(All Classes meet weekly unless otherwise noted) No charge. Suggested Donation--$5.00. Please go to Announcements for cancellations and other pertinent information. Thank you.
SUNDAY 11:00 – 12:30 pm. WHAT MAN IS! NEW!!!!! Begins Nov. 2 Facilitators: Sy Ginsburg and Lillian Mayer
Come with us on this adventure into the heart of The Secret Doctrine. Almost one hundred years after H.P. Blavatsky first disclosed to the world the Stanzas of Dzyan, Sri Madhava Ashish received further insights into their meaning and published these in the book Man, Son of Man. These insights have now been abridged into our simple, straightforward textbook, What Man Is. We shall discover what man is, what is his purpose, and what he must do to fulfill that purpose. The course promises a whole new understanding of how we became fifth race man and what we must do to make the leap to sixth race man/woman, free of egotistical motivation and standing in self- awareness of our true nature.
1:30 – 3:00 pm. (1st and 3rd Sundays). AN INTRODUCTION TO THE MAHATMA LETTERS NEW!!!! Begins Oct 19 Facilitator: Carol Hurd No class Nov. 2
Just who are the Mahatmas? Welcome to a new world and a book rich with potential. The book, The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett, first published in 1923 remains a primary source of Theosophical Teachings. It contains actual letters written by those whom H.P. Blavatsky called her Masters. The originals are now in the British Museum. These letters can inspire a person with wonder and awe. Also, they might arouse an inner conflict. Some of our most cherished ideas are challenged by the Mahatmas. They do not lull us to sleep with easy sounding platitudes and pious pronouncements. On the contrary the Masters encourage us to think for ourselves. We shall “get our feet wet” by using the Study Guide, Virginia Hanson, An Introduction to the Mahatma Letters as our text. All participants should acquire that Study Guide, available at the T.S.
1:30 – 3:00 pm. (2nd and 4th Sundays). STUDIES IN THE SECRET DOCTRINE Resumes Oct.12 Facilitator: Carol Hurd
Join us as we explore in depth the remarkable sweep and daring of the vision proclaimed in H.P. Blavatsky’s Secret Doctrine. As we study together her picture of the origin and workings of the cosmos and our place in it we shall be led to a new and more encompassing world view that can make a difference in how we live our lives. Text: H.P. Blavatsky, The Secret Doctrine, Vol. I. Supplementary text: Sri Krishna Prem & Sri Madhava Ashish, Man the Measure of All Things.
3:30—5:00 pm. SPEAKERS FORUM. Speakers and their topics are listed elsewhere.
6:00 pm. BHAGAVAD GITA, Chapter 14 Facilitator: Jane Cleary Ongoing
This chapter focuses on the three gunas which are sattva or purity, rajas or activity and tamas or indolence which seemingly hold sway over the Self, yet when properly understood are not of the nature of the Self. Their expressions are exclusively born out of and exist in the entire objective world. When this is clearly understood the pursuer of Self knowledge discovers and abides in the freedom from the gunas and all of their myriad expressions.
MONDAY 6:30—8:30 pm. GURDJIEFF FOURTH WAY STUDY GROUP Ongoing Facilitators: by Sy Ginsburg, Edgar Quiroga We explore the work of Dr. Maurice Nicoll, a British psychiatrist, Jungian analyst and pupil of both Jung and Gurdjieff, who presents the teaching from a psychological perspective. Weekly exercises are given to be practiced in the midst of urban life (the Fourth Way) and self-observations are shared. Through these, we learn how to become free from identification with fears and desires, allowing us to discover who we really are and what is the purpose of our human life. Text: Nicoll, Psychological Commentaries on the Teaching of Gurdjieff and Ouspensky, Vol. I and Vol. II.
TUESDAY 10:15—10:55 am. ESOTERIC MEDITATION IN SILENCE Resumes October 7 Facilitators: SyGinsburg, Theresa Lawrence Please come on time. Doors are closed promptly. If you wish to stand in higher consciousness, you must learn to stop the thoughts of the chattering mind so that insight can be received from higher mind. Silent meditation will help you to do this. Participants sit in silence for approximately forty minutes, using whatever meditational technique they prefer to help stop thought. There is no music, no chanting, no oral mantra. This group practice encourages us to maintain our daily silent meditation at home on a regular basis.
11:00 am—11:55 am. THE WISDOM OF NISARGADATTA: A Man Recognizing Self as Unity. Facilitators: Ralph Beaudry, Sy Ginsburg, Theresa Lawrence, Peter Lombardo Ongoing
Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj, a recent great Indian saint (1897—1981) lived above his family’s tobacco shop in Mumbai (Bombay). People came from all over the world to ask him about higher consciousness and the way to approach it. We study Nisargadatta’s wisdom in his replies to the questions asked of him which arerecorded in his books. The Study Group attempts to understand Nisargadatta’s teaching and like him, to recognize Self as Unity.
12:00 noon—1:30 pm. ESOTERICA Ongoing Facilitators: Ralph Beaudry, Sy Ginsburg, Theresa Lawrence and Peter Lombardo
Esotericism? Hermetics? Occultism? What has modern science discovered? Explore these subjects and others that make up the landscape of inner inquiry. A fun filled forum to share your ideas and questions. A Meal for the Mind follows at 1:30 pm at a local restaurant where the discussion continues.
7:30 pm. A COURSE IN MIRACLES (ACIM) Ongoing Facilitators: Boris Sherwin & Rick McCommon
ACIM is an application of Love, Healing and Forgiveness…From an introduction to A Course in Miracles: “This course does not aim at teaching the meaning of love, for this is beyond what can be taught. It does aim, however, at removing the blocks to the awareness of love’s presence…[It] can therefore be summed up very simply in this way. Nothing real can be threatened. Nothing unreal exists. Herein lies the peace of God.”
