Theos-Talk Archives (August 2009 Message tt00207)

Thanks, Brian. Glad for your feedback.
 At the bottom of the statement, there is a list of members who were behind
developing the statement.

MKR

visit theosophy.net

On Sat, Aug 29, 2009 at 2:25 AM, butchie122 <brianparry@ymail.com> wrote:

>
>
> -
> Thank you for posting this timely, relevant & inspiring declaration. It is
> a welcome positive note in this sometimes negative, even dismal site. I
> wonder who wrote it; whoever it was they obviously have sniffed the wind. I
> particularly liked the linking, sometimes overlooked, of self knowledge with
> any real understanding of Theosophy. Readers might be interested to see the
> editorial in the last edition of 'Theosophy in Australia' where our new
> President strikes the same note.
>
> Brian
>
> -- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com <theos-talk%40yahoogroups.com>, MKR
> <mkr777@...> wrote:
> >
> > STATEMENT OF BRASILIA*
> >
> > At the First Spanish-Portuguese Seminar on Theosophy, held on July 15-19,
> > 2009 in the city of Brasilia, Brazil, 220 members of the Theosophical
> > Society from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba,
> Spain,
> > the USA, Greece, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru and
> Uruguay,
> > unanimously approved the following
> >
> >
> > DECLARATION
> >
> > The Theosophical Society was founded in 1875, at a time when slavery was
> > common in many parts of the world; when the invasion of a country by
> another
> > was considered to be normal; when religious hatred and the violent crash
> of
> > materialism against religions were frequent; when women, youngsters and
> > children were considered to be in an inferior level; when there was
> > discrimination among races and ethnic groups as well as other negative
> > barriers and misconceptions. There were no planes, cars, telephones,
> > electricity, radio, television or computers at that time, and the United
> > Nations Organization had not been created either.
> >
> > In that historical background, the Theosophical Society states that: to
> be
> > a freethinker it is not necessary to be a materialist; Divine Wisdom
> Ãâ"or
> > Theosophy- does not belong to any person, religion or organization; there
> > is an intelligence governing the Universe, expressed in its laws;
> ÃâÅthere is
> > no religion higher than truthÃâ , which must be sought by everyone; human
> > brotherhood is essential to build a world of peace and solidarity, and
> > Ãâ"being based in the acceptance of Unity of all Life- it must comprise
> all
> > creatures belonging to all kingdoms; religions should not fight against
> one
> > another recognizing Ãâ"in the heart of their essential teachings- their
> origin
> > in the same common nucleus; it is necessary to study the laws of nature
> and
> > the powers latent in man, so as to live in harmony with them.
> >
> > Taking a look at human society at present, after 134 years, it is evident
> > that the Theosophical Society has been a pioneer in expressing the value
> of
> > Eastern culture and in bridging the gap between East and West; its
> > fundamental propositions being totally or partially accepted.
> >
> > Today society acknowledges the need to avoid religious wars; that all
> > religions must be respected; that brotherhood among human beings must be
> > present Ãâ"moreover it needs to be present- for the survival of human
> species;
> > that men, women and children are equally important and must be respected;
> > that science, philosophy and religion can be found in the leading thought
> > systems; that it is possible to be a freethinker
> >
> > * T.N. from Portuguese - ÃâÅCARTA DE BRASà LIAÃâ
> > without being a materialist; that there are great spiritual beings in the
> > different religions; that wars are wrong and have to be swept from earth
> > (this includes the manufacture of weapons, especially nuclear ones); that
> > the planet is being destroyed by the lack of respect towards nature; that
> > our survival depends on the ecological awareness that has to grow in each
> > one of us.
> >
> > It is evident that the existence of the Theosophical Society has been
> highly
> > valuable, as some basic principles that it proclaimed are widely
> > acknowledged by people nowadays.
> >
> > So, what remains to be considered is the work of the T. S. in the 21st.
> > century.
> >
> > Mainly, human society in this century is dependant on consumerism,
> > entertainment and advertising; there is a rough competitiveness among
> > people, institutions and enterprises, with man exploiting his fellow
> beings;
> > fanaticism and fundamentalism are still present in many so-called
> religious
> > movements; ignorance of the basic facts of life causes humanity to suffer
> a
> > lot; selfishness is still deeply rooted in modern man and so is violence
> > which, disguised in many ways, is present almost everywhere.
> >
> > The TS has an important work ahead to show modern man that the road to
> > spirituality is not so much theoretical or intellectual as it is
> > experiential, and it will lead to the disappearance of suffering caused
