KROTONA SCHOOL OF THEOSOPHY
PROGRAMS FALL-WINTER 2025
Great Films, Timeless Themes
September 25-October 16
Catherine Ann Jones
Thursdays 6:30-8:30 PT
Onsite Krotona Hall
Film is one of the most important mediums of our time. Please see our program website. Producer David Putnam (Chariots of Fire, The Mission) once said, “If films were what they might be that there would be no need to go to church.” Each week a film will be screened- not for entertainment alone—but as a catalyst to explore human and philosophical themes. An open dialogue will follow the screening.
- October 16: Jules (2023). A sci-fi comedy-drama starring Ben Kingsley. A man’s quiet life gets upended when a UFO crashes in his backyard in rural Pennsylvania. Who could believe him?
Single Session $15
Students by donation
Catherine Ann Jones, M.A. is an award-winning author, playwright, and screenwriter (The Christmas Wife, Unlikely Angel, Touched by an Angel series) and author of eight books. A Fulbright Research Scholar to India with over 30 years of teaching experience at The New School University (NYC) and U.S.C. Film School (LA) along with workshops at the Esalen and Omega Institutes, and in Europe and Asia. Her six online courses at DailyOM have drawn over 60,000 subscribers. Blog, workshop schedule, writing and personal consultations: www.wayofstory.com
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Gentle Yoga Series
October 2-November 13
Alana Mitnick
Thursday Mornings 10am-11:15am (No class October 23)
Onsite at Krotona School and Zoom
In this 6-week yoga series we will explore what it feels like to move gently, from a place of self-compassion and embodied ease. Drawing awareness towards the breath and subtle sensations, we explore simple asanas, somatic movements, and meditation techniques designed to calm the nervous system – offering relief, increasing mobility, and inspiring a flow of energy.
Drop-ins welcome!
Please bring a yoga mat, a yoga blanket (or towel), and any props you would like to use during your practice.
Single Session $20, Series $110
Alana Mitnick, E-RYT 500, YACEP, has been teaching yoga in the Ojai Valley for nearly 20 years. A spiritual searcher by nature, Alana is devoted to a path of service and integrity. She offers yoga and meditation classes that are accessible to people of all ages, bodies, and abilities. A dedicated student of Yoga since 1996, Alana attended her first Iyengar class for seniors at the age of fifteen. Some of her most influential teachers include: Kira Sloane, Ravi Ravindra, Erich Schiffmann, and Tias Little. In 2011, Alana attended the School of the Wisdom at the Theosophical Society Adyar, India, deepening her understanding and appreciation for theosophy and yoga philosophy. Alana demonstrates skillful and compassionate leadership within the yoga community. She was a studio owner of the Ojai Yoga Shala for five years and served as Content Producer at Yoga Anytime from 2014-2022. Currently, Alana co-teaches 200-hour Yoga Teacher Trainings and leads Restorative and Yin Yoga Teacher Trainings.
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Our World, Its Growth and Development
Fourth Biennial Secret Doctrine Forum: Stanza VI
October 23-26
Martin Leiderman, Pablo and Michele Sender, Ariel Tarazaga,
Eva Moberg and Ananya Sri Ram
Thursday – Saturday 10am to noon, 2-4pm
Sunday 10am-noon
Onsite and Zoom
This Work I Dedicate to all True Theosophists in every Country,
and of every Race, for they called it forth, and for them it is recorded.
–Helena Blavatsky, 1888
The Secret Doctrine – The Synthesis of Science, Religion, and Philosophy, is H. P. Blavatsky’s greatest work. Based on the secret aphorisms in the ancient Stanzas of Dzyan, it presents a panoramic, esoteric view of the evolution of all life. HPB states, “These truths are in no sense put forward as a revelation . . . For what is contained in this work is to be found scattered throughout thousands of volumes embodying the scriptures of the great Asiatic and early European religions, hidden under glyph and symbol . . . left unnoticed because of this veil. What is now attempted is to gather the oldest tenets together and to make of them one harmonious and unbroken whole.”
