1. What’s your name, where are you from and how long have you been a member of the TS?
My name is Marina De Grandis, I am from Italy, and I have been a member of the TS since1998.
2.How long have you been a member of your Section’s Board?
I have been a member of my Section’s Board since 2017 and I am the Vice President of the Italian Section since 2021.
3. How did you first learn about Theosophy or come in contact with the Society?
Ever since I was a teenager, I had been listening to my uncle Renato De Grandis, talking about Theosophy, the Theosophical Society and his many trips to Adyar. My uncle was a musician and became a member of the TS more or less 50 years ago.
4. What does Theosophy mean to you?
The best way to experience life, a great chance to know myself and understand humanity. A reason to try to live a useful life. Studying Theosophy is a great help to become a better human being.
5. This year, 2025, the Theosophical Society celebrates its 150th anniversary. What in your opinion is the biggest challenge the TS is facing and what is to be done in order to maintain the Society’s relevance in the years to come?
The biggest challenge TS is facing is to keep alive the memory of our Masters and of H.P. B. alive. It is very important that the members of the TS study and understand the works of HPB, and the teachings our Masters have given us contained in their letters. But it is also important to study all the other books published by contemporary theosophists. These teachings should also be studied by the youngest members of the TS so they can be trained to spread the message of universal brotherhood among people.
The TS has many fields to maintain and expand its relevance: through art, ecology and education for example. It can create events open to everybody, like art exhibition of artists who are also theosophists, concerts where the music is composed by theosophical musicians or educational seminars open to students where they can meditate and exchange ideas with other young theosophists and contemporary theosophical writers and teachers.
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.
. There are many fields
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.