After the Round Table Ceremony
Responses from Harish Sridhar
Treasurer & Past President – Vasanta Youth Lodge
Past Secretary – Vasanta Round Table
1. What’s your name, where are you from and how long have you been a member of the TS?
My name is Harish Sridhar (25). I live in Adyar, Chennai. I have been a member of the Theosophical Society ('TS') since 2009.
2. How did you first learn about Theosophy or come in contact with the Society?
I came to know about the TS through my school mate - Ms Upasika Maithreya; who is a 6th generation Theosophist.
3. What does Theosophy mean to you?
To me, Theosophy is the answer to all the questions around us. It is larger than religion as it encompasses every aspect of mankind.
4. What is your favourite Theosophical book and why?
My favourite book is At the feet of the Master. The language is lucid and the book though not voluminous, gives you everything you need to follow for betterment of not just yourself but the entire world around you.
Responses from Chaganti Upasika Maithreya
Committee Member & Past President – Vasanta Youth Lodge
Past Leading Knight – Vasanta Round Table
1. What’s your name, where are you from and how long have you been a member of the TS?
My name is Chaganti Upasika Maithreya (25). I live in Chennai and I have been a member of The Theosophical Society for nearly 15 years now.
2. How did you first learn about Theosophy or come in contact with the Society?
I have had the good fortune of being born in a family of Theosophists. My sister and I are sixth generation members of The Theosophical Society. We have grown up with the value systems that form the crux of Theosophical teachings.
3. What does Theosophy mean to you?
Theosophy in its literal sense is ‘Divine Wisdom’. To me Theosophy is like a beacon of light. It has helped me at every stage in my life. The values I have learnt have helped me become a better person. It has taught me to be true to myself and to others. It has made me contemplate on the reason of my existence and on how I could lead a meaningful life. It has also taught me to be tolerant and understanding. The choices we make define who we are and I think the Theosophical teachings have always guided me in these choices. It has also taught me not to judge people by the choices they make.
4. What is your favourite Theosophical book and why?
My favourite book is At the Feet of the Master by Alcyone. It is the first book I read and the teachings have stayed with me. The learning from the book is like a spiral staircase. At every stage in life it reveals new insights to the seeker. It reinstates the simple values that guide our lives. It is also a book that I have given to a number of friends who have now become members of The Theosophical Society.
Responses from Chaganti Aditi Maithreya
Vice President – Vasanta Youth Lodge
Leading Knight – Vasanta Round Table
1. What’s your name, where are you from and how long have you been a member of the TS?
My name is Chaganti Aditi Maithreya. I am 19 years old and I am doing my Bachelor of Science degree in Visual Communication from M.O.P. Vaishnav College for Women, Chennai. I have been a member for close to a decade now.
2. How did you first learn about Theosophy or come in contact with the Society?
My family is one of the oldest in The Theosophical Society. I am a 6th generation member of The Theosophical Society. I am blessed to be born into this wonderful organisation and to be able to grow in it since my childhood. I first learnt about Theosophy from my father. As a child he explained the meaning of that word in simple terms to a 4 year old, the time I joined the International Order of the Round Table.
3. What does Theosophy mean to you?
Theosophy is a kind of system which helps me understand the meaning behind the beliefs of various religions and many unexplained phenomena in nature and powers of men. Through its books, it creates an innate morality in me that helps me in various instances of life.
4. What is your favourite Theosophical book and why?
My favourite theosophical books are At the Feet of the Master and The Light of Asia. The former for its simple yet meaningful teachings for everyday life. It seems to convey a different meaning every time it is read. The latter because of the beauty with which it has been written. The story and teachings of the Lord Buddha go beyond the words in the book and go on to create vivid images.
Responses from Arvind Srikanthan
Committee Member & Past Vice President – Vasanta Youth Lodge
Member – Vasanta Round Table
1. What’s your name, where are you from and how long have you been a member of the TS?
I am Arvind Srikantan (23) from India and I have been a member for 3 years.
2. How did you first learn about Theosophy or come in contact with the Society?
Through a friend of mine who was a member in the society and introduced me.
3. What does Theosophy mean to you?
A way of life which tries to accept that science and religion can be intertwined.
