European Federation of
the Theosophical Societies |
Dear Friends, The Finnish Centenary stroke a special note at the European Congress. Short reports on both events were published in the Adyar Theosophist, October issue. Herewith you can find among the enclosures two detailed reports, one written by a Finnish active member and the other by Mrs Irena Kristan, former Organizing Secretary of Slovenia and currently one of the EFTS Executive members. After the two events, many participants sent to the organizers - TS Finland and the EFTS - their positive and encouraging impressions. No doubt the two events were illumined by the presence of Ven. Prof Samdhong Rinpoche and of our President, Mrs Radha Burnier. Let our simple words, once again, reiterate towards our guests of honour, our deep gratitude. After the Congress and the Centenary Celebration, I was scheduled to take up a Retreat at the Naarden Centre. The four-day experience testified to a new way of living together, in quietness of mind and heart. You can read the two reports from two participants; one is Mrs Elly Kooijman, resident at the Centre, and the other Carlos Guerra from Portugal. In August all of us were saddened by the passing over of our dear Brother Paul Zwollo. The TS lost a dedicated stalwart servant. May his consciousness reach the higher regions for some deserved rest. With good wishes and kind regards, |
Contents: |
European Congress and Centenary
of the Theosophical Society in Finland The whole place was becoming alive as we were entering the large auditorium, the atmosphere vivified by an anticipation of something beautiful and great, and by the joy of being together with so many people who all seemed ever to have been your companions and friends. The large auditorium, which suggested strength and solemnity, was now getting softer, homely and inviting with the rich decoration of lively flowers. At 9.45 on Saturday morning, July 14, the Congress started: the candle in front of the TS flag was lighted and we all said the International Prayer, with devotion and gratitude. Ms Marja Artamaa, the General Secretary of the TS in Finland, and Ms Trân-Thi-Kim-Diêu, the Chairman of the European Federation of the TS, warmly welcomed all the participants wishing us a fruitful gathering, and thanked the two guest speakers, Mrs Radha Burnier, the International President of the TS, and Ven. Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche for their presence and blessings. They both brought greetings and good wishes respectively from the HQ in Adyar and many Indian members, and from the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan community living in India. And then there was that festive thrill of feeling united when the representatives of almost all of the 25 European TS and a number of friends from all over the world expressed greetings each in their mother tongue. Many good wishes were heartily sent to us also by correspondence from members and sections from many far-off countries. During the Congress, in the lectures, short talks, symposiums, interviews and panel discussion, a mosaic of insights into the theosophical message was presented from different angles of observation and great depths of perception, the contributors sharing their visions and profound discoverings into the nature and significance of what is described with words like suffering, compassion, love, understanding, truth, responsibility, care, peace, happiness, beauty … Against the background of the eternal Wisdom the present state of humanity, its purpose and destiny as well as the human responsibility towards all sentient beings were in the centre of interest of all speakers. Certainly, seeing all the interconnectedness of life forms can only be the result of seriousness, openness, mindfulness and awareness. Here, only some of the ideas expressed in the speeches can be mentioned. Many subtle insights into human (psychological) suffering, its causes, purpose and ending were expounded by the speakers in surprisingly fresh ways. Nature apparently uses suffering for awakening a soul towards higher consciousness; suffering is when there is 'stagnation in the flow of evolution', it is a signal that there is an obstruction to human unfoldment. As long as the inattentive and unawakened mind cherishes egoistic desires, suffering seems unavoidable, and only real learning through attentive observation, reflection and meditation can lead to its ending. But such is the Divine plan that the mind which experiences at least moments of longing to become truly free is able in those moments to get a glimpse into the meaning of the terms the eternity of time and the oneness of all Life, to obtain a look into the Life's ceaseless dynamics of its seemingly two opposing aspects – matter and spirit. The liberated mind is the happy mind seeing its happiness and joy as the birthright of every sentient being – every being as an individualized expression of the one existence, yet never separated. Thus, love-compassion must be a most normal thing - a natural means for overcoming the impediments to human growth and blossoming. Compassion means shared passion (love) for life. As HPB said, 'It is the Law of laws'. And Kim-Dieu: 'Love necessarily implies care. If care is not present, love may be just a dream, an arrangement, or a deal. Love without care is even inconceivable for an honest mind.' Its our aim and salvation to see WHAT IS. Ven. Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche pointed out the need for a practical application of the Four Noble Truths. As the basic difficulty in our world is the non-identification of the real problem and its cause or source, the eradication of the problem is not possible. In this globalized world the four great problems as seen by him are: economic disparity, degradation of the environment, wars/violence, and disappearing of true religions (i. e. religions understood as explanations/realizations of the ultimate meanings of life, and how to live accordingly). We all should meet these four challenges and take the responsibility on our shoulders. Spirituality cannot be separated from daily life. How could we avoid superficiality in living? Mrs. Radha Burnier answered clearly: 'By being aware of that; by watching ourselves – and rejecting the unreal.' July 15th: The Centenary of the Finnish Section, a whole-day festivity with speeches, music, lectures, and a concert. It added a special fragrance to the Congress. The Section had been founded on 17 November, 1907, as the seventeenth section on the list of TS sections; now it counts 22 lodges and 2 study groups. Their representatives came onto the stage and told the name and the age of each lodge – the total age of all being 1124 years! – The lecture on the Section's history pointed out their struggles, confidence and growth throughout the century. Appreciation and good wishes to the Section were expressed by Mrs Radha Burnier, Ven. Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche, and Trân-Thi-Kim-Dieu - also on behalf of the European TS. Participants who joined the celebration came from 19 European countries and from 6 Sections in different parts of the world. Relationship with other organizations in theosophical sense of philantrophy was manifested when 8 representatives of such groups (among them Rosicrucians and Co-Masons) brought their greetings and presents symbolizing appreciation and good wishes. Then there was a surprise Centenary gift – 200 images taken in Tibet by Trân-Thi-Kim-Diêu: the green valleys, rocky slopes and snow-capped mountains in which eternity seems to repose whispering the truth of 'the indestructible human spirit forever seeking to be united with the Divine Spirit'. And what mysterious ties may there have been between the Tibetans and the ancient Finns, the People of the regions of the White Waters? The celebration was crowned with a superb concert in the evening. Music knows no separation, no borders. In two other evenings 'light programmes' were arranged: a short play An Andalusian Elegy; and a miscellaneous participants' programme of singing, playing and acting, which aroused a lot of good humour and praise. During the Congress, there was an impressive photograph exhibition in the room near the auditorium - a fine collection of images revealing the steady theosophical endeavours in the history of the Finnish Section, dating from 1897 to 2006. Next to the exhibition room, in the information and book-sale room the congressists could find a good selection of the theosophical literature in English and Finnish and some second-hand books in German and other languages. The three books published by the EFTS (Strengthening the Link; Ethics:Bridging Freedom and Responsibility; and a second print of The Vegeterian and Vegan Way of Life) were also available as well as some pretty souvenirs. An excursion to the centre of Helsinki was arranged on Monday afternoon, the third day of the Congress, with the cruise in the archipelago and the sightseeing tour by bus. And on the day after the Congress, the visit to Kreivilä, the Finnish Section's lovely summer residence situated 150 km north of Helsinki, was a really happy and loving experience before parting with friends. The Conference Hotel Rantapuisto, located among the trees on a gentle slope above the shore of a bay in the eastern part of Helsinki, was a pleasant, comfortable and homely place with workers verifying the proverbial natural calmness and kindness of Finnish people, and offering facilities for gathering with others or being alone in silence, in nature. More than 280 people took part in this magnificent experience, coming from all the continents feeling that the time is calling for new decisions and commitment. The Congress was prepared and carried out with great enthusiasm, care, thoughtfulness, love and very hard, dedicated work for more than a year, and so – by the nature of things – this gathering was perfect beauty. A fruit of ripe co-operation. There are no words with which to express the heartfelt thanks to these benevolent theosophical workers. We, the participants, were given a valuable opportunity to learn a lot. To see the necessity to liberate the mind and look for happiness in the real, with compassion and responsibility to all beings. 'This Congress has helped to bring out better qualities in us,' concluded the International President. Towards the end of the closing ceremony, which started at 16.30, on July 18, the Chairman of the European Federation received from the Finnish General Secretary the TS flag and handed it over to the President, Mrs. Radha Burnier who on her turn handed it to the representative of the Italian Section to take care of it till the next World Congress which will be held in Italy in 2010. Then Ms Trân-Thi-Kim-Diêu
asked for silence, and after saying the Universal Prayer she concluded: May compassion illumine the heart
