1. What’s your name, where are you from and how long have you been a member of the TS?
My name is Noy Chounramany—born, raised, and residing in Ohio, U.S.A. I became a member of the Theosophical Society in 2014.
2.How long have you been a member of your Section’s Board?
Now nearing the end of my second term, I have served on the Theosophical Society in America’s Board of Directors as a Central District Director since 2020.
3. How did you first learn about Theosophy or come in contact with the Society?
During different periods of my life, I sincerely followed Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam. Metaphysical experiences and blossoming ideas led me to investigate concepts such as oneness, monad, panentheism, and the perennial philosophy, which is how I first encountered H.P.B. and Theosophical ideas.
While serving my local community as a volunteer, I felt inspired to seek out and join together with others who are spiritually grounded in their service of helping to build a better world for everyone. I did an internet search for “esoteric service groups” and happened upon the Theosophical Society and the Theosophical Order of Service. When I read the Three Objects of the Society, especially the First Object (“To form a nucleus of the universal brotherhood of humanity without distinction of race, creed, sex, caste, or color”), I strongly sympathized and registered for membership immediately.
4. What does Theosophy mean to you?
To me, Theosophy is unity; the unity of wisdom,… the unity of humanity,… the unity of nature and all life,… the unity of heart,… and the unity of spirit.
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?
I feel that the biggest challenges to the Society’s relevance for the near future are the accessibility of instant information and the non-joiner trend. With the power of the internet ever at the ready via our cell phones, some people are satisfied with casual internet searches instead of attending in-person talks, and many more are choosing to abstain from joining groups or organizations altogether. Much different than reading and studying material alone, we know that a special exchange and synergy happens when discussing spiritual and philosophical ideas together with others: we make meaningful friendships, we learn from different points of view, our mind makes connections that we’ve overlooked, our perspective widens, and we become inspired by those high ideals. We are innately social beings; the importance of community should be emphasized and our talks and programs should feature some level of social engagement whenever possible.
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.