Theosophy and the Society in the Public Eye

Second Readings

Details: Published: Friday, 03 March 2023 12:54

David M. Grossman – USA

A fascinating new photo series

In his Ocean of Theosophy William Judge says in Ch Vll, titled Manas, “It is Manas which sees the objects presented to it by the bodily organs and the actual organs within. When the open eye receives a picture on the retina, the whole scene is turned into vibrations in the optic nerves which disappear into the brain, where Manas is enabled to perceive them as idea.”

What we perceive as idea varies with the person and the general direction of his or her thought life up to that point. In other words, what we look at and what we see can be worlds apart.

We can do no better than quote the immortal words of William Blake:

To see a World in a Grain of Sand

And a Heaven in a Wild Flower

Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand

And Eternity in an hour

(From Auguries of Innocence)

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Crises of Faith or Doubt and Annie Besant

Details: Published: Monday, 27 February 2023 13:48

Catherine Wathen – USA

Book cover

The nineteenth century, everybody knows, was an age when faith was lost and scientific skepticism came to the fore. It was, after all, the age of Darwin, the saint of faithless skeptics. Yet, what “everybody knows” has been challenged in a recent book by Timothy Larsen: Crisis of Doubt: Honest Faith in Nineteenth-Century England (Oxford University Press, 2006). In this book, Larsen argues that the view of the century of Darwin as a time when faith was on the wane is wrong, or at least incomplete. He cites examples of skeptics who rediscovered faith in traditional religion and maintains that they represent a “crisis of doubt” in the secular values of skepticism.

Light and Dark - a photo series by Richard Dvořák

Details: Published: Thursday, 22 December 2022 09:44

In autumn there is a special light in the forest - the sun is still strong and many rays of light find their way through the treetops. But at the same time the shadows become darker, deeper and announce the dark winter season.

This seems to be especially the case in the Black Forest, where I came across this light-filled clearing on a hike about 1 hour before sunset …

ENLARGE all photos (full screen) by clicking on the small magnifier at the bottom of the right corner.

A note from Joma Sipe in Portugal (December 2022)

Details: Published: Monday, 19 December 2022 16:09

Joma S

Joma, a fine and genuine artist

I share with my friends on Theosophy Forward the panels that I created for a series of artworks I did this year related to Christ Symbolism and how the Christ Energy appears to me as Light, which results in drawing what I can perceive with my inner vision. This first one is called CHRISTUS NOMEN SACRUM (The Sacred Name of Christ). It is a large panel: 100x50cm visible size and a golden frame:140x80cm, all done with golden-based ink pens and crystals. I had no concrete idea in mind, and simply concentrated on the Christ Energy, letting the drawing flow naturally, and when I had nothing more to draw, it meant that the piece was completed. I share both the original and illuminated versions.

Images of Different Paths

Details: Published: Tuesday, 06 December 2022 16:22

David M. Grossman – USA

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Footsteps ... on the Path?

Thou canst not travel on the Path before thou hast become that Path itself - The Voice of the Silence

David is a dear friend who regularly contributes to Theosophy Forward with fine photo series, but also with excellent articles. Here is an overview of eight of them, especially written for TF. Click on the titles to go directly to the articles.

Our Unity - Some Reflections On Unity - Theosophy and the Arts, Texts and Contexts of Modern Enchantment - A Few Thoughts: Ideas, Action and Influences - Prometheus — Reclaiming the Fire - The Three Propositions - Living In Kali Yuga - A Case for Mythology - A Meditation on Mindfulness

Sacred Places

Details: Published: Wednesday, 24 August 2022 06:30

Richard Dvořák – Germany

Richard close up

Richard in action

We are all familiar with these special or sacred places, where one feels – well – “at home”, might be the best description, though we all might find different words to describe them.

The three photos were taken at such an amazing place, in the southwestern part of Germany. There is a group of very old European Hornbeam (Carpinus Betulus) trees which form a ring around the top of a mountain peak called Häusleberg. It is approximately 1001 meters (3284ft) above sea level.

The circle of trees opens to the northwest and offers a dazzling view of a large valley from Kirchzarten to Freiburg. Sitting here at sunset gives one a sense of being protected by these magnificent trees, these ancient beings. I have always wondered: “how many people have they seen, how many scenes they must have observed over time? Human life seems so transitory in comparison.”

Park people, Park quotes… a few Park dogs and Park music

Details: Published: Thursday, 18 August 2022 18:30

David M. Grossman – USA

David says:

When I think of parks I think of refuge, a kind of respite in cities from cement, cars, businesses, buildings, noise the rush of civilization. Parks are the lungs of a city. Grass, trees and plants, paths and birds, dogs chasing squirrels and oh yes people all kinds of people.

Public parks are democratic institutions where people from various walks of life, economic situations, races, religions and everything else share the same space, most often in a relaxed and pleasant way.

Politicians should have to spend at least one year in a park before taking office.

The following photos were taken with the consent of the subjects, either directly or by a kind of silent agreement, an awareness they were being photographed. Some of the people I already knew, others meeting for the first time.

All are better off for spending time in a park.

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