In this recurring forum, we explore together various themes to arrive at deeper insights into the teachings and their applications to our lives. Continuing our study of the seven stanzas in Volume I, Cosmic Evolution, our inquiry focuses on Stanza VI (Our World, Its Growth and Development.)
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October 23
Thursday 10am – noon
Pablo Sender
From Cosmic Slumber to Creative Fire
In this introductory presentation, we will explore an overview of the first five Stanzas of The Secret Doctrine by H. P. Blavatsky. These Stanzas trace the metaphysical and spiritual processes through which the cosmos passes from a state of deep, unmanifested sleep to one of radiant creative activity. As the Great Breath begins to stir, the Logos of the system awakens and emanates the hierarchies of celestial intelligences that will give form and order to the universe through the dynamic power known as Fohat. This session will set the stage for our study of the Stanza VI, offering a contemplative recapitulation of the cosmic awakening and the principles that underlie all manifestation.
Pablo Sender, PhD, joined the Theosophical Society in 1996 in Argentina. 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 residing in the Krotona Institute of Theosophy in Ojai, California. He has presented programs and retreats in India, Europe, Oceania, and the three Americas. He writes for many Theosophical journals and is the author of The Evolution of the Higher Consciousness and Approaching the Secret Doctrine. www.pablosender.com
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October 23
Thursday 2 – 4pm
Michele Sender
Creating Sacred Space through the Secret Doctrine
In this talk, we will explore how The Secret Doctrine can transform study into a form of jnana yoga that creates new brain pathways through individual contemplation and group dialogue. The emphasis will be on demonstrating practical methods by introducing the psychological keys and the law of correspondences—applying “as above, so below”—to recognize how cosmic processes mirror our own psychological development and personal experience. We will map the Stanzas as stages of consciousness and create meditative affirmations that anchor cosmic principles in lived experience. The presentation will shift our thinking from closed, definitional questions to open meditative inquiry, creating “sacred spaces” for collective exploration where teachings become living questions rather than fixed doctrines.
Michele Sender has been a member of the Theosophical Society since 2006. She lived and worked at the national headquarters of the TS in America and is currently part of the community at Krotona Institute of Theosophy. She has a degree in education and has given lectures, classes, and seminars on Theosophy and its practical application in daily life both in the US and abroad. She is the founder of Fohat Productions, a publishing company created to share the living power of Theosophy. For more information – michele@fohatproductions.com.
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October 24
Friday 10am – noon\
Eva Moberg
The Divine Sound of Compassion
With Stanza VI, we are introduced to Kwan-Yin and Vach representing the magical creative potency of speech and sound as the expression of thought in the cosmos and in humanity. Out of divine love, this “Voice” calls forth the Many from the One and our Sevenfold nature. Join us in exploring how cosmic unfoldment relates to the unfoldment of human potentialities in the service of universal welfare, to the enormous creative potency of speech in uplifting all evolving life.
Eva Moberg is a long-time student of Theosophy and the co-founder of the United Lodge of Theosophists (ULT) Lodge of Malmö, Sweden. With a professional background in the Swedish healthcare system, her emphasis is on making the metaphysical teachings of Theosophy practically applicable with a focus on ethics and compassion.
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October 24
Friday 2 – 4pm
Ananya Sri Ram
Light, Life, and Love: The Path of the Divine Flame
It is said that Lords of the Flame or Agnishvatta’s gifted humanity with manas. The Secret Doctrine states that the Agnishvattas came from Venus and that we, in a way, descend from these ancestral beings who gifted humans the potentiality for divine awakening. This presentation will explore the symbolism and beauty behind these words, leading us to come into touch with that which lies within all life: the divine light.
Ananya Sri Ram joined the Theosophical Society in 1983 in Adyar, India. She worked at the TS in American headquarters as an editorial assistant and is past president of the Theosophical Order of Service, USA. A regular contributor to Theosophy Forward, she also co-teaches an online introductory course to Theosophy. She currently serves as the director of the Krotona School of Theosophy in Ojai, California.
