Programme for January 2018

BLAVATSKY LODGE: 7 - French Bridge, Mumbai 400007

    Tel: 23685026   (M): 9821459504   (M): 9819334333

DAY	TIME	DETAILS
1,2,3 &5	6.00 pm	Support Convention  2017-2018
Sun     7	10.00 am	Bharat Samaj Pooja
Fri     12	6.00 pm      6.15 pm	Impressions of the 142nd International TS Convention, Adyar by Bro. Vinayak Pandya Talk by Dr. Darius H. Umrigar (in Lobby)
Fri    19	6.00 pm	Study of CWL’s book ‘The Masters & The Path’
Fri    26	---	Republic Day – Lodge closed
Sun   28	10.45 pm	Maitreya Round Table
Tues 2,9,16, 23, 30	5.45 pm	Study of CWL’s book ‘The Masters & The Path’

THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF

 THE BOMBAY THEOSOPHICAL FEDERATION

THE BOMBAY THEOSOPHICA BULLETIN

Volume 87

—

No.4

–

January  2018

CONTENTS

Quote Blessed New Year 2018	Cover
BTF President Bro. Vinayak Pandya’s Message	2 - 3
Foundation Day 2017 at Blavatsky lodge	4 - 6
Wrap Up Session on ‘‘Man: Whence How & Whither’  at Aarey Colony	6 - 8
Blavatsky Lodge Experimental Sunday Meeting	8 - 9
BTF Tribute to Bro. Surendra Narayan	9
This thing called Prayer	9-10
Support  Convention  & Lodge Programmes December 2017 – January 2018	10-12

BTF PRESIDENT BRO. VINAYAK PANDYA’S

NEW YEAR MESSAGE

I wish happy & prosperous 2018 to all our members and their family. May Masters’ blessings shower on all Creations

I take this opportunity to communicate with you. We have been associated with Theosophical movement in the city of Mumbai. TS was formed in USA, then it came to Bombay & finally settled its headquarters at Holy Adyar campus.

We, in Mumbai, have been conducting various activities as part of our theosophical movement. To list some of them are as under:

1)     Lodge Meetings

2)     Bharat Samaj Pooja

3)     Mystic Star Ritual

4)     Maitreya Round Table

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                    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.

5)  Suryaben & Jamubhai Dani Note Book distribution

6)  Minoo Mullan & Jamubhai Dani Elocution/Essay    

      competitions for College & School students

7)     BTF Monthly Magazine

8)     BTF Annual 3 Day Session

9)     Celebration of four Red Letter Days of TS

10) Support Convention to be in tune with International Convention

11) Providing Besant Hall for Prayer Meetings

12) Book Shop at Blavatsky Lodge & at Juhu at the time of Annual Session

13) Theosophical Order of Service (TOS) Activities

14) Administration of our Lodges, Federation, Membership related work, Communications, Maintenance of Property, Raising of Funds

I feel it is difficult for any individual to carry on work year after year. It is time for all of us to ponder & offer our time for theosophical work. I request members to contribute for any of our above activities, to continue flame of TS activities in Mumbai & on and around Mumbai. Our present International President Bro. TIM BOYD says that change is the only thing constant. We should accept the change & think accordingly.

I wish all members will have good health & peace full life in coming year.

With warm regards

Vinayak Pandya

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Thus Said Swami Vivekananda

When I asked God for peace He showed me how to help others.

When you are doing any work…. do it as worship, as the highest worship, and devote your whole life to it for the time being.

In a conflict between the heart &the brain, follow your heart.

Courtesy: Help Age India Calendar 2018

FOUNDATION DAY MEETING 17TH NOVEMBER 2017

jointly by BTF & Blavatsky Lodge at Besant Hall

The meeting was opened with the Prayers of All Religions. BTF President Bro. Vinayak Pandya then said that we have gathered to recollect the memory of Foundation of TS. The actions we take as TS Members, speak to outside world what Theosophy and TS are. Let us Respect all Religions, understand what happens in Nature and not do anything wrong on the Path of Truth.

