1. What’s your name, where are you from and how long have you been a member of the TS?
Clemice Petter, born in Brazil and member of the Theosophical Society-Adyar since 2008.
2. Are you active in your Lodge/Section and if so, what do you do?
I’m residing in India now, so I’m not active in the Brazilian Section
3. How did you first learn about Theosophy or come in contact with the Society?
This is a beautiful story…. I was always looking for something but was not sure what it was, but there was this restlessness. In this search I came across many places that offer some kind of philosophy or religious approach, but after some time I realized that it was not what I was looking for. By that time I was on my own, no religion and not following any particular philosophy, but I was trying to find a Buddhist place to become a Buddhist. Then one day a good friend of mine, who knew about my interest in philosophy and religion, gave me the book At The feet of the Master. He told me that it was written when J. Krishnamurti was 14 years old, and that it was a wonderful book. I did like the book but deep down I thought that it was not for me, because there were so many things that needed to be understood before one is ready to be at the feet of a Master, so I asked if J. Krishnamurti had written other books, he said yes and gave me 3 books. I went home and started to read and at the very first line that I read I knew that this was what I was looking for all my life. It was the happiest day ever. I started reading the book What are you doing with your life at 5 pm on one Sunday and stopped only when finished at 3 am. After finishing the three books I wanted more and this friend told me that the Theosophical Society had a Krishnamurti Study Group every Saturday afternoon. Immediately I went to the computer and found the TS address and started to attend the Krishnamurti Study Group. At the beginning there was no intention to become a member of the TS, but one day when invited to attend the Lodge meeting, the Lodge was studying The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett, I realized that there is no difference between Krishnamurti’s teachings and Theosophy. This way I became a member of the Theosophical Society. When someone asks how I came to TS, the answer is always: J. Krishnamurti brought me, I’m here because of him.
4. What does Theosophy mean to you?
Theosophy is the ever flowing river of wisdom passed down from generation to generation of wise beings born among men. It is the expression of Love and Compassion in human life.
5. What is your favourite Theosophical book and why?
To choose one book is not fair because so many have helped me. It would be like mentioning only the The Voice of The Silence which is only one of them.
6. What in your opinion is the biggest challenge the TS is facing at the moment?
The biggest challenge for TS has always been, is and will be the capacity to keep it a living body: A flowing stream ready to provide fresh water for thirsty humanity.
7. Is there anything you would wish for the future of the Theosophical Movement?
The only wish is that we can keep Theosophy alive in the TS. That we can go beyond our little personal views and wake up to the tremendous suffering that goes on everywhere on this planet. To realize how much we, humans, need a helping hand, how serious the crisis that we are facing as humanity is and to be a living example of brotherhood. If we who are preaching brotherhood for more than 140 years cannot live it, who are we to expect others to do so?
From the editor:
Opinions and ideas expressed in the mini-interviews are exclusively of those who are being interviewed. They don’t necessarily represent the ideas and opinions of the compilers of Theosophy Forward. The responses of the interviewees are not edited for content. Some contributors give short answers to the questions while others touch upon the subject more elaborately.