The TS in Canberra Newsletter No. 85 (July — December 2017) 1

THE THEOSOPHICAL

SOCIETY

IN CANBERRA

Newsletter No. 85

July — December 2017

www.austheos.org.au and www.austheos.org.au/canberra/ e mail: tshq@austheos.org.au (Sydney) email:janton@netspeed.com.au or tifcrook@tpg.com.au (Canberra)

President Grahame Crookham 0490147020 Vice-President: Peter Fokker (02) 6236 3170

A word from the President 1 Notes 2

Theosophy and the Dalai Lama 3,8 Snippets from our winter programme 4

11th World Congress Singapore 5

Character building 6 Spiritual healing 7 AGM/ annual fees 9 International

President’s blog 10 What the mind can achieve through colour 10

Canyonleigh 11

School of Theosophy 2018 12

TOS 13

Programme 14

The Theosophical Society in Canberra is not responsible for any statement in this newsletter. Views expressed are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of the Society or the Editor.

A word from the President

Welcome everyone to our last newsletter of 2017. At our October AGM we voted in the following: President (Grahame Crookham), Vice President (Peter Fokker), Treasurer / Membership Secretary (Margot Herbert), Execu-tive Committee (Colleen Grafton-Green, Keith Ross and Gordon Herbert). Henny Fokker continues in her role as Librarian and Janice Scarabottolo as Newsletter Editor/Liaison. For reasons of health, Birthe Ross did not stand for the executive team. We thank Birthe for her conscientiousness and con-tributions as Treasurer, Membership Secretary and her Program Committee role throughout the 2016-2017 year. Our “Progressions: the book” study sessions came to a conclusion in Novem-ber after twelve successful monthly gatherings. From my perspective it was the highlight of the year with the content covered, the participation of attendees and the enthusiasm of the discussions. Members showed their appreciation through making a small gift to the author/facilitator Gordon Herbert, and Margot Herbert for her loyal support. A recent highlight event was ‘Christmas in July’ where six members and friends presented, including: a Course in Miracles, Reiki, population issues, a tribal fusion belly dance, a Christmas fairy skit, colour meditation and a humorous poem.

In November we held the Business Convention meeting as part of the regular 6-monthly visit to the TS library at the Fokkers’ residence at Burra. A very successful Sydney/Canberra event was held at Canyonleigh on Sunday 12 November with 18 attendees (6 from Canberra, 10 from Sydney and 2 from Newcastle). The theme “Pearls of the Orient: a presentation of the sacred teachings and teachers of the Eastern tradition” comprised numer-ous presentations, including: chanting the Gayatri mantra, readings and poetry, excerpts from the Hsin Hsin Ming, a short Chinese movie, guided meditation and talks.

In the spirit of ‘facilitating friendly cooperation and building bridges be-tween like-minded people’ I have attended the last two Jung Society meetings and Diane Bellchambers’ 2-day “Soul Power Workshop: How To Be Calm, Centred And Connected”. The workshop was a very helpful encour-agement to shift one’s perspective from the Personality to the Higher Self. At the Jung Society meeting, I was introduced to Jung’s “The Red Book”, published for the first time only recently (2009). Described as the single

(continued on page 3)

2 The TS in Canberra Newsletter No. 85 (July — December 2017)

Last reminder for TS Convention 2018

20 to 27 January 2018

St John’s College, Univ of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane

Theme: The Quest for Truth, Science and the Spiritual Self

Speaker: Professor Emeritus Richard Silberstein, neuroscientist

http://austheos.org.au/whats/2018-national-convention/

nbe

Canyonleigh Centre Bolitho House, Tugalong Road

Theme: Towards Stress Free Living: Cultivating Stillness Friday 23 March—Sunday 25 March 2018

Presenters: Linda Oliveira, Pedro Oliveira Marie Bertelle, Brian Parry

Cost: Members $125 (twin share) or $150 (single room ) Non-members $150 (twin share) or $210 (single room )Enquiries : edcoord@austheos.org.au or (02) 9264 7056 (Mon—Thurs)