> by
> > ignorance. The items to be taken into account are the following:
> >
> > - The world cannot be changed if we do not change ourselves.
> >
> > - Theosophy, as wisdom, cannot be separated from self-knowledge. We
> cannot
> > set up the conditions for wisdom to be manifested in our lives unless we
> > know ourselves. Self-observation is the basic tool for self-knowledge,
> > allowing Theosophy to be a living reality in our lives.
> >
> > - The study of Theosophical literature widens our horizons about life and
> > the universe through very clear explanations. But mere intellectual study
> > does not bring about the power to transform man. It does not lead him to
> a
> > loftier and more dignified life, with richer and more harmonic
> > relationships, away from conflict. So we need to find wisdom inside
> > ourselves through self-perception, which will make of Theosophy a
> > transforming reality.
> >
> > - Intense public work needs to be done. What is sought is not to convert
> > people to a single thought pattern but to influence the collective mind.
> > The doors of the TS must be open to those willing to work for humanity.
> The
> > dissemination of Theosophy must have the keynote of respect for the
> other.
> >
> > - Meetings specifically for members should be held with the purpose of
> > studying in depth. Emphasis should be put in listening so that, with a
> mind
> > void of prejudice, communion can be reached in the common quest for
> Truth.
> > - Forums, seminars, workshops, discussion groups, courses should be
> carried
> > on besides the traditional lectures, highlighting the exchange of ideas
> and
> > using questioning and investigation.
> >
> > - Public work should make use of technological resources available today:
> > television, Internet, meetings online via Skype, newspaper and magazine
> > publications. This should also be used to strengthen bonds among members
> > belonging to different countries and religions.
> >
> > - Political problems should be kept outside the TS. People should hold
> > office in a natural and spontaneous way, without greed, and they should
> do
> > their work in an impersonal an integrating way, without any prejudice and
> > not trying to impose any spiritual authority.
> >
> > - At the TS, the principle of Brotherhood makes us work with people who
> > favour the Cause of Humanity, without any distinction or prejudice,
> > especially those of a personal nature.
> >
> > - Electronic communication must be used with care and responsibility so
> as
> > not to produce inharmonic vibrations, which are not compatible with the
> > serenity that must exist in our Society.
> >
> > - Disruptive factors such as mere theoretical study, emotional reaction
> and
> > intellectual vanity must be perceived and carefully set apart.
> >
> > - The Theosophical Society in the 21st. Century is what we are. Its
> degree
> > of success depends on the wisdom and unselfishness of its members. Future
> > generations will receive as a legacy a living, agile and enlightening
> body
> > only if each one of us takes responsibility for it.
> >
> > - An interest for the Cause should be awoken in young people, based on
> the
> > beauty of the teachings and the happiness that can be reached
> understanding
> > them. By creating a proper environment, they should be encouraged to meet
> > and develop through unselfish work.
> >
> > - The T.O.S. can expand its work in community centers, Unions, different
> > neighbourhoods, helping to take the teachings to those who cannot come to
> > the TS. Ecology and Arts are two important avenues to be included.
> >
> > - The TS has had extraordinary leaders as Blavatsky, Olcott, Besant,
> > Leadbeater, Jinarajadasa, Sri Ram, Coats, Taimni, among others. Our
> present
> > International President, Mrs. Radha Burnier, has conducted Theosophical
> work
> > for the last few decades, permeating it with a strong spirituality. It is
> > the responsibility of each individual worker to add to the quality of the
> > work, not allowing any distortion to interfere in the awakening of wisdom
> > through the search for Truth.
> >
> > - We, members of the Theosophical Society, must humbly fulfill our part
> of
> > working to elevate the consciousness of Humanity without sectarianism but
> > with compassion and love.
> >
> > This document is a synthesis of the themes considered at the 1st.
> > Spanish-Portuguese Seminar on Theosophy and has been prepared by the
> > following members:
> >
> > Lilly Pastore (Argentina)
> >
> > Maria Luiza Cabrera Pardilla (BolÃÂvia)
> >
> > Marcos LuÃÂs Borges de Resende (Brazil)
> >
> > Julia Ballesteros (Colombia)
> >
> > Gaspar Torres (Cuba)
> >
> > FÃÂtima Campos Cardenas (Ecuador)
> >
> > Miguel Martinez de Paz (Spain)
> >
> > Erica Geordiades (Greece)
> >
> > Maria Luiza Salazar (Guatemala)
> >
> > Lissette Aroyo (MÃÂxico)
> >
> > Mario Rizzo (Nicaragua)
> >
> > Ana Maria CÃÂceres (Paraguay)
> >
> > Julio Pomar (PerÃÂ)
> >
> > Ema Maria de Souza Leal (Uruguay)
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
>
>  
>


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