In a brief but relevant article, which was originally published in May 1936 (a few months after Keynes published his General Theory), W. J. Stein describes Portugal’s involvement in the preparation of a solution to one of the most pressing problems of our present age: how to unite a true world economy with the political and cultural aspirations of individual countries? In the end of this article Stein calls it the Philosophers Stone for our age, which couldn’t be a more appropriate description for our present times where one has not to look far to sense the urgency of this question.
More specifically, Stein focuses on how in de 15th century the foundation for a world economy was laid with the great impulses of the Portuguese discoveries, most of which were inspired by motives that go far beyond economical or political gains. In other words, the voyages of Bartolomeas Diaz, Vasco da Gama and their followers had an inner spiritual meaning which were connected with the ongoing stream of the Grail. According to Stein: “It was the great knightly Orders that were the instrument of this spirit of modern time. […] In the name of Christ, that is to say with a religious motive, and by the power of the sword, the foundations were thus laid for the modern time – the time in which we live, wherein we must learn to lay aside the sword and to make all the Earth the bearer of a peaceful world-economy, embracing all nations.” According to Stein, these impulses from the 15th century Portugal were later brought to the Northern part of Europe to the Dutch and British peoples.
To illuminate certain aspects of the 15th century in Portugal, the article zooms into the lives of two individuals: princess Juana of Castile and the seafarer Francesco de Almeida. In describing some parts of the life of princess Juana, Stein shows the battle between forces of conserving the old against forces of new impulses; in describing some part of the life of Francesco de Almeida, Stein reveals that the seafarer fulfilled a task, which had its origins in Aristotle, is connected with the alchemist Basil Valentine, with the writer Thomas Malory in England, and continues today in a new form.
It is worth mentioning that Stein himself felt very connected with the Portuguese. In 1932 he travelled to Portugal with his younger friend and pupil Alex Leroi, who showed him the important places. Stein was also invited to give lectures on the Grail and the social question when they stayed in Lisbon. This article is the fruit of intensive inner experiences that he had in connection the first Vice Roy for the Portuguese in India, Francisco d’ Almeida. It is also is why a part of this article is focused on the life and impulses of the person Francesco de Almeida and his place in world history.
Although the article was already available on our website, we decided to republish it with the above introduction. Please find the article here.
Lovely website. I just sent the link to the editor of the U.S. News for Members. I wish you much success with it as it is a real service.
Is there a button to print the articles?
Linda
Dear Linda,
Thanks for your kind comment. And more thanks for spreading the word about our website!
And I finally followed up on your useful suggestion and added a print button.
I follow your blog with keen interest, including those posts before and after this one, and wish to compliment you on the spread and range of each article. These are lucid and succinct and, with some prior knowledge, easy to internalise. Moreover, your reference to current events makes the work of Dunlop and Stein all the more relevant today, such as Aristotle’s practice of thinking together as a possible modus operandi for, say, the burgeoning Occupy Movement (your post, October 31, 2011).
Since my particular interest lies with Stein’s karmic biography, and his connection to Francisco de Almeida specifically, I wish to point out a historical reference which seems to be overlooked (your post, November 2, 2010): Portugal’s overseas expansion and the foundation of a global economy in the 16th century would not have been possible without the existence of an Arab/Muslim trade network, nor without Africa’s bountiful gold resources. In fact, without Africa’s gold the West could not have offset its debts with the East. As for the religious origins of gold (yours again, October 16, 2010), it was indeed gold that brought economic stability to Europe after the Fall of Constantinople. It is thus interesting to note that Almeida helped to establish matters on both fronts: he sent the first European expedition into the interior, c. 1505, via Mozambique/Zimbabwe, hoping to find the fabled empire of Monomotapa and, c.1509, following his victory at the Battle of Diu, wrested sea power from the combined Ottoman/Turkish/Egyptian fleets. This secured Europe’s dominance in these waters until well into the 20th century. In this regard both Dunlop and Stein’s karma are set on an East-West axis too.
Herewith I merely wish to point out that Grail Christianity/Anthroposophy is not an isolated impulse in our world. While it may belong to the “hermetic tradtion” of the West, it is still part of our collective and, often, bloody or messy history. As for Almeida’s murder at the Cape of Good Hope, yes, he certainly deserves his place in world history, as his ritual execution was a turning point in the history of sub-Saharan Africa—from the Congo River to the Mozambique Channel.
Lastly, your metaphor of a modern, ever-recurrent Grail knight is an intriguing one (August 8, 2010). To my mind, Prince Henry’s navigators replaced the knights of Charlemagne as the voyages of discovery replaced the crusades—though yes, it is true, they all shared the same vocation. From what I understand, finally, this hermetic tradition has undergone three phases: Grail, Templar and Rosicrucian. In that case, I guess, you may argue that Anthroposophists are, inter alia, the bearers of this tradition today?
For some new insights into Almeida’s murder—and its relationship to Aristotle’s manuscript, the Sierra Nevada—please read the novel Knot of Stone: the day that changed South Africa’s history (2011) or see http://www.knotofstone.com for more details.
My very best wishes for the year ahead.
Nicolaas Vergunst