September 21  -  23
Friday 7:30  -  9 pm, Saturday 10  -  noon, 2  -  4 pm, Sunday 10  -  noon

Plato, the famous Greek philosopher, wrote: "Humanity is in a condition of public war of every man against every man, and a private war of each man with himself." This statement was made 2,400 years ago but sounds like a fair description of our modern society  -  fragmented by differences of opinion, where individuals are estranged from each other due to the conditioning of their minds. How can we help to reverse the present state of affairs? A first step is to learn to communicate with each other in a non - divisive manner. We will explore a method of dialogue that helps us become aware of our own biases and reactions, opening the door to a form of communication where we are free to explore together.


Series $50, Single Session $15
Michele Sender joined the Theosophical Society (TS) in 2006.  She has a degree in education and has taught positive thinking skills to high school at-risk students. When working for the TS in America national headquarters, she was president of the Wheaton - Olcott TS lodge. Michele has given lectures and seminars on the practical application of Theosophy, both in the US and UK.

Pablo Sender, PhD, has served the TS since joining in Argentina in 1996, including several years as a staff
member at the international (Adyar) and American national headquarters. Pablo presents theosophical programs worldwide in English and Spanish, guides on-line classes, and contributes regularly to theosophical journals.  http://www.pablosender.com

September 25  -  28
Tuesday  -  Friday 10  -  noon

Since uncontrolled emotions and desires may cloud our perception, spiritual traditions tend to regard them as a hindrance in the search for truth. Consequently, many religions and philosophies promote the development of detachment and equanimity. Our emotional dimension, however, is an important aspect of our being. Feelings such as love and compassion are recognized as essential for a spiritual life. What is the role of emotion and desire in a spiritual path? How may we deal with conflicting desires and negative emotions? We will explore these and related questions, both from philosophical and practical points of view.


Series $50, Single Session $15
Pablo Sender, PhD, has served the TS since joining in Argentina in 1996, including several years as a staff
member at the international (Adyar) and American national headquarters. Pablo presents theosophical programs worldwide in English and Spanish, guides on-line classes, and contributes regularly to theosophical journals.  http://www.pablosender.com

October 5  -  7
Friday 7:30  -  9 pm, Saturday 10  -  noon, 2  -  4 pm , Sunday 10  -  noon

Sages and seers of the past knew that accessing and communicating with the inner visionary is a universal way of healing, growth, and transformation.  Deep listening, an important tool for staying in touch with your inner Self, helps to cultivate and deepen inner awareness.  More than simply recalling what you know, deep listening is learning to trust that inner voice that reflects intuitive insight.  All that is required is to be still and attentive, not to what the ego desires, but to the soul's calling.  It is not only the world that needs changing  -  it is ourselves.  Awakening the Inner Visionary offers a creative tool for individuals, therapists, and teachers by providing a means for a deeper dialogue with the Soul, a step by step journey of discovery.  


Series $50, Single Session $15                       
Catherine Ann Jones, a Fulbright Scholar studying shamanism in South India, holds a graduate degree in depth psychology and archetypal mythology from Pacifica Graduate Institute where she has also taught. She has served on faculties at The New School University (NYC) and USC (LA) as well as the Esalen and Omega Institutes.  An award-winning author, playwright, and screenwriter, her books include The Way of Story: The Craft & Soul of Writing, Heal Your Self with Writing, Freud's Oracle, and What Story Are You Living? Catherine is a writing consultant, leading workshops both and abroad, and teaches five online courses at DailyOm.com.  http://www.wayofstory.com

October 9  -  12
Tuesday  -  Friday 10  -  noon

The religion of Islam has been much in the news. We will endeavor to get behind the headlines to understand this faith of millions in a non-partisan way:  where it came from, starting with the life of the Prophet Muhammad; its sacred text, the Qur'an; basic beliefs and practices; its expansion and variations, including the Sunni and Shi'a schools; and the Sufi mystical tradition. Huston Smith's beautiful 30-minute film, The Sufi Way, will be featured. Finally, we will consider Islam from Theosophical and interfaith perspectives.


Series $50, Single session $15
A visit to a local Islamic Center may be arranged separately from class.

Robert Ellwood, PhD, is emeritus professor of religion at the University of Southern California. He has served as vice president of the Theosophical Society in America, as director of the School of the Wisdom at the TS headquarters in Chennai, India, and has presented internationally for the Society. Robert has published widely and authored several books on comparative religion and theosophy.

October 16  -  19
Tuesday  -  Friday 10  -  noon

This class will explore the life and teachings of Jalal al-Din Rumi (1207-1273). Rumi's biography will highlight his relationships with his father, Sultan Baha Valed, and his friend and teacher, Shams-i Tabriz. We will explore Sufi cosmology and Rumi's teaching on the nature of the soul, ecstatic love for the Beloved, and more.  This course seeks to answer two main questions: why we love Rumi's poetry and why we need Rumi's poetry in this historical moment to help us shape our world. We will draw on the studies of Henry Corbin, James Hillman, and Franklin Lewis, to help us enter into a deeper engagement with Rumi's soul-stirring poetry.  Bring your favorite Rumi poems to share. 


