News Archive
Point Loma Convivium*, August 14 - August 17, Point Loma, San Diego, CA, USA
History, Râja Yoga Education, Art and Drama, the ‘inner’ Mystery School …
July 2011
Dear Friends of Theosophy,
Herewith we invite you to a four days' gathering, organized nearby the former Theosophical Headquarters at Point Loma in San Diego, California. It is a unique opportunity to organize this Convivium in the days following the ITC Conference, which is being held in Julian, Ca. in the scenic mountains an hour east of San Diego.
Everywhere in the world there Theosophists are active, who are in some way connected with the Theosophical activities in Point Loma. Some of those Theosophists have known each other for many years, but recently the contacts between a number of 'Point Loma' Theosophists in America and Europe have increased and intensified. This contact and interactivity has increased during several theosophical activities in the last five years, for instance the ITC Conferences, visits to each others study groups etc, and the digitalization of the remainders of the Point Loma Archive. During all those contacts an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust has been built: the basis for an effort to look beyond the boundaries of each one's own Theosophical activities. This has brought to fruition this first Point Loma Convivium to which we invite you to participate in.
The POINT LOMA CONVIVIUM is a gathering sharing the core principles and ideas that formed the unique Theosophical community at Point Loma from 1898-1942. Presentations include a historical overview, education, art and drama, the 'inner' Mystery School, Theosophy and Ethics, Raja Yoga Education and its Global Meaning etc.
These days are meant to give – in active 'all-visitors' conversation – form and soul to three important core-ideas, three aspects of the main theme 'Point Loma then, now and in the future'.
This Convivium is open to everyone interested in Theosophy. If you are not able to visit the Convivium, you can follow all lectures and discussions on our new website www.PointLomaTheosophyNetwork.net
Time permitting, all lectures etc. will be placed on this website in English (original), German (translation) and Dutch (translation).
Ken Small and Herman C. Vermeulen
*Convivium in the sense Ficino used for Plato's Symposium or Banquet, the Dialogue where Socrates explains the real meaning of Love: Compassion.
Visit our theosophical webshop!
August 2010
The Theosophical Society has opened a webshop that offers unique theosophical literature.
The Secret Doctrine Commentaries - The Unpublished 1889 Instructions
August 2010
A new book by H.P. Blavatsky, transcribed and annotated by Michael Gomes and published by The I.S.I.S. Foundation is now available. Learn more.
International Theosophical Conference 2011, August 11 - August 14, Julian, CA, USA
August 2010
On August 11-14 the International Theosophical Conference was held in Julian, California. This years theme was: The Heart of Wisdom, A Concurrence of Science and Spirituality ...from a Theosophical Perspective. The I.S.I.S. foundation was present and co-organized the program.
View a video impression of ITC 2011 below.
Karma: the key to take destiny into your own hands - Symposium I.S.I.S. Foundation
May 21-22, 2011
Your influence on every aspect of life:
from disease to natural disasters
from health to world peace
On Saturday the 21st and Sunday the 22nd of May 2011 the I.S.I.S. Foundation organized an inspiring two-day symposium – Karma: the key to take destiny into your own hands.
Further information can be found on the special Symposium website:
http://karma-freewill.isis-foundation.org.
Making Theosophy a living power - International Theosophical Conference 2010 - The Hague
August 12-15, 2010
From the 12th to the 15th of August 2010 the International Theosophical Conference (ITC) of 2010 took place in The Hague, The Netherlands. The theme was "making Theosophy a living power". Further information can be found on the special ITC 2010 website: www.inttheosconf2010.org.
Presentation 'Elementals And The Aspects Of Our Thinking' at the Blavatsky Studies
May 30-31, 2009
In May 2009 the annual Blavatsky Studies in Athens took place, organized by the United Lodge of Theosophists (ULT). The subject of the Blavatsky Studies was "Psychic Phenomena" and the Theosophical Society Point Loma - The Hague participated with three lectures. The outline of the lecture 'Elementals And The Aspects Of Our Thinking' presented by Joop Smits can be viewed below.
