Saturday, April 6, 2019

PROGRAMME FOR APRIL 2019

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BLAVATSKY LODGE: 7 - French Bridge, Mumbai 400007     Tel: 23685026   (M): 9821459504   (M): 9819334333
DAY----------
TIME-----------
DETAILS--------------------------------------------------
Fri     5  
6.00 pm
‘Autobiography of a Yogi’ by Parmahans Yogananda’ - conducted by Bro. Arni Narendran
Sun    7
10.00 am
Bharat SamajPooja
Fri    12
6.00 pm
Study of CWL’s book ‘Inner Life’ conducted by Sis. Aban Patel
Fri    19
6.00 pm
 Mystic Star Ritual
Fri    26
4.30 pm
6.00 pm
Blavatsky Lodge MC Meeting
Study of CWL’s book ‘Inner Life’ conducted by Sis. Aban Patel
Sun   28
11.45 am
Maitreya Round Table 
Tues 2, 9,16,23, 30 
  5.45 pm

‘Autobiography of a Yogi’ by ParmahansYogananda’ - conducted by Bro. ArniNarendran



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THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF

 THE BOMBAY THEOSOPHICAL FEDERATION



Volume 88
No.7
April  2019





RUKMINI DEVI











There is nothing greater in life than inspiration.
 If you can inspire people you are really fulfilling life,
 And the fulfilling of life is our goal.






                               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

Quote – Rukmini Devi
  Cover
News & Notes
2 - 3
Experience of the School of Wisdom at Adyar by Sis. Aban Patel, Sis. Aban Amroliwalla and Sis. Kashmira Khambatta
3 - 11
BTF& Lodge Programmes April 2019
11 - 12



 NEWS & NOTES



ADYAR DAYCELEBRATION

Jointly by BTF & Blavatsky Lodge on 17th February 2019

The meeting was opened with the Prayers of All Religions and the Universal prayer. BTF President Bro. Vinayak Pandya in the opening address said that on Adyar Day, minds & hearts of all TS members are centered on Adyar. It is the day to think with reverence of the Founders & Stalwarts and of all Brethren who have dedicated their lives to Theosophy. Late Mugdhaben Hora’s Gujarati Song ‘Adyar’ was sung. Power Point on’At Adayr for the School of Wisdom’ November 19-30, 2018 was shown by Sis. Kashmira Khambatta. It covered pictures of Adyar including renovated Blavatsky Bungalow, JK’s Bench from where he spoke to people, offerings at Parsee Agiyari and Director Pablo Sender conducting sessions on ‘Evolution of the Higher Consciousness’. Sis. Kashmira Khambatta, Sis. Aban Amroliwalla and Sis. Aban Patel shared



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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.



their experiences of learning under great teacher Pablo Sender, which are printed separately in this Bulletin. Bro. Berthram Redwood spoke about J. Krishnamurthy. Sis. Ruby Khan spoke about significance of Adayr Day and C. W. Leadbeater. Bro. Navin Kumar concluded by speaking about the Sixth Root Race and wished that at that time we all incarnate together and meet again. Adyar Day Collection at the meeting was Rs.3,700/-. Adding Rs.500/- of Shanti Lodge and Rs.800/- of BTF, Rs.5,000/- will be sent to Adyar.



THE THEOSOPHICAL WORKERS’ TRAINING CAMP will be at Adyar 12th to 26th May 2019 directed by Dr. N. C. Ramanajuchari. Indian Section Federations are requested to depute 2 or 3 members, who will be given travel cost by second class sleeper train and free stay & meals at Adyar. Forms are to be submitted before 15th April 2019. Books recommended for Study are: The Key to Theosophy, Text Book of Theosophy, To Form a Nucleus and Theosophical Work. Interested members of BTF please contact President Bro. Vinayak Pandya or Secretary Sis. Mahazaver Dalal for Registration Forms.



OBITUARY: Bro. Sam Nadodwalla, Life Member of Blavatsky Lodge with membership of 36 years passed away on 9th March 2019. He helped many with his knowledge of Alternative Medicine. In TS & Masonry he served wherever he could. With his ornate handwriting he has written Dani Competition Certificates. He was also a dedicated Co-Mason. May his soul be blessed with peace.







Mumbai Brethren’s Experience of Learning at

THE SCHOOL OF THE WISDOM, ADYAR





Blavatsky Lodge President Sis. Kashmira Khambatta, Sis. Aban Amroliwalla and Sis. Aban Patel had a very enriching experience at the School of the Wisdom from 19th to 30th November 2018 under Director Bro. Pablo Sander of Crotona.  Three Guajarati Books of Gujarat Theosophical Federation were released. Dr. A. Kannan’s two books entitled A Student's Guide to the Masters' Teachings on an Institute of Theosophy in Ojai, California, USA. The Trio shares their learning experience with BTF Bulletin readers.



