This interview was first published in March 2014
1. What’s your name, where are you from and how long have you been a member of the TS?
Hi! My name is Liliana Katharine Grossman, and I am from Brooklyn, New York. I have been a student of Theosophy since I could make the decision to go to the Children’s Discovery Circle at the United Lodge of Theosophists, at the age of three or four.
2. Are you active in your Lodge/Section and if so, what do you do?
I am not an active member.
3. How did you first learn about Theosophy or come in contact with the Society?
I was born into it. My father was a member.
4. What does Theosophy mean to you?
Theosophy is a way of being for me. It is a constant demand to take responsibility for the knowledge that has been imparted to me through the teachings. For me at the core of how I practice Theosophy is the heart doctrine, which is the practical application in daily life. It is crucial to cultivate compassion in oneself so to give to others what we would want done upon oneself, to all those one meets, as well as to oneself. One cannot truly be compassionate towards others, if one isn’t compassionate towards oneself. So for me Theosophy is a practice, a discipline of self-cultivation, taking full responsibility for my actions, thoughts, feelings, speech, and in that process of “purification” becoming ever more Loving.
5. What is your favorite Theosophical book and why?
My favourite Theosophical book is Concentration and Meditation by Christmas Humphreys. It is a constant guide. It is a part of my “tool kit”. I love it because it has deep wisdom of the Ancient Wisdom Traditions, and I can use the practices/meditations in my daily disciplines. It gives you the tools one needs for our evolution as Beings. In using what this book offers regularly I have the power to more adeptly discipline myself in a productive and sensitive way. Aiding me to focus in greater intensity on the task at hand, working towards a one-pointedness, I can manifest my dreams, my Destiny.
6. What in your opinion is the biggest challenge the TS is facing at the moment?
There is too great a focus on learning the texts, and not enough taking action. We as a Theosophical Entity need to do the “Yoga” of the teachings we believe in. There must be a stronger practice that is a part of how we learn, of how we are students. This is why I believe we aren’t in a Renaissance, and there isn’t much of an influx of new joiners, young theosophists, and why some old Theosophists have left their lodge, or other organized house of practice. More youth would be interested if we paid more attention to the times, and had a section of our institution dedicated to the “Great Practices”.
7. Is there anything you would wish for the future of the Theosophical Movement?
A future that I would love to see manifest for the Theosophical Movement is a great growth, a transformation, a Renaissance. A face that is in the light of the general public, where it is being talked about, discussed, and is influencing the raising of the collective consciousness is a major way. To see each house of Theosophy, each lodge, bustling with people excited about being there, and doing the great work H. P. Blavatsky was beckoning us to step up to, wielding our will for the good of humanity, for the evolution of out race.
From the editor:
Opinions and ideas expressed in the mini-interviews are exclusively of those who are being interviewed. They don’t necessarily represent the ideas and opinions of the compilers of Theosophy Forward. The responses of the interviewees are not edited for content. Some contributors give short answers to the questions while others touch upon the subject more elaborately.
