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Tuesday Evenings with Annie Besant: A Centennial Offering

October 8, November 12, and December 10

6:30 -7:30 pm

Onsite only

When Annie Wood Besant (1847-1933) joined the Theosophical Society in 1889, she swiftly rose to a position of leadership, eventually becoming its President on the death of Col. H.S. Olcott in 1907. She was tireless in service, for to her the theosophical philosophy was meant to be practical, to speak to the human condition and to the conditions of life in all its forms. Above all, the question is still asked: Can we live and work in the world as it is, and at the same time lead a spiritual and therefore meaningful life? And is there a way of life, an ethic, which aids us in our quest for wisdom? Dr. Besant’s answers to these questions, as well as to similar ones that arise in the earnest student’s mind, speak to us today as they did to her audiences then. (Joy Mills’ Foreword to The Spiritual Life, a compilation of Besant lectures, Quest Books, TPH, Wheaton, 2001.)

Annie Besant inspired the founding of the Krotona Institute of Theosophy and supported its move to Ojai CA in 1924. She has influenced either directly or indirectly the formation of many other educational, spiritual, and environmental centers in the Ojai Valley, and is known as one of Ojai’s “founding mothers and fathers.” Tuesdays with Annie Besant are informal discussions facilitated by TS members inspired by her life and work.

All are welcome as our guests.

October 8 The Supreme Duty An address given at the Parliament of Religions, Chicago, 1893 (Ananya Sri Ram)

November 12 The Super-Physical Consciousness. From the chapter, “Human States of Consciousness” from A Study in Consciousness (Annine Wycherley)

December 10 The Doctrine of the Heart Shared extracts from letters Indian friends wrote to Besant that provided insight and comfort (Susan Johnson)

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David M Odorisio

Going “Beyond God”: Thomas Merton’s Universal Vision

Onsite and Zoom

Saturday December 7

10 – noon, 2 – 4 pm PST

Throughout the final year of his life, Trappist monk and celebrated spiritual author, Thomas Merton (1915-1968), wrote and spoke of a “universal consciousness” as one possible goal of the spiritual life. Following the influence of Sufi psychoanalyst, Reza Arasteh, and his notion of final integration, Merton developed his own understanding of what it might mean to become a “universal person.” A radical form of mystical practice, demonstrated by the 12 th and 13 th century Sufi masters, Ibn al-‘Arabi and Jalāl al-Dīn Rūmī, was tremendously formative for Merton in the late 1960s. This Sufi mystical tradition advocates for a form of consciousness that transforms the individual into a “universal person” through a process of mystical death and rebirth.

This workshop is an opportunity for in-depth study of this aspect of the Sufi tradition through the lens of a twentieth century “spiritual master,” Thomas Merton. His recently published California conferences offer a roadmap for a truly “trans-religious” consciousness with important implications for inter-religious dialogue and comparative studies. Participants will be offered ample time for guided contemplative practice and group discussion to make this a true “retreat” experience.

Single Session: $20, Full Day: $35

Click here to register.

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 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

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Seminario Krotona con Martin Leiderman

Los Quince Puntos de la Sabiduría-Divina, Teosofía o Metafísica necesarios para el Auto-Descubrimiento y la Auto-Realización.

Diciembre 13 – 15

Viernes 7:30 – 9 pm, Sabado 10 – noon, 2 – 4 pm, Domingo 10 – noon PST

El Dr. I. K. Taimni en su libro “Un Camino hacia el Autodescubrimiento” (anteriormente titulado “Auto-Cultura”) señala que, para descubrir y realizar nuestro más alto potencial, primero debemos sumergirnos en aquellas Ideas espirituales que, una vez traídas a nuestra atención, son evidentes por sí mismas.  En este libro, encontramos su resumen único en 15 puntos de todo el corpus de la Sabiduría-Divina o Teosofía. Estos nos servirán como peldaños hacia una mejor comprensión de nuestro lugar en el mundo en el que vivimos, con el fin de cumplir con nuestras responsabilidades para con nosotros mismos, nuestros semejantes y el hermoso planeta en el que vivimos.

 En este seminario exploraremos, estudiaremos y contemplaremos estas Ideas, ampliándolas con citas de La Doctrina Secreta de Blavatsky, la filosofía de Platón y otras tradiciones.

Sesión única $15 Fin de semana $50

Haga clic aquí para conocer más y registrarse

Martin Leiderman, nacido en Venezuela, es un ingeniero industrial jubilado. Él es un estudiante de Teosofía desde los a miembro vitalicio de la Sociedad Teosófica en América y conferencista nacional e internacional tanto en español como en inglés. Junto con su esposa, Susan, dirige el Grupo de Estudio Teosófico del Oeste de Los Ángeles. Además, Durante dieciocho años Martin fue miembro de la Junta Directiva del Instituto de Teosofía en Krotona Ojai, CA. Además de los estudios en Teosofía particularmente La Doctrina Secreta, Las Cartas de los Mahatmas y La Voz del Silencio; sus intereses incluyen el Antiguo Egipto, Platón y los neoplatónicos, la literatura hermética, la alquimia y la simbología comparativa de las tradiciones antiguas.

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Winter/Spring 2025

Check back soon for details, additions and updates.

January 4 “Resolutions for the Soul,” reflective writing workshop with Catherine Ann Jones.

January 24 – 31 “Sharing Theosophy: Preparation and Practice,” Annual Intensive with Pablo Sender and Partners in Theosophy mentors.

February 5 – 26 “A Soul’s Choice: The Daily Making of a Bodhisattva,” Wednesday evenings with Linda and Pedro Oliveira.

March 11 – 27 “Practicing the Teachings of the Great Sages,” four mornings over three weeks with Ravi Ravindra.

April 5 – 6 “Listening to the Inner Voice,” weekend workshop with Catherine Ann Jones.