PROGRAMME FOR MARCH 2019

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BLAVATSKY LODGE: 7 - French Bridge, Mumbai 400007     Tel: 23685026   (M): 9821459504   (M): 9819334333

DAY-----------	TIME----------	DETAILS-------------------------------------
Fri     1	6.00 pm	Study of CWL’s book ‘Inner Life’ conducted by Sis. Aban Patel
Sun    3	10.00 am 10.30 am	Bharat SamajPooja BTF Council Meeting
Fri     8	6.00 pm	‘Autobiography of a Yogi’ by ParmahansYogananda’ - conducted by Bro. ArniNarendran
Fri   15	6.00 pm	Study of CWL’s book ‘Inner Life’ conducted by Sis. Aban Patel
Fri    22	4.30 pm 6.00 pm	Blavatsky Lodge MC Meeting Mystic Star Ritual
Sun   24	11.45 am	Maitreya Round Table
Fri    29	6.00 pm	Theosophical Readings
Tues 5, 12,19,26	5.45 pm	‘Autobiography of a Yogi’ by ParmahansYogananda’ - conducted by Bro. ArniNarendran

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BOMBAY THEOSOPHICAL BULLETIN

THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF

 THE BOMBAY THEOSOPHICAL FEDERATION

MARCH 2019

THE BLAVATSKY BUNGALOW

143rd International Convention

Truth and Beauty: A Field Beyond

The President’s Message- Where beauty is absent there is no truth. Like heat and fire, rain and water the two are inseparable. Our role is only to see - to cultivate a consciousness sensitive to ever more subtle expressions of the beauty inherent in all things.

MISSION OF TS     To serve humanity by cultivating an ever deepening     understanding and realization of the Ageless Wisdom,    spiritual self-transformation and the unity of all life

                              CONTENTS

Blavatsky Bungalow & Presidential Message	Cover
Presidential Address at 143rd Int Convention	2 - 4
Impressions of 143rd International Convention	5 - 8
Sis. Thrity Dalal on Mahatmas’ Letters at Adyar	8 - 9
Sis. Gulbanu Merchant’s Poems ‘It is Adyar’	9 - 10
Visit of Shri Narendra Shah, General Secretary of East & Central Africa	10 - 11
BTF& Lodge Programmes March 2019	11 - 12

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS

Of Mr. Tim Boyd

To the 143rd International Convention of

the Theosophical Society at Adyar on 31st December 2018

I am very happy to warmly welcome all of you to this 143rd International Convention at our Adyar international headquarters, and I wish you a very pleasant and inspiring time while you are here. Let us rise to invoke the blessings of our elder Brethren, who are very ready to guide and help those who are unselfishly dedicated to the good of other living beings:

May those who are the embodiments of Love Immortal

Bless with their help and guidance this Society,

Founded to be the channel for their work.

May they inspire it with their Wisdom, strengthen it

With their Power, and energize it with their activity.

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Editor – Bro. Rustom R. Dalal     Cover Page By: Sis.  Kashmira KhambattaEditorial Committee –Sis.MahazaverDalal (Reporter & in charge of Mailing List), Sis.  Kashmira Khambatta, Sis. Aban Patel and Ex-Officio: President Bro. VinayakPandya.  Note: News, Notes and Programmes to be printed in the Bulletin, be forwarded by e-mail to: or kashmirakhambatta@yahoo.com latest by 16th each month.

Since the original founding of the Theosophical Society (TS) 143 years ago this movement has spread to more than 70 countries in the world. More importantly, it has affected thought and values globally. The core ideas of Unity, multidimensionality, and spiritual evolution have become part of the fabric of global thought in ways both subtle and obvious. Although much of the current affairs would suggest a heightened sense of separateness and denial of the fact of Oneness, the principles have become firmly rooted in human consciousness and will necessarily unfold. Our role as members of the TS in this unfoldment is to determine whether they are realized gracefully, or accompanied by the turbulence that much of current behavior would indicate.

As an organization TS came into being to serve humanity in the deepest possible manner. Many organizations are here to help in a variety of ways – to provide food, medical care, shelter religious optimism, financial aid. While every level of compassionate response is needed, ultimately none of the causes of suffering can be addressed on their own level. Food, money, shelter, and so on, do not affect the root cause of social, and even physical imbalance. Although the TS‘s work has been described as “forlorn hope”, it is the only hope. Until as a human family we loosen the inherited conviction of our separateness, we will continue the cycle of aggression, competition, and dissatisfaction that is currently engulfing us.

