Tim Boyd – USA

Tim Boyd is Vice President of The Theosophical Society in America, and also President of the TOS in the USA. He has been a member of the TS  since 1974, and lives in Chicago- Illinois.

It is a source of profound comfort when we know that Theosophy, the Ageless Wisdom, is unchanging. It is a source of some dismay when we see that human nature, though not unchanging, seems to change so very slowly. In the Theosophical Society’s brief history we have a record of misjudgments, misunderstandings, conflict, and separations that seems to closely parallel the trends of the rest of the world. Carl Jung said, “that which has no shadow, has no light”. As much as we might wish that our TS should be a haven free from the troubles of the “outer world”, Jung’s words should be a source of encouragement to us. There is light within the Theosophical movement and within the Theosophical Society.

Colonel Olcott was a man who, in addition to being a student of the Masters and a recognized occultist, was highly regarded for his practical wisdom. On one occasion someone asked him what was the source of his deeply practical insights. His response was, “First of all, I use common sense; and I know my Theosophy”. I have often felt that we could learn a lot from this simple two part statement by the Colonel. So much of what passes for turmoil within the Society seems to arise from our imbalance in following his example. We seem to have a habit of reversing the order, brandishing our Theosophy first, and only later resorting to common sense.

Betty Bland – USA

To begin with a point about chaos, I unknowingly misstated some dates in my most recent report about the 2008 Adyar Convention (“Report from Adyar,” Quest, spring 2009). There were two deadlines for the 2008 election results to be turned in to the International Secretary. The first date, June 6, was the time by which all sections should have their votes in or they would be further solicited; the second date was the absolute deadline of June 28. A two-week extension, to July 12, was granted to the Indian Section, but they did not use it. This does not in any way alter my other observations or concerns about the need for reform.

Jan Nicolaas Kind – Brazil

The core of Theosophy is to think for oneself, and in order to learn how to do this, one sets out to collect information and instructions, so that the process may begin.

It’s like learning to play a musical instrument.  For many this doesn’t come on a silver platter; it takes years of profound and dedicated study.  Sitting behind a piano, no one but the student can play ‘the instrument of instruments’.  Are we studying the Esoteric Philosophy at all, and, if so, do we study it, for example, as if we were learning to play the piano?