1. What’s your name, where are you from and how long have you been a member of the TS?
Robert Béland, Val-David, from Québec, Canada. I have been a member since 1980.
2. Are you active in your Lodge/Association and if so, what do you do?
Currently serving as President of the Canadian Theosophical Association (CTA), now for a second term. I am actively working with the Board of Directors to simplify and optimize the administrative process. My main objective, however, is to make all the lodges in Canada more vibrant, to increase the number of our members and to ensure quality in the transmission of theosophical teachings. In addition to the work in person, I run with the help of my colleagues, two websites, two Facebook pages and twp YouTube channels.
3. How did you first learn about Theosophy or come in contact with the Society?
When I was about 18, I had a friend who often talked to me about philosophy or Theosophy in the broadest sense, which quickly led me to the Theosophical Society.
4. What does Theosophy mean to you?
Simply said, “if we understand the workings or rules of this planet, what we might call the Universal Laws, and if we understand the workings or constitution of the human being, so to speak, the game of life, like any other game, is easier to win and more enjoyable, thus lessening the suffering of all sentient beings.”
In theosophical terms this study can be extended ad infinitum: cosmogenesis + anthropogenesis -The Secret Doctrine, that enables us to conceive Unity by expansion in space and infinite in time.
5. What is your favorite Theosophical book and why?
Some time ago, when I was asked the same question, I answered At the feet of the Master, simple enough for beginners and deep enough to inspire us all our life.
Last year, during study sessions based on a dozen videos by Pablo and Michele Sender. There was one session explaining the journey of a theosophist from beginning to "end". In the last video The path of initiation, this little book was referred to for much of this presentation.
So I stick the answer : At the feet of the Master.
6. What in your opinion is the biggest challenge the TS is facing at the moment?
I don't know enough about the world situation to answer that question. I can say that in Canada, not having more members is slowly turning into a problem.
It is an administrative problem, because the fewer members you have, the less members get involved.
It's also a theosophical problem, for if, as the Masters said, “ The Theosophical Society was chosen as the corner stone, the foundation of the future religion of humanity”, then, in my opinion, a presence on the physical plane, in quantity and quality, is necessary. We must therefore strive to transmit the teachings to both scholars and but also beginners, in such a way that all have an important role to play. To accomplish this this, we must have volunteers to teach and to pass on our compréhension of the teachings.
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?
We have once again, but for the first time in Canada, the opportunity to demonstrate to the world that it is possible to bring together hundreds of people from different countries, origins, philosophies, religions and, from this diversity, to project and demonstrate Unity together. To establish also our role in shaping the future. To work and determine together, the actions that we can undertake for a better future. I am very much looking forward to meeting all our fiends again,
I am convinced that the thoughts, emotions and actions that will arise from this 12th World congress will be a long lasting benefit for humanity,
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.