BLAVATSKY LODGE: 7 - French Bridge, Mumbai 400007
Tel: 23685026 (M): 9821459504 (M): 9819334333
DAY
|
TIME
|
DETAILS
|
Fri 2
|
6.00 pm
|
Study of CWL’s book ‘Inner Living’ by
Sis. Aban Patel
|
Sun 4
|
10.00 am
10.30 am
11.30 am
|
Bharat Samaj Pooja
BTF Council Meeting
Blavatsky Lodge Experimental Sunday Morning
|
Fri 9
|
6.00 pm
6.15 pm
|
Mystic Star Ritual
Talk by Dr. Darius H. Umrigar (in Lobby)
|
Fri 16
|
6.00 pm
|
Study of CWL’s book ‘Inner Living’ by
Sis. Aban Patel
|
Satur17
|
6.15 pm
|
Adyar Day Meeting jointly with BTF
|
Fri 23
|
6.00 pm
|
Readings of 142nd TS Convention News Bulletins
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Sun 25
|
10.45 pm
|
Maitreya Round Table
|
Tues5, 12,19,26
|
5.45 pm
|
Study of CWL’s book ‘The Masters & The Path’
|
THE BOMBAY THEOSOPHICA BULLETIN
THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF
THE BOMBAY
THEOSOPHICAL FEDERATION
|
Volume
87
|
—
|
No.5
|
–
|
February 2018
|
ADYAR DAY – 17TH FEBRUARY
Adyar Day is a day to remember and give thanks
to those who walked before us, who dedicated their lives to Theosophy and who
gave us the very special gift of Adyar.
CONTENTS
|
Adyar Day
|
Cover
|
|
News & Notes &
Support Convention 2017-2018
|
2 – 6
|
|
Impressions of 142nd International TS Convention
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6 - 7
|
|
‘The
Source of Spiritual Energy’ by Pradeep Gohil
|
8 - 17
|
|
BTF& Lodge Programmes February
2018
|
18 - 19
|
|
The Golden Stairs of HPB
|
20
|
NEWS &
NOTES
11TH TS WORLD CONGRESS
Accommodation 3rd to
9th August 2018 and
4TH TOS INTERNATIONAL
CONFERENCE
Accommodation 9th to
11th August 2018 at SINGAPORE:
For Registration and
SWIFT Transfer of Registration Charges
Contact: 2018wc@singaporelodge.org
BTF President Bro. Vinayak Pandya wishes that our members attend.
CONGRATULATIONS TO BRO. VINAYAK PANDYA
on his appointment by International President Tim Boyd on the International TS
Council. Bro.
Vinayak Pandya is the First Member of BTF to have this honour.
THANK YOU BRO. KEKI
PALKHIWALLA for donating your collection of rare Theosophical Books to the BL
Library.
THANK YOU BRO. C.V.K.
MAITHREYA for ExGratia Aid for Shri Ganpat Jadhav, who is now retired
after serving Blavatsky Lodge TS as an Attendant for 50 years. It is kind of
you to think of him even though you are from Chennai.
***************************************************************
Editor – Bro.
Rustom R. Dalal Cover Page By: Sis. Kashmira Khambatta Editorial
Committee – Sis. Mahazaver Dalal (Reporter & in charge of
Mailing List), Sis. Kashmira Khambatta,
Sis. Aban Patel and Ex-Officio:
President Bro. Vinayak Pandya. Note:
News, Notes and Programmes to be printed in the Bulletin, be forwarded by
e-mail to: rrpdalal@hotmail.com
or kashmirakhambatta@yahoo.com
latest by 16th each month.
BLAVATSKY LODGE
WELCOMED VISITORS:
Bro. S. R. Jagadale
(Dip No.103401) of Jayasingpur, Dist. Kolahpur having heard about
the Premier Lodge - Blavatsky Lodge TS,
during his visit to Mumbai came to see the Lodge. As he had come in the
morning he could not meet the members, but felt that ‘This place is Holy’. He is the Chairman & Managing Director
of Shreem Electrical Ltd. and wishes to visit Lodge on his future trips to
Mumbai.
Mr. Audin Kurucay of
Istanbul, Turkey had earlier visited BL and bought TS Books. He keeps in touch with TS activities in
Mumbai through BTF E-Bulletin. He was again in Mumbai in time for the Support
Convention, which he attended and interacted with members.
