Post on 08-Oct-2020
Theosophical order of service, Usa WinTer 2012-2013
The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence. When
mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers.
—Thich naT hanh
For the Love of Life 1
Editor AnanyaS.Rajan
Designer LindsayFreeman
OfficErs anD BOarD Of DirEctOrs
President NancySecrest
secretary BettyBland
treasurer JeanneProulx
Board Members TimBoyd AnanyaS.Rajan KathyGann JonKnebel
Honorary Board Members JosephGullo MilesStandish
ContactinformationfortheTheosophicalOrderofServiceintheUnitedStates:
Mailing address TheosophicalOrder ofService P.O.Box660 Warrenville,IL60555
Phone 630-668-1571ext.332
E-mail theoservice@gmail.com
Website www.theoservice.org
to leave a name for the Healing network: 800-838-2197.
Ifyouareinterestedinbecomingahealingpractitionerandneedacopyofourritual,pleaseemailusattheoservice@gmail.com.
FormoreinformationabouttheTOSaroundtheworld,gotohttp://international.theoservice.org/
Disclaimer
Articles and material in this publication do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Theosophical Order of Service or the editor of this journal. An effort is made at all times to give a fair consideration of views.
—TheEditor
contentsWinter 2012-2013
For the Love of LifeTheosophical order of service, Usa
2 from the president’s desk ByNANCySECREST
3 a note about locks of love ByLAURENBOOThBy
4 The look of service as a Theosophist ByROByNLAWRENCEFINSETh
7 To listen is to serve ByANANyAS.RAJAN
9 a reflection ByNATAShACLARK
11 our Thoughts to serve others ByANANyAS.RAJAN
13 healing network notice
14 Book review 1,000 MITZVAHS: How Small
Acts of Kindness Can Heal,
Inspire and Change Your Life ByLINdACOhEN
15 Tos conference
16 nursing scholarship award ByNATAShAFERGUSON
17 chusul Update ByPEGGydAy
Winter 2012-20132
from the president’s desk By nancy sEcrEst
Someonerecentlyaskedme“whatarethegoalsandpurposeoftheTheosophicalOrderofServiceintheUSA?”Itseemsasimplequestion.Icouldquoteour
motto:“Aunionofthosewholovefortheserviceofallwhosuffer.”Icouldquoteourmission:“Topromotereverenceforalllife,universalbrotherhood,andworldpeacethroughserviceactivity.”Mottosandmissionstatementsareofnecessitydesignedtogettotheheartofthematter—theultimategoal.Weallknowthat.Oncewehavedecideduponamission,however,therealquestionbecomeshow dowedothat?TheTOShasbeenstrugglingwiththisquestioneversinceitsinception.Thinkaboutit.“TopromotereverenceforALLlife,UNIVERSALbrotherhood,andWORLdpeace…”Theconceptisdaunting.Infact,formanyofus,theideaofactuallycompletingsuchgrandgoalsisparalyzing,somuchsothatwedon’teventrybecausewedon’tknowwheretobegin.Butwait—wehavenotsetforourselvesthetaskofaccomplishingthesegrandgoals,butrather,of“promoting”them.Whew…thatgivesusalittlebreathingroom.Theword“promote”alsosuggeststhatwedon’thavetoaccomplishallofthisbyourselves.Wecangethelpfromothers,wecanhelpothers,orwecandrawattentiontotheeffortsofotherswhoareonasimilarpathandalreadyhavetheir“machinery”inplace.And,that’swhatwedo.
TheTOS-USAisasmallorganizationwithlimitedresources.Wehaveaboardofseven,plustwohonorary,directorswholiveinsixdifferentstatesandmeettwiceayear.ThedecentralizednationalstructureoftheTOS-USAcausesustodependgreatlyonourcommunications: For the Love of Life,periodicnewsletters,andourwebsite,www.theoservice.orgtokeepintouchwithyou,sharewhatisgoingonintheTOS,andletyouknowabouttheinterestingandworthwhileendeavorsofourandotherorganizations.Weusethesevehiclestopromoteourmission.Ourdecentralizedstructuremakesitdifficulttodeviseandmaintainaspecific,nationwideproject.Sothen,howdowewhoarespreadacrossthisvastcountryaccomplishourratherambitiousmission?Anothersaying—thatwehaveallseenonbumperstickers—comestomind:“ThinkGlobally;ActLocally.”Ilovethisbumpersticker.Whenourserviceprojectsareputintothatcontexttheybecomedoableratherthandaunting.And,that’swhereyou,ourmembers,ourmostvaluableresource,comein.Formanyyears,individualsandlocalTSA/TOSlodgesandstudycentershavecarriedoutserviceprojectsand/orsearched
forideasforserviceprojects.AfewyearsagowedecidedtocreateTOSliaisonsinordertogiveamoredefinitiveconnectionbetweenlocalTOSgroups,theTOSBoardofdirectorsandeachother.
Consequently,anumberofourTSAlodgesappointedmembersasTOSliaisons.ThesefolkscommunicatewithKathyGann,theTOSBoard’sliaisoncoordinator,
sharingwithhertheiraccomplishedprojectsaswellasideasforgroupserviceprojects.Amongotherthings,Kathyproducesaperiodice-newsletterthatissenttotheliaisonsorthegroupleaderofthoseTSAgroupsthathavenotyetnamedaspecificTOSliaison.Theliaisonorgroupleadercanthensharethee-newsletterwiththeirmembersperhapsgettingideasforserviceprojectsthattheythemselvescanalsocarryoutintheirlocalities.Seedmoneytogetyourprojectstartedisavailable.Seedmoneyapplicationformscanbefoundat www.theoservice.org.
Sometimesthough,wedogettheopportunitytoparticipateinamorefar-reachingevent.ThiscomingJulyimmediatelyfollowingtheTSA’sSummerNationalConvention(SNC),theTSAandtheTOS-USAwillhosttheThirdTOSInternationalConferenceatOlcott,theTSA’sNationalheadquartersinWheaton,Illinois.herewewillhavetheuniqueopportunitytolendourideas,ourvoicesandourserviceonagloballevel.AllactiveTOSmembersareinvitedtothisworkingconferencewherewewilldiscussandplan“TheTOSintotheFuture.”Informationontheconferenceandapplicationformsareavailableonourwebsiteatwww.theoservice.org.
Finally,Iwouldliketoinviteyoutojoinmeinapersonalserviceproject.ShortlyafterBettyBlandleftthepresidencyoftheTheosophicalSocietyinAmerica,shecutherhairanddonatedittoLocksofLove, anon-profitthatmakeswigsforchildrenwhohavelosttheirhair.Itoccurredtomethatitwouldbeaneasyandcreativeserviceprojecttosimplyallowyourhairtogrow.Then,whenitslengthisadequateforwigmaking,haveitcutandsenttoLocksofLove.Aserviceprojectcan’tgetmucheasierthanthat!youcanfind
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TOSPRESIdENTNANCySECREST
For the Love of Life 3
a noTe aBoUT locks of love from lauren Boothby, communications director
LocksofLoveisanon-profitorganizationthatprovidesthehighestqualityhairprostheticstofinanciallydisadvantagedchildrensufferingfrommedicalhairloss.MostLocksofLoverecipientshavelosttheirhairdue
toamedicalconditionknownasalopecia,whichhasnoknowncauseorcure.Otherrecipientshavebeenvictimtosevereburns,enduredradiationtreatmenttothebrainstemasatreatmentforcancer,orsufferfromanynumberofskindisordersthatcausepermanenthairloss.Theprostheticsgivetherecipientsasenseofsecuritywhichinturnallowsthemtogetbacktheirself-confidenceandbekidsagain.
Somethingthatyoumaynotknowisthatweprovidenewhairpiecesevery18monthstoourrecipients,upuntiltheageof21yearsold.ThehairpiecesLocksofLoveprovidesarecustom-madeforeachchild’shead.Thehairpieceformsavacuumseal,likeasuctioncup,anddoesn’trequireadhesives.Onlythewearerofthehairpiecemayremoveit,bybreakingthevaccumsealatthetemples.Childrencanswim,showeranddogymnastics—inshort,theycanbekidsagain.Eachhairpieceismadefromrealhumanhairandarriveslong,sothechildrenmaystyleittotheirliking.
theexactspecificationsofhowandwheretosendyourhairontheLocksofLovewebsitewww.locksoflove.org.Basically,10inchesofhairisneeded,fromtiptotip.(Seetheattachedguidelinesfromlocksoflove.org.)Willyoujoinmeinthisprojecttocreatebeautifulwigsforchildren?
