NATIONAL CAPITAL 2011 PROGRAM

January 2011

The Cosmology of 2012: The Genius of the Maya Brendan Feeley will review the elegance of the ancient Mayans’ cosmic geometry and discuss such topics as pole shifts, cosmic radiation, sun spots, and global warming. Above all, we will consider the global movement toward the radical development in consciousness in this period of time.

The Moon’s Nodes and the Journey of the Prodigal Child Lynn Koiner’s observation of how the nodes of the moon work in the natal chart has led her to interpret them in a new way. We must find the courage to journey to the South Node (the Not-Self), we have to experience and learn from it in order to mature, to integrate its energies with the qualities of the North Node. Once we can learn the lessons of this sign, then we are allowed to return home, to the North Node. At some point in your life, you will say, “I want to go home,” and the journey home begins.

Concentration and Becoming One-Pointed The goal of any spiritual path is the gradual development of everyday awareness to the field of ‘higher consciousness’—spiritual and divine. Tuncay Dantzler will begin with the first step (one of the most challenging): learning to concentrate. A concentrated attention can move toward the goal of perfect concentration, Dharana.

Letting Go (a video presentation) Former T.S. president Dora Kunz and Dr. Eric Peper discuss the death experience from the Theosophical point of view. Dora describes dying and the after-death states, and both suggest ways to prepare for one’s own death, and ways in which we can help the dying.

February 2011

What is a Mahatma? Mahatma (great soul) is a title given in India to people recognized for their wisdom. H.P.Blavatsky gave credit for basic Theosophical ideas to her teachers (Masters), two of whom also wrote letters which have been published as The Mahatma Letters. Rozi Ulics will discuss the nature of the Masters and their role in our world, according to the Theosophical understanding

Gayatri The Gayatri (the Song) is the most sacred of all Vedic mantras. It is addressed both to Savitri (the Divine Sun, the life-giving power behind Surya, our visible sun) and to the Divine Sun within each of us. Graciela Stukey will unfold the manifold meanings of this very short hymn.

Health and Healing, a discussion A panel of members will present some basic ideas on health and healing from the esoteric perspective—emphasizing the interrelatedness of mental, emotional, and physical health. Join us and bring your ideas and questions.

Swedenborg Emanuel Swedenborg (1688-1772) was a gifted scientist who often anticipated later discoveries—even foreshadowing nuclear physics. After an expansion of consciousness in which “heaven was opened” to him, he devoted himself to theology and spiritual matters. Since all creation originated in divine love and wisdom, he taught, the material world is a reflection of archetypes in the spiritual world. Vladka Shikova will give a short overview of his life and work.

March 2011

The Doctrine of Dependent Arising  This Buddhist teaching on the conditions that sustain samsara (our earth life of sorrow/joy, pleasure/pain) is also central to understanding the Second Noble Truth—the origin of suffering, which is sustained by the natural law of cause and effect. To experience enlightenment, one must see into the heart of Dependent Arising. The key is to unravel the causal pattern by understanding the pattern itself. Miguel Salinas will give a brief introduction to this profound teaching.

The Gayatri  This is the most sacred of all Vedic mantras, the daily reverence of the Hindus. This short hymn is addressed both to the Divine Sun (the life-giving power behind our visible sun) and to the Divine Sun within each of us. Graciela Stukey unfolds its many meanings.

The States of Consciousness  Yogis teach that one who maintains awareness through the three fluctuations of consciousness–waking, dreaming, and dreamless sleep–experiences a state of joy-filled amazement. The Swamis will give further elucidation of this teaching, and hope to inspire that very state.

The Seven Rays  Often used just for personality analysis, these types are in fact fundamental in everything—cultures and nations as well as in us. Dr. John Algeo explains that their balance is essential to social harmony and to accord between nations, as well as to our own wellbeing.

April 2011

Intuition, Conscience, Hunch  Intuition: the faculty of knowing without the use of rational processes; immediate cognition.” If a “knowing” comes into your mind, is it an intuition? a hunch? a memory? a passing thought form? Julia Rogers presents the Theosophical explanation of all of these, and how to tell them apart.

The Problems of Life in the Light of Theosophy. Bring your questions, share your ideas. Have you had, or observed, a particular human problem? Our panel of members will discuss various Theosophical ideas that might be helpful.

The Theosophical Play Movies and plays with a Theosophical theme such as The Wizard of Oz, Star Wars, and Cats have become highly successful by exciting the consciousness of the public. Samuel Barr will present a Theosophical interpretation of the play Cats. He will show video portions of the play and discuss and analyze the lyrics and general theme of the play. The lyrics, based on the works of T.S. Eliot, were written by Andrew Lloyd Webber; both men were mystical playwrights who felt that people who come to the theater are generally searching for a religious experience.

