Is There Life After Death?

In a panel discussion moderated by the legendary actor, writer and comedian John Cleese, the University of Virginia’s Division of Perceptual Studies (DOPS) research faculty convened to present an overview of the research to which they have dedicated their academic careers. The Division of Perceptual Studies research unit is part of the Department of Psychiatry & Neurobehavioral Sciences within the University of Virginia School of Medicine. The scope of the UVA Division of Perceptual Studies research portfolios include: investigating children who claim to have past lives; the nature of consciousness and the mind-body relationship; neuro-imaging studies of psi events; and individuals who report experiencing near-death experiences.

The Three Powers

Come for this talk by our Asst. Secretary, Brandon Goh, on the Trinity of Powers. He says,

"How do we unfold the soul’s powers of Will, Love and Wisdom? We read spiritual literature without knowing how to read. We are asked to develop unconditional love without knowing how to do so. We try to follow the Intuition without preparing ourselves for the inner voice to manifest. We try to live in accordance with the Divine Will, without being able to know what It has carved out for ourselves.

Each soul is unique and spirituality must become a way of life rather than a toolkit of techniques. However, the path of rapid unfoldment can be indicated by some principles, methods and meditations. Many of these are interesting and practical, so get ready to try some of these exercises.

Although this short session only affords us an outline, it is hoped that we will realise the importance of translating spiritual principles and teachings into personal, practical methods and exercises for ourselves in our daily lives."

Forum on Daily Challenges
‘Pride & Delusion’

This is one of a series of forums on the daily challenges faced by each of us, including worries, fear and anxiety, anger and irritation, self-centredness and selfishness, greed, pride and delusion, hurt and forgiveness, pain and sorrow, depression and nervousness, and other day-to-day emotions faced by each of us.

We shall attempt to discuss in theosophical perspective one of the above subjects each session. In our previous session, the subject was ‘Anger and Irritation’. This week we shall discuss 'Pride and Delusion'. Are we all not afflicted by pride and delusion to a greater or lesser extent? As students of theosophy with some knowledge of the laws of nature, how do we help ourselves and others in this respect.

Treat this as a group therapy or brain-storming session. Chong Sanne shall give a short presentation on the subject and serve as the moderator for this forum.

C. Jinarâjadâsa

Tang Kwok Choon, our VP, continues his talk on early members of the TS. This month he talks about the life of Curuppumullage Jinarâjadâsa (CJ), the fourth International President of the TS who was affectionately known as Brother Raja.

CJ was born in Ceylon on December 16, 1875, one month after the TS was founded. When he was 11 he first met CWL who soon became his guardian and mentor. CJ lived in the era of the great occultists and even met HPB as a boy.

CJ has written many books, the favourite one for students being First Principles of Theosophy, which has been revised and republished a number of times and translated into many languages. A charmingly written set of small books hint of the far future. One of his special interests is the “Ritual of the Mystic Star,” which he devised in 1917.