CW 113: East in the light of the west: Lecture 1: Eternity and Time (23 August 1909) by Rudolf Steiner
Aug 8, 2026 · 13 min · 10 segments
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Aug 8, 2026 · 13 min · 10 segments
Patience, or the ability to wait, is the inexorable demand in all departments of life.
Failures are inevitable, and we must not grieve over them.
Nature is not concerned over her countless failures, for the beings behind nature know that the higher spiritual law is bound to bring to pass the things which have been determined.
Even so must students of anthroposophy learn to wait in faith for events which are to mature in the womb of time.
And the central point of this faith, its firm foundation, is the symbol of the cross, as elucidated by a comprehension of the Christ principle.
If we have come to know the reality of the Christ principle, we understand that this Christ principle is a force, a living force, and that it has been connected with human life on earth since the time that in the body of Jesus of Nazareth it united itself with one special human being.
Since that time it has been with us, working among us.
And we may become participators of its working if we endeavor to apply all means at our disposal to its understanding, in such a way that we make it the very life of our own souls.
When, however, we understand the Christ principle in this way, and know it to be in humanity, here on earth, and are able to come to it and draw water of life from the source, we then have the kind of belief which knows how to wait, not alone for everything which has to mature in the womb of time, but also for that which surely and certainly will mature for us human beings if we but have patience.
When, within this transitory existence, we grasp the Christ principle, there will mature for us, in the womb of the transitory, the intransitory, the eternal, the immortal.
Out of the womb of time there is born for us human beings that which is beyond time.
If we stand on this firm support we base upon it not a blind belief, but a belief permeated by wisdom, truth, and knowledge.
And we may say, what must will come.
And nothing prevents us from throwing our best energies into what we believe to be inevitable.
Belief is the real fruit of the cross.
It is that which always calls out to us, quote, look at your failures, which seem to imply the death of your creative work.
Then look from your failures to the cross, and remember that on the cross hung the source of boundless eternal life, which defeats death, not only for itself, but for all mankind, close quote.
From belief spring courage and perseverance.
Patience, or the ability to wait, is the inexorable demand in all departments of life.
Failures are inevitable, and we must not grieve over them.
Nature is not concerned over her countless failures, for the beings behind nature know that the higher spiritual law is bound to bring to pass the things which have been determined.
Even so must students of anthroposophy learn to wait in faith for events which are to mature in the womb of time.
And the central point of this faith, its firm foundation, is the symbol of the cross, as elucidated by a comprehension of the Christ principle.
If we have come to know the reality of the Christ principle, we understand that this Christ principle is a force, a living force, and that it has been connected with human life on earth since the time that in the body of Jesus of Nazareth it united itself with one special human being.
Since that time it has been with us, working among us.
And we may become participators of its working if we endeavor to apply all means at our disposal to its understanding, in such a way that we make it the very life of our own souls.
When, however, we understand the Christ principle in this way, and know it to be in humanity, here on earth, and are able to come to it and draw water of life from the source, we then have the kind of belief which knows how to wait, not alone for everything which has to mature in the womb of time, but also for that which surely and certainly will mature for us human beings if we but have patience.
When, within this transitory existence, we grasp the Christ principle, there will mature for us, in the womb of the transitory, the intransitory, the eternal, the immortal.
Out of the womb of time there is born for us human beings that which is beyond time.
If we stand on this firm support we base upon it not a blind belief, but a belief permeated by wisdom, truth, and knowledge.
And we may say, what must will come.
And nothing prevents us from throwing our best energies into what we believe to be inevitable.
Belief is the real fruit of the cross.
It is that which always calls out to us, quote, look at your failures, which seem to imply the death of your creative work.
Then look from your failures to the cross, and remember that on the cross hung the source of boundless eternal life, which defeats death, not only for itself, but for all mankind, close quote.
From belief spring courage and perseverance.
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