Krotona School of Theosophy, Ojai CA
Fall 2010
Light on the Path
Martin Leiderman
Weekend Seminar
An Insight into Madame Blavatsky’s Esoteric Teachings
Sept 17 - 19
Fri 7:30 - 9, Sat 10-noon, 2 – 4, Sun 10 - noon
This seminar explores the main esoteric teachings presented in HP Blavatsky’s greatest book, The Secret Doctrine, where she outlined the cyclic evolution of the cosmos and of the human being. Blavatsky provides a wonderful image of a universe infused with the purpose, harmony and beauty of Light and Life. We will study and link ideas such as: the one absolute reality; the three logoi; the hierarchy of divine beings; fohat (cosmic/divine energy) as the bridge between archetypical ideas and cosmic matter; why “Nature unaided fails.” These topics will be illustrated from Eastern and Western sacred texts, including alchemy, kabala and hermetic traditions. Series $35, Single session $10
Martin Leiderman, an industrial engineer by profession, lectures widely in both English and Spanish internationally in the areas of theosophy, comparative symbology, and Eastern and Western philosophy. He guides weekly
studies in The Secret Doctrine for the West Los Angeles Theosophical center.
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Joy Mills
Four Weekday Mornings
The Mahatma Letters: Guide for the Seeker’s Journey
Sept 21 - 24
Tues - Fri, 10 - noon
Is it possible that letters written more than a century ago can still provide guidelines for today’s spiritual seekers? What are the “rules of the road” for the earnest seeker after wisdom? How do we prepare ourselves for the journey? Based on Joy Mills’ recently published Quest book, Reflections on an Ageless Wisdom, this series will explore some answers to questions contained in that remarkable correspondence, The Mahatma Letters to AP Sinnett. Series $35, Single session $10
Joy Mills, MA, is a world-renowned theosophical teacher and leader who has held numerous positions within the international Society. She has authored and edited many books, and her articles appear in theosophical journals throughout the world. Reflections on an Ageless Wisdom, a companion guide to The Mahatma Letters, is the culmination of decades of study into these mysterious, enigmatic and illuminating letters
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Ed Abdill
Weekend Workshop and Two Weekday Mornings
Spiritual Intuition and the Human Journey
Sept 24 – 26
Fri 7:30 - 9, (The Secret Gateway)
Sat 10 - noon, 2 - 4, Sun 10 - noon
Sept 28, 29
Tues, Wed 10 - noon
Who are we, where did we come from, and where are we going? Theosophical literature is replete with clues. Essential to understanding is direct insight, which HP Blavatsky calls “spiritual intuition.” Using meditative techniques as an aid to developing spiritual intuition, we will attempt to gain some sense of our own immortal Self. Moreover, we will seek out the source of our psychological pain and learn what we can do to eradicate it. If our search leads to new insights, we may find that our lives gradually become more joyful and worth living even in the most difficult times. Weekend series $35, Single session $10
Ed Abdill, MA, is a former Director of the Theosophical Society in America and past President of the New York TS. He is the author of The Secret Gateway – Modern Theosophy and the Ancient Wisdom Tradition. He has written extensively for theosophical journals and his video course, Foundations of the Ancient Wisdom, is used worldwide.
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Mary Abdill
Two Weekday Mornings
Science and Theosophy:
Two Ways of Understanding Our World
Sept 30, Oct 1
Thurs, Fri 10 - noon
A great teacher said, “It is absolutely necessary to inculcate (theosophical doctrine) gradually enforcing its theories… with direct inferences deduced from and corroborated by the evidence furnished by modern exact science.” Building on this idea, we explore a range of topics from the scientific method to biology and quantum physics, including the Dalai Lama’s writings from The Universe in a Single Atom. We will examine how they affect our worldview, increase our understanding of the world we live in and have an impact on our understanding of Theosophy itself. Series $35, Single session $10
Mary Abdill is an independent consultant teaching Computer Application Development courses worldwide, as well as writing courseware licensed to other professional s. As an adjunct professor at NY University, she received the Outstanding Teacher of the Year award. Mary has given many workshops on presentation techniques and leadership training, both in her profession and for the Theosophical Society.
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Dorothy Bell
Maria Parisen
Four Weekday Mornings
The Mystery of Karma
Oct 5 - 8
Tues - Fri 10 - noon
The Sanskrit term karma, meaning literally “action,” refers to a law of adjustment whereby all relations in the universe are harmonized, moment by moment, toward a common good. Each action, however slight, influences our whole world’s equilibrium, through interblending cycles of cause and effect. Yet, karma is an “unerring law which adjusts wisely, intelligently, and equitably each effect to its cause.” We explore the metaphysical dynamics of this “ultimate law of the universe,” especially as it relates to human nature. As we discover and affirm more of who we truly are, right relationship arises naturally Series $35, Single session $10
Dorothy Bell, MEd first visited America in 1990 from her home in Australia, as a Fulbright Scholar in education innovation. She lectures for the TS internationally, focusing on making theosophy relevant and practical and exploring the processes of inner transformation.
Maria Parisen, MSN RN, Director of the Krotona School of Theosophy, retired from a career in rehabilitation nursing, leads programs and workshops on meditation, the spiritual life, and healing. An international speaker for the
TS, Maria is the compiler of the Quest anthology, Angels and Mortals.