Early registration is advised —see website

Springbrook

2018

School of Theosophy Springbrook

Thursday 26 April – Wednesday 2 May 2018

HPB’s Esoteric Instructions with Michael Gomes

See page 12

Singapore 2018

11th Word Congress - Singapore 4—8 August 2018

4th International TOS Conference 9 and 10 August 2018

See page 5

Notes for members and friends

Brisbane 2018

Canyonleigh [

2018

St John’s College

The School of the Wisdom, Adyar

Four sessions starting 20 November 2017and ending 2 February 2018. Participants can chose the session(s) at the School. All Information is at http://www.ts-adyar.org/content/school-wisdom

The TS in Canberra Newsletter No. 85 (July — December 2017) 3

(A Word from the President - continued from page 1)

most important documentary source of his work, it presents his dialogue from 1914 to 1930 - from age 38 to 55 - with his Self (the God in us, the Hindu equivalent Brahman/Atman). It is an account of stages of his process of individuation, in which he recovered his soul. A wonderful find! Another book to enter my horizon has been “A Course of Love” by Mari Perron. It draws the mind into com-munion with the heart; facilitating union and relationship, true Self and co-creation. Both these resources are wonderful examples of the perennial wisdom in a modern context.

The next Annual TS Convention is to be hosted by the Brisbane Lodge in January 2018, entitled “The Quest for Truth, Science and the Spiritual Search”. We have five members of our Branch attending, namely Barbara Harrod, Henny Fokker, Peter Fokker, Janice Scarabottolo and Grahame Crookham. Finally, I wish to thank all Members and Friends for their participation and encouragement during

2017 and wish all good health and cheer for Christmas/ New Year and for 2018.

Grahame Crookham ॐ President, The Theosophical Society in Canberra

Theosophy and the Dalai Lama In the last newsletter (84) we encouraged members to investigate Theosophy Wiki. The entry for Tenzin Gyatso, the XIV Dalai Lama, implies the impressive relationship between His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Theosophical Society. http://theosophy.wiki/w-en/index.php?title=Tenzin_Gyatso,_the_XIV_Dalai_Lama

“The Theosophical Society (Adyar) has a long and warm relationship with His Holiness the XIVth Dalai Lama. The young Dalai Lama travelled to India in 1956 to celebrate the birth of Buddha. During his tour he visited the international headquarters of the Theosophical Society in Adyar, Chennai (formerly Madras). On December 18th, he presented three Tibetan manuscripts to the Adyar Library and Research Centre. The Panchen Lama accompanied him. Later His Holiness wrote that the Theosophists’ openness to many faith traditions had changed his views toward religious pluralism. He wrote in Toward a True Kinship of Faith:

Looking back to this trip in 1956, I realize that my visit to the Theosophical Society in Chennai (then Madras) left a powerful impression. There I was first directly exposed to people, and to a movement, that attempted to bring together the wisdom of the world’s spiritual traditions as well as science. I felt among the members a sense of tremendous openness to the world’s great religions and a genuine embracing of pluralism.

When I returned to Tibet in 1957, after more than three months in what was a most amazing country for a young Tibetan monk, I was a changed man. I could no longer live in the comfort of an exclusivist standpoint that takes Buddhism to be the only true religion.

(Continued on page 8)

The Panchen Lama and the

Dalai Lama in the Adyar Library (Photo courtesy of TS in America)

4 The TS in Canberra Newsletter No. 85 (July — December 2017)

Snippets from our winter programme

Snippets from the June-July Programme

. On 17 June the speaker was Ilona

Nichterlein, who had taught hypnotherapy for many years and from that discipline has since gone to treating what is in the sub-conscious. She spoke of Life Alignment, a transformational healing system of body, heart and mind, providing the means to free ourselves from trapped emotional en-ergy.

Illona described it as freeing us from the past in order to live fully in the present and to discover our purpose in life. She referred us to The Emotion Code by Dr Bradley Nelson, which could be an interesting and helpful resource. Aided by one of our mem-bers, Ilona demon-strated muscle testing, using a chart listing various emotional obstruc-tions which might be hindering us. The methods she used for identifying those, through a process of elimination, are ex-plained fully in The Emotion Code. Ilona also assists by means of distance healing.

