NATIONAL CAPITAL LODGE 2017 PROGRAM
Members’ Meeting: 11 PM
Public Meeting: 12 PM
January
Jan 7 What is Theosophy? The word theosophy has a Greek origin and literary means “Divine Wisdom”. Yet, in the Theosophical Society, theosophy is interpreted both as a body of teachings and a religio-philosophical approach to life. Join our first public meeting for the new 2017 where Washington DC lodge members will discuss what has drawn them to the teachings and how theosophy has influenced their everyday lives. Everybody is welcome and encouraged to share their own personal experience.
Jan 14 The Meaning and Method of the Spiritual Life (Rescheduled Due to Weather) In the heart of our nature we are divine — that is the great reality on which all the beauty and powers of human life depend. It is only as “the Christ is born in man,” to use the Christian symbol (there are others) that the truly spiritual life begins. We will read and discuss copies of the article by Annie Besant.
Jan 21 CLOSED FOR INAUGURATION
January 28 National Speaker Double-Header (11-1PM)
A Close Look at the Planes of Existence
11AM Special Guest Speaker Andre Clewell, a long time theosophist, will describe the seven levels of consciousness called planes or spheres of existence. Each plane is characterized by particular qualities of energy and matter, ranging from numinous and spiritual to grossly physical. Specific roles are associated with each plane. Theosophical philosophy is predicated on a thorough knowledge of these planes. This talk reviews the planes, their origins, the level of consciousness that is associated with each plane, and their roles, bodies, and integration to form the human constitution.
What Happens to Me When I Die?
12PM Special Guest Speaker Andre Clewell continues with a presentation exploring what Classical theosophical authors have revealed much about this age-old question. Their explanations have been independently corroborated by multiple sources. This talk will describe the sequence of normal activities, which occur during inter-life between physical incarnations. The importance of those activities is emphasized in regard to our evolution to become Adepts. The talk also touches on aberrant inter-life behaviors, such as ghosts. The talk assumes a working knowledge of the planes of existence, as given in the preceding talk.
February
February 4 The Importance of the Moon in Astrology Despite its small size but due to its closeness to the Earth, the Moon has enormous effect on our planet and is considered one of the major planets in Astrology. It is associated with a person’s emotional make-up, unconscious habits, rhythms, memories, moods and our ability to react and adapt to those around us. Lynn Koiner, a long time astrologer, will discuss the role of the Moon in our lives and how it affects our fourth house of home and family.
February 11 Relationships Krishnamurti said, “We have only one problem—relationships.” Julia Rogers notes that even if it is only one, it seems to be a big one. She will not try to solve it, but will present various aspects of it for general discussion. Participants are invited to share their own perspectives.
February 18 Dora Kunz: A Woman for All Seasons The broad array of talents and achievements of Dora Kunz (1904-1999), leading Theosophist and founder of Therapeutic Touch, are elaborated in this presentation, drawing on a recently published biography plus personal reminiscences of members who knew and worked with her in the Pacific Northwest.
February 25 Exploring 14 Billion Years of Cosmic History – Webcast The Big Bang theory defines modern cosmology. Today, scientists are in virtually uniform agreement that the universe has expanded over the past approximately 14 billion years from a hot and dense state. Experimental physicist William Wester will discuss the Big Bang theory along with observations and measurements that have left the scientific community convinced of its validity.
March
March 4 Franz Hartmann’s Contribution to Theosophy Dr. Franz Hartmann was a German medical doctor, who worked with Helena Blavatsky and Henry Olcott at Theosophical Society in Adyar, India. A Theosophist, occultist and astrologer, his works include several books on esoteric studies and biographies of Jakob Böhme and Paracelsus. Dr. Harmann also translated the Bhagavad Gita into German and wrote extensively for a German theosophical magazine in the early 1900s..
March 11 The Art of Dying Just as many of us give little thought to how we live our daily lives, many of us give even less thought to how our lives will end. Yet contemplating our mortality is an integral part of an examined life, because death is the horizon against which our existence plays out. What is the art of dying, and how can we prepare ourselves for this inevitable transition? Join us as we explore this important topic.
March 18 Glamour One of the articulations of the higher work of an occultist is to dispel illusion, dissipate glamour, devitalize maya and destroy the Dweller on the Threshold. Glamour, in this sense, is a delusion that occurs at the level of mind in which cognition is mixed with emotion. Almost all of the bane that we are experiencing as humans and that is caused by humans is upheld by glamour. We are in thrall – enslaved – to our glamour. This workshop will teach about the nature of glamour, how to analyze it, and how to work on dissipating it as both a path of self-liberation and as service to the world.
