My name is Juliet A.M. Bates. This time round I was born in England and emigrated to Australia around four, with later years spent living in Italy, Abu Dhabi and Singapore, sprinkled with trips around the world and, later on, home visits to my mother in England. I became a member in 2010, though active in study groups, and theosophical work for decades.
My name is Arturo Alonso Carmona Peláez, I am from Medellín, Antioquia department, the Republic of Colombia, South America
Jan Nicolaas Kind – Brazil
The series ALAS AND AFTER has come to an end, but at the same time this “end” implies a new beginning. The dialogue among Theosophists from all four corners of the globe, no matter their affiliation, or independent and all other genuine seekers will continue and expand even without any preconditions or self-imposed rules, since the search for Truth cannot be hindered nor defeated by plain stubbornness, prejudice and ignorance.
About International Theosophy Conferences, all what had to be said was said, all what had to be written was written, and now it’s up to each and everyone’s discernment to come to conclusions; as a dear friend of mine often says: “IT IS WHAT IT IS.”
Questions and Answers with Kenneth Small.
[Note from the editor: Kenneth Small is to be considered a reliable and unbiased source. For many years he and both his parents, Carmen and Emmett Small, were involved with Point Loma Publications and through this interview we come to know firsthand facts. For earnest students it is interesting to observe that Kenneth sheds a rather different light on Gottfried de Purucker as a person and his work. In 2007 he sent an invitation to the leader of the TS Point Loma-Blavatskyhouse group and his wife to attend the ITC conference in Petaluma, California and introduced them to those who, at the time, were involved with organizing the annual ITC meetings in the USA]
Kenneth Small
My name is Kenneth Small and I live in California. Growing up in a Point Loma theosophical family, from the exile esoteric group, I was mentored in theosophy from a young age by lifelong students of Theosophy and their inclusive universal view has always inspired me throughout my life. I am in accord with Blavatsky’s view that the Theosophical Movement is a global one and much vaster than the organized theosophical organizations or groups. Blavatsky says, quoting Vaughn:
“A Theosophist,” he says-- “is one who gives you a theory of God or the works of God, which has not revelation, but an inspiration of his own for its basis." In this view every great thinker and philosopher, especially every founder of a new religion, school of philosophy, or sect, is necessarily a Theosophist. Hence, Theosophy and Theosophists have existed ever since the first glimmering of nascent thought made man seek instinctively for the means of expressing his own independent opinions.”[i]
Eugene Jennings – USA
Gene in his homeoffice ...
Having been one of several individuals active in and with the efforts of International Theosophy Conferences (ITC) since its incipient days, after Willie Dade’s passing, I have seen its emergence and evolution from the beginning. From participant point of view to vice-president, to president, whatever it has accomplished, whatever it has become, for better or worse, I feel and bear, a direct connection and partial responsibility. Even more so do I bear responsibility for how it has become shaped, and the direction it has taken, over the last few years, until my resignation on January 4th, 2021. For the record: a resignation related to the realization that there is a proper "time, season and karmic reason" for all things. At the same time, while in good health, I recognized the need to fit myself for other necessary duties that had arisen in life.
Jonathan Colbert – USA
Jonatan Colbert during the 142nd International; Convention in Adyar - January 2018
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The chiefs want a Brotherhood of Man
Mahatma, K.H.
Instead of our three Objects being, as often erroneously supposed, separate, distinct, disconnected, they are in truth intimately and vitally related to each other.
Bertram Keightley
During the years of conversing with Jim Colbert (my father) and his consort Sally Colbert as they envisioned the unfoldings of the ITC (International Theosophy Conferences), and during my years of serving on the Board of the ITC, I came to understand that all the distinct theosophical traditions have a unique genius to offer the world. A few years ago, I submitted an essay to Theosophy Forward called, “Concentric Circles: Why I Support the ITC.” In it, I made the case that all the theosophical traditions have the same center, that of universal brotherhood. I wrote then and I still believe that integrity, purity, and generosity are the hallmarks of each of the existing mainstreams, each in their own way.
Pablo Sender – USA
The author
The subject of unity and diversity is central in the Theosophical tradition. The general view is that all the diverse forms we see around us are but different expressions of an underlying Unity. However, this does not mean that diversity is a mistake or a mirage--all the manifested forms are necessary and unique expressions of the Oneness, which provide the divine sparks a variety of experiences essential for the full realization of their potential. Diversity becomes a problem only when the different expressions fail to work in a harmonious way, within the greater context of the underlying unity.
[Note from the editor: In the series “Alas and after” an historical and revealing article in which the (anonymous) author warns for “dead letter dogma”, in case too much importance is given to the written word, symbols or phrases. This short piece domes from Lucifer, 1887, v. 1, n. 2, p. 134. Special thanks to Erica Georgiades]
“The letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life,” this is the keynote of all true reform. Theosophy is the vehicle of the spirit that gives life; consequently, nothing dogmatic can be truly theosophical. It is incorrect, therefore, to describe a mere unearthing of dead letter dogmas as “Theosophic work.”
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Alice Bailey
Note from the editor: This specific quote is to be found in Spiritual Leadership, an unknown and almost forgotten work by Bailey. Although your editor is not well-versed on the topic of her work and realizing that she had her own fargoing issues with the Theosophical Society, Alice Bailey, June 16, 1880 – December 15, 1949, right or wrong, is to be distinguished as another driven seeker. She refers clearly in this quote to the known concerns in relation to so-called leadership Her commentary is appropriate in the series Alas and after.]
John Vorstermans - New Zealand
John Vorstermans
[Note from the editor: this series of articles is a "follow up" of an editorial that appeared on Theosophy Forward in July 2021, entitled INTERNATIONAL THEOSOPHY CONFERENCES ... ALAS .... . TO READ ALAS CLICK HERE ]
We know that something has life in it when there is activity, growth, open dialogue and a willingness to listen and share perspectives and insights.
It has been encouraging to witness International Theosophical Conferences (from now on ITC) over the last decade. Finally, the various arms of the modern Theosophical Societies came together to explore Theosophy. We all grew out of the Theosophical Society formed in 1875 and the published works of Helena P. Blavatsky, which are a part of our core, in one form or another.
Catalina Isaza Cantor Agnihotri – Colombia and India
The author
[Note from the editor: this series of articles is a "follow up" of an editorial that appeared on Theosophy Forward in July 2021, entitled INTERNATIONAL THEOSOPHY CONFERENCES ... ALAS .... . TO READ ALAS CLICK HERE ]
Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, the founder of the Modern Theosophical Movement, gave to the world, through her writings and her life itself, invaluable teachings of which the fundamental value is their application in daily life. One of these compendiums of wisdom is the Golden Stairs, the second step of which reminds us of a point of great importance for life and for those who seek to tread the path of self-transformation: "open mind". Since the foundation of the Theosophical Society (TS), the Masters have warned against two things that should not be indulged in: selfishness, which prevents Universal Brotherhood, and dogmatism, which is contrary to an open mind. But what is an open mind?
Barbara Hebert – USA
Krishnamurti told us that “Truth is a pathless land.” Certainly, one could interpret this statement in any number of ways, but it seems clear that one of the primary meanings of Krishnamurti’s statement is that there is not simply one path that leads us to Truth. There are many paths that lead us in this direction.