. On 1 July, Valerie and John Barrow trav-

elled from Bowral, NSW, for the afternoon session. Valerie first spoke on what she has learned from aboriginal people and talked about the Star People; she believes her own history is as a star person.

During the session Valerie’s source de-scribed that our planet is being influenced by the Andromeda galaxy – with the inten-tion that light, wisdom and love be estab-lished.

A new energy is influencing not only here, but other life-forms and there is much hap-pening to assist in the evolvement of the human race. Adjustments are taking place,

with releasing of unwanted energy and ad-justing to new energy. Climate is changing. There is a choice to make, to be a Being of Love and Light. We should create such in-tent within …to care for all others upon the Earth and help one another. See link at - http://www.valeriebarrow.com

. The afternoon of 14 July was a very differ-

ent event for the TS in Canberra – we en-joyed a Christmas in July occasion, with var-ious members enthusiastically stepping for-ward to contribute.

Lynda started the series of mini presenta-tions with an exposé on A Course in Miracles. Published in three sections: Text-book, Workbook, and Manual for Teachers

it was, as Lynda de-scribed, an “inner dic-tation”, and scribed by Helen Schucman.

The Work book contains 365 lessons; one for each day of the year, and, of the three sections, this one would be recommended to the student if time for study and practice is scarce. The aim of the course is to make a fundamental shift from mindlessness to mindfulness (remembering that this course was published in 1976 before such termi-nology was current or fashionable).

The introduction tells us: The course does not aim at teaching the meaning of love, for that is beyond what can be taught. It does aim, however, at removing the blocks to the awareness of love's presence, which is your natural inheritance.

Maia’s presentation on Reiki and Spiritual Healing explained that Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction, healing and removing trapped emotions (Rei – God’s wisdom and Ki – life force energy). Although there is evidence of different

The TS in Canberra Newsletter No. 85 (July — December 2017) 5

kinds of Reiki being practised in history, Mikao Usui is considered to have devel-oped it. Maia’s text for spiritual healing is on page 7 as composed by her. Keith gave a talk on Population Issues and the global concerns affected by the scale of human enterprise since the 20th century and the Anthropocene age rec-ognising the effect of human impact up-on the earth’s biodiversity, climate and ecosystems.

With a quick change of costume, Risa gave a demonstration of tribal fusion bel-ly dancing - a modern form of belly dance, created by fusing American Tribal Style with other styles but retaining the required poise and agility.

After a break for an array of sumptuous food supplied by everyone, we watched Adèle on large screen DVD delivering a clever monologue on The Christmas Fairy which she co-wrote.

Margot took us through a meditation on colour breathing, which is healing with colour, and can be done anywhere, at home or even while travelling. Keith finished the afternoon with North of England style humour, reciting the poem The Lion and Albert.

As well as offering a different type of get together the afternoon gave the oppor-tunity to explore various talents of the human personality; of dance, philosophy, humour, recitation, concern for the envi-ronment and our health and well being.

For members 11th world congress of the Theosophical Society

Singapore The last International Congress was held in Rome in 2010. In 2018 Singapore will be the host. For those living in Australia, this is close to home, and in addi-tion to a most wonderful opportunity of meeting and hearing

theosophical speakers from all over the world, it could be combined with some holiday time. The 11th World Congress will be followed by the 4th TOS International Conference. Dates for the two important events are:

11th TS World Congress, 4—8 August 2018: Ramada & Days Hotels

4th International TOS Conference, 9 and 10 August 2018 Ramada & Days Hotels

With further information, registration is open at the

International TS website http://www.ts-adyar.org/

event/11th-world-congress

6 The TS in Canberra Newsletter No. 85 (July — December 2017)

6

Gloria Yiangou—Character Building

Character Building in the Light of Theosophy

5 August was the first official visit to Canberra TS Branch from our elected ACT/NSW State representative, Gloria Yiangou, who very generously trav-elled from Sydney to meet us in the Emeritus Faculty Room, ANU, returning to Sydney the same afternoon.

