Theos-Talk Archives (March 2011 Message tt00187)

It was also on Scribd website.

On Mon, Mar 28, 2011 at 3:29 PM, jdmsoares <jdmsoares@tlAoOlJI-ZbtsJymXAFxXqamP9ypquFIZnxkZHG2l0kOklQRHoA0XF-kSxQooQPiTBWFd6KQ6ppIAA.yahoo.invalid> wrote:

>
>
>
> Dear friends,
>
> Is just to inform that "The Theosophical Movement in Russia - A
> Dialogue with Konstantin Zaitzev" was also published at our two
> other websites www.TheosophyOnline.com <http://www.theosophyonline.com/>
> and www.FilosofiaEsoterica.com <http://www.filosofiaesoterica.com/> .
>
> The direct links are: http://www.filosofiaesoterica.com/ler.php?id=1127
> <http://www.filosofiaesoterica.com/ler.php?id=1127> and
> http://www.theosophyonline.com/ler.php?id=217
> <http://www.theosophyonline.com/ler.php?id=217>
>
> Best regards, Joaquim
>
> --- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, "jdmsoares" <jdmsoares@...> wrote:
> >
> >
> > Dear Konstantin, MKR, friends,
> >
> > Thanks Konstantin.
> >
> > I'm co-editor of the websites www.Esoteric-Philosophy,com
> > <http://www.esoteric-philosophy,com/> and www.TheosophyOnline.com
> > <http://www.theosophyonline.com/> .
> >
> > I would like to inform you all that we have just published at
> > www.Esoteric-Philosophy.com <http://www.esoteric-philosophy.com/> the
> > interview given by Konstantin, under the title:
> >
> >
> >
> > The Theosophical Movement in Russia
> >
> > A Dialogue with Konstantin Zaitzev
> >
> >
> >
> > It should be noted that Carlos says in his introductory note that he
> > apologizes for the delay in publishing the interview.
> >
> >
> >
> > Best regards,
> >
> > Joaquim (from Portugal)
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, MKR mkr777@ wrote:
> > >
> > > Thanks for posting it here. Some of the points you have made are
> right
> > on
> > > target and I hope theosophists around the world read it and think
> for
> > > themselves. Also if any theosophist from the West happen to visit
> > Russia or
> > > Ukraine on other business, they should try to meet theosophists
> there.
> > It
> > > would definitely help, no matter whether one is inclined to Adyar or
> > ULT or
> > > none.
> > >
> > > MKR
> > >
> > > On Sun, Mar 27, 2011 at 3:23 AM, Konstantin Zaitzev
> > kay_ziatz@...:
> > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > As I remembered about unpublished interview (given in last summer)
> I
> > > > publish it her, for I don't like to spend my work in vain.
> > > >
> > > > It was taken because, as they said,
> > > > "We feel the Russian theosophical movement is far too important
> not
> > to have
> > > > strong permanent links with the theosophical movement in Western
> > Europe,
> > > > India and the three Americas. We are also gathering data and
> > testimonies in
> > > > order to produce a sort of "world map of the theosophical movement
> > and its
> > > > vitality". For that, a good dialogue with theosophists in Russian
> is
> > of the
> > > > essence."
> > > >
> > > > ---
> > > > To: Carlos Cardoso Aveline cardosoaveline@
> > > > cc: lutbr@
> > > > Subj: Re: Theosophical Movement in Russia
> > > >
> > > > Hello Carlos,
> > > >
> > > > Thursday, July 29, 2010, 4:16:04 PM, you wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > You can give a fully public answer in your own name ("on the
> > record");
> > > >
> > > > OK, granted that the text will be left unchanged.
> > > >
> > > > > 1) Your full name - Konstantin Zaytsev. Correct? Year of birth?
> > > >
> > > > I would rather spell it as Konstantin Zaitzev. Yet the above
> version
> > is
> > > > also correct. 1968.
> > > >
> > > > > 2) You live in Moscow?
> > > > Yes.
> > > >
> > > > > 3) Editor and publisher of "Messenger of Theosophy"? Is the
> > journal
> > > > > electronic or in paper? What is its periodicity? Monthly? When
> was
> > > > > it founded? How many readers?
