January 2018 – April 2019
Here is our complete schedule from January through April. Please check our News Page for updates. Each upcoming presentation will be announced there a couple of days in advance, in addition to any time changes, cancellations, etc.
Fundamentals of Theosophy Group Study: A number of our Sunday Programs will be devoted to fundamental concepts of Theosophy presented in an informal format and led by a lodge member. As a group, we will study and discuss some of these influential concepts. All levels of interest are welcome.
All of our Sunday Programs will be presented in Forest Hall at West Hills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship unless otherwise noted. Programs begin promptly at 2:00 PM.
January 6
Man and His Seven Fields
Fundamentals of Theosophy, group study hosted by Lee Haga
Interpenetrating the dense matter of our physical world are other” higher” fields composed of frequencies. In the same way, man has “higher” fields composed of these finer grades of matter that permeate his dense physical body or “vehicle”. Please join us today as we discuss man’s seven fields and their conveyances, or “vehicles” of expression and importance. You will never think the same about your personal “vehicle!”
Lee Haga has been a member of the Theosophical Society in America since 1979, She enjoys moderating group discussions on esoteric topics.
January 27
Kabbalah and the Sephirot — Personal Energy and Individual Potential
Presented by Ron Karsten
The symbolism of the Kabbalist Tree of Life is featured. The Sephirot, connections to astrology, numerology, angelic lore, tarot, and the interpretations of colors are discussed. Discover a way of thinking and concepts of relating and sharing. The study of the Tree of Life is a vital tool for self-discovery and profound inner knowing.
Ron Karsten is a third-generation Theosophist with over 30 years of university-level teaching experience in the Pacific Northwest. He is founder of The Karsten Institute and has provided leadership and workforce development consulting to major businesses in the Western US.
February 3
Kharma/Dharma // Dharma/Kharma
Fundamentals of Theosophy, group study hosted by Lee Haga
It can be said that “Kharma” and “dharma” represent two sides of the same “coin.” These two ancient laws are intrinsically linked as the primary, impersonal forces shaping all past, present, and future life cycles. Kharma has often been defined as “fate” and “Dharma” as duty, but these definitions can be sometimes misleading. In Theosophy, Kharma expresses the impartial, scientific law of “cause and effect,” or ” for every action there is an opposite and equal reaction on all of the planes”. Dharma refers to the inner truth of an individual as it unfolds. Please join us as we explore these two profound laws.
Lee Haga has been a member of the Theosophical Society in America since 1979, She enjoys moderating group discussions on esoteric topics.
February 9
Theosophy and Transformation
Presented by Pablo Sender, Ph.D.
Theosophical teachings have great depth and provide a sound explanation of life, human nature, and our evolutionary journey. However, when these teachings are approached as a mere philosophy, they may lose a vital element that can make a difference in the way we live. In this workshop, Pablo Sender will explore how to highlight the practical aspects of the teachings so that they become a force for transformation.
This is a Saturday workshop (1:00 PM – 5:00 PM) and open to the public.
Pablo Sender has been a member of the Theosophical Society since 1996. He has lived and worked at the International Headquarters of the TS in Adyar, India; at the National Center of the TS in America; and is currently at the Krotona Institute of Theosophy in Ojai, California. An international speaker, he has presented programs and retreats in India, Europe, Oceana, and the three Americas. He writes for many Theosophical journals and is the author of the book the Evolution of the Higher Consciousness. Visit his website at PabloSender.com.
February 10
The Power of Awareness
Presented by Pablo Sender, Ph.D.
Most of us deal with the challenges of daily living by means of physical, emotional and intellectual responses. Although this approach may be appropriate to cope with situations on a practical level, it is rarely able to address the root cause of the difficulties we encounter. But there is a faculty higher than the ability to act, feel and think, which can bring about a fundamental change in ourselves and in society. This faculty, variously called awareness, mindfulness, or witnessing, is present in every one of us, and becomes an active power when we discover how to tap into it. In this program, Pablo Sender will present the subject from philosophical and practical perspectives.
