1.What’s your name, where are you from and how long have you been a member of the TS?
My name is Doug Keene, and I joined the TS in 1980 in San Antonio, Texas. I am currently living in New Hampshire and Wheaton, Illinois.
2.How long have you been a member of your Section’s Board?
I’ve been on the Board of Directors since 2014.
3. How did you first learn about Theosophy or come in contact with the Society?
It was recommended to me by a teacher in Houston, Texas that dealt with esoteric themes.
4. What does Theosophy mean to you?
Theosophy is an expression of the Ageless Wisdom, which addresses deep questions about the origin of life, our purpose during incarnation (and after), our relationships, and the ultimate nature of Reality.
5. This year, 2025, the Theosophical Society celebrates its 150th anniversary. What in your opinion is the biggest challenge the TS is facing and what is to be done in order to maintain the Society’s relevance in the years to come?
The biggest challenge for the Theosophical Society today is declining membership. This is multifactorial and only in part due to the ageing of our members. Since our inception we have attempted to attract all seekers of wisdom but especially recognize the need to be relevant to the younger generation as our older members complete their lives. Society in general has changed dramatically over the last 150 years, where information of almost all types is available at our fingertips. Individuals are less likely to join groups for community, access, and instruction. The vast majority of members of our section are not attached to a lodge or study center but are at-large members. However, some would argue, even though membership has receded, virtual contacts have been impressive; for instance, the TSA has over 160,000 YouTube subscribers to its channel.
Theosophy has not been able to attract the intellectual leaders the way it did a century ago. Our founders and early writers were unique individuals that exerted a significant influence over emerging spiritual thought.
The remedies for this have been often discussed, but so far implemented successfully only to a limited degree. I believe they fall into the following (3) basic categories.
- Messaging- It is critical, in order to be relevant, our message must be clear, kind, and useful. In the age of information, people are looking for sincerity and depth to undercut the superficiality that we seem to be drifting toward. The message should be relatable and modeled by our members, not simply another formula for quick fixes for societal angst.
- Community- We need to provide centers, both online and in person, where people can meet, learn, share and discuss their challenges. Our leaders need to exhibit knowledge, compassion and service to be recognized as forward thinkers in a crowded marketplace. We must meet the emptiness that some feel that secular society advocates, without comparison or judgment.
- Opportunity- The Society must recognize and share that compassion and service are central to a spiritual life. There is an abundance of opportunities in all communities to make Theosophy practical, implementing its central tenets, and whether it is done under the banner of Theosophy or not, matters little. If we cannot apply the theosophical teachings, then we are only engaging in, as HPB described it, “desultory orations and fine talk”.
As we celebrate the sesquicentennial anniversary of the founding of the modern Theosophical Society it is useful to reflect on our raison d’etre, our true purpose. If we can find and share that, we will attract those seeking meaning and substance in our world, and the Society will thrive for decades to come.
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.