Members of the being
🌟 What are the human being's members?
The "human being's members" are the invisible, spiritual and mental components of the human being that extend beyond the physical body. They form the multi-layered structure of the human being as understood in esotericism (especially in the Western sense).
Steiner distinguishes between what is visible and material and what is invisible, spiritual, and eternal.
🧍♂️ The classic four components of being according to Rudolf Steiner:
Component Description
Physical Body The visible body – that which dies, perishes, and consists of matter
Etheric Body (Life Body) Life forces, growth, regeneration, rhythm – connects with the body
Astral Body (Soul Body) Carrier of feelings, desires, and dreams – the "animal" within us
I The true self – the consciousness that can develop and change
The I is the youngest component – it can refine the astral body, permeate the etheric body, and even transform the physical body.
🔮 Expansion: Higher Elements of Being
In the course of spiritual development (e.g., through meditation, self-knowledge, spiritual training), higher elements of being develop:
Higher Element of Being Correspondence
Spiritual Self (Manas) Refined Astral Body (Love, Clarity, True Intuition)
Life Spirit (Buddhi) Refined Etheric Body (Spiritual Life Forces)
Spiritual Human Being (Atma) Refined Physical Body (Perfect Embodiment of the Spirit)
🌱 Path of Development:
Humans develop through working on their ego –
and thereby transform their lower elements into higher ones.
This is, at its core, the Western path of spiritual training:
Not to erase the ego (as is often the case in the East),
but to purify the ego, educate it, and lead it to maturity.
🔁 Comparison to Eastern systems:
Anthroposophy (Steiner) Vedanta / Yoga Theosophy
Etheric body Pranamaya Kosha Vital body
Astral body Manomaya Kosha Astral body
I Vijnanamaya / Purusha Ego / Higher Self
Spiritual self etc. Atman / Brahman Causal body etc.
📚 Application & Practice:
If you want to work with the members of the being, you can, for example:
Consciously shape your daily rhythm (for the etheric body)
Practice dream work & soul hygiene (cleanse the astral body)
Practice self-reflection & meditation (strengthen the self)
"Practice" the higher members through spiritual practice
✨ In short:
The teaching of the members of the being is a spiritual view of humanity that is deeply rooted in the Western mystery tradition.
It connects body, soul, and spirit into a living process of development.