> > > >
> > > > It has both electronic and printed versions. It is published 3
> times
> > a year
> > > > and contains 32 pages of A4 format, 9 point size text in two
> > columns. It
> > > > somewhat reminds "The Theosophist" of its first years by its
> volume
> > and
> > > > outer appearance. It contains mostly translated material, though
> > almost
> > > > every issue contains one original Russian article.
> > > > Initially the magazine was founded in 1908 and was an official
> > mounthpiece
> > > > of the Russian Section. In 1918 it was closed by the communist
> > regime. In
> > > > early 1990's an attempt was made to renew the magazine but only
> two
> > issues,
> > > > in 1992 and 1994, were published. In 2008, in its centennary, it
> was
> > renewed
> > > > again in rather humble scale. Up to this date (summer 2010)
> already
> > 7 issues
> > > > were published. It's hard to report an exact number of readers due
> > to the
> > > > pecular manner of publication. 150 copies are being printed in
> > Moscow and
> > > > distributed mostly there, some for free (in the theosophical
> > meetings) and
> > > > some are being sold almost for the cost price (around $1 per
> copy).
> > Some
> > > > other cities which have theosophical groups print small quantities
> > around
> > > > 10-50, two big cities in Ukraine print more, around 100. So the
> > total
> > > > quantity of copies of the first issue was around 400. Each group
> > decides how
> > > > to distribute them, for money or for free. An electronic version
> in
> > PDF
> > > > format is also available on the website. The project of
> digitization
> > of all
> > > > previous issues is on, though only 20% of the work is done. The
> > digitized
> > > > magazines are already put online.
> > > >
> > > > > 4) What's your general view of the theosophical movement in
> > Russia?
> > > > > What's a bird's eye view of its historical origin and evolution?
> > > >
> > > > The most characteristic trait is perhaps spontaneity and lack of
> > > > organization. Only for 10 years, in 1908-1918, it had regular
> > character and
> > > > was a section of the Theosophical Society, though even then there
> > were
> > > > independent theosophical groups, or those connected directly to
> some
> > foreign
> > > > section. After the revolution many prominent theosophists,
> including
> > all
> > > > leadership, fled to emigration and later formed the Russian
> Section
> > Abroad.
> > > > Yet those who remained in Russia continued their work underground;
> > the
> > > > president of former Moscow Branch Sofia Gerye became the head of
> the
> > > > movement, though she naturally lost connection with some parts of
> > it. In
> > > > 1991 Russian theosophists with participation of those who
> previously
> > worked
> > > > underground, reinstalled the Russian Theosophical Society, which
> > wasn't
> > > > approved by TS Adyar.
> > > > Yet the attention of the public is much more attracted by the
> > Roerich
> > > > movement, which has theosophy in its basis but with some
> substantial
> > > > doctrinal changes, while the theosophical teaching as taught by
> HPB
> > and her
> > > > close associates has not so much adherents. The New Acropolis in
> > Russia has
> > > > one of its biggest sections and is more active and numerous than
> the
> > > > Theosophical Society. The both movements publish works by HPB.
> > > > Another phenomenon worth to be mentioned is the publishing
> activity
> > which
> > > > is really wide and surpasses the publication efforts of the
> biggest
> > > > theosophical sections of the western counties, though conducted by
> > the
> > > > commercial publishers, sometimes in cooperation with theosophists.
> > The
> > > > Secret Doctrine, Isis Unveiled and Key to Theosophy are always in
> > print, and
> > > > at least 3000 copies of each title are sold every year.
> > Unfortunately, the
> > > > economic crisis has undermined this activity and forced the
> > publishers to
> > > > migrate to more superficial literature. See an appendix which
> lists
> > Russian
> > > > theosophical publications for the last several years.
> > > >
> > > > > 5) What about its vitality? Is it increasing or decreasing
> > > > > right now? Why so?