GUiDELinEs fOr accEPtaBLE DOnatiOns
• hairthatiscoloredorpermedisacceptable.
• haircutyearsagoisusableifithasbeenstoredinaponytailorbraid.
• hairthathasbeenbleached(usuallythisreferstohighlightedhair)isnotusable.Ifunsure,askyourstylist.Wearenotabletoacceptbleachedhairduetoachemicalreactionthatoccurs
duringthemanufacturingprocess.**If the hair was bleached years ago and has completely grown out it is fine to donate.
• hairthatissweptoffofthefloorisnotusablebecauseitisnotbundledinaponytailorbraid.
• hairthatisshavedoffandnotinaponytailorbraidisnotusable.Ifshavingyourhead,firstdividehairintomultipleponytailstocutoff.
• Wecannotacceptdreadlocks.Ourmanufacturerisnotabletousetheminourchildren’shairpieces.Wealsocannotacceptwigs,falls,hairextensionsorsynthetichair.
• Layeredhairisacceptableifthelongestlayeris10inches.
• Layeredhairmaybedividedintomultipleponytails.
• Curlyhairmaybepulledstraighttomeasuretheminimum10inches.
• 10inchesmeasuredtiptotipistheminimumlengthneededforahairpiece.
PLEasE nOtE:• Shorterhairwillbeseparated
fromtheponytailsandsoldtooffsetthemanufacturingcosts.Althoughtheshorterhaircannotbeusedinthehairpieces,itstillgreatlyhelpstoreducecosts.
• Grayhairwillbeacceptedandsoldtooffsetthemanufacturingcosts.
• Coloredhairisnotusableifitiscoloredoverbleachedhair.
BecauseLocksofLovecreatescustomhairpiecesforeachchild,weareunabletoacceptdonationsofwigs,falls,hairextensionsorsynthetichair.
Winter 2012-20134
Beingofservicehasbeenpartofmyyouth,mypresent,andcertainlymyfuture.Ihavealwayslookedathumanityaseithergiversorreceivers.Inonelifetime
wemaybeinneedofotherscaringforus,whileinanotherlifetimewemayneedtobetheonedoingthecaretakingforothers.duringone’slifetimeyoucan,andoftenare,bothagiverandareceiver.Bothareimportantaspectsofthesameidea;itisabsolutelyvitaltounderstandthedifference.
Givingisjustthat,givingoffreewill;theoperativewordsherearefree will.Itisanactwhichmeans,byitsverynature,theintentisoneofhelp.Thishelpcertainlycanbeintheformaphysicalact,butisnotlimitedtothisalone.Physicalgivingisusuallyfairlyeasy;openingadoor,movingachair,helpingsomeonewithachore,orsimplydoingchoresanothercannotaccomplish.Emotionalgivingoffreewillistheunconditional
acceptanceofanotherinfrontofyou.Thisisnotsoeasy.Unconditionalisthekeywordhere;itissomethingweallseek,howeverdonotnecessarilygive.Ihavenoticedthatwhensomeonehastroublewithunconditionalacceptanceofothers,itreallyistroublewithunconditionalacceptanceofself.Itiseasytoplace“blame”onsomething
outsideofself,easytorearrangethoughtsthatsupportwhythisorthatistrue.Self-acceptanceisreallyself-love.Ifyoufindthatyouarequicktocriticize,askyourselfthequestion,“why?”Keepaskingwhyuntilyoucanfindtheseedorroottothisquality.Ihavesaidmanytimesthatifcriticismreallyworked,wewouldnothaveasinglepsychologicallytroubledpersonintheworld.Self-loathingandpsychologicallytroubledthoughtsoftengohandinhand.
Givingfreelydoesnotinclude“stringsattached.”Wehaveallbeenatthereceivingendofagiftthatreallyisn’tagiftatall,butrathermanipulationforanotherresult.Likegettingthegiftofmoneyfromapersononlytobespentonwhatthepersonwantsyoutospenditon.Notagift,really,notinthetruesenseoftheword.Thisdoesn’tmeanthefinancial
giftsgivensogenerouslytovariousinstitutions,earmarkedforendowmentsaren’tuseful,theyareactuallycrucialtotheinstitutionitself.Weoftenareaskedforfinancialhelpforavarietyofcauseswiththeintentclearlystated.Thatisadifferentmatter.Imeanfreelygivengiftswithunexpectedreturns.Thisisgiftgivingasanotherformofservice.Somedonothavetimetodonate,howeverfinanciallyareabletohelpothersinneed.Again,freelygivenisthecrucialpoint.
Receivingisalsoself-explanatory.Butwhataboutreceivingwithanopenheart?Whenreceivingis“coached”withtheideathatwe“deserve”something,thisbecomesacategorythatisnotfromtheheart,butfromthatselfishpartofego.Justbecausewe“think”wedeservesomeservicedoesn’talwaysmeanthatwedo.Whenwefindyourselvesinthissituation,it’simportantstop,takeabreath,andreevaluateourmotive.Receivingfreelyisoftenharderthangiving.Weoftenequatereceivingwithbeingpower-less,howeverthisissimplynottrue.Thereispowerinbothpositions;itissimplyuptotheindividualsinvolvedtounderstandtheintentoftheact.Whenlookingclairvoyantlyattwopeoplewhoareintheactofunconditionalgivingandreceiving,itisquitemagical.Thegiverisfilledwithalovelypinkhuedirectedatthereceiver,whoisalsofilledwithacombinationofpinkandgreen.Theconnectionisoneofflowingfrompersontoperson,withthecombinedaurasgreaterthantheindividual.Itisahumblefeelingjustwatchingsuchanact.
Serviceisanact;anintentofspirit.Ifweservewiththeintenttobeofservice,thelookisdifferentethericallythanwhenweareofservicebecausewe“haveto,”andareworkingashardaswecanto“finishthetask.”Thereisahugedifferencenotonlyinthelook,butinthefeel.Wehaveallbeeninasituationwhenwearereluctant,to“waiton”anindividualandyetwefindourselvesinthisposition.Thelookcanbeoneofselfishness,alessthandesirablelook.Thetrueintentofservicecomesfromlove,abeautifullook.InC.W.Leadbeater’sbookMan Visible and Invisible,thereisa“SignificationoftheColors”thatshowsthemuddycolorofselfishnessinaperson’saura.Whenfeelingsofdeceitfulness,orevenjealousyareaddedthemuddycolorisenhancedwithcolorsofanger.Thismuddycolorisactuallythroughouttheaurawhenapersonisfeeling“putupon”andnotwantingtodowhatisfrontandcenter.Weallhavetimeswhenwe
The look of service as a Theosophist rOByn L aWrEncE fi nsEtH
ROByNLAWRENCEFINSETh
For the Love of Life 5
havetomuddlethroughatask.Mysuggestionistofirstbehonestwithself.Whenwearelessthanhonestwithselfwegetintotheresentmentofthetask.Withoutadoubttherearemomentsintimewhenwejustfeeltiredanddon’twantonemorethingtodo.Thisreallyisokay,butit’simportanttoacknowledgeit,understandthebasisofouravoidance,understandwhatisbeingasked,andwhywearefeelingthewaywedo.Ifitissomethingthatcannotbeavoided,thenfindsomeaspectofthetaskthatisrewarding,ifonlyforajobwelldone.honestyofspiritisalsonecessarywhenwerealizeweneverwanttobeaskedtodosomething.Insuchacase,anevaluationofselffromanon-judgmentalpositionisneeded.
