The Society

Editorial

Jan Nicolaas Kind – Brazil

About hope

The Society b Editorial
Hope

The collapse of the new roof of the Adyar Theatre in the very early morning hours of May 17 was a big disappointment, a blow in the face and a setback. We need to keep in mind though, that a roof is a roof and therefore really only a “thing.” Obviously one can be happy with its design, beauty or practicality, but as such it has nothing to do with Theosophy. Luckily no one was hurt and it is certain that the cause for the breakdown of the roof will be found and that something else will replace it. It was a good move that less than 24 hours after the collapse, Tim Boyd issued an official statement informing all involved.

A few exploited the sad news, by reporting triumphantly about this incident. It was disgusting to note how this unfortunate event was, and still is used to diminish and belittle the hard work undertaken by the current International President of the TS-Adyar and his team. The sarcastic tenor of the despicable postings on a website, to which no ending seems to come, demonstrates per definition any lack of even the faintest understanding of what brotherhood is all about. In this day and age where all are connected through the internet: Facebook, Twitter, email and many other apps, it won’t do any good to simply ignore the negative forces. Rebuking them also is not the solution, since that would give them the attention they so desperately are in search of; internet trolls will always remain nasty reeking, creepy little dwarfs.

Weird as it may sound but these trolls have created an imaginary darkish world where they are the prosecutor, judge and executioner. Frustrated, unfulfilled, small-minded as they must be they won’t stop angrily throwing mud around, because that is the only thing they know how to do. In their ignorant troll-heads the whole world revolves entirely around them and through the facilities the internet offers they found their shady way of letting the world know that they exist.

Setting out to new frontiers, instigating new initiatives, breaking down worn out and old walls, heading into a new direction isn’t always safe; risks need to be taken and at times obstacles or letdowns look as if they are too big to overcome. Still we would need to take on the challenges, and accept the perils that come our way.

Read more: Editorial

Mini-Interviews Bas Harpe

The Society MI 2  Bas

1. What’s your name, where are you from and how long have you been a member of the TS?

My name is Bas Harpe, I’m from Amsterdam and I’ve been a member of the TS for about three years now.

Read more: Mini-Interviews Bas Harpe

Mini-Interviews Manoj Thangavelu

The Society MI 4  Manoj

1. What’s your name, where are you from and how long have you been a member of the TS?

Manoj Thangavelu from Chennai. I have been a member of TS unofficially for over three decades or more but an active member the past five years.

Read more: Mini-Interviews Manoj Thangavelu

Mini-Interviews Laura Rodriguez

The Society MI 6 Laura Rodriques

1. What’s your name, where are you from and how long have you been a member of the TS?

My name is Laura Rodriguez, I am from Argentina and I am a member of the TS since 1992.

Read more: Mini-Interviews Laura Rodriguez

Mini-Interviews Divya Sornaraja

The Society MI 8  Divya

1. What’s your name, where are you from and how long have you been a member of the TS?

Divya Sornaraja, Chennai, India. Member of the TS Adyar lodge since October, 2015.

Read more: Mini-Interviews Divya Sornaraja

Mini-Interviews Krista Umbjärv

The Society MI 10 Krista U

1. What’s your name, where are you from and how long have you been a member of the TS?

My name is Krista Umbjärv. I was born in Estonia and joined the H.P.B. Lodge (TS Adyar) in Tallinn, Estonia, in 2005, at the age of 18.

Read more: Mini-Interviews Krista Umbjärv

Mini-Interviews José Manuel Anacleto

The Society MI 14 JMA

1. What’s your name, where are you from and how long have you been a member of the TS?

My name is José Manuel Anacleto, I am from Lisbon Portugal, although I rather consider myself a citizen of the world. I began to study Theosophy in 1979 and I did it with a group of friends, so I didn’t feel the call to join a Theosophical organisation, even at the time when we visited the Theosophical Society in Portugal (Adyar). Later (in 1988) I was one of the founders of an institution, the Centro Lusitano de Unificação Cultural-CLUC (Lusitanian Centre of Cultural Unification), (which is still active today, and is managed by myself), and although it is not strictly a Theosophical organisation, Theosophy is its key reference. At the CLUC, we publish several books and the Biosofia magazine ( www.biosofia.net  ). I give conferences and courses and organise other activities (e.g. meditation practices) which are mostly Theosophical or generally connected to Esoteric Philosophy. In 2001, I became a member of the Portuguese Section of the Adyar Theosophical Society, basically to give my contribution. There, I was active for about 2 or 3 years, but stopped for several reasons. A little later (in 2006) I joined the United Lodge of Theosophists (ULT).

