Tag Archives: group study

Why Study Theosophy?

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Sunday Afternoon Public Programs
October 14, 2:00 PM  •  Panel discussion moderated by Lee Haga

Fundamentals of Theosophy: On this Sunday, The Portland Lodge of the Theosophical Society offers the first “Fundamentals of Theosophy” program of our 2018–2019 season. This presentation will provide the public with a unique chance to hear a panel of three Society members as they discuss why they find the ancient, divine wisdom of Theosophy to be a spiritual oasis in a world filled with tensions and divisiveness between many religions.

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The Importance of Meditation

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Sunday Afternoon Public Programs
April 1, 2:00 PM  •  Group Study

Fundamentals of Theosophy: Meditation should not necessarily be equated with concentration, but, instead is a method of gradually opening our higher minds on a daily basis 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 existence (like our bodies, our emotions, and our cursory, fleeting thoughts) as being “real” or permanent. Please join us for a discussion of the various types of meditation and the importance of its practice.

Reincarnation

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Sunday Afternoon Public Programs
March 4, 2:00 PM  •  Group Study

Fundamentals of Theosophy: 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 life cycle, to “get it right” on the spiritual plane. As expressed in the Third Proposition of Theosophy, each of us, as “sparks” of the Divine, must embark on an obligatory pilgrimage, or journey, through many cycles of incarnations in order to achieve spiritual enlightenment. Do we retain any memories from these past lives? If so, how do they manifest in our present life? Please join us for a group discussion on this very significant topic.

Kharma/Dharma // Dharma/Kharma

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Sunday Afternoon Public Programs
February 4, 2:00 PM  •  Group Study

Fundamentals of Theosophy: It can be said that “kharma” and “dharma” represent two Theosophical 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. Continue reading →

The Theosophical View of Man and His Seven Fields

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Sunday Afternoon Public Programs
January 7, 2:00 PM  •  Group Study

Fundamentals of Theosophy: Interpenetrating the dense matter of our physical world are other “higher” planes or fields composed of finer grades of matter vibrating at higher frequencies. In the same way, man also has “higher” fields composed of these finer grades of matter interpenetrating his dense, physical body, or “vehicle.” Today’s study group discussion will cover man’s seven fields and their conveyances, or vehicles of expression.

The Third Fundamental Proposition

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Sunday Afternoon Public Programs
December 3, 2:00 PM  •  Group Study

Fundamentals of Theosophy: The Cyclic Law of the Universe and Identity with the Oversoul: The Third Proposition states that we each are connected as a spark of the Divine to the Universal Oversoul. As such, every spark, or soul, must travel through its own specifically designated time span or cycle in this world until that spark is “extinguished” and returns to be absorbed into the Oversoul. How does this last Proposition affect our attitude to our own current personal journey and purpose? Continue reading →

The Second Fundamental Proposition

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Sunday Afternoon Public Programs
October 29, 2:00 PM  •  Group Study

Fundamentals of Theosophy: What do high and low tides, night and day, and life and death, for example, all have in common? They are manifestations of the Second Proposition, or, more specifically, the Universal Law of Periodicity. This Law, which is discernible on all levels of Nature and life on this planet, exemplifies the concept of constant Abstract Space and Abstract Motion, or the Great Breath, in and out. Continue reading →

The First Fundamental Proposition, From the Proem of The Secret Doctrine

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Sunday Afternoon Public Programs
October 15, 2:00 PM  •  Group Study

Fundamentals of Theosophy: One Life Source/One Life Force: The concept of Unity, or the one Unified Absolute Reality, expresses the first of the three fundamental Theosophical Propositions. It has been said that latent in every atom of the universe is the universe itself. Despite the infinite variations of the outer physical forms, or “shells,” the mineral, vegetable, animal, and human kingdoms are all tangible manifestations of this underlying Reality. Continue reading →

Meditation

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Sunday Afternoon Public Programs
April 2, 3:00 PM  •  Group Study

Fundamentals of Theosophy: It has been said that prayer is when we talk to God, and meditation is when God talks to us. By quieting the “monkey mind,” the lower mind that flits constantly between details and attachments of our daily lives, we can strengthen the higher mind to help us realize our true spiritual being. A steady practice of meditation can increasingly shift our focus from the physical plane to the higher planes to help us achieve this Realization. A discussion of various types and importance of meditation will be beneficial for neophytes and experienced meditators alike.

Power of Thought

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Sunday Afternoon Public Programs
March 19, 3:00 PM  •  Group Study

Fundamentals of Theosophy: An early member of the Theosophical Society wrote that thought “is a power possessed by all, but intelligently used as yet by few.” Thought by itself can be used positively or negatively and is one of the ways we generate karma. Today’s group study discussion will center on the nature and effects of thought.