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The Theosophist THE THEOSOPHIST VOL. 135 NO. 4 JANUARY 2014 CONTENTS Presidential Address 3 M. P. Singhal The Significance of the Three Objects of The Theosophical Society 8 Bhupendra Vora Ways to Study The Secret Doctrine 16 Chittaranjan Satapathy Conversations with Mrs Radha Burnier 23 Pedro Oliveira Fragments of the Ageless Wisdom 28 Address on Foundation Day 29 Justice V. Ramasubramanian Books of Interest 37 International Directory 38 Editor: Mr M. P. Singhal NOTE: Articles for publication in The Theosophist should be sent to the Editorial Office. Cover: Catasbaes Spinosa, Adyar — A. Chandrasekaran. 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: Vice-President: Mr M. P. Singhal Secretary: Mr Chittaranjan 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 By Sri. M. P. Singhal, The International Vice-President To the 138th Annual Convention of the Theosophical Society Adyar, 26 December 2013 Dear Brothers, Sisters, friends and fellow universal brotherhood. The leaders who members, came later, took upon themselves the Let us move on and pay homage responsibility of amplifying and clarifying to Mrs Radha Burnier, who passed what HPB stood for. She stressed that away on 31 October 2013. She addressed practical brotherhood must continue to International Conventions for 33 con- influence the mental climate of the world, secutive years, 1980-2012. She has left a so all members will not only know them- rich tradition of working with dignity, selves as brothers, but act as such. quiet dedication and simplicity. We are members of the TS. It is a great Every Convention is an occasion for privilege for us. Its Objects are beautiful; standing back as witness of the path so its purpose is noble; and its literature is far treaded and the direction we are inspiring. Do we feel gratitude in our hearts heading. There is an opportunity for for these things that we are enjoying? course correction, and also to think what The human psychology is to ignore the the Society must do now. The Society obvious. Every TS journal has notes on exists to transform humanity that would Theosophy, the Theosophical Society, live to benefit mankind. Freedom of Thought and the Objects. Do We have also the opportunity to allow we carefully review and remind ourselves the blessings from the Great Ones to fill when we see them? us, and the whole of Nature to bring teach- The Theosophical Society is an ings of the source of life and love. institution. The institution and its work May those who are the embodiment is far more important than any indi- of Love Immortal bless with their help vidual working in it. This is seldom and guidance this Society, founded realized, for people work for individuals to be a channel for their work. May not the institution. We use a mirror to see They inspire it with their Wisdom, our physical appearance. Similarly we strengthen it with their Power, and should reflect our thoughts daily in the energize it with their Activity. mirror of our conscience to see who we I am happy to open this 138th Annual really are. Convention of the Theosophical Society. Our Society’s Uniqueness: HPB gave the philosophical and con- The Theosophical Society has many ceptual frame work which would guide unique features. It emphasizes the the Theosophical Society to promote comparative study of religion, philosophy January 2014 3 The Theosophist and science. Religion tells us our duty. Another unique feature of the Society Philosophy moulds our minds and science is its three great truths, defining the basis tells us about the outer world that we of life’s evolution. Its universal invocation perceive with our senses. is a pointer to the forces of hidden life, The Theosophical Society has no hidden light and hidden love uniting all specified religious text, but has innumer- in oneness. Inspite of so many unique able books on religious thought. It has features built in the frame of TS, why are no priest as such, but many wise people we unable to impact people. Why people to teach. It has no defined tenets like shy away from us I fail to understand. But other religions, but has three beautiful there must be a reason, perhaps several, Objects which take us from particular to which we need to find out. universal. It has no specified place of Declining Membership worship, but builds shrines of all faiths in The membership peaked at 45,000 in its International Headquarters. The only 1928. It dropped to 31,000 in 1933. It rose religion that the Society proclaims is the slightly to 32,500 in 1980 and since then quest for Truth, with its motto: ‘There is there has been a continuous drop in no Religion Higher than Truth’. It respects membership. It is about 25,000 in 2013. all religious faiths, different cultures, Should we allow this downward trend to values, view points and other diversities, continue? Some members feel that without discrimination. numbers are not important. It is the quality The Society has rich and inspiring that we should worry about. While quality literature whether in small booklets or is certainly important, dropping trend large volumes. Some texts like The Secret cannot be ignored in a scenario where Doctrine are so profound and complex world population is rapidly growing. that the beginner may be bewildered From 2 billion in 1930 it grew to 7.5 and finisher may feel frustrated. How- billion in 2012. ever small other books are, they are We also need a critical mass of simple and instructive. minimum members for the Society’s Some simple concepts from the book stability like seafaring vessels need a Practical Occultism of HPB are: minimum ballast weight. Without a critical • Reflect upon the defects of your mass, there can be no critical momentum. character. The declining trend in membership may • Spirit of Love and Truth, Justice and not be taken lightly. Perhaps, we must Wisdom, Goodness and Power should be nurture and enthuse our members with our only true and permanent Love. energy and example of our life. • To act and act wisely when the time for action comes; to wait and wait patiently The Paradoxical World when it is time for repose. This is beautifully captured in the • Have patience, Candidate, as one who words of American humorist, George fears no failure, covets no success. Carlin: 4 Vol. 135.4 Presidential Address We have taller buildings but shorter in mid-2050. There is poverty which is a tempers, wider freeways but narrower terrible social scourge. 46% of world viewpoints. We spend more but have less; income is owned by 20% of the wealthi- we buy more but enjoy less. We have est. Poverty is not natural. It is man made bigger houses and smaller families, more by the rich usurping wealth without conveniences, but less time. We have more sharing with poor people, sometimes degrees but less sense; more knowledge paying less than they deserve.
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