Blavatsky Studies 2009 in Athens
May 30-31, 2009
For the second consecutive year the United Lodge of Theosophists (ULT) organizes the Blavatsky Studies in Athens. The subject will be "Psychic Phenomena". The meeting will be held on Saturday, May 30 and Sunday, May 31, 2009 in the Esperia Palace Hotel in Athens between 10 am and 6 pm. The Theosophical Society Point Loma - The Hague is also participating this year with three lectures.
The Blavatsky Studies is a Study-group focused on H.P. Blavatsky's writings, as described on the ULT Athens website:
Our intention is to discuss Theosophical issues, mainly the fundamental concepts while questions and answers will contribute to their better understanding. During the meetings one single topic will be dealt with and all its facets explored, in such a way as to achieve the depth and the seriousness required.
The issues will reflect the teaching of H. P. Blavatsky's and her Masters' writings as well as those of the posterior Theosophists who succeeded to safeguard this line. The study admits references to the ancient Scriptures but students must be certain of the Theosophical interpretation of the reference quoted.
Theosophy given by H. P. Blavatsky's writings is the renewal of the Perennial Wisdom which we, the students, have the responsibility to keep on its originality and the duty to pass it unaltered on to others.
We all are students of Theosophy and some who are students-teachers have to support the study for bringing it to deeper understanding. Theosophy being "the everlasting truth", is the basis of education, science, art and culture for the present and for the days to come.
As H.P.B says in her book, "The Key to Theosophy is dedicated to all the pupils that they may learn and teach in their turn". And her work was "To encourage the study of Theosophy and to disseminate its knowledge to the whole world".
We welcome old and new Theosophists from all over the world as well as new researchers.
Click here for more information on the website of the ULT in Athens.
2008 International Theosophy Conference (ITC) - An impression
August, 2008
The images below show you an impression of the 2008 International Theosophy Conference, held from the 7th to the 10th of August at the Haverford College in Haverford, Philadelphia, USA. The Theosophical Society Point Loma - The Hague joined this conference and Henk Bezemer presented the lecture 'Learning from the Embryo'. You can read more about this in the News Archive. Also we would like to inform you that the complete conference is professionally recorded and now available on dvd (16 discs). To order the ITC 2008 on dvd, please visit the website of the ITC.
ITC 2008 - 1
ITC 2008 - 5
ITC 2008 - 3
ITC 2008 - 4
ITC 2008 - 2
ITC 2008 - 6
ITC 2008 - 8
ITC 2008 - 7, Henk Bezemer
2008 International Theosophy Conference
August 1, 2008
We would like to inform you that the 2008 International Theosophy Conference will be held from the 7th to the 10th of August at the Haverford College in Haverford, Philadelphia, USA. Central to the conference is the Theosophical approach to Global Dialogue on the synthesis of Science, Religion & Philosophy. Speakers with various backgrounds will lecture about subjects that vary from Islam to Neuroplasticity. The Theosophical Society Point Loma - The Hague also joins the conference. Henk Bezemer will present the lecture 'Learning from the Embryo'.
During his presentation a consideration of what is birth, our duties as parents and family members, and the role of stem cells and embryological growth will occur. He will look at embryological growth especially as it relates to the formation of our heart as a historical record of the unfolding of our consciousness. Subsequently two questions will be discussed. 1) Do the theosophical principals give us insights related to the scientific discoveries on embryological growth? And 2) Are these theosophical insights applicable to our day-to-day lives?
