1. What’s your name, where are you from and how long have you been a member of the TS?
I’m Wei Ling, based in Singapore. My journey with TS commenced in May 2019, prompted by my uncle’s wonderful encounter with the Singapore Theosophical Lodge. Following his suggestion, I became involved in the Lodge activities, driven by a desire to explore the depths of contemplative meditation.
2. Are you active in your Lodge/Section and if so, what do you do?
I have remained actively engaged within my Lodge for the past three years, regularly participating in Zoom meetings held regularly by fellow members of the Singapore Lodge .
As a contributor, I introduce people to Theosophy by sharing the insights gained from lectures. Using theosophical wisdom, I endeavor to instill a sense of self-assurance in others, presenting Truth to those who are receptive.
My approach involves inspiring individuals to explore Theosophy through various youth-oriented activities. This is by organizing movie nights, nature walks to foster deeper connections and familiarity with newly joined youths, they find themselves more at ease attending lectures at the lodge.
I simplify theosophical concepts into easily digestible portions for sharing amongst peers and colleagues. Being a guide to help people around me who face challenges to change their perspectives so that they can lead a more fulfilling life and have a more enjoyable experience.
In the role of a beacon for Theosophy, I lead by example, living the principles and demonstrating how to integrate them in my daily life. Through active participation in activities aimed at elevating vibrations, I contribute to a positive atmosphere.
My personal journey involves ongoing self-transformation, a process through which I not only change my inner self, but also facilitate bringing others closer to Truth. I share my light with them, nurturing a deeper understanding and connection.
3. How did you first learn about Theosophy or come in contact with the Society?
I come in contact with the Society through my relative who is my uncle staying very close to me. This happened when I was in a car trying to send my helper to the airport and he brought up the Theosophical Society and had me interested in attending a course in Theosophy organized semi-annually by the Singapore lodge. I was intrigued by the simple context of Theosophy that shed lights to deeper meaning. The theosophical knowledge aligned closely with my Buddhist roots, prompting me to become a member in pursuit of deeper insights. Since then, I’ve become immersed in the Society’s culture and have remained an active member ever since.
4. What does Theosophy mean to you?
Theosophy means living a spiritual life by developing a connection between the inner self and interaction with the universe. I strive to prioritize inner growth, self-awareness and a harmonious relationship with mother nature.
I aim to transcend materialistic and superficial aspects of modern living, shifting my focus towards understanding deeper meanings of life, nature of existence and “Who am I”. This journey entails a continuous pursuit of wisdom.
Theosophy is living our lives to the highest potential, acknowledging that man is more than just our physical bodies. We are spiritual beings having a human experience and hence I endeavor to raise my personal vibrations and engage in meditations that help to promote love, compassion, gratitude and kindness within me. I consciously work to cultivate positive thoughts, emotions and behaviors, informed by the insights of the power of thought forms from theosophical literatures. This elevation of subtle energy level contributes to creating a harmonious and more positive reality for myself and around me.
While the gift of Theosophy is one I wish to share with my loved ones, I’ve come to understand that it might not resonate with everyone. I’ve attempted to introduce people to the lodge, recognizing that some may not fully embrace its teachings. However, I believe that coercion is unnecessary, instead each person finds their unique way of serving those around them to the best of their abilities. For instance, my brother excels in caring for our aged parents, dedicating his resources to enhancing their lives. To me, that is his embodiment of Theosophy.
Theosophy is also about being of service to other men, as this will bring a deep sense of fulfillment and purpose for happiness which comes when we make others happy.
Ultimately, my aim is to align myself with a higher state of consciousness to have inner peace.
5. What is your favorite Theosophical book and why?
My favorite theosophical books are The Real World of Fairies by Dora van Gelder and The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnet. The Real World of Fairies is a catchy book because it reconnects me with my inner child and the simple, joyful aspects of my personality. At times, the world can impart harsh and unforgiving lessons. In such moments, we have to cultivate kindness and compassion towards ourselves. In the book, I discovered how angels perceive life, imparts a beautiful lesson in becoming more impersonal and drawing closer to the divine. For me, this book serves as a bridge to a less materialistic world and a gateway to the realm of spirit.
