This interview was first published in September 2013
1. What’s your name, where are you from and how long have you been a member of the TS?
My name is Sieglinde Plocki, I live in Berlin, Germany and have been a member of the TS since January 1982.
2. Are you active in your Lodge/Section and if so, what do you do?
In 1955 President Mary Linné converted Die Theosophische Gesellschaft, Deutsche Abteilung into the organizational independent Die Theosophische Gesellschaft – Arbeitskreis Unterlengenhardt -. Mary Linné's Presidency (starting from 1955) was followed by Irmgard Scheithauer (1984) and myself (2009) as actual President. The Society re-chartered in June 2013 as German Section of The Theosophical Society Point Loma - Blavatskyhouse (Die Theosophische Gesellschaft Point Loma – Blavatskyhaus / Deutsche Abteilung).
I am also active in the Lodge Sûrya in Berlin, which has a study group open for members and non-members. Furthermore I am editor of the German quarterly: Der Theosophische Pfad, and I am holding introductory courses to Theosophy upon request.
A yearly Convention and Summer School at Bringhausen/Edersee (mostly in June) and participating at international conferences as much as possible are also on the agenda as well as various translating activities (e.g. W.Q. Judge, Echoes of the Orient, articles from various Theosophical magazines) and other things. Those activities are planned and prepared now in working groups.
3. How did you first learn about Theosophy or come in contact with the Society?
A friend of mine in 1981 told me about open meetings of the Sûrya Lodge of Die Theosophische Gesellschaft – Arbeitskreis Unterlengenhardt – which were held then at a private apartment by Irmgard Scheithauer. I went there only once and from the first time I knew: this was what I was searching for all my life. There was no doubt, no questioning afterwards, no need for further search in other groups or societies. I had found my place, and life changed from that very moment.
4. What does Theosophy mean to you?
Theosophy gives answers to all questions of life – it gives hope and takes away all fears and insecurities: We are part of the Eternal One. Nothing can harm us, nothing destroy us – we have the security, that all our deficiencies can and will be overcome during our course through the universes and times on our eternal journey, we can and will, with the help of Karma, balance out all our failures and get rid of the dust of the lower personalities faults. We cannot be separated from anything or anybody, because we are one in essence – this makes the experience of death of our beloved ones so much easier to bear. The unlimited space lies ahead on our endless journey – ever becoming more and more awake, widening our consciousness. What greater help could we get to master our lives and fulfil our duties? The broadness and depth of the Teachings which give the deepest thinker fields to explore, but they can at their shores also be understood by the developing mind of a child. In short: for me Theosophy is life itself.
5. What is your favorite Theosophical book and why?
This question is difficult to answer. It has changed during the years I am studying Theosophy. At the beginning it was Judge’s The Ocean of Theosophy, which I liked because of its overview on the system of Teachings. Then came The Esoteric Tradition by Gottfried de Purucker – he managed in an extraordinary way to explain the teachings in today’s language in his very special way from heart to heart – we had it in Germany published in single chapters. This gave us the possibility to recommend them to interested “newcomers” in accordance to their special field of interest – be it Buddhism or Natural Sciences or else. One little book by GdP – as we call him – was always in my handbag: The Golden Precepts. I had the custom to open it randomly in the morning and always found the right words for the day in it.
In the evening my best company was and is The Voice of the Silence. The Secret Doctrine was always my companion for the preparation of studies at Lodge meetings and – whenever there was a possibility also for my studies (which I must admit: due to the manifold duties I have to fulfil were less than wished) – at home.
6. What in your opinion is the biggest challenge the TS is facing at the moment?
I’d like to speak for the challenge all Theosophical organizations are facing:
We all have experiences from the past, traditions, thought patterns and behaviours, which are the result of past actions and from which we can and must learn – this is important for all of us. But on the other hand, times and conditions are constantly changing. We cannot change the past anymore, but it is important to have visions for the future, to be as open minded as possible to the point of view of other students of Theosophy – unimportant from which organization – and to use the touchstone of the Teachings to broaden our own view, while keeping to the pure originals at the same time. Mutual respect and trust is the basis for cooperation and brotherhood. We made a good start, e.g. with ITC, but this has to be deepened and continually practise
7. Is there anything you would wish for the future of the Theosophical Movement?
I do wish, that our striving for more harmony, for that brotherly working together which we have started for the benefit of mankind gets stronger and stronger and students of Theosophy – the becoming Theosophists – stand united (not necessarily organizationally, but in mind and heart) and show to the whole world, what universal brotherhood means in practice. To live, what we have learnt and still learn and to demonstrate, that Theosophy is no theory or just a philosophy, but THE LIFE, is my greatest wish. Let us all together be servants for humanity and all that lives.
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.