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Robert Ellwood
Four Weekday Mornings
Becoming the Buddha You Are: The Many Ways of Japanese Buddhism
Oct 12 - 15
Tues - Fri, 10 - noon
All forms of Japanese Buddhism emphasize that one has, or rather is, an original Buddha-nature. You are already enlightened, and always have been; it’s just a matter of realizing it and living out of that enlightenment or Buddhahood. Japanese Buddhism is divided into several major denominations which present quite different paths to this realization. Shingon is esoteric, teaching techniques employing mantras, mudras and mandalas. Tendai is universalistic, emphasizing the Buddha-nature in all things. Pure Land practices simple faith while Nichiren chants. Zen does quiet sitting, but also has an interesting connection to Japanese art and the way of the samurai warrior. We will learn about, discuss, and try some of these techniques. Series $35, Single session $10
Robert Ellwood is emeritus professor of religion at the University of Southern California, and a resident of Krotona. He brings to this course many years of study, travel, and residence in Japan; the class will be enriched by first-hand observation and stories. Robert’s many publications include Introducing Japanese Religion (Routledge, 2008) as well as several Quest books.
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Stephen Karcher
Weekend Intensive
I Ching: Entering the Symbolic Life
Oct 15, Friday 7:30 – 9 pm
Encountering Change
CG Jung called I Ching our mirror; it is capable, he felt, of working a profound transformation of our thought. We will look at the history, tradition and practice of the Change as a great stream of images that moves through us, connecting us to the Way or Dao and the ongoing process of the real. This is an informal talk with opportunity for individual questions, ending with a divination arising from the concerns of the participants that might illustrate Change at work.
Oct 16 - 17
Sat 9:30 - 5, Sun 9:30 - noon
Empowering Change
This workshop is limited to 24 students committed to attend all sessions.
These sessions provide intensive teaching, individual attention and small group work on the whole practical use of the I Ching. We explore techniques for posing questions, interpreting and applying answers, and the ways we can empower the healing and transformative energies of the symbols of Change through active imagery, embodiment and simple ritual work. The goal is for participants to emerge with a basic grasp of how to use Change and apply its responses to their lives. Series $35, Friday only $10
Stephen Karcher, PhD is an internationally known scholar, writer, and translator. He has taught and lectured on the
I Ching and divination in the US, Great Britain, France, Spain, Switzerland and South Africa. As Research Director of the Eranos Foundation (Ascona, Switzerland), he pioneered a depth psychological approach to divination. Among Stephen’s many publications is his recent text, I Ching: The Symbolic Life.
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Pablo Sender
Two Week Program
Dzyan Theosophy: Path of Meditation
Oct 19 - 22, 26 - 29,
Tues - Fri 10 – noon
Though the theosophical approach to meditation refrains from promoting any particular (and therefore limited) system, there are specific recommendations about meditation in our literature. We can find a number of methods suggested, some of them unique, based on distinct theosophical elements: the unity of life, the subtle bodies, and the Masters. In this program we will explore and practice different techniques of meditation recommended by theosophical authors including HP Blavatsky, A Besant, CW Leadbeater, IK Taimni, Clara Codd, G Hodson, and J Krishnamurti. Series $35, Single session $10
Dr Pablo Sender obtained his PhD in Biological Sciences from the Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Argentina. He joined the Theosophical Society in 1996 in Argentina and was a National Board member. Currently, he lives and works at the TSA National Center in Wheaton, Il. He teaches internationally for the Society and has published articles in several theosophical journals.
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Pablo Sender
Weekend Workshop
The Yoga of Theosophy
Oct 29 - 31
Fri 7:30 - 9, Sat 10 - noon, 2 – 4, Sun 10 - noon
Theosophical literature has developed a wealth of teachings about the spiritual life particularly
relevant for today. Study, meditation, and service are seen as necessary for a holistic unfoldment of our spiritual nature. Prominent in the theosophical view of spiritual evolution is the existence of the Masters and the Path of Discipleship. We tread this path in the midst of our daily life. Its aim is not to attain personal liberation, but to realize the unity with all. It sets the foundation for a particular cosmovision and spiritual practice which constitute a distinctive theosophical system of yoga.
Series $35, Single session $10
Dr Pablo Sender obtained his PhD in Biological Sciences from the Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Argentina. He joined the Theosophical Society in 1996 in Argentina and was a National Board member. Currently, he lives and works at the TSA National Center in Wheaton, Il. He teaches internationally for the Society and has published articles in several theosophical journals.
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Yoga de la Teosofia
Noviembre 5 - 7
Viernes 7:30 - 9, Sabado 10 - noon, 2 - 4 , Domingo 10 - noon
La literatura teosófica ha desarrollado una rica variedad de enseñanzas sobre la vida espiritual, que son particularmente aplicables en la actualidad. Estudio, meditación, y servicio, son vistos tradicionalmente como necesarios para el desenvolvimiento holístico de nuestra naturaleza espiritual. La existencia de los Maestros y el Sendero del Discipulado son también parte importante de la visión teosófica. Este Sendero es para ser caminado en medio de nuestras actividades diarias, y su objetivo no es lograr la liberación personal, sino realizar la unidad con el todo. Provee la base para cierta cosmovisión y práctica espiritual que constituyen un sistema particular de Yoga Teosófico. Seminario completo $35, una sola sesión $10
El Dr Pablo Sender obtuvo su doctorado en Ciencias Biológicas en la Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Argentina. Ingresó como miembro de la Sociedad Teosófica en Argentina en 1996, e integró el Consejo Nacional. Actualmente está viviendo y trabajando en el Centro Nacional de la ST en América, en Wheaton, Il. El ensena al nivel internacional para la Sociedad Teosofica y ha publicado artículos en español e inglés en varias revistas Teosóficas.