Theos-Talk Archives (October 2008 Message tt00179)

We should all welcome Warwick taking the trouble to share this with us which
in total contrast to what we are used to. May be this is the first sign of
change and let us hope other section leaders join us here (I know many of
them are secretly lurking and reading the posts here) and share their
thoughts on the problems and their relative priorities and the suggested
solutions. Leaders need to get the members behind them to successfully
implement changes. Old time ways of hoping members blindly following the
leaders is not working. Let us keep tuned and when time permits I will share
my views as well.

mkr


On 10/7/08, Warwick Keys <keyteach@xtra.co.nz> wrote:
>
>   This is a copy of an e-mail sent to TS Sections. It will be of
> interest to some site subscribers.
>
> Dear Friends
>
> I am attaching some comments on the future of TS from my perspective.
> They are taken directly out of my annual report which I am finalising
> at the moment for our national convention in New Zealand.
>
> The comments refer to the New Zealand Section and also to the
> International Society. These comments reflect a majority thinking
> here in New Zealand. A new 'Fire in The Spirit' is igniting within a
> number of members here who are able to objectively view the present
> situation and clearly see a positive and uncluttered road ahead if
> the TS is prepared to step out boldly into the future. The Founders
> stepped out boldly and well outside their comfort zone. Our present
> comfort zones are a major hindrance to positive progress.
>
> With fraternal greetings
>
> Warwick Keys
> National President
> Theosophical Society in New Zealand
>
> The Future:
> We live in exciting ? turbulent ? challenging times. The way forward
> in almost every aspect of life is testing. We are offered multiple
> choices and we cannot always see where they lead. The decisions we
> make as a race, as communities, as groups and as individuals about
> our future direction have never been more important than they are at
> this time. I am sure that we are all aware of this on both a personal
> level and at a group level.
> As individuals and as institutions and established groups we are at a
> crucial point in our history. The Theosophical Society both in New
> Zealand and internationally are not exempt from the gathering winds
> of change. We are facing rapidly changing and challenging conditions.
> In my talks with branches this last year I have said that we are
> barely treading water, nationally and internationally, and are in
> fact slowly sinking. I make no apology for saying this so starkly.
> It is time for the Society to start swimming.
> Change is not comfortable, particularly to those who are contented
> with the "way things have been done for many years." However, to bury
> our heads in the sand is not an option, particularly when the sand is
> shifting and reforming as the wind blows.
> I am very aware that some members oppose the signals for change that
> the National Council is working with. At an International level the
> resistance to change is even more evident and entrenched. However,
> the status quo is no longer an option. It is a one-way ticket to
> extinction. If that sounds harsh it is meant to.
> At least in the Theosophical Society in New Zealand we have a
> democratic and participatory system of governance and administration.
> This is completely lacking at the international level and is the root
> cause of the present unrest in many Sections of the society
> worldwide. This and the determined resistance to change from those
> entrenched in the present system.
> As I have said so often around the country a key word for the Society
> at this time is `attachment.' We need to be able to step away from
> attachment to things, to structures and to methodologies that bind. I
> repeat yet again the words of the great Christian reformer Martin
> Luther long ago, "What ever your heart clings to and relies on is
> your god." He is talking about attachment to things, to places, to
> ideas, and to ways of doing things that cling to the past.
> Martin Luther's clear recognition of the `god' of attachment changed
> the course of Christian and Western history. The TS Founders were
> free from attachment. The `Fire in the Spirit' ? the `Fiery Heart' ?
> guided them and they knew and trusted in the process. A key question
> is ? Can the Theosophical Society in the twenty-first century as an
> organisation, nationally and Internationally, view itself with
> objective discernment and recognise the "god" of attachment for what
> it is?
> Can we put aside attachments to the past and move into the future
> with confidence, and with trust? The Founders did so.
> Are we willing to become spiritual citizens of the twenty-first
> century, once again leading the way at the cutting edge of the new
> spiritual revolution now gathering form and momentum and ready to
> burst upon the world galvanising new visions of society, of
> spirituality, of personal self realisation and empowerment, and a new
> revelation of the Old Truths, the Ancient Wisdom?
>
>
> Warwick Keys
>
> 
>


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