Hi everybody!

It has been announced that the 2007 ULT Summer Conference will be held in Petaluma, California.

Here are some links to information.

http://www.theosophysandiego.org/CONFERENCE/confprog.htm

http://www.ions.org/retreat/directions.cfm

Here is the message I received via e-mail. (I have left most of formatting mistakes uncorrected.)

~~~

"THEOSOPHY AND NEW FRONTIERS OF SCIENCE"

August 10-12, 2007
Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Institute of Noetic Sciences
Petaluma, California

This years's Conference will be held at the Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS) on their 200 acre
campus, near Petaluma, in northern California. IONS is a nonprofit membership organization
exploring the frontiers of consciousness, and is supportive of Theosophical endeavors. The
campus consists of offices, a scientific laboratory, fully equipped conference rooms, dining
facility and a retreat center. This is a beautiful site, with many outdoor activities for children and
adults. Please visit www.ions.org to see pictures of the campus and links to all important
information.

RETREAT CENTER: http://www.ions.org/retreat.cfm

DIRECTIONS: http://www.ions.org/retreat/directions.cfm

HISTORY OF IONS AND ASTRONAUT EDGAR MITCHELL (FOUNDER):
http://www.ions.org/about/history.cfm

PROGRAM & PRESENTERS:
www.theosophysandiego.org

ACCOMMODATIONS
(Natural & Organic Meals Included)

The IONS policy is that preference is given in order starting with the earliest registrants Room registering now and will be assigned their room (s) prior to the event. Please print out and assignments are not made until one or two weeks before the event. Attendees should start complete the "Request For Reservation" form using the link below, and mail together with your check or money order to the address provided (sorry no credit cards accepted).
www.theosophysandiego.org

The IONS' Retreat Center accommodates up to 120 overnight guests in five buildings. All housing accommodations are situated near to one another, and next to the West Room. All of the rooms have recently been renovated, and are simply and attractively appointed.

There are five modular units, or "dorms", each with eight bedrooms and two common bathrooms. We also offer two contemporary chalets, each of which has eleven bedrooms and four common bathrooms. Bedrooms are set up as either single occupancy or double occupancy with twin beds, and specified rooms accommodate couples with full-size beds. All bedrooms are carpeted, and feature a desk and clothing bureau. Linens, blankets and towels are provided for guests.

Ions.org

ROOM & BOARD
Overnight accommodation prices include 2 nights lodging and 3 meals per day, plus Friday dinner, Sunday breakfast and lunch, plus beverages. All rates are per person for the full conference.
FULL WEEKEND CONFERENCE
Double Occupancy: $277
Single Occupancy: $296
Day Use Without Meals: $45
Day Use With Meals: $141

There are no additional conference fees -- attendance is free for overnight guests. Donations to support this and future conferences are always gratefully received.

Kindly contact Sally or James Colbert: (760)765-1090

or Email: info@theosophysandiego.org

Those who have a technical background in audio or video recording, and digital photography, who are able to offer help with the conference please contact:
Odin Townley, otownley@gmail.com

ONE DAY EVENT:

A $15.00 CHARGE IS APPLIED FOR EACH COMMUTING GUEST ATTENDING A ONE DAY EVENT.

PLEASE EMAIL OR CALL AND LET US KNOW IF YOU WILL BE ATTENDING THE CONFERENCE AND ON WHICH DAYS, AND GIVE US YOUR ACCOMMODATION AND MEAL PREFERENCES. AN EARLY RESPONSE WILL ASSIST GREATLY IN OUR PLANNING!
THANK YOU!

- JIM & SALLY

PROGRAM AND PRESENTERS
(Please note: some topics and presenters have not been confirmed at this time. Please watch for future emails with important additional information about the conference)

... the Secret Teachings ... must be contrasted with the speculations of modern science, Archaic axioms must be placed side by side with modern hypotheses and comparisons left to the sagacious reader. … To make of Science an integral whole necessitates, indeed, the study of spiritual and psychic, as well as physical Nature. …Without metaphysics, real science is inadmissible.� - H. P. Blavatsky, The Secret Doctrine

CHRISTOPHER HOLMES, Ph.D (Forensic Psychologist) – Ontario, Canada
Divine Mysteries: H. P. Blavatsky and the Cosmogenesis of The Secret Doctrine

Dr. Holmes is a clinical and forensic psychologist, and mystic scientist. His work explores the enigmas of human consciousness, the mysteries of the Heart, psychology as a science of the soul, the physics/metaphysics of creation and Zero Point dynamics. His presentation includes a wider focus on ancient wisdom and modern science, which considers comparative analysis of modern science with The Secret Doctrine, to evaluate H. P. Blavatsky's predictions and assess her teachings in the 'light' or 'darkness' of modern times. Intelligent design versus chaos then falls under a larger umbrella which may include materials on the new physics, on consciousness studies, on modern para-psychology studies, on cosmology--investigating Blavatsky's predictions and teachings.

The future has in store for Humanity strange surprises, and Theosophy,
or rather its adherents, will be vindicated fully in no very distant day.
— H. P. Blavatsky

