I’ve pasted the same comment under four of your posts (October 31 2011, November 2 2010, October 16 2010, August 8, 2010), as my remarks refer each of these. Could you please ensure that only the last of each comment I pasted remains on your blog. My first efforts defaulted when I tried to italicise using HTML tags.

Yours warmly,
Nicolaas

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lies with Stein’s karmic biography, and his connection to Francisco de Almeida specifically, I wish to point out a historical reference which seems to be overlooked (your post, November 2, 2010): Portugal’s overseas expansion and the foundation of a global economy in the 16th century would not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

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