WEDNESDAY 7:00 pm. VEDANTASARA Facilitator: by Jane Cleary Ongoing
This is a beautifully written and detailed text that takes verses from almost all of the major Upanishads and various other important Vedantic texts such as the Bhagavad Gita and blends them all into one book. Thebook itself is divided up into various topics such as Superimposition and Steps to Self Realization that present and reveal the Vision of Oneself in such a way that the effect leads to a revelry in that Vision.
THURSDAY 10:00—10:30 am. GURDJIEFFIAN MEDITATION IN SILENCE 1st and 3rd Thursdays Facilitators: Sy Ginsburg, Lillian Mayer Resumes Nov. 6 Please come on time. Doors are closed promptly. If you wish to stand in higher consciousness, you must learn to stop the thoughts of the chattering mind so that insight can be received from higher mind. Silent meditation will help you to do this. A few minutes of instruction are given if requested, using the body and breath sensing method common to Gurdjieff group practice. There is no music, no chanting, no oral mantra. This group practice encourages us to maintain our daily silent meditation at home on a regular basis.
10:30—12 noon. SPIRITUAL GARDENING PROJECT 1st and 3rd Thursdays Facilitators: Sy Ginsburg, Lillian Mayer Resumes Nov. 6
Every first and third Thursday we join together in a spiritual gardening project to beautify the rear garden at the Theosophical Society. All are welcome to participate, and for those who wish, a spiritual awareness exercise will be given. After gardening we join in a discussion to share our self-observations of the morning garden work. Comfortable clothing, proper shoes, gardening gloves, a sun hat and other protective sun gear are recommended.)
12:15—1:30 pm. DREAM CIRCLE: (Every Thursday) Ongoing Facilitators: Sy Ginsburg, Lillian Mayer, Marjorie Miller, Danuta Sagnard, Millie Stier The esoteric meaning of dreams is that they are an open window to the wisdom of Spirit (Essence/Self),teaching us through the symbolic language of dreams. Dream sharing has been an integral part of many cultures, helping individuals to recognize the symbolic language in which the wisdom of Spirit speaks to Personality. Our study is based on Jungian psychological principles and the dream teaching of Sri Madhava Ashish (1920—1997), the theosophical scholar and Hindu monk. We sit in a dream circle listening as others present their dreams, and we intuitively respond to the dream by saying, “if this were my dream…” and then giving our interpretations. Participants should bring at least one current dream to each class session. Privacy and confidentiality are respected. Background texts: Ashish, An Open Window: Dream as Everyman’sGuide to the Spirit & Jung, Man and His Symbols.
6:30—8:45 pm ESOTERIC SCHOOL OF THEOSOPHY: 1st & 3rd Thursdays EST Members Only You must be a member of the Esoteric School of Theosophy to attend. After you have been a member of the Theosophical Society for 2 years or more, you are welcome to apply to the EST and may join if you are willing to meet their requirements and to follow their discipline. See Carol Hurd for more information.
FRIDAY 1:00---3:00 pm. HEALTHY LIVING -- “RENEWING” NEW!!!!! Begins Oct. 10 Second Friday of the Month---October 10, November 14, December 12 Facilitator: Danuta Sagnard We will learn skills to get in charge of our health and to rely on ourselves for daily living. We will have the opportunity to explore alternatives and options to what was not working for us before.
1:00—4:00 pm. EXPERIENCE WELLNESS Facilitator: Kameelah Aqeel Ongoing Third Friday of the Month—October 17 , November 21, December 19 Rediscover ancient practices and learn techniques to stimulate health in your body. Explore rejuvenating adventures from meditation and bath house jaunts to creating vegan, quick and delectable organic recipes. We suggest loose fitting natural fiber attire. Bring Penta water, your favorite crystal and aromatherapy, a towel or thick padding to lie on and an open mind.
SATURDAY 11:00 am . EXERCISES IN AWARENESS Facilitator: Jurgen Kruppa Ongoing
The application of Metaphysical Principles in everyday life.
SERVICE
Looking at (service) from a practical standpoint, we are able to form the habit of love and service. You want not simply to perform a great service now and then – for great service comes but seldom in the lives of most of us – we want to build that habit of service which can only be achieved by daily continual practice until the spontaneous impulse to think and act in a particular way becomes the most useful and the most noble that we can compass in our moral lives. There is always a danger for us that we will wait until a great opportunity offers. I am entitled to say great opportunity will never come to you unless you practice every little opportunity that comes in your everyday life.
From Annie Besant’s opening address at the All-India Humanitarian Conference in 1931. (Annie Besant was the second International President of the Theosophical Society.
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If you are in sympathy with our 3 objects (see below), we cordially invite you to become a member of the Theosophical Society. You may pick up an application any time at our counter. Members receive 25% discount on all purchases plus access to our Lending Library. More importantly, membership is an outward sign of your inward commitment to the ideals and the work of the Theosophical Society.
THREE OBJECTS OF THE THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY
To form a nucleus of the universal brotherhood of humanity without distinction of race, creed, sex, caste, or color; To encourage the comparative study of religion, philosophy, and science; To investigate unexplained laws of nature and the powers latent in humanity.
THEOSOPHICAL MOTTO: There is no religion higher than truth
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The Theosophical Society does not endorse any doctrines, opinions or statements made by any of its presenters or facilitators. There is complete freedom of thought within this organization. Any statements made by presenters or facilitators represent their own opinion and not necessarily that of the Theosophical Society as a whole.