STEVEN LEVY, MD (Psychiatrist) - Philadelphia, Pa. - ULT
Toward a Psychology for the 21st Century: A Theosophical Perspective

Current mainstream scientific opinion holds that all aspects of human mind and consciousness are generated by physical processes occurring in the brain. New scientific empirical evidence demonstrates that this reductive materialism is inadequate and new theoretical models are emerging. Dr. Levy reviews these new findings and theoretical approaches from a Theosophical perspective. The emerging psychology, in accordance with leading edge contemporary physics, neurophysiology, and cognitive science, concludes that consciousness is, as Blavatsky says, "in every universal atom.� (Kosmic Mind).

Without doubt, this one-sided mode of dealing with the problem is due largely to
the pernicious Western practice of subordinating consciousness, or regarding it as
a “by-product� of molecular motion. – (H. P. Blavatsky, SD I:327)

This enlarged scientific psychology, supported by the tremendous methodological and technological advances of the 20th Century and conceptual changes in the philosophy of Science accounts for a broader range of human experience.

Already two camps are forming among the votaries of scientific research. One
wages war on the other, and hard words are occasionally exchanged. The apple of
discord in this case is—Spiritualism. Fresh and illustrious victims are yearly decoyed
away from the impregnable strongholds of materialistic negation, and ensnared into
examining and testing the alleged spiritual phenomena. (H. P. Blavatsky, War In Olympus)

DAVID ROEF, Ph.D Belgium, NE (Antwerp ULT)
Wheres' the Proof? - A Critical Analysis of Mainstream Science and Occult Science

What is science? When can we call something scientific? What is the scientific method and how does it differ from methods used in ancient science and esoteric science? Is there only one scientific method, namely that of the naturalistic reductionist paradigm? What is pseudo-science? And what is the relationship between the BIG THREE: science, religion and philosophy? Possible answers can be found when we reflect about the methodological differences between ancient science, modern science, pseudo-science and occult science. We are inclined to think that all these ‘sciences’ us the same method but applied on a different plane or field. And that there should not be any conflict between them, because they may all be called scientific…But is this really true? This is not an easy question but necessary when we want a sincere debate. These different “sciences� or rather uses of the word “science� should first be clarified, studied and understood, not only in their philosophical principles (in other words: their ‘way’ of looking and ‘recreating’ reality) but also in their cultural and historical roots and developments, in order to have a more or less clear view on the interesting relationship between the current scientific world view and the theosophical worldview.

HELENA E. KEREKHAZI, M.S.,ED., N.R.N.P New York City ULT
Neurofeedback & Brain Mapping: A Theosophical Perspective on Consciousness and Healing

Helena gave up a successful career as a NYC special needs teacher of children and adults, to spearhead research groups into studying the brain more directly, and identifying new therapies that tackle the tangles of brain pathologies. Breakthroughs in electrical and magnetic imaging are opening new doorways into our understanding and treatment of the brain which is much more plastic than previously thought. Unfortunately, mainstream neurology and psychology have been far too slow in adapting and implementing this new paradigm. Helena urges the earliest possible intervention for autism and learning disabilities as opposed to filling our prisons and avoiding our social responsibilities. The "Problem of Evil" often appearing in the media today has much more to do with our lack of understanding and creativity in addressing how we can all better connect to the healing energies of the Spiritual Mind. There will be discussion on how to develop and disseminate information on enhancing our Brain/Mind, Buddhi-Manas and Universal Mind connections, as well as that of the race mind as it exists now. Encompasses the promising new shift slowly emerging in science and medicine. Breathtaking new images of the brain will be unveiled.

the human brain is simply the canal between two planes — the psycho-spiritual and the material — through which every abstract and metaphysical idea filters from the Manasic down to the lower human consciousness.. . .There is a spiritual consciousness, the Manasic mind illumined by the light of Buddhi, that which subjectively perceives abstractions; and the sentient consciousness (the lower Manasic light), inseparable from our physical brain and senses. … It is only the former kind of consciousness, whose root lies in eternity, which survives and lives for ever, and may, therefore, be regarded as immortal.— (H. P. Blavatsky)

REED CARSON, President-Founder, www.blavatsky.net
Theosophical Insights: Atlantis and Cro-Magnon Man

