1. What’s your name, where are you from and how long have you been a member of the TS?
My name is Rafael Marques de Albuquerque. I am originally from Florianopolis (Brazil) and I am currently living in Nottingham (UK) for my PhD studies. I joined the TS Adyar in 2012 in Brazil.
1. What’s your name, where are you from and how long have you been a member of the TS?
My name is Dewald Bester, I live in Cape Town, South Africa. I first joined the TS Adyar about 23 years ago when I was 19 or 20. I left the local lodge after about 5 years in solidarity with a Theosophical mentor who had been asked to leave the lodge by the existing president. I joined the TS Pasadena and remain a member. Two years ago I was approached by the Cape Town Adyar Lodge to be president, which I did for 9 months or so. After being re-elected, I resigned as president, realising I could not function from the heart in the environment as it existed.
1. What’s your name, where are you from and how long have you been a member of the TS?
My name is J. Dayanand and I am from Tamilnadu, India, at present living in Pondicherry. In my professional life, I am retired now, I was an expert on flora and fauna and recognized as such by the government of India. I studied reclamation of soil at Oxford University in the UK, and among many other activities I was Director of the Food Cooperation of India, in New Delhi. I am a Life Member of the TS-Adyar.
Am I in the Wrong Movie?
[… and some thoughts about internet trolls]
Jan Nicolaas Kind – Brazil
“If we consider carefully the options put before us / So much wisdom so much love so much waiting for us / And if we look ahead there's the sun and the seasons / Another day another age of reason” – from John Farnham’s “Age of Reasons”
For this impressive song, click here
By the end of a year, I tend to turn somewhat sentimental.
Another twelve months went by, offering many opportunities; I realize that perhaps only a handful came to realization. Yes, we are told never to look at what one doesn’t have, but to cherish that what you have in your hands, so I want to make use of this opportunity to thank all those wonderful and hardworking volunteers who have been loyal to Theosophy Forward, making this unique publication possible. Thanks to all, spread out over the planet: The United States (California, Kentucky, and Wheaton-Illinois), Brazil, Costa Rica, Slovenia, Italy, Portugal (Madeira Island), Spain, France, Holland, and India.
When I started off way back in 2009 with this e-magazine, I had no idea where the story would take me. We are five years on the road now and soon the sixth year will commence and there are great plans, quite sensational I must say, but at this stage I cannot reveal more than just that it will be another Theosophical leap forward!
[In November 2014, Theosophy Forward published a number of quotes by Radha Burnier on its homepage. These quotes were very well received. To facilitate our readers we hereby reprint them.]
1. What’s your name, where are you from and how long have you been a member of the TS?
My name is Renee Sell, I live in New Zealand. I was originally brought up in Australia but have lived my adult life in New Zealand. I have been a member of the TS now for 17 years.
1. What’s your name, where are you from and how long have you been a member of the TS?
My name is Robert Pullen. I am from Holland, the town of Breda, and I am not a member The Theosophical Society Adyar, Point Loma or Pasadena. I am the chairman of the Theosophical Centre “Post Nubila Lux” in Breda, Holland.
My name is Ingrid Eberhard – Evans, I joined the Theosophical Society 1984 in London and soon after moved to Wales transferring my membership to the Welsh Association.
1. What’s your name, where are you from and how long have you been a member of the TS?
Alice Bouwland is my name. I live in Zwolle, a beautiful mediaeval Hanze-town in the middle of Holland. I am working as an executive coach and trainer in communication skills at the architecture department of a university of applied sciences. In 1982 I became a member of the Theosophical Society.
1. What’s your name, where are you from and how long have you been a member of the TS?
My label and my story? My name is Jon Knebel and I currently live in the western suburbs of Chicago. I have been a member of the TSA for maybe fifteen years.
2. Are you active in your Lodge/Section and if so, what do you do?
I am active in the TSA at Wheaton, facilitating classes and groups, lecturing and leading workshops nationally. I led a class reading The Mahatma Letters at Wheaton that continued for 2 ½ years. The extensive preparation for these classes eventually led to my recent appointment as chairman of the TSA committee charged with compiling, editing and publishing the personal letters of H. P. Blavatsky.
This project is a continuation of the Collected Writings series begun by Boris de Zirkoff in 1924. The personal letters portion of this series was begun by Dr. John Algeo in 1999, and he published the first volume of this series in 2003. Three or four additional volumes are expected.
I also serve on the boards of directors of the TOS-USA, and of the International Theosophical Conferences, Inc.
3. How did you first learn about Theosophy or come in contact with the Society?
I first began exploring Western and Eastern traditions when I was in high school. During that time I learned of Theosophy, but found it difficult and unappealing. I went on studying physics, religion, philosophy, ancient history and anthropology. I also poked around the New Age stuff in the 60’s and 70’s. When I revisited Theosophy in my 40’s, I found that it formed a wonderful platform onto which my ideas from other teachings and traditions fit nicely.
4. What does Theosophy mean to you?
As my study deepened, I found myself compelled to serve, both in the world and within the Theosophical movement. Theosophy is now becoming a living power in my life. I am learning how to respect all life, all persons, no matter what their beliefs, regardless of their behaviours.
5. What is your favorite Theosophical book and why?
The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett. This book contains the Theosophical teachings as they were first presented, and is itself a wonderful history of the early Theosophical Society.
6. What in your opinion is the biggest challenge the TS is facing at the moment?
The biggest challenge today for all branches of the Theosophical movement is making the teachings accessible and attractive to the general population, young and old, without destroying their potency. Seeing this happen is my greatest wish.
7. Is there anything you would wish for the future of the Theosophical Movement?
My wish for the future is as described above, in question 6.
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.
1. What’s your name, where are you from and how long have you been a member of the TS?
Mr. Halldór Haraldsson, born in Reykjavik, Iceland in 1937. I have been a member of the TS since 1960.
1. What’s your name, where are you from and how long have you been a member of the TS?
Gloria Arévalo de Gauggel, I am from Colombia, but I live in Honduras now for 17 years.