The Genius of Annie Besant: Reflections on The Spiritual Life

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October 1, 15, November 5, 19, December 3, 17

Maria Parisen and Ananya Sri Ram

First and Third Thursday evenings 4 – 5:30 pm Pacific, 5 – 6:30 pm

Mountain, 6 – 7:30 Central, 7– 8:30 Eastern

Onsite and Zoom

Single Session $15 Series $75

Annie Besant’s remarkable life represents a mind full of curiosity and a heart full of compassion. Her altruistic life as a social activist enhanced her work as a Theosophical leader and teacher. The Spiritual Life, a selective collection of her lectures and essays from 1893 -1907, reflects Besant’s profound yet practical insights on how we may live a spiritual life in the world as it is today. Joy Mills suggests, “When answers come from a heart overflowing with compassion for the suffering of humankind, when they flow from a wisdom tradition that is timeless in its essence, then those answers are timeless, for they remind us that within us is the very truth we seek.”

Through our six weeks together, we will interactively explore various aspects of the spiritual life, considering Besant’s perspective and insights. Topics such as, “the difficulties of the inner life,” “the ceasing of sorrow,” “the value of devotion,” and “the future that awaits us” will offer an opportunity for creative ideas, inspiration and enthusiasm for our shared spiritual journey.

Maria Parisen has been a T.S. member since 1969 and active for 40 years in the T.S. in Detroit, has served on the national boards of the Theosophical Society in America, the Theosophical Order of Service and currently the Krotona Institute. A resident of Krotona since 2003, and director of its School of Theosophy for 15 years, she has taught for the T.S. internationally and compiled the Quest anthology Angels and Mortals: Their Co-Creative Power.

Ananya Sri Ram has been a student of Theosophy since 1983 and incorporates theosophical principles into her practice as a licensed therapist. Past president of the Theosophical Order of Service, USA, she co-teaches an introductory online theosophical course for the Theosophical Society in America (TSA) and contributes to the online journal Theosophy Forward. She currently serves as the director of the Krotona School in Ojai, California.

Embodying Unity: Art, Work, and the Spiritual Life

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March 10

Daniela Yamez Arrey
Tuesday 7 pm
Onsite and Zoom

This talk explores the unity of matter and spirit through lived experience, artistic practice, and conscious work. Drawing from years of communal life at Saint Elmo Village and from an ongoing land-based project in the foothills of the Andes, Daniela shares a vision of spirituality not as abstraction, but as embodied action. Rather than presenting theory or doctrine, the talk offers a deeply human narrative about creativity, service, simplicity, and courage—inviting listeners to reconnect with their own inner voice and creative responsibility in the world.

$10

Daniela Yamez Arrey is a multidisciplinary artist based in San Rafael, Argentina. Her work integrates art, ecological construction, perma-culture, and community-oriented practices. Through land-based projects and educational initiatives, she explores how creativity, spirituality, and service can converge in everyday life.