For the complete program, please take a look at the website http://www.theosconf.org
The annual meeting “Blavatsky Studies” by the United Lodge of Theosophists (ULT) about “The Law of Periodicity”
April 11, 2008
Organized by the ULT at the Venue Palmyra Beach Hotel, Athens, Greece, is the annual meeting “Blavatsky Studies”. This meeting will be held for three consecutive days from May 29 to June 1, 2008:
We would like to inform you on the annual meeting “Blavatsky Studies” which will be held for three consecutive days from May 29 to June 1, 2008. The subject will be “The Law of Periodicity” the second fundamental of the Secret Doctrine. It will be treated on in respect to various relative topics such as the universal Law, consciousness, cycles, ethics, karma and reincarnation, while participants will share thoughts and questions. Study is mainly focused on the writings of H.P. Blavatsky and her Masters, as well as on texts presented by subsequent writers who respected and valued the founder’s work. Extensive references will be made to H.P.B.’s “The Key to Theosophy”, to W.Judge’s “The Ocean of Theosophy” as well as to The Secret Doctrine, Collected Writings and the Voice of the Silence.
For more information, follow this link to the ULT:
A three-day study 29th May – 1st June 2008
Point Loma Theosophical Archive, Literature and Art Preservation Project Light-Stream House - The Netherlands
November 9, 2007
Friends,
The Point Loma Theosophical community (1897-1942) remains a symbolic source of spiritual-intellectual energies. It is both at once an historic time and place (1) and more significantly an internal way of enlightened living and source of spiritual teachings. With these two aspects of 'Point Loma' in mind, a new center has been started by ISIS Foundation (part of the TS Point Loma-The Hague) 20 minutes north of Amsterdam, just behind the dunes of the beautiful North Sea coast. In this center "the Lume-house" (2) Point Loma Publications has loaned for study and preservation books, archive and more than 50 original paintings from artists that lived at Point Loma. This material has already been transported to the Netherlands and during the next months will be prepared for public access and exhibition, with availability beginning summer 2008.
Through the current crisis of fire (on Oct 21, 2007, a large wild fire in San Diego county consumed the book, significant library and archival inventory where Point Loma Publications had its book storage - see PLP website at www.wisdomtraditions.com) and destruction has come opportunities for greater cooperation and expansion of Theosophical effort. Our wish is to be able to share and make available these wonderful source teachings to a wider global audience. To this end, we are establishing this historic collection at the Lume-house for a five year project of making available for study and public display, as well as conserving and digitally preserving this unique heritage. Your continuing support in this effort is appreciated. Additionally the library loss from the fire is being re-created as far as possible. A listing of book titles being sought will be posted on our website as well (see PLP website for details). On our (PLP) website we will be listing ways 'Friends of Point Loma Theosophical Heritage' can assist in the growth and development of this library and educational center. Specific book titles, art work by PL artists, letters to and from PL Theosophists are being requested to be either donated or copied to enhance the 'Point Loma' heritage whenever possible. A quarterly e-magazine will begin next Spring-Summer 2008 listing art, books and archive available in the collection etc.
It is our hope and intention that this cooperative venture may open doors for further unified activity between Theosophical groups to collaborate and create a complete digital archive of Theosophical literature. The need to have complete archiving of our literature in multiple locations globally has become a necessity in our dynamic times. Your support and cooperation toward achieving this goal to benefit the Theosophical Movement is appreciated.
Herman C. Vermeulen
ISIS Foundation
Blavatskyhouse
De Ruijterstraat 74
2518 AV The Hague
The Netherlands
www.blavatskyhouse.org
Ken Small
Point Loma Publications, Inc.
Wisdom Traditions Institute
4060 Adams Ave.
San Diego, Ca. 92116
www.wisdomtraditions.com
(1) see Greenwalt's history California Utopia - 1897-1942 available from Point Loma Publications
(2) The reason we call the house "lumehouse" is that it was inherited from a woman whose name was "Lume", so the name of the house will be Lume-house. Lume comes from the Latin with the meaning of light stream: in physics it is the IS unit (lumen) for light stream emitted from a source. We see here the function of the spiritual source which streams into the outer world.