IwasbornandraisedaTheosophistwhichhashelpedmeinthislifetimetofeelnormalinaworldthatisoftenconfusing.ItwasmoreconfusinginmyyouthasIcouldseethetrueintentofthepersonwhichwassometimesinconflictwithwhattheyweresaying.Iamsureeveryonehashadtheexperienceofknowingsomeonewaseithernotbeingtruthful,orpretendingtobesomethingtheywerenot.Mymotherhelpedmeunderstandthedifference.Ilearnedearlythatmymother’swordsof“tothineownselfbetrue”heldagreatimportanceregardingintent.Thisbringsusbacktotheideaofself-honesty;acrucialaspectofanylifetime.Therearetimeswhentactisimportantinworkingwithothers,forinstancenottellinganotherafeelingyouarehavingwhichcoulddetrimentallyaffectyourrelationship.If,however,thisfeelingisgettinginthewayoftherelationship,thenitisimportanttoownuptoyourpartinthedifficulty.difficultiesareneverone-sided,evenwhentheyfeelliketheymightbe.Ittakestwotocreateconflict.
Wecannotpretendtobeofservice;weeitherareorwearen’t.Serviceistheactofhelpinganother,whetheritisopeningadoor,makingamealorlisteningcompassionatelytosomeone’sproblems.Empathycanbeastrongactofserviceandhelpsinunderstandinganother’squestions,concernsorconfusions.Thekeytoserviceistoappreciatehumanityandhaveempathyforanother’sstruggles.Weallknowthe“goodneighbor”whoisalwaysthere,readytolift
ahandtoanother,alwayshavingasmileonhis/herface,notafraidtostepinandgetdirty.however,wealsoknowthe“goodneighbor”whoisreallyfalseandonlyinterestedinbeingnoseyaboutactivities.Itisimportanttoacknowledgethedifference.Appreciatinghumanityvalidatesthatweareallonapathofincarnationandthatweallhaveeitherbeeninanother’sshoesorwillbeeitherthistimeorperhapsinanotherlifetime.AsTheosophistsweunderstandourroleinthisevolutionaryprocessandtakepartinhelpingotherswiththeideaof“thegoodofthewhole.”Weunderstandthegreatimportanceofacknowledgingselfandtheneedsofself,butnottotheexclusionofothers.Therearealwaysimportanttasksthatneedtobeaddressedforself,howeverthereisafinelinebehindbeingofhelpandoverindulging.Theoverindulgentpersonlooksmuchliketheselfishaurawithamuddyqualityaboutthewholebeing,lackingaclarityofcolor,regardlessofmomentarycommitment.Weareasummationofwhatwethinkandact,andifwethinkwearefoolingothers,itisreallyourselfweareattemptingtofool.Althoughthevastmajorityofhumanitydoesnot“see”theaura,itdoesnotmeanwecannotsenseit.Wealwayssensethetruthoftheaction.
Actsofservicecandonebyanyone.Therearepeoplewhohavesuchdifficultywithhumanity,thattheyavoidcontactwithothersasmuchaspossible.Theyactuallydonotlikehumancontactandavoideveneyecontact.Suchpeoplecanbeofserviceandareofteninservicetootherthingssuchasanimalsandplants.Ihaveknownmanypeoplewhohavehadgreatdifficultycommunicatingwiththeirfellowhumans,butareinfullservicetotheanimalkingdom.Thisisaninstancewherecompletetruthofselfisansweringtheactofservicewithinthecapacityneeded.Ifweacceptthatweareincarnatingtogether,thenwealsoneedthosesoulswhoarewillingtohelpourmotherearthandouranimalfriends.Ittakesallofustomoveforward.Ialwayslookatother’slivesasareflectionofmyown.AndIwonder,didIhavedifficultywiththissameissueinapastincarnation,orisityettocome?
Inourlifetimeswearesometimesinneedofanother’shelp.Personally,Ihavebeenonthereceivingendofhelpfromotherswhotrulyhadnotonlymybestinterestinmindbutalsomydearsweethusband,Gary.Whenwewentthroughaveryserioushealthcrisisin2002,Icouldneverhavecontinuedmypractice,accomplishedthefeatoflivingifitwerenotforaveryactivefamilyandclosefriends.IttrulytookavillagetobringGarybacktothewonderfulpersonheistoday.Priortothisepisode,Ifounditdifficulttoaskforhelpfromothers,butwhenfacingsomethingthatwastrulybeyondwhatI
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Service is a state of mind. It is an act that
becomes part of living in the world. It is to
feel one’s higher self when you are present
in a room, a willingness to change the tide
of emotion.
Winter 2012-20136
coulddoalone,themoreIasked,theeasieritbecame.Soservicehappensbothways.AsareceiverofsuchgenerosityIcannowunderstandtheimportanceofallowingothersthegiftofgiving.Giftsarealwaysinmanyforms,andifwearesoself-absorbedthatwecannotseehowreceivingagiftisasimportantasgiving,thenwearemissingoutononeofthemanypleasuresoflife.
yet,wedocomeacrossthosewhohavebeenonthereceivingendofgiftsfromeveryone.Theyareabottomlesspitofgifts,notonlywithhandsout,butcomplainingthattheyaren’tgettingtheirfairshare.And,thesepeoplefindthosepoorsoulswhoaregiversoutofguiltandthereforegiveawaymorethantheyhavetogive.So,thecyclecontinuessometimesthroughseverallifetimes.Oneemotionanddutyfeedingtheother;notinthemagicalconnectionasImentionedpreviously.Thistypeofconnectionlooksrathermuddywiththedarkercolorsofgreedandguilt.So,whobreaksthiscycle?Usuallythefirsttobreakawayisthegiverwhofinallyrealizesthatitisnotfreewilltakingplace,butguiltandfinallyputsanendtothecycle.Theabusivereceiever,continuestolookforotherstofillthisinsatiableneeduntilfinallyeitherthepatternisreversed,orsomethingwakesupthispoorsoul.hardtosayaswehaveallknownpeoplewhoareinbothofthesecategoriesandwemayhaveexperiencedadirectlinkourselves,atsomepointintime.
Settingboundariescanbecomedifficult,especiallyincasesoffull-timecaregivers.Thesearepeoplewhoareresponsibleforanother’slife,completely.Aneasyexampleisthenewmotherorfatherwhohasalovelybeautifulchildtheycreated.Thechildisonehundredpercentdependentonsomeonecaringforhimorher.AsayoungmotherIcherishmymemoriesofmyinfantson,butIalsocherishhisowndevelopmentandgrowth.Quitehonestly,Icouldn’twaitforhimtomatureintothewonderfuladultheistoday.duringmypregnancyIhadthesewonderfulconversationswithhim,gettingtoknowhimasanindividual,notsimplyasachild.Wonderfulmemoriesthatalsohelpedformourbondfromanearlystage.Asafulltimecaregiver,Ialsohadtolearnthatmytimewasvitaltomyownselfgrowth.IfIdidnottakevaluabletimeforme,IwouldnotbeaseffectiveasImightbe,andagainasayoungmotherIhadtodealwiththeguiltofleavingmybaby.Myownmotherwaswonderfulinhelpingmeunderstandthatnotonlywasitnecessaryforbothofus(mysonandmyself),butitwasalsoimportanttoallowotherstheprivilegeofhelpingoutthefull-timeparent.The
sameprinciplesapplyforafull-timegiverwhencaringforaninjuredlovedoneoralovedoneattheendoflife.youarenotaneffectivecaregiverifyoudonottakethenecessarytimeforself.youneedtoalwaysfillselffirstwithunconditionalloveandacceptance,thisthenflowsintotheworkthatisbeforeyou.
Lookatmeditationinrelationshiptoservice,eitherdirectlyasingroupmeditationorintheethericfieldwhilewearetranscendent,weareusingourconnectionstostrengthentheconceptofuniversalconsciousness.Ifweacceptthatweareusingthislifeasachancetofurtherourconsciousness,wearealsoacceptingourimportantroleinhelpingothersattainthesamefeat.Meditationisourtoolwehaveperfectedandusetoconnectwithnotonlyourhigherselvesorconsciousness,butalsotheuniversalbrotherhood.Itisatthislevelwecanbeactivelyinvolvedinserviceeachandeveryday.Whenweareofservice,itisthiswonderfulactthathelpsusfindacenterofgratitude;aformofhappinesswhichisarewardinitself.Whenweareinthisstatewearenotegocentric;notlookingfortangiblerewardsfortheactofservice.Asimplethankyouisoftenrewardenough.Thisegolessstateissimilartotheoneweattainwhenweareinmeditation,whenweareonewithoursurroundingsanduniverse.
