Theos-Talk Archives (June 2002 Message tt00096)

June 19th, 2002



Dear Friends:

Annually the UNITED LODGE OF THEOSOPHISTS issues a Letter which gives
an idea of some of the developing activities that a number of U L Ts
in various centers promote.

Here is the 2002 U L T Day Letter.

I hope you will find this interesting reading.

Best wishes,

Dallas

--------------------	COPY	U L T Day Letter 2002
-----------------------------



2002 U L T Day Letter

=======================================
United Lodge of Theosophists

A VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATION OF STUDENTS OF
THEOSOPHY
245 WEST 33RD STREET. LOS ANGELES,
CALIFORNIA 90007

June 2 1—25,
2002

“Fabric of the Movement”
ULT Day Letter

Dear Friends and Associates,

This year we have an abundance of contributions that share a wide
variety of activities and insights into the work of several Lodges and
study groups. Each represents an effort that might be diminished by
attempts to summarize; yet space limitations necessitate some sort of
brevity.

Therefore this ULT Day Letter will be in two parts, consisting of
these introductory remarks and the enclosed Supplement, which will
allow us to include many of the details that were submitted.
A theme common to many of the contributions is that of adapting to the
needs and conditions of others in presenting Theosophy. Like the warp
and woof of fabric, principles and their applications provide the
basis to evaluate both the content and the processes of Theosophical
work. Principles endure; the means almost always vary with time and
circumstances. Sometimes, it is hard to distinguish the new from the
old, interwoven as they are at points of force in the patterns of our
daily lives. At other times, the boldness of new paths taken and
experiments tried by others jolt us from our complacency as we
struggle to adapt timeless principles to the garments of the world.
Yet, we can always look to principles and ideals for inspiration and
guidance, always checking our own moral compass for a sense of fitness
and rightness of things.

Another layer to the fabric of the movement is the transition from one
generation to another. This can be challenging, especially when old
forms no longer seem to interest younger people, and new ways of work
have not yet been developed that resonate with them.

So, we share the enclosed contributions from our brothers and sisters
around the world, trusting that students everywhere will make the best
applications they can in the light of universal principles found in
and inspired by the teachings of Theosophy.

Finally, we extend hearty welcomes and fraternal greetings to three
new Lodges:

Douala, Cameroun; Jacmel, Haiti; and Sarasota, Florida.


With Fraternal Best Wishes,

United Lodge of Theosophists

==========================================================


ULT DAY LETTER 2002
SUPPLEMENT


“You are right in thinking that the essential principles of Theosophy
are often stated without the use of that name, for it is the Universal
fundamental system which underlies the religions of every age... Of
course, in Theosophy, as in any other Science, one understands more as
one reads more, and I recommend you to read and digest such of our
books as you can conveniently procure... Be wise as serpents but
harmless as doves.”	--William Q. Judge


Contributions to this year’s letter are plentiful and heartening.
There is evidence of steady, continued work: holding meetings and
study classes, answering questions of inquirers, keeping books and
pamphlets available on book tables. Commemorative activities, such as
Judge, White Lotus and ULT Day, are mentioned by many, as is the need
to find, nurture and prepare the next generation of students. This
continuing work one contributor appropriately called the “steady beat
of the heart.” These essential activities have been augmented by new
ones: meeting locations with closer ties to the community, joint
public meetings with other theosophical groups, Internet websites, E
mailings, two new magazines, translations and other publishing
efforts.


Below are the highlights of the material received, arranged somewhat
geographically:
A letter from Bangalore, India, echoes the obstacles and challenges
faced by students everywhere: public misunderstandings of Theosophy,
confusing it with various religions such as Hinduism, the popularity
of “gurus” and charismatic leaders, all exacerbated by internal
difficulties of all kinds. The Indian Institute of World Culture, a
sister effort to promote the broad objects of the Theosophical
Movement through unsectarian education, continues as a vital activity.
Both groups are actively trying to find, nurture and prepare younger
generations of students to carry on the work. Encouraging signs
include the success of the Internet as a communication tool.


