Theosophical Society

We will be continuing our journey through the first chapter of the Ocean of Theosophy. Please come prepared by having read the chapter before joining if possible.

For our meetings we will be using the book The Ocean of Theosophy by William Judge. The online link to the book is here if you have not had a chance to order your hard copy. https://www.gutenberg.org/files/54268/54268-h/54268-h.htm

We strongly encourage you to get the hard copy as well for review. There is also a study guide. Answers to Questions on the Ocean of Theosophy by Robert Crosbie. The link to that book online is also here. https://www.theosophy-ult.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Answers-to-Questions-on-The-Ocean-of-Theosophy-Crosbie.pdf

Dear Membership:

Our first lodge study meeting will be held Tuesday, October 5 starting at 7:00 p.m. thru 8:00 p.m.

The meeting will be held on Zoom.  The link follows below.

Prior to the meeting, please read and come prepared to discuss the first chapter, chapter 1 of William Q. Judge’s  “The Ocean of Theosophy”.

TSOV Lodge Membership Guidelines for Our Study Groups

In the spirit of theosophical enrichment to all who participate in the Lodge study, we offer the following:

LET US:      

1) Listen carefully so we may better understand the contribution of each member.

2) Try to make your comments interesting, and limiting them to the essentials, allowing time for others to do the same.

3) Not hesitate to ask questions, or call for examples and illustrations if points are not clear. 

4) Be constructive — say what each one of us honestly thinks, but try not to correct another participant directly nor explicitly join their views; simply express yours.

5) Come to the meeting with an open, unconditioned mind.

6)Try to present our ideas within 3 minutes maximum.  This allows as many members as possible to engage in group discussion.

7) Most importantly:  Let’s explore and learn together!

“Go into the silent places of your heart; enter into the chambers so quiet and still, of your inner being…. Intuition will then come to you.  You will have knowledge immediately; you will know truth instantly.”

By G. de Purucker, Golden Precepts, from:  Gifts of the Lotus A Book of Daily Meditations

  Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84369819485?pwd=Q1I5d3A1L2lWa2g4SVMxVmdNYkZIdz09 Meeting ID: 843 6981 9485 Passcode: HPB One tap mobile +16699009128,,84369819485#,,,,*661443# US (San Jose) +13462487799,,84369819485#,,,,*661443# US (Houston) Dial by your location +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) Meeting ID: 843 6981 9485 Passcode: 661443 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/ketGvNOrmC

he Theosophical Society in the Ojai Valley 

Lodge Program   

for the 2021-2022 Fall Program

TSOV Lodge Study Format

Lodge study meetings will be held the first and third Tuesday evenings beginning October 5, 2021, through January 25, 2022, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.

The Krotona Executive Committee recently informed the TSOV Board that it will be necessary to begin the Lodge program using Zoom, as they have not yet decided when they will allow in-person meetings on the Krotona site.  A general announcement prior to October 5,  along with a Zoom invitation and meeting link will be sent out to all.

The selected study book, The Ocean of Theosophy, by William Q. Judge, is available for purchase from the Krotona Bookshop and Lodge members will receive a 10% discount.  All study participants are encouraged to purchase the book as we will not be reading from the computer screen during the meetings.

Meetings will not be held on December 21 and December 28.

Member Study Format

All are welcome to participate.  Our format will be an open inquiry. 

The book contains many chapters.  The objective will be to move through the readings at a pace comfortable for the Membership which may or may not allow the group to complete one chapter during a meeting session.  

One week in advance of a scheduled meeting a general announcement will be sent and posted on our website with the assigned reading and Zoom link.  The first assignment for October 5 will be to read Chapter I, Theosophy and the Masters starting on page 1. 

It is strongly encouraged that each participant read in advance the announced selection of pages in order to familiarize themselves with the theosophical concepts that will be discussed.  For some, this may be their first introduction to such concepts.

All those who attend will be encouraged to participate and contribute to the group discussion.  We believe everyone grows by sharing, questioning, and reflecting. 

We hope to see you on October 5.

The Objects of the Theosophical Society:

• To form a nucleus of the universal brotherhood of humanity without distinction of race, creed, gender, caste, or color.
• To encourage the comparative study of religion, philosophy, and science.
• To investigate the unexplained laws of nature and the powers latent in the human being.

