The spiritual foundation of morality: Indian religious devotion — first, last, and always

 

My guru, Swamiji

Rudolf Steiner:

Not the least among the many things learned from spiritual science is the knowledge that the most manifold conceptions and impulses have held good among various peoples in different parts of the Earth. In comparing two sections of humanity which at first seem separated, one can consider the sacred life of ancient India, and observe how it has gradually developed up to the present day. One knows that what was characteristic of the India of primeval times is still true at the present day. The feelings, thoughts, and conceptions have been maintained that we find in this region in ancient times. It is remarkable that in these civilizations there have been preserved an image of primeval times, and when we consider what has been maintained up to our own day we are looking, so to say, at the same time into the remote past.

Now, we do not progress very far in our understanding of the different peoples on Earth if we begin by only applying our own moral standards. For this reason let us for the moment exclude what might be said about the moral things of those times and only inquire: What has developed from these characteristics of venerable ancient Indian civilization? We find, to begin with, what may be described as “devotion to the spiritual” most highly honored and held sacred. This devotion to the spiritual was the more highly valued and counted sacred the more the human being was able to sink into himself, to live quietly within himself, and, apart from all that man can attain on the physical plane, to direct the best in him to the spiritual worlds. We find this cultivation, this dedication, of the soul to the foundations of existence as the highest duty of those who belonged or belong to the highest caste of Indian life, the Brahmins. Nothing impresses the moral feelings of the Indian people more than this turning to the Divine-Spiritual with a devotion which forgets everything physical; an intensely deep introspection and renunciation of self. The moral life of this people is permeated by a devotion which controls every thought and action. This is apparent from the fact that those who belonged to other castes looked upon it as natural, especially in ancient times, that the caste of religious life and devotion and the life of ritual should be considered as something apart and worthy of reverence.

That which underlies this cannot be understood by means of the common principles of morality laid down by philosophy, for at the period when these feelings and impulses developed in ancient India they were impossible among other peoples. In order that these tendencies could develop with such intensity both the temperament and fundamental character of the Indian people were required. As civilization proceeded, emanating from India, they spread abroad over the rest of the Earth. If we wish to understand what is meant by the Divine-Spiritual we must go to this original source.

Continued: 44 years at The Himalayan Institute

Source: The Rudolf Steiner Archive  May 28, 1912