Jan Nicolaas Kind – Brazil
HOW DID WE DO IT IN 1975, WHEN WE CELEBRATED IN NEW YORK OUR 100TH BIRTHDAY DURING THE "CENTENNIAL" WORLD CONGRESS?
Now, while 50 years have passed and with the 12th World Congress in Vancouver, Canada commemorating the Theosophical Society’s 150th anniversary around the corner, we will take a walk down memory lane to see and hear how things were done at the Statler Hilton Hotel-New York, from November 14 -20, 1975.
Entrance of the Statler Hotel, New York in the mid-seventies
INTRODUCTION
For many students of Theosophy the phenomenon of ONLINE (Zoom -YOUTUBE etc. ) sessions such as special events, talks, interviews and courses have become some sort of a theosophical lifeline. I must admit, I was never really fond of any type of these online meetings, to me they seem to be very impersonal, so I’ve tried to stay away from them as much as possible.
Agreed, this is obviously very personal, but I do recognize why, in particular during the Covid pandemic, people turned fully to the “on screen” gatherings, and I also acknowledge that for those who live far away from the nearest venue or Lodge building, online programs give them the opportunity to at least connect, thus being a part of a presentation, course. or other major events.
All and all it is my conviction that, although times have changed drastically on the inter communication level, “in person” Conventions and Congresses. Courses, Lodges and Sections’ activities are essential for the continuation of the Society as a living entity. In order to fully grasp the significance of the First Object we need to be in each other’s aura, radiating our energies and “feel” the presence of those who are nearby. If we allow the theosophical experience to turn into a fully virtual, AI powered and digitalized undertaking it’ll be lethal for any further development and the Master’s attempt could turn into a risky experiment.
Travelling over long distances in order to be present at a Lodge meeting, a Seminar, Convention or a Congress is often tiring, expensive (air tickets) and definitely not the same as it was a few decades ago.
BUT we ought to TRY!
THE MAGIC OF COMING TOGETHER
As theosophists, meeting in person with others is crucial because it fosters profound connections, facilitates more effective communication, and allows for a more natural exchange of ideas. In-person interactions do build faith, creating bonds, making it easier to form strong relationships. It provides a sense of human connection that is hard to replicate online and can help to establish better interaction.
MEMORY LANE
In 1883, the Theosophical Society as an organization held in Adyar its first annual International Convention and in 1921 the first World Congress took place in Paris-France. Since the Congress in Paris another 10 followed and the 12th is about to happen.
1883, First International Convention in Adyar
1921, Annie Besant opens the First World Congree in Paris
John Coats and Joy Mills during the Congress in New York
In 1975, John Coats was International President and Joy Mills was his Vice, the Theosophical Society had been100 years on the move spreading its message, having considerable influence on science, the arts and it played a crucial role in introducing Eastern knowledge to the West. During that centennial year a great number of celebrations took place on many different locations but the Congress in New York, it was the 6th, from November 14 -20, was considered to be the ”main-event.”
From Theosophy Wiki
Click on the Wiki Logo to go direct tp this very rich source in five (!!) different languages
The 6th World Congress, or Centennial World Congress, was held in New York City, the United States, in 1975, with the theme, "In the Footsteps of the Founders." About 800 members from around the world attended sessions in the Grand Ballroom of the Statler Hilton Hotel. Participates included people from many branches of the broader Theosophical Movement, making it the first major effort toward fraternization since the H. P. Blavatsky Centennial Conference held in 1931 in London.
This congress commemorated the centenary of the founding of the Theosophical Society, and was followed by major celebrations in London, Bombay, and Adyar. Early in 1976 the celebrations continued in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and then in Australia. The only person known to have attended all six events was Joy Mills, the Vice President of TS.
According to one observer of the New York event, the lecture by Boris de Zirkoff called "The Dream that Never Dies," was "truly a high point of that week-long gathering.
HOW DID WE DO IT?
Click on the cover to open and read the program
Looking at the booklet with the program one cannot but conclude that Dora Kunz as President of the Theosophical in America and John Coats as International President with their respective teams went out of their way to organize a memorable “all-embracing” event. In the chapter “Beginnings” there is a detailed historical overview, mentioning the three principal founders, H.P. Blavatsky, Henry Steel Olcott and William Judge, plus excerpts from Olcott’s inaugural address.
Click on the image above to open and read the hand-typed schedule
Quite remarkable and encouraging is the fact that the compilers of the program saw to it that there were representatives and speakers from the various theosophical affiliations. Boris de Zirkoff is already mentioned but Iverson Harris was also there, he, at that time, was the president of Point Loma publications and Eva de Lisle, a United Lodge of Theosophists student from Ottawa, Canada delivered a short lecture. Through the photo gallery (see below) one can see that some anthroposophists were present as well.
So when we ask ourselves the question “HOW” they did it , the answer is actually rather simple; they did it energetically with love and dedication, being aware of the fact that all World Congresses are in fact sacred pointers to a theosophical future of which they in 1975 and we in 2025 and those who come after us are an integral part.
RECORDED TALKS
CLICK ON THE TAPE RECORDER TO HEAR THE PRESENTATIONS
John Coats - “Opening” - John Coats – “The wisdom the World Awaits” - Eva de Lisle – “Let There Be Light” - Boris de Zirkoff – “The Dream that Never Dies” - Rukmini Devi Arundale, James S. Perkins and William J. Ross, Symposium – “In the Footsteps of the Founders”, - Geoffrey Hodson – “A tape recorded message for the Congress” - Joy Mills – “Closing”
Thanks to the good care of Theosophical Society in America some of the Congress’s taped presentations are still available in a special archive. However we need to take into consideration that 50 years ago recording possibilities, primarily using tape, or cassette recorders, were not as they exist today, so audio-wise it is not always perfect, but all presentations are well-preserved and certainly worth listening to.
Joy Mills, in her closing remarks, states that during this Congress history was made. She clearly referred to the fact that representatives of various theosophical organizations had been present and that finally, after decades of disagreements and conflicts even, a productive open dialogue among them was ongoing.
BETTY’S PHOTO GALLERY
Betty Bland during the Congress in the audience, photo taken most probably by David ..... ?
It is fortunate that Betty Bland’s photo album was made available. (she is a former National President of the TSA) A total of 33 photos give an overall impression of the New York event. Some of the images have captions others do not. Here, as with the recordings , we need to realize that these photos were taken long before the digital era, they are worth going over nevertheless!
To go to Betty’s photo gallery click on the image below.
You can view the images one by one, but you can also click on them so they will enlarge, viewing the photos by using the arrows on either side of your screen
Thanks to Janet Kerschner, Betty Bland, Jaishree Kannan and Chris Bolger.