1. What’s your name, where are you from and how long have you been a member of the TS?
My name is Merike Martsepp, I am from Estonia and I have been member of the TS since 2015.
2. Are you active in your Lodge/Section and if so, what do you do?
I lead a study group studying The Secret Doctrine. I take care of the Facebook page, I post daily quotes and I put up advertisements for events. I also give lectures and help where it is needed. Since last year, I have been more involved in various projects of the young Theosophists.
3. How did you first learn about Theosophy or come in contact with the Society?
I didn't have anyone in my circle of acquaintances who, as far as I know, was interested in spiritual topics, so I often went to the spiritual literature store and read about different topics. One day I noticed a small advertisement on the wall of a billboard inviting visitors to visit the Theosophy Library. It was the first time I heard the word, and at first, I thought it was theology. But then I thought that it doesn't matter if they have so many works on this topic that you can put together a whole library, then there are certainly interesting books among them. So, I went there and met Krista Umbjärv, she was the first to explain what Theosophy was and invited me to listen to the lecture.
Sometimes I wonder what my life would be like if I hadn't read that ad back then. Presumably, I would have reached Theosophy by some other path. Maybe that's why I've taken it upon myself to advertise events and lectures - because you never know when it will reach someone who really needs it, like I once did.
4. What does Theosophy mean to you?
It is said that Theosophy is included in all faiths, and is the cornerstone of the future unified faith, but Blavatsky says that instead of praying, it is necessary to act, because humanity benefits from a good idea that becomes a reality. For me, this is a teaching that strongly emphasizes the need for independent thinking and ethical purity, both in thought and deed, in order to develop harmoniously on the spiritual path. Something that explains the background system in which we live, giving an idea through allegories of different systems and directly saying how and why to move forward together. It is the Path of unconditional love and service.
5. What is your favorite Theosophical book and why?
Now, my three favorites are At the Feet of the Master, The Voice of the Silence, and The Secret Doctrine. I also like Besant's Thought Power: Its Control and Culture, and Mable Collins' The Idyll of the White Lotus. However lately I've been more interested in the works of Geoffrey Hodson.
6. What in your opinion is the biggest challenge the TS is facing at the moment?
This is when, instead of serving others, one starts helping (helping is an egoistic understanding that someone is better than another) or fixing (when there is a fixed understanding that something is wrong and it must be changed by force). Even if on a physical level the action is the same for all three, what sets them apart is the state of mind, motive or ulterior motive that accompanies the action. How to get from a theoretical understanding to a practical understanding that it is not the beautiful words and deeds that are important, but your sincere thoughts and feelings behind them.
7. Is there anything you would wish for the future of the Theosophical Movement?
I recently read this idea online: "People often fear that if they had a time machine and went back in time and changed a small detail, the future would be drastically changed; but they don't think that we can do small actions in the present moment that will have major consequences in the future."
- What possible current action would have the greatest potential to drastically change the future for the better?
Therefore, my wish is: "Sow the seeds in this moment so that the greatest goodness that does not yet exist can be born, and the goodness that does exist can grow more and more!"
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.