Read more: Mini-Interviews José Manuel Anacleto

C.W. Leadbeater again

Message received from Leslie Price – England  

Recently there has been renewed scholarly interest in the life and work of C.W. Leadbeater. In 2011, Richard Smoley edited for Quest Books a new edition of a work by Leadbeater now called Christian Gnosis. In 2013, Quest produced a new edition of Leadbeater’s The Chakras edited by Kurt Leland.  Leland has also written a valuable editorial report in the journal Theosophical History July 2014 on the problems in reconstructing the text and original illustrations for the book The Chakras.

The Society N Leadbeater again 2
CWL, photo taken in 1930 in Madras (now Chennai)

Read more: C.W. Leadbeater again

Pearls of Joy – Part Two

Foreword from the E-book:

Pearls of Joy is the title of a small booklet dedicated to the memory of Joy Mills, a great Theosophist, teacher and human being. Those who were fortunate enough to know her, work with her or study under her guidance will agree that words cannot describe this compassionate, wonderful and unforgettable Theosophical giant.

This E-book contains a unique in-depth interview with Joy and a number of quotations.

Joy served as President of the Theosophical Society in America from 1965–1974, and then as international Vice President in Adyar, India from 1974–1980. During 75 years of membership, Joy taught numerous courses, lectured in over 50 countries and authored several important books.

As a lecturer, with her recognizable and sonorous voice she excelled and was able to touch people’s hearts, whilst as a teacher she had the great gift to fully share with her students that what she herself had learnt over the many years of profound study.

Must sincerely thank Kathy Gann, Janet Kerschner and Anton Rozman for making this publication possible.

Jan Nicolaas Kind

The Society POJ b
Click on the cover to open the E-book

Read more: Pearls of Joy – Part Two

Editorial

Editorial

Jan Nicolaas Kind – Brazil

The Society Editorial 2  Editors Desk
Your editor’s desk

The Theosophical Society-Adyar is most definitely “on the move”, just as Theosophy Forward (TF) is. This E-magazine is seven years on the road now, doing its work serving, and time has gone by so very quickly. I often mentioned in talks and in my writings that TF’s conception in 2009 was wholly caused by pain and a deep frustration directly after the tumultuous 2008 election for International President of the TS-Adyar. Time had come to show the world that there is much more to Theosophy than skirmishes between members inside one of its vehicles, or some silly characters throwing mud around on internet forums. This magazine has always tried to transmit optimism and clarity while it has also offered a platform where all members, affiliates or students from the various Theosophical vehicles meet, by supporting the essential work of International Theosophy Conferences Inc. (ITC)

Read more: Editorial

Pearls of Joy – Part One

Foreword from the E-book:

Pearls of Joy is the title of this small booklet dedicated to the memory of Joy Mills, a great Theosophist, teacher and human being. Those who were fortunate enough to know her, work with her or study under her guidance will agree that words cannot describe this compassionate, wonderful and unforgettable Theosophical giant.

This E-book contains a unique in-depth interview with Joy and a number of quotations.

Joy served as President of the Theosophical Society in America from 1965–1974, and then as international Vice President in Adyar, India from 1974–1980. During 75 years of membership, Joy taught numerous courses, lectured in over 50 countries and authored several important books.

As a lecturer, with her recognizable and sonorous voice she excelled and was able to touch people’s hearts, whilst as a teacher she had the great gift to fully share with her students that what she herself had learnt over the many years of profound study.

Must sincerely thank Kathy Gann, Janet Kerschner and Anton Rozman for making this publication possible.

Jan Nicolaas Kind

The Society POJ 2
Click on the cover to open the E-book

Here follows the adjusted version of the E-book, made suitable for Theosophy Forward the magazine.

Read more: Pearls of Joy – Part One

Mini-Interviews Warwick Keys

The Society MI 2 Warwick Keys

1. What’s your name, where are you from and how long have you been a member of the TS?

My name is Warwick Keys, I live in New Zealand and I have been a Theosophist for 21 years, although I was teaching Theosophical understandings long before I joined the Society.

Read more: Mini-Interviews Warwick Keys

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