******************************
SUPPORT
CONVENTION 2017-2018
The Bombay Theosophical Federation (BTF) jointly with
Blavatsky Lodge TS ( BL) had Support Convention 2017-2018 in Besant Hall of
Blavatsky Lodge decked up with Christmas Decorations and Messages of ‘Love,
Peace & Joy’ by Sis. Navaz Dhalla.
Opening on Monday 1st January 2018
The Support Convention was opened with the Prayers of All Religions
and the Universal Prayer. Sis. Mahazaver Dalal requested Brethren to rise for
the Invocation, which is always done by the International Presidents at the
Opening of International Conventions at Adyar. She urged Brethren to ponder
over Theme of the 142nd International Convention – ‘FROM TEACHINGS TO INSIGHT: THE
ALYRUISTIC HEART’. Sis. Kashmira Khambatta BL
President welcomed all and explained the purpose of the Support Convention.
Brethren missed Bro. Navin Kumar, who had organized the Support Convention and
they sent out thoughts for his speedy recovery after his surgery.
Bro Arni Narendran shared
Theosophy Musings:
“As the 142nd
International Convention is underway at Adyar, Chennai and as we celebrate the Support Convention
here at this historic Blavatsky Lodge in Mumbai,, one begins to wonder if the
Society
would have ever existed had Madam Blavatsky succeeded in founding the Magic
School, much earlier in her life in Cairo? Flip back the pages of History as
HPB is sitting with her cousin in late 1874 in Paris. A message from the Master
arrives asking her to leave for New York
Leave for NY? Where is the money? The next day an envelope containing
24000 Franks arrive gifted by a Spanish Countess. We talked on the Foundation
Day, how the Society was formed in New York in 1875 and in passage of time the
Headquarters shifted to our very own city of Bombay. HPB set base on a hillock
at ‘Crow’s Nest’ in what is now
Breach Candy. I have seen a photograph of an old Bungalow with a pillared
portico and a flight of steps at the Adyar Archives. Initially the Society joined
hands with the Arya Samaj, but subsequently chose to stand alone as a separate
organization, when the British eyed the Samajis with suspicion. Unfortunately
for the denizens of this city of Bombay, the island city was not to be the
International Headquarters. A magical patch of land measuring 25 acres of land
on the Banks of the Adyar River on one side and the Bay of Bengal on the
Coromandel Coast flapping its waves on another side, was the ultimate destination of the
World Headquarters from 1882. Dr. Annie Besant expanded it to over 250
hectares, encompassing a small wood which still remains a habitat of myriad
Flora and Fauna - now the Radha Burnier Pathway to the sea. The Bombay
Federation in the days of yore would send a contingent of over forty to fifty
delegates. Over the years the members chose to celebrate a Support Convention
in Bombay itself, an event housed at the Blavatsky Lodge and convened by the
BTF. The Society during its hey days had
141 Federations, over 3500 Lodges and a Membership crossing 41000. Although
membership now reduced to 25000, we are all here on an important mission to
grow ourselves and grow the society by passing over this Divine Wisdom to
progeny. Mark the prophecy of C.W.
Leadbeater - the TS would be a Leading Think Tank in the Twentieth Century for expansion of the Human Consciousness. This
is our Vision and Mission as we celebrate this Support Convention here in
Mumbai.”
Thanks to Sis. Kashmira Khambatta & Bro. Arni Narendran there
was screening of International President Tim Boyd’s Presidential Address and
his Power Point Report of TS activities around the world. The Report of Sections and President’s Representatives covered
Membership, Theosophical Sessions & Conferences, TS Leaders &
Lecturers, Books studied, TS Buildings with Study Rooms & Library and
ornate TS Seals. Under Indian Section Report was shown President Tim Boyd
gracing Juhu Annual Session and TS Seal of Juhu Theosophical Colony.The evening
ended with Bro. Roy Mathew invoking Christmas Spirit singing Christmas Carol
‘O! Holy Night’.
Tuesday 2nd January 2018
It was a memorable journey for Brethren as they watched PPP by Mr. Byram Rohinton Dhalla and heard
him speak about his ‘Drives of Life Time
– Journey to Remember’. Byram, an MBA managing Transport Business of
his family, has several sports achievements to his credit including 20
Marathons & Half Marathons. He loves to drive off beat tourist routes of
Ladakh & Himachal Pradesh. He has participated in International events of
SAARC Rally of 2007 and ASEAN Rally of 2012 covering Asian countries.
