Theos-Talk Archives (June 2011 Message tt00086)

Dear MKR and readers

My views are:

Interesting to read that.
Now you got me going a bit...
A few months ago I read an online article from one of the well-known local lecturers and authors here in Denmark, - a chair of one of the Theosophically related groups - though it is mainly an Alice A. Bailey group. He went to TS Adyar in I think 2008 or so, to visit some of the oficials - with the attempt to maybe if possible to affiliate his group with TS Adyar - or - at least to coordinate and exchange views in the name of compassion. I will throw his name, because I think he do not mind. He is called Soeren Hauge, and have authored a number of books on the Theosophical Society and Lucis Trust (the last was called "Living Wisdom" or in Danish "Levende Visdom", about 700 pages on theosophy, Blavatsky and Alice A. Bailey etc. etc. - mainly about Alice A. Bailey teachings) and also one on the Rosicrucians (the Sir Bacon - Shakespeare connection), - that is here in Denmark. (Well, I do not agree with his Alice A. Bailey leanings, a teaching which I find problematic and secterian in nature - even when Lucis Trust on their website --- astonishingly call themselves non-secterian....But I know the fellow and have meet him several times when I was into the Alice A. Bailey groups (well before Dan Caldwell told me that there was something else to look for, smile)...Well, Soeren was and is always ready with a smile, friendly fellow.) So I was surprised when I read his article.

He expressed a quite similar experience when he arrived as teh one given by Beatrice Wood.
His experience is in fact almost a copy of the below version. I find this to be interesting.

Maybe TS Adyar and TS as such aught to create - a group named Theosophical Order of Service for New Members?
And then lighten up a little....Well?

-----------

Any ordinary group always welcome new members. Even large coorporations or small companies do something like this. Also the local "weaving" club or what ever people use their spare time on. But maybe there is something special happening, when one become a real non-secterian member? (smile.)



M. Sufilight


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: MKR 
  To: theos-talk 
  Sent: Wednesday, June 15, 2011 8:58 PM
  Subject: theos-talk Some reasons why there is decline in membership of Theosophical Society


    
  We have discussed the hot potato issue of declining membership in the TS
  outside India. No one has examined this issue and pinpointed the fundamental
  problems that is reflected in the declining membership. It looks like one of
  the key issues may be the kind of treatment that visitors to TS get. Here is
  an account recited in Joseph Rossâ recent book - Krotona, Theosophy and
  Krishnamurti.

  Beatrice Wood writes her experience for the Messenger, October
  1927, that the first time she attended a theosophical lodge room
  meeting, no one welcomed her at the door, no one bothered where
  she sat, no one smiled, no one seemed conscious of the thrilling
  excitement of coming into contact with members of the Society for
  the first time. She sank into a seat by an empty row of chairs, while
  others avoided the places beside her; they had friends they preferred
  to sit by. After the lecture was over she did not leave immediately,
  but stood in the middle of the room, hoping that one or two people
  might talk to her. However, the members were too busy discussing
  occult progress, and their self-interest in comparing notes. There was
  nothing left for the woman to do but to walk home, more lonely
  than when she had come. Beatrice states that this is a true story.
  She felt that the Masters would not allow one hungry soul to pass
  unwelcomed, if They did, they were failing in their sacred duty.

  [Wood, Beatrice, ïOur Attitude to New Members', 1he Messenger, Oct., 1927,
  Vol.xv, n5, p.109 ..
  40]

  I am sure there are many who may have had similar experiences. This kind of
  experience is not limited to the USA. When I first formally joined a lodge
  in India, the man in charge of the lodge activities, while being polite was
  very aloof as if I am some kind of stranger not to be befriended with. He
  was an older man, probably a long time member and was also a member of the
  ES; but never took any interest to do anything to encourage a new member. It
  did not matter to me since I was exposed to theosophy for a long time.

  A second experience I had several years later was with a long time member
  who was active in the esoteric section as well as Co-masonry and had resided
  in Adyar for several years. Yet when I tried to meet him personally on an
  issue in which I thought he may be helpful, he avoided me, only for reasons
  known to him.

  It is these kind of episodes that is harming the growth of TS. I think all
  officers in lodges need to be trained in some of the basic interpersonal
  skills so that they can practice Brotherhood before they launch on
  meditation and other exercises meant for spiritual growth.

  MKR

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