Jan Nicolaas Kind – Brazil
Jan Nicolaas Kind
This issue of Theosophy Forward is stacked with many articles of interest and especially the category GOOD NEWS has a great number of entries this time, go there and have a look around. You’ll notice that there is much we can be proud of; our movement is certainly in motion but obviously much work is to be done still.
This issue continues with another tribute in “We Remember”, this time dedicated to a distinctive and dedicated Theosophist from Iceland, Einar Adalsteinsson. Iceland is a wonderful country and its relative small population is not only creative but also interested in various forms of spirituality. Check out our category THEOSOPHY.
In 2016 Theosophy Forward will enter its seventh year. Time flies and I must thank the following contributors and volunteers who have made this publication in 2015 possible (not in alphabetical order) : Ralph Hannon, Paulo Baptista, James Lefevour (and Amber), Gilson Moraes, Patrizia Calvi, John Algeo, Clarisa Elósegui, Ana Maria Torra Buron, Angeles Torra Buron, Ananya Sri Ram Rajan, Janet Kerschner, Chris Bolger, Anton Rozman, Roger Price, Ali Ritsema and my friend for life, Terezinha Franca Kind.
RENOVATING THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY
The Elephants
It is my sincere pleasure to also share with you that there is a new website solely dedicated to the renovation of the historical buildings at the headquarters of the Theosophical Society – Adyar; the site is called “The Elephants.”
Why “The Elephants?”
As a symbol of strength, the elephant inspires us to be strong and patient at the same time; it relies on conscious thought and patience to meet all its needs.
The elephant is praised for its size, longevity, mental faculties, cooperative spirit, and loyalty.
What is the site’s philosophy?
The Theosophical Society as a world-wide movement always was an early adopter of new developments in society and the world at large, and since it carries a great responsibility towards our planet, it would be appropriate if it starts playing that vanguard-role once again.
It is both possible and challenging to show members from all four corners of the globe, people in India and all other world citizens how one can renovate and maintain those impressive, monumental buildings on the Adyar estate in a sustainable manner, recognizing our obligations towards Gaya and future generations.
Accepting accountability, it is the objective to make all of the Adyar estate energy neutral, cleaning waste water and re-using it, thus demonstrating how humans can live in sacred communion with nature, realizing that there is but One Life.
Fundraising
The Adyar estate with its historical grounds, for many a reason and for Theosophists belonging to the various traditions the world over is truly a blessed place, but its overall condition leaves a lot to be desired. In order to describe what the current situation looks like, one must imagine that when it rains, and in the monsoon period it rains heavily in Tamil Nadu, it is simply not possible to perform any repair-work inside Headquarters Building. When it pours outside, the rain will certainly cause nuisance inside as well. Regrettably it is a given fact that many historically significant buildings are in a deplorable state.
The international president, Mr. Tim Boyd, has indicated that this process of far-going decay must come to a halt by firmly changing it into a process of revitalization, innovation and above all renovation, while all relevant endeavors will need to fully transparent. For that reason a 20-years plan was drawn up.
On the estate there are more than 116 buildings; most of them in a poor state. Important buildings such as Headquarters Building, the Blavatsky Bungalow and Leadbeater Chambers are no exception and urgently need to undergo an extensive reconstruction.
The Adyar archives are currently kept in a section of Headquarters building under circumstances which would be best described as fully inadequate, although this word might even be a euphemism. Archives need a conditioned, air-tight and fully acclimatized space and in order to optimize the settings professional archivists and other specialists have thoroughly investigated possibilities, looking at all angles and presented detailed plans so that very soon the critical process of improvement can take off.
Where and how to start the renovation is pretty well obvious by now, with emphasis on four sites: the Blavatsky Bungalow, Headquarters Building, Raja House and Leadbeater Chambers. But before any beginning of renovation can be made the financial consequences have to be looked into and calculated, realizing that lots of funds are needed. For the different sites different financers will be used, while in the meantime further decay should at least be halted.
