If we were to start the Theosophical Society from scratch, what would we do?

[Katinka Hesselink]

Just for fun - if we could start the Theosophical Society afresh today, what would we do differently? And what would we keep the same?

[Margaret Sue]

Yes, I agree. I also think that today's words best representing 'Theos' are more likely to be NATURE words such as : Source, Spirit, and it's effects of Inner Knowing, and Insight or more of a Gnostic approach toward Natural Mysticism. Even the terminology of 'Science of Being' is looked at lukewarm now because of the term of 'science'! Imagine! Gads! You'd think the proof in the pudding would be a most beneficient help as far as it goes to prove the subjective into the objective awareness.

[Rodolfo Don]

I think it is a very valid question. I would not have any "important positions" in the new T.S. After all, the only real authority in spiritual matters is the spiritual EGO. Forget about all those worldly personalities. They mean nothing at the end. No elected officials. No president. Everybody should be considered equal. The only thing that those positions produce is to increase personal ambitions and produce great egos. That is why I like the U.L.T. model. Crosbie was very wise when he came up with the idea.

[TheosNet]

Well, for the sake of transparency it does help to have elections and officials - I'd personally want some middle ground between the ULT model (which is egalitarian, but not transparent) and the TSA model (which is somewhat transparent, but too authoritarian).

[Margaret Sue]

What is U.L.T. please?
Thx

[Katinka Hesselink]

MOre about the ult (or United Lodge of Theosophists)

[Susan Thomas]

Amen to that. Now what can we argue about........hmmmmmmmm? (See the lightbulb for ideas)

[Susan Thomas]

Seriously, last night I was thinking that this might be a purer way to achieve the three objects (and the secret fourth object known only to members). Personalities morph on line it seems. This venue seems to draw people without them being able to make judgements about the facts that seem apparent when we are all in one room together.

[Erica Georgiades]

I read people writing about how "archaic" is to have lodges,.

Some argue that we are a family, and why to have divisions as lodges. I wonder if in their personal families they all sleep in the same bed-room, wear the same clothes, and share the same tooth-brush.

One of the things I most liked (in terms of structure) in the TS are the lodges.

Yes, every lodge is composed by a group of persons who have common interest over a subject. The lodges system in fact offer a great system of decentralization, so local general secretaries or committes, have no way to impose a certain line of thought, or to promote themes and lectures which are going to please just a small group in detriment of other group. If we had no lodges here in the T.S., with the last General Secretary we had, the only lectures we had, would have been the ones, Krishnamurti delivered before the dissolving of the Order of the Star.

[Charles Cosimano]

"Lodge" is one of those words that made sense a long time ago but now sort of make people giggle, at least in the US. It brings to mind a bunch of people in funny hats saying, "Da moose is a noble animal," before they all get drunk and go bowling.

Of course at the rate our membership is aging, we might as well all meet in funeral parlors.

I don't have a problem with the idea of a local group based structure. It actually makes more sense than a broad something that people have no real contact with. The internet allows us to do a lot of things that could never be done before but there is no substitute for people sitting down and eating together.

[M. Sufilight]

Dear Charles and everyone.

Just to let you all know.
I agree.

A part of the theosophical teachings as I know them is and was to adapt its teaching according to time, place, people and circumstances. So various words no longer helpful in promoting the wisdom teachings aught to be changed. The word "Group" would perhaps better if it doesn't make Seekers consider it to be a business Corporation based on profit or similar. Such changes also aught to happen when time is ripe. Wisdom is the best we have and what we need.


M. Sufilight

[Don Ridgway]

I became a student--and then a believer--and now a perpetual student from over a quarter a century ago. I have studied all the books and literature of Blavatsky's Theosophical Society I could get. The question strikes a vibrant chord in me because I saw the importance of its wisdom and try to further it and inculcate its timeless teachings in my life and interactions. I started The Renaissance Society when the internet was young and have added to it through the years, even an Esoteric Section, with which I conduct teaching sessions on selected topics for interested parties I meet on forums or wherever.

I see Theosophy as a philosophy and a science (but I would not use the term 'hermetic' to publicize it) which I call The Ancient Wisdom, which in turn religions ('religios') keep, protect, interpret, and pass on to their civilizations through the Ages. Except as meditation and respect, I think any sembence of worship in the Society is contrary to its purpose and message.

Don't forget a new Age is dawning--literally and astronomically--and some things have to fall away to make room for the new (or the eternal old on a new level) and I see this topic-thread question as a part of this eternal process. Called spiritual evolution.

I think the internet is fitting and just fine for this (Aquarian) process at least for a while; perhaps physical meetings, which could lead to ego-ism and cults and churches, can wait until beliefs and understanding are more prevalent and entrenched. In deference to the previous post, I'm not against physical lodges at all, I just think for now the written internet does pretty well as a medium of discussion and learning, at least up to and through the Lesser Mysteries, as HPB said.

[Brenda Tucker]

I'm trying to start my own company and so from experience I can tell you that you never really can be sure that the step you are taking is the proper step at the proper time. It's always as if maybe something else should take priority over your current endeavor.

To properly time events, we should have people who are in need of support and pleasure - from years of hard work. When I worked at Olcott, I had a serious need for associates. When Blavatsky continued working at the T.S., it began to involve her producing written materials that would serve as the foundation - and not just the three objects. She had a broad perspective due to travel that few people could claim the luxury of.

She thought that she could produce more writing than she did. She thought there would be a 3rd volume to THE SECRET DOCTRINE which she did not accomplish.

In starting The Theosophical Society today, I would try to include the "I AM" Temple people and writings (or dictations), as this practical 3rd volume. It is a shame that outsiders had to bring their material in as belonging to them instead of combining it with what was here. I still wish I could combine them by building an "I AM" Temple right on the grounds of the T.S. in Wheaton. Those temples need sacred places to exist and that is what I would wish for the students of theosophy as far as exposure to the concepts.