In Steiner’s 4th Mystery Drama, during an initiation rite in Ancient Egypt, the initiation “fails”. Something different was required by human evolution at that time, since these old rites were not suited to the developing “I” of humanity. During the First World War, at a time when literary texts were sent out in cigarette packets to soldiers at the front, Rudolf Steiner chose to include this particular initiation scene in his 4th Drama. Why, one may ask why, in the midst of world-crisis, did Steiner feel that the substance of this scene would be important for people to contemplate. What was depicted in this scene offers, one might say, a prototype for what humaninty as a whole is now confronting. As depicted in this scene, so now, great courage is needed if this path is to be trodden. In our joint lecture, we shall explore this scene and consider its possible relevance for us today with reference to the qualities and preconditions needed if the experience of “I” is to unfold in the individual human soul.
