At the center of the Anthroposophical Society stand the School of Spiritual Science, a "university" based on spiritual scientific knowledge and research. The task of the School is the furtherance of spiritual scientific research itself. The School's primary course of study in support of this goal is a set of nineteen "class lessons" given by Rudolf Steiner that provides a path of meditative instruction leading from the world of sense experience to the world of spirit.
In addition to this general course of meditative study, the School offers the possibility for esoteric deepening in each of several vocational areas as well. These "sections" of the School are:
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School of Spiritual Science Sections
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In North America, a collegium composed of representatives of the various sections meets regularly to facilitate research, conferences and other activities of the School. After two years of membership in the Anthroposophical Society, members who wish to work more deeply with anthroposophy in the world may join by applying for membership in the School through its General Anthroposophical Section. Larger anthroposophical communities have regular meetings of the school in which the class lessons are studied. One may wish to become active on behalf of anthroposophy in a particular vocational field, which can lead one to apply for membership in the appropriate section of the School. Each section strives to penetrate its field of knowledge and practical activity out of the sources of spiritual scientific research.