Gloria’s presentation was partly in the form of a brain-storming session. Starting from the premise that most of us want to gain knowledge, she re-minded us that, according to John Algeo, knowledge is not enough unless it helps us in our daily lives. Reinforcing this, Annie Besant is known to have urged students to read for five minutes and then spend ten minutes on what had been read.

The analogy by Ernest Wood, comparing character building to the construc-tion of a house with strong foundations was a point of discussion.

On reading texts by Annie Besant we conclude that her advice for character building was to concentrate on right thought: which is a magnet for right speech (is it kind or helpful - sometimes silence is best) and right action follows. Annie Besant also advocated meditation as a virtue to be pursued; the mind must learn to concentrate.

Self Control in thought, speech, and action: Guidelines for character building can be found in many theosophical texts. Although in the texts, they are not named or qualified as such, and we must look carefully for them.

Efforts should be made to function on the higher mental level; to try to do good. For this we must learn self control. Passions and desires should be under the control of the mind and irritability replaced by patience. We are encouraged to avoid a morbid introspection, but rather to practise self introspection; to live wisely, eat wisely, have a goal in life that is not selfish, to not fuss if things do not go as we expect, and learn to laugh at our mistakes.

In Basic Theosophy Geoffry Hodson encourages us: “Character building and character cor-rection largely consist of the redirection of energy from its destructive, discordant, harmful expression to its constructive, harmonious, harmless manifestation.”

On why we each have our own particular character, and in order to strengthen it, HP Blavatsky, in The Key to Theosophy says:

“ All good and evil things in humanity have their roots in human character, and this charac-ter is, and has been, conditioned by the endless chain of cause and effect. But this condition-ing applies to the future as well as to the present and the past. Selfishness, indifference, and brutality can never be the normal state of the race — to believe so would be to despair of humanity — and that no Theosophist can do. Progress can be attained, and only attained, by the development of the nobler qualities.”

Gloria recommended Vic Hao Chin’s book: The Process of Self Transformation

See Adyar leaflet http://www.theosophical.ca/adyar_pamphlets/AdyarPamphlet_No114.pdf

Know your weaknesses, tame the emotions and practise a daily review of your life.

Gloria Yiangou

The TS in Canberra Newsletter No. 85 (July — December 2017) 7

At the Christmas in July event (on 14 July) Maia Rose gave a presentation on Reiki and Spiritual

Healing. Below is Maia’s text for spiritual healing as composed verbatim by her.

.___________________________________

How to become a spiritual healer by prayer by Maia Rose, B.Sc.(Hons.), psychic and healer

Prayer to become a spiritual healer

Dear God and angels, please enable me to: channel healing energy through the palms of my hands; focus healing energy through the tips of my fingers; radiate healing energy out of the palms of my hands; target healing energy through my eyes; and send healing energy through my heart chakra. This I ask for the highest good of all, with love. Amen.

Instructions

It is essential to pray the above prayer out loud in the presence of an angel. If you have some angel help, then pray between 12 noon and 12 midnight local time. If you don’t have angel help yet, or are unsure if you do, then pray out loud in a place of worship (church, temple, mosque or synagogue). There are always at least two angels present in every place of worship at all times of day.

God and the angels will answer your prayer within three days. You may then feel God’s energy flowing in through your crown chakra and around the body.

When you give healing to yourself or others (including animals and plants), God’s energy circu-lates around the body encouraging relaxation, releasing emotions and helping the body to heal itself. The energy will flow to wherever it is needed.

Use a gentle touch when channelling or focusing healing energy. Radiating, targeting and sending healing energy do not involve touch.

The best way to give yourself general healing is to place both your hands on your abdomen just below your ribs for 30 minutes per day maximum, three days a week. For example, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while watching the television. Set a timer!

The best way to give others general healing is to place your dominant hand in the centre of the top of their head (on crown chakra). If you don’t know which is your dominant hand, then place both your hands on the top of their head! Many hand positions are also useful in helping the many different health problems.