Bro. Arni Narendran speaking about ‘Prelude to the Founding of the TS-17th Nov 1875-Foundation Day’ said: “There is an interesting narrative, available on records of the British Museum, of September 1875, when Mr. George Felt was invited to speak on the ‘The Lost cannon of Egyptian Architecture - esoteric interpretation of hieroglyphics and Divine Geometry’ that was used in Greek, Roman and Egyptian architecture. A group of seekers was gathered in the residence of Madam Blavatsky in New York, when during the meeting Col. Olcott passed a small piece of paper to W.Q Judge asking it to be given to Madam B. This was the seed of Thought when the idea dawned on the founders to form a society. During the next session of talk by the same speaker a committee was formed to prepare the Byelaws based on American legislations and flipping over Dictionaries the christening of the organization was crystallized as –‘Theosophical Society’. The rest is History, with the Society being established on 17th November 1875, as a registered Society, and being celebrated as Foundation Day by Theosophists the world over.”

Sis. Ruby Khan said Three Objects of TS frees us from superstitions and guide us in our daily life. One needs to understand & live according to HPB’s Golden Stairs

Sis. Navaz Dhalla (grandniece of late Sis. Mehra Dhalla) sharing her experiences of her journey as a TS member, said that it was at a Mystic Star Ritual, when she had come for the first time in 2002, when Late Bro. Jalbhai Sanjana told her to come next time also, which inspired her to be an active member. In the next year she was asked to join the Managing Committee. For her Blavatsky Lodge is her second home and to serve the Lodge & Brethren is her mission.

Sis. Zeena Rastomji recollected that her mother used to bring her to Blavatsky Lodge to listen to Sis. Mehra Dhalla. Much later when she attended Bro. Keki Palkhiwalla’s talk and started coming to the Lodge she felt that she should become a member. She felt assured & happy when she saw Late Jamshed Mehta’s picture in Green Room.

Bro. Navin Kumar speaking on TS Objects said that today, when migrants are not killed but are helped in their difficult time, speaks of Universal Brotherhood. Some of the Fundamental Rights of Indian Constitution are based on TS Objects. Theosophy explains Laws of Truth, Karma, Reincarnation, Duty & Sacrifice. TS prepares men & women for the 6th Root Race of which formation has already started in California.

Sis. Aban Patel shared how she came to TS. As a school girl in Avanbai Petit School she had heard Late Mehra Dhalla’s talks on way of good life. She was interested in Spirituality. She had attended Bro. Keki Palkhiwalla/s talk on ‘Life after Death’ at Blavatsky Lodge. Bro. Navin Kumar’s SMS inspired her to attend meetings and before she realized she was asked to conduct study of books ‘Clairvoyance’ and ‘Man: Whence How & Whither’.

Bro. Rustom Cooper recollected that her aunty used to take him for Late Mehra Dhalla’s talks. He used to ask her questions. His mother was also a member of Radiance Lodge at Rustom Baug. Once after some years he with his wife came to the Lodge and now they feel happy. He said that one goes through a period of life, when one is not ready for Theosophy.

Bro. Navin Kumar had a PPPresentation on ‘Foundation Day 2017 – Let Us Recall’. It covered: *Sayings of the Masters, Founders of TS, International Presidents & TS Stalwarts *Group Photos of 75th Year Celebration of Blavatsky Lodge, other events and Retreats & Annual Sessions at Juhu Theosophical Colony *Red Letter Days & other Activities at Blavatsky Lodge *Support Conventions * Brethren at Navjote of Bro. Rustom Dalal’s Grandson. The PPP ended with the message:

‘May the Theosophical Family Grow

 May the Masters’ Blessings be upon us

 May we realize that Compassion is the Law of Laws’

The Meeting ended with the Sanskrit Universal Prayer.

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BLAVATSKY LODGE WRAP UP SESSION ON

‘Man: Whence How & Whither’

At Aarey Colony on 26th November 2017

Once again, thanks to Bro. Navin Kumar, about eleven Brethren  gathered in the midst of beauty of Nature at Aarey Colony for a wrap up session on ‘Man: Whence How & Whither’.

