Theos-Talk Archives (September 2004 Message tt00228)

At 10:24 PM 8/23/2004, you wrote:
> To everyone,
>
> Along the lines of thought already began by Eldon, I would like to hear 
> from others what they feel is missing from the overall Theosophical Society.
>
> What would you like to see more of?
>
> What opportunities would you like to have?
>
> What might draw you into greater involvement?
>
> There are well over a hundred people subscribed to this list. I would 
> love to hear from as many as possible, even it is just a few words.
>
> Peace,
>
> Chris
I haven't seen many replies, so I'll put forth a few more ideas the 
subject. Some are bigger ideas that likely will never happen. Others are 
more easily attainable. I'm just saying what readily comes to mind. This is 
in no way a comprehensive list.

1. Decentralization. Sell most of the Wheaton estate and buy regional 
centers. Insure that more people rotate through elected offices. Take away 
most restrictions against running for various offices. Divest most elected 
positions of most of their power, changing their function to facilitator 
and coordinator rather that manager and supervisor.

2. More socialization. Have some meetings and gatherings for people to get 
together on both regional and national scales. Involve children and 
families and the general public. Tie in with holidays. Make our own 
holiday, "Theosophy Day," and invent some holiday celebration to go with 
it. See how other theosophical groups have tried these things and learn 
from their experience.

3. More openness. Encourage joint meetings and cooperation between local 
branches of all the theosophical groups including the Pasadena T.S. and 
ULT. Publish a lodge directory showing all branches and contact people in 
the United States including those of the other societies.

4. Have a clearing house of "interesting ideas." References, quotes, 
reprints, and information on advances in science, religion, and philosophy 
would be collected and put online. A digest would be mailed to members or 
lodges. (These are the materials we all come across that spark our interest 
and we sometimes feel inclined to share on our mailing lists.)

5. Protect Freedom of Thought. Insure no one gets expelled for having 
contrary ideas about the philosophy, the history of our organization and 
its founders, or life in general. (The only reason for expulsion would be a 
pattern of acts harmful to other members or to the Society, like an attempt 
to bring in an overwhelming number of members from some church in order to 
take over the organization or a pattern of abusive attacks against the 
right of other members to participate and voice their own ideas.)

6. Comedy. Not everything in life is serious and if we cannot laugh at 
ourselves and the world, we've become way too pious and lost the 
theosophical spirit. This should be a regular feature in publications and 
meetings.

-- Eldon