of human beings! *** THEOSOPHICAL EUROPEAN CONGRESS IN FINLAND The European Federation of the TS (EFTS) held its main event of the year, the 35th European Congress, from 14 to 18 July 2007 in Helsinki, Finland, with the theme “Compassion – Basis for Peace and Understanding”. The purpose of these events is to make friends, to come to understand the given theme, and to get inspiration in the work for the upliftment of humanity. Nowadays the Congress is arranged about every third year. The Finnish Section accepted to hold the European Congress for the first time in Finland in order to combine it with their centenary celebration, which was held on 15 July. The days were uplifted by the guests of honour - international President Radha Burnier from Adyar and Venerable Professor Samdhong Rinpoche from Dharamsala, India. The guests of honour and Chairman of the EFTS Miss Trân-Thi-Kim-Diêu gave each lecture both in the Congress and the Celebration. Also present were nine General Secretaries, three Organizing Secretaries, EFTS Executive members and many former General Secretaries. The number of participants was delightfully high, peaking at 320 on the Celebration day, with 250 attending the Congress (about 130 non-Finns). The events were open also for sympathizers. The participants came from nineteen different European countries and seven countries outside Europe, from Australia to Brazil and South Africa to the United States. Present was also Free Tibet, as was stated by Ms Kim-Diêu when she emphasized upon the special significance of Ven. Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche’s presence. The occasion was memorable, all feeling like a family in a spirit of brotherhood, which was strengthened by the various events. All Congress arrangements were excellent, with great materials, attractive decorations, and a splendid venue - a hotel at the seashore surrounded by beautiful trees and rocks. The newly elected General Secretary for Finland, Ms Marja Artamaa, hosted the events fluently. Chairman Kim-Diêu humorously mastered all situations. The program consisted of about 20 speeches or lectures, three symposia, a panel, and an insightful interview of Ven. Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche. by Ms Kim-Diêu. Three languages were used: English, French and Finnish. All the texts with translations were offered before the programmes, excepted the interview – which was live. The speeches varied in content from emotional to intellectual and spiritual, so the theme on compassion was treated from different perspectives. The speakers often mentioned that compassion towards all living beings is a measure of humanity and one of the basic teachings of Theosophy; that self-knowledge is a means to becoming compassionate; and that the attitude of each individual affects the world at invisible levels. Many speeches referred to the Buddha nature in everyone and the various definitions of the term ‘passion’. The most quoted books were The Voice of the Silence and The Mahatma Letters. During the Congress there were exhibitions on the history of the Finnish Section, the life of H. S. Olcott, and the work of the EFTS. During the five days Theosophical books were sold well, including the three new publications of the EFTS: [the second printing of The Vegetarian and Vegan Way of Life, the Commemorative Booklet of the European Federation Centenary Celebration (at the Naarden Centre in 2003), and the Commemorative Booklet of the 2004 European Congress s (in Porto)]. During the free time there were many rewarding Theosophical discussions on mutual compassion between individuals and in small groups. However, due to lack of time, participants missed having live interaction in the official program. It is good to get many people together to hear important speeches, but there were too many speeches and too many of them were read. In my personal point of view, there could have been discussion about TS and EFTS work, answering questions from the audience and discussion groups about compassion arranged in different languages, but probably this would have been difficult to handle due to lack of time. Fortunately, the interview of Ven. Prof. S. Rinpoche by Miss Kim-Diêu was stimulating, and Mrs Burnier answered written questions after her lecture. The Finnish Section got many congratulations and gifts, and was greeted by the guests of honour, European Federation, Sections and national sister organizations. In the beginning of the Celebration day representatives from the Finnish Lodges appeared on stage. Former GS Mr Yrjö Kumila gave the Centenary speech along with a Power Point presentation. Chairman Kim-Diêu showed her own impressive photos on Tibet as a surprise gift with Tibetan music in the background and spoke about her early experiences with this mysterious country and about the White Waters in connection with the Finns and Tibetans. Several excellent artistic presentations including a play were offered as part of the Celebration day, the highlight of which was the last concert with pianist Ralf Góthoni, violinist Mark Góthoni and cellist Yuko Miyagawa —world-famous artists and masters of their instruments—which was followed by three standing ovations. The Finnish Section has 22 Lodges and 2 study groups, including Estonia, with several talented artists out of its membership of about 450. The Congress program had three evening programs: a welcoming party arranged by Finns, an international evening arranged by 2 Swedish members and an excursion through the archipelago to the capital city of Helsinki. After the Congress it was possible to take a one or two day trip to visit the Kreivilä Theosophical centre in western Finland, in which 61 non-Finns also participated. In addition, the follow-up of the 2005 Nordic countries’ workshop was arranged after the Congress in the same hotel. Before the Congress there were
Executive and Council meetings during which Miss Kim-Diêu was
re-elected Chairman of the European Federation for three additional
years. The next Theosophical World Congress was
announced for 2010, to be held in Italy. The EFTS web site has a link
to the large collection of photos taken during the Congress – Sampsa Kuukasjärvi (Finland) |
