1. What’s your name, where are you from and how long have you been a member of the TS?
My name is Martine Archambault, I was born in Montreal in the province of Quebec in Canada and I currently reside in the Eastern Townships of Montreal. I have been a member of the TS for 22 years.
2. Are you active in your Lodge/Association and if so, what do you do?
I have been secretary of the Les Montagnes Bleues lodge in Magog for about 10 years and national secretary of the ATCTA for 5 years.
3. How did you first learn about Theosophy or come in contact with the Society?
The information about the TS was given to me by Mrs. Lucille Latendresse, a pioneer of the TS in Quebec and co-founder of the lodge 24 years ago.
4. What does Theosophy mean to you?
For me, the Divine or Ageless Wisdom must necessarily envelop all Life in its great starry mantle. Since the principle of universal brotherhood is the very basis of Theosophy, each one must study, meditate, compare and reflect for himself without imposing his point of view on anyone. No cult, no blind faith, no obligation to believe, no authority that imposes itself on anything. The Truth does not impose itself by an external force, it reveals itself to those who sincerely have the open heart and the curious mind of the tireless seeker on the divine foundation of existence. Theosophy demonstrates to us the possibility of an unlimited development of consciousness concerning the journey of man towards the Ultimate Reality.
5. What is your favorite Theosophical book and why?
I would say that three books particularly impressed and enthusiasm me. All three by I.K. Taimni: Man, God and the Universe, The Science of Yoga and The Discovery of the Self, the Science of Self-Cultivation. These three books are in a way a meeting point between the East and the West, presented with clarity and wisdom, they offer us an accessible understanding of the inestimable treasures of Indian philosophies while using a language that is assimilated and intelligible to us Westerners.
6. What in your opinion is the biggest challenge the TS is facing at the moment?
Being a Theosophist does not change who you are, but it reveals who you really are. And if we are to keep alive the possibility of spiritual progress in our time, we must create that crack of light that will illuminate our community, our relatives and friends, our neighbors and our distant ones.... We are all compassionate, resilient, honest people whose destiny is linked to that of others. And it is high time that we can reflect this universal truth. It is therefore up to us to add our voices and our actions by echoing our theosophical heritage: “When you see something that is wrong, you must say so. You must do something.” This is the truest form of empathy: not just feeling, but acting; not just for ourselves or our loved ones, but for all humanity.....
7. From July 23 till July 27 2025 your association is hosting the 12th World congress in Vancouver. What are your expectations, and is there anything you would wish for the future of the Theosophical Movement?
It is certain that I greatly anticipate beautiful joyful meetings with my theosophist brothers and sisters from all over the world. It is an unmissable opportunity to live the experience of brotherhood and sisterhood, indeed this event is very important since it is rich in vital vibrations that allow a consolidation of the theosophical spirit in rewards of the effort provided both in our study groups and in the administration of the society. Let us become aware of the universality of the precious theosophical teaching, this new avatar embodied in a group of universal spirituality to circulate Wisdom, Light, which humanity sorely needs.
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.