SIS. ABAN PATEL – ‘MEDITATION AND AWARENESS’



It was my great desire to visit our International Headquarters at Adyar. During November 2018, when I attended the School of Wisdom at Aadyar, my long- felt desire was fulfilled. To live in such a beautiful place, with strong positive vibrations and peaceful environ, in midst of all the greenery, was a real treat. Added to this, our Instructor, teacher, guide, whatever we may call him-Mr. Pablo Sender was amazing. He made the most difficult subject-“Evolution of the Higher Consciousness”, easily understandable, through his lucid talks, diagrams, and discussion, to all those who attended the School from all over the world. His wife Mitchell assisted him all throughout with her knowledge.



I will try to say a few words on the subject: ‘Meditation and Awareness’, which was the second part of our course.

In our modern culture, we have developed enormous amount of knowledge about the external world. We know existence of small sub-atomic particles, as well as unthinkably huge galaxies, billions of light years away from our planet. Yet, we have not been able to create equality where basic needs of one and all are met nor we have been able to stop wars and create bonhomie amongst ourselves, nations and continents. The reason is that we have spent most of our time and energy paying attention to the External World – materialistic world, rather than Internal World, inner dimensions, that is our emotions, feelings, thoughts, and consciousness.



Since the outer world is shaped by the inner, both from a psychological and a metaphysical point of view, a fundamental change can only be brought about by gaining knowledge and mastery of the inner world. From the time when the Delphic oracle said to the enquirer, “Man, know thyself”, no greater or more important truth was ever taught. Man has to know himself, i.e. acquire the inner perceptions which never deceive, before he can master any absolute truth.

When mind is illumined by the light of Buddhi or spiritual soul or enlightened soul, we consider the virtues as important to us, not because of morality, fear, or conformity with society, but because they are the Truth. Budhhi cannot reflect in stressful mind. So we have to train ourselves to be quiet, so that the divine light penetrates into our minds. 



When we turn our consciousness inwards, our mind starts looking inwards and Manas i.e. human soul, and Buddhi i.e. spiritual soul come together. Remember, mind cannot perceive itself, like eyes can see all, but itself.



An important factor in attaining a higher perception is purification of the body and more importantly, the emotions and thoughts. To activate the inner vision we must purify our whole nature, moral, mental and physical. It is only by supplementing study and meditation with the practice of virtues like love, patience, generosity, peace and unselfishness that we can attain wisdom.



Following is a proposed practice on the lines just described. We can take a virtue per week or per month and do the following:



  1. Daily, preferably in the morning, meditate for a few minutes as follows:

a)     Begin by pondering over the essential quality of the chosen virtue (love, patience, peace, generosity any one)

b)     Then bring to mind the fact that, if all obstacles were removed, you would spontaneously show this virtue, because it is part of your nature.



Examine the lower self under the light of this virtue. Recall situations in which the personality needed to express the virtue. If it was not able to do so, try to see why. Get fully acquainted with the feelings, thoughts, or circumstances that stood in the way.

c)     Recreate in imagination this or similar situations and visualize yourself responding in the ideal way.

d)     In finishing the meditation, resolve to do your best to act more in tune with this virtue.



  1. During your day, pay special attention to how the personality behaves in this respect. Make a gradual effort to act in ways that are more in tune with the virtue, starting with situations which are less challenging.



  1. In the evening, before retiring to sleep, quickly review the activities of the day and journal how you related to situations that involved the chosen virtue. This will serve as seeds for your meditation next morning.  



By successfully practicing the meditation daily, one experiences the state of silent awareness, a “refuge”, a safe place in which the aspirant can retire and remain untouched, unaffected by the lower nature. In H.P. Blavatsky’s words:  “In his hours of silent meditation the student will find that there is one space of silence within him where he can find refuge from thoughts and desires, from the turmoil of the senses and the delusion of the mind…..”



SIS. ABAN AMROLIWALLA ON

‘MY TRIP TO ADYAR FOR LEARNING’



As many of you know, I live part of the year in Canada where my son and his family reside. However my heart and soul reside in India and more so since I joined the T.S.



In 2012, I had, with some of our members, visited Adyar for a School of Wisdom program conducted by Prof. C.S. Shinde. That experience stayed with me and since the last three years I’ve been trying to repeat that visit which for one reason or another somehow did not happen.

