Good News

[Report received from Sara Ortega van Vloten in Spain relating to the International Gathering of Young Theosophists, held from June 3-7, 2022 at the International Theosophical Centre (ITC) Naarden, the Netherlands.]

Sara ...

From 3-7, June 2022 an International Gathering of Young Theosophists with as theme “Treading the Path to Self-Transformation" took place on the beautiful grounds of the International Theosophical Centre (ITC) in Naarden, the Netherlands. It was the first in-person gathering of members under forty years old since the global pandemic began. During previous years, the youth movement had connected via digital means and started working together (i.e. group chats, monthly online gatherings, the initiative towards the reactivation of the World Federation of Young Theosophists -WFYT). When the opportunity arose to organize this event, I didn’t have to think twice, and agreed to commit myself to this project. Soon afterwards, the dates were confirmed and an organizing committee was created with a small team of young members who were all full of enthusiasm.

From 3^rd to 7^th June 2022 an International gathering of young theosophists will take place at the International Theosophical Centre (ITC) Naarden (the Netherlands).

Grouphoto with all participants 

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR:  The category GOOD NEWS on Theosophy Forward. among other subjects, also  aims at promoting international theosophical live events. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and for a period of almost 2 years international events on location didn’t take place and the theosophical world had to turn to internet alternatives resulting in a worldwide Zoom-Boom. Although I fully understand the usefulness of Zoom as an alternative, from day one I have been sceptical about the Zoom phenomenon, because it should always remain a second or third option if no meetings “in the flesh” are to take place.

It is to be hoped that  in 2022 we are able to return to some kind of new normal, whereby Theosophists can meet each other in real time and on location. Yes, we can reach out to many through Zoom, but we all know that numbers are not that relevant when it is about studying or celebrating Theosophy. We will need to look into  each other’s eyes again, without a boring Dell monitor in the way, experiencing each other’s energy.  If we take our precautions, which is really not that difficult, and see to it that we are fully vaccinated (YES!), wear masks when needed and keep meeting rooms sufficiently ventilated, cleaning our hands regularly with alcohol-gel, it’s most  certainly doable. It’s simple: that nasty virus is not going to go away, so we have to learn to live and deal with it, and that is quite possible!

I understand that the European School of Theosophy is planning to  have its annual meeting on the premises of the International Theosophical Centre in Naarden, the Netherlands in October 2022, and with a bit of good luck there will be an International Convention in Adyar by the end of next year!

Below a write up plus photos about a wonderful congress that took place on location in Italy last September.

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Clairvoyant, a Dedicated Theosophist, and Founder of Therapeutic Touch  

A presentation by EDWARD ABDILL for the European School of Theosophy on September 23, 2020.

The European School of Theosophy continues to present high-quality weekly events. Zoom into their Online schedule. For an overview click HERE       

Ed Abdill

Watch it on YOUTUBE, click HERE

Follow the complete presentation “STEP BY STEP” in PDF, click HERE

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Theosophy in the workplace

[Note from the editor. The conversation between the TOS and Esteban Langlois took place some time before Covid19 struck last February and March. We have confirmation that all at Hospital Italiano, considering the circumstances, are doing well and that its staff, in a professional manner deals with the main challenges the pandemic is causing. The hospital is not overwhelmed and has sufficient capacity to take care of Covid19 patients, as well as those with other diseases. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that the hospital is a non-profit organization, it is a General clinic, the largest of its kind in Argentina, and one of the most modern and technologically advanced in Latin America.]

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An interview with Esteban Langlois – Argentina

Esteban Langlois MD

If someone were to ask each of us how we apply Theosophy in our job, we might perhaps respond that there is no direct, obvious application of its principles in our field. Yet somehow there is a level at which Theosophy has an influence on all we do, isn’t there?  

Inside ATA’s Transformative Online Program

This June 2020, Adyar Theosophical Academy (ATA) made a seamless transition from in-person to online classes. Thanks to the hours and hours of preparation by the Teachers who have attended scores of workshops and continue to do so while seeking out and experimenting with resources to make the knowledge transfer enjoyable and enriching despite the absence of physical interaction. Also a special mention of the children of ATA who have taken to this new medium with their innate curiosity and capacity to adapt. 

Unique photos of the inauguration of the Surendra Narayan Archives.

On Saturday 25^th January the so-called ‘soft-opening’ of the Surendra Narayan Archives (formerly the Adyar Archives) took place. The ‘official’ grand-opening will happen during the 145^th International Convention, in January 2021. Both Michiel Haas, who is the Creative Chief Officer of the renovations taking place in Adyar, and International President Tim Boyd and his hard-working team, ought to be congratulated with this significant and historical step forward. Actually, your editor would rather call it a LEAP forward. In any case it is truly a dream come true.