Healing energy flow When channelling healing energy, either gold coloured energy flows into your crown chakra and out of the centre of the palm of your dominant hand; or emerald blue-green coloured en-ergy flows into the crown chakra of whoever is receiving healing and into the centre of the palm of your other hand. God and the angels complete the energy circulation. When focusing healing energy, gold coloured energy flows in and out of the fingertips and thumb of the dominant hand; or emerald blue-green energy flows in and out of that of the other hand. (Continued on next page)

Spiritual healing

8 The TS in Canberra Newsletter No. 85 (July — December 2017)

When radiating, targeting or sending healing, the healing energy is always gold in colour. (Both hands radiate gold at the same time.) Developing greater healing ability The only way to develop greater healing ability is to use the healing gift. The more you use the healing, the more your body can handle. When your prayer to become a spiritual healer is first answered, you can use 30% energy. After you have worked with the healing energy for 143 hours, you can use 40% energy. After you have worked with the healing energy for 286 hours, you can use 50% energy. After you have worked with the healing energy for 429 hours, you can use 60% energy. Every 143 hours of healing work results in a 10% increase in energy flow up to 90% energy. When you reach 1000 hours of healing work, then you can suddenly use 800% energy. This may take about ten years.

(Theosophy and the Dalai Lama—continued from page 3)

When tragic political circumstances in 1959 forced me into exile in India to live as a refugee, I was paradoxically afforded the freedom to deepen my personal journey of understanding and engagement with the world’s faith traditions.

________________________________________

The following is a report about this visit published in The Theosophist by Emma Hunt, in January, 1957

During their stay in Madras, Their Holinesses the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama of Tibet, who are in India as guests of the Government for the celebration of Buddha Jayanti, came to visit Headquarters.

They were accompanied by a party of about sixty fellow countrymen. Arriving from Kalākshetra, the distinguished guests were first taken to the Banyan Tree and from there to the Headquarters Hall, where officers of the Society received and garlanded them and members and residents wit-nessed and enthusiastically supported the welcoming.

The Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama were shown through the Adyar Library, with its unique collection of old manuscripts, and then visited the Buddhist Shrine and the sapling of the famous Bo Tree at Gaya, planted opposite the Shrine in 1950, and now a tall tree.

This is the first visit by the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama to India, and it was a great privilege and honour for members at Adyar to participate in this function at Headquarters.” Text from http://theosophy.wiki/w-en/index.php?title=Tenzin_Gyatso,_the_XIV_Dalai_Lama And photograph courtesy of the Theosophical Society in America

The TS in Canberra Newsletter No. 85 (July — December 2017) 9

Annual general meeting of the Theosophical Society in Canberra

The AGM for the financial year 1 September 2016 – 31 August 2017 was held at the Emeritus Faculty, ANU on Saturday 21 October 2017 with 13 people attending and with two apologies having being received. It was decided that the Branch Convention Meeting would be held at a later date. Individual reports had mostly been circulated by email pri-or to the AGM, and all were voted on and passed at the meeting.

With positions having been declared vacant, the newly elected Executive Committee is as follows:

President Grahame Crookham Vice-President Peter Fokker Secretary Vacant Treasurer Margot Herbert Committee member Colleen Grafton-Green Committee member Gordon Herbert Committee member Keith Ross [

Other Positions: The positions for Librarian, Newsletter Editor and Program Committee Members are not voted on at the AGM and continue as previously:

Librarian: Henny Fokker

Newsletter plus updates for website and circulating emails to members/friends: Janice Scarabottolo

Program Committee: Grahame Crookham, Gordon Herbert, Margot Herbert and Lynda Campbell. The Program Committee has indicated that it would welcome ideas for topics/speakers for 2018.

Elected officers were thanked for dedicated work given to the organization and the smooth running of the Theosophical Society in Canberra.

At the end of 2017 we wish a tranquil, safe Festive Season and end of year to all mem-bers and friends.

The Canberra Branch of The Theosophical Society thanks everyone for their support, friendship and presence at many meetings and events during 2017 and anticipates a revi-talized return in 2018 with shared inspirations, interests and enthusiasm.

The major success of the TS in Canberra depends on the support of members and friends; we thank you all.