The Symbolist Worldview  If you’ve ever had a dream so striking that you knew it had deep meaning or felt a synchronicity that made you ponder life’s interconnectedness, then you’ve experienced the metaphoric thinking of “the symbolist worldview.” In this view, life’s events symbolize happenings at a deeper level within us, and people in our lives may be viewed as aspects of ourselves. Visiting National Speaker Kathy Gann suggests that when we begin to see life as a sacred text, we gain valuable insight about what is taking place deep within us.

May 2011

The Mystic Path to Inner Peace H.P. Blavatsky once wrote, “There is a road, steep and thorny, beset with perils of every kind, but yet a road, and it leads to the very heart of the Universe.”  Ed Abdill examines the rewards and dangers associated with the treading of the mystical path.

Doing the Right Thing   Socrates said, “No one ever does the wrong thing on purpose.”  Was he right?  With the best intentions, we make choices every day and discover—unintended consequences.   JR will lead an informal conversation about making ethical life choices in the context of the Theosophical worldview.

Gnostic Christianity     H.P.Blavatsky, founder of the Theosophical Society, felt that there was an underlying unity between the esoteric traditions within all religions.  In the case of Christianity, this was represented by the Gnostics, the topic of this discussion.

The Kalachakra Initiation   In Washington, DC, this summer His Holiness, the Dalia Lama will offer the Kalachakra initiation, which empowers the disciple to practice the Kalachakra tantra.  Gwendolyn  Reece, who plans to take the initiation, is studying the requirements and will share what she has learned.  She will give an overview of Kalachakra Tantra and provide some information for others who are considering taking the empowerment, to help them make an informed decision.

June – September 2011

Summer Study “Theosophy, an Introductory Study Course” John Algeo  We will undertake an open group study of Theosophy, an introductory Study Course, by John Algeo—a presentation of basic Theosophical ideas.  The course can be downloaded at:   http://www.theosophical.org/files/resources/selfstudy/theosophyintro.pdf

NOTE:  We meet only twice per month during the summer.

October 2011

The Spiritual and Everyday Value of Transitions  Even though we know that change is the only constant in life, we may find it disturbing.  The swamis Heidi Lindemann and Michael Perry will discuss how yogis view the role of transition in life and how to find both motion and rest during tumultuous times.

My Own Identity and Laws of Destiny  Susanne Hoepfl-Wellenhofer presents the main concepts from two books by Hermann Meyer.  Meyer is a German author who has studied psychology and naturopathy and heads the Center for Psychological Astrology in Munich.

Living Theosophy in Our Daily Lives, a round table.   Join the discussion, share your experiences, ask questions.

The Mysteries, Ancient and Modern, a video  John Algeo explains the origin of the word “mystery,” different types of initiation, common features of all the Mysteries, and the difference between ceremony and ritual.

Discord is the Harmony of the Universe  —so said a Mahatma. Julia Rogers will lead us in reading and discussing an article from the Quest magazine.

November 2011

Thought Forms  The conscious creation and maintenance of thought forms is essential to the magickal arts.  Unruly thought forms, often unconsciously created, are both product and cause of much human suffering.  It is through special thought forms, sometimes called telesmic images, that humans partially create their gods.  Gwendolyn Reece presents the practice of working with thought forms, as well as the relationship of thought forms and elementals.

The Theosophical Play      >>This program will begin at 11:00<<
Dramas with a Theosophical theme (The Wizard of Oz, Star Wars, Cats) not only entertain but excite the consciousness of the public.  Samuel Barr will show video portions of the play Cats and discuss and analyze its lyrics and general theme.  Both the author of the poems, T.S. Eliot, and Andrew Lloyd Weber, who wrote the lyrics, were mystical playwrights who felt that people who come to the theater are generally searching for a religious experience.

Ending the Causes of Suffering   Buddhist teachings on samsara explain that the suffering of everyday life arises from ignorance.  In March, Miguel Salinas described dependent arising—the pattern of cause and effect; today he explains that letting go of the idea of the self as a separate, independent identity (abandoning ego-grasping) can unravel that pattern of causation and open the way to enlightenment. Methods that we can apply in daily life—reflection on impermanence, on cause and effect—can provide greater insight into the true nature of reality.

December 2011

Swamis Abipadananda and Jyotir Vakyananda The Sacred Value of the Everyday: Yogis view ritual (from the Sanksrit word Rita, the rhythm of the universe) as a heightened awareness of everyday movement and survival activities. The swamis will discuss how bringing great awareness to the everyday can serve to calm the mind and nervous system and bring a greater sense of meaning to the life you are now living.

Man Mortal and Immortal  ULT presenter explains how humans are complex beings existing on many levels of reality.  If we are to consciously take hold of our development, we must understand our nature.

The Meaning and Method of the Spiritual Life A group study and discussion of Annie Besant’s text. http://www.theosophical.org/files/resources/articles/Meaning_and_Method_of_the_Spiritual_Life.pdf

Merry Christmas!!! 

Happy New Year!!!