Theos-Talk Archives (June 2003 Message tt00197)

Saturday, June 21, 2003

Re: 2003 U L T Day LETTER

Dear Friend:


Enclosed herewith lease find the 2003 U L T Day Letter.

This will bring you a brief review of activities.

I f you desire to see a copy I can send you a summary sheet of
current Theosophical activities as it marks a great increase in
practical work done this year.

Best wishes,

Dallas

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The United Lodge Of Theosophists
245 W 33rd St.,
Los Angeles, CA, 90007, U S A




ULT Day Letter
June 21-25, 2003
 
 
Dear Associates and Friends,
 
The first “ULT Day Letter” was written in 1931, just two months
before the re-publication of Isis Unveiled by The Theosophy
Company to mark the one-hundredth anniversary of the birth of H.
P. Blavatsky. Since that time, it is hoped that this annual
event has not become an “institution” in any sense beyond its
service as a vehicle to share ideas and note important events
during the year.   
 
The role of The United Lodge of Theosophists is not to call
attention to itself as somehow “special” or unique, nor to
“correct” the perceived faults of others. It is, quite simply,
to provide a means by which inquirers and students can come
together to study Theosophy. The wise counsel, “that government
is best which governs least,” might be applied equally to the
affairs of ULT.  
 
The basis for this study is rooted in the Theosophical
philosophy, as an attempt to recognize students as reincarnating
egos, and not just as personalities. This extends to all who
attend or who inquire, regardless of their background, “without
distinction of race, creed, sex, condition or organization.” The
wisdom of this approach requires that no one be put on a
pedestal, no matter how apparently highly advanced or
“spiritual.” We try to trust our own intuitions and doubt our
own prejudices, to seek honestly the truth about ourselves and
the world, to use Theosophy as a tool, not as a belief, to
remember that Theosophy needs no interpreters, no priests, no
authorities, and that Truth thrives on unadorned discovery and
dialogue, but withers under convention and orthodoxy.
 
Lodges exist to make it easier to share these ideas with others,
and as a home for substantive dialogue. The ideal is that great
ideas should be attended to, and that human beings are capable of
self-education. While the form of meetings is subservient to
content, forms of expression can be stumbling blocks. The United
Lodge of Theosophists is therefore at its best when its work is
as transparent as possible, and most susceptible when made to
serve the preconceptions of the accountants of the imagination. 
 
Encouraging in this direction has been the proliferation in
recent years of study classes in The Secret Doctrine. Students
come together not to “teach” the book, but to gain inspiration
from it and from their fellows. From its study, we come to
regard Truth not as a collection of “facts” but as an harmonic
resonance of consciousness, a hierarchy of principles with which
one can become attuned. Such a “holographic” model of
consciousness connects us with all of life, connects us with each
other and with all movements for the amelioration of suffering
and the well-being of the planet. 
 
A year ago, we had several contributions that shared the
approaches and experiences of students from Lodges and Study
Groups in many areas. Though fewer, the contributions received
during the past year are just as heartening. Three recent
letters from the Jacmel, Haiti Lodge show that their hard work
has paid off handsomely. Their twice-weekly meetings are well
attended, and they have opened their library to students and the
public. They continue to expand both facilities and program, and
their enthusiastic dedication is evident in their letters. 
 
>From Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, “Theosophical Independence”
enters its second year of monthly publication, with student
discussions on the value of the Theosophical philosophy to the
enquiring mind and heart.
 
Quite literally in our own backyard, students gathered in Long
Beach, California and at the Los Angeles Lodge, on the
anniversary of HPB’s birth, for a series of summer meetings and a
“Fiesta Latina.” The Long Beach study group’s Friday meeting was
filled to overflowing; then Saturday night students joined other
Theosophists and inquirers to hear featured presentations on “The
Tibetan Buddhism of H. P. Blavatsky,” and “Tarot and The Secret
Doctrine.” Sunday brought well over a hundred people to
Theosophy Hall, where they met in the auditorium to discuss
material in both English and Spanish. Lunch, music, dance and
conversation took up most of the afternoon, and all departed with
a sense of shared camaraderie.  
 
Spanish-speaking students are enjoying an ever-growing library of
translated works. Articles of H. P. Blavatsky first published by
The Theosophy Company in pamphlet form are now offered as a book
by Berbera Editores S.A., in Mexico City, Mexico for distribution
throughout the Americas and eventually in Europe. The paperback
work, titled Misterious de los Estados Despues de la Muerte y
ortros escritos (“Mysteries on the States After Death, and Other
Writings”), is the first of several planned for publication over
the next few years. By sharing publication and distribution
costs, we are able to make Blavatsky’s writings available to far
more readers than before.
 
Collaboration in all things has been shown to be the most
beneficial for individuals and the work, so once again we ask
that students from all over, from Lodges and Study Groups as well
as those geographically isolated, send in contributions to share
their efforts on behalf of Theosophy. While some may find it
difficult and perhaps think it inappropriate to write about their
own work, there is still a great benefit to others who wish to
know more about the larger theosophical community. Therefore, we
look forward to hearing from you during the course of the next
year.
 
 
Sincerely and Fraternally,
 
United Lodge of Theosophists
Los Angeles June 25th 2003



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