Dear members of our Lodge,

Lodge Update #2 informed the Membership that this year we would study traditional theosophical texts that help us discover our divine inner nature.  It is time for the Membership to select a text for our Lodge study this year.  

The Board used the following process to develop a list of study book candidates.  Each Board Officer submitted three texts for consideration and all the titles were consolidated into a master list.  Then each Board Officer recommended three texts from that master list for the Membership to choose.  The three texts with the highest number of votes from the Board Officers were: 

The Voice of the Silence by H. P. Blavatsky

The Ocean of Theosophy by W. Q. Judge

The First and Last Freedom by J. Krishnamurti

The following page presents an introduction to these three books for your review. Please select one of the above titles. If you have signed up to become a Lodge member, you are eligible to cast your vote by August 13th. (To become a member, go to Lodge Dues). Email theosophy.ojaivalley@gmail.com, and I will tally  all the responses. The text with the highest number of Lodge member votes will be used as our study book.  

For those  who become  Lodge members for the 2021-22 program year that need to purchase a  copy of the chosen study book, the Krotona Bookstore will offer  a 10% discount on the book as well as on any additional books and merchandise.  

Lodge Update #4 will let you know which book the voters have selected for our study this year.       

Fraternally, 

Dana Hachigian,
Corresponding Secretary
August 7^th, 2021

Book Descriptions

The Voice of the Silence by H. P. Blavatsky (1831-91)

This gem of ancient Eastern Wisdom, first published in 1889, is a translation and commentary by    H. P. Blavatsky (HPB) of a manuscript known as The Book of the Golden Precepts. This work contains profound teaching expressed in the poetical beauty of language and imagery. It has run into many editions and has been translated into several languages. It is one of the three theosophical classics which are invaluable to aspirants on the spiritual path. The other two being At the Feet of the Master by J. Krishnamurti (or Alcyone), and Light on the Path by Mabel Collins.

Born in a noble Russian family and psychic since birth, HPB traveled all over the world in search of occult knowledge and spent considerable time in the Himalayan regions studying in monasteries preserving the instructions of some of the world’s most learned and spiritual teachers of bygone times. Along with Col. H. S. Olcott, W. Q. Judge (both attorneys), and other sympathizers, she founded the Theosophical Society (TS) in 1875 “to collect and diffuse a knowledge of the laws which govern the Universe.” The Collected Works of H. P. Blavatsky, edited by B. de Zirkoff in 19 volumes, includes her monumental work, The Secret Doctrine. 

The Ocean of Theosophy by W. Q. Judge (1851-1896)

In the author’s words about this book: “An attempt is made to write of theosophy in such a manner as to be understood by the ordinary reader. The tone of conviction . . . is not the result of dogmatism or conceit, but flows from knowledge based upon evidence and experience. . . . I have simply written that which  I have been taught and which has been proved to me, and therefore is only a handing on of what has been known before. . . . Humanity has a line of elder brothers who continually watch over the progress of the less progressed, and preserve the knowledge gained through eons of trial and experience.”

Born in Ireland, Judge emigrated with his family to New York City when he was 13. In 1872 he became an attorney and also met Col. Olcott. He met Blavatsky two years later and was one of the three main founders of the TS in 1875. In 1886 he began providing superb leadership to the newly formed American Section of the TS until his untimely death, and in 1888 he assisted HPB in the formation of the Esoteric Section in London (currently the international Esoteric School of Theosophy). Later that year she issued a special order appointing him as her “only representative for said Section in America in virtue of his character as a chela of thirteen years standing.”[23]  Judge left a body of writings that are among the clearest explanations of the principles of Theosophy.   

The First and Last Freedom by Jiddu Krishnamurti (1895-1986)

This book was brought out in response to demands from all over the world for a comprehensive book on Krishnamurti’s teachings. It has two parts: the author’s reflections on life, and answers to questions put to him by his audiences. It covers a wide range of themes, from boredom and fear to self-knowledge and God, so it provides a good starting point for those wishing to familiarize themselves with his teachings. In the Foreword of this work, Aldous Huxley writes: “readers will find a clear contemporary statement of the fundamental human problem, together with an invitation to solve it in the only way in which it can be solved — each for and by themselves.”J. Krishnamurti is regarded as one of the greatest philosophers and spiritual teachers of all times and had a major impact on 20th Century thought. Annie Besant, second (after Olcott) international President of the TS from 1907 to 1933 became his legal guardian. Soon after her death he spent the rest of his life speaking around the world about a spiritual life based on awareness, inquiry, and freedom. He taught not as a guru, but as a friend, and his teachings are not based on technicalities or book knowledge and theories, so they communicate directly to those seeking answers to the present world crisis as well as to the eternal problems of human existence.   

