Judith von Halle – författare

In conceiving his architectural masterpiece – the Goetheanum in Dornach, Switzerland – Rudolf Steiner designed a large wooden model featuring three main figures to be placed in a central position inside the building. Known as the Representative of Humanity, this sculpture shows a central, free-standing Christ holding a balance between the beings of Lucifer and Ahriman, who represent polar tendencies of expansion and contraction. On New Year’s Eve 1922, the Goetheanum was destroyed by fire, but the model – still in a process of creation and therefore housed in an external studio ­– escaped the flames. With numerous full colour photos and illustrations, The Representative of Humanity offers a vivid introduction to this monumental, world-historic artwork. We can follow its evolution through photographic documentation of the many models created in its development: from six smaller versions to a full-size, plasticine construction. This latter model offers an impressive insight into the artists’ detailed intentions, having been repeatedly revised by Rudolf Steiner. It demonstrates the continual spiritual movement evident in the whole series of small models, and the metamorphic processes which developed over an eight-year period. The authors offer indications regarding the realm and content out of which the work arose, the environment in which it is situated, and the artists who created it: Rudolf Steiner and the trained sculptress Edith Maryon. They also examine the intentions behind a work of art that addresses the destiny of the whole of mankind.

At Passiontide 2004, Judith von Halle received the stigmata - the duplication on her body of the wounds of Christ. Following a period of careful consideration, she eventually decided to share this intimate occurrence with a small group in Berlin in Michaelmas of that year. The phenomenon of the stigmata is usually either seen as a sheer miracle or is simply denied. In contrast, in her first lectures here, she attempts to arrive at a clear understanding of it - based on the spiritual scientific knowledge of Rudolf Steiner - and its significance for one's personal destiny. As a consequence of receiving the stigmata, von Halle began to experience the events of the life of Christ in full, sensory detail. In addition, she has explored these events by means of spiritual-scientific research methods - sometimes referred to as 'continuity of consciousness'. In the further five lectures of this volume, she offers a commentary to the "Mystery of Golgotha", the turning-point in world history. Her intention is to stimulate the reader to reflect patiently and repeatedly upon this great Mystery, and to enter into an ever closer relationship to Christ.

Dementia, a broad category of brain diseases including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, affects millions of people worldwide. Although its impact is primarily focused on populations of Western countries, orthodox medicine has not been able to discover the causes of dementia, let alone develop successful treatments or a cure. Given this situation, there are good reasons to investigate the psycho-spiritual factors connected to the outbreak of the illness. As the author states in her Preface: 'The conception of man that is given priority today by the scientific world hardly takes into account that in addition to the physical-material component, for which certain degenerative or pathological processes can be determined with the help of technical apparatus, there are other components of his being to be taken into account which cannot be investigated in that way. So long as the cause of an illness is not sought in connection with those spiritual components of the human being, a successful treatment of the patient cannot be assured.' Developing successful methods of treatment requires a full understanding of the human being.This can not be achieved through observation with the outer senses only, but increasingly calls for spiritual-scientific perception.Through this method, as founded by Rudolf Steiner, great service can be rendered to humanity, including precise research into the causes of ill-health. The factors involved in the eruption of modern afflictions, such as dementia, can be determined by careful consideration of humanity's - as well as the individual's - destiny. In this succinct but rich study, Judith von Halle describes her investigations into the phenomenon of dementia, beginning with a general outline of the anthroposophical conception of the human being and society, and applying that knowledge to what today is increasingly referred to as an epidemic. This book does not demand medical expertise, but requires an effort to engage with the psycho-spiritual conditions of dementia sufferers. It provides a wealth of insights and guidance to approaching one of the greatest challenges of our time.

'They only awoke when the fire came through the roof...'. The words of the news presenter jolt the toddler into wakefulness. Arousing to consciousness from a twilight of hidden memories, she asks: Who am I, and where was my consciousness before it entered my body?In the first volume of her extraordinary true story, Judith von Halle tells of powerful spiritual experiences as a child and young person. Still in her third year, she begins to see the world with different eyes, observing things that people around here clearly cannot see - like the multicoloured currents of life - which her child's mind calls the 'magical life-force' - or the ability to maintain consciousness whilst asleep, or perceiving grotesque faces at the threshold to what she calls the 'World of Reality'. All the time, she is nourished by the 'venerable Light' that gives her strength and encouragement.As a 10-year-old, the young girl has a shattering soul encounter that reveals the universal source of wisdom and love, offering a pathway to her search for wholeness. In her private thoughts she mulls over existential, philosophical questions such as life and death, transience, love and God. Yet in the everyday she has to navigate between what she calls the 'day-theatre-world' and what she knows as the 'World of Reality'. She finds consolation in the realms of poetry, philosophy and art and experiences a breakthrough in her thinking, but it is not until the age of 25 that she is able to share her secret world of metaphysical knowledge. She discovers a group of people who have embraced an open-minded philosophy in which she finds astonishing correspondences with her own spiritual understanding. Here, she finds the concept of reincarnation, which brings her full circle - back to her original awakening to self-consciousness...Swan Wings is a courageous, moving and inspiring testimony to the immortal spiritual individuality of the human being, its origins, capacity and full potential.

What is the meaning of life? As human beings, we cannot avoid this most basic question of earthly existence. Is consciousness simply an accident of the universe, as modern science would claim? On the other hand, many established religions suggest that life is a one-time experience, culminating in 'eternal life' in heaven or some kind of purgatory or hell. But how could this be equitable, given people's vastly differing life circumstances? As a response to such questions, the author discusses the concept of reincarnation - the development of individual souls over multiple lifetimes. She examines the idea of fate in relation to one's occupation. What is more important: a well-paid career or finding one's true vocation? Are our 'innate' talents and abilities the result of a gene-lottery at conception, or could they be related to pre-birth existence - to our own intentions for our forthcoming life on earth? The notion of reincarnation is a prerequisite for understanding one's personal destiny or karma - a personal life plan created before our incarnation on earth. Through such ideas, the consciousness of one's immortal soul-core - our inner being, that exists both before birth and after death - can be awoken. The transcript of this enlightening talk is a stimulating introduction to contemporary perspectives on the ancient teaching of reincarnation and karma.

How can I come to a direct relationship with the Word, the Logos as the Christ, in my daily life? How can I move beyond an intellectual understanding to an experience of His living presence?At its heart, The Inner Word explores the possibility of a living, conscious relationship with Christ – not as an idea or belief, but as a real spiritual being with whom one can enter into daily dialogue. This intimate conversation can create access to spiritual reality, lead to true knowledge of Christ, and provide courage, strength and inner security for meeting the challenges of everyday life.Judith von Halle’s reflections are offered as refreshment and fortification for those already engaged in this sacred conversation, as well as for those who feel its quiet call and are ready to begin. She offers not doctrine but encouragement – a pause for the soul amidst intellectual, emotional and existential struggle. The book speaks to readers who sense that humanity stands at a critical threshold: newly free and responsible, yet still developing the higher faculties needed to live from spiritual reality in a materialistic age.The Inner Word is a short yet profound spiritual companion. Drawn from Das Wort (The Word), a five-volume work devoted to the evolution of human consciousness, it comprises an intimate address to the modern spiritual seeker and a guide for inner strengthening.