He dared to dream and
shared with us his ‘Journey to Remember’.
It was in a single car with 11 participants
(including his wife Shehnaz who joined Byram for some stretches), starting from
London on 25th August 2017, over 46 days, driving 20,000 Km across 15 countries
& 9 Time Zones and ending on 9th October 2017 at Gateway of India, Mumbai.
The countries he drove through facing challenges of different terrains,
climates, language, currency, country rules, Visa formalities at check-posts,
cultures & cuisines, and car break-down on highway where his car was the
only car on the road. He drove through UK, Belgium, Germany, Poland, Lithuania,
Russia (17 days), Mongolia, China (10 days), finally Laos, Thailand, Myanmar
and India. In Europe at one point he had crossed three country check-posts in a
single day. Brethren congratulated and thanked him for the glimpses of European
& Asian countries.
Wednesday 3rd January 2017
It was to be a much awaited
Cultural Evening showing talents of Brethren & Friends. But Alas! It
had to be cancelled last minute due to unrest & Bandh in Mumbai.
Closing on Friday 5th January 2017
The Mystic Star Ritual was
performed marking the Centenary of its Formation by
Sis. Jasmine Cawasji as Power, & other Office Bearers, accompanied by Sis.
Freny Paghdiwala on Piano. It was a solemn uplifting Ritual. Sis. Navaz Dhalla
read from Adyar News Letter of June-July-August 2017 Bro. Vinay Kumar Patri’s
explanation about the significance of the Ritual. The Support Convention was
closed with the Invocation of the Mystic Star Ritual.
*******************************
IMPRESSIONS OF
THE 142ND INTERNATIONAL TS CONVENTION
31ST DECEMBER 2017 – 5TH JANUARY 2018
BY BTF PRESIDENT BRO. VINAYAK PANDYA
BTF President Bro. Vinayak Pandya with his wife Malti and Brother
Bhavesh, both TS members, had represented BTF at the 142nd TS Convention. On 12th January 2018 at Blavatsky Lodge
Bro. Vinayak Pandya shared his Impressions with PP Presentation. As he had
to attend meetings of International & Indian Section Councils and Besant
Education Fellowship most of the photos were clicked by Bro. Bhavesh Pandya. Bro. Bhavesh, said that at the Conventions ‘the Mind of
Material World’ gradually changes and a person according to his need &
capacity is able to drink from the Spiritual Fountain - Adyar.
Bro. Vinayak Pandya said that International President Tim Boyd, says that ‘the change is the only permanent thing’,
and introduced many new concepts at the Convention. At Bhojanshala Indian meals
and Canteen run by Karnataka Federation members was inaugurated with Lighting
of the Lamp by IP Tim Boyd & IVP Deepa Padhi. At the Opening of the
Convention the Lamp was lighted and Olcott Memorial School Children did the
Jain Prayer. IP Tim Boyd for his Report had a PPP covering audio-visuals of
activities of all Sections and President’s Representatives. The Invocation at the Opening by President
made Delegates realize that they are part of The Great Ones’ Channel. There
were stalls of Vocational Training Centre, Besant Memorial Hospital for Animals
& Beauty without Cruelty and their handicrafts were sold. The Reception for
Delegates was an opportunity to meet old and new friends. At the Reception he
had requested Bro. Shikhar Agnihotri to grace BTF Annual Session of 2018 as the
Chief Guest. First time IP Tim Boyd with his wife Lily had planned a
gettogather on 31st December 2017 at LBC Dining Hall to ‘’Ring out Old &
Ring in New Year 2018’. The vehicles for transport within Adyar Campus were arranged.
Bro. Vinayak showed photos of Sessions in Adyar Theater and
Devotional renderings at Bharat Samaj Pooja temple. At Indian Section
Convention General Secretary Mr. Pradeep Gohil had also given his Report with
PPP. Bro. Vinayak showing photos of Head Quarter Hall, Religious places, other
buildings and beautiful peaceful Nature’s Bounty of Adyar said that one does
not want to come back. Meditation at a point where Adyar River meets Bay of
Bangol is a fascinating experience. Showing photo of renovation of Blavatsky
Lodge Bungalow, Bro. Vinayak said that it will be ready by next Convention. BTF
can plan a group booking for 2018-2019 Convention and offer their services at
Convention like Bro. Ram Kalra and Late Sis. Bana Mehta, whom even today
Brethren of other Federations remember. Bro. Vinayak ended his presentation singing an inspiring
song ‘Maitreebhavnu Pavitra Zaranu’
(Pious Stream of Brotherhood).
