Region of active soul force

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The region of active soul force is the sixth realm of the astral world. From the sources of pure, unadulterated sympathy, the soulful overflows harmoniously and resoundingly into the soul space.

„Higher stages of soul-materiality are characterised by the fact that in them the one basic force recedes completely, namely antipathy, and only sympathy proves to be what is actually effective. Now this can first of all assert itself within the parts of the soul-formation itself. These parts have a mutually attractive effect on each other. The power of sympathy within a soul-form is expressed in what is called pleasure. And every diminution of this sympathy is unpleasure. Dislike is only a diminished pleasure, just as cold is only a diminished warmth. Pleasure and displeasure is that which lives in the human being as the world of feelings - in the narrower sense. Feeling is the weaving of the soul within itself. The way in which the feelings of pleasure and displeasure weave in the soul depends on what is called its comfort.

A still higher level is occupied by those soul-forms whose sympathy does not remain decided in the realm of its own life. They differ from the three lower stages, as does the fourth, in that the power of sympathy has no antipathy to overcome. Only through these higher types of soul-materiality does the diversity of soul-forms unite into a common soul-world. Insofar as antipathy comes into consideration, the soul-form strives for something else for the sake of its own life, in order to strengthen and enrich itself through the other. Where antipathy is silent, the other is accepted as revelation, as manifestation. This higher form of soul-materiality plays a role similar to that of light in physical space. It causes one soul-form to absorb, as it were, the existence and being of the others for their own sake, or one could also say, to allow itself to be irradiated by them. By drawing from these higher regions, the soul beings are awakened to the true life of the soul. Their dull life in darkness opens outwards, shines and radiates even into the soul-space; the sluggish, dull weaving within, which wants to close itself off through antipathy when only the substances of the lower regions are present, becomes power and activity which emanates from within and pours outwards. The flowing irritability of the second region only works when the formations meet.

Then, however, one flows over into the other. But touch is necessary here. In the higher regions there is free radiating, pouring. (The essence of this region is rightly described as "radiating towards", for the sympathy which is developed has such an effect that the expression taken from the effect of light can be used as a symbol for it). As a plant withers in the cellar, so do the soul-formations without the soul-substances of the higher regions which animate them. Soul-light, active soul-power and the actual soul-life in the narrower sense belong to these regions and communicate themselves from here to the soul-beings.“ (Lit.:GA 9, p. 102f)

„Through the sixth region, that of the active soul force, the purification of the part of the soul that thirsts for action takes place, which does not have an egoistic character, but nevertheless has its motives in the sensual satisfaction that deeds bring. Natures that develop such a thirst for action outwardly give the impression of idealists, they show themselves as self-sacrificing persons. In a deeper sense, however, what matters to them is the enhancement of a sensual feeling of pleasure. Many artistic natures and those who devote themselves to scientific activity because they like it so much belong here. What chains them to the physical world is the belief that art and science are there for the sake of such pleasure.“ (Lit.:GA 9, p. 118)

Literature
References to the work of Rudolf Steiner follow Rudolf Steiner's Collected Works (CW or GA), Rudolf Steiner Verlag, Dornach/Switzerland, unless otherwise stated.
Email: verlag@steinerverlag.com URL: www.steinerverlag.com.
Index to the Complete Works of Rudolf Steiner - Aelzina Books
A complete list by Volume Number and a full list of known English translations you may also find at Rudolf Steiner's Collected Works
Rudolf Steiner Archive - The largest online collection of Rudolf Steiner's books, lectures and articles in English.
Rudolf Steiner Audio - Recorded and Read by Dale Brunsvold
steinerbooks.org - Anthroposophic Press Inc. (USA)
Rudolf Steiner Handbook - Christian Karl's proven standard work for orientation in Rudolf Steiner's Collected Works for free download as PDF.
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