Douala, Cameroun:

one of three new Lodges, has begun an initiative to send E mail to
individual mail boxes gathered by students, with provocative questions
asked on the universal issues of life and death. They, like all
concerned students, struggle with the indifference of the world to
spiritual ideas, yet have actively decided not to use that as an
excuse to stop the dissemination of the philosophy of theosophy. The
fact that this is a new Lodge should serve as an example of the value
of that approach.


In Paris:

the “Association H. P. Blavatsky” has been founded by ULT students who
take personal responsibility for actions on behalf of Theosophy. They
write letters to correct erroneous reports in the press, publish
articles, give radio and television interviews, and make audio and
video records, without, as their memo explains, “having to claim the
entirely impersonal ‘authority’ of ULT.” They give examples:

A member of the Association has contributed a 30-page article (in
English) to be inserted (as a German translation) in the German
edition of the abridged version of Isis Unveiled (originally prepared
by Michael Gomes). The title of the article is “How Isis Unveiled
heralded the ‘Theosophy’ of the Masters.” Another article is to be
published in a monthly French magazine on Buddhism, with the view of
showing how Mme Blavatsky and her theosophical movement contributed to
opening the way to Buddhism in Western countries.

The French web-site www.theosophie.asso.fr offers a wide range of
information on Theosophy and the Lodge activities, including our
Correspondence Course by e-mail, with all the usual texts necessary
for distant students. This site, maintained up to date, is
progressively completed by audio lectures and presentation of full
seminars, etc.

The development, since 1984, of the Correspondence Course (by ordinary
mail) is still in expansion, noticeably in French-speaking countries.
In two of them, this course has been instrumental in helping the
creation first of local Study Groups, then of regular ULT Lodges. In
Cameroun, the Douala ULT saw the light June 9, 1999. More recently, in
Haiti, the founding of the Jacmel Lodge happened the beginning of
2002.

They further report that their Theosophy School, while smaller, has
begun a parallel meeting for adults, a free, informal discussion
called “Discovering Theosophy.” Also, an associate in Paris has
produced a Persian translation of the Bhagavad-Gita, printed and now
available in Tehran, Iran.


The new Lodge in Jacmel, Haiti:

now has a permanent space where they can get together. The
participants contribute by bringing chairs, tables, etc. The next goal
is the formation of an office where they can print pamphlets and
periodicals. The study group dates back to 1994, but only recently has
become a Lodge as the participation of associates increased.


London, Ontario Canada relates:

One thing that is keeping us in contact with the community around us
is “The Temple of the Drum” drum-circle. While offering the
opportunity to join in music, the writings of Theosophy are available
to all who are attending. It is an interesting mix of people and a few
have joined our meetings on Wednesday and Sunday nights.

We are also developing a small magazine, mostly to bring the work of
ULT to the attention of the surrounding area. It will feature the work
of our meetings as its basis. What we are studying and what inspires
us and the talks presented by students. It will also “advertise” the
books of HPB and WQJ. It will inform people of the Aquarian
Theosophist, the ULT web site and Blavatsky.net. We will also feature
MANAS and tell others where they may get a copy of the CD. The
magazines from Los Angeles and India will also be featured and
information for ordering made available to people in our area. The
name of the journal is Buddhi-Manas “A journal devoted to the Heart
and Mind of All.”

We have found a way to circulate the writings of Blavatsky and Judge
in retail book stores, by giving a few copies to the retail outlet,
free of charge. They sell them at the cost price to us, and can keep
the return, for the store profit. It was felt that this gives the
buyer a broader choice. We are told that they are purchased in a short
time.

A group discussion of Judge’s Ocean of Theosophy at a “Natural Life
Healing Centre” was successfully tried until bad weather cancelled it.


Toronto, Canada tells us:

Our program takes place at a City of Toronto Public Library each
Friday evening and the books used as study material are “Echoes From
the Orient,” “The Epitome of Theosophy,” “The Ocean,” “Texts for
Theosophical Meetings” and readings from the devotional books. The
questions we usually get deal mostly with everyday affairs and how to
make use of the philosophy to get the best understanding and function
in terms of Universal Brotherhood.