4. What is your favourite Theosophical book and why?
At the Feet of the Master, the first book I read and the book has had a profound impact on the way I look at things.
Responses from Yugesh R.V.
Member – Vasanta Youth Lodge
Member – Vasanta Round Table
1. What’s your name, where are you from and how long have you been a member of the TS?
Yugesh RV (22), I'm from Delhi and I have been a member of the TS for 6 months now.
2. How did you first learn about Theosophy or come in contact with the Society?
I came to know about the TS through my mother.
3. What does Theosophy mean to you?
To me, Theosophy means a deep spiritual knowledge of humanity and the universe, and how we can use this knowledge for our (personal as well as mankind as a whole) spiritual growth and benefit.
4. What is your favourite Theosophical book and why?
I haven't been able to read any books on Theosophy yet. I had read a bit of The Key To Theosophy (simplified version) to familiarise myself with Theosophy and it was not hard to follow.
Responses from Hariharan
Auditor & Past Vice President – Vasanta Youth Lodge
Past Leading Knight – Vasanta Round Table
1. What’s your name, where are you from and how long have you been a member of the TS?
My name is Hariharan (25). I am from Chennai. I have been a member of The Theosophical Society for many years now.
2. How did you first learn about Theosophy or come in contact with the Society?
My dad works here so that's how I came into contact with the Society.
3. What does Theosophy mean to you?
Theosophy: how to enjoy your life without causing harm to others.
4. What is your favourite Theosophical book and why?
My favorite book is At the Feet of the Master... Teaches how to handle and carry ourselves in any situation.
Responses from Rahul Sridhar
Committee Member – Vasanta Youth Lodge
Secretary – Vasanta Round Table
1. What’s your name, where are you from and how long have you been a member of the TS?
I’m Rahul Sridhar (18), from Chennai. I have been associated with the Theosophical Society for the past 3 years.
2. How did you first learn about Theosophy or come in contact with the Society?
The school I went to was a stone’s throw away from the TS headquarters. I passed by it for years wondering what it was, who the people living inside were and what it would take to be allowed inside. To my surprise, it was my brother, through an acquaintance, who had introduced to me to the world of Theosophy.
3. What does Theosophy mean to you?
Theosophy, to me, is a way of life. It helps me understand the laws of the universe better. By that, I'm not suggesting that everyone has to put in hours studying books to imbibe the wisdom Theosophy has to offer. We learn to be compassionate and we learn to be tolerant. It makes us understand our own religion better. I remember reading someone who said, "Theosophy has made me a better Muslim".
4. What is your favourite Theosophical book and why?
My favorite Theosophical book is At the Feet of The Master by J. Krishnamurti (Alcyone). This book treats on the four qualifications for enlightenment: Discrimination, Desirelessness, Good Conduct and Love. The size of the book may fool you, but there’s meaning in every word. It isn’t religion specific, it’s easy on the words for anyone seeking enlightenment and it can be carried around easily.
Note: We decided to answer the following questions as a group.
5. Are you active in your Lodge/Section and if so, what do you do?
We are a part of the Vasanta Youth Lodge at The Theosophical Society, Adyar and the Vasanta Round Table. We are also a part of World Care Way. The youth group carries out its activities under the banners of the Vasanta Youth Lodge, the Vasanta Round Table and World Care Way.
Down to Earth - Eco-Workshop for schools conducted by World Care Way
• We have regular lodge meetings. We have experts lecturing us on various subjects in relation to Theosophy. We have group discussions and exhibitions as part of our meetings. We had an interesting display on August 12, 2012 on the life and teachings of Madame Blavatsky. We also meet informally for study classes.
The books we have studied include selected parts of The Mahatmas Letters, The Key to Theosophy and At the Feet of the Master. We have also had interaction on subjects including Karma, biographies of Theosophical leaders and Theosophy in the contemporary world.
We have actively collaborated with the Madras Theosophical Federation in organising an out-reach programme at the campus of the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras where 16 papers were presented by students from different colleges. The format was that of a ‘debate through presentation’. The students were briefed about Theosophy and The Theosophical Society before the programme.
