Service Activities
Jun 23, 1996 10:31 AM
by Dara Eklund
Dear Folks:
Let's remember that all groups have service activities: the T.S.
with it's Theosophical Order of Service which included over the
years printing Books for the Blind (now T.B.A.B.); writing
letters to prisoners [also done by T.S. Pasadena]; Care for the
poor and new mothers; and especially work for Animal Rights and
Ecology in recent years. There is a special journal issued from
Paris (ed. by Diana Dunningham-Chapotin) which lists worthy
activities of ALL organizations, not to mention individuals.
T.A.C.O. promotes culture in the community, and periodic art
exhibits are on display at the library center of T.S. Pasadena.
Our teachings emphasize individual efforts a great deal because
of their emphasis on motive. Often we do not know the motives
inspiring noble deeds of unsung heroes. There is a member of two
organizations in Colorado who helps "Youth at Risk," which takes
great courage and talent. She has been involved in getting kids
off the streets and into repairing old bikes which they then may
use.
A quieter type of service is accumulating book treasures for
future use. As a librarian in a large public library system I
often see the growing emphasis on popular novels and sensational
media, as well as pulp fiction. This lends itself to the dark
"insidious" times which Jerry mentioned in his last on the T.M.
However, by building his Alexandria West treasure and making it
accessible to all seekers for truth, is he not overcoming the
authoritarianism of our organized Theosophical groups? The latter
have tended to guard their archives; perhaps through unfortunate
abuse by patrons; perhaps for honest fear that the controversial
knowledge there could create further discord. The independent
scattered libraries in remote areas of our country such as
Cotopaxi Colorado, or in other parts of the world, have each a
destiny in view of the trends ahead. They build to the dream of
Plato regarding an academy of Universal Philosophy, when men's
minds and hearts are ready for the Ideas which may rule the
world. Are not those philosophic ideals those which the
Brotherhood tries to reseed from time to time, whether recognized
as the T.M. or not?
[Back to Top]
Theosophy World:
Dedicated to the Theosophical Philosophy and its Practical Application
