1. What is your name, where are you from and how long you have been a member of The TS?
My name is Carlos Gauggel, I am German and Honduran. I consider both countries my Motherland. I have been an active member of the TS for the past 8 years.
2. Are you active in your Lodge/section and if so, what do you do?
Yes, I am very active in our Study Group. It is very unique because most of its members are university students. This makes our group very dynamic and challenging. The young students are very inquisitive and they are yearning for the occult truth behind the scientific principles. They have found those answers in Theosophy. I assist our Coordinator, Gloria Gauggel in conducting study groups among the students. I assist also with congresses and International TS meetings to bring back the wisdom gathered to our members. Oh, and by the way, I also serve the coffee at the meetings and arrange the meeting room (this is also very important for me since it teaches me humility and brotherhood).
3. How did you first learn about Theosophy or come in contact with the society?
I came to know Theosophy through my wife Gloria Gauggel and my parents –in-law, Manuel and Fredes Arevalo. They were ardent Theosophists, yet very tolerant and analytical. I have that debt to them, among many others. Through Theosophy, they gave me the answers that as a scientist and academician I was looking for.
4. What does Theosophy mean to you?
Theosophy means the integration of the known with the secret knowledge (religion, philosophy and science); but most of all it means the unity of all things and respect for all, from a humble grain of sand to forms of life with the complexity of human beings, galaxies and universes. Theosophy has taught me compassion for the least privileged of all the kingdoms of nature and to take action to construct a better world.
5. What is your favorite Theosophical book and why?
It is The Theosophical Encyclopedia, edited by Harris et al (2006). The reason being is that it is so practical to have in one book at least a very clear idea of all or almost all Theosophical issues, biographies and teachings. That is in the light of the complexity of such vast knowledge that Theosophy comprises.
6. What in you opinion is the biggest challenge the TS Adyar (as an organization) is facing at the moment.
Theosophy is growing fast all over the world, mainly as the result of the revolution in communications. Therefore, the greatest challenge for Adyar is to keep the Theosophical Teachings pure and unpolluted, yet to encourage inquisitive thinking and the freedoms that as civilized beings we consider to be ethically correct.
7. Is there anything you would wish for the future of the Theosophical movement?
To take the Theosophical message to all the world so that true peace and brotherhood will flourish; hence helping those in great need of spiritual help as well as those needing the basic means to live. That is why we work with the youth; to them belongs the future and whatever the future will be is going to be done by them.
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.