This lecture by Rudolf Steiner was held May, 13 1921, in Dornach, Switzerland, five days after he had given three ground-breaking lectures on the creative power of colour. Held as part of a course entitled Perspectives of Humanity's Development, for members of the Anthroposophic Society well acquainted with the fundamentals of his teachings on spiritual science or anthroposophy, it differs in style and content from his public lectures. After the lapse of over a hundred years, the far-reaching significance of this lecture's message prompts the present attempt to bring it to the attention of a wider public.