AGM and end of year

ANNUAL FEES/SUBSCRIPTIONS

Annual fees for the Theosophical Society in Canberra financial year 1.9.2017—31 8.2018:

Ordinary member: $75 with printed T in A / $55 with electronic T in A Student/pensioner*: $70 with printed T in A / $50 with electronic T in A Joining fee: $5 Friends: by donation Library: No charge for members; $10 for non members (reimbursed on return of book). * Number of concession card required: as per National Executive Committee minutes of July 2004

A membership form can be obtained from Treasurer, Margot Herbert.

10 The TS in Canberra Newsletter No. 85 (July — December 2017)

The International President’s blog

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRzPUPPp3Xk

We like to keep up with the journeys of International President, Tim Boyd, and the first thing we learned from his July-August 2017 blog was that his tenure of presidency of the Theosophical Society in America had ended. Yes, in case some did not know, this dedicated and energetic person was simultaneously President of TS in America and International President of the Theosophical Society.

The International President travelled to Europe, first to Barcelona, Spain, where the 38th Europe-an Congress was held from 21 to 26 August on the theme Theosophy: A Way towards Universal Consciousness. He gave the inaugural address at this well attended event, with all of the sessions being live-streamed. The European Federation meets approximately every three years in a differ-ent country - a wonderful way to connect with fellow members in the theosophical world. It is an opportunity to meet friends and make new friends.

The next stops on his travels were in Lisbon, and Porto, in Portugal – where he attended meetings for the public and for members at their beautiful premises. He found the Portuguese members to be very active in theosophical work. In Porto he met the Quest author who designed the logo for the 2018 World Congress to be held in Singapore next year (page 5).

Then on to the International Theosophical Centre at Naarden, the Neth-erlands, for two or three days to meet fellow groups and the public – the local mayor also participated.

Log into the President’s blog site – the video will make the travels and theosophical meeting points come alive with Spanish hospitality in-cluding a trip to Montserrat, dance and virtuoso guitar playing. Porto enchants with its harbour and old streets with artistic tile-work decorating otherwise quite ordi-nary houses. It is a striking reminder of theosophical sincerity and scope around the world.

Tim Boyd

International President

Porto: House front with

tiles (courtesy of internet)

Each of the seven major rainbow colours has its own frequency and effect upon human psychology and behaviour. The lower frequencies (red, orange, yellow) are considered to be more stimulating, and the higher frequencies (green, blue, indigo, violet) to be more calming. This may be because of a mod-erate correlation with the seven chakras.

Energy follows thought and our minds can use col-our to affect our own and others’ well being. We all have our own signature colour (and sound, and ray) with variations for soul and personality. These colour frequencies interact with those of our sur-roundings, resulting in a stimulating or depressing of energies, and other feelings. For this reason spe-cific colours have been introduced into workplaces, prisons and children’s schools to either help stimu-late or calm their occupants. Yellow walls of a workplace can stimulate attentions and activity, and pastel colours can calm children and prisoners.

Also, coloured light has been used in healing, such as bathing in green for healing and ultraviolet light for jaundice.

Colour breathing is an effective method to improve general well being. We can imagine breathing in golden light that brings us into divine harmony, and breathing out all disharmonious energies. As we do this the gold may change to a colour specifically effective for our current needs.

Given the importance of the influence of colour, we need to take care with how we dress, with home decoration colours, and with our general environ-ment. If possible the dark blacks, browns and greys should be avoided or used sparingly, and the lighter “happier” colours used prominently. They should be compatible with our own signature colours.

(Gordon and Margot Herbert supplied this resumé of the talk).

What the Mind Can Achieve Through Colour - Margot Herbert, June 2017

The TS in Canberra Newsletter No. 85 (July — December 2017) 11

Over the past two or three years Dianne Kynaston has organised and facilitated a number of one-day events at Canyonleigh for members of the TS. We always look forward in anticipation to these occasions which combine a love of theosophical thought with the pleasure of meeting friends from other lodges or branches.

The theme Pearls of the Orient, Introduced a point of exploration for various eastern teachings during the recent day at Bolitho House, Canyonleigh on Sunday 12 November, with members from Newcastle, Sydney and Canberra.

