Celebrating 150 years of the Theosophical Society
Please join us November 16th 2025 at 2:00 PM for this lovingly crafted journey through the amazing 150 year history of the Theosophical Society. This is the perfect time to learn about Theosophy if you’ve ever been curious, and a great way to celebrate this momentous anniversary for anyone who can appreciate the search for deeper spiritual truth.
The Theosophical Society presents
“ONE FIRE – 150 Years of Theosophy”
A wonderful cinematic tribute to the Society’s enduring legacy
Now on YouTube – Formers, Founders and Figures
As we approach the 150th anniversary of the Theosophical Society TS Portland member John Greisen will present a look back at the many fascinating figures from the early years of the Theosophical movement. We’ll discuss what motivated them and where their theosophical path led them through life.
School Food Pantry Drive: Lending a Hand
As part of our lodge TOS work we continue to support Todos Unidos / Candy Lane elementary’s family food pantry. To further support our families impacted by the SNAP delays and other financial difficulties, Candy Lane is launching a Food Drive to support families in need. Every donation will directly benefit a family in our Candy Lane community. We are gratefully accepting.
- Non-Perishable Items: Canned goods (tuna, beans, vegetables), dry pasta, rice, dry beans, cereal, shelf-stable milk, tortilla masa, diapers, wipes, etc.
- Gift Cards for Local Grocery Stores: These provide families with the flexibility to purchase necessary items, including fresh produce and other essentials.
Tip for Donating Gift Cards: We recommend Winco family-friendly gift cards, which can be purchased online to exclude the use of funds for tobacco or alcohol purchases. - Fresh Food Donations: If you wish to donate perishable items (like fruits, vegetables, eggs, or milk), please contact me directly through Parent Square or at jacinta.ortiz@orecity.k12.or.us so we can make arrangements to ensure the items are stored and distributed safely.
Sunday, November 16th at 2:00 PM – Celebrating 150 Years of Light and Legacy
Donations may be brought to the lodge during operating hours or coordinated directly with John G. Thank you for supporting our community
In Youtube news: Thought Forms and Egregores is a hit!
Our Youtube channel has been blowing up! We’re up to nearly 3,000 subscribers.
Peggy Heubel’s presentation on thought forms and egregores has really resonated with viewers!
The video has been watched over 40 thousand times and and has 2.6 thousand likes! Thanks again to Peggy and Amanda for travelling from our sister lodge in Oakland California to present this popular and Relevant talk to the people of Portland and the rest of the world.
More videos are coming from William Meader, Michelle Sender and more. Subscribe to the channel for notification and watch this space for more info on TS Portland events.
We’re excited for the upcoming Season of live speakers starting October 19th. Watch the coming events page and lodge calendar for the upcoming speakers and events. including more Peggy 🙂
A Summer Celebration with the Theosophical Society in Portland
Beneath the generous bowers of firs magnolias and the gentle summer sky, the Theosophical Society of Portland gathered for their annual summer celebration in the vibrant backyard of John and Mila Greisen. The event, seamlessly blending community spirit with the warmth of the season, was suffused with laughter, the clatter of yard games, and the enticing aromas of a bountiful vegetarian potluck that sprawled across tables adorned with flowers.
Friends and seekers trickled through the Greisen’s’ garden gate, some familiar with the theosophical path, others newly curious. John and Mila greeted each guest with open arms, offering an atmosphere that felt both welcoming and contemplative, where conversations drifted from the practicalities of cultivating tomatoes to the mysteries of karma and the interconnectedness of all life.
TS Portland member John Greisen Presents on the TS in America’s Youtube page
In this turbulent world just trying to find some positive direction in life can be overwhelming. Mixed messages, propaganda, and manipulation have left many with no moral compass they can rely on. The resulting widespread confusion, fear, and distress are in many ways limiting our human potential. In this presentation we’ll discuss the theosophical worldview and explore how much clarity can come from a real change in perspective. We’ll then use that new vantage point to explore ‘The Great Question’ of separate-ness. Next, we’ll determine how this new worldview affects issues of right and wrong and the law of progressing life. We’ll define dharma and discuss our ‘duty to denounce’ and then close with how ‘The Good Law’ of karma can assure us of perfect justice.
| June 15th 2025 2:00 PM William Meader Presents The Soul of Humanity: Evolves through world crisis Humanity is facing a set of global crises that are unparalleled. Whether considering the climate crisis, the untold suffering taking place in Ukraine, or the rise in authoritarian regimes around the world, humanity is at a pivotal point in history. Yet when looked at from an esoteric perspective, it becomes evident that we have entered the burning ground period that always precedes a new and dawning era for the human family. It is a time when the Soul of Humanity is seeking to shape outer events in support of humanity’s betterment. In this talk, the transforming value of world crisis will be closely examined, and what we can each do to support the emerging Soul of Humanity at this time. William will be live at the Portland Lodge and the program will also be available on Zoom 2:00 PM with Q and A to follow |
Camp Indralaya Spring 2025 Newsletter
The Spring 2025 Newsletter from Camp Indralaya was recently published and it looks like an amazing year for events and activities on beautiful Orcas Island. This comprehensive newsletter has a wealth of information about the camp, it’s programs, and what you can expect on a visit there. Located approximately 6 hours from Portland you’ll find an Oasis of Theosophical spirit next to the majestic Puget Sound. Make 2025 the year you visit this theosophical treasure.
Public Programs
On Sunday April 27th the lodge gathered to to learn more about the true power of thought from venerable TS member Peggy Heubel of the Oakland California Lodge. In this talk Peggy takes some time to explore what may be the hidden elephant in every room … egregores.
Please enjoy this condensed version of Peggy’s lecture on You Tube:
Below you can find download the worksheet Peggy mentioned and find PDF copies of Magic by Franz Hartman and Thought Forms by Annie Besant. As well as a review of ‘Egregoes by Mark Stavish.
Quest magazine: egregores-the-occult-entities-that-watch-over-human-destiny
Theosophical Outreach
On Saturday March 15th TS Portland Lodge President and Ron Karsten Lodge Ambassador were invited to share an introductory talk with The Masonic Research Lodge of Oregon. The Research Lodge of Oregon is a Masonic Lodge under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Oregon. They are the second oldest Research Lodge in America. Their lodge was chartered in 1932, and has counted many prominent Oregon Masons among its members.
As part of our fraternal outreach effort to share awareness of our lodge and Theosophy in general Ron Karsten presented to the assembled masons a program that outlined basic theosophical ideas and the three objects of the Theosophical Society and of our local lodge. The open-minded approach of the Research Lodge and fraternal welcome offered by the Research lodge was very much in accord with our theosophical values and ideals.
Appreciation goes out to The Research Lodge of Oregon for their gracious invitation for us to share our theosophical values and to TS Portland and Research Lodge member Ted Balestreri for connecting our two groups.