PLEASE READ FOR CLASS INFORMATION

To protect the health and safety of our visitors and staff as the COVID-19 situation evolves, the Theosophical Society in America’s national headquarters (1926 N. Main Street and 306 W. Geneva Road in Wheaton, IL) will be closed until May 4, 2020 (check back or subscribe to our email list for updates). This closure affects all in-person programs, the Olcott library, Quest Book Shop, and the Theosophical Publishing House. We will re-open as soon as it is safe to do so. Visit our programs page to see available online programs and webcasts.

Due to the evolving COVID-19 situation, registration for this class is temporarily suspended. Check back soon for updates. 

Through the practice of T'ai Chi Ch'uan, your mind can achieve a stillness and clarity rarely experienced with other forms of exercise, integrating your body and mind and allowing you to achieve inner peace. This class will help you develop harmony with the world on a physical, mental, emotional and, ultimately, spiritual level. Practice strengthens the immune system; improves posture, balance, coordination, flexibility and strength; reduces blood pressure and stress; and releases tension, allowing a feeling of positive energy to flow through your body. Over the course of the class we will learn the complete 24-posture form.

Please wear comfortable clothing and flat shoes.

John Robertson has nearly 20 years of experience practicing and teaching T'ai Chi Ch'uan and qigong and is a student of Taoist philosophy. He is a Level 7 Certified Qigong Instructor with the World Ki Gong Club and a Certified Advanced Instructor and professional member of the National Qigong Association. John owns Seven Stars Martial Arts in Winfield. (www.7StarsMA.com).

Winter - TS members: $175 • Nonmembers: $195

Mondays, 7:00 – 8:45 p.m., March 2 – April 6 (6 sessions)  Due to the evolving COVID-19 situation this class is temporarily suspended. Check back soon for updates. 

This class will cover the essentials of beekeeping and how to keep your bees healthy and alive. You will be taught to see the world through the honeybees’ eyes and will learn everything you need to do to care for them throughout each season of the year. The class is taught by full-time beekeeper Bill Whitney of City Bee Savers, who has 27 years of successful beekeeping experience. There will be at least one weekend class to gain hands-on experience. This class is suitable for beginners as well as beekeepers with some experience.

 syllabus

TS Members: $100 • Nonmembers: $110

Mondays, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m., April 6 – April 27 (4 sessions)  Due to the evolving COVID-19 situation, registration for this class is temporarily suspended. Check back soon for updates. 

In this four-week class, we will look at natal charts and apply the various rules of interpretation learned in beginning astrology classes. Each week we will examine and interpret at least one or two charts. These horoscopes will be a combination of famous people in the news, famous people who have passed on, charts the students want to look at (family members, friends, or just about anyone), and even a mystery chart or two.

If you feel you are ready to interpret the birth chart then this class is for you! Instructor Dave Gunning will provide the charts. All you have to do is take any notes you wish, put on your right-brained thinking caps and jump right in! This highly interactive class will provide a lot of very good practice and will be lots of fun!

Contact Dave Gunning at astrogunning@sbcglobal.net to provide any names and birth information for people's charts you want to look at in class or any other information you wish to obtain. 

Dave Gunning has been an astrological consultant, teacher, and lecturer for the past 38 years. He has also written articles for Dell Horoscope magazine. For the past nine years he has been lecturing and teaching astrology through the Stargazers astrology group at the Theosophical Society. His consultations come from a spiritual and psychological point of view.  

TS members: $130 • Nonmembers: $140

Tuesdays, 7:00 – 8:15 p.m.

Due to the evolving COVID-19 situation, registration for this class is temporarily suspended. Check back soon for updates. 

Winter Session: January 14 – March 31 (12 sessions)
Spring Session: April 7 – June 30 (13 classes)  
Summer Session: July 7 – September 1 (8 classes) No class July 21

This yoga class, open to all ages and levels, will focus on present moment awareness. Classes begin with a short meditation and transition into a conscious and gentle movement that take us to different asanas (postures). As a deeper connection with our inner nature is established, relaxation, flexibility, and strength develop.

Juliana Cesano, has been a member of the Theosophical Society for twenty years. She spent two years at the international headquarters in Chennai, India. She is a certified yoga teacher, 200 CYT, and is currently the manager of the Quest Book Shop at the headquarters of the Theosophical Society in America.

Winter: TS Members: $120 • Nonmembers: $145 • $14 per session

Spring Session: TS members: $130 • Nonmembers: $155 • $14 per class

Summer Session: TS members: $80 • Nonmembers: $95 • $14 per class

Due to the evolving COVID-19 situation this class is temporarily suspended. Check back soon for updates. 