Serviceisastateofmind.Itisn’tnecessarilyworkinginasoupkitchen,holdingadoor,helpingafriendingrief.Itisanactthatbecomespartoflivinginthisworld.Itisthefeelofone’shigherselfwhenyouarepresentinaroom,awillingnesstohelpchangethetideofemotion.Iamsureyouhavebeeninasituationwhereyouareinthepresenceofgrief,andratherthanturningfromit,embraceit,thushelpingchangethecourseoftheemotion.Thisisaverypowerfulservicetousbothindividuallyandasabrotherhood.
IlovebeingaTheosophist.Whenwearealltogether,weareinservicetoeachotherjustbyourverynature.Weunderstandourimportanceinthisincarnationandourimpactoneachother.Wetakeresponsibilityforourmoods,ourthoughts,ouractions.Weunderstandthatserviceisagift,onewewishtoshare,butalsoonewegivefreely.
Dr. Robyn Lawrence Finseth is a practicing chiropractic physician in the state of Oregon. She was born into a Theosophical family, nurtured by Harry Van Gelder, Dora Kunz, and her Portland Lodge. She came into this life with the gift of sight, something not talked about openly during her youth. She uses her sensitivities in her life, her practice and teaching; understanding and accepting her role in this lifetime of being of service. She is grateful for the opportunities these sensitivities have afforded her now and in the future.
The look of service CONTINUEdFROMPAGE5
For the Love of Life 7
To listen is to serve By ananya s. ra jan
PartoftherequirementsformetograduatefrommyMastersinMentalhealthCounselingistocomplete600hoursataninternshipsitewhereIamexposed
tomentalhealthissues.IdidnotreallyhaveaplaceinmindwhenIwaslookingforasite.IactuallythoughtIwantedtoworkinadomesticshelterandrunawomen’sgroup.Ihadalreadydesignedaprogramformypracticumandhadrunasuccessfulweekendgroupforwomen.Ireallyenjoyeditandthoughtarepeatofitwouldbebeneficial.Theuniverse,however,hadsomethingelseinmind.
Whilelookingforaninternshipsite,Igotanemailfromaformerclassmate,NatashaClark,whowaspromotingasitewheresheinternedandwaseventuallyhired.Shewaslookingforinternsandwaspersistentenoughtokeepsendingemailsoutuntilsomeoneresponded.Otherstudentsinmyprogramwhowerealsolookingforsitesweregettingnervousasmoreandmoreorganizationshaveneitherthetimenormoneytoinvestininterns.Inactuality,thisbasicinvestmentcanharmanorganizationifnotdone.Internsprovidefreshperspectivesandenergythusincreasingthelifebloodofanorganization.despiteNatasha’semails,shewasgettingfewresponses.Chancesare,itwasbecauseitwasinsuicideprevention.
Ididn’tintendoninterningincrisis.Atthetime,myownlifefeltlikeacrisisasIwasgoingthroughmajortransitionsandjustholdingon.however,ourprogramseemstolacktheabilitytohelpstudentsfindaninternshipsite,soIsetupaninterviewandwent,feelingsomewhatreluctant.Oftenwhenwedon’twanttodosomething,itisbecausetheuniverseisabouttochangeourlivesforever,anditdid.Ifellinlove.IfellinlovewithmypotentialsupervisorandkindredspiritMariWhittumwhoistheClinicaldirectorofSuicidePreventionServicesofAmerica(SPSA);IfellinlovewiththebigoldmansionthathousesSPS,andIfellinlovewithmynewfamilyatSPSA.
Iknowthisallsoundsoverlydramatic,butthereisnootherwaytodescribethefeeling.Ifinallyfeltjoyfulafterayearoffeelingunsureofmyself,mylife,andthedirectionIwasheading.Ifinallyfeltasthoughmyfeetwereplanted,
thatmypathwassteady,andthewaywasclear.Butsuicide?Tobehonest,Ididn’teventhinkaboutitwhileIwasbeinginterviewed.Itdidn’tmatter.Withthelovingatmospherethatsurroundedme,Ifeltitwouldallbeokay.ThenIrealizedthatinordertodothistypeofwork,this
wastheenvironmentthatneededtobeprovided.howcouldwepossiblyprovideittoothersifwedidn’tprovideittothosewhoworkedinthefield?Thisinsightwassopowerfultome,becauseitisthecruxofcreatingtherealitywewantinourlives.PartofSPSA’sworkistobeabletoprovidehopewithinindividualswhocanfindnoneintheirlives.Theworkiscrucialintoday’sworldandincorporatesmanyofthespiritualtenantsI’vecometorealizeinmytheosophicallife.Sometimesittakessomethingoutsideofoneselftofindthestrengthandjoyhiddenwithin.
MyinternshipatSPSAstartedwithASIST,trainingspecificallydesignedforsuicidepreventionandusedworldwide.ASISTstandsforAppliedSuicideInterventionSkillsTraininganditreframessuicideideationfrombeingsomethingtaboototalkabouttojustanotherconversation.Themythicalbeliefisthatbytalkingaboutsuicidewithsomeonewhoissuicidalwillpushthemtocommitsuicide.Studieshaveshownthatthisisnottruenomatterwhattheageoftheindividual.Thisisespeciallyimportantassuicideisthethirdlargestcauseofdeathamongteenagers.Tobeabletostateoutloudthatoneisthinkingoftakingtheirlife
Service takes on many forms in various fields with many different populations of people. The following two pieces were written as reflections about the work done for an organization to help those who suffer from depression and suicidal intentions. While this type of work can be stressful and emotionally draining, it is a great path for self-development and growth in compassionate understanding.
ANANyAS.RAJAN
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Winter 2012-20138
becomesarelieffortheindividualwhostruggleswiththisthought.Oursocietyhascreatedsomanymythsaroundsuicide—thatapersonwillgotohell,thattheyarecrazy,thattheyareselfish,andsoon—thatpeoplewhohavesuchthoughtsfeelashamedtodiscussit.Inreality,thesemythsarejustmyths,buttheyareoneofthereasonsthatkeeppeoplefromseekinghelp.
SuicidePreventionServicesofAmericastartedin1998inBatavia,Illinoiswiththehelpofeightwomenwhohadlostalovedonetosuicide.Theeight“foundingmothers,”astheyareknown,hadstartedasupportgroupin1982afteraconferenceonsuicideprovidedbyanearbycollege.The“survivorsofsuicide”group,orSOS,stillmeetstoday.SPSAworksundertheheadofStephanieWeber,executivedirectorandafoundingmother,whohadlosthermothertosuicidewhileshewasinherthirtiesandraisingafamilyofherown.SPSAisaserviceorganizationwhosemottois“openminds,savelivesandrestorehopethroughprevention,interventionandpost-
intervention,usingeducation,advocacyandcollaboration”andthisdonethroughpresentationsatbusinesses,variousorganizations,schoolsandcolleges.ButthemainworkofSPSAisthehotlineandthisisthepartoftheservicethatIpersonallyfindistheessenceofsuicidepreventionwork.
SPSArunsadepressionlineaswellasalifelinethatispartoftheNationalSuicidePreventionLifeline(NSPL)whichrunsallovertheUnitedStates.Thelifelinereceivescallsfromvariouspopulations,evensoldiersfromabroad.Whilethelifelineisthereforthosecontemplatingsuicide,agreatnumberofcallsarefromthosewhojustneedsomeonetotalkto.Allthecallsareconfidentialandhotlinevolunteersaretrainedtobe“activelisteners.”Itisthisactivelisteningwhichissocrucialandneededintoday’sworld,becausetheartoflisteningisslowlybeinglost.Today,morethanever,peoplearerarelyabletotrulylistentoanotherindividualwithfullattention.Weareoftencaughtupinthoughtsaboutwhatweneedtodoandwhereweneedtobewhenwearewithanotherperson.Withregardtothehotline,wearetheretolisten.Volunteersareinstructedtoputawaytheircellphones,theircomputers,andotherformsofdistractionswhentheycometovolunteer.Theyareexpectedtobecompletelypresentwhentheyareonthephones,whichisattimesdifficultbutfulfillingallthesame.Iteventuallybecomesaformofmeditation.Manylong-timevolunteerssaythatthehotlineiswheretheycometorelaxbecauseforfourhoursthereisnothingtodobutbepresentforotherindividuals.