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Dear members of our Lodge, past and present,

In an effort to strengthen our Lodge, we are planning a simpler program for the upcoming year that will nurture the Lodge back to its level of activity prior to the pandemic (while staying in accordance with California  health guidelines and Krotona requirements) as follows:

• The first meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 5th.
• Adopt a “study group” format with very few or no public speakers.
• Hold two meetings per month instead of four.
• Study traditional theosophical texts that help us discover our divine inner nature
• Encourage meditative inquiries at the Lodge meetings.
• Promote the involvement of all members.

As the Enlightened have demonstrated to humanity, at the deepest level, we all are the Self, pure Being, unbounded awareness, the essence of spirituality, which is our true origin. By studying as a group and engaging in profound research, we will favor the understanding of that reality. One simple, deep truth may forever change the course of a human being’s evolution. Theosophy reminds us of such gems; let us mine a few this year.

“And now thy Self is lost in SELF, now Thyself unto THYSELF, merged in THAT SELF from which thou first didst radiate.”

‒ The Voice of the Silence    

Sincerely and Most Fraternally,

Francis G. Mossé

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Dear members of our Lodge, past and present,

Coming out of a long period of restrictions and never-ending screen-bound lives for too long, your Lodge is getting ready to reclaim the experience of human warmth, spirituality, and creativity. We will meet in person, think like a family, deeply investigate the gems of Theosophy, share potlucks and happiness. A new Board of Directors was elected recently for the June 1^st, 2021—May 31^st, 2022 year:

• Francis Mossé, President;   
• Lisa Love, Vice President;
• Dana Hachigian, Corresponding Secretary;   
• Idarmis Rodríguez, Recording Secretary;
• Jim Voirol, Treasurer;   
• Douglas Borgatti, Trustee;    
• Pablo Minniti, Trustee

This Board will ensure we conform with our By-Laws, leverage the remarkable work deployed during these past years, and encourage each and everyone of us to participate. Our new program  will promote the study of Theosophy, allow for  meditative inquiry, and provide an environment where we can unite in exploring the spiritual path. Together, we will grow one more year in happiness and knowledge while weaving an indestructible bond among us.

Details on our meetings will be sent to you in future updates. As Lodge members, we are  eager to see you again in person. If you had to stop attending Lodge meetings for any reason, we warmly welcome you back. Your participation will contribute a lot to this group. Everyone, join us in this new adventure, come share with us the beauty of life, knowledge, and spirituality.

“The secret of human happiness in this world is to live always in tune with the song of Life, to keep the outer self of action, heart, mind, and motive always in tune with the Inner Self, which is ever at one with the Supreme Self, the Lord of All.”

‒ Gifts of the Lotus, A Book of Daily Meditations compiled by Virginia Hanson      
     
Sincerely and Most Fraternally,

Francis G. Mossé

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After a year of online meetings through Zoom during the 2020 – 2021 season, the Ojai Valley Theosophical Lodge is preparing once again to have public meetings. To see the meetings that took place on Zoom during Covid please feel free to visit our Ojai Valley YouTube Channel.

In the meantime we look forward to informing you of what will be happening in our lodge in the 2021 – 2022 meetings. Look for more information to come. Or subscribe to this blog to stay better informed.

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Due to Covid 19 our lodge meetings during the 2020 – 2021 season were all held on Zoom. The main focus was on reviewing the world’s major religions as understood by Theosophy. To watch the meetings that took place on Zoom during Covid and the 2020 – 2021 season, please feel free to visit our Ojai Valley YouTube Channel. In the meantime enjoy this video that introduced our study season.

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MEMBERS ONLY: May 26th (meditation 6:30 pm, dinner 6:45 pm, meeting 7:00 pm)

Come join us and bring something to share for our potluck, as we have our annual members meeting and join in fellowship with each other.

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