1. What’s your name, where are you from and how long have you been a member of the TS?
My name is J. Dayanand and I am from Tamilnadu, India, at present living in Pondicherry. In my professional life, I am retired now, I was an expert on flora and fauna and recognized as such by the government of India. I studied reclamation of soil at Oxford University in the UK, and among many other activities I was Director of the Food Cooperation of India, in New Delhi. I am a Life Member of the TS-Adyar.
2. Are you active in your Lodge/Section and if so, what do you do?
I am connected with the Adyar Lodge since 1981 at the headquarters of the TS Adyar in Chennai, India. Have given talks, walk and talk around estate and was involved with Youth Lodge activities, like study sessions, quizzes and games in the evening.
3. How did you first learn about Theosophy or come in contact with the Society?
Have always been interested in the forces behind life and how to manipulate them for good and at that time the T.S was my only source and its monumental library which I used thoroughly.
4. What does Theosophy mean to you?
It is a way of Life, constant search, vaster and vaster vistas of being and non being.
5. What is your favourite Theosophical book and why?
The Secret Doctrine written by that mighty occultist H. P. Blavatsky.
6. What in your opinion is the biggest challenge the TS facing at the moment?
To make Theosophy a strong movement.
7. Is there anything you would wish for the future of the Theosophical Movement?
It is not me who is important; it is clearly the movement. This has to be strengthened by induction of youth; time bound collective work and a real working bond between all Theosophists. It should happen. The time has come, the moment has arrived, we need to act now. At the moment the future in my opinion looks rather bleak, unless the leadership is able to establish a small nucleus or settlement somewhere, and live the ideal in real life.
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.