Listeningisaformofservicewecangivetooneanother;onethatisslowlybecomingararity.Totrulylistentoanotherpersonallowsustocommunicateonanentirelydifferentlevel.Byactivelylistening,wecanhearnuancesinaperson’svoicethatoftenhaveadeepermeaningthanwhattheyaresayingonthesurface.Byactivelylistening,rapportisbuiltwiththecallerthatallowsthevolunteertoaskaboutthechangeintone,pitch,volumeofthevoice,thatletsthecallerknow,“Iamreallylisteningtoyou.”Asthecallscanbeanonymousandareconfidential,callersoftenfeelsafetoexploretheissuethatistroublingthematthetime.
Tome,itisamazinghowmuchcanchangeinthirtyminuteswhenoneprovidesanoutletforanothertoexpresstheirdeepestfearsorworries.Iamoftenshockedthatonlythirtyminuteshavepassedandtheissueswhichseemedsooverwhelmingatthestartarenowsurmountable.Thecallerismoreconfidentoffacingtheirissuesandfeelsmorerelaxedandsomewhatrejuvenated.Tohearsomeonesay,“thankyousomuchforlistening”meanstomethatweneedtobedoingitmoreoftenforoneanother.Itisasimpleacttodo,butonethatcanchangeaperson’slife.Itmightevensaveone.
To listen is to serve CONTINUEdFROMPAGE7
signs of depressionDepression isn’t always easy to spot. Some people experience primarily behavioral changes, some mainly emotional changes, and still others mostly physical changes. Here are some warning signs that a person may be depressed:
•Persistentlysad,anxious,irritableoremptymood
•Lossofinterestinpreviouslyenjoyableactivities•Withdrawalfromfriendsandfamily•Troublesleepingorsleepingtoomuch•Fatigueanddecreasedenergy•Significantchangeinappetiteand/orweight•Overreactiontocriticisms•Feelingunabletomeetexpectations•Difficultyconcentrating,rememberingdetails,andmakingdecisions
•Feelingsofworthlessness,hopelessnessorguilt•Persistentphysicalsymptomssuchasheadaches,digestiveproblemsorchronicpainthatdonotrespondtoroutinetreatment
•Substanceabuseproblems•Thoughtsofsuicideorsuicideattempts
—www.ulifeline.org
For the Love of Life 9
IbeganvolunteeringwithSuicidePreventionServices(SPS)inthespringof2007.Ihadinquiredseveralyearsearlier,afteramovingpresentationaboutsuicidegivenbyoneofmyprofessors,PeteGutierrez.dr.Gutierrezmadeapressing,seriouscaseforsuicideinterventionandhecaughtmyattention.TheideathattheissueofsuicidemeritedresearchandanawarenesscampaigntouchedaplaceinsidethatIhadignoredformanyyears.however,duringmyfirstinquiry
withhollyCherry,SPS’scoordinatorofinformationandreferral,Ipostponedtrainingafterrecognizingthatmymaritalturmoilwastooabsorbingandvolunteerworkofthisnatureneededasubstantialamountofavailableinnerstrength.
AlthoughIwaspsychologicallystronger,whenIreturnedtovolunteerwithSPSIwasflounderingwithmydirectioningraduatework.Asanundergraduatepsychologymajor,IhadworkedonaresearchprojectthatexploredtheSelf-determinationTheory(SdT)ofdeciandRyanwhichexploreshumanmotivationandpersonality.(Formoreinformationvisitwww.selfdeterminationtheory.org.)Myplanstocontinuethatresearchwerethwartedwithaseriesoflifeevents,includingthebirthofmydaughter,myhusband’sjoblossanddeepeningaddiction,andthreedeathsinourfamily.Part-timegraduateworkintheschoolofeducationallowedmetoinchalongasasinglemother,butittookthedriveoutofmycareer.
MyfirstsummervolunteeringatSPSoverlappedwithmysecondsemesterinthecounselingprogram.TheASIST(AppliedSuicideInterventionSkillsTraining)andlistening-inonlivecallsreconnectedmewithmyreasonsforenteringthehelpingprofession.Ifeltinvigorated;hereIwas,onthefrontline,speakingdirectlywith
peoplereadytotaketheirlives.Asanadditionalbonus,Ifeltthepowerofsimpleengagement.InthecounselingprogramIlearnedspecificskillsforactivelistening,reflectionoffeelings,andreflectionofmeaning.Theseskillswereparalleledinmyhotlinevolunteerwork.ThemoreIusedCarlRogers’Person-Centeredstrategies,whicharetaughtbothinthedegreeprogramandasbasiccommunicationforhotlineworkatSPS,themoreIheardcallerssaytheyfeltbetter.ThemoreIlistenedtocallers,themoreIsawdeciandRyan’stheoryunfold.
Seekingtobeaschoolcounselor—liketheoneIhadreliedoninmyvacant,harrowingteenageyears—IinternedasacounselorinaruralIllinoishighschool.Iinstantlyloved
a reflectionBy natasHa cLark
AnanyaRajanisacounselorinternatSuicidePreventionServicesofAmericawhereIamcurrently
employed.Wemetinaclassthatwaspartofamaster’slevelprograminclinicalmentalhealth
counselingatNorthernIllinoisUniversity.Wespeaktogetherfrequentlywhenourtimeattheagency
overlaps,andsherecentlyaskedmetowriteabouttheexperiencesIhavehadwhileworkingatSPSA.
CONTINUEdONPAGE10
NATAShACLARK
Winter 2012-201310
theteensIworkedwith.AsaninternIwasaffordedtheluxuryoftimeforcounseling.TheprofessionalcounselorsIobserveddidnothavethattime,anddespiteawonderfulyearwiththem,Idecidedagainstpursuingemploymentinschoolsbecauseoftheirrestrictiveandoverburdenedenvironment.InsteadIwishedtosomehowprovidewhatthoseinschoolscouldnot:acompassionateearwithanabilitytobrushasidetheconstraintsofthefabricatedworld.
Formysecondinternship,inclinicalmentalhealthcounseling,IwentstraighttoSPS.Iwassurprisedtorealizeagencyclinicaldirector,MariWittum,andtheotherclinicianspursuedcounselingwiththesameapproachastheSPShotlinework—withanemphasisonperson-centeredness.Talkingwithpeopleaboutideasofsuicide,aboutdepression,aboutalltypesofstruggles,Iwasstruckbytheimportanceofsimplylistening.SPS’sexecutivedirector,StephanieWeber,oftenremindsusinpresentationsthattalkingaboutsuicidedoesn’tplanttheideainsomeone’shead;ifapersonhasbeenthinkingaboutit,talkingcanfreethepersontoletoutwhatthey’vebeenholdinginforalongtime.
duringthisinternshipyear,asIsatwithteens,families,andadults,IwitnessedthetheoriesIhadlongstudiedunfoldbeforemyeyes.CarlRogerspostulatedthatwithafewkeyingredients,mostespecially“unconditionalpositiveregard”fromanother,aperson’sown“self-actualization”willdevelopnaturallyfromaseedwithinthemselves.deciandRyan’sSelf-determinationTheoryallowsthatapersonhasthreebasic
needs:autonomy,competence,andrelatedness.Suicideisfrequentlyalastattemptatassertingbothautonomyandcompetence,whenrelatednessnolongerholdsfast.
howstrangethattalkingaboutsuicide,whichmyclientsandthecallersforwhomIrespondinvariablydo,allowsforthedevelopmentofself-determination.yettheideathateachpersonhasthecapacitytotakehisorherownlifeiscompelling.Thosewhoarestuckinthegripofdepressionexperiencesomereliefbythinkingtheyhaveatleastoneactionwithwhichtomakeastatement.Exploringthereasonsapersonhasforwanting
todiecanbeanincrediblyprofoundexperience.Myclientsandcallersexpressgreatreliefandgratitudeforhavingsomeonelistenwithoutjudgment,withouttellingthemthereissomethingunhealthyabouttheirthoughts.Rather,Ioftentellthem“I’dprobablyfeelthesameway.”