Throughout the TS’s history we have been blessed with insightful members and dynamic leaders. As if speaking with one voice they have continually emphasized the requirement that we assume responsibility of our own unfoldment. In the absence of some grounding in the experience of Oneness, we have little to give. While this self unfoldment is must, the deeper direction is toward a nucleus of awakened individuals capable of expressing unity in action. It is only “through the soothing influence of brotherhood” as contemplated by the TS’s inner founders that the instinctual expression of human naturecan be prevented from ever increasing levels of harm. In a practical sense this means that we as members of the TS have to continue to learn how to work together, regardless of personal likes and dislikes.  

When TS was founded one had to be a visionary to have a genuine sense of global interconnection. Today the fact of interconnection is continually, often painfully, present.

Anyone with a mobile phone is in touch from moment to moment with the currents in the world. The relative ease of communication and travel has made aspects of our work more possible. Whereas in the recent past our groups and sections had to work in relative isolation, today new levels of cooperation are possible. At the international level, for the last three years, we have been meeting to develop a working nucleus to plan and implement a spectrum of projects.

The work we are attempting is global, but requires the focused efforts of local members and groups. Outwardly, circumstances and conditions are continually changing, but the collective tendencies of humanity move much more slowly. In this time of ever increasing urban connection, where the stabilizing influence of Nature’s rhythms is becoming less available to most, we are faced with a challenge. How do we create islands of peace and stability in the midst of the swirling, irregular currents of modern life? How do we expose those who are searching, perhaps without even knowing it, to these alternative possibilities?

There is no set answer to these questions, but there are examples. In India for 136 years the center at Adyar has been a source of spiritual focus and quiet; in the United States the Olcott National Headquarters has been  similar example; in Finland, Australia, Italy, New Zealand, Cuba, Israel, Brazil, and numerous other places around the world their centers have demonstrated the magnetic quality of cooperative effort toward deepening awareness.

IMPRESSIONSOF 143^rd INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION

Shared by Bro. VnayakPandya with Brethren of BTF

At Blavatsky Lodge on 13th January 2019

                   

BTF President Bro. VinayakPandya with PPtpresentation including pictures of beautiful, peaceful, inspiring Adyar made Brethren of Bombay feel like being at Adyar for the 143rd International Convention with the Theme “Truth and Beauty: A Field beyond”.

This year it was a bigger group from Bombay with Dr. Ajay Hora, Sis. UrviHora, Bro. VinayakPandya, Sis. MaltiPandya, Sis. Gulbanu Merchant, Sis. Thrity Dalal and Bro. BhaveshPandya. At the Inauguration by International President a Film on 75th Convention held in1950 was shown. Four Delegates of the 75th Convention including Dr. Ajay Hora were present at the 143rd Convention. Presidential Report with film covering TS activities around the world was interesting & inspiring. Canteen at Bhojanshala run by Karanataka TF and the Bus Service were appreciated by Delegates. Registration Counter welcomed delegates. Delegates visited Social Service Centre, Vocational Training Centre and Besant Memorial Hospital for Animals of Adyar campus. This year Reception was at Blavatsky Bungalow with an opportunity to meet and make new friends and informally discuss many matters. Good Bye to 2018 and Welcome to New Year Party held opposite Enquiry Office was enjoyed by Delegates with President Tim Boyd & Mrs. Lily Boyd.

Much awaited event, in Sis. Thrity Dalal’s words, was “Inauguration of the newly renovated Blavatsky Bungalow lit up with various colour lights. It was held on 1st January 2019 at 7.30 pm with a small speech by President Tim Boyd. There was a ‘strange miracle’ which happened while the speech was concluding -  the doors of the Blavatsky Bungalow opened on their own as if having their own volition - without any ‘external’ help. All who had gathered to witness theinauguration were truly awe struck. Ground floor hall displayed rare photos including photos of Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore with Annie Besant at Adyar.”

