Theos-Talk Archives (September 2004 Message tt00233)

>From my observation I can tell that there is tremendous generation
gap between those who hold offices, lead lodges, meetings, lectures
etc. and younger generation. This generation gap is not just because
of age. Younger generation is professional in work and thinking
because of importance and facilities of education they get, explosion
of media and tremendous difference in environment when these two
generations grew up. These facilities and environment were not
available to now-old people when they were young. So there is lot of
difference in psychology, thinking and emotions between old men and 
young professional type new gereration. So young
members don't feel comfortable with old members. When they don't feel
at home, they don't come. Young people have new ideas, energy,
desire to do Theosophical work in creative way and when their
proposals are turned down by old generation they feel bad and don't
involve. Take the case of Eldon. If he was told by officers that they
should not give speeches on CDs in MP3 format how would Eldon had
felt? Next time he would neither show interest in work nor initiate
new ideas. Creativity is inherent in young people and and it needs 
expression. When it is suppressed they go where they can give outlet 
to creativity. Old generation tends to keep things running as they 
are, to keep status quo. So ideas from young members are rejected. 
Energy, creativity, outlook is quite different.
I am grateful that old people continued work so that young
members still can see it. But diffence of age, thinking, emotions,
attitudes remain which is why young people are keeping themselves
away.
Regards.
Fraternally,
Anand Gholap




--- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, Eldon B Tucker <eldon@t...> wrote:
> 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