John Gordon M.A.

1. The Nature of the Monad (And Its Expression as the Ego in Man)

The concept of the Divine Monad is central to modern theosophical thought and yet it is rarely considered except in passing. This talk will consider its Akasic nature as the localised expression of the Kosmic Mind, inherent in all the various kingdoms of Nature.

2. Initiatory Spiritual Evolution - The Path In Action

Because of the way in which the subject of initiation has been traduced by glamourised self-deception, its importance in relation to the natural spiritual evolution of all kingdoms in Nature has been largely overlooked. This talk will endeavour to explain the sequential principles involved in the initiatory process and how they might be described as operating in relation to human spiritual development.

3. Study: "Understanding the Planetary Chains"

This is one of the more complex subjects in the modern theosophical system. Yet that is largely so because the greater kosmic context (within which it operates) is even less well understood. This study will endeavour to bring the two together, showing where inference in The Mahatma Letters can be corroborated and extended elsewhere.

John Gordon M.A. has been a member of the TS since its centenary year and a longstanding member of the National Council of the English Section. He is an internationally published author of works on subjects ranging from the metaphysics of The Secret Doctrine, to the Ancient Egyptian spiritual system, to the origins of civilisation in Atlantis and its cataclysmic destruction, to the field of esoteric astrology.

Eric McGough

1. The Theosophical Society and the Masters of Wisdom

Why did the Masters of Wisdom bring about the founding of the Theosophical Society? What did they hope to achieve? What, in their view, is the work of the Society? We will seek the answers to these and other questions by considering relevant passages from ‘The Mahatma Letters’.

Eric McGough is the current President of the English Section

Dr. David Roef

1. The Great Sacrifice

From an inner perspective the world is embodied sacrifice. The Self-energized offering which divine wisdom makes for the awakening of the ignorant, joyously becomes sacrifice for those who want to serve. The universe emptying herself in her milliards of forms makes such a sacrifice. The Mahatma Letters show us how the Masters with full knowledge follow that example, drawing from the night of mortal existence their disciples, one by one, into the light of immortality.

2. The Alchemy of Death and Rebirth

The Mahatma Letters provide a detailed account of what happens at the moment of death and afterwards. This talk will relate the post mortem states with the major stages of alchemical transformation. What the Masters say on death and reincarnation may give us important clues for our rebirth during life.

3. Death and Conscious Immortality (Study Group)

In this study we explore the difference between surviving death and conscious immortality. We all survive death, but for true immortality we have to die before we die. Only by voiding the personal self, by making it a zero, do we realize the monadic continuity that determines voluntary reincarnation.

Dr. David Roef has spent the past 20 years studying the life and teachings of H.P.Blavatsky and W.Q.Judge. As an associate of The United Lodge of Theosophists he has lectured and written several articles on ancient and modern Theosophy. He teaches criminal law at the University of Maastricht (Netherlands)

Christian Bodhi

1. Mahatmas on the Limits of Knowledge.

This talk will examine the nature of knowledge or epistemology from a spiritual perspective. It draws its ideas from a very important Mahatma letter on whether Tibetan Mahatmas believe in God. In this letter, in an attempt to elucidate a Buddhist/pantheistic outlook, the Master deals briefly with the nature of reality and how the mind of a being can cognize it.

Christian Bodhi is a theosophical writer and lecturer. He has formal education both in philosophy and science. Professionally he works in creative media. At present he is editor of the Theosophy Ezine - electronic magazine distributed around the world.

Dr. Pablo Sender

1. The Ultimate Reality in Cosmos and Man.

The Tibetan Adepts define their teachings as esoteric Buddhism. However, they teach about the existence of an eternal, immutable Reality in the universe, and the presence of Atman in human beings. These concepts are
clearly non-Buddhist… or are they? In this talk we will examine the nature of these ultimate Principles as presented in The Mahatma Letters.

2. The Goal of Human Evolution.

In the course of its journey, human consciousness has to undergo certain process of unfoldment to fulfill its evolutionary goal on this planet. In this talk we will explore what the Masters and some of their disciples wrote on this topic, in an attempt to throw light on this fundamental aspect of the theosophical teachings.

3. Realizing the Real.

Based on the teachings given by the Mahatmas about what is Real in us and about the process of consciousness required to attain its realization, we will discuss some practices that can lead us towards this lofty aim. 4. Study Group (subject to be announced later)

Dr. Pablo Sender, a Microbiologist with a PhD in Bio- Sciences, joined the Theosophical Society in Argentina in 1996. He has spent 2 years working at the Society's International Headquarters in Adyar, India, and is currently working at the National Center of the American Section. He has presented lectures, workshops, and classes on theosophical subjects internationally, and published articles in English and Spanish in theosophical journals.

Dr John Algeo

1. 'The Jeweled Lotus and the Rosy Cross'

reference to HPB & White Lotus Day

2. 'The Fantastic Code

emphasizing Harry Potter and its Theosophical relevance.

Unfortunately Dr John Algeo cannot be with us in person, he is preparing two PowerPoint presentations to be shown at the European School in October.

Harold Tarn

1. "As below, so above"

In ML 67, K.H. urges us 'to understand by analogy' - "the surest guide to the comprehension of the Occult Teachings" [HPB] . This 'Law of Correspondences' is universal. n.b. Letter 67 will be used as a 'spring-board', so to speak, although the bulk of the quotations will be drawn from the general literature of theosophy itself, by and large.

2. Music in Harmony with Theosophy

"Music is an expression of the world - and is the Cosmic Will revealed" (Schopenhauer) "Music is nature's direct expression and the musician hears the pulse of the divine will that flows through the world" ( R. Steiner )

Harold Tarn joined the Society in 1969. Member of the Council since 1980, and of Executive 1984 - 2010. Chairman of the Directors of the European School, Chairman of the Blavatsky Trust. Delivered the Blavatsky Lecture in 1999. Visiting Tutor to Krotona, USA., in 1992

Colin Price

1. Life after Death with the Mahatmas In their letters to A.B. Sinnett the Masters make an outstanding and unique contribution to literature relating to our circumstances after death and our prospects for reincarnation or other progression in our Spiritual Consciousness. They surpass all other teaching in both their detail and comprehensiveness.

Colin Price served for 9 years as President of the English Section and continues to serve on the Executive Committee. He is an international lecturer, held courses at HQ and conducted the School of Wisdom in Adyar. He is a Trustee and Treasurer of the Blavatsky Trust and a Director of The European School of Theosophy.

Tuesday 11th October
Optional Sightseeing Tour

Orientation tour of Windsor * See the magnificent Windsor Castle * Walking tour of Oxford * Stop at Stonehenge * Options for interior visits to Windsor Castle and Stonehenge * Deluxe coach and professional tour guide and driver