> > > >
> > > > There was some growth in the last two years, but the vitality is
> > rather
> > > > sporadic, as the experience of the previous years shows, and I'm
> not
> > sure
> > > > about steady growth. The remarks about the organizational aspects
> > below
> > > > partly explain why. And people are not much active. A theosophical
> > book with
> > > > our address can be sold in several thousands copies but we receive
> > only few
> > > > letters. Also I met many theosophists who regard theosophy as a
> kind
> > of
> > > > revelation from omniscient Mahatmas given to us throgh their
> > messenger.
> > > > Among Russian intellectuals it gives an impression of theosophy as
> > yet
> > > > another sect and impedes its admission.
> > > >
> > > > > 6) How much of real interest in the inner and ethical aspects of
> > the
> > > > > original theosophy there is in the Russian theosophical
> movement?
> > > >
> > > > It's hard to say, it seems that everyone finds his own aspect of
> > interest.
> > > > For some it's philosophy, for others ethics, for some
> > theosophy-science
> > > > connection and even experimenting. For me it was the scientific
> > aspect,
> > > > theosophy has attracted me because it clearly explains phenomena
> > which are
> > > > regarded miraculous, unexplained or even non-existing by the
> general
> > public.
> > > >
> > > > > How far goes the interest for its 'fashionable" or superficial
> > aspects
> > > > only?
> > > >
> > > > An interest to superficial aspects isn't considerable, as those
> who
> > have it
> > > > are being attracted rather to different new-age schools than to
> > theosophy.
> > > >
> > > > > 7) What about the organizational aspects of the movement in
> > Russia? What
> > > > is
> > > > > the relationship between the Theosophical Society in Russia and
> > the Adyar
> > > > > Society? (Initially, it seems the Russian TS was not chartered
> by
> > Adyar.)
> > > >
> > > > Yes, the above mentioned renewed Russian Theosophical Society
> wasn't
> > > > approved by TS Adyar. In my opinion the good relations weren't
> > established
> > > > due to mistakes and arrogance of both sides. Several years later
> RTS
> > waned
> > > > and ceased an official existence due to the internal splits and
> lack
> > of
> > > > support from abroad. The biggest and most active remaining part of
> > it is
> > > > Moscow Theosophical Society which has no official status and no
> > officers but
> > > > helds regular meetings which are open for all.
> > > >
> > > > > How many lodges and theosophists does the Theosophical Society
> in
> > > > > Russia have, in how many cities?
> > > >
> > > > TS Adyar still has no official branches in Russia though
> membership
> > slowly
> > > > grows. Most attendants of the theosophical meetings aren't the
> > members, and
> > > > many members don't visit the meetings, though the groups somewhat
> > > > interpenetrate and people from the Moscow TS join TS Adyar.
> > > > There are theosophical groups in other cities too but they aren't
> > official,
> > > > though some of them have friendly connections with Moscow group.
> > Moscow T.S.
> > > > sometimes helps them by literature or other ways, though hasn't
> any
> > > > directing functions.
> > > >
> > > > > 8) Is there any work in Russia effectively linked to - or
> clearly
> > > > inspired
> > > > > by - the Pasadena Society (former "Point Loma" and "Covina")?
> > > >
> > > > No, as far I know.
> > > >
> > > > > 9) Is there any influence in Russia of the United Lodge of
> > Theosophists?
> > > >
> > > > Not much. I am the only ULT associate in Russia which I know of,
> > though of
> > > > course there can be others. I met several people who strictly hold
> > to the
> > > > teachings of H.P. Blavatsky and W.Q. Judge only. In 1998 I've
> > published ULT
> > > > declaration in Russian both in the Internet and in the printed
> form.
> > Several
> > > > years ago "Ocean of theosophy" and some articles by W.Q. Judge
> were
> > > > published, though the quality of translation of the former wasn't
> > > > satisfactory. As far I know, it was an initiative of American ULT
> > > > associates. There is an improved translation of "Ocean" on our
> > website.
> > > >
> > > > > 10) How do you see the international movement today? What about
> > its
> > > > > strength and its vitality? What mistakes should be corrected, if
> > > > > any, to increase its vitality worldwide? How do you see the
> three
> > > > > main currents of thought in the theosophical movement?