March 25 The Basics of I Ching This talk will discuss the origins, history and use of the I Ching. We will analyze the Taoist/Confucius/Buddhist roots of the I Ching and how it has guided Chinese civilizations for thousands of years until its recent discovery in the West. We will delve into the many uses of the I Ching today and the fundamental beliefs behind it. Finally, we will discuss the divinatory aspects of the I Ching and how people seek spiritual guidance through it.
April
April 1 The Meaning and Method of the Spiritual Life In the heart of our nature we are divine — that is the great reality on which all the beauty and powers of human life depend. It is only as “the Christ is born in man,” to use the Christian symbol (there are others) that the truly spiritual life begins. We will read and discuss copies of the article by Annie Besant. https://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/42-publications/quest-magazine/1517-the-meaning-and-method-of-the-spiritual-life.
April 8 The Tridosha System of Health The Ayurveda’s theory of the Tridoshas teaches that three bio-elements (Vata, Pitta and Kapa) make up one’s constitution. These three elements are always present in the body but fluctuate and change with day and night, diet and exercise, seasons and age. Health exists when there is a balance between the three fundamental bodily bio-elements.
April 15 CLOSED FOR EASTER
April 22 Earth’s Interdimensional Life Forms and Nature Spirits In honor of Earth Day, join us for a video screening of Atala Dorothy Toy, author and photographer. Trees and rocks hold energy in place for all on earth to enjoy—that includes humans, nature spirits, and E.T.s. Not moving very fast and maturing slowly, they embody the experiences and energies they are meant to work with. With careful observation, these energies can be understood. Learn about the global network of earth-energy these life-forms link into and view images of these inter-dimensional life forms.
April 29 Satya Sai Baba Satya Sai Baba was a 20th century widely-regarded Indian spiritual leader who claimed the power to materialize objects and perform miraculous healings. Revered by some and rejected by others, he enjoyed both fame and controversy. A long-standing Washington, DC lodge member will share his personal experience with the guru.
May
May 6 Round Table Discussion on the Inner Theosophical Self Who is the inner Theosophical self and how is it expressed? Join us for a lively discussion while lodge members share their own experiences and ideas about their theosophical past, present and future. Bring any questions that you have long wanted to explore but never had the courage to ask.
May 13 Book Club The Art of Inner Listening Join us for a discussion of Jessie Crum’s book The Art of Inner Listening published by Quest Books. The author offers suggestions on how to discover and explore our own creativity through different practices and techniques. Complementary books are available for distribution in advance of the discussion.
May 20 The Mission of the Theosophical Society – Past and Present The current mission of the Theosophical Society in America is to encourage open-minded inquiry into world religions, philosophy, science, and the arts in order to understand the wisdom of the ages, respect the unity of all life, and help people explore spiritual self-transformation. Even though the core values embedded in the mission have never changes, this talk will examine how the language used to describe the mission and its interpretation varied throughout the years.
May 27 CLOSED FOR MEMORIAL DAY
SUMMER STUDY JUNE – SEPT
Masters of Wisdom: The Mahatmas, Their Letters and the Path – Edward Abdill
We will be studying this book for our summer program. All are welcome to join! The book is available on Quest or Amazon. Please be sure to read the assigned sections prior to the meeting and come prepared to discuss.
June 10 – Introduction, Chapters 1 & 2
June 24 – Chapters 3,4 & 5
July 8 – Chapters 6 & 7
July 22 – Chapters 8, 9 & 10
Aug 5 – Chapters 11 & 12
Aug 19 – Chapters 13, 14 & 15
Sept 16 – Chapters 16, 17 & 18
Sept 30 – Chapters 19, 20 & 21
October
October 7 Globes, Chains, Rounds and Races In the late 19th century, the new Theosophical Society kept being asked about where we human beings came from and why we are the way we are. Our spiritual story began infinite ages ago on earlier solar systems and with involution before evolution – much more complicated than Adam and Eve and perhaps more than the inquirers really wanted to know. Julia Rogers, who has “rassled” with the topic for years, will try to present a simple introduction to it.
October 14 What If Reincarnation Is Real? The philosophical and religious concept that an aspect of a living being starts a new life in a different physical body or form after each biological death is found in many ancient cultures and Eastern religions. Even some groups and denominations within the Abrahamic tradition refer to reincarnation in their teachings. If reincarnation is real, how should that affect the way we live our everyday lives or the collective choices we make. Join Gwendolyn Reece as she considers these questions.
