is black magic; one overwhelms the other person. In healthy people it should not be applied at all. For sick people it can be something else.

Source (German): Rudolf Steiner – GA 97 – Das christliche Mysterium – Leipzig, 25 April 1906 (page 289)

Translation by DeepL

Selfishness: a powerful protection

Selfishness is not a force implanted in human nature by the gods in order to be denied or rejected; It is essential for man’s well-being and survival.

If, looking for the reasons behind selfishness, we ask ourselves: Why have the gods, the good gods, implanted what in the opinion of many is so horrible into mankind? The answer given by spiritual science is that selfishness offers a very strong protection against what people would face without it.

If one wanted to practice black magic, he would normally find it relatively easy to gather apprentices and teach them about certain machinations that are terribly damaging to the world. But why do most people avoid becoming pupils of black magic? The answer is simple: they are afraid of the potential harm to their own personality.  

Selfish fear offers the best protection against the use of very evil forces, like black magic. It drives people away from utilising such forces, and that is an excellent thing.

Source (German): Rudolf Steiner – GA 101 – Mythen und Sagen Okkulte Zeichen und Symbole – Berlin, October 21, 1907 (page 119-120)

Anonymous translator

 

Previously posted on 7 November 2018

Selfishness: a powerful protection

Selfishness is not a force implanted in human nature by the gods in order to be denied or rejected; It is essential for man’s well-being and survival.

If, looking for the reasons behind selfishness, we ask ourselves: Why have the gods, the good gods, implanted what in the opinion of many is so horrible into mankind? The answer given by spiritual science is that selfishness offers a very strong protection against what people would face without it.

If one wanted to practice black magic, he would normally find it relatively easy to gather apprentices and teach them about certain machinations that are terribly damaging to the world.  But why do most people avoid becoming pupils of black magic? The answer is simple: they are afraid of the potential harm to their own personality.

Selfish fear offers the best protection against the use of very evil forces, like black magic. It drives people away from utilising such forces, and that is an excellent thing.

Source (German): Rudolf Steiner – GA 101 – Mythen und Sagen Okkulte Zeichen und Symbole – Berlin, October 21, 1907 (page 119-120)

Anonymous translator

Previously posted on October 21, 2015

Selfishness: a powerful protection

Selfishness is not a force implanted in human nature by the gods in order to be denied or rejected; It is essential for man’s wellbeing and survival.

If, looking for the reasons behind selfishness, we ask ourselves: Why have the gods, the good gods, implanted what in the opinion of many is so horrible into mankind? The answer given by spiritual science is that selfishness offers a very strong protection against what people would face without it.

If one wanted to practice black magic, he would normally find it relatively easy to gather apprentices and teach them about certain machinations that are terribly damaging to the world.  But why do most people avoid becoming pupils of black magic? The answer is simple: they are afraid of the potential harm to their own personality.  

Selfish fear offers the best protection against the use of very evil forces, like black magic. It drives people away from utilising such forces, and that is an excellent thing.

Source (German): Rudolf Steiner – GA 101 – Mythen und Sagen Okkulte Zeichen und Symbole – Berlin, October 21, 1907 (page 119-120)

Anonymous translator