Inspiring Lectures were: Theosophy Science Lecture by Prof. P.C. Krishna who threw light on ‘Origin and Evolution of Species beyond Darwinism’. Besant Lecture by Mr. Gopal Krishna Gandhi, former Governor of West Bengal was on ‘Is Consciousness Dead?’. Public Lecture was by Dr. James Tepfer of USA on ‘Gandhi on Theosophy and The Global Civilization of Tomorrow’. President Tim Boyd’s Public lecture was on ‘A Path to Beauty’. Public Lecture on ‘PanchaNiyamas – The Five Laws of Cause & Effect’ was by VeOlandeAnanda, a Theravada Buddhist Monk from Sri Lanka. This lecture was chaired by our BTF President Bro. VinayakPandya. It was a dream come true for Vinayakji and honour for BTF.

At Symposium on ‘Truth & Beauty’ Bro. ShikharAgnihotri was one of the speakers. He has accepted Bro. VinayakPandya’s invitation to grace BTF 88th Annual Session in October 2019. There was Panel Discussion on ‘Our Work: A Field beyond Thoughts’. Short Lectures by Dr. DeepaPadhi& others were related to Truth & Beauty. The Parallel Sessions was something new this year. Sis. Gulbanu Merchant attended a session on ‘Sacred Spiritual Songs in Hebrew’.

Bharat SamajPooja was performed every day at 6.00 am at Bharat Samaj Temple. In Mystic Star Ritual Sis Thrity Dalal participated as Beauty. She represented Maitreya Round Table of Mumbai at the Round Table Meeting with ‘Flower Ceremony’. They had paid rich tributes to Late Chief Knight of India RusiToddywalla. Sis. Thrity Dalal also attended Co-Freemasonic Grand Occasional Meetings.

Book Release: Three Guajarati Books of Gujarat Theosophical Federation were released. Dr. A. Kannan’stwo books entitled A Student's Guide to the Masters' Teachings were released on the Opening Day and his work completed he peacefully passed away on 3rd January 2019.

At the HQ there were two Exhibitions on ‘Some of the Original Mahatma Letters’ and ‘Prominent people Associated with Theosophical Movement’. Mementos & Plaques received by TS Stalwarts were also displayed. There were quite a few from Bombay Theosophical Federation & Blavatsky Lodge dating back to 1919 & 1928.

Bro. VinayakPandya had attended International Council Meetings and with Dr. Ajay Hora the Indian Section Council Meetings. Indian Section Convention was inaugurated by Int. President Tim Boyd with Int. Vice-President Dr. DeepaPadhi in the Chair. Dr. Ajay Hora had given greetings from BTF. IS Report was read by General Secretary Shri PradepGohil. Indian Section also had a Symposium on ‘Spiritual Self-Transformation’.

At the International TOS Convention ideas about Compassion and Actions with compassion were shared.

At the Q&A Session thrust was on preparing youngsters to assist Lodges and Sections through Internet, Social Media and E-Books. To visit Theosophy Science Centre Website was recommended.

Theosophical Educational Initiative: From next Academic Year ‘Adyar Theosophical Academy’ will start with LKG to 2nd Grade, affiliated to ICSE Board, to impart education with Theosophical values.

Entertainmentprogrammes were with Bharat Natyam and Veena Concert.

There was an Appeal for Renovation of Leadbeater Chamber. It is proposed to have two rooms with attached bath out of the current one big room to provide more facility.

Approximate cost for one such room is Rs.3.5 Lakh. Any donation is welcome. A room will be named after a donor, who donates the full cost of a room. A model room is ready to view. Donations can be by wire-transfer. Please contact BTF President Bro. VinayakPandyaor Secretary Sis. Mahazaver Dalal for Bank details of International Theosophical Society.

In the end Bro. VinayakPandya urged Brethren to attend Conventions to experience Divinity of Adyar. The next Convention will be at Varanasi, Indian Section’s HQ

MAHATMAS’ LETTERS

At Adyar Archives and Museum

Shared by Sis. Thrity Dalal

“On 31st December 2018 we witnessed the inauguration of the relocated Archives and Museum at the Adyar Head Quarters. The Archives which included amongst various things and articles, the newly treated original Masters' Letters, especially attracted me. It is one thing to read the Masters' Letters in print form and quite another experience when you are in the august presence of the Original Letters from the Great Ones -Masters KH, and M. Serapis. I felt all senses cease to exist except the feeling of awe and inspiration. In many of the letters the theme was PATIENCE in the midst of afflictions. To do the best you can even if it goes wrong in the end. It’s the sincerity with which you face a problem or situation which sees you through. 

