The Theosophist
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THE THEOSOPHIST VOL. 134 NO. 4 JANUARY 2013 CONTENTS Presidential Address 3 Radha Burnier The Search for Truth 13 Bhupendra R. Vora The Evolution of the Universe 22 Annie Besant Life — a Movie, a School, a Pilgrimage 27 D. P. Sabnis Spirituality at the Workplace 29 F. M. Sahoo International Directory 38 Editor: Mrs Radha Burnier NOTE: Articles for publication in The Theosophist should be sent to the Editorial Office. Cover: Nandi Bull and Jackfruits at the Adyar Theatre — Prof. C. A. Shinde Official organ of the President, founded by H. P. Blavatsky, 1879. The Theosophical Society is responsible only for official notices appearing in this magazine. 1 THE THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY Founded 17 November 1875 President: Mrs Radha Burnier Vice-President: Mr M. P. Singhal Secretary: Mrs Kusum Satapathy Treasurer: Mr T. S. Jambunathan Headquarters: ADYAR, CHENNAI (MADRAS) 600 020, INDIA Secretary: [email protected] Treasury: [email protected] Adyar Library and Research Centre: [email protected] Theosophical Publishing House: [email protected] & [email protected] Fax: (+91-44) 2490-1399 Editorial Office: [email protected] Website: http://www.ts-adyar.org The Theosophical Society is composed of students, belonging to any religion in the world or to none, who are united by their approval of the Society’s Objects, by their wish to remove religious antagonisms and to draw together men of goodwill, whatsoever their religious opinions, and by their desire to study religious truths and to share the results of their studies with others. Their bond of union is not the profession of a common belief, but a common search and aspiration for Truth. They hold that Truth should be sought by study, by reflection, by purity of life, by devotion to high ideals, and they regard Truth as a prize to be striven for, not as a dogma to be imposed by authority. They consider that belief should be the result of individual study or intuition, and not its antecedent, and should rest on knowledge, not on assertion. They extend tolerance to all, even to the intolerant, not as a privilege they bestow but as a duty they perform, and they seek to remove ignorance, not punish it. They see every religion as an expression of the Divine Wisdom and prefer its study to its condemnation, and its practice to proselytism. Peace is their watchword, as Truth is their aim. Theosophy is the body of truths which forms the basis of all religions, and which cannot be claimed as the exclusive possession of any. It offers a philosophy which renders life intelligible, and which demonstrates the justice and the love which guide its evolution. It puts death in its rightful place, as a recurring incident in an endless life, opening the gateway to a fuller and more radiant existence. It restores to the world the Science of the Spirit, teaching man to know the Spirit as himself and the mind and body as his servants. It illuminates the scriptures and doctrines of religions by unveiling their hidden meanings, and thus justifying them at the bar of intelligence, as they are ever justified in the eyes of intuition. Members of the Theosophical Society study these truths, and theosophists endeavour to live them. Everyone willing to study, to be tolerant, to aim high, and to work perseveringly, is welcomed as a member, and it rests with the member to become a true theosophist. 2 Presidential Address Presidential Address To the 137th Annual Convention of the Theosophical Society Adyar, 26 December 2012 Dear Brethren, I am happy to present this report, which gives a very brief idea of the extent to which the work of the Society has been carried on during the past year. But before I do so I would like to welcome all of you to this 137th Annual Convention which, like the others held up to now, has been a large gathering. To gather, not only to the same extent an outline of work done, but also more importantly the higher influences which come from above, is of great importance. A Convention held in the right spirit, can create an atmosphere which is blessed, and influences many people not only in the gatherings, but outside them. We can thus be a part of the teachings of the Great Ones, and become the channel of their powerful influence (Please rise) May those who are the embodiment of Love Immortal bless with their help and guidance this Society, founded to be a channel for their work. May They inspire it with their Wisdom, strengthen it with their Power, and energize it with their Activity. I am happy to open this 137th Annual Convention of the Theosophical Society. The Convention is an occasion for all various communities to free examination of us to give our thoughts to what the of how we think and what we think. This Society must do to carry out its work in process is not over by any means. Man, the intended way. Up to now it has been especially the modern, enquiring man, has working at making the world happier, understood life from a scientific point of perhaps a little better than it was before. view and must perhaps cast a necessary If we look back we can see that the Society look to see whether he can accomplish has accomplished much, particularly in what is intended for human beings in the the West. It has taken part in changing evolutionary way. many peoples’ views and thus taken a The human being must look at the step forward in the necessary direction. It whole of life, and only then may he has had its own place in changing the perceive the path that humanity has to attitudes of people in general — from tread. We have indeed looked at life from blind obedience to religious leaders of a sharper, more advanced view. But the January 2013 3 The Theosophist various sciences which are contributing do not see the need for thinking about the to the most up-to-date outlook do not even future for humanity, or the future of the try to meet each other to arrive at a planet. They behave more or less as if it comprehensive view. The most striking has come to a stop in the direction of the part of the scientific advance is that at future. But the fact is that what we do now present the scientific outlook makes it makes a great deal of difference to what possible to go to war with weapons so happens to us in the future. advanced that they may achieve much, but The quality of life, what we have in also destroy what they cannot replace. mind about humanity’s development and Other kinds of life have existed and still the development of all the creatures that exist in the world, but it has not made the exist now is going to have a great effect. human being wiser to know about them. But we go on as if what we care for should Most people think they know, but what be present only and that too what we can they know is all at the same level. They see of the present. But that is not so. do not know the direction in which Even if we think we can see, there is a humans should move, the objectives they great difference between man as he is now need to incorporate, and also, the purpose and as he will be in the future. The great and beauty which are an intrinsic part of teachers of the world were those who the marvel that is life. In fact, man does behaved wisely even when others did not; not realize that he is part of one great and not those who could see that it was creation, an undivided whole. not the right action, but at the same time, The result of the present-day attitude, felt compelled to repeat these actions and, with all the advancements in know- gave back only what they saw and not ledge both theoretical and practical, is to something higher, more spiritual and true. make man believe that he is the master The well-known story of Angulimala at the top of all that exists. The many illustrates this. After he talked with the forms of Nature and the creatures in it, as Buddha, he was no longer influenced by well as the role they can play in taking the attitude of a would-be killer. His nature forward, is lost or misinterpreted, attitude transformed from that of a killer or even put to an end. The number of to a good man, and grew into greater creatures lost is very large and cannot be goodness. This is the response of those replaced. But man does not know what who have gone forward spiritually. And he really destroys, whether it is a form so the higher grows to become spiritual of life which will lead to advancement and in turn changes those who do not or not. behave as he does, since he goes the way It is sane and important to find out of the pure and intelligent. what is really necessary to have a good Every one of us has a duty to see more future. Much depends on what we are and widely and more accurately, to become what we do now. The majority of people aware of the difference between the best 4 Vol. 134.4 Presidential Address and the others. In fact, most of the spiritual to understand the whole process.