SoIfindmyselfemployednowatSuicidePreventionServicesofAmerica.Inadditiontomonitoringcallsonthehotlineandtrainingnewvolunteers,IcounselclientsasaLicensedProfessionalCounselor.AsIlistentovolunteersrespondtocallersandtalkwiththemabouttheirexperiences,Iamconsistentlyamazedbythepower
ofinterpersonalhealing.Epiphanieshappeneveryday.Acallertalksaboutthepainofbeingignoredbyagrownson,anotherseesnowheretoturninfinancialdisaster.Mostoften,callersandclientshavemultiplelossesandamyriadoftroubles.Suchisthenatureoflife.Ourmostsuccessfulvolunteersandcounselorsknowthisandareabletovalidateandempathize.
MyworkwithSPShascausedmetoappreciatetheconnectionbetweenmyownlifeexperienceandmycounselingprofession.Forthefirsttime,IhaveallowedmyselftorecognizethestrengthIhaddevelopedthroughmyownjourneyupfromdespair.Mymotherwasseverelydepressedthroughoutmychildhoodandteens.SheoftentoldmeofherelaborateplansforsuicideandIlivedinfearshewouldonedaybesuccessful.Amongothertroubles,Istruggledwithself-injuryandasuicideattemptasateen.Sowhenpeopletalkwithmeaboutwantingdie,Icanunderstandthem.Iknowthereareperiodsoftimewhenlifeseemsbleak.Ialsobelievethatfromthiscontemplationofdeathcomesgreatstrength.Forapersontoknowtheycantaketheirownlifegivesthempowerandanawarenessoflife’sfragility.
Ihavecometofeelprivilegedtoworkinthisfield,listeningtopeoplecontemplatethemostpersonalideaofall,thepoweroftakingone’sownlife.EachcallIansweronthehotlineorclientIsitwithseemstobeagiftfromtheuniverse.Ihavechosenacareerthatembodiesmybeliefsinservinghumanitytothebestofmyability.Idon’tbelieveIhaveanswersforpeople,butIdothinkIcanhelppeoplefindtheirownmeaning.Andinmyposition,Icangivepeopletime,whichistruly,andamazingly,aluxurythesedays.
a reflection CONTINUEdFROMPAGE9
1-800-273-TALK(8255)
For the Love of Life 11
T hemoreexperiencesIhaveinmylife,themoreIrealizethatlifeisaboutbalance.To
havebalanceinone’slife,apersonmusthavediscernment.discernmentinordertobeawareofwhetherlifeeventsarehelpingorhinderingone,whetherarelationshipisallowingonetogroworbecomestagnant,orwhetherthethoughtswehavebringbeautyintoourlivesorjustcompletechaos.
Asacounselor,ithasbecomeapparenttomethatmanyofusallowourthoughtstodefineourlives.Weallowourthoughtstocreateourreality.“Ithink,thereforeIam”isnotjustaquotebydescartes,butawayoflifeforsomany.Webelievetheworldiswhatwethinkitisandforgetourtruenature.Weforgetthatthethoughtswehavearejustreflectionsoftheworldaroundusandarenotreallywhoweare.Sooftenwithclients,Iwillask,“Wheredoesthatthoughtcomefrom?”Andwhiletheyponderthat,Iwillask“Andwhydoyoubelieveittobetrue?”Clientsvaryontheirreactions.Somegetstuckandgonofurther,whileothersreallytrytounderstandhowinvasiveourthoughts,andthemessageswearegiven,canbetohowweviewourselves.Itisquitefascinatingtothinkhowpowerfulourthoughtsare.Giventhattheyaresopowerful,itisdifficulttounderstandwhywedon’tusethemtoempowerourselvesandbettertheworld.
InthebookthePower of Thought: A Twenty-First Century Adaption of Annie Besant’s Thought Power byJohnAlgeoandShirleyNicholson,the
authorsdevoteachaptertohowweasindividualscanhelpothersthroughourthoughtsandgoodintentions.Thisconcepthasgainedmoregroundinthescientificworldwiththestudyanddevelopmentofquantumphysicswhich,inturn,hasincreasedthenumberofpeoplewhoonceskeptical,nowfeelthereissomethingmoretoourthoughtsandintentions.Longbeforethepowerofthoughtortheinfluenceofourconsciousnesswasrecognizedbyscientists,Theosophistsunderstoodtheconnectionbetweenhumansandtheuniversalenergyfield,aswellasourresponsibilitytokeeptheourthoughtspositive.Granted,atthetimewhenAnnieBesant’sThought Powerwaswritten,theabilitytomeasuretheeffectsofthoughtpowerortheimpactofourconsciousnesswasnotavailable.Today,experimentsbysuchgroupsastheGlobalConsciousnessProject(GCP)providedatathatprovesthatourthoughtsaremorepowerfulthanwebelieve.
TheGlobalConsciousnessProject<www.teilhard.global-mind.org>isacollaborativeinternationaleffortbyscientistsandengineerstovalidatetheconnectedconsciousnessofindividualsusingobjectivemeasures.Tousethewordsfromthewebsite,“Quantumeventbasedrandomnumbergenerators(RNGs)producecompletelyunpredictablesequencesofzeroesandones.Butwhenagreateventsynchronizesthefeelingsofmillionsofpeople,ournetworkofRNGsbecomessubtlystructured.Theprobabilityislessthanoneinabillionthattheeffectisduetochance.Theevidencesuggestsanemerging
noosphere,ortheunifyingfieldofconsciousnessdescribedbysagesinallcultures.”Scientistswiththisprojecthavebeencollectingdataforthepastfourteenyearsandnowhave65hostsitesaroundtheworldfortheRNGs.
IntheNovember/december2011issueofExplore,scientistsRogerNelsonandPeterBanchelstatethatwhenstartingtheexperiment,thescientistspredicted“systematicdeviationsinthenetworkdatawhenthereisawidespreadsharingofmentalandemotionalresponses.Anon-goingexperimentaltestofthehypothesis,usingreplicationprotocol,findssignificantevidenceofcharacteristicsanomaliesinthedatacorrespondingtoawiderangeofevents.Theresultsindicatethatsomethingremarkablemaybehappeningwhenpeoplearedrawnintoacommunityofcommonattentionoremotion.”WhilethisisnotnewnewsforTheosophists,itdoesshow,onceagain,themeetingbetweenscienceandspiritualityandthelatentpowerwehavewithinus.TheGPChasmeasuredeventslikeinternationaldayofpeace,theairstrikeinAfghanistan,theelectionoftheUSpresidents,aswellasspiritualdevelopmentgroupswherelocalelectrogaiagrams(EGGs)arepresent.MuchlikeRupertSheldrake’sstudiesinmorphicresonance,GCPbelievesbytherepeatedshowingofvarianceatatimewhenthereisaworldevent,theproofisinthenumberoftimesthevariancetakesplaceatthesametimeaworldeventishappening.
Onasmallerscale,groupsofCONTINUEdONPAGE12
our Good Thoughts to serve othersBy ananya s. ra jan
Winter 2012-201312
Theosophistshaveusedmeditationandthoughtpowerinvariousways.Inthespring2011issueofQuest,MorrySecrestwroteanarticleaboutusingmeditationtoencouragethewaterdevasoftheColumbiaRivertoencouragefry(babysalmon)tousethefishladderswhentravellingdownstreaminsteadofheadingthroughthehugegeneratorturbinesandspillways.AccordingtoMorry’sarticle,thechangeinthepressurewhenpassingthroughtheseareas,stunthefrymakingthemvulnerabletotheawaitingseagulls.Apparentlymanybabysalmonarelostthisway.Morry’smeditationgroupsentouttheintentfortwohoursandleft,notknowingwhethertheyhadamadeadifferenceornot.Interestingly,weekslater,amemberofthemeditation
groupoverheardtwoofthefishpassagemonitorsdiscussingthestrangeeventofthenumberoffrythathappenedtousethefishladderduringoneofthereviewingperiods.Coincidence?Perhapsnot.
