THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY IN MILWAUKEE 1718 E. Geneva Place, Milwaukee 53211. Call 414-745-9297 with questions.

Encouraging open-minded inquiry; respecting the unity of all life; exploring spiritual self-transformation

TO THE MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OF THE MILWAUKEE LODGE

WELCOME TO OUR 2018 FALL SCHEDULE OF PROGRAMS

WEDNESDAYS, 7:00 – 8:30 PM

Some Highlights: Saturday Workshop on “The Voice of the Silence”

October 27 from 1:00 -4:00 p.m. with David Bruce.

&

3 Session Study Group on “Sacred Geometry” Join us for a monthly practice and study group using Lawlor’s excellent

book: Sacred Geometry Philosophy and Practice. Each week a different

member will facilitate. Along with Lawlor’s work book practices, we

may also use coloring for a “hands-on-meditation.” Prior to each

session color an image and discuss your meditation insights. Open

Attachment below on “Study Group”

Find us online on Facebook, Meetup.com and our website: Milwaukee.theosophical.org

Emblem of the Theosophical Society

The emblem or seal of the Theosophical Society consists of seven elements that represent a unity of meaning. It combines symbols drawn from various religious traditions around the world to express the order of the universe and the spiritual unity of all life.

The Sanskrit word Om, a very sacred word in India, symbolizes the Absolute expressing itself as the three-in-one divine intelligence or Logos from which the universe emanates and to which, at the end of time, it returns.

A whirling cross within a circle, a very ancient symbol, found all over the world—in India, among American Indians, and in many other cultures around the globe. In Sanskrit it is called a swastika, meaning “good,” its clockwise motion suggesting the dynamic forces of creation.

This symbol was called by the ancient Greek Gnostics and alchemists ouroboros. The serpent swallowing its tail represents the cycles of nature, the bounded eternity of the world, and the infinite order of life. The area inside the serpent’s circle represents the whole universe and everything in it.

Upon that background of the universe are two interlaced triangles, another worldwide symbol. The hexagram or six-pointed star that they form is universal. The upward-pointing triangle, which is light in color, symbolizes spirit or consciousness. The downward-pointing triangle, which is dark in color, symbolizes matter or substance.

At the center of the six-pointed star of spirit and matter is the Egyptian cross or ankh, symbolic of life. The six points of the triangles and the ankh at the center represent the seven principles of the universe. The ankh represents the idea that life results from the interaction of spirit or consciousness (the upward triangle) and matter or substance (the downward triangle).

“There is no religion higher than truth” is an English translation of a Sanskrit motto, which might also be translated as “Nothing is greater than truth.” The motto is not specifically about what we think of as religion. Instead it is saying that none of our commitments or social conventions or ideas can measure up to the reality of what truly is. Reality is greater than any of its parts and is beyond all our notions about it.

August 1: “Punch Lines of Human History” Phoenix Suvayas presents a close look at the growth and development of mythological and religious traditions and how they can give us a greater insight into what some mystics refer to as “The Cosmic Joke.” August 8: Kabbalah Study Class: Lesson 10: “The Triad of Spirit.” These lessons are written by Richard Smoley, editor of the Quest Magazine. August 15: “History of Mystical Practice in Harlem” – William Rogers, Ph.D. It is well known that mysticism was a major practice of African Americans during the 1920’s and 30’s. It was often combined with their Protestant religious practice and beliefs. The discussion will address the definition, origin, reason, and framework of this movement. It was a well-engrained family practice among African Americans. August 22: Sacred Geometry – Part 2: “Earth Measure” continues our

introduction to the fundamental principles of esoteric geometry and number. Topics include: the Fibonacci Series, the Golden Mean in nature and art, the 5 Platonic Solids, the Merkaba, universal measure, and sacred geometry of timekeeping and architecture. – Jeannie Dean August 29: Study Group on Sacred Geometry – Session 1: Discussion on Chapter 1: “Practice of Geometry” and Chapter 2: “Metaphor of Universal Order”. Workbook 1, 2, 3 and insights from coloring images. September 5: “The Essential Simplicity of Healing” - Bob Bendykowski will describe his simplified technique for distant healing and explain the rationale behind it. He may also attempt a personal treatment if time permits. September 12: Kabbalah Study Class - Lesson 11: “Moving Toward the Divine” September 19: Dances of Universal Peace - The Dances of Universal Peace are spiritual practice in motion, creating experiences of embodied spirituality, rhythm, and heart awareness. Hal Dessel and Judith Kubish, drawing inspiration from many spiritual traditions, will blend chant, live music, and evocative movement into a living experience of unity, peace, and integration. Come prepared to participate.