Officer in charge Jaishree Kannan and Tim Boyd

The opening began in the Library Hall with Tim Boyd giving a short talk and lighting a lamp, and Jaishree Kannan, who is the officer in charge of the Archives, accompanied by Jyotsna Narayan chanting. After this officers and invitees proceeded to the well-airconditioned premises of the new Archives for short but solemn ceremony and tea.

THIS EVENT WAS CANCELLED DUE TO COVID19

ADVANCE NOTICE

The 2020 venue, Newbattle Abbey

The European School of Theosophy (EuST) will be held at Newbattle Abbey in Edinburgh, Scotland from 12 to 17 October. Its theme is” The Mystery of Consciousness” and at the moment, the confirmed guest speakers include Edi Bilimoria and P. Krishna.

The full program will be presented in February 2020.

 THIS EVENT WAS CANCELLED DUE TO COVID19

The 39th European Congress

Healing Oneself – Healing the World

The Federation of Theosophical Societies in Europe

The 39th European Congress – August 3–7, 2020

Venue: University of York

Central Hall, University of York

Special guest speaker: Tim Boyd International President of The Theosophical Society-Adyar 

(photo: © George Wester)

Good News from the TOS – India

Seven Ways for Combating Depression - A program in the TOS Bubaneshwar, India is doing to combat depression.

Seven easy-to-follow steps by Prof. Fakir M. Sahoo, Ph.D., Xavier University, Bhubaneswar (member of TS and TOS)

Professor Sahoo receiving flowers after explaining and discussing the Seven Ways, on the left International Vice-President Dr. Deepa Padhi

TOS YOUTH – International Youth Conference 2019

Theme: “Meditation and Human Regeneration.”

Participants in front of Headquarters Building, Adyar

The 3-day International Youth Conference, from 27^th Dec to 29^th Dec, was successfully completed with a total of 35 participants from different parts of India and the world. The main topics covered in the session related to Human Re-generation and Meditation, which were divided into 4 sessions each day. The sessions included a mixture of both theory and practical aspects.

Introduction

On January 5 2020, the new Chief Knight of the Order of the Round Table in the Netherlands, Heleen van Beusekom, organized the ceremony of planting the first tree in the Garden of Remembrance (GOR) that presently is in a state of renovation. Heleen, creatively included the Universal mantra O Hidden Life by Annie Besant into the ceremony, each of the sentences recited by the Knights of Love, Wisdom and Strength. Round Table, very committed to the ITC, will be involved in the initiation/planting of the other trees of the GOR as well, probably during the next Spring Camp taking place on 4 and 5 April 2020: the youngsters of today might be our future workers. 

The oldest and youngest member of Round Table with the Chief Knight and the first tree in the Garden of Remembrance

Message received from our regular contributor Arni Narendran, Blavatsky Lodge, Mumbai

Sacred Journeys and an amazing benediction

Over the last sixty weeks (!!) the Blavatsky Lodge in Mumbai conducted a series of gatherings which were named “Sacred Journeys.” Held every Tuesday evening, the sessions started with mindful meditation and healing affirmations, followed with readings from the celebrated magnum opus of Paramhansa Yogananda, Autobiography of a Yogi.

CENTENARY OF THE THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY IN BRAZIL

The Theosophical Society in Brazil, the largest section in South America, commemorated its centennial in November 2019. From November 12 -17, festivities were organized on various locations in Brasilia, with hundreds of people participating.

Ulises Riedel de Resende 

The events began on November 12, with musical performances and the release of the book Theosophy, the Truth of All Ages, with texts and photos, covering the history of one hundred years of the Theosophical Society in Brazil. A lecture was delivered by Ulisses Riedel de Resende, who, as he was born into a Theosophical family, at the age of six (!) joined the Albor Lodge in Santos in São Paulo. Ulysses, a former National President, has been contributing to the Society's work for more than eight decades. Those who know him well consider Ulises Forever Young, since now, at the ripe old age of 86, he is ever active and going strong, writing, lecturing and above all innovating.

European Trip Extraordinaire 

An early and wonderful “black and white” of Jaishree 

Let me introduce myself as Jaishree, a voluntary worker at the Adyar Archives, TS Adyar.

My parents, Dr. Kannan & Mrs. Sarojini Kannan moved to Adyar to work in the Theosophical Society in 1964. My grandparents were primarily responsible for us to be associated with this movement. 

Message received from Vicente Hao Chin

INDO-PACIFIC CONFERENCE OF THE THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY HELD IN THE PHILIPPINES

Participants

The Theosophical Society held its 14th Indo-Pacific Conference in Manila, Philippines, last Nov. 9-12, 2019, with delegates coming from 10 countries in the Indo-Pacific region: Australia, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, and Sri Lanka. Other visiting delegates came from the United States, France, Finland, and Brazil. The theme of the conference was “Let Your Light Shine.” The Guest of Honor of the conference was the Vice President of the Philippines, Leni Robredo. Another guest was the Mayor Joy Belmonte of Quezon City, the city within Metro Manila where the conference was being held.