1. What’s your name, where are you from and how long have you been a member of the TS?
My name is Ria Pati and I am from India. I have been a member of TS since February 2017.
2. Are you active in your Lodge/Section and if so, what do you do?
My activity is mostly in the area of writing and sharing my ideas through blogs and articles.
3. How did you first learn about Theosophy or come in contact with the Society?
My great grandfather Dr. Ram Chandra Rath founded the Utkal Theosophical Federation in Bhubaneswar, Odisha and worked as the President for many years. His daughter Deepa Padhi my paternal aunt is the Vice President of TS Adyar and is a huge source of inspiration for me. I have always been interested in the occult, discussing spirituality and the concept of God. And of late I have been studying about the ascended masters of the Great White Brotherhood.
4. What does Theosophy mean to you?
To me it is the doorway to the unknown – it is the science of belief, of life, the workings of the mind, the potential brilliance of us humans and our connection to our creator. Within Theosophy are the secret workings of the universe, about its laws and the same power within all of us. The teachings of the masters have always pointed at one thing - we’ve all come here to serve by our actions, words and speech and meditation is a key proponent to connect to that source of the all-knowing wisdom.
5. What is your favorite Theosophical book and why?
I have not yet read any one cover to cover but I have skimmed through stories and accounts by the great C.W. Leadbeater and Guy Ballard. My favorite account is of Guy Ballard’s account of meeting the masters in his book “Unveiled Mysteries”. In Leadbeater’s Masters and the Path – I was fascinated by the way the masters lived and worked in the mountains, specifically the painting by master Dwaj Khul clearly showing the houses of the masters by the riverbank in the Himalayas. I am currently reading The Magic Presence by Godfre Ray King.
6. What in your opinion is the biggest challenge the TS is facing at the moment?
I am not aware of the challenges, so I am not in a position to comment on the same.
7. Is there anything you would wish for the future of the Theosophical Movement?
I would love for the youth to get to know and be associated with the percepts of Theosophy. A major chunk of today’s youth does not have an opinion about spirituality because the idea of organized religion probably discouraged them from exploring further. Therefore many of them turn away from the concept of God and the connection to the divine. Reaching out to such groups will be extremely beneficial in rekindling their connection with the source.
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.