Sis Aban Patel, who had conducted the study over one year, gave the key message of the purpose of the study as under:

THE TIME HONOURED METHOD

 FOR SELF DEVELOPMENT

The following steps as given in The Invisible Helpers (pgs.191-199 summarized):

1.   Single Mindedness: be focused on what we want to do and how to devote ourselves to that work with full force.
2. Perfect Self Control : control temper, anger, anxiety.
3. Control of Nerve : be brave and fearless.
4. Calmness : absence of all worry and depression. Be optimistic and have positive attitude.
5. Knowledge : try to imbibe the knowledge of Theosophical literature in your life.
6. Usefulness : be selfless and not selfish. Remember about the good of others.
7. Love : the greatest of the qualifications. Love for all living beings and GOD i.e.Truth.

It is no easy road to follow, and yet sooner or later all must follow it for the Great Law of Evolution sweeps mankind slowly but surely towards its goal.

How to prepare ourselves now, to be in line with the Law of Evolution in the future seven hundred years hence with New Humanity (pgs.491-492 of ‘Man : Whence How & Whither):

1.     Earnest promotion of our first object- better understanding between the different nations, castes, creeds etc.

2.     Intense devotion to art, endeavor to promote beauty, harmony, grace, equipoise in all our dealings. Strive to become artistic and develop within ourselves the power of appreciation and comprehension.

3.     Avoid less desirable qualities like pride, depression.

4.     Goodwill and docility towards all mankind. Confidence in the Manu. Selfless attitude, self sacrifice, devotion to the Leader and confidence in Him.

5.     Be loyal, painstaking, unselfish and OBEDIENT. Without the capacity of instant obedience and utter trust in the Masters, all will be useless and there will be no place in the army of the Manu.

Nine Ways to love God:

1.     We must love our fellow beings.

1.     We must have feeling for others as we have for our dear ones.

2.     We must find faults within ourselves instead of others.

3.     We must rob ourselves to help others rather than rob others to help ourselves.

4.     We must be happy in happiness of others and be sorry in sorrow of others.

5.     We must be satisfied with our fortunes as there are many unfortunate ones.

6.     We must endure our lot with patience and accept His Will.

7.     We must not hurt or harm any living being as Baba (God) is in everyone.

8.     We must live for God and die for God. Our goal in life is to be one with God.

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    BLAVATSKY LODGE FIRST EXPERIMENTAL SUNDAY MORNING MEETING on 3rd December 2017:

It was heartening to note that the purpose of this experimental                meeting, explained by Bro. Navin Kumar, was well responded. Sis. Meherangiz Baria and a young inquirer Shri Tejas, who cannot attend evening meetings, were able to come. Sis. Chello deSouza (from London) and Sis. Aban Amroliwalla (from Canada) were also there.

Sis. Kashmira Khambatta summarized the book ‘At the Feet of the Master’ by Alcyone and conveyed:

The subject At the Feet of the Master requires careful scrutiny from the point of view of daily living. However in matters of spiritual living and divine ideation it is necessary to understand that the human mind has to be disciplined for all spiritual realizations. An aspirant who seeks the Truth will always be helped and guided by the Masters. At times a subtle hint, from the Masters is enough for the pupil who has set foot on the Path that it is worth the trouble as it transforms his mind and emotions to realize the treasures of the higher worlds. The Path of the Truth and the knowledge of evolution will ultimately lead to the discovery of God’s Plan for man. The work which is unselfish in nature and for the good of his fellow men is the True Brotherhood. Will, Wisdom and Love are the three aspects of the Logos and the one who wishes to serve Him must show forth these aspects in the world.

Afterwards at interaction Brethren shared how the book had helped them in their lives. Many said that their Theosophical quest had started with someone presenting this book to them.

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BTF TRIBUTE TO BRO. SURENDRA NARAYAN

Mr. Surendra Narayan, International Vice-President from 1980 to 1995, passed away to Light Eternal on 22nd November 2017.   As current International Vice-President Dr. Deepa Padhi writes in ‘The Theosophist’ of December 2017, “Mr. Surendra Narayan was a great scholar enriched with the knowledge of philosophy, literature, religion and science. He was a popular lecturer throughout the world and author of numerous writings on Theosophy including his book ‘Life is for Living’.” As Dr. Deepa Padhi says, “the best tribute Theosophists can pay him is by following his footprints on the path of right living and greater insight’.