Recently,KathyGann,ourliaisoncoordinator,initiatedanexperimentofintentiontoallowthosewhoseekthelightofTheosophytofindit.TheexperimentwasmeasuredbythenumberofhitsontheTSAwebsite.AccordingtotheITpeopleattheTS,Mondaystendtoshowanincreaseintraffictothewebsiteingeneral.however,giventhefactthatthetwoMondaysduringtheinitiationandendoftheexperimentwereregularMondayswithoutanymajoreventstakingplaceattheTS,therewasaspikeinhitsonthosetwoMondays.InfactontheMondaytheexperimentstarted,therewasa23%increasefromthepreviousMonday.
Sotheconclusionoftheexperimentwastherewasasmalldiscernibledifferenceinthenumberofhits,butnothingtoactuallyexplaintheincrease.Butdoweneedoneorcanwebehappybelievingaseverythingisenergy,weareaffectedandaffectthingsthatwesometimescannotexplain?
IndoraKunz’sbookSpiritual Healing,thereisaninterviewconductedbyReneWeberwithdora.Inthechapterentitled“Compassion,Rootedness,anddetachment:TheirRoleinhealing,”dorastatesthatwhatwasremarkabletoher,ofthemanyhealersshehadobserved,wasoutpouringofthehealer’sattentionandenergythuscompletelyforgettingthemselves.doraspeaksof“centering,”agoingwithininordertofocusone’senergiesintheheartregion.Thisbringstomindwhetherthoughtorintentionofthiskindisactuallydonewithoutthoughtormentalenergy.Instead,coulditpossiblybesomethingthathappensatamuchdeeperlevelwhichweascribedtotheheartregionwherethereisnothought?Whenweconnectwiththeuniversalenergyfieldtocreatechange,itwouldseemthatthemindisinvolveduptoapoint,becauseitprovidestheintention.Eventually,however,themindnolongerplaysaroleandweareworkingatalevelwhereourtrueselforhigherselfconnectswiththatwhichitknowsandrecognizesasitself.Itisatthismomentthatchangetakesplaceandourintentis“heard.”Ifthisistrue,wehavenoideahowpowerfulwetrulycanbeorthechangeswecancreate.
our Good Thoughts CONTINUEdFROMPAGE11
six steps to freedom1. Createadailypracticeevenifitisjustfor5minutes.Meditation
hasanaccumulativeeffectsobydoingitforafewminuteseverydayisactuallymorehelpfulthananhouronceaweek.
2. Meditateforthesakeofitwithoutexpectations,asitcancausestressandevenasenseoffailureifyoulookforresults.Noappointments,nodisappointments!
3. Makefriendswithyourbreath.Focusingonthenaturalflowofyourbreathingwillgiveyourmindsomethingtodoandencouragesyourattentiontogoinward.Inthiswayyoualsomakefriendswithyourmeditationpractice.
4. Makefriendswithyourchatteringmonkeymind.Whenyouarestillyourmindcanseemverybusyanddistracting.Namethisyourmonkeymindanddon’ttakeittooseriously.
5. Committoyourpeace.Thereisnothingmoreimportantthanyourpeace,itisthecoreofyourbeing,somakeacommitmenttobeingstillandquietregularly.
6. DoIt—“The Power of Meditation” www.huffingtonpost.com/07/24/2012
For the Love of Life 13
Inthesedaysofseeminglyperpetualcrises,itiseasytobecomecomplacentorevendespondent,feelingpersonallyincapableofhavinganysignificantimpact
ontheworld’sproblems.however,thereisverystrongevidencethatourthoughts,wordsanddeedsdohaveanimpactbeyondourimmediateawareness.Ifweacceptthisasfact,itbecomesourresponsibilitytocontributeinanywaywecantothepositiveenergyofouruniverse.
Onewayofachievingthisistoconsciouslyinvoketheangelichoststosendhealinglovetothosewhosuffer.TheTOShealingdepartmentmanagesahealingNetworkwhichhasofferedjustsuchaserviceformorethan15years.Itiscurrentlycomprisedof57groupsandindividualswhoarecommittedtoperforminghealingservicesonaregularbasis.TheNetworkreceivesthenamesofindividualswhoareillorinjuredviaadedicatedphoneline.ThesenamesaredistributedtotheNetworkgroupswheretheyarekeptforuseinthehealingserviceforonemonth’stime.Weencourageanyoneandeveryone,theosophistandnon-theosophistaliketocontributethenamesoftheirlovedoneswhohavebecomeill.
Wewouldliketoencouragegroupsand/orindividualswhoarenotyetperformingaregularhealingserviceto
considerbecomingamemberofthehealingNetwork.TheonlycommitmentistoperformoursimplehealingRitualonaregularbasisoraddittotheirdailymeditation.Mostgroupsuseittobringalovelyclosetotheirweeklystudysessions.
Tocontributenamesforhealing,callour800numberatanytimeorusetheonlineformonourwebsitewww.theoservice.org.Ifyoutelephone,youwillreacharecordedmessagegivinginstructions.Tobecomeaparticipatinggroup,pleasecontactdianeEisenbergattheoservice@gmail.com.Welookforwardtohearingfromyou.
to call the Healing network: 800-867-0017 or use the online form at www.theoservice.org.
If I can stop one heart from breaking,I shall not live in vain.If I can ease one life the aching,Or cool one pain,Or help one fainting robinUnto his nest again,I shall not live in vain.
—EmilyDickinson
The healing network
ThETOShEALINGGROUPMEETSEVERyWEdNESdAyEVENING.PARTICIPANTSOFThERITUALASWELLASThOSEONThEhEALINGLISThAVEFOUNdThEPRACTICEOFThISRITUALBENEFICIALINMANyWAyS.
ThEhEALINGRITUALISEASyTOPERFORMANdCANBEdONEALONE,WIThANOThER,ORWIThAGROUP.
Winter 2012-201314
Inherbook,1,000 Mitzvahs,LindaCohensays,“Ididn’tsetouttosavetheworld.Idon’tevenprofessthatanyofmy1,000smallactionsstandoutasparticularly
importantorlife-changing.ButIwillassertthateachofthemmadeasmallimpact,andthatcumulativelytheyhavechangedmylife.”
Afterthedeathofherfatherindecember2006,LindaCohenbeganaprocessofgriefthatledhertoperformathousandmitzvahsinhishonor.BeingJewish,theauthorfollowedtheritesandritualsofherfaithastheypertaintothedeathofaclosefamilymember.Indiscussionswithherfather,duringhiseightmonthboutwithcancer,herequestedthatsheperformthemitzvahofdonatingmoneyinhismemorytoacharity.Theymadealistoffavoritecharities,andinhisobituarythefamilyrequested
thatfriendsdonatetothesecharities.Lindawasn’tsatisfied.Shewantedtodomore.Shecameupwiththeideaofperformingthousandmitzvahstohonorherfather’smemory.
MitzvahsarestatementsandprinciplesofJewishlawandethicscontained
intheTorahorFiveBooksofMoses.Onecategoryofmitzvahisdoingactsofkindness,andforthepurposesofherproject,thatisthedefinitionthe
authorused.Shealsodecidedtowriteablogcatalogingherprogress.Theauthorfoundthattheblogallowedheranopportunitytoshareherthoughtsandfeelingsinavery
concretewayasshemovedthroughhergrief.Performingthemitzvahsandbloggingaboutthemprovedtobeapowerfulcombinationforprocessinggrief.Fromthisbloga1,000 Mitzvahswasborn.
Thebookisarrangedsothateachchapterhighlightsadifferentaspectofkindness,suchas:food,assistingindividuals,volunteering,ecology,donatingmoney,animals,thetreatmentofothers,death,dyingandhelpingothersthroughbereavement,andappreciatingthekindnessofotherstowardyou.Ineachchapter,theauthorpresentsasamplingofmitzvahsrelativetothechaptertopic.Someofthemare:
• Pickuplitteronthesidewalkorwhereveryouseeit.• Findoutaboutrecyclingdayprogramsofferedbyyour
cityortownandhelpout.• Cleanupafteryourpet,evenifyouhavetoreturnto
thelocationtodoso.• Encouragealemonadestand,bakesale,orthelike
wheretheproceedsgotoyourchildrens’favoritecharity.