The Source of spiritual energy
by
Pradeep H. Gohil, General Secretary Indian
Section TS
Public Address at BTF 86th
Annual Session at Juhu
on 15th October 2017
Let
us look at the subject of my talk —"The Source of Spiritual Energy".
We will first try and understand what is spirituality. It refers to a religious
process of reformation which "aims to recover the original shape of
man", created in the image of God, as exemplified by the founders and
sacred texts of the religions of the world. In modern times the emphasis is on
subjective experience of a sacred dimension and the deepest values and meanings
by which people live, often in a context separate from organized religious
institutions. Modern spirituality, typically includes a belief beyond the known
and observable realm, personal growth, a quest for a sacred meaning, religious
experience or an encounter with one's own "inner dimension".
The
meaning of spirituality has developed and expanded over time, and various
connotations can be found alongside each other. The term spirituality
originally developed within early Christianity, referring to a life oriented
towards the Holy Spirit. Hinduism, which was developed much before
Christianity, and the epics were also covered under that word. During late
medieval times the meaning broadened to include mental aspects.
Now
let us look at the meaning of the term "spiritual'. That which is
spiritual is sacred and the concept of sacred is interchangeable with the
concept of "holy" – a word derived from an old English word
"whole”, meaning perfect goodness. A religious person may be spiritual,
but a spiritual person is not necessarily religious. We can say that spiritual is the
consciousness of spirit. Spirituality
refers to
the evolutionary process as
it drives us forward, eventually to perfect wholeness. It relates to the expansion or evolution of consciousness. And,
thus all activity – be it physical, emotional institutional and so forth – that
leads towards greater perfection, goodness and wholeness is therefore
spiritual. Spiritual values are qualified by ever-widening horizons –
synthesis, growth and wholeness as well as greater vision, understanding and
integration.
The
word spiritual does not refer to so called religious matters. All activity
which drives the human beings forward towards some form of development –
physical, emotional, mental, intuitional – if it is in advancement of his
present state, is essentially spiritual in nature and is indicative of the livingness
of the inner divine entity. The spirit of man is undying; it forever
endures, progressing from point to point and stage to stage upon the path of evolution,
unfolding steadily and sequentially the divine attributes and aspects.
The real difference
between religion and spirituality will help us to
understand spirituality better. A religion is a system of belief in a higher,
unseen, controlling power, along with certain rites for worship. Spirituality
is an awakening to the inner reality of one's being and a longing to be in
communion and union with it through experience. It means a total
transformation of the whole being of the individual. To be spiritual means to
rise above temptations of the body and senses and to realize the final Truth.
To be religious means to observe rituals and rites which all religions have.
One has to devote time and energy to our spiritual development and that is why
we must know what the source of spiritual energy is.
Now
that we have got some idea of the word "spiritual", let us see what
is “energy". We can say that energy, means the strength
and vitality required for sustained physical or mental activity. There are
many synonyms of the word energy. They are vitality, vigor, liveliness,
animation, vivacity, spiritedness, fire, passion, ardour, zeal, verve,
enthusiasm, zest, vibrancy, sparkle, effervescence, exuberance, etc.
Having
seen the meaning of the words 'spiritual' and 'energy', let us also carefully
understand what is a Source. It is
something or some place from where a thing originates. We say that Gaumukh
Glacier is the source of the Ganga River. Now, let us put all three definitions
of source, energy and spirituality together and see what it means. Let me tell
you where is the origin of the strength and
vitality that can drive us forward in the evolutionary process.
Radhaji gives a direct
answer of this question in her article on the
'Source of Spiritual Energy' in the book, 'Human Regeneration'. She says that there
is a source of energy that never diminishes with the passage of time or aging
of body but on the contrary flows more freely and abundantly when we learn to
let it do so. Every one of us
must discover that source, that perennial spring. That unfailing source of
inspiration and vitality is found within ourselves!! We are always with
ourselves, aren't we? We cannot go away from our selves. This source is there –
only we must learn to draw out the hidden
light, energy and inspiration.