Opening with verses from the Rigveda, the day proceeded with a diversity of readings. The Ga-yatri Mantra was chanted; this devotional tradition is said to help us achieve an elevated state and the mantra radiates to bless others. We heard excerpts from The Hsin Hsin Ming (Faith in Mind) which is a poem from the 6th century, considered to be the first comprehensive Zen statement.

There was an unusual and very effective visual representation of detailed Chinese ink painting set in motion, courtesy of the Shanghai Animation Film Studio With the vibrational sounds of a Tibetan singing bowl we heard a meditation by Satguru Kriya Babaji Nagaraj – You are That: Existence-Knowledge-Bliss Absolute.

We pondered over aphorisms, identifying how they touched us or held particular meaning and thought about the difference in Eastern and Western ways of considering therapy.

Spring-time event at Canyonleigh—Pearls of the Orient

The Great Way is not difficult for those who have no preferences. When love and hate are both absent everything becomes clear and undisguised. Make the smallest distinction, however, and heaven and earth are set infinitely apart.

Hsin Hsin Ming.

Do not be proud of wealth, people, relations and friends or youth. All these are snatched away by time in the blink of an eye. Giving up this illusory world, know and attain the Supreme. Adi Shankara

12 The TS in Canberra Newsletter No. 85 (July — December 2017)

Canyonleigh Event (continued from page 11)

We listened to poetic teachings by Thích Nhất Hạnh, Vietnamese Buddhist monk and peace activist.

Our session ended with a reading from the narrative poem, The Light of Asia. Canyonleigh Centre is within comfortable travel distance from Canberra, Sydney and surrounding areas and it is uplifting that the one-day events attract a growing number of participants, with thanks to Dianne Kynaston for her ongoing commitment to the organization and facilitation of these enriching events.

Letting Go gives us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness. If, in our heart, we still cling to anything – anger, anxiety, or possessions – we cannot be free.

Thích Nhất Hạnh

MAKE AN EARLY BOOKING FOR THIS EVENT

THE SCHOOL OF THEOSOPHY 2018

Springbrook Centre, 2184 Springbrook Road, Springbrook QLD

Thursday 26 April – Wednesday 2 May

Theme: HPB’s Esoteric Instructions

Guest Presenter: Michael Gomes, Theosophical historian and researcher, from the USA.

Towards the end of her life, Madame Blavatsky issued instruc-tional material to members of the Esoteric Section. Using these as the basis, the nature of esotericism will be explored at the

School of Theosophy, including HPB’s contribution to the study of the subject and how her teaching compares with Eastern schools of esotericism. Cost: $360 all inclusive. Enquiries: pres@austheos.org.au tel 02 9264 7056 (Mon to Thurs) For registration instructions - see website http://austheos.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/2018-Springbrook-School-April-May-Registration-Form.pdf

Michael Gomes has written extensively on the work of H P Blavatsky and the Theosophi-cal Movement. He has edited a number of Mme. Blavatsky’s writings, including providing abridgements of her major books Isis Unveiled and The Secret Doctrine. As a lecturer he has presented at academic conferences and theosophical groups.

He visited Canberra in 2010 and from the gems of wisdom he imparted at that meeting we recall:

HPB said we need to teach hope and responsibility which is simply karma and reincar-nation. Each of us has tremendous power.

Thought is important. We spend so much time with negative thoughts - wondering

What if, what if…. At the basis of our nature is that divine energy and spark that has de-cided to take on innumerable forms, but yet there is only the one divine reality mani-festing itself through numerous forms - like actors in a great play. The Divine has decid-ed to put on a great play and each of us has a part in it.

The TS in Canberra Newsletter No. 85 (July — December 2017) 13

The Theosophical Order of Service

Representing theosophy in action on a daily basis

The TOS was founded by Annie Besant in February 1908

For those who missed the AGM on 21 October when our TOS report was presented, during the year 1 September 2016 to 31 August 2017: We held two fund raising brunches at Broadbean café in September 2016 and April 2017

at which the total donations were $198.30. Outdoor plants were cultivated and donated. Our innovation for this year was voluntary transport assistance by donation. By intro-

ducing this project, TOS members gave service, assistance was gained and TOS projects benefitted by the donations.