• Shareyourpassionwithyourchildrenandinspirethemtohavepassionsoftheirown.
• Prayforthesick[orparticipateintheTOShealingritual].
• Praiseyourchildrenwhentheydotherightthing.• Callorvisitanelderlyorhomeboundneighbor.• Saythankyou—therearemanywaysandmany
instancesinwhichtodothis.• donatetoacharity.• Gooutofyourwaytohelpsomeone,evenifitmight
inconvenienceyou.• Asksomeoneforhelpwhenyouneedit.• don’tholdagrudge.• Actsofkindnesshavenolanguagebarrier.Remember
toperformthemabroad.• Tipthehousekeeperofthehotelwhereyouare
staying.• Lightacandleandsayaprayer(orwhateveriswithin
yourtradition)foryourlovedoneontheanniversaryoftheirdeath.
Book review1,000 MITZVAHS: How Small Acts of Kindness Can Heal,
Inspire and Change Your Life by linda cohen
CONTINUEdONPAGE15
1,000 MITZVAHS: How Small Acts of Kindness Can Heal,
Inspire and Change Your Life byLindaCohen
Paperback,256pagesSealPress.2011
$16.00
For the Love of Life 15
Y ouarewarmlyinvitedtoparticipateinourInternationalConferenceifyouareanactiveworkerinyourTOSGroupatlocalornationallevel.Thethree-dayconferencewillbeheldatOlcott,thenationalcenter
oftheTSinAmericainWheaton,IllinoisfromtheeveningofTuesday23JulytoFriday26July,2013.TheTOSConferenceisprecededbyafive-daySummerNationalConventionoftheTSinAmericafrom19Julyto23July.Allareinvitedtoattendthiseventaswell.
WearedelightedtowelcomeMariaParisen,director,KrotonaSchoolofTheosophyandVichaoChinJr,PresidentoftheGoldenLinkCollege,ourfeaturedpresentersaswellasallourbrothersandsistersfromaroundtheworld.
Forregistrationdetailspleasevisitwww.theoservice.org.Registrationformsanddetailscanbefoundhere.
Book review CONTINUEdFROMPAGE14
Ittooktheauthortwoandonehalfyearstocompleteherproject,andwetravelwithherasshedescribesthisjourneythatchangedherlife.Aseachofthemitzvahssheperformedispresented,welearnthecircumstancesthatbroughtittoherattention.Sheshareswithusthethoughtandfeelingprocessshewentthroughandwhatshelearnedfromthatparticularmitzvah.LindaCohenbeganherprojectasawaytohonorthememoryofherfatherandhelpherselfthroughthemourningprocess.AttheendoftheprojectshefoundherselfachangedpersonwithacloserrelationshiptoGod,community,family,especiallyherchildren,andherinnerself.
Ihighlyrecommend1,000 MitzvahstoallTheosophicalOrderofService(TOS)membersasthisbookdepictsajourneyofgrowthtowardcompassionandself-knowledgeattainedthroughservice,agoaltowhichweallaspire.Throughoutthebook,theauthorusedmanyexamplesfromherJewishfaith,definedhebrewandyiddishwords,andrelatedaspicsandprocessesofJewishritualthatIfoundinterestingandenlightening.herinclusionofherchildreninmanyofthemitzvahsperformedwastouchingandcouldbeeducationalforparentsaswaystoinstillahabitofkindnessandcompassionintheirchildren.IwasdelightedtofindthatLindaCohenlivesinPortland,OR.AsaresidentofneighboringWashingtonState,Iknew
thenamesandlocationsofthemanyorganizationsshementioned.Thatwillbeusefulinmyownservice.Similarplacesandorganizationscanbefoundinmosttownsandcities.Manywillfindthebibliographyandlistofcharitableorganizationsattheendofthebooktobeamosthelpfulresource.Thisbooktellsthestoryofonewoman’sjourneyinawaythatisrelatabletousall.Ifoundittobeinteresting,humorousandenlighteningasastory,andalsothinkitwillproveitselfavaluablereferenceguidetoTOSmembersandgroupslookingforwaystoservehumanity.
—Nancy Secrest
Third international Tos conference
Winter 2012-201316
dearTheosophicalOrderofService,
MynameisNatashaB.Ferguson.Iwaschoseasarecipientforyourscholarship.Iwouldliketoshowmyappreciationforyorusupportandtellyouaboutmyself.
Firstoff,thankyouverymuchfromthebottomofmyheart!IextendtoyoumyappreciationandgratitudeforyourgenerousdonationtotheOglalaLakotaCollegeNursingProgram.Iliveapproximatelyonehundredmilesfromthecollegecenterwheremyclassesareheldandbeingchosenforthisscholarshipwillprovidemewithtravelassistancebackandforthtoclass,sothatImaycompletemyeducationandcontinueonmypathtosuccess.
Toprovideyouwithsomebackgroundinformation,Iama27yearoldNativeAmericanfemalefromtheOglalaSiouxTribefromthePineRidgeIndianReservation.Ihavetwodaughters,Isabellais10yearsoldandAlejandrais22monthsold.Theyprovidemewithmotivationandinspirationtowardachievingmygoalsinordertoprovidethemwithasuccessfulfuture.
IamafulltimestudentattendingOglalaLakotaCollege.IamcurrentlyinmysenioryearandIwillgraduateinJune2013withmyAssociatesofArtsinNursing.MycurrentcumulativeGPAis3.17.Istrivetoputforthmybesteffortinmystudies.Iconsidermyselfacaring,compassionateperson,withanintellectualanddedicatedabilitytosucceedinlife.
Oneofmygoalsasanursingstudentistograduateinthetopofmynursingclass.Iamcurrentlyworkingtowardthisbycommittingmyselftomynursingcourses.AftergraduationIplantogiveabcktotheNativeAmericancommunitybyworkingasaRNwiththeIndianhealthService.AftergainingsomeexperienceandsettlinginasanRN,IplanonfinishingmyeducationandobtainingaBScinNursing.Iwouldthenlovetoenterthespecialtyofpediatricneurology.
Onceagain,thankyouforhelpingmeachievemygoals.WordscannotexpresshowverygratefulIamtobechosenasarecipientforthisscholarship.Pleasebeassuredthatwithyourcontributionyoudidatremendousdeed.
Sincerely,NatashaB.Ferguson
from our scholarship recipient
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Callusat630-668-1571ext.332oremailusattheoservice@gmail.org.
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Kindnessinwordscreatesconfidence.Kindnessinthinkingcreatesprofundity.
Kindnessingivingcreateslove.
—Lao-Tse
NATAShAB.FERGUSON
17For the Love of Life
UpdatesAnd a quick but beautifully joyful update from Peggy Day on the Chusul Home in Tibet…
T hreewonderfulvisitsthisyear.Withthehelpoftwogenerousclients,webuiltfurniture,decoratedeggsandeachotherandcelebratedLosar,theTibetanNewyear,withthechildreninFebruary.InJuly,Iwasstrappedforfundsandcouldn’taffordtotakethekidsonanoutingandwhentheyfoundout,theydidn’tevenwhineorcomplain.Instead,
theyputonadanceshowandabasketballtournamenttoentertainmeandweneverleftChushulhome.Luckily,IcamebackinlateAugustwithtwosuperfantasticsponsorswhotookthemoutforclothesshoppingandpatiently,taughtthemallhowtodotie-dye.Sonow,whenyoumakeadonationforChushulhome,pleasesendashirttobetie-dyedbythekidsandI’llsendthefinishedproductbacktoyou.Westillneedyourhelpsoifyoucan,pleasesendadonationmadeouttoThETIBETFUNdw/t-shirtandmailtomeatPMB426,1001Bridgeway,Sausalito,CA94965orthroughPaypalonmywebsiteatwww.peggydayadventures.com.IleaveforChushulhome/TibetonFebruary6thandwouldloveyourcompanyandhelp.
Pleaseletmeknowifyoucanjoinus.Withloveandgratitude,Peggyandkids
For the Love of LifeTheosophical order of service, Usa
P.O.Box660Warrenville,IL60555www.theoservice.org
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