Anthropology is mystified by the unknown origins of Cro-Magnon Man. The presentation explores how recent discoveries in mitochondrial DNA analysis support HPB's statements on Cro-Magnon's origins. Those origins are Atlantis. Other less well known but substantial puzzles are presented -including the implications of the strange alphabet on the Glozzel tablet. These considerations lead to an analysis of the physical questions concerning Atlantis. The exact location of Atlantis on the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean is given, along with a look at the ocean floor at that point. This location exactly matches Plato's description and supports the claims of HPB. The exact year of the sinking of Atlantis as specified by a master is given. One number calculated by science - to be considered in depth - comes within 13 years of the date specified by the master. Thus the physical properties of HPB's Atlantis are completely vindicated. The cause of the sinking is explained along with supporting hints from HPB and Plato. Along the way some paradigms are shattered. A drawing of a "cave woman" discovered in a Cro-Magnon cave wall painting, has sewn clothes, shoes, and fancy hat!

JUDY SALZMAN, Ph.D, Santa Barbara, CA (Santa Barbara, ULT)
God Vs. Science: The Battle Royal

The featured debate in the November 13, 2006 issue of Time magazine was between well-known scientists Dr. Francis Collins, who is a Christian, and Dr. Richard Dawkins, who is an atheist. The article reported a lively exchange between these two scientific heavyweights who answered questions from a moderator about various controversies involving religion and science. Dr. Salzman will summarize the important points of the Time article and offer Theosophical commentary. In the first exchange, Dawkins and Collins apparently agreed that the proposition "God exists" is either true or false. Dawkins indicated that science is appropriate to the task of answering the question, but Collins disagreed: "From my perspective, God cannot be completely contained within nature, and therefore God's existence is outside of science's ability to really weigh in.�

Whither, then, should we turn, in our perplexity, but to the ancient sages, since,
on the pretext of superstition, we are refused an explanation by the modern? Let
us ask them what they know of genuine science and religion; not in the matter of
mere details, but in all the broad conception of these twin truths — so strong in
their unity, so weak when divided.� – (HPB Isis Unveiled, xi)

Science will be as far from the solution of its difficulties as it is now, unless it comes
to some compromise with Occultism and even with Alchemy -- which supposition will
be regarded as an impertinence, but remains a fact, nevertheless. (SD 1:496)

EVA MOBERG, Malmo, Sweden (Malmo, ULT)
The Art and Science of Natural Healing

Presentation on the Bach Flower Remedies, Homeopathy and other Healing Arts
(Details to follow in future mailings)

DONNA BYCZKIEWICZ, B.A. (San Diego, ULT)
Director of Multimedia, Dept. of Anthropology/Archaeology
San Diego State University

21st Century Theosophical Messengers and Society

How 21st-century humanity, social movements and ideologies can be embraced by Theosophists to increase the awareness and influence of Theosophical Teachings.

PETER BERNIN, Malmo, Sweden (Malmo, ULT)
Hilma af Klint & H. P. Blavatsky

By all accounts, Af Klint was a sober, well-balanced woman. Her art and beliefs, however, were extreme. Regarded as a clairvoyant from childhood, she was a medium and one of Sweden's first followers of the theosophical teachings of Madame Blavatsky. Before she died, at the age of 81 in 1944, the Swedish artist Hilma af Klint stipulated that her paintings were not to be shown in public for 20 years after her death. Perhaps she felt that the world was not yet ready for them.

What is slightly unnerving is that, in 1932, Af Klint produced a number of watercolours predicting the second world war. One, titled A Map/The Blitz, shows a fiery wind, coming from Europe, curling from Southampton round the coast to Liverpool and London. Another map depicts "the fights in the Mediterranean", with a brown cloud spreading over North Africa, southern Italy, Gibraltar and Bordeaux. We might see Af Klint's art and her whole life struggle as symptomatic of an age, a culture and the peculiarities of her psychological and emotional make up. A century ago, the occult, spiritualism and in particular the theosophical teachings of Madame Blavatsky were all the rage. (The Guardian)


FILMS, SLIDE SHOWS, MULTI-MEDIA AND DISCUSSION GROUPS
Where Does The Evidence Lead? — (Intelligent Design)
Entangled Minds — (Dean Radin, Psi and Frontiers of Consciousness)
The Day I Died — (Scientifically documented mind-out-of-body)
Stairways to Heaven — The Practical Magic of Sacred Space (Film)
The Biology of Perception – Piecing it all together (Dr. Bruce Lipton & Rob Williams)

DISCUSSION GROUP: Are ethics scientific? Can spiritual growth withstand everyday stress?

Conference Logo: "Theophanic Light" by Rassouli

Rassouli has developed a style called Fusionart. Fusionart has emerged through a journey of spirit creating and expressing the universal language of love as a guide in every human heart toward unity beyond all individual belief and cultural differences. www.rassouli.com/home.htm

The final program and complete details of this conference will be available soon
on the following websites:

www.theosophysandiego.org

www.blavatsky.net

I will make plans to be there again this year.

But I am NOT sleeping in a TeePee this time. :angry:

"But I am NOT sleeping in a TeePee this time."

Hi everybody!

I just received this information via e-mail, which may contain some new information for some of you.