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October 25
Saturday 10am – noon, 2-4pm
Ariel Esteban Tarazaga
Awakening the Divine: A Journey Through Stanza VI of the Secret Doctrine by HPB
The Stanzas of Cosmogenesis in “The Secret Doctrine” are complex, and Stanza VI is no exception. Our initial session will provide an overview of its significant themes, focusing on two central topics to spark discussion. The first topic reinterprets “The Fall of the Angels” as a cosmic sacrifice, where divine beings infused consciousness into early humanity, transforming ‘original sin’ into a spiritual awakening. The second topic challenges traditional evolution, suggesting that early human consciousness preceded mammals and influenced the development of anthropoid apes. This perspective redefines evolution as a cyclical process, with the pineal gland symbolizing lost spiritual vision and critiquing materialistic science. These couple of topics stand out as central, and we hope to leverage them as triggers that stimulate discussions on various aspects of this vital part of Cosmogenesis.
Ariel Taragaza was born in San Rafael Argentina. He has been an active member in TS Argentina since 2005 and has held several leadership roles for the last 20 years. A dedicated student of the Secret Doctrine, Ariel coordinated a study group in Adyar in 2017 while volunteering there, and for the last decade has facilitated one in Buenos Aires. A nuclear physicist by profession, Ariel’s research is dedicated to the peaceful use nuclear energy.
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October 26
Sunday 10am – noon
Martin Leiderman
Summing Up and panel Q & A
Martin will provide an overview of the weekend and facilitate a panel discussion with presenters.
Martin Leiderman, born in Venezuela, is a retired Industrial Engineer. He is a long-time student of Theosophy, a Life Member of the Theosophical Society in America, and a national and international lecturer in both Spanish and English. Along with his wife, Susan, he led the West Los Angeles Theosophical Study Group for many years. After eighteen years of serving on the Board of Directors of the Krotona Institute of Theosophy in Ojai, CA, Martin retired in 2024. In addition to studies in Theosophy, particularly The Secret Doctrine, The Mahatma Letters and The Voice of the Silence; his interests include Ancient Egypt, Plato and the Neoplatonist, Hermetic literature, Alchemy and comparative symbology of ancient traditions.
Single Session $15 Day $25 Full Series $80
Poetry As Portal: An Exploration
November 1
Karen Hesli
Saturday 10am – noon, 2-4pm
Onsite and Zoom
This is a day for retreating alone and together. Our jumping off point will be to reflect on these 2 quotes:
“To understand life is to understand ourselves. That is both the beginning and end of education.”
–Education and the Significance of Life, J. Krishnamurti
“Every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.”
–Song of Myself, Walt Whitman
Each of the two sessions will begin with reading selected poems aloud together, followed by reflection and sharing related to the theme. We will then each enjoy time in nature alone, for creating a poem or poetic expression, sketching, poetic movement, or further reflection. Sharing with the group will follow, with attentive listening and appreciation.
Karen Hesli After a decade of teaching in Minneapolis Public Schools, Karen was introduced to a different kind of learning encouraged by philosopher/educator J. Krishnamurti. In 1980 she discovered the gift of her “lifelong education of inquiry” at Oak Grove School,
where she worked in various teaching and administrative positions until retiring in 2018.
In Karen’s words, ” Poetry came to me steadily through the years, mostly via students, whose natural language was effortlessly, right-brainedly, poetic. Now I admit to being an evangelist for poetry. I see poetry as equipment for life. The right poem opens doors, bridges several worlds, interrupts entrenched thinking or catalyzes honest reflection. I love to share poems that have moved me over the years; not as examples of ‘iambic pentameter,’ but ones that ask what is in your heart as a human being or what moves and nurtures your life.
Single Session $20 Day $35
La Vida Espiritual en la Vida y en la Muerte
Fin de semana español
diciembre 5-7
Elvira Carbonell and Francisco Cuevas
Viernes 7:30 – 9 pm, Sabado 10 – noon, 2 – 4 pm, Domingo 10 – noon
En persona et Zoom
Este fin de semana exploraremos lo que los Grandes Maestros y Teósofos han enseñado acerca de la vida espiritual y su desarrollo en el hombre, en este plano físico y después de la muerte en el Devachan. La hermana Elvira Carbonell presentará con diapositivas lo que es el Devachan, como se llega a él y una vez en el Devachan, cual sera su proceso. El hermano Francisco Cuevas de Chile tratará mas ahondo el tema de la vida espiritual, su desarrollo y realización plena. Muchos de los temas que serán tratados salen de diferentes fuentes como La Doctrina Secreta, Las Cartas de los Maestros, Budismo Esotérico de AP Sinnett y Devachan de CW Leadbeater, entre otros.
