Theos-Talk Archives (October 2008 Message tt00221)

In TS meetings and at TS functions (external of India) there is no 
place for young people, no place for children and no way for younger 
people with families to participate. My experience, having been 
brought up a Theosophist, allows me to remember back in the 1960's at 
Wheaton, Illinois, US HQ, where my grandfather would come for the 
American Convention. Although I was a child in those days, I attended 
the meetings, went to lectures as I wanted, and also had access to 
tennis courts, swingsets, swimming pools and other forms of 
enetertainment that were suitable for children, yet let my parents 
attend meetings and lectures as they wished knowing I was entertained 
and safe. Today our meetings are never interrupted by the sounds of 
children playing, voices laughing and giggling, but rather by elderly 
people snoring. 

For the TS to have a future we have to figure out how to attract full 
families, allow for a place where everyone is welcome, and build a 
community spirit. Without this we end up with an elderhostel which is 
not attractive and does not promote growth of a community.


Jason Sri Ram






--- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, "sampsakuukasjarvi" 
<sampsakuukasjarvi@...> wrote:
>
> It is true that Warwick Key's position is unclear. We can see that 
he 
> nominated Algeo in the election, but that doesn't have to make 
> him "Algeoan" (spelling?). We all should think independently. Like 
> many others, I myself support changes to be made, but oppose 
removing 
> the direct vote.
> 
> I think Erica said wise words about non-political nature of the TS. 
> It is also true that concentrating into producing inspiring 
> literature is more important than changin the international rules.
> 
> But I disagree with Erica that Radha is the only leader who can 
> inspire members. To claim this is an attachment. We have heard this 
> song in the TS at least a decade too long; we need fresh blood. 
Come 
> on, Erica, do you want that she will be presidential candidate 
again 
> after seven years if she is still alive and 91 years old 
> then "because there are no others"?
> 
> There ARE younger international people who could lead the TS, but 
> they should be encouraged to step forward: Vicente Hao Chin Jr., 
> Pedro Oliveira, and Terezinha Kind, for example.
> 
> The main problem in the TS is the wrong attitude which opposes 
> changes. There is a big mental wall which prevents free discussion 
> and changing old people away and I am afraid that Radha is one 
reason 
> for that; her being still the head of the TS and head of the 
Esoteric 
> School. Because of her positions, members dare not to oppose her 
and 
> her ideas in public.
> 
> It is good that leaders are noticing the importance of the 
internet. 
> The Adyar web pages are at this moment updated and much better than 
a 
> year ago.
> 
> As for modernizising our literature, I think Algeo has done a 
> remarkable work with his Oz and Harry Potter writings, for example. 
> Of course much more must be done in order to get young people's 
> attention.
> 
> How about "The Theosophist"? It should be modernizised, too. It is 
> not at all a modern magazine. Articles are uncritical towards the 
> theosophical history and much too long to read and there are no 
> pictures. Media theories say that readers are not able to read over 
> four pages long texts fluently; so why are there 6-10 pages long 
> articles in this magazine? Long texts belong to books, not 
magazines. 
> Instead, "The Theosophical Digest" by the TS in the Philippines is 
a 
> very nice modern magazine.
>