Imagine
in the primitive days how people first dug a deep well and found plenty of
water at a depth of say 40 feet. However, merely having the water in the well
did not help them. They had to learn to draw it out. Then they installed a
pulley (round wheel) on which a rope can move. They tied a bucket at one end of
the rope. Then they let the pulley slide the bucket into the well. When the
bucket had filled, they pulled the rope up and got a bucket full of water. Similarly,
one has to learn to draw out the
spiritual energy that is within us.
Our
past International President N. Sri Ram has written: "There are so many
members who expect the leaders of the Society to keep up their enthusiasm. They
will speak of the sad decline of the Lodge, and say that in the old days when
so-and-so was the leader, there used to be so much vitality and enthusiasm. But
in such a remark, their own personal responsibility is over looked. It is a question of what each individual
member is doing here and how to create enthusiasm. Merely to look to
somebody else, however high his position, or to the Masters to transform the
conditions or even to look to God in prayer to produce the change which
apparently the Almighty wants ourselves to produce is really a course of
futility.
I
see a parallel in this with Rotary Clubs and members of Rotary Clubs who are
called Rotarians. I found that many Rotary Clubs are waiting for their District
Governor or a good orator, who knows about Rotary, to come and inspire them.
The same is the situation in many lodges that are waiting for one national
lecturer or theosophist who is a good orator to come and inspire them to do
good Theosophical work. Please do not misunderstand me and stop any National
Lecturers like Prof.Thampi or Prof.Shinde from coming to your Lodge or
federation meetings!! They are always useful and they can generate exchange of
ideas on the Theosophical Work which can do a lot of good. What I am trying to
say is that it is not right for other members to wait for them to provide
inspiration. The other members can themselves provide inspiration from within
to do Theosophical Work.
To
have one's self as the source of inspiration and spiritual energy, it is very
important for one to have his/her consciousness, or a particular area in it,
opened up in some way to derive inspiration or wisdom from elsewhere. This can be termed as receptiveness.
For example, if a student's mind is on what could be happening in a cricket
match, then he cannot be receptive to what his teacher is trying to teach him.
No matter how good the teacher is, what he says will make no impact. Same is
the case with a non-receptive theosophist sitting in an audience. Even if a
spiritually important person were to come and say things, the non-receptive
member may agree with the person in the hall, but later
converts
the teachings to suit his own opinion and preconceived idea. So if our own consciousness does not come
to the point where it can be inspired, there cannot be inspiration from
outside.
One
can observe that someone is receptive to something now and again. For example a
person can receive inspiration after visiting an ashram or from a walk in the
garden. However, it must be remembered that one cannot sit in the Ashram or
walk in the garden all the time and should not become dependent on it for
inspiration. If one becomes dependent, it is bad. If things become familiar,
they lose their charm after a while. But
if one remains open all the time, it is awakening in one's own consciousness. The
degree may vary but to whatever degree
the consciousness is open, energy flows. One may expend that energy, but since it is flowing from oneself, it is
always renewed.
In the words of J.
Krishnamurti, "most of us have very little
energy; we spend it in conflict, in struggle– we waste it in various manners –
not only sexually, but also a great deal of it is wasted in contradictions and
in the fragmentation of ourselves which brings about conflict. Conflict is definitely a great waste of
energy – the 'Voltage" decreases. For meditation, not only is physical
energy necessary, but so also is psychological energy, with a mind that is
immensely clear, logical, healthy, undistorted, and heart that has no sentiment
whatsoever, no emotion, but the quality of abundance of love, of compassion.
All this gives a great intensity, passion. You need that, otherwise you cannot
take a journey into this thing called meditation. You may sit cross - legged,
breathe, do fantastic things, but you will never come to it."
Radhaji answers on how the
boundless energy of the spiritual nature within ourselves which is hidden and
unawakened, opens up and flow unimpeded. Perhaps
one must start by disengaging from the body and its sensations. We believe the
brain-mind
is ourselves. We should question whether this is so. It is the brain-mind which
drives us to acquire, to fight, to fear; it is based on memories, past thoughts
and prejudices. When all unnecessary memories and prejudices end there is a new
birth. Every little child has innocence and charm, because the load of the
brain-mind has been discarded. Obviously, that is not the real source of
spiritual energy. Yet we are so wrapped up in it, and identified with it. Can
we disengage?
I
think it is essential sometimes to go on
a retreat, to a place like Andaman or Darjeeling or Manali, to stop
everything that you have been doing, to stop your beliefs and experiences
completely, and look at them a new, not keep on repeating like machines whether
you believe or do not believe. You would then let in fresh air into your minds,
wouldn't you? That means you must be insecure, must you not? If you can do so, you
would be open to the mysteries of nature and to things that are whispering
about us, which you would not otherwise reach; you would reach the God that is
waiting to come, the truth that cannot be invited but comes itself.