As a result of our fund raising, we contributed to TOS projects: 19 October 2016 - $240 (Social Welfare, Adyar; Olcott Memorial School, Adyar; and

Animal Veterinary Clinic, Adyar - $80 each project).

14 April 2017 – $390 (Pakistan Educational Sponsorship - $150 and Pakistan Home Schools; Golden Link College Philippines; Humanitarian Aid to assist Syrian Refugees - $80 for each of these 3 projects).

25 July 2017- $280 (Pakistan Home Schools, Olcott Memorial School, Adyar, Animal Vet-

erinary Clinic, Adyar and Humanitarian Aid to assist Syrian refugees - $70 each project).

We also contributed to KIVA not-for-profit organisation which organises small loans to people in need. Left Olcott Memorial School , which was started by Col. H.S. Olcott, is located in the south eastern part of Besant Gardens, Adyar. It provides free education for underprivileged children, both boys and girls.

The Hindu newspaper reported that students from the Olcott Memorial High School signed up for art workshops offered by volunteers from the School of Music, and not one student dropped out of the programme.

“The feeling that we too could create such beautiful art was indescribable “.

________________________________ We had a stall of small items for sale at the Canyonleigh event —it raised $100 for projects.

From The Canberra TOS Team — Thank you to everyone who contributed during the year. Our small contributions are helping big projects.

Students create art with sticks, pods, coconut shells

14 The TS in Canberra Newsletter No. 85 (July — December 2017)

FMH = Friends’ Meeting House ; ANU = Emeritus Faculty, ANU

Public meetings * (Feb—May and Sept—Dec) are generally on the first Monday and start at 7.30 pm

at: [Friends Meeting House—Corner of Bent and Condamine Streets, Turner ACT 2612.

During the cold months of June, July and August, there will be no Monday evening meetings.

The public (general) meetings in June, July and August will be substituted by afternoon meetings at 2.00pm on the first Saturday of those months, at the Emeritus Faculty, ANU, 24 Balmain Crescent, NOT the Friends’ Meeting House.

Saturday discussion group meetings are mainly scheduled for the third Saturday at the Emeritus Faculty, ANU, 24 Balmain Crescent —but please check the programme.

Public meetings are open to everyone; and any who are interested in the subject are welcome at the discussion group meetings.

Newsletter Email: janton@netspeed.com.au phone 62887656 or tifcrook@tpg.com.au phone 0490147020

Website www.austheos.org.au/canberra/ Newsletter: Janice Scarabottolo

THE THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY IN CANBERRA—PROGRAMME 2018

Day

Date Speaker Topic

MONDAY 7.30pm FMH

5 February Public meeting

TBC Topic to be confirmed

SATURDAY 2.00pm ANU

17 February Discussion gr

Margot Herbert Healing as a Way of Life

MONDAY 7.30pm FMH

5 March Public meeting

Ken Hird The Science of Spirituality and Human Problem-Solving

SATURDAY 2.00pm ANU

17 March Discussion gr

Tony Fearnside SBNR: SBNR is an abbreviation of “Spiritual but not Religious”, but can SBNR take the place of organised religion, even partially?

MONDAY 7.30pm FMH

9 April Barry Bowden National Speaker (TBC)

Future Destiny of Humanity: Humanity’s consciousness is an unfinished work. We look at what the future cycles will unfold in our consciousness, but in order to under-stand the future, the distant past is studied.

SATURDAY 2.00pm ANU

21 April TBC Topic to be confirmed

MONDAY 7.30pm FMH

7 May TBC Topic to be confirmed

SATURDAY 2.00pm ANU

19 May Discussion gr/ Round Table

Visit from the Bahá'í

Community

Bahá'í and TS both support the non-sectarian nature of religion and spirituality, with Bahá'í emphasising the devotional and TS the mental. Viewpoints and matters of interest will be exchanged for mutual understanding and benefit in a Round Table discussion.