I hold great appreciation for The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnet as this book is especially valued because the current president of the Singapore Lodge possesses exceptional expertise in it. His extensive knowledge and dedication to referencing key passages from the Mahatma Letters in order to elucidate various theosophical subjects enable me to cross-reference the information with other theosophical resources, instilling confidence in the work of different theosophical writers.
This book facilitates the practice of discernment for me. When I can utilize the Letters of the Masters as a reliable source, it provides a basis for comparison with other writings. Due to the importance and grandeur of the Mahatma Letters, members who rarely attend lectures would make a special effort to be present for talks centered around it.
In conclusion, delving into The Mahatma Letters allow me to establish a connection with the inner founders of Theosophy, fostering a deep affection for them as my spiritual mentors. This, in turn, inspires me to serve humanity wholeheartedly.
6. What in your opinion is the biggest challenge the TS is facing at the moment?
TS has to be the forerunner for movements as there is no other Society that has its motivation to be a reformer for new initiatives, therefore the challenge is to move from stuckness into flow. It’s the duty of the members to challenge the established norms of the past and propel humanity forward in terms of developing new ideas. When we engage into the core of perspectives, it feels that a sense of inertia prevails, hindering progress and obstructing the integration of new perspectives, new opinions are rejected and new voices are ignored. Why is it so? Individuals are driven to work diligently to ensure a secure retirement which creates a sense of insecurity and stress causing them difficulty in embracing changes. Life has been harder and people are developing new improvements in their fields and causing them to be short-sighted on the bigger work.
Regrettably, many are not aligning with their true purpose, instead seeking external sources to blame for their challenges. This tendency to look outwards prevents them from finding real solutions that target the root problem, leading to misery. Therefore, the stronger need to emphasize self-transformation for all TS members. As beacons of light, when we transform our perspectives and undergo internal change, we can influence our surroundings and encourage recipients to change theirs as well. Every member must take responsibility for their own inward journey towards greater consciousness. The challenge lies in the non-realization of the importance of each member's true purpose in the TS and their failure to align with the core reason for the TS’s formation.
The challenge is in remaining steadfast in our commitment to steward humanity forward and avoid being sidetracked by seeking knowledge solely for personal gain.
The Theosophical Society has members who managed to establish their own educational institutions e.g. Golden Link Colleges in the Philippines, and our focus should be on further enhancing the remarkable efforts of our current theosophical leaders. Our aim should be to contribute to the advancement of their work and bolster their initiatives. This entails utilizing our existing resource to greater use with the ultimate goal of creating a strong foundation for the upcoming generations of Theosophy to build on.
7. Is there anything you would wish for the future of the Theosophical Movement?
I aspire for us to collectively make subtle yet impactful changes in people’s mental outlooks, encouraging them to explore their inner selves and diminish their overemphasis on the physical body. We commence by setting examples in behavior and thought and we share theosophical literature to alter their outlook. We can craft reflective snippets and produce pamphlets to be freely distributed. Also, we can create short videos to be uploaded in social media. There are so many ideas that we can collaborate and work on, importantly, we collectively need an unwavering inner passion to propel this transformative change.
We first improve our surroundings so that we create a foundation for broader and more significant endeavors. This involves having a positive outlook in the phase of adversity and cultivating compassion for those who have treated us unkindly. If we were unable to begin with a small circle of people, we would not be prepared for the bigger and larger task.
In the future, we would be able to possess the means to nurture our members into confident speakers, capable of leading lectures, workshops and advocating for change. They can be influential voices, promoting equilibrium and addressing power imbalances.
My hope is that each individual within our Society grows into a beacon of righteousness, spreading peace across the world. Our contribution lies in sharing serenity and harmony rather than perpetuating harm.
To achieve this, it’s vital to introspect and perceive everyone as both teachers and mirrors reflecting our inner states. We are the source of our own joy or sorrow, and by transforming ourselves, we can catalyze a shift towards a more tranquil environment.
I envision our resources being channeled to empower our members to find their voices, learn to practice discrimination independently, and apply these lessons to their lives effectively. This process will lead to self-sufficiency and meaningful growth within our community.
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.