September 26: “O Hidden Life” – An Exposition by Joy Mills. In a small

booklet Joy gives a detailed explanation of each phrase in the “O Hidden Life” invocation. Her insights will be shared and discussed this evening (facilitated by K. Neuman).

October 3: Study Group on Sacred Geometry: Session 2 – Discussion on Chapter 5: “Proportion Golden Section” & Chapter 6: “Spirals”. Optional activity: Coloring Workbook: pp 5 & 6. Refer to Study Guide for more info. October 10: Kabbalah Study Class: Lesson 11 – “Moving Toward the Divine” October 17: “Understanding Your Dreams – The Edgar Cayce Way” – Presenter: Kevin Reger. Edgar Cayce says “Nothing significant happens in a person’s life without having first previewed it in a dream.” This evening Kevin will take some actual dreams and work through Edgar Cayce’s 5 step approach to understanding them. If possible, bring along a dream to work on. If you are brave, we should have time to analyze it as a group. October 24: “Sacred Geometry and Temples” applies ideas from Jeanie Dean’s previous lectures on sacred number and geometry to the architecture of sacred places. This research looks at several major temples from Egypt, Babylon, India, Asia, Mesoamerica, and Catholic Cathedrals to discover esoteric philosophy encoded in stone through common patterns of shape, form and number. October 27: Saturday workshop presented by David Bruce on “The Voice of the Silence” from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. During this workshop, we will touch upon topics such as paradox, mysticism and the Path. Primarily, we will examine the first of the three Fragments while touching briefly upon the second and third. There will be time for discussion as well as quiet reflection. November 7: Study Group on Sacred Geometry: Session 3 - Discussion on Chapter 7: “Squaring the Circle,” Chapter 10: “Cosmic Solids; and Chapter I1 “Anthropos.” Workbook 7 & 9. November 14: Kabbalah Study Class: Lesson 12 – “Further Dimensions” November 28: A Night of Social Gathering (weather permitting). Bring a dish to pass (gentle reminder: the Theosophical Society promotes a vegetarian diet).

BIOGRAPHIES

Bob Bendykowski divided his working career between music and electronics. He is currently researching and promoting distant healing as a scientific and

teachable discipline. Jeanie Dean is the author of several poetry books including The Whole World

Stopped and a dedicated metaphysical scholar. She also teaches college English and edits the Milwaukee Theosophical website.

Hal Dessel and Judith Kubish are certified mentor-teachers and leaders of the Dances of Universal Peace. They have led dance meetings and special DUP events for over 25 years. When they are not dancing, Hal is a psychotherapist and addictions counselor in private practice at Reconnections. He specializes in recovery from and relapse prevention for traumas and addictions. Judith is a Lifecycle Celebrant, interfaith minister, and wedding officiant; her business is Heartland Life Ceremonies. She creates individualized celebrations of significant human events across the lifespan. Joy Mills (1920-2015) was a much loved Theosophist who delighted international audiences with her talks for several decades and was also a prolific author, having received the prestigious T. Subba Row Medal for her contribution to Theosophical literature. She served as President of the Theosophical Society in America from 1965–1974, and then as international Vice President in Adyar, India from 1974–1980. During 75 years of membership, Joy taught numerous courses, lectured in over 50 countries and authored several important books. A Milwaukee gal, her theosophical journey began as a “young theosophist” at the Milwaukee Lodge while attending UWM-Milwaukee. Kathleen Neuman has been a TS member for 26 years and is currently president of the Milwaukee Lodge and a member of the board of directors of the TS in America. Now retired, she was an educator and counselor in Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin spanning 35 years.

Kevin Reger has been the Milwaukee area coordinator for the Edgar Cayce Foundation (ARE) for the past 23 years. He has been organizing spiritual retreats and programs since 1980. A student of the spiritual teachings of all religions, he has been meeting weekly with fellow seekers for reading, discussion and meditation for over 40 years. In addition he practices a musical ministry, playing guitar and singing original compositions at churches, shelters, the Theosophical Society in Milwaukee and other venues around the Milwaukee area.

William Rogers, Ph.D. is a historian focusing on religious history. A retired UWM professor now living in Atlanta, he still lectures at seminaries and for religious groups. He also hosts an internet based radio program called “The Black Reality Think Tank.” Dr. Rogers continues his membership in the Milwaukee Lodge from a distance.

Richard Smoley is editor of Quest: Journal of the Theosophical Society in America. He is the author of ten books, of which the most recent is How God Became God: What Scholars Are Really Saying about God and the Bible. For the past year he has been writing a book on “The Kabbalah,” a work still in progress. Phoenix Suvayas is a founding member of Saint Rosenkreuz Abbey, an interfaith gnostic center of research in Milwaukee, WI. Virtually raised in a seminary, he comes from a family of pastors, ministers and theologians representing multiple traditions.