The 19 Class Lessons in London

From 22 to 26 August there will be a conference encompassing the 19 Class Lessons of the School of Spiritual Science at Rudolf Steiner House in London for members of the School from around the world.

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This special event will be co-carried by the School of Spiritual Science at the Goetheanum and the General Section of the Anthroposophical Society in Great Britain. It offers a rare opportunity to experience a full overview of this path, given as free renderings in English.

New insights and perspectives

Invitations via email have been sent to members of the School across the world, as experience from the previous such conference in London five years ago, shows that Class members for whom English is their mother tongue or second language were willing to travel from as far as Australia and Canada to participate. Class members from non-English speaking countries also participated to hear the Class content given in English. This in itself can reveal new insights and perspectives.

The English language will be of particular importance at this conference as we will hear, for the first time, the new English translation of the bi-lingual Goetheanum edition of the Class texts and mantra. Many subtle questions arise regarding translations which German speakers need not address. For example, how does one translate «O Mensch…»? Is it: «O Man» (mainly used in Great Britain), or «Human Being…» (mainly used in North America) or «O Human One…» (sometimes used in Australia)? This illustrates some cultural differences even within the English language itself. Or how does one translate the all-important word «Ernst»? Currently it is translated into English as «earnest,» but it is felt that this is not quite adequate. For some «admonition» is problematic due to its association with «reprimand» and will be replaced with other terms according to the context.

More direct and lively

When Rudolf Steiner spoke in England it was noticeable that he was less philosophical and more direct and lively. When he came to England after completing the 19 Class Lessons in Dornach in early August 1924, he gave a further four Class Lessons. Sadly, there is only a transcript of Recapitulation Lesson 7, given in London on 27 August, known as the «London Lesson». It is noticeable that after the London visit the remaining recapitulation Lessons acquired a more specific Michaelic tone.

In the years following Rudolf Steiner’s death, controversy arose regarding how, and indeed whether, to continue with Class work. One leading member considered that, «as Rudolf Steiner had not appointed his successor to carry on the esoteric work, it should wait until his return». There were also arguments regarding who had permission to use certain translations. Tensions deepened when, in 1928, the former General Secretary and Class Holder Harry Collinson, created the Rudolf Steiner Union, on the model of Albert Steffen’s German language Union. This organisation then withdrew from the British Society and attached itself to Dornach. It was recognised however, that the First Class was common ground between the two organisations. It was only in 1970 that the Union, later called the English Section, dissolved and moved to Rudolf Steiner House to reunite with the Anthroposophical Society in Great Britain. This Society had been founded in September 1923 in the presence of Rudolf Steiner, who agreed to be its lifelong honorary President.

Annual Class conference

Throughout the years of division the Class Lessons continued to be read, and gradually more groups formed and free renderings began followed by Class conferences and discussion groups working in varied ways. Today there are some 50 Class Holders in Great Britain.

Every Summer the General Section of the Anthroposophical Society in Great Britain holds a Class conference on various aspects of the journey through the 19 Lessons. This year from 22 to 26 August we will once again encompass the totality of the 19 Lessons. All Class members are most warmly invited to join us as a community of global sisters and brothers.

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