In Letter no. 23 Master KH tells MohiniChatterjee, “Persevere and whether on the right track or not - if sincere, you will succeed....."

In Letter no. 17 Master KH tells HS Olcott, “... Watch for the signal - prepare to follow....."

An interesting noting was of our Late President RadhaBurnier regarding a conversation held between her and J.Krishnamurti on one of his visits to Adyar. He said "Do people in the TS believe in the Masters in a real sense?" I replied "Some do. Some give lip service." He- " Amma (Annie Besant) believed in them absolutely, and others were in that atmosphere which brought vitality to TS. Excuse my asking, do you believe in the Masters? I do not mean KH or another or what has been said. But do you have a feeling that there is something much greater?" I said-"Yes" and He replied - "That is all right." This was an interesting take on the often repeated comment that J. Krishnamurti did not believe in the Masters.

I also saw HPB and Olcott’s chairs – could not resist touching them with reverence. I am still reeling under the pious influence.

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IT IS ADYAR 

Sis. Gulbanu Merchant

inspired sitting on J. Krishnamurthy’s Bench penned Poems

The Bench is a gift of Members of Barcelona, Spain,

From where Krishnaji spoke to public

from 28-12-1932 to 4-1-1933

There used to be a huge tree full of parrots long ago

Now it is no more – but some logs of that old tree

The Bench of colourful and pictures tiles in open

Surrounded by huge place with trees

Even the old famous banyan Tree is close by.

Sometimes you hear the silence

Sometimes you hear the birds singing and chirping

Sometimes the trees sing and talk

Sometimes the crow caws

Sometimes you hear the Master’s Voice

When you sit on Krishnaji’s Bench

The Bamboo cries,

Sometimes it is a frightening sound of alert.

The surrounding is very quiet

It is a morn of December, It is almost silence ruling.

Sweet cold breeze makes some sound

With it some trees shake and leaves make flutter.

This is how nature speaks; through bamboo trees

And tiny drops of heaven’s water

The Bamboos talk to each others,

And so do Birds with their songs

Specie of a bird says

Do you feel it! Do you see it!

DISTINGUISHED VISITOR SHRI NARENDRA SHAH

General Secretary East & Central Africa

Blavatsky Lodge President Sis. Kashmira Khambatta on 18th January 2019 welcomed the Distinguished Visitor at Blavatsky Lodge and Sis. DeepaKapoor poetically introduced him:

He is dynamic, he is enthusiastic, a leader par excellence

A man devoted with compassion and benevolence

Motivating young theosophists, elders and all

He’s Bro. Narendra Shah, who sounds

 The East & Central Africa Clarion call!

Along with Pratibhaji, his artistic and devoted wife

His mission is empowered, supported through life.

Today three generations of Tanzania stand together to say happily

How blessed we are to hail from E&C.A Theosophical Family.

Bro. Narendra Shah in his gentle voice unfolded the Journey of Humanity starting with Big Bang, One to two, two to many,  from One Consciousness One Chetna to go back to It. Each one is a spark of Divine Consciousness awakening slowly from Mineral Kingdom to Vegetable Kingdom to Animal Kingdom to Human Kingdom and evolving further to be Super Human – Perfected Man. Each kingdom has five entities from which consciousness moves to the next kingdom. Up to Animal Kingdom there are group souls developing emotions, instincts& thinking. When consciousness enters Human Kingdom, though still with animal instincts, it is an Individualized soul with Intellect. After many lives humanity has come to present stage. Mr. Shah with concern added that as humans with intellect we have ability to think & act sensibly, but we are polluting and endangering other Kingdoms, environments and even killing humans. As Theosophists we should realize directions for our lives. We have not come together by accident. We have met in earlier lives and will meet again in next lives. Mr. & Mrs. Shah were touched with hospitality of Bombay Brethren. He fondly remembered Stalwarts of East & Central Africa, like H.D. Shah, Jayantibhai Shah, AmubhaiRaval, Manjulaben&TribhovandasKanabar, who were originally from India and the Brotherly Bond across Arabian Sea. He extended warm welcome to Centenary Celebration of Nairobi Lodge and wished that we continue together with altruistic life.

