1. What’s your name, where are you from and how long have you been a member of the TS?
My name is Lyn Trotman. I was born and raised in New York City (Borough of Queens) and continue to live there to this day. I have been a Theosophical member since 1993.
2. Are you active in your Lodge/Section and if so, what do you do?
At present I am the President of the New York Theosophical Society, Vice Pres/Treasurer of the Northeast Federation, Secretary on the Board of Directors of Pumpkin Hollow Retreat Center and manager of our Quest Bookshop here in our New York Lodge. I have been leading a Monday Night “Introduction to Theosophy” Book Study for the past 11 years and facilitating a once-a-month study group on The Secret Doctrine.
3. How did your first learn about Theosophy or come in contact with the Society?
At a time when I was busy raising our 4 children, my husband Tim was searching and found the Theosophical Society. He became a member and attended meetings regularly. He would come home and tell me about the topics and discussions at the meetings, and I would always say 'that makes sense'. Almost everything he came home and talked about made sense to me, even though I had never heard or read about these things before. I became a member as soon as my children were old enough to be left alone while I attended meetings.
4. What does Theosophy mean to you?
Theosophy has become one of the most important things in my life. I cannot imagine what my life would be like now had I not come across it.
5. What is your favourite Theosophical book and why?
I love Barborka's The Divine Plan. Barborka puts Blavatsky's Secret Doctrine into neatly arranged chapters, each chapter discussing information on a particular doctrine or law discussed in The Secret Doctrine.
6. What in your opinion is the biggest challenge the TS is facing at the moment?
At the moment- showing members and potential members the practical side of Theosophy. So many people come through our doors here in NYC and complain that we are all about studying the writings and do not teach anything practical. In this day of instant gratification, it is difficult for many to realize that study may need to come first in order to understand how to approach the practical side of Theosophy. We have been offering guided meditation sessions 49 times per month and it is interesting that those who attend meditation do not attend member meetings, and those who attend member meetings do not attend meditation. Maybe it's just a New York thing.
7. Is there anything you would wish for the future of the Theosophical Movement?
I hope the TS movement will continue throughout time so that others can receive the benefits that I have received as a result of making this organization a part of my 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.