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THIS THING CALLED PRAYER

Cynthia L. Brooks, San Diego, California

Courtesy: ‘Guideposts’ issue of February 1997

(Contributed by Bro. Dinshaw Buxey)

My daughter was going to be late for her doctor’s appointment because I had been held up at work. I darted through traffic trying to make up for lost time, but got caught up at a red light. Another wasted minute, I thought as my fingers drummed the steering wheel.

That night I knelt besides my bed feeling rushed for a different reason. Lately my evening prayers were beginning to sound like a roll call. There were so many people on my list that I had to hurry to mention them all before nodding off. With a yawn I crawled into bed and tacked on a final request: “Lord, I know a lot of people with serious needs Please help me find time to pray for them all.”

Exhausted but unable to sleep, I kept thinking about my behavior at the traffic light. I HAD BEEN ABSURDLY IMPATIENT-just because of a 60 second pause in my schedule. Suddenly I sat up Straight. Thats it! Hadn’t I just asked God for more time to pray? What about all those ‘wasted minutes’ waiting at traffic lights?

The next morning I set off for another busy day. At the first red light I calmly braked and reached for my prayer list. Soon I was looking forward to each roadway interruption.

Red lights no longer bring my day to an annoying halt. Instead they signal a way to make every minute count.

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 BTF & LODGE PROGRAMMES JANUARY 2018

SUPPORT CONVENTION 2017 - 2018

v  The 142nd International TS Convention at Adyar will be from 31st December 2017 to 5th January 2018 with the Theme: ‘From Teachings to Insight : The Altruistic Heart’

v  BTF & Blavatsky Lodge Joint Programe of Support Convention at Besant Hall, Blavatsky Lodge, Mumbai as under:

Monday 1st January 2018:

5.30 pm. Tea and snacks

6.00 pm. Prayers of All Religions and the 142nd Convention

               Inaugural Speech of International President Tim Boyd 

  Tuesday 2nd January 2018:

 5.30 pm. Tea and snacks

 6.00 pm. Video clips from Adyar by Bro. Navin Kumar

 6.30 pm. PPPresentation by Mr. Byram Dhalla on ‘Drives of a Life

                Time - A Journey to Remember’ covering his adventures   

                of 45days from London to Mumbai across the continents of

                Europe and Asia

Wednesday 3rd January 2018:

5.30 pm  Tea and snacks

6.00 pm  Cultural Evening with songs, music, Magic show, Line

               Dance etc. by Members & Friends

               Master of Ceremony Sis. Aban Patel

Thursday 5th January 2018:

5.30 pm  Tea and snacks

6.00 pm   Mystic Star Ritual

                To mark Centenary of its formation

7.00 pm   Closing of the Support Convention 2017-2018

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 January 2018

2. BLAVATSKY LODGE: 7 - French Bridge, Mumbai 400007

    Tel: 23685026   (M): 9821459504   (M): 9819334333

DAY	TIME	DETAILS
1,2,3 &5	6.00 pm	Support Convention  2017-2018
Sun     7	10.00 am	Bharat Samaj Pooja
Fri     12	6.00 pm      6.15 pm	Impressions of the 142nd International TS Convention, Adyar by Bro. Vinayak Pandya Talk by Dr. Darius H. Umrigar (in Lobby)
Fri    19	6.00 pm	Study of CWL’s book ‘The Masters & The Path’
Fri    26	---	Republic Day – Lodge closed
Sun   28	10.45 pm	Maitreya Round Table
Tues 2,9,16, 23, 30	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

4	Study of  ‘Thought Power’ by Annie Besant
11	Study of  ‘Thought Power’ by Annie Besant
18	Annual General Meeting followed by Refreshment hosted by Shanti Lodge     and Dr. Darius Umrigar’s Talk (at Blavatsky Lodge)
25	Musical Evening by Sis. Freny Paghdiwala’s Chrystal Choral

