A Message to Friends in Every Country
United Lodge of Theosophists
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Each year, by June 25,
the U.L.T. sends a message
to its associates and friends.
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TO SPREAD BROADCAST THE TEACHINGS OF THEOSOPHY AS
RECORDED IN THE WRITINGS OF H. P. BLAVATSKY AND WM. Q. JUDGE
United Lodge of Theosophists
A VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATION OF STUDENTS OF THEOSOPHY
June 25, 2009
Dear Friends and Associates:
The world often sees cycles of history unfold where karmic debts and destinies become clear, and individual lives change in ways unimaginable to the personal nature. During such transitions, the work and writings of H. P. Blavatsky and William Q. Judge help clarify the roots of the human dilemma and the role of individual choice in cyclic law. The thoughtful student who can benefit from their efforts is led by concern for others to perform the daily self-initiation at the heart of theo-sophia. With the wisdom gained, a sustained desire to be of benefit to those “starving for the bread of Wisdom and the bread which feeds the shadow…” influences cycles large and small, and nurtures all.
The United Lodge of Theosophists was formally inaugurated in 1909, in a similar cycle of change. During 100 years of seemingly endless global crisis and human suffering, it has maintained a firm basis for study, comradeship, and service. Valuing both independent theosophical work and on-going mutual support, a nucleus of students strives to understand the teachings and express them as a combination of head and heart-actions. As it functions from a non-personal center of human consciousness, ULT’s nature is not always clear to those who look through conventional eyes. Yet, it continues to be true that:
“The United Lodge of Theosophists has made no sudden and exciting successes. It has conducted no world-swaying crusades and claims no famous personages. It has been built, rather, of endless small and unsung sacrifices, of faithful study and cooperative work. Through the years it has been, and is today, a foundation movement, with aims and ends adapted to its plastic potency – and this has meant a primary devotion to the lines of work established by the Founders. This, indeed, was the genius of Robert Crosbie, the founder of U.L.T…” (From the “ULT Day Letter” for 1951)
Noting both the cyclic changes of society and the 100 year cycle of ULT, many lodges, study classes, and individual students have made an effort this year to review ULT’s purpose and mission, and to consider how best to “spread broadcast the teachings of H. P. Blavatsky and William Q. Judge.” Whether simply mentioned in a study class, or marked in more concrete ways, this energy will continue to reverberate as cycles mature and changes take place in the natural order of things. While “100 years” may seem to be a long time to one human generation, as noted by an Associate, “At 100, ULT is still a seedling and the best instrument we have, yet it is always good to review the first steps of a seed-planting process.”
In addition to this subjective analysis, Associates chose to mark the 100th anniversary in a variety of ways. While much of this effort was simply incorporated into on-going class discussions, some activities were specific to the anniversary. Meetings to mark the 100 years were held in many lodges as part of on-going activities, or were seen as opportunities to introduce the general public to theosophical ideas. In Antwerp, for example, a symposium on "The Heart as Hidden Wisdom: the Future of the Esoteric Tradition" was well-attended, as was the all-day Inter-Lodge Symposium on the East Coast of the U.S., which had as its theme “The Influence of the Modern Theosophical Movement on Individuals and Society: A Century of Potent Theosophical Influences and Theosophical Footprints on the Path of Progress.”
The Phoenix Lodge used the event to reconsider its usual “special meeting” format, which was changed from a formal set-up – chairs in rows facing a podium, a chair-person, assigned readings, and a speaker – to a gathering around long tables with a moderator, and a program of short talks, comments, and readings chosen by students themselves from a broad variety of Theosophical texts. “Enthusiastic conversation was followed by a reading of the Declaration and discussion of it, how well it has served for 100 years and how it will take us through the next 100.”
Associates in Brazil , who e-mail theosophical texts about three or four times a month to 3,700 recipients in Brazil , Portugal
“Around the 18th of February, 2009, material was studied on the importance of the first 100 years of the United Lodge. In June, 2009, the e-group has been studying various articles, both classical and recent, on the purpose and meaning of ULT. This will culminate around the 23rd to 26th of June with a more intense study focused on ULT and its role in stimulating the buddhi-manasic consciousness of the present cycle.”
In other activity, new study classes have formed in Guadalajara , Mexico , and Gold Canyon , Arizona (50 miles east of Phoenix Los Angeles
With fraternal greetings to all,
THE UNITED LODGE OF THEOSOPHISTS
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Always visit www.Esoteric-Philosophy.com , www.TheosophyOnline.com andwww.FilosofiaEsoterica.com .
If you want to have access to a daily study of the original teachings of Theosophy, write tolutbr@terra.com.br and ask for information on the e-group E-THEOSOPHY.
