Guardian of the Threshold

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The guardian of the threshold encounters the spiritual disciple on the path of initiation. There is essentially not only one, but two different "guardians of the threshold" who, if the human being is not yet mature enough for this, deny him direct insight into the spiritual world:

„There is not only one, but essentially two, a "lesser" and a "greater" "guardian of the threshold". Man meets the former when the connecting threads between will, thinking and feeling within the finer bodies (the astral and etheric bodies) begin to unravel as described in the previous chapter. Man comes face to face with the "greater guardian of the threshold" when the dissolution of the connections extends also to the physical parts of the body (namely, first of all, the brain).“ (Lit.:GA 10, p. 193)

If we seek to explore our own being, the microcosm, we are confronted with the lesser guardian of the threshold, without being aware of it at first. Within, the human being does experience spiritual and mental things, namely his thoughts, feelings, impulses of will etc. But these do not show him his own spiritual being in its true form, but veil it in such a way that man cannot face his own being unprepared. To see one's own being with all its weaknesses and failings is a shattering experience. But it is the indispensable prerequisite for seeing the spiritual world objectively and without error as it really is. This can only be achieved if one can clearly distinguish one's own being from the beings of the spiritual outer world.

„In all secret teachings there are initiates. Today they experience exactly the same as then, in that they grow beyond their lower self, develop the spiritual core of being within themselves and become citizens of a higher world already in this life. At the same time, however, it is made clear to us that in a certain hour the whole lower nature comes before them. In every human being there is a sum of passions, desires and wishes which cling to his lower nature. Man must first come out of all this. Then it appears before him like a being. This detached being is called the guardian of the threshold. His lower nature stands beside him as a being, and he must say to himself: "That is you! You must discard it! - In all initiations this is called the journey to hell. One has to become a comrade of the infernal powers, to descend into the depths of the world, because man is simply stuck inside and his higher nature only half lives in him.

This being is called the guardian of the threshold, because people who do not acquire courage and presence of mind cannot get beyond it. Those who have crossed the threshold are called initiates.“ (Lit.:GA 54, p. 377)

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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