NATIONAL CAPITAL 2014 PROGRAM
Members’ Meeting: 11AM
Public Meeting: 12PM
January
January 4 The Esoteric Meaning of the Uranus/Pluto Grand Cross for the New Year What does the upcoming Uranus/Pluto Grand Cross planetary configuration signify for the New Year? Esoteric Astrologer Lynn Koiner will discuss this rare phenomenon and give insight into the deeper meaning and lessons that arise from periods of turmoil heralded by the planets in the heavens.
January 11 Hell, Where Is It? The Devil, Who Is He? In the super-physical mental world of thought forms, the ideas of Hell and the Devil are conscious realities. Julia Rogers discusses these oft-misunderstood topics from a Theosophical perspective.
January 18 From Food You Get Mind This surprising statement is outlined in the Upanishads of India. Special guest Swamis Abhipadananda & Jyotir Vakyananda will explore the interconnectedness of the life cycle: how the bodies abandoned by death fertilize the earth, and the dreams of ancestors come down as rain to nourish our food. When we eat vegetables or meat, we are eating more than macro- and micro-nutrients: we are eating the hopes, dreams and nightmares of other beings and forming from them the three outer sheaths of our human vehicle.
January 25 Bookclub Trust Yourself to Life by Clara Codd The group will be discussing a Quest miniature “Trust Yourself to Life.” Clara Codd writes with simplicity and kindly wit about God and man, death and life, human and divine love.
February
February 1 The Objects Unveiled (Video Presentation) While non-dogmatic and encouraging the open-minded inquiry into all spiritual traditions, the Theosophical Society does have three declared Objects with which members should be in agreement. This video will present an overview of the three Objects of the Theosophical Society and whether or not their wording should be changed to reflect modern sentiment.
February 8 Magic and Nonlinearity Magic uses a nonlinear paradigm which contrasts significantly with the linear thinking common for the last five hundred years. Major areas of modern life, including commerce and social structures, have been dominated by linear assumptions, but recent re-understandings of math and science are opening the way to an increase in nonlinear thinking. This presentation by guest speaker Literata Hurley discusses historical examples and highlights connections between magic and current developments in nonlinearity.
February 15 Relationships Krishnamurti said, “We have only one problem—relationships.” Julia Rogers notes that even if it is only one problem, it seems to be a big one. In honor of Valentine’s Day she will approach the problem of relationships from several angles, but will not try to solve it. Participants are invited to share their own perspectives.
February 22 The Mystery of Numbers In Isis Unveiled, HP Blavatsky wrote, “All systems of religious mysticism are based on numbers. The sacredness of numbers begins with the first creation—the ONE—and ends with the naught, or zero, a symbol of the infinite and boundless.” Tuncay Dantzler will also touch on some of “the intervening symbols, 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9. In whatever combination or however multiplied, these represent philosophical ideas; they are the key to the ancient views on creation, including man and all living things.”
March
March 1 Health and Healing Science is beginning to recognize the ancient knowledge of the inter-relatedness of mental, emotional, and physical health. A round table discussion will examine health and healing from an esoteric perspective. Bring your ideas and questions.
March 8 Eastern Alchemy The alchemical arts focus on the transformation of the base into the noble. This discussion will focus on Eastern forms of alchemy, particularly Vedic and Taoist, and will examine their systems and practices which involve the transmutation of the material, philosophical, and spiritual human from mortal to immortal.
March 15 HPB’s Hierarchy: Updating Our “Worldview” to a “Universe-View Guest speaker Brant Jackson, a longtime Theosophist and National Speaker will present a lecture highlighting esoteric insights drawn from his own study of recent scientific developments. Modern science has demonstrated the existence of countless universes in the incomprehensible vastness of space. But most people never consider the implications of the expanded universe because they have a three-thousand-year-old worldview. We will take a look at a map of the universe, see how it confirms essential parts of the Theosophical worldview and helps us understand the role of God and the “gods.”