Sadly,
we are not open to love, and other finer processes that are taking place within
us, because we are all too enclosed by our own desires. Surely, it is good to
retreat from all this, is it not? Stop being a member of some society, stop
being a Brahmin, a Hindu, a Christian, a Muslim, a Kannad or a Gujarati. Stop
your worship, rituals, etc.; take a
complete retreat from all these and see what happens. In a retreat do not
plunge into something else, do not take some book and be absorbed in new
knowledge and new acquisitions. Have a complete break with the past and see
what happens. Brothers and Sisters, do it and you will see the delight. You will see vast expanses of love,
understanding and freedom. When your heart is open, then reality can come. Then
the whisperings of your own prejudices, your own noises, are not heard. That is
why it is good to take a retreat, to go away and to stop from the routine which
the mind establishes for its own safety and conveniences.
Those
who have the opportunity must try it. Then perhaps you will know what is beyond
recognition, what truth is which is not measured. Then you will find that God
is not a thing to be experienced or to be recognized, but God is something
which comes to you without your invitation. And that is the real source of
unending spiritual energy.
Radhaji
in her book Human Regeneration gives some good advice. "The beautiful
little Isha Upanishad begins with a verse, saying that all 'this' – that is,
the world of manifestation, nature, everything that moves or does not move, the
rocks, the earth, minerals, the apparently inanimate, as well as that which
appears animate and mobile, like you, me, the insect, everything– all of this universe is a dwelling place of
a Divine Power or Energy. It is everywhere without frontiers. The Upanishads
say, 'experience with restraint'. Don't go about grasping at things, not only
physically, but mentally also. It is not yours. It is the dwelling place of
that other thing, the great Reality. Let us not be greedy or utilitarian, in
small or big ways. Then we might be in contact with that Energy. Although in
the modern world many people do not like such advice because they think it
deprives them of their freedom. There must be a quality of restraint in one's
behaviour.
The
ethical life with the observation of moral duties, gentle thoughts, good deeds
and kind words, meditation, abstinence, good will to all and entire oblivion of
self, cannot be ignored if one aspires to find this endless Energy, a constant
source of inspiration. The unethical life is the expression of the brain-mind,
the superficial consciousness of the outer self with its memories, knowledge,
desires and distractions, its arrogance, fears and hopes. I-ness must die, and yield place
to the
vastness of life. Then flows the spiritual energy which we are
talking about.
Without watching oneself
and learning to live a truly righteous or ethical life, it is impossible to
reach the deeper spiritual nature. If we believe
meditation to be apart from daily living, failure can be predicted right from
the beginning. That is what many do. They give a little time to meditation,
repeat formulas to make the mind quiet for a while, and then that activity
ends, and the daily life goes on a course that is very different. But meditation is the touching of that deeper
source of energy which belongs to the spiritual nature. Can it be done if
we are dominated by the outer personality? We must remember that the unethical,
superficial life of the brain-mind is the cause of disturbances. We do not deal
with that cause, the 'me'. The 'me' can disturb anything! When meeting a great
spiritual teacher, it is still in conflict, as symbolized by the acts of Judas
or Devadatta, who set himself against the Buddha. So the 'me' can make a
problem of everything, create a dispute where there is none. If we do not deal
with that, but wish through 'meditation' to find peace and silence, we attempt the
impossible. The 'me' and silence cannot
co-exist. Without morality, meditation and removal of ego, the way to that
deeper real energy is not possible.
This primary energy crisis on Earth today is the spiritual energy
crisis. If this crisis were solved, no other energy crisis would exist. The problem is that people put their gross physical energy desires
before their spiritual energy needs. It is practical applied spirituality –
spirituality united with an open-minded yet precise, scientific approach, which
will herald the dawn of a new and better world for all.
Somebody
has so wisely stated: "The Age which is breaking now, brings with it great
possibilities and is the age of science. Science, by itself, is like the
soulless wanderer of the realms of night. Yet warmth will come out of love, to
fashion it into a tool, so that it becometh as a wise man, finding his home.
Warm it with that love, my brothers. Let that wondrous, everlasting power from
your hearts fall upon this science, so that it becometh as a tool in the hands
of everlasting Divinity, and not that soulless thing which we have made of
it".
