The Society

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2. 1. What’s your name, where are you from and how long have you been a member of the TS?

My name is Aspasia Papadomichelaki; I was born in Athens, Greece where I live to this day. I have been indulging in metaphysical research and activities ever since 1973 and in 1992 I became member of the Greek T.S.

2. Are you active in your Lodge/Section and if so, what do you do?

I have set up the Athens ULT in my country and am in charge of its activities. In the respective premises  we conduct open lectures and study groups, all steadily focused on the original Thesophical teachings.  For further information you may visit the websites: www.ultathens.gr and www.blavatsky.gr .

3. 3. How did you first learn about Theosophy or come in contact with the Society?

Feeling a strong urge to understand the esoteric nature of things, from 1973 I began studying and researching the most important lines of esoteric thought (Plato, Samkya-Yoga, Buddhism, Kabbalah) and finally reached the Theosophical Movement. I must admit Theosophy captured me so much that I joined as a member of the Greek T.S. in 1992.

Lack of any substantial material regarding the 1875 Theosophical Movement in that milieu, made me turn for information first to Adyar, where I was to face formalities and popism and then to the European School of Theosophy. My meeting with its founder, the unforgettable late Jeffrey Farthing, was absolutely decisive for my onward course and for my commitment to genuine Theosophy. Dallas TenBroeck, a precious associate of ULT's, became my next instructor in the world Movement suggesting to me to become an associate of the L A ULT (Mother Lodge) and urging me to set up the Athens ULT, which I was more than happy to do.

4. 4. What does Theosophy mean to you?

Τheosophy or in Greek Theosophia means Divine Wisdom. It is the esoteric knowledge about the Universe and Man given by the Divine Beings. It is a heart doctrine, an esoteric science that brings forth to human consciousness the inherent Divine Law springing from the ONE; a Law recorded on every monad of the universe, obliging the monad to live and behave according to its Law’s principles.

Modern Theosophy’s teachings are for me the outlining of the beginning and manifestation of universal life along with the purpose it serves in time and space. Highlighting that the Universe and everything it embraces is the expression of Divine Thought, i.e. the Law combined with Divine Ethos, it defines Justice and Brotherhood as the ideal of individual life. Its teachings also generously offer inner knowledge and, by so doing, help modern man to understand, assimilate and justify principles about the conduct he ought to apply in practice. The message of Modern Theosophy is that the goal of evolution is the blending of ethos with intelligence so that – through reiterated individual experiences – the temporary and unfinished may be replaced by the divine and ever-lasting.

Modern Theosophy was conveyed by the Adepts and written down by their representative, H. P. Blavatsky. The co-founder, Blavatsky's close collaborator and friend, W.Q Judge, greatly contributed to the preservation of the genuine teaching and its dissemination, mainly in America.

Other Theosophists later on, holding on to the original position and line of the Movement, raised their voices protesting against the Besantian arbitrary ways, demanding and imposing the Movement to return to its original principles.

I felt it my duty to pass the esoteric message onto others, as well, and have chosen ULT as the most appropriate one for the purpose. Rid of formalities, ambition and selfishness, it allows its members to work and collaborate wherever there exists “similarity of aims, purpose and teaching”.

5. 5. What is your favourite Theosophical book and why?

1. Τhe Secret Doctrine, because it gives me the panorama of the inner life and its Laws. Its doctrine is an esoteric scientific guide which explains the reasons of every phenomenon in Nature. It gives a supreme knowledge very helpful to persuade people that inner life exists. It provides man with a stable footing to understand the scope of individual and universal life.

2. The Voice of the Silence, as it shows the way of liberation. It is really a treasure for me, a fountain of spirituality which in a few pages points out:

a) human vices

b) how to detach your lower self from them and to wake up virtues and spiritual attributes and

c) the path to perfection and to the great sacrifice for the sake of humanity.

6. 6. What in your opinion is the biggest challenge the TS Adyar (as an organization) is facing at the moment?

Bearing the name of TS Adyar as given by the Founders of the initial Society, they will have first to save and reserve the initial propositions and secondly to show justice and loyalty to all three Founders. Brotherhood cannot exist without justice.

7. 7. Is there anything you would wish for the future of the Theosophical Movement?

I hope and wish that the Theosophical Movement gets rid of all separating trends and all sorts of disunion so that it can, re-united, commit itself to the presentation and spreading of its original rules and teaching. The goal of the Movement was and still is to help man perceive and assimilate the eternal values and the real purpose of his life.

Βrotherhood is unity which implies peace, order, harmony and justice, according to Pythagoras.

(CW, vol.I,p. 200)

Brotherhood and justice co-exist. A real Theosophist does not repeat the word “brotherhood” without contributing justice to the Theosophical principles, rules and to its founders.

I hope and wish that the “brotherhood of men” shall be put into practice and that real Theosophists will help that superb and fathomless meaning to be understood and assimilated by as many people as possible.

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.