Wednesdays, 7:00 – 8:15 p.m.
Winter Session: January 15– March 25 (11 sessions)
Spring Session: April 8 – July 1 (13 classes)
Summer Session: July 8 – August 26 (8 classes) 

Remove mental stress and release physical tension!

This class uses a system of yogic study modeled around the practices of Zen Meditation, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Traditional Chinese Longevity Practices. Each class is tailored to address current mental stress and physical tension experienced by participants, then proceeds with a relaxation meditation followed by releasing, strengthening, and energy circulation practices. The goal of these practices is to ultimately teach the practitioner how to return to an original state of health and well-being.

Tasmin Walker began her physical training as a professional ballet dancer. She is certified in multiple styles of yoga and has spent several years in meditation centers around the world. She has committed her practice to the life study of health, wellness and preventative medicine. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in Traditional Chinese Medicine at Beijing Mebo Traditional Chinese Medicine Training Center, in Beijing, China.

Winter Session: TS Members: $120 • Nonmembers: $145 • $14 per session

Spring Session: TS members: $130 • Nonmembers: $155 • $14 per class

Summer Session: TS members: $80 • Nonmembers: $95 • $14 per class

Due to the evolving COVID-19 situation this class is temporarily suspended. Check back soon for updates. 

Saturdays, 11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Spring Session: April 4 – June 27 (13 classes)
Summer Session: July 11 – August 29 (8 classes)

In this yin-style yoga practice, long-held, passive stretches emphasize release of deep connective tissues and aid in increased mobilization and strength in the joints, ligaments, and deep fascial networks of the body typically overlooked in more active exercise. Participants will be led through guided meditation, a flow of several postures held passively for several minutes each with the aid of props to provide comfort and support, and an extended shavasana (resting pose) with optional hands-on massage. 

Elaine Jackson is a member of the Theosophical Society and a 200-hour certified yoga teacher. She holds a Master’s degree in Art Education and has taught teach children and adults both in public and private school settings for the past 14 years. She uses her experience in education to share her lifelong curiosity about holistic health with others as she continues to learn and explore multiple modalities of physical, mental, and emotional healing.

Spring Session: TS members: $130 • Nonmembers: $155 • $14 per class

Summer Session: TS members: $80 • Nonmembers: $95 • $14 per class

Wednesdays 7:00 – 8:30 p.m., April 8 – May 27 (8 classes)  Due to the evolving COVID-19 situation this class is temporarily suspended. Check back soon for updates. 

This 8-week class will focus on two aspects of waking up: meditation and mindful attention in your everyday life. Each week we will look at a different aspect of meditation that will help develop a skilled attentiveness in your practice. We will then focus on an aspect of daily life to which you can bring mindful attention. This will include activities such as eating, listening, walking, and working with compassion and loving-kindness in action. We will spend part of one class on the grounds, weather dependent. 

Margaret McKenzie has been teaching meditation for the past 20 years. She is a senior Dharma teacher in the Kwan Um School of Zen.  Margaret taught meditation at the College of DuPage for 10 years and currently leads a student “drop in” meditation group at the college. She is also a licensed clinical social worker currently working at a local hospital.

TS members: $70 • Nonmembers: $80 • $90 at the door

Mondays, 6:30 – 9:00 p.m., June 1 to July 6 (6 sessions) 

Taoist mystics have practiced longevity exercises for millennia with the goal of prolonging life and ultimately achieving immortality. What are the philosophies and exercises that lead them to these practices? Part lecture and part practice, this class aims to demystify the Chinese philosophy of yin and yang, the Tao, the five elements and more, and to teach the basic qigong exercises that lead to health and longevity. An ideal class for those new to Chinese philosophy, qigong and t'ai chi.

John Robertson has nearly 20 years of experience practicing and teaching t'ai chi ch'uan and qigong and is a student of Taoist philosophy. He is a Level 7 Certified Qigong Instructor with the World Ki Gong Club and a Certified Advanced Instructor and professional member of the National Qigong Association. John owns Seven Stars Martial Arts in Winfield, IL. For more, visit www.7StarsMA.com.

TS members: $80 • Nonmembers: $100

Register here

Wednesdays, 7:00 – 8:00 p.m., April 22 – May 27 (6 classes)

We invite you to join with other seekers to learn about some essential Theosophical concepts in a friendly and informal atmosphere. Classes are not successive, so you can join at any point in the series. Participants will engage with the content of each class through meditation, discussion, and practical application.

