The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence. When...

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 [email protected]

Website www.theoservice.org

to leave a name for the Healing network: 800-838-2197.

Ifyouareinterestedinbecomingahealingpractitionerandneedacopyofourritual,[email protected].

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


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


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


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


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)


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


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


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

Comments,Questions,orIdeasfortheTOS?

[email protected].

We’dlovetohearfromyou!

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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PaiDWarrenville,Illinois

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