>From Philadelphia, Pennsylvania :

we received Issue 2 of THEOSOPHICAL INDEPENDENCE, produced monthly by
Associates of the ULT in that city. It is provided freely upon
request, and may be reproduced without permission. Comments, questions
and contributions for publications can be directed to the Philadelphia
Lodge.
 

>From Washington, D.C. :

we have a report of the success of their Theosophy School:
Ranging in age from 5 to 16 years old, some enthusiastic participants
raise questions about and discuss the various topics while others
express their thoughts in highly imaginative drawings of their
concepts of ”fohat” and other ideas being discussed. Two of the
Theosophy School students have teamed up to provide Sunday lectures
and answer questions on such topics as karma, reincarnation and
Theosophical symbols. The school was started in an attempt to help
enlighten the younger ones but the adults are also finding
enlightenment in the process.

Several times a year ULT DC and the Washington DC Theosophical Society
exchange speakers to bring messages based on the writings passed on to
us by HPB and WQJ. The speaker exchange program helps develop our
mutual understanding and facilitates participation in both groups by
some students. Also, DC ULT students sparked lively discussions when
they were invited to address theology students at Columbia Union
College.

The ULT DC Internet web site attracts several hundred inquiries
annually from throughout the world. Many inquirers “drop in” for a
visit to view information on the web and associated links, while
several have found the site to find their way to the Lodge. Students
of the ULT DC find the web a useful way to share ideas with each other
during the week.
 

Phoenix, Arizona reports:

On October 27, 2001, a public seminar was held on “Theosophy: Ancient
Wisdom for Modern Times” in Scottsdale, Arizona. The seminar as
produced jointly by the United Lodge of Theosophists and the
Theosophical Society, Phoenix. The featured speaker was Alan Donant of
the Theosophical University Press, speaking on “Universal Brotherhood:
The Path of Compassion.” The talk was followed by a panel of students
from both Phoenix groups in a question-and-answer session with the
audience.

[ Phoenix U L T has placed on its Web-Site the text of two books by
Robert Crosbie:

The FRIENDLY PHILOSOPHER , and 

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS AT AN INFORMAL "OCEAN OF THEOSOPHY" CLASS.

These are available for reading or down-loading. ] 



The Los Angeles Lodge reports:

A new Sunday morning class for adults was inaugurated January 6
correlates Theosophy to current events in science, the arts, human
events, etc. The class has been enthusiastically received both in
participation and attendance, and will continue through the summer.
 
On December 21, 2001 the three Southern California Spanish
theosophical groups
(T.S. Wheaton, T.S. Pasadena and ULT students) gathered at Theosophy
Hall in Los Angeles. It was a chance to get to know each other and to
study together extracts from Transactions of the Blavatsky Lodge. The
seminar format started at 2:00 PM and ended at 6:00 PM, with more
than 60 people participating.

The second week of May, the Spanish Theosophical Society in America
groups and the Spanish ULT groups congregated at the Krotona School of
Theosophy in Ojai, California for a weekend devoted to the study of
The Secret Doctrine. This was the first time the two groups had gotten
together at Krotona for this common purpose.

There is a small study group in Spanish in East Los Angeles that meets
every Monday night. Their hope is one day to become a Lodge.

2002	GET-TOGETHER -- Long Beach Ca. August 9 - 11, 2002

Another gathering of students will be held this year in Long Beach,
California, USA. 
It will be the 8 annual gathering held near HPB’s birthday, August 11 
Details may be obtained by e-mailing:

gl stevenson@hotmail.com


We look forward to hearing from all workers about what they find
important in the year ahead.


“Either Theosophy pure and undefiled is the most real thing in the
world or we are all wasting our time and effort. If we are able to
conceive its reality in all seriousness, we should then never cease
trying to understand and apply what has been recorded by Masters’
Messenger for our guidance and instruction” --Robert Crosbie

==================================


Offered by Dallas





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]