When I came back from Canada, last September, I casually looked through the Bulletin and found a number of interesting programs to be held at Adyar in November, December and January. In consultation with my friends Kashmira Khambatta – our President, and Mrs. Aban Patel, we decided to go for the School of Wisdom program conducted by Pablo Sender on “Higher Consciousness – Its Nature and Awakening”. And what a wonderful experience we had!



We flew into Chennai a day before the program was to start and settled into our room at the Leadbeater Chambers and had the first shock of the day – the kitchen in front of the LBC was demolished and we were told that all meals would have to be taken at the Bhojansala which was a 7 – 10 minute walk. Well! That helped to digest all meals quickly and efficiently.



The next morning, another tiny shock – Blavatsky Bungalow where Prof. Shinde had conducted his classes in 2012 was being restored, so all classes were to be held in the classroom on the ground floor of the Library – more walking!



Let’s now come to our teacher Pablo and his wife Michelle – a couple so in sync with each other that one knew what the other was about to say.



The first part of the course focused on the Metaphysics and Philosophy of the subject, while the second part explored the practical application of the teachings in our daily life including exercises that lead to self-knowledge through awareness and meditation.



Meditation formed a good part of the studies – half an hour in the morning before classes and again half an hour of guided meditation in the afternoon before closing.



At the end of the first week, we were given an assignment as homework which was taken up at the end of the second week.



SIS. KASHMIRA KHAMBATTA ON

‘EVOLUTION OF CONSCIOUSNESS’



Firstly, I would like to share something about being in Adyar. This was my fourth visit to Adyar for a School Of Wisdom. To be in Adyar is a learning process and a unique opportunity. It is Good Fortune to be in Adyar. The whole campus is a School of Wisdom and we learn from it. If we go with the right spirit we grow. Each School has a particular atmosphere. We must have a mind which is open to learning and grow from within. Wisdom is a non-ending process. Our teacher for this SOW Bro. Pablo Sender was excellent.  His way of teaching was very different and he made this subject very interesting.  He lives in Crotona.  He has written many magazines and books and has been giving lectures all over the world.



Bro. Pablo has taught or rather explained in this SOW questions like “Who are we? What is the purpose of life? How do we actualize our potential?? This session of our SOW presented a comprehensive study of the teachings of H.P. Blavatsky and her Adept Teachers on the nature of our spiritual essence, its evolutionary unfoldment and what can be done in daily life to consciously participate in this cosmic process.



THEOSOPHICAL VIEW OF EVOLUTION:  (Chapter 1)

The word ‘Man’ is taken from the Sanskrit language – Manu, Manas. Man means a thinking entity that has a different kind of intelligence. We are all men in this form of consciousness. A person is a temporary expression of Manu.



Vegetable Kingdom and Animal Kingdom have group souls. The whole species of plant share the same soul. Birds too have similar experiences. The souls begin to individualize as they gain more experiences when in a group. In animals, individualization of a group soul becomes a human being.

Consciousness is different in the different Kingdoms of Nature and so is the ability to respond to the environment.



Mineral Kingdom: A rock is simple. It can only respond to heat, chemicals etc. The consciousness is different.  It cannot think like a man.

Vegetable Kingdom: Plants have more developed consciousness and response is a bit wider and their organism is more complex. They do not have an emotional body and so they do not respond like animals. A scientist looks from the outside but research by occultists show that plants do not experience pain.

Animal Kingdom: Animal Kingdom is very wide. They have a complex nervous system and therefore the feeling of pain. Some animals are close to man like monkey, elephant & horse and hence closer to evolution.

Madame Blavatsky mentions that sacrifice of matter helps evolution and hence we have to choose to eat that which has the least pain (suffering). She further mentions that we are in the wheel of Evolution generated by our Karma which is generated by our past actions.

In 1876, soon after founding the Theosophical Society, H. P. Blavatsky took Darwin’s theory (of Evolution) a step further, postulating the existence of a “double evolution of spirit and matter.” She argued: “if, satisfied with the osseous (composed of bone) fragments of a Hellenized or Latinized skeleton, we admit that there is a physical evolution, by what logic we can refuse to credit the possibility of an evolution of spirit?”

A man according to the Theosophical teachings is a 7 fold being. The Spirit or the True Self belongs to the highest region of the Universe and is Universal. The True Self is clothed in garments each of which belong to a definite region of the Universe, and enabling the self to come into contact with that region, gain knowledge of it and work in it.  Thus gaining experience and all its latent potentialities are gradually drawn out into active powers. These garments are distinguishable from each other. If man be looked clairvoyantly he is a 7 fold evolving being.

