Tag Archives: presentation

This is a list of presentations that have been announced on the News page.

The Buddha’s Advice for the Open-Minded Seeker

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FREE WEBCAST Thursday, August 5, 7:00 p.m. CDT

the power of place martin gray

At a time when we are confronted with conflicting ideas, views, opinions, beliefs, and “facts” about so much in life – including spirituality – it can easily lead to a sense of confusion, bewilderment, and frustration. This can result in a sense of indifference and loss of purpose or guiding principal in how we approach life.

The Buddha addresses this very problem in one of his famous discourses, the Kalama Sutta which has at times been referred to as “The Buddha’s Charter of Free Inquiry.” In this discourse, the Buddha provides very useful guidance on how to evaluate diversity and the often-conflicting sources of information in order to ascertain what is worth following and implementing in one’s life. Although this discourse was given over two thousand years ago, it remains incredibly relevant to our current situation. In this lecture, John Cianciosi will explore the Buddha’s advice for the open-minded seeker.

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Hilma af Klint: The Mystical Life of a Revolutionary Artist

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FREE WEBCAST  Thursday, July 8, 5:00 p.m. CDT

Unbeknownst to many, the first abstract artist was a Swedish woman named Hilma af Klint. Hilma’s work predates that of Kandinsky and others, and is no less stunning. Influenced by the teachings of Theosophy, her work is a visual representation of a complex view into the spiritual realm. Misunderstood and all but forgotten, this amazing artist and mystic has now been rediscovered almost 100 years later.

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A Science-Driven Journey into the Heart of Spirituality

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FREE WEBCAST  Thursday, June 24, 7:00 p.m. CDT

Researcher and professor Dr. Edward Kelly will sketch his personal experience leading a 20-year survival seminar, or “Sursem” project, under the auspices of Esalen Institute’s Center for Theory and Research (CTR). The project, with contributions from scholars representing numerous scientific and humanistic disciplines, culminated in a series of theories that undermine the contemporary mainstream physicalist/ materialist worldview while also presenting and evaluating a wide variety of traditional and modern metaphysical alternatives to that worldview. Learn how we are at, or very near, a major inflection point in modern intellectual history, and how this transition is being driven by leading-edge developments in science itself.

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The Power of Place: Sacred Sites and the Presence of the Miraculous

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FREE WEBCAST Thursday, June 17, 7:00 p.m. CDT

Thursday, June 17, 7:00 p.m. CDT

the power of place martin gray

Since ancient times certain places have had a powerful attraction for billions of people around the world. Known as sacred sites and pilgrimage places, they are the most venerated and iconic locations of human civilization. Legends and contemporary reports tell of extraordinary experiences people have had while visiting these holy places. Different sacred sites have the power to heal the body, enlighten the mind and inspire the heart.

National Geographic photographer and anthropologist Martin Gray has spent thirty-five years studying and photographing 1500 of these sacred sites in more than one hundred and sixty countries. In this interview Martin discusses the mythology, archaeology and history of sacred sites, as well as the critical importance of religious pluralism and spiritual ecology in contemporary times.

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Astrology and the Secret Doctrine with Eduardo Javier Gramaglia

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FREE WEBCAST  Thursday, June 10, 7:00 p.m. CDT

astrology and the secret doctrine with eduardo javie gramaglia 6 10 21

As we trace the ancient science of astrology back to its fascinating origins based on historical facts and the occult tradition, the question inevitably arises: Is there an esoteric astrology? and then, What actually is esotericism?

In The Secret Doctrine, H. P. Blavatsky states that primitive astrology was as far above modern astrology as the zodiacal signs are above the lamp-posts. We will explore astrology’s links to the Laws of Karma and examine some of the enigmatic hints and assertions about astrology found in The Secret Doctrine in an attempt to find out where this ancient science fits into esoteric knowledge.

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How to Heal our Collective Psychosis

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FREE WEBCAST  Thursday, June 3, 7:00 p.m. CDT

Theosophical Society - Healing our collective psychosis. Pulling open a sunrise from a sunset.

Native Americans describe the root of all individual and collective crises as wetiko, and believe this mind virus is at the heart of everything we face—from climate change (and our lack of response and confusion around the issue), to social injustice, financial corruption, and more.

Called by many different names throughout history, the spirit of wetiko—a form of psychic blindness—renders every other issue secondary, for wetiko is the over-arching umbrella that contains, subsumes, informs, and underlies every form of self-and-other destruction that our species is acting out in our world on every scale. Wetiko only has power over us, however, to the extent it is not seen.

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Theosophy: The Genesis of Abstract Art

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Sunday Afternoon Public Programs
April 25, 2:00 PM  •  Presented by Jane P. Savage

Theosophy has had a significant influence on the pioneers of abstract art. In the 1890s, interest in the occult and mysticism began to influence abstract painting. Thus, artists at the beginning of the 20th century were breaking from tradition and representational art. Most notably, Swedish artist Hilma af Klint was recently credited as the true pioneer of abstraction, with her work predating that of Wassily Kandinsky. Join us as we look at the connection between Theosophy and art and how it opened the doors for free creative expression and originality.

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Building Purpose and Intentionality

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Sunday Afternoon Public Programs
March 21, 2:00 PM  •  Presented by David E. Hopper

From his book The Soul Source — A Primer for Living as a Soul, David describes the evolution of consciousness and the importance of each of the three aspects that make up a spiritual practice, i.e. meditation, spiritual study, and service — and their significance. He will discuss how energy, force, and “spiritual tension” from the Soul work in a spiritual practice. This understanding is crucial for the consciously aware server when he or she is wanting to set purpose and intentionality in a practice for carrying out his part of the Plan, and the needs of the greater Group.

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Aesthetics, Beauty, and the Sixth Dimension

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Sunday Afternoon Public Programs
February 28, 2:00 PM  •  Presented by Lee Haga

What elements make something of nature or art so beautiful and visually stunning that it astounds and inspires us? What qualities of nature provide perennial inspiration and help our minds to expand? Join Lee Haga as she explores some ancient, aesthetic, and scientific laws which govern our quest for and perception of beauty.

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