One
way to look at the spiritual energy
crisis is by examining the problems which exist on earth today. It is
self-evident that a large proportion of these problems boil down to one thing:
the way people think, and the way they act as a result of thinking in that way.
Selfishness, petty greed, jealousy, untamed lust, violent anger, vengeance –
all these things are the result of the low level of spiritual consciousness
prevalent on this planet. Spiritual energy raises consciousness, thereby
reducing these problems.
All
of us can help solve the spiritual energy crisis simply by being better people
– by being the very best people we can possibly be – especially through
service. Not 'best" in a materialistic sense – but the best in terms of
how true we are to our higher selves – to the Divine spark within us all which
is what makes us what we truly are.
Radhaji sums up by saying that let us not be satisfied to remain at
a comparatively shallow level in the Theosophical Society. Many people want meditation; perhaps there are people eager for the
spiritual life. But what do we mean by meditation? As Krishnaji said, it is not
simply sitting cross-legged, breathing, or practicing some formula. It is a way
to a radical change in our self, bringing abundant energy, inspiration and
understanding.
Spiritual energy is
invoked by any true spiritual or humanitarian motive. Anyone who is following
their higher aspirations, who is being of genuine service to others, who is coming closer to a realization of their own Divinity – is
invoking this energy to some extent. One of the simplest and most potent
ways of doing this is through prayer – especially when done through yogic
principles.
It
should be stressed that this is a natural process – not a supernatural one. The
energy comes from the divine being – as all things do – but it is nevertheless
an aspect of nature – albeit a higher aspect which science as we know it, does
not yet understand. The quantity and quality of energy invoked is determined by
precise metaphysical laws, not by the whim of a mythical deity. Likewise the
greater the quantity and quality of this energy, and the better it is directed
to its target, the more effect it will have. It then boils down to saying that
one's own self is the source of spiritual energy.
A
well-known lecturer on Sufism, Hazrat Inayat Khan mentions the following in his
book "The inner life and the purpose of life". 'The self becomes
acquainted with everything but itself..., once this is intellectually realized,
it does not suffice the purpose, but it begins one's journey in the search of
truth. This must be realized by the process of meditation, the process by which
the self can separate itself from body and afterwards from mind. For
the self, deluded all through life, is not ready to understand that the truth
and the spiritual energy lie in the self. It is like the story of a
lion's cub in a heard of sheep wandering through the wilderness. When a lion
saw the cub it was very surprised. Instead of running after the sheep the lion
chased the cub. The cub was trembling and very frightened. The father-lion
said: "Come my son, come with me, you are a lion". The cub said in a
trembling voice, "no, I am a sheep. I am afraid of you. Please go away.
You are different from my play mates. I want to run with them, play with
them". "Come, my son, with me", said the lion, "you are a
little lion". "No", said the cub, "no, I am not a lion. You
are a lion. I am afraid of you". The lion said, "I will not let you
go, you must come with me". The lion took him to the shore of the lake and
said: "Now look in it and see with your own eyes if you are a lion or you
are a sheep". Being satisfied that it is a lion, the cub went in the
forest with the father-lion. Similarly, for every human being, when the image is
reflected in the lake of the mind, there will be realization that one's own
self is the source of spiritual energy.
BTF & LODGE PROGRAMMES FEBRUARY 2018
ADYAR DAY MEETING jointly by BTF & Blavatsky Lodge
On Saturday 17th February 2018 at 6.15 pm at Besant Hall
ANANDA LODGE: Theosophical Colony, Juhu, Mumbai 400049. Contact
Ananda Lodge Secretary Sis. Zenobia Khodaiji (M): 9820308163 or Ananda Lodge
Representative to BTF Sis. Anjoo Narain (M): 9820132473 for Meeting of February 2018
2. BLAVATSKY LODGE: 7 - French Bridge, Mumbai 400007
Tel: 23685026 (M):
9821459504 (M): 9819334333
|
DAY
|
TIME
|
DETAILS
|
|
Fri 2
|
6.00 pm
|
Study
of CWL’s book ‘Inner Living’ by
Sis.
Aban Patel
|
|
Sun 4
|
10.00 am
10.30 am
11.30 am
|
Bharat
Samaj Pooja
BTF
Council Meeting
Blavatsky
Lodge Experimental Sunday Morning
|
|
Fri 9
|
6.00 pm
6.15 pm
|
Mystic Star Ritual
Talk
by Dr. Darius H. Umrigar (in
Lobby)
|
|
Fri 16
|
6.00 pm
|
Study of CWL’s book ‘Inner Living’ by
Sis.