Foundations of Wisdom A long-standing wish of a number of Theosophists has become true: a retreat with good talks, examining important questions, meditative enquiry, walking meditation, and a lot of silence (also during the meals). This report is based on the notes taken during the talks. The object of the retreat was: ‘To share a privileged time aiming to foster a quiet mind that is the beginning of right action.’ The retreat was organized by the European Federation and the International Theosophical Centre, in cooperation with the Dutch Section of the Theosophical Society. The first day we examined 'Foundations of Wisdom'. From the beginning it was clear that we were together to unlearn. Knowledge can be a burden; it is above all the quality of the mind, of consciousness, that matters. We heard about the nature of knowledge, the importance of discipline, which is not opposite to freedom. Discipline is the good will to learn and we impose this on ourselves as a need. This leads us to right living and at the same time, by knowing what we do, by being watchful, we root our consciousness in the depth. The second day we examined 'The Basis of Consciousness'. Kim-Dieu quoted the Maha Chohan’s Letter, defining nirvana as ‘the culmination of all knowledge and absolute wisdom’ (this is where learning ends). She explained that samsara is just the world where everything is changing. Suffering has a role viz.: to awaken the sleepy consciousness. Another step is meditation, not as spiritual entertainment, but as a method of learning. Here only quality matters. The mind is used to explore its own nature. Next step is dhyana – contemplation – the mind is now flowing smoothly with the universal consciousness. Then follows samadhi, in the end there is realization that consciousness is boundless and infinite. On the third day we examined: 'Can Attention be practised?' The object of meditation is the mind itself. In other words: the mind explores the mind. (‘The observer is the observed’ according to Jiddu Krishnamurti). The result of meditation must be seen in daily life. First there is concentration – be silent – the mind should be quietened. When the mind is absolutely still, then there is awareness that consciousness is the stream of energy of the universe. On the very original level consciousness is one; it is the primordial expression of the divine. We cannot come to this if we do not prepare ourselves by meditation, by which we can discover that in the core of the silence, there is the essence of silence. We may have searched for the divine for years and now we see that we are swimming in it. We are like ‘thirsty fish’ as wrote Sufi poets On the fourth day we examined: 'Aspiration is like a flame'. In Light on the Path it is said: 'kill out ambition, but work as those who are ambitious'. We should not hesitate to see ambition, to admit it in order to drop it. Concerning aspiration, two things are important: authenticity – we have to spot when we are not authentic – and constancy. The inner condition of the mind that is aspiration brings out constancy as a result. Aspiration is seen here as the response to the call of the One Consciousness. The Divine is always calling for the Divine imprisoned in matter, but do we hear and respond? The retreat was attended by 12 -17 TS workers and serious students of theosophy from Portugal, Spain and the Netherlands. It had the benefit of being just prior to Asala full moon (night of 29 – 30 July). The retreat brought a new note harmonizing theoretical concepts with deep understanding and practice . Seeing the happy faces of the participants , we all hope that this retreat will have a follow up next year Elly Kooijman (Resident at ITC - The Netherlands) |
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Our dear brother Paul Zwollo passed over on 28 August in his 77th year, after a brief illness. Paul Zwollo was born into a Theosophical family in 1930; both his father and grandfather were TS members and well-known artists in Holland. He joined the TS in 1954. Paul had been trained in agriculture and had worked in this field for some years, mainly in Indonesia. Later he got trained to be a gold- and silversmith at the School of Arts and Crafts at Arnhem. Since 1992, he had been living at the International Theosophical Centre (ITC) in Naarden, the Netherlands, being the Presidential Representative in the Council of the Centre, as. Elected and re-elected to the European Federation Executive Committee since 1995 and to the General Council of the TS worldwide since 1998. He served the TS Holland in various capacities -- chairman of the lodge at Arnhem, General Secretary to the Dutch Section, and lecturing at Lodges on various Theosophical subjects. He was a very keen student of Theosophy, especially of the Mahatma Letters. At the International Headquarters of the Society at Adyar he had worked for several years both in the Gardens and the Archives; and for a number of years he had been involved in organizing exhibitions in the Adyar Archives during the International Conventions. A Mason, he was involved in ceremonial work for several decades whilst serving the deeper aspects of Theosophy. We affectionately remember an affable gentleman, a kind-hearted friend, and a tender brother, always ready to help and serve, even with humble tasks, in a humble manner, with a fraternal approach. We wish him a deserved rest in a greater Light – one which he had been aiming for and serving during his whole lifetime on earth. |
SCHOOL OF THE WISDOM 2007 5 to 17 November – Theme: FUNDAMENTAL
THEOSOPHICAL PRINCIPLES 19 November to 1 December - Theme: BASIC THEOSOPHY
and the FUTURE of MAN 3 to 15 December - Theme: ANCIENT WISDOM and
MODERN INSIGHT 2008 7 to 29 January - Theme: THEOSOPHY, SCIENCE
and ESOTERIC SCIENCE Contact address: Mrs Dolores Gago, Secretary
of the School of the Wisdom – Adyar: |
Published with the consent of the EFTS Chairman Mrs. Tran Thi Kim Dieu. |
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