March 22 The Neoplatonic View of Reality Neoplatonism (the Platonic Schools from Plotinus forward) united the worship of the Old Gods of the Hellenic and Hellenistic world with a rigorous philosophical, mystical and magical school, both in the sense of a few specific and related institutions in the ancient world and as a presence on the inner and mental planes. Neoplatonism is one of the prime roots of modern Theosophy and speaker Gwendolyn Reece is of the opinion that its continued presence on the inner planes is part of that great Theosophical tradition that shines forth in a number of forms. This workshop outlines the Neoplatonic understanding of reality.
March 29 Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali are becoming more well-known in the West, yet not better understood. Guest speakers Swami Abhipadananda & Jyotir Vakyananda will focus on the first five sutras, which state in part: yoga is a stilling of thought-waves in the mind. They will examine how this articulated goal of yoga stands in direct conflict with the lust for spiritual progress and the quest to build spiritual/material empires. The growing popularity of slogans like, “Meditation makes you more productive” or “Yoga helps you lose weight” distinctly miss this goal of yoga as defined by Patanjali.
April
April 5 Life Between Lives What happens to us after death? Susanne Hoepfl-Wellenhofer will talk about what happens between the death of the person and his next reincarnation on Earth based on information found in Theosophical literature, books about past life regressions and recorded cases of reincarnations.
April 12 Bhagavad Gita The Bhagavad Gita is an ancient Hindu scripture that has inspired spiritual seekers for centuries. Set in an actual battlefield, the Gita has been mostly interpreted as an allegory for the ethical and moral struggles of the human life. In a dialogue between Arjuna and Lord Krishna, Krishna teaches his disciple the truth about one’s duty, realization of wisdom and liberation from the cycle of reincarnation. The talk will give a general overview of the Gita as a personal spiritual guide in a world of challenge and change.
April 19 Easter/Passover – Closed –
April 26 The Pythagorean Life Iamblichus, an important Neo-Platonist, composed this biography of the great sage Pythagoras and also reports on the way of life Pythagoras passed on to his followers. Pythagoras and the Pythagorean School, the original Krotona, was formative influence for Socrates, Plato, and all of the Platonic Schools that come after. Gwendolyn will discuss this text by Iamblichus.
May
May 3 The Mystic, the Scholar and the Magus (DVD Screening) In the search for truth, humanity has developed three main approaches. One is the path of the mystic, another is that of the scholar and finally there is the path of the magus or yogi, who seeks to unveil the secrets of nature by developing the spiritual faculties which are latent in each human being. Each approach has strengths as well as pitfalls. Please joins us for a screening of this presentation by popular Theosophical speaker, Pablo Sender.
May 10 Progress in Global Efforts to Eliminate Poverty Bill Katzenstein summarizes the continuing progress in reducing poverty worldwide, elaborating on what measures are working, the issues, and international development goals to virtually eliminate extreme poverty by 2030.
May 17 Kabbalah (John Calvello) Most major religions have both an exoteric and an esoteric system of instructions in their teachings. The esoteric teachings of Judaism is known as Kabbalah. What is Kabbalah? What did Madame Blavatsky have to say about Kabbalah? And what does the Kabbalah have to do with Theosophy? You will be surprised! Join John Calvello as he introduces a couple of new golden nuggets in this session, and provides us with a Theosophical glimpse at the Tree of Life.
May 24 Memorial Day – Closed –
May 31 The Goal of Life Julia Rogers will sketch humanity’s grand cycle of outgoing and return since our dear, puzzled human kingdom, collectively, IS the Prodigal Son. She will also present some everyday applications of these ideas.
June – September 2014
Summer Study “Isis Unveiled” Helena Blavatsky (Michael Gomes Abridged Version)
We will undertake an open group study of Isis Unveiled by Helena Blavatsky. Isis Unveiled was Blavatsky’s first major work and created a sensation when it was released in 1877. It presents ancient ideas practical to modern science, philosophy and religion. All earnest seekers are welcome to join the study.
June 14 Chapters 1-4
June 28 Chapters 5-7
July 12 Chapters 8-10
July 26 Chapters 11-14
Aug 9 Chapters 15-17
Aug 23 Chapters 18-20
Sept 6 Chapters 21-24
Sept 20 Chapter 25 & Conclusion
October
October 4 Gwendolyn’s Guide to Greece This past summer, Gwendolyn Reece spent almost three weeks on her second pilgrimage to Greece. Join her for this informal personal travelogue through Hellas. There may or may not be pictures, but there will certainly be lots of animated story-telling!