Aban Patel
|
|
Satur17
|
6.15 pm
|
Adyar
Day Meeting jointly with BTF
|
|
Fri 23
|
6.00 pm
|
Readings of 142nd TS
Convention News Bulletins
|
|
Sun 25
|
10.45 pm
|
Maitreya
Round Table
|
|
Tues5,
12,19,26
|
5.45 pm
|
Study
of CWL’s book ‘The Masters & The Path’
|
3. CENTENARY LODGE:
Please contact Sis. Najma Dewan (M):
9987204038 for meetings
4. JYOTI LODGE: Contact Bro. Taral Munshi, C/101, Building
No.19, New Mhada, Garden Hill C.H.S., New Mhada Colony, Behind N.P.A., Goregaon
(East), Mumbai 400065 (M): 9820187317
5. SHANTI
LODGE:
C/o Bro. Rustom Dalal, Vijay Niwas, 2nd Floor, Plot 5, Sleater Road, Mumbai
400007 Tel: 23800422 (M): 9833131216
|
1
|
Study of
‘Thought Power’ by Annie Besant
|
|
8
|
Study of
‘Thought Power’ by Annie Besant
|
|
15
|
Dr. Darius Umrigar’s Talk (at Blavatsky Lodge)
|
|
22
|
Study of
‘Thought Power’ by Annie Besant
|
6. UNITY YOUTH LODGE: Sis.
Soonoo Vesuna (M): 9619339787
|
Wed 21
|
5.30 pm
|
Theosophical
readings guided by Sis. Soonoo Vesuna at her residence Vijay Niwas, 4th
Floor, Sleater Road
|
7 & 8 VASANTA LODGE & GANESH LODGE: C/O Mrs. Gita S. Parikh, Gokul Anand Building, 4th
Floor, Dattatraya Cross Road
(M):9920384140
Wednesday 7, 14, 21 & 28 Meetings at 6.30
pm.
9. VIMADALAL BILIA LODGE:
Family House, Parsi
Colony, Dadar, Mumbai 400014. Goolcher
Manjra Tel: 24185510
5.45 pm. Healing Rituals.
|
Thurs
1
|
5.45
|
Healing Ritual
|
|
Thurs
8
|
6.00
|
Talk by Mr. Rustom
Chothia on ‘Ardaviraf Nama’
|
|
Thurs
15
|
6.00
|
Talk by Mrs. Meher Contarctor on ‘Mithra
of Ardibahest Ameshaspand’
|
|
Thurs
22
|
6.00
|
Study of ‘The Masters and the Path’
|
*****************************************************
To arrive at right action what is needed is
a
complete change of heart,
a
complete change of our attitude towards our fellowmen,
which
leads us to a state of love
in
which all sense of separateness, of distinction
between
ourselves and our brethren vanishes;
to
arrive at a new, fresh awareness,
a
new spiritual insight into
the
real needs of our brethren,
responding
immediately to every appeal
and
being ever ready to help.
Zoltan De Algya-Pap
Courtesy: The Indian
Theosophist December 2017
THE GOLDEN STAIRS
BEHOLD THE TRUTH
A
clean life, an open mind
A
pure heart, an eager intellect
An
unveiled spiritual perception,
A
Brotherliness for all,
A
readiness to give and receive
Advice
and instruction,
A
courageous endurance of personal injustice,
A
brave declaration of principles,
A
valiant defense of those
who
are unjustly attacked,
and
a constant eye to the ideal of
human
progression and perfection,
which
the secret science depicts.
These
are the Golden Stairs
up
the steps of which,
the
learner may climb
to
the Temple of Divine Wisdom.
H.P.BLAVATSKY
*************************************************************
Price: Rs. 1/- Annual
Subscription: Rs. 10/-
*************************************************************
Edited & Published by Editor Shri. Rustom R.
Dalal, The Bombay Theosophical Federation, c/o Blavatsky Lodge, 7 – French
Bridge, Chowpatty, Mumbai – 400 007. (Tel: 23685026) and Printed at Vijay Copy
Centre, 48/A, Saidunnisa Building, Sleater Road, Opposite Grant Road Station
(West), Mumbai - 400 007 (Tel:23865137)
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