> > > >
> > > > It seems to me that all the currents lack vitality. The leaders of
> > the
> > > > theosophical movement are too aged and often are completely out of
> > time.
> > > > There are exceptions but they are too few. In my opinion, the
> > headquarters
> > > > do too little to propagate theosophy, and even less to do it
> modern
> > way. The
> > > > resourses they have aren't used effeciently. Entusiastic persons
> > often make
> > > > much more than entire organizations and get not much support from
> > them.
> > > >
> > > > > 11) How do you see the future of the theosophical movement in
> > Russia
> > > > > and in the world? What should be the international role to be
> > played
> > > > > by the Russian Theosophical Movement? How should it be
> fulfilled?
> > > >
> > > > The future is uncertain. It can grow or decay and die.
> Theosophical
> > > > movement will grow and play important role it its leaders change
> > their
> > > > methods of work. Theosophical movement becomes alike many other
> > schools or
> > > > even sects, what it wasn't intended for. It should be a society
> for
> > mutual
> > > > spiritual help for people of all views who support Three Objects.
> > Then it
> > > > can be an important power in the world. As for the Russian
> > theosophical
> > > > movement, it's future will depend on general trends in Russia,
> i.e.
> > will the
> > > > country move to democracy or to clericalization. Christians cannot
> > now join
> > > > Theosophical Society as they have done before, for they would be
> > anathemized
> > > > by the Church. 100 years ago one could visit both the church and
> the
> > > > theosophical meetings, what most Russian members did, now he has
> to
> > make
> > > > choice. So the theosophical movement is rather a part of
> underground
> > than a
> > > > part of mainstream which it almost succeeded to become in
> beginning
> > of 20th
> > > > century. Due to this it's hard to say anything about international
> > role of
> > > > the Russian theosophical movement, though 20 years ago many people
> > thought
> > > > that it will be the center from which revitalization of the world
> > > > theosophical movement will begin. Probably we have to position the
> > > > Theosophical Society as fully secular and even scientific society.
> > > >
> > > > > 12) What about the theosophical movement in Ukraine?
> > > >
> > > > Unlike that in Russia, it has much common with theosophical
> movement
> > of any
> > > > other western country. It has its official center in Kiev, 4
> lodges,
> > and
> > > > good connection with Adyar headquarters. Ukrainian theosophists
> > (they are
> > > > mostly Russian-speaking) regularly visit international conventions
> > and
> > > > congresses, organize their own conferences and seminars which are
> > sometimes
> > > > attended by theosophists from Russia. The literature in Ukrainian
> > language
> > > > is lacking, the Russian translations are in use. (Russian and
> > Ukrainian
> > > > languages are much alike, like Spanish and Portuguese). Recently
> > "The Voice
> > > > of Silence" was translated to Ukrainian.
> > > >
> > > > > 13) How do you see the actual relationship between the
> > theosophical
> > > > > movement in Russia and the international theosophical movement?
> > > >
> > > > It isn't considerable. It is so probably due an inactivity from
> the
> > > > headquarter's side and lack of knowledge of foreign languages from
> > the
> > > > Russian side. And many theosophists have not enough money to
> travel.
> > > >
> > > > > 14) In what aspects this relationship is strong and well?
> > > >
> > > > In digitization, translation and publishing activity.
> > > >
> > > > > In what aspects it is not well?
> > > >
> > > > In most others. Personal visits are rare.
> > > >
> > > > > What possible barriers are there in this relationship to be
> > removed?
> > > >
> > > > Conservatism. Also it seems that there's a strong prejudice
> against
> > > > Russians in the West, and some theosophists unfortunalely share it
> > though
> > > > they should be above prejudices against nations.
> > > >
> > > > > 15) In what ways can and should we take steps to increase the
> > > > > cross-cultural dialogue and cooperation between the movement in
> > > > > Russia and the movement in Western countries?
> > > >
> > > > Probably we need more personal visits. Conventions and conferences
> > are not
> > > > enough, theosophists of one country should be guests in the houses
> > of
> > > > theosophists of other country and live with them for weeks. We
> > shouldn't
> > > > forget that one of our objects is brotherhood.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>  
>


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