~~~

"THEOSOPHY AND NEW FRONTIERS OF SCIENCE"

Honoring the birth and genius of H. P. Blavatsky

An experience that will forever change your vision of reality. Join us for an
inspiring journey of enlightenment into the practical wisdom of ancient
theosophical masters, and new frontiers of science and spirituality.

August 10-12, 2007
Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Institute of Nöetic Sciences-Retreat Center
Petaluma, California

"[We] have previously acknowledged her [H.P. Blavatsky] as an integral part of our own origins."

- Willis W. Harman, Ph.D, President Emeritus, IONS

This year's Conference will be held at the Institute of Nöetic Sciences (IONS) on their 200 acre campus, near Petaluma, in northern California. IONS is a nonprofit membership organization exploring the frontiers of consciousness, and is supportive of Theosophical endeavors. The campus consists of offices, a scientific laboratory, fully equipped conference rooms, dining facility and a retreat center. This is a beautiful site, with many outdoor activities for children and adults. Please visit www.ions.org to see pictures of the campus and links to all important information.

PROGRAM AND PRESENTERS http://www.blavatsky.net/events/BN-PROGRAM-LINK-2007.pdf

LOCATION AND ACCOMODATION http://www.blavatsky.net/events/BN-ACCOMOD...S-LINK-2007.pdf

RESERVATION FORM http://www.blavatsky.net/events/BN-RESERVA...M-LINK-2007.pdf

TRANSPORTATION INFO http://www.theosophysandiego.org

RETREAT CENTER: http://www.ions.org/retreat.cfm

DIRECTIONS: http://www.ions.org/retreat/directions.cfm

HISTORY OF IONS AND ASTRONAUT EDGAR MITCHELL (FOUNDER):
http://www.ions.org/about/history.cfm

San Diego Theosophists, Inc.
P.O. Box 459
Julian, CA 92036

I used to spend summers out in Petaluma, back when it was just chicken farms. Did a lot of gold mining exploring though, and enjoyed the countryside. I am going to be in California in September, I think I am just missing this event. What a shame.