Pablo Sender has been a member of the Theosophical Society since 1996. He has lived and worked at the International Headquarters of the TS in Adyar, India; at the National Center of the TS in America; and is currently at the Krotona Institute of Theosophy in Ojai, California. An international speaker, he has presented programs and retreats in India, Europe, Oceana, and the three Americas. He writes for many Theosophical journals and is the author of the book the Evolution of the Higher Consciousness. Visit his website at PabloSender.com.
March 3
Reincarnation
Fundamentals of Theosophy, group study hosted by Lee Haga
Several ancient religions, philosophies, and schools of thought, including Theosophy, accept the concept of reincarnation as a logical alternative to just having one chance, or one life cycle, “to get it right.” As expressed in the Third Proposition of Theosophy, all of us are “sparks” of the divine and must travel on an obligatory journey through many life cycles or incarnations in order to achieve spiritual enlightenment. Do we retain any memories of these past lives? Please join us for a discussion on this fascinating topic.
Lee Haga has been a member of the Theosophical Society in America since 1979, She enjoys moderating group discussions on esoteric topics.
March 17
Exploring Life’s Final Journey
Presented by Patricia Fulbright
In time each of us will die, arriving at a place defined today by medical and legal benchmarks. Death and dying surround us as the shadow in the cycle of life. In the Phaedo, Plato guides us through a rich dialog of Socrates and friends on the day their teacher faces death. Socrates describes the art of dying as a process of separating the soul from the body and entering Hades, the mythic underworld. This presentation focuses on his art of dying.
Patricia Fulbright has presented courses on mythology and literature at Clark College. She is a lifelong student of Neoplatonic philosophy and ancient Greek literature.
April 7
The Importance of Meditation
Fundamentals of Theosophy, group study hosted by Lee Haga
Meditation should not be necessarily equated to concentration. Instead, it is a method of gradually opening our higher minds daily to connect to the One, Unified, Absolute Reality. The main obstacle to achieving realization of our true Self is our day-to-day identification with the impermanent, physical planes of our ourselves, like our bodies, emotions, and our fleeting thoughts of our monkey minds as being “Real,” or permanent. Please join us for a discussion of the importance of the practice of meditation and its various types to help us gain higher wisdom.
Lee Haga has been a member of the Theosophical Society in America since 1979, She enjoys moderating group discussions on esoteric topics.
April 14
Astrology ● The Importance of Understanding Astrology
Presented by Judith Hill
Why are the “seven branches” of traditional astrology so valuable to humankind? Preventing surgical disasters, planning safe air travel, planting for abundant harvests and solving medical mysteries are all in the day’s work of a highly skilled traditional astrologer! Surviving centuries of misrepresentation, ridicule and suppression, astrology continues today as a living and venerable science. Today, the field faces both significant new threats and fantastic possibilities!
So, what exactly is real astrology and who are its practitioners? What research has proven that planets, signs and houses influence us? Do the planets influence us through cosmic color rays and vibration? What are the twelve zodiac signs anyway? Our speaker will provide a fascinating discussion of these questions as she examines the field, its ancient uses and new possibilities.
Judith Hill is an award-winning author of ten books including Medical Astrology: A Guide to Planetary Pathology, The Astrological Body Types, Astrology and Your Vital Force, and The Lunar Nodes: Your Key to Excellent Chart Interpretation. Judith produces the Renaissance Medicine Conference and Medical Astrology 101, and served as Research Director for the San Francisco National Council for Geocosmic Research in 1989. She was possibly the first to introduce Western medical astrology to Szechuan, China. She is an internationally recognized researcher known for co-publishing significant statistical research on astro-genetics and astro-seismology. She is a lifetime consulting astrologer and maintains an international practice. judithhillastrology.com
While all of our Sunday programs are free, donations are critical to funding our public program series. The Theosophical Society in Portland is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and your donations are tax-deductible. A contribution of $5.00 is appreciated. Thank you for supporting our programs!