Se agradecen las donaciones
haga clic aquí para registrarse
Elvira Carbonell Original de Cuba, emigrando a los EEUU a la edad de 13 años. Graduada de UCLA en Matemáticas y Estadísticas Aplicadas. Ingresó a la Sociedad Teosofica en America en el año 1987. Desde entonces, ella ha sido una estudiante asidua de la filosofía Teosófica. Trabajó como voluntaria en la sede Internacional de Adyar, India y para la sede nacional de America en Wheaton, USA, por varios años. Es miembro de la Logia España de Los Angeles y actualmente enseña matemáticas, lectura, etc., a adultos quienes están interesados en obtener su diploma de secundaria o certificado de vocación especifica.
Francisco Cuevas Torres Nacido en Chile, de profesión Ingeniero Informático e Industrial con Licenciatura en Ciencias mención Industrias, es miembro de la Sociedad Teosófica desde 2017. Fue Secretario de Rama los años 2019, 2020 y 2021. Desde el año 2023 a la fecha actual forma parte de la Directiva Nacional de la Sociedad Teosófica en Chile como Secretario de la institución. A partir del año 2023 hasta la actualidad es parte del equipo de The School of The Wisdom Adyar, apoyando el desarrollo y gestión de los cursos Online y Presencial (Adyar) de la Escuela de la Sabiduría.
Pathways to the Heart: Contemplative Prayer Practices, East and West
December 11-14
Spiritual Retreat
David Odorisio
Thursday 7:00-8:30pm, Friday & Saturday 10am-noon, 2-4 pm
Sunday 10am – noon
Onsite and Zoom
Mystical and monastic traditions over centuries have developed advanced spiritual technologies for alchemizing human potential. Early Christian monastics referred to this as the path of the gnostikē, while later Sufi mystics called it ma’rifa — direct, experiential knowledge of the Divine. Rooted in a shared understanding of spiritual perception centered in the heart, these two traditions each developed rigorous psychological maps for navigating shadow, resistance, and transformation.
This weekend retreat introduces the spiritual psychology of Christian monasticism and Sufi mysticism, placing them in direct conversation with one another. It invites participants to consider the inner path as one of radical integration, clarity, and awakening. Through gentle guided contemplative exercises, participants are invited to engage more directly with these inner technologies of Sufi mysticism and Christian monasticism. Together, we will explore heart-centered contemplative practices which transcend division and assist us in leading lives of conscious compassionate relationship.
Accommodation available. Two night minimum. Please call 805-646-1139 or click here
Single sessions $20 Series $110
David M. Odorisio, PhD, is Chair and Core Faculty in the Mythological Studies and Psychology, Religion, and Consciousness programs at Pacifica Graduate Institute, Santa Barbara, CA. He is editor of the extraordinary work Thomas Merton in California: The Redwoods Conferences and Letters, and Merton and Hinduism: The Yoga of the Heart. He currently serves as Co-Chair of the Mysticism Unit for the American Academy of Religion. David speaks regularly about, and leads retreats and workshops on, the life and writings of Thomas Merton. www.ahomeforsoul.com
Krotona School
46 Krotona Street
Ojai CA 93023
805 646–1139
schoolinfo@krotonainstitute.org
Library Hours
Wednesday – Saturday 12:00 – 5:00pm
Sunday 1:00 – 5:00pm
805 646–2653
library@krotonainstitute.org
Bookshop Hours
Wednesday – Saturday 12:00 – 5:00pm
Sunday 1:00 – 5:00pm
805 646–0873
bookshop@krotonainstitute.org
Krotona Institute
2 Krotona Street
Ojai CA 93023
805-646–2653
info@krotonainstitute.org