This rich volume traces the esoteric work in the decade leading up to the reestablishment of the General Anthroposophical Society at the Christmas Conference (1923/19241 and the subsequent creation of the First Class, which replaced the Esoteric Section.

Part One contains thirty-nine lessons in just nineteen months, beginning in January 1913, five days after the Anthroposophical Society was founded, which allow us to sense the subtle though seismic shift of Anthroposophy as it becomes an autonomous earthly, spiritual reality outside the context of Theosophy. The task is meditation, with the initial focus to deepen the Rosicrucian path, and the emphasis is practical rather than theoretical; consequently, advice and many instructions arc given.

Part Two covers the period from 1920 to 1923, and clearly shows that the times demanded a different approach to the spiritual world. With the outbreak of World Wu- I, the esoteric lessons had ceased altogether (except for one totally private lesson given in the summer of 19181. From 1920 to 1923 only five esoteric lessons were given, but they include important meditations that indicate a new direction.

Part Three contains the two esoteric lessons given to the esoteric youth circleùmembers of the Youth Movementùin which there is something quite new and future-oriented: a new way of undertaking spiritual work in the service of the Archangel Michael. This section includes a moving account of the history and development of the esoteric Youth Movement.

The volume closes with the Threefold Mantra that foreshadowed a new approach for the First Class and was used by those in the Esoteric Section between 1920 and 1923.