October 21 Theosophical Introspection John Calvello will lead a round table discussion on theosophy in our everyday life. Members of the Washington, DC Lodge will share their experience on how theosophy has shaped their worldview and affected their actions. Everybody is welcome to join and offer their unique point of view.
October 28 Three Kinds of Faith Human beings express their beliefs in a variety of ways. If we look at the Hindu gunas, however, we can distinguish three basic kinds of faith: one is pure and manifests in harmony and rhythm; another is of the nature of motion, mobility; a third is of the nature of inertia manifesting as virtue and stability. Join a Theosophical student as she presents an in-depth analysis of these basic kinds of faith.
November
November 4 Rosicrucianism Symbolized by the Rosy Cross (or Rose Cross), Rosicrucianism refers to a movement which arose in Europe in the early 17th century. Susanne Hoepfl-Wellenhofer will discuss the mysterious Order of Rosicrucians, the four theories about its existence, the connection with Theosophy and the Seven Cosmic Principles taught by this esoteric society.
November 11 A Study in Karma by Annie Besant Join us for a discussion of Annie Besant’s classic A Study in Karma. In this short book, published in the 1910s, the author explains the law of cause and effect, its principles and significance to human beings. It also offers concrete suggestions for placing our own future under our control. The text can be downloaded for free at:http://www.anandgholap.net/Study_In_Karma-AB.htm
November 18 Pioneers of the Theosophical Society: Charles Webster Leadbeater Continuing our series of talks on the early pioneers of the Theosophical movement, we will discuss C.W. Leadbeater: author, orator, clairvoyant, Liberal Catholic Church bishop and mentor to J Krishnamurti and Fritz and Dora Kunz. As many early Theosophists, Leadbeater was controversial in his own day and age and remains so in our own. Many, however, regard him as a great clairvoyant investigator and teacher. What lessons can we learn from CW Leadbeater’s life that can help us along our own spiritual quest? Join us to find out a little more about this early Theosophical pioneer.
November 25 Closed for Thanksgiving
December
December 2 Symbols
The same symbol systems appear again and again in different cultures and philosophical teaching as they are part of the human inner heritage. A symbol is meaningful because the spiritual Ego within us already knows a truth — and it “knows” in symbol. If a symbol awakens a reflection in the mind, the mind translates it into words. Julia Rogers will consider some of the commonest symbols we consistently encounter.
December 9 Video Program – Clairvoyance and ESP: Connecting to the Spirits
Robyn Finseth, a long-time Theosophists and a healer practitioner, who was fortunate to work with Dora Kuntz, examines the modern history of those thought to have communicated with spirits from the other side and discusses how social attitudes have become more open to people possessing psychic abilities such as clairvoyance and extrasensory perception (ESP).
December 16 Carl Jung and Theosophy
A conversation with Dr. James Hollis, the Director of the Jung Society of Washington and a Jungian analyst, about Carl Jung’s connection with theosophy and the current work of the Jung Society in Washington. Dr. Hollis has written fourteen books on topics such as finding meaning in life, healing of men, myths in modern times, archetypal imagination, etc.
December 23 Closed for Christmas
December 30 Closed for New Years
January
January 6 O Hidden Life
This Universal Invocation, also known as Universal Prayer, was written in 1923 by Annie Besant, then president of the Theosophical Society. Even though invocations have been used by every civilization from time immemorial, the “O, Hidden Life” verses were given to theosophists to be passed on to generations to come, especially in times of great hardships. We will explore together the content and meaning of this great invocation.
January 13 The Necessity for Reincarnation
Reincarnation, a central concept in theosophy, postulates that after the death of the body, the consciousness that was animating a person returns to live in a new human body to continue its journey in the cycle of birth and re-birth. During this session, we will read and discuss an article by William Judge, one of founders of the Theosophical Society. Printed copies will be available. Those who prefer to read in advance can find the text at:
http://www.theosophy-nw.org/theosnw/reincar/re-wqj.htm
January 20 Orpheus and His Teachings
Nowadays Orpheus is considered a legendary musician, poet and prophet in ancient Greek religion and myth. Yet, his mysteries and teachings predate Classical Greece and originated in ancient Thrace. According to Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, his teachings resemble more those of India than Greece. The story of losing his wife Eurydice, descending to the underworld and returning to Earth is an esoteric account of afterlife, reincarnation and purification before the cycle of life and death is complete.
January 27 The Three Objects
Theosophy encourages complete liberty of thought and its students can belong to any spiritual tradition or none. The only requirement for membership in the Theosophical Society is resonance with its Three Objects. We will explore these Three Objects, their inter-relationship and ability to be interpreted on many different levels.