Theos-Talk Archives (June 2010 Message tt00090)

Unique Opportunity in the 10th World Congress

In ten days, the 10th World Congress is scheduled at Rome. Many leaders from
the West will be attending it. In the aftermath of the International
Election and the follow-up cleavage displayed by the theosophical leaders,
the future growth of TS in the West is going to depend on the level of
reconciliation that takes place among the leaders. Unity is strength.

In countries outside India (including the USA which has second largest
membership), the membership is shrinking as well as showing  a very low
retention rate - members come and go, which is indicative of some
fundamental problems with the leaders and their policies in the Sections.
This is not new. This trend has been there for past decades indicative of
some serious underlying problems which are yet to be identified. Since it is
taking place in most countries outside India, it should be systemic problems
which should be identified and such identification itself would yield ideas
to address and fix them.

A prerequisite to address the problems and issues is a whole hearted passion
to put theosophy first and personal ambitions and aggrandisement last and
this would be the beginning of building up reconciliation and unity within
the TS.

Leaving aside all the scholarly discussions scheduled for the congress,
since the congress provides an opportunity for many theosophical Section
leaders to be present, it is a unique chance for them to informally get
together and see how reconciliation and unity can be built. It is in such
informal gatherings that great ideas and decisions are taken.

Members would be keenly watching what goes on in the congress, both formally
and informally and what radical and dramatic constructive decisions are
taken by the leaders. With the help of Internet, the progress would be
disseminated world-wide. This is an opportunity that the leaders should not
miss since the next such opportunity is several years away and who know what
serious problems that the sections are likely to face in the meanwhile.

Let us keep tuned with the optimistic hope that most hard core theosophist
are naturally born with.

MKR


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