It is important to keep in mind that all these Principles are not separate “objects”. They are different aspects of one single nature – our real self. As Blavatsky said “We divide Man into seven Principles, but this does not mean that he has, as it were, seven skins, or entities, or souls. These Principles are all aspects of one Principle, and even this Principle is but temporary and periodical ray of the one eternal and infinite Flame or Fire.

PHYSICAL BODY: The dense physical body of a man is called the first of his seven principles. The death of the physical body is an aspect of life and the destruction of one physical form.

ETHERIC DBOUBLE: The Linga Sharira, the Astral Body, the Etheric double is the second Principle in Man’s constitution. It is formed of matter rarer or more subtle than that which is perceptible to our five senses, but still belonging to the physical plane, to which it is confined. It oozes out from the Body when the death hour comes.

PRANA: Prana is the animating Principle in human bodies. Of this life the etheric double is the vehicle, acting as means of Communication, as a bridge between Prana and the Dead body.

KAMA: The desire body. It belongs to in Constitution and functions on the second or Astral plane.  It includes the whole body of emotions, feelings and may be described as our passional or emotional nature.  It binds us to the earthly life, united to the lower part of Manas, the mind as Kama Manas.  After death, the higher part of man dwells for a while in the desire body, there is little to energize the desire body and it will quickly disintegrate and dissolve away.

MANAS: The thinker. Sanskrit word for Man. Someone who thinks, an individual, an entity. The immortal individual the Real ‘I’ that clothes itself over and over again in transient personalities and itself endures forever.  The lower Manas is engulfed in quaternary and may be regarded as clasping Kama. Its nature is often demonstrated by the presence of Karmic elements in it, of passion, arrogance, vanity. The Higher Manas rarely manifests itself at this stage of evolution.  The Quaternary as a whole is the personality, the shadow and the lower Manas gives an individualizing touch making personality recognize itself as ‘I’.  Any work as “mine” and not another’s the Manas is tainted with Kama. The Higher Manas is the immortal thinker, permanent reincarnating individuality.

BUDDHI: Is the Principle in man which gives to him Spiritual Consciousness and is the highest part of Man – the Atman.  Buddhi is the faculty in man which manifests as understanding, judgment, discrimination, etc. and it is an inseparable garment of the Atman.

ATMAN: The inner self. The Principle, the true self of an individual beyond identification with phenomena, the essence of the individual.



The School of Wisdom also had outdoor trips to the Museum, Archives, The Library, The Blavatsky Bungalow, The Garden of Remembrance, and Temples within the complex of the huge Adyar Theosophical Society etc. The best was the fully furnished residences of Krishnamurthy, Madame Helena Blavatsky and Dr. Annie Besant.



We made new friends with the students from different parts of the world. On the whole it was a beautiful Spiritual trip never to be forgotten.



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 BTF & LODGE PROGRAMMES APRIL 2019



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



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

DAY
TIME
DETAILS
Fri     5  
6.00 pm
‘Autobiography of a Yogi’ by Parmahans Yogananda’ - conducted by Bro. Arni Narendran
Sun    7
10.00 am
Bharat SamajPooja
Fri    12
6.00 pm
Study of CWL’s book ‘Inner Life’ conducted by Sis. Aban Patel
Fri    19
6.00 pm
 Mystic Star Ritual
Fri    26
4.30 pm
6.00 pm
Blavatsky Lodge MC Meeting
Study of CWL’s book ‘Inner Life’ conducted by Sis. Aban Patel
Sun   28
11.45 am
Maitreya Round Table 
Tues 2, 9,16,23, 30 
  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   4   
Study of ‘Thought Power’ by Dr. Annie Besant
Thurs 11
Study of ‘Thought Power’ by Dr. Annie Besant
Thurs 18
Study of ‘Thought Power’ by Dr. Annie Besant
Thurs 25 
Study of ‘Thought Power’ by Dr. Annie Besant



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

Wed  24
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 3, 10, 17 (Bank Holiday – Lodge closed) & 24 Meetings at 6.30 pm.



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



Thurs    4
5.45
Healing Ritual
and study of ‘Thought Forms’
Thurs  11 
6.00
Lodge Members’ Meeting
Thurs  18
6.00
Study of ‘Thought Forms’
Thurs  25
6.00
Lodge Members’ Meeting



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

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JOY UNTO YE,

O MEN OF EARTH.

A PILGRIM HATH RETURNED BACK “FROM THE OTHER SHORE.

A SAVIOUR OF MANKIND IS BORN

(VS .Frag.)



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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 MANAGING COMMITTEE MEETING OF APRIL
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