Topics include:

April 22: Theosophy and the Ageless Wisdom (a basic introduction to the Society, its mission, ethic, and history)

April 29: Human Energy Fields (a discussion about the human constitution)

May 6: Reincarnation

May 13: Karma  

May 20: Power of Thought  

May 27: Meditation   

Donations appreciated.

Sundays, ongoing,  11 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.  CDT [UTC-5]

Our Meditation group is temporarily going online!

To participate, visit our webcast page, YouTube channel or Facebook page and watch via live stream.

Join our meditation group every Sunday, to nurture your commitment to practice. Each week, a topic related to meditation will be presented and discussed, followed by a brief guided meditation and longer silent meditation. Instruction will be provided for beginners, but practitioners of all levels are welcome.

Facilitated by Juliana Cesano

Every Wednesday, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. CDT [UTC-05]

The Wheaton Olcott Lodge offers meetings for members of the Theosophical Society, as well as for the general public. These meetings combine the local group that meets in person at the National Headquarters with an interactive online community.

The Lodge meetings for members explore core Theosophical teachings and their relationship to life as well as to various spiritual traditions and encourage participation along the lines of study, discussion, meditation, and service.

For more information, please email WheatonOlcottLodge@gmail.com. For information about the program of study, recordings of meetings, and other resources, visit www.wheaton.theosophical.site.

$3 suggested donation

Online access

First and third Wednesdays, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. 

This is a healing circle and practice group whose purpose is to provide the opportunity to receive Therapeutic Touch (TT), which creates a sense of relaxation, peacefulness, and balance. Our circle has a short meditation, TT practice, and for those interested, simple instruction for use with family and friends.

Therapeutic Touch is administered under the guidance of two qualified practitioners: Marilyn Johnston-Svoboda, EdD, RN,QTTP,QTTT, (1st Wednesday) and Janet Wehr, RN,QTTP, (3rd Wednesday). Marilyn, a retired nursing professor, learned TT from Dora Kunz and Dr. Dolores Krieger, the developers of TT, and has been teaching and practicing in the health-care arena for over 30 years. Janet, a nurse for 23 years, and a Qualified Therapeutic Touch Practitioner, has devoted the last 17 years of her career to hospice care. Her book, Peaceful Passages: A Hospice Nurse’s Stories of Dying Well, was released in October 2015 by Quest Books. 

 Drop-ins welcome!   $5 suggested donation per session

Tuesdays, 7:00–8:00 p.m. 

Join our exploration of the essential spiritual aspects of the Oneness of Life. Meetings are devoted to inquiry and meditation. We also engage in monthly service projects or group activities. Current study: The Hindu scripture The Bhagavad Gita translated by Annie Besant and Bhagavân Dâs and The Bhagavad Gita: A Study Course by John Algeo.

Email DharmaStudyGroup@theosophical.org for more information.

Donations are appreciated.

Sundays, ongoing, 6:30 to 8 p.m.  

Advaita Vedanta is a school of Hindu philosophy and spiritual practice. Each week we read and discuss chapters from an Advaita book (currently The Truth Is by Sri H.W.L. Poonja (Papaji)) and listen to or view Advaita-oriented materials from various sources.

$5 suggested donation

 3rd Tuesday of the month  

 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. 

A person’s astrological birth chart speaks in an exciting symbolic language, guiding seekers along the path of self-knowledge. These monthly discussions on various astrological topics are led by Dave Gunning, guest speakers, or group members. They are not classes or individual readings, but a sharing of astrological knowledge. Familiarity with the basics of astrology is recommended, but these intriguing discussions are open to all.

Dave Gunning is an astrological consultant, teacher, and lecturer. His readings, classroom teachings, and talks have always emphasized the importance of the person’s interconnectedness to the Spiritual Self. Dave is a contributor to Dell Horoscope and Mountain Astrologer magazines.

Please send your date of birth, including the time (if known), city, and state or country to Dave Gunning at astrogunning@sbcglobal.net. Dave will create a chart for you to use in class. 

TS Members: $15 • Nonmembers: $20

Wednesdays, ongoing, 5-5:30 p.m. 
Meditation Room

This ceremony, initiated by Geoffrey Hodson and sponsored by the Theosophical Order of Service, offers healing meditation in the service of those in need. Everyone is welcome to participate.

Contact the Healing Network Director at tos2healing@gmail.com or visit www.theoservice.org and click on Healing Network for more information.

Donations are appreciated.