The challenges that face the Theosophical society Adyar

If the TS is going to move forward into the 21st century in a way that is of use to humanity, we’re going to have to face some real issues, instead of getting side tracked into personal complaints.
Real issues we’re facing:

how to build community online in a way that is productive and helps people grow [...]

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Theosophical Promotion and Theosophical Work

I’m very glad to see the Theosophy Forward blog back up again. It has comments off, but at least prominent theosophists are communicating online and in clear words where they stand on important issues. [BTW having pings off means they are making it hard for search engines to keep track of what they're writing, not [...]

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Supporting Radha & a summary of policy points

Hi all,
I’ve just sent a letter to Radha telling her I support some of her recent decisions. While I don’t want to further increase online hostility, I do feel the main points in that e-mail need to be shared more widely.
First of all: Radha has been replacing some of the old hands within her inner [...]

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Two other blogs discussing TS organisational issues :)

I’m not sure whether to feel elated that general council members of the Theosophical Society started a blog, or offended that I didn’t know about it [I'm not supposed to link to it just yet and it's pulled offline, because it wasn't supposed to be accessible just yet.]
Seriously – I’m very glad that [...]

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TS Membership statistics analysed

Anton has posted the membership details of the Theosophical Society 2007/2008 on his site. I thought I’d go into that a bit more.
Total membership of the Theosophical Society Adyar in 2007: 29,014.
The largest section is India with 12,444 registered members. There has been some talk about the lagging administration of the Indian section, so this [...]

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Why it matters by whom the TS president is elected

I’ve gone on record saying that I would quit my membership of the TS if the proposal I discussed the other day goes through. In this post I will explain why it matters so much to me that I would give up my membership of an organisation I have put so much time and energy [...]

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No longer directly electing the TS President?

Part of me still can’t believe it. But I’ve had this from various online contacts, so I guess it’s true: there is a proposal which will go to the general council which, if adopted, will change a number of things about the practical organisation of the Theosophical Society.
The main change will be that we as [...]

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So what do YOU love about theosophical groups?

I thought about it last night, and this morning and I found that I hadn’t covered nearly all of what I love about theosophical lodges, studygroups etc.
So I wonder: what do you all love about theosophical lodges?
I’ll get this started:

I love how an otherwise not so impressive member can make a comment that keeps you [...]

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Back to school -> back to the lodges

A theosophical lodge is a group of people that comes together to discuss theosophy. Usually there are lectures open to the public, a studygroup of some theosophical book, business meetings and a few holiday meetings.
To me the lodges are the center of theosophical work. It’s where we can hatch out our ideas, throw them against [...]

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‘fun night’ as an institution

I was recently reminded that the Dutch TS did use to have a fun night (or open mike night or whatever you call it – we call it ‘bonte avond’, I guess that’s just for Govert if he’s online at his retreat.). I have some good memories of that – singing on stage (I like [...]

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What are we providing?

What are the ‘products’ of the Theosophical Society?  What service(s) do we provide?  Who are we in competition with?  What are we best at?  Worst at?  Is it different in different countries?  At different levels within countries?  What needs are we meeting?  What opportunities are we missing?
Why do people become members?  Why do they stay [...]

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PTS Election 2008 Results

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 2008
Under the authority of the Executive Committee of the Theosophical
Society, I hereby certify that, in accordance with Rule 10 of the
Rules and Regulations of the said Society, the Election Committee
appointed by the Executive Committee counted the results of the
voting communicated to the International Secretary by the General
Secretaries of National Societies and Sections, Regional [...]

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Writing for people – (theosophical) vocabulary

I had someone write in recently in response to my dutch spiritual newsletter. They liked my newsletter, but were confused by some of the terminology. What was an oversoul? Is it the same as Atman? What is the higher Self? I explained the concepts and sent them on to my Dutch theosophical terminology page. The [...]

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Organizational Structures

The starting point for this post was a previous entry suggesting the duties of the Chief Officer of the Theosophical Society in America be divided into two functions, a General Manager and a President. I continue to maintain that this is a necessary step; however, it is only a first step.
The Theosophical Society was [...]

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The State of the TS (Adyar) in 2008: A Psycho-esoteric Interpretation (draft)

All organizations, and maybe spiritual ones more so than others, suffer from the ‘human, all too human’ aspect. Maybe ’suffer’ is too strong or incorrect a term to use. I think the idea is that, especially in organizations sponsored by the Masters, the human side is pushed into the open to be transformed, not only [...]

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