Some of the members have helped the author during the publishing of the two books – ‘Theosophy, The Theosophical Society & its Founders’ and the Theosophical play based on the Mahabharata, ‘The Vision of Sanjaya’ authored by Chaganti V. K. Maithreya and staged on January 1, 2013 for the delegates to the International Convention. We also subsequently had an interactive session on the symbology in this play.
• We involve ourselves in various social service activities. A list of our activities is given below.
CLOTH BAG PROJECT
Plastic bags are a quick fix solution with long term negative consequences. To combat this, the youth started the ‘Cloth Bag Project’ in December 2009. The youth collect data on the negative impact of plastic bags and educates the public through presentations in schools, shops, etc. The group has designed cloth bags as an alternative to plastic bags that have now become an eco-fashion statement. The group has taken the assistance of underprivileged women to print motifs and messages on these bags. Thousands of bags have been sold.
The concept has been replicated by a youth group in Tanzania. A few other countries have shown interest in replicating this project.
PROMOTING ECO-FRIENDLY PRODUCTS
In 2004 the Asian tsunami struck our shores. The underprivileged women of the coastal community were victims of poverty, domestic problems and indebtedness. After the tsunami their problems were compounded.
The Theosophical Order of Service set up reverse osmosis plants along the coast & also set up two recycling projects for eco-friendly paper and other products.
The youth have been involved in:
1. Creating awareness about these eco-products both in India &∓ abroad.
2. Arranging training programmes for school children, where these underprivileged women train them to make eco- friendly products at a domestic level.
3. Designing products that are popular.
4. Mentoring these women in simple business concepts.
The outcome has been a win-win situation in a few ways:-
1. Now many people are sensitized & they collect waste paper for recycling.
2. Tsunami affected women, salt pan workers and many others of the underprivileged sections have found a source of income.
3. The women who had been victims of circumstances have now become entrepreneurs and manage cooperative societies which provide self-employment and manufacture these products.
SIGNATURE CAMPAIGN
In the wake of the notorious Delhi molestation & murder case, the youth carried out a signature campaign to request the President of India to declare December 29th as ‘Woman’s Honour Day’ with a series of programmes to create awareness, to spread the message of abstinence and to aim for the amelioration of women belonging to the weaker sections.
JUMBLE SALES
Jumble Sale
The youth collect reusable items from the locality and conduct Jumble Sales a few times a year for the underprivileged. These sales are timed to coincide with the free multi-disciplinary Medical Camps that are held by the Theosophical Order of Service, Chennai.
CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIAL & MEDICAL CAUSES
The youth helps in fund raising for any social or medical cause. The causes range from college fees to money for an accident victim.
VISITS ON FESTIVAL DAYS
Visit to old age home
The youth visit orphanages, old age homes, the Cancer institute and other such places on certain festival days. The members of the group contribute money and purchase gifts that will be of use to inmates. They spend time chatting with the inmates and also have sing-along sessions with them.
Visit to Cancer Hospital
DISASTER RELIEF
The youth actively participate in relief operations at the time of disasters. They collect old clothes and medicines that are sent to the disaster hit areas.
The Theosophical Order of Service, Chennai also has two significant projects. Seeing Eyes for Everyone [SEE] is a project which has screened thousands of cases &∓∓ provides total care that is free. The Safety Health & Energy [SHE] project is for providing overall health care. The youth have now shown interest in involving in these also.
6. What in your opinion is the biggest challenge the TS Adyar (as an organization) is facing at the moment?
We are finding it a challenge to reach out to young people in large numbers as there are many distractions. But we are happy to have made considerable progress in this area. We have used the social media to popularise Theosophy. We are also looking to have virtual interactions on the internet with members at mutually convenient timings. On many occasions members who have travelled to other places have spoken about Theosophy and interacted with like-minded organisations.
7. Is there anything you would wish for the future of the Theosophical Movement?
The Theosophical movement has been and always will be very close to our hearts. We hope that many young people join our movement and we are able to popularise a study of Theosophy. We hope that the youth from various branches of The Theosophical Society from across the globe are able to network more effectively and share ideas on subjects of mutual interest.
We carry Theosophy in our hearts, so why don’t you all come to Adyar this year for the International Convention? This is our youth corner there and when you come we will tell you more about our activities; we’ll be waiting for you!