BTF & LODGE PROGRAMMES MARCH 2019

ANANDA LODGE: Theosophical Colony, Juhu, Mumbai 400049. Contact Ananda Lodge Secretary Sis. ZenobiaKhodaiji (M): 9820308163 for Meeting of March 2019

2. BLAVATSKY LODGE: 7 - French Bridge, Mumbai 400007     Tel: 23685026   (M): 9821459504   (M): 9819334333

DAY	TIME	DETAILS
Fri     1	6.00 pm	Study of CWL’s book ‘Inner Life’ conducted by Sis. Aban Patel
Sun    3	10.00 am 10.30 am	Bharat SamajPooja BTF Council Meeting
Fri     8	6.00 pm	‘Autobiography of a Yogi’ by ParmahansYogananda’ - conducted by Bro. ArniNarendran
Fri   15	6.00 pm	Study of CWL’s book ‘Inner Life’ conducted by Sis. Aban Patel
Fri    22	4.30 pm 6.00 pm	Blavatsky Lodge MC Meeting Mystic Star Ritual
Sun   24	11.45 am	Maitreya Round Table
Fri    29	6.00 pm	Theosophical Readings
Tues 5, 12,19,26	5.45 pm	‘Autobiography of a Yogi’ by ParmahansYogananda’ - conducted by Bro. ArniNarendran

3. CENTENARY LODGE: 

Please contact Sis. NajmaDewan (M): 9987204038 for meetings

4. JYOTI LODGE: Contact Bro. TaralMunshi, 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 Time: 6.15 p.m.

Thurs 7	Study of ‘Thought Power’ by Dr. Annie Besant
Thurs 14  6.00 pm	JamshediNavroze Meeting with talk on ’MahbokhtarNyash’ by Sis. Meher Contractor followed by contributory Refreshment
Thurs 21	JamashediNavroze – Lodge closed
Thurs 28	Study of ‘Thought Power’ by Dr. Annie Besant

6. UNITY YOUTH LODGE: Sis.  SoonooVesuna (M): 9619339787

Wed  20

5.30 pm

Theosophical readings guided by Sis. SoonooVesuna at her residence Vijay Niwas, 4th Floor, Sleater Road

7 & 8 VASANTA LODGE & GANESH LODGE:C/O Mrs. Gita S. Parikh, GokulAnand Building, 4th Floor, Dattatraya Cross Road (M):9920384140

Wednesday 6, 13, 20 & 27 Meetings at 6.30 pm.

9. VIMADALAL BILIA LODGE: Family House, Parsi Colony, Dadar, Mumbai 400014 5.45 pm. Healing Rituals.

Thurs    7	5.45	Healing Ritual and study of ‘Thought Forms’
Thurs 14	6.00	Talk by Bro. RustomChothia
Thurs 21	6.00	Lodge Members’ Meeting
Thurs 28	6.00	Talk by Sis. Meher Contractor

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

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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.

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MINUTES OF THE MANAGING COMMITTEE MEETING OF MARCH 2019

Blavatsky Lodge T.S.

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

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Minutes of the Managing Committee meeting held at 4:30 pm on Friday, 26th April, 2019 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, Bro. Shailendra Godbole, Sis. Aban Patel, Sis. Navaz Dhalla, Bro. Rustom Cooper,

Leave of Absence: Bro.Rustom Dalal, Bro. Navin Kumar, Sis. Freny Pagdiwalla, and Bro. Khosrav Pavri.

The deliberations of the Meeting were as under:

1. Confirmation of Minutes:

Minutes of the Managing Committee Meeting, held on Friday 29th March, was distributed in advance to facilitate reading, was confirmed by the members present.

2. Matters arising out of minutes:

The following points were apprised to the Members:

a) Out of the four contractors for the plastering work at Blavatsky Lodge premises, Mr. Shambhu Dayal Kumhar was given the contract. The work is now almost completed.

b) We appreciate the efforts of Contractor Shambhu Dayal for undertaking the patch work in the Besant Hall gratis.

c) The Committee recorded its gratitude to Bro. Rustom Dalal and Sis. Mahazaver for facilitating donations towards the repair expenses of Blavatsky Lodge. The lodge has already received Rs.1.0 Lakh towards the above repairs.

2.Treasurer’s Report

The Treasurer’s Report for the month of March, 2019 read by Sis. Ruby Khan was approved by all members present.

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

Hon. Secretary                                                                                                 President