THE LINK to the new website for detailed information about this unique initiative and the fundraising is available HERE
Anne Frank
Not so long ago I posted this on Theosophy Forward’s Facebook page in connection with the monstrosities currently going on in the world and dedicated it to those who lose hope. It is from Anne Frank`s diary, timeless and very current since there are ten-thousands of Anne’s in the world still, young children who see their dreams chattered because of the many conflicts created by adults, which are being fought out over their innocent heads.
This is what she wrote down in her diary on 15th July 1944:
“When I look up at the sky I somehow feel that everything will change for the better, that this cruelty too shall end, that peace will return one more .... In spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart. I simply can't build up my hopes on a foundation consisting of confusion, misery and death.”
This at the time 15 year-old-girl and who died tragically of typhus in 1945, just a few months before the British soldiers liberated the concentration camp Bergen-Belsen, wrote as a fully grown and mature woman, she must have been a gentle and illuminated soul and is a shining example for all of us.
For the New Year to come, a year full of challenges and obstacles to overcome, we should pray for peace.
May all beings live in happiness and peace.
“Like the bee gathering honey from the different flowers, the wise person accepts the essence of the different scriptures and sees only the good in all religions.”
Mahatma Gandhi
Muslim Prayer for Peace
In the name of Allah, the beneficent, the merciful.
Praise be to the Lord of the Universe who has created us and made us into tribes and nations, that we may know each other, not that we may despise each other.
If the enemy incline towards peace, do thou also incline towards peace, and trust in God, for the Lord is the one that heareth and knoweth all things.
And the servants of God, Most Gracious are those who walk on the Earth in humility, and when we address them, we say "PEACE."
Jewish Prayer for Peace
Come let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
that we may walk the paths of the Most High.
And we shall beat our swords into ploughshares,
and our spears into pruning hooks.
Nation shall not lift up sword against nation—
neither shall they learn war any more.
And none shall be afraid,
for the mouth of the Lord of Hosts has spoken.
Christian Prayer for Peace
Blessed are the Peacemakers,
for they shall be known as the Children of God.
But I say to you that hear, love your enemies,
do good to those who hate you,
bless those who curse you,
pray for those who abuse you.
To those who strike you on the cheek, offer the other also,
and from those who take away your cloak,
do not withhold your coat as well.
Give to everyone who begs from you,
and of those who take away your goods, do not ask them again.
And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
Hindu Prayers for Peace
Oh God, lead us from the unreal to the Real.
Oh God, lead us from darkness to light.
Oh God, lead us from death to immortality.
Shanti, Shanti, Shanti unto all.
Oh Lord God almighty, may there be peace in celestial regions.
May there be peace on earth.
May the waters be appeasing.
May herbs be wholesome, and may trees and plants bring peace to all.
May all beneficent beings bring peace to us.
May thy Vedic Law propagate peace all through the world.
May all things be a source of peace to us.
And may thy peace itself, bestow peace on all,
and may that peace come to me also.
Buddhist Prayer for Peace
May all beings everywhere plagued with sufferings of body and mind
quickly be freed from their illnesses.
May those frightened cease to be afraid, and may those bound be free.
May the powerless find power, and may people think of befriending one another.
May those who find themselves in trackless, fearful wildernesses—
the children, the aged, the unprotected---
be guarded by beneficent celestials,
and may they swiftly attain Buddhahood.
Baha'i Prayer for Peace
Be generous in prosperity, and thankful in adversity.
Be fair in thy judgement, and guarded in thy speech.
Be a lamp unto those who walk in darkness, and a home to the stranger.
Be eyes to the blind, and a guiding light unto the feet of the erring.
Be a breath of life to the body of humankind, a dew to the soil of the human heart,
and a fruit upon the tree of humility.
Native American Prayer for Peace
O Great Spirit of our Ancestors, I raise my pipe to you.
To your messengers the four winds,
and to Mother Earth who provides for your children.
Give us the wisdom to teach our children to love, to respect,
and to be kind to each other so that they may grow with peace in mind.
Let us learn to share all the good things you provide for us on this Earth.
Native African Prayer for Peace
Almighty God, the Great Thumb we cannot evade to tie any knot;
the Roaring Thunder that splits mighty trees:
the all-seeing Lord up on high who sees even the footprints
of an antelope on a rockmass here on Earth.
You are the one who does not hesitate to respond to our call.
You are the cornerstone of peace.