Series $50, Single session $15
Steven Scholl is an independent scholar of Islam and comparative religion. He has lived and traveled extensively in the Middle East after doing graduate studies in Islamic philosophy and history at McGill University. He is the founding publisher of White Cloud Press and is the editor of several books, including The Peace Bible: Words from the Great Traditions and Common Era: Best New Writings on Religion. He writes on religion and culture for various publications and has co - written a new book with Sam Deeb titled Muhammad. He leads trips to Morocco and the World Sacred Music Festival every June and is launching tours to Turkey, Israel, and Palestine.  http://www.imagineadventures.com

October 23  -  26
Tuesday  -  Friday 10 am  -  noon


It has been said that a silent mind opens the door to inner freedom and awakens compassion in the human heart. But the mind is too noisy and disordered to be free, or to listen to what the heart seeks. Why is this so? What is inner freedom? Why is it so elusive? How does a quiet mind bring us closer to what is beautiful and true? This program is an inquiry into these questions. We'll explore The Voice of the Silence by HP Blavatsky and Freedom from the Known by J Krishnamurti. Our aim is to probe, ask questions, and look inwardly at our longing to be free of conflict and alive to the wonders of life.
Series $50, Single Session $15

Cynthia Overweg is an educator, writer, filmmaker and spiritual storyteller. Her work focuses on the interconnectedness of life and our shared aspirations to live in harmony and peace.  She is the author of the forthcoming book The Silence We Don't Know. Cynthia's work has won awards from the National Endowment for the Arts and the American Film Institute. http://www.cynthiaoverweg.com

October 27
Saturday 10 am  -  4 pm


Interior silence is often imagined as an ocean  -  vast, deep, powerful, and unknown. When the mind is silent, life has exquisite beauty, balance, and equilibrium. In the ocean of silence, there is no concept of time, no deadlines, no stress. To still the mind and relax in a supportive environment is the aim of this retreat. With self-inquiry, deep listening, and walks in Nature, our intention will be to access an inner space of wholeness and peace.

A box vegetarian lunch is available on Saturday or participants may bring their own vegetarian lunch.

Retreat,  $35Lunch, $13 
Pre-registration is required

Cynthia Overweg is an educator, writer, filmmaker and spiritual storyteller. Her work focuses on the interconnectedness of life and our shared aspirations to live in harmony and peace.  She is the author of the forthcoming book The Silence We Don't Know. Cynthia's work has won awards from the National Endowment for the Arts and the American Film Institute. http://www.cynthiaoverweg.com

October 30  -  November 2
Tuesday  -  Friday 10 am  -  noon


Therapeutic Touch (TT) is a form of energy healing that offers a path to better health. Its goal is to assist recipients to restore well-being at all levels. TT is particularly useful for treating stress-related conditions, relieving pain, healing wounds, and boosting the immune system.  It complements medical care and supports healing for people of all ages and states of health. The technique is gentle, simple to learn, and requires no direct physical contact.  Through supervised practice, participants in this workshop will learn beginning skills in TT, as well as gain an understanding of its underlying principles. A certificate of attendance will be provided. As enrollment is limited, preregistration is strongly encouraged. 

Series $50 (no single sessions)

Nelda Samarel, EdD, RN, a long-time student of the Ageless Wisdom, has served as director of the Krotona School of Theosophy, western district director for the Theosophical Society in America, and on the executive board of the Inter-American Theosophical Federation. A retired professor of nursing and researcher, she has been practicing and teaching Therapeutic Touch since 1980. She has numerous publications and presents internationally.

16  -  18 de Noviembre
Viernes 7:30  -  9 pm, Sábado 10  -  12 y 2  -  4 pm, Domingo 10  -  12

Este fin de semana estudiaremos ideas y temas transcendentales  sobre el camino espiritual basado en cuatro joyas teosóficas: A los Pies del Maestro, Luz en el Sendero, La Voz del Silencio y el Bhagavadgita. A través de ilustraciones y reflexiones, exploraremos algunas de las enseñanzas y pensamientos profundos necesarios en el crecimiento y desenvolvimiento del alma hacia la unión con lo Supremo.  Aunque estos libros estén llenos de sugerencias para un mejor comportamiento en la vida humana, éstas se convierten, cuando se practican, en verdaderas realizaciones espirituales y por lo tanto fluirán de manera natural, espontanea y transparente.


Serie Completa $50, Una Sola Sesiŏn $15
Luz María Tamarit: Nació en Valencia, España, y vive en USA. Desde muy joven buscó el camino espiritual, comenzando por Krishnamurti. Es trabajadora social y continúa trabajando con jóvenes con problemas de aprendizaje. Es presidenta de la Logia España en Los Angeles y también ha servido en la junta directiva del campo teosófico Far Horizons.

Angela Murillo: Nació en Cali, Colombia, y desde muy joven empezó a estudiar obras teosóficas como Isis sin Velo y La Doctrina Secreta. Luego al llegar a los Estados Unidos pudo llegar a la Logia España, Los Angeles, y hacerse miembro de la TS desde el 2005. Ha sido Presidenta de la Logia España, donde actualmente sirve como Secretaria.

Elvira Carbonell:  Tiene una maestría en estadísticas aplicadas de la Escuela de Salud Pública de UCLA y ha trabajado para la sede internacional en Adyar y para la Sociedad Teosófica en América en Wheaton, IL, por muchos años. Ha estado interesada en la metafĭsica de los estudios teosóficos y es miembro de la Logia España en Los Angeles.

Gaspar Torres: Nació en Cuba, teósofo desde joven y fue Presidente de la Sección de ese país. Desde 2011 vive en Krotona, dando conferencias y estudiando con un grupo en internet La Doctrina Secreta y otros temas teosóficos.