October 11 Planetary Archetypes and Kriya Yoga Astrology Special Guests SwamisAbhipadananda & Jyotir Vakyananda (Heidi Lindemann & Michael Perry) will outline a Kriya Yoga astrology approach that uses the study of planetary archetypes to better understand one’s own psyche. In Sanskrit the word for planet is ‘graha‘ meaning ‘to grasp.” Kriya Yoga astrology is not a system of predictions, it aims to understand the forces beyond our control that ‘grasp our psyches and propel us into action as the celestial bodies are propelled into motion by nothing less than the forces and rhythms of the universe itself.’
October 18 Our Thoughts Are Real Things: How Our Thoughts Actually Work in the World Many people talk about the power of thought, but very few actually know the esoteric principles that make our thoughts real influences in our lives and the lives of others. Come listen to this presentation by National Speaker Brant Jackson and find out why it is vital to understanding this powerful force.
October 25 The Law of Sacrifice Special Guest United Lodge of Theosophists (ULT) speaker Tuncay Danzler will present on the Law of Sacrifice, helping us to understand its true meaning, how it started, where it resides, what its implications are and its application to our daily lives as expressed in love and compassion.
November
November 1 Kabbala Most major religions have both an exoteric and an esoteric system of instructions in their teachings. The esoteric teachings of Judaism is known as Kabbalah. What is Kabbalah? What did Madame Blavatsky have to say about Kabbalah? And what does the Kabbalah have to do with Theosophy? You will be surprised! Join John Calvello as he continues with a discussion of Kabbala and a Theosophical glimpse of the Tree of Life.
November 8 Oracles in Hellenic Religion The Oracle of Apollon at Delphi is the most famous and important of the oracles in the ancient Hellenic world, but it was not the only oracular cult. Oracles were consulted by both individuals and states as a regular matter of course. This workshop will provide an overview of the nature, role and “spiritual technology” of oracular work within the ancient Hellenic and Hellenistic world.
November 15 Bhagavad Gita Part II The Bhagavad Gita is an ancient Hindu scripture that has inspired spiritual seekers for centuries. Set in an actual battlefield, the Gita has been mostly interpreted as an allegory for the ethical and moral struggles of the human life. In a dialogue between Arjuna and Lord Krishna, Krishna teaches his disciple the truth about one’s duty, realization of wisdom and liberation from the cycle of reincarnation. The talk will continue the spring discussion of the Gita with a general overview of chapters 7-12.
November 22 Multiple Intelligences & Magic The idea of multiple intelligences helps us assess our abilities in several different domains as separate but related ways of approaching the world. This workshop uses multiple intelligences to examine the different skills and talents we use for magic, and how we use these alone and in combination. We discuss how to make the most of your talents, how to use your strengths to counterbalance your weaknesses, and how we can bring multiple intelligences together for more engaging and powerful magical work.
November 29 – Closed for Thanksgiving –
December
December 6 Mantra as a Means to Quiet the Mind Special Guests SwamisAbhipadananda & Jyotir Vakyananda (Heidi Lindemann & Michael Perry) will discuss the classical uses of mantra in spiritual systems to quiet the waves of the mind. We will also examine everyday modalities like music that can help to lift you momentarily to the level of your mind that is above the problems you are trying to solve. This lifting gives you a broader perspective and a deeper knowledge of your psyche.
December 13 A Bouquet of Theosophical Ideas Join us as Lodge member Julia Rogers offers a bouquet of basic Theosophical ideas, including “Who is the ‘I’ when I am talking to myself?” with pauses for questions and discussion.
December 20 The “Big Bang” This presentation will discuss the Big Bang theory, according to which the universe began by expanding from a tiny volume with extremely high density and temperature. Using pure physics, we will try to answer some tantalizing metaphysical quandaries such as: How did it all start? What was in the beginning? And what’s probably going to happen in the end? Join us prepared with your questions!
December 27 – Closed for Holidays –