6. UNITY YOUTH LODGE: Sis.  Soonoo Vesuna (M): 9619339787

Wed  17

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 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 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    4	5.45	Healing Ritual
Thurs  11	6.00	Talk by Sis Armaity Tirandaz
Thurs  18	6.00	Theosophical Readings by members
Thurs  25	6.00	Talk by Zinoo Master

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Price: Rs. 1/-                                         Annual Subscription: Rs. 10/-

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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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Blavatsky Lodge

THE THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY

7, French Bridge, Rangnekar Road, Chowpatty, Mumbai-400 007

Minutes of the Managing Committee meeting held at 4.30 pm on Friday, the 19^th January, 2018 at Blavatsky Lodge, Mumbai.

The meeting chaired by the President Sis. Kashmira Khambatta began with the Universal Prayer.

Members Present:, Sis. Jasmine Cawasji, Bro.Arni Narendran, Sis. Ruby Khan, Rustom Cooper,

Leave of Absence: Bro. Navin Kumar, Bro. Noor Baig, Rustom Dalal, Sis. Ferny Pagdiwala, Bro.    Roy Mathews, Sis. Nawaz Dhalla and Sis. Aban Patel.

The deliberations of the Meeting were as under:

1. Confirmation of Minutes:

Minutes of the MC meeting held on 22^nd December, 2017, which were distributed to members at the meeting, were considered and confirmed.

2. Matters arising From the Minutes:

a) A letter has been dispatched to Tushna to increase the Hall Rent to Rs.5700/- and Prathna Sabha will be Rs.8000/- per day from 1^st April, 2018.

b) Rs.200/- has been paid to Vikas Worlikar and Kishore Pardesi for extra cleaning work done on the 2^nd floor.

3. Hon. Treasurer’s Report:

The Treasurer’s Report for the month of December 2017, was read and approved by the Managing Committee Members present.

3. Miscellaneous:

a) Sis.Tushna Dallas has requested for extra classes on Saturdays till March 2018, which has been approved by the Committee.

b) The projected Annual Budget for 2018-2019, was presented by Bro. Arni Narendran, Hon Treasurer, which will be submitted to the Charity Commissioner for information.

There being no other business, the Meeting ended with a vote of thanks to the chair.

Hon. Secretary                                                                 President

(Jasmine Cawasji)                                                    (Kashmira Khambatta)

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Blavatsky Lodge

THE THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY

7, French Bridge, Rangnekar Road, Chowpatty, Mumbai-400 007

Minutes of the Managing Committee meeting held at 4.30 pm on Friday, the 22^nd  of December, 2017 at Blavatsky Lodge, Mumbai.

The meeting chaired by the President Sis. Kashmira Khambatta began with the Universal Prayer.

Members Present: Bro. Navin Kumar, Sis. Jasmine Cawasji, Sis. Nawaz Dhalla, Bro.Arni Narendran, Sis. Ruby Khan, Sis. Aban Patel

Leave of Absence: Bro. Noor Baig, Bro. Rustom Dalal, Sis. Ferny Pagdiwala, Bro. Roy Mathews, Rustom Cooper.

The deliberations of the Meeting were as under:

1. Confirmation of Minutes:

Minutes of the MC meeting held on 24th November, 2017, which were distributed to members at the meeting, were considered and confirmed.

2. Hon. Treasurer’s Report:

The Treasurer’s Report for the month of November 2017, was read by Sis. Ruby Khan and approved by the Managing Committee Members present.

3. Miscellaneus:

a) Hall Maintenance Charges hiked by Rs.500/- per turn from 1^st April 2018.

b) Rs.8,500/- to be reimbursed to Bro. Navin Kumar as per bills with Sis. Navaz Dhalla.

c) Rs. 200/- each to Kishore and Vikas for extra cleaning work on the 2^nd floor of the Lodge.

There being no other business, the Meeting ended with a vote of thanks to the chair.

Secretary                                                                     President

(Jasmine Cawasji )                                          (Kashmira Khambatta)