Water Trial

The water trial, from which the Christian sacrament of baptism derives, goes back to the ancient mysteries. By immersion in water, the mystery student was brought close to drowning, whereby the etheric body loosened and a review of the life panorama of the previous life on earth became possible, as it can normally only be experienced immediately after death. Through this trial it must be proved whether one can move freely and safely in the spiritual world when the support of the outer sensual world has fallen away.

„Since in this phase of his path the mystery student must learn to find his support, without any external support, solely in the forces emanating from the true Self within, this test has sometimes been called the "water trial“. Water has no bars. The mystery student is faced with the task of swimming in this "water" of the forces of the spirit without clinging to authorities, dogmas and institutions.“ (Lit.: Dietzfelbringer, p. 37)

According to imaginative descriptions in the Gospels, Saint Peter also had to undergo such a water trial:

„22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” 28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”“

– Matthew 14:22–33

Literature

• Konrad Dietzfelbringer: Mysterienschulen des Abendlandes: Vom alten Ägypten bis zu den Rosenkreuzern der Neuzeit, Königsdorfer-Verlag, Königsdorf 2010, ISBN 978-3938156162
• Rudolf Steiner: Wie erlangt man Erkenntnisse der höheren Welten?, GA 10 (1993), ISBN 3-7274-0100-1 English: rsarchive.org German: pdf pdf(2) html mobi epub archive.org

References to the work of Rudolf Steiner follow Rudolf Steiner's Collected Works (CW or GA), Rudolf Steiner Verlag, Dornach/Switzerland, unless otherwise stated. Email: verlag@steinerverlag.com URL: www.steinerverlag.com. Index to the Complete Works of Rudolf Steiner - Aelzina Books A complete list by Volume Number and a full list of known English translations you may also find at Rudolf Steiner's Collected Works Rudolf Steiner Archive - The largest online collection of Rudolf Steiner's books, lectures and articles in English. Rudolf Steiner Audio - Recorded and Read by Dale Brunsvold steinerbooks.org - Anthroposophic Press Inc. (USA) Rudolf Steiner Handbook - Christian Karl's proven standard work for orientation in Rudolf Steiner's Collected Works for free download as PDF.