Wellspring: A man gets tied down to the ground; he gives the world its saddest sound

Rudolf Steiner: "...how impossible it is, if we wish to remain within the ordinary world, to ascend, however tentatively, to spirituality. Oh, there are plenty of reasons that prevent human beings from unfolding wings to reach the spiritual world! What I am about to tell you may be symbolic of this. Many among us might say of spiritual science: Well, everything offered by spiritual science is lovely, glorious, would lovingly warm my heart and soul; but I simply cannot believe it! Everything I have learned from the external world, the opinions I have acquired, holds me in its grip and tells me: These are just dreams, not built on properly solid foundations! This is how some people are trapped in bitter doubt. Were they able to lift themselves out of the prejudice, opinion, and the pressures of a relentlessly intrusive culture, they would be free to experience the pure ether of spirit, they would see that they are experiencing the power of the spirit and they would draw this down into the everyday work of their hands."

Rudolf Steiner, in 1923: "When the human being has to absorb knowledge in a way that cannot satisfy one's inner being, the experience ignites a powerful impetus within the soul and heart to overcome what is inwardly unsatisfying. That is what one finds so terrible, so shattering, in the pursuit of knowledge today: no effort whatsoever is made to understand that the current situation can work upon the entire human being in such a way that young people are prevented from reaching up to what is worthiest in humanity. Only young people acting out of their own deep longing are able to free themselves from the hindrances that have been laid in their way."

"I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled? But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!" —Luke 12:49-50

Rudolf Steiner: "Such was his state that he was briefly swept aloft to spiritual heights, away from all physical prejudice, where he could experience the undeniable might of spiritual realms — something we should feel when untroubled by all bias of materiality. Let us leave all present bias down below! Let us feel the urgency of spiritual life and allow its strength and warmth to flow into our hearts! If we do this at the right time we will be able to fulfill our duty to present-day humanity."