1. What’s your name, where are you from and how long have you been a member of the TS?
My first connection with the TS was three years ago, but it took me one year to start going to the center in my home town, Buenos Aires, Argentina. People there call me Gastón, my last name is Santana.
2. Are you active in your Lodge/Section and if so, what do you do?
I´m quite active in the TOS distributing donations to other NGOs connected to the organization. I´m also active in the Arjuna Lodge, this year I will begin in the role of secretary for the lodge. I would like to increase my activities as much as I can.
3. How did you first learn about Theosophy or come in contact with the Society?
I have been practicing Hatha Yoga for five years when I meet a yoga teacher who told me about the Theosophical Society. I was already very familiar with the Bhagavad Gita, the Yoga Sutras and Spirituality in general, but reading “The Voice of the Silence” took me to other level of spiritual connection. After that I started going to lectures and reading Theosophical books.
4. What does Theosophy mean to you?
The first appreciation that comes to my mind is the higher conception that it has of the creation of the universe, mankind, reality and divinity. It all makes sense in the deepest of ways.
But the most important thing from my point of view is the non-dogmatic, free thinking and evolving brother and sisterhood that it proposes.
Last but not least, the human value that the Theosophists have, and I mean the value of each one of the members of this great organization it’s amazing. You can see the continued work of the masters in practice to connect all these valuable people; I know it’s the only possible way for it to happen.
5. What is your favorite Theosophical book and why?
As with all the true books, to really understand them, one needs a lot of years of study to really make it a tool for inner transformation and not just a way to increase our own memory and discursive capacity.
That’s why I don’t think I can say that I truly “read” a Theosophical book yet. But I will say that “Light on the Path” inspired me a lot to at least try to connect with my higher self.
6. What in your opinion is the biggest challenge the TS is facing at the moment?
The continued modification of human life and the reflection of the society as a whole demand the continued adaptation of the structures that are generated: adaptation or extinction is the actual motto.
Evolution is needed for this adaptation to happen and we have this strong request, not only in our early writings like the Mahatma letters but also in one of the latest like J. Krishnamurti. We just have to reread it and make it happen. And for that, I think the wave of change will come in the new quest for applied Theosophy.
7. Is there anything you would wish for the future of the Theosophical Movement?
I hope that all Theosophists become the “Light on The Path” for humanity, showing the way for the evolved human being in all his expressions. A healthy body, an altruistic heart, a controlled mind and a connected higher self.
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.