... Christian

Christian,

Maybe I can send you a souvenir from there. (How about a little bottle full of gravel from the driveway...?)

What is your schedule for California?

Nick,

I gather its a thriving metropolis now? :o What did they do with all those chickens???

"What did they do with all those chickens???"

:blink:

Hi everybody!

I have just returned home from the Petaluma conference. It was a great conference. When I get a chance, I will post highlights from some of the presentations.

...wait till you hear about the chickens....

Hi everybody!

First we must give credit to Jim and Sally Colbert. They have been bankrolling these conferences for years, and these conferences would not be happening without their help. I understand they lost $1,000 on last year's conference.

Thanks again, Jim and Sally.

Jim told me that the San Diego ULT Lodge made up that shortfall (due to an incorrect estimate on the facility cost). I agree that Jim and Sally deserve our thanks,

Also, a big tip'o'the'hat to Odin Townley for doing much of the work.

Yes, Odin worked his tail off for three days. (There is no telling how much work Odin put in before the conference even started....)

Garrett also put in some long hours at the reception desk. Thanks, Garrett!

Here are my rambling and disorganized notes from Donna Byczkiewicz's presentation.

21ST CENTURY THEOSOPHICAL MESSENGERS AND SOCIETY

given by Donna Byczkiewicz ULT San Diego

Hypatia was a female student at the ancient Library of Alexandria. She is said to have taught Theosophical ideas. Annie Besant said she was an incarnation of Hypatia.

Here are some questions the speaker asked us to consider: Why did Theosophy split into three groups? Why are certain Theosophical writings discounted? Isn't it universal brotherhood the basic teaching? Has 21st century Theosophy lived up to what it was meant to be, over 100 years ago? In the past century, we have seen a huge explosion in technology -- what effect has this had on Theosophy and vice versa?

We need to look at how each civilization is a part of a brotherhood. The concept of brotherhood shows how we are all linked karmically, expecially with crimminals, addicts, etc., so we need to see how we can practically implement our ideas for the benefit of these kinds of people.

We were referred to an article in Sunrise magazine.

www.theosophy-nw.org/theosnw/issues/gl-jans.htm

Thoughts on the Future

by Rudi Jansma

Donna's reactions to the article were: What is a Theosophist? Anyone who is working for universal harmony and brotherhood is a Theosophist. Many events happening in the world today are the seeds of moving towards unity and harmony. Many things, for example, Live Earth, are helping us to feel a closer connection to what is happening in the world. These are all seeds to show us we are part of a greater whole. Seeds of unity and brotherhood are being planted.

"The earth will be Heaven in the 21st century, in comparison to what it is today" -- Key to Theosophy

The message is that WE are the Theosophical Messengers of the 21st century.

TOWARDS A PSYCHOLOGY FOR THE 21ST CENTURY

Dr. Steve Levy

Dr. Levy's main theses are

(1) The mind is not the brain. There are many documented quasi-metaphysical events that occur independent of a physical brain, but most psychologists and psychiatrists think what occurs inside the brain is the only thing scientists should be looking at.

(2) Most psychologists and psychiatrists refuse to consider documented cases that indicate the mind is separate from the brain.

Here are my rambling and disorganized notes from Dr. Levy's presentation.

A new psychology is necessary -- current neurological theories are inadequate.

We were asked to consider these scientific assumptions.

"Everything we do is in terms of biology, chemistry, and physics."

"Our ability to learn is the result of evolution."

"Everything comes to us through our senses."

"Everything we sense comes from our brain."

Science in this area breaks down into three areas.

(1) Modern neuroscience. Every mental state has a corresponding brain state. (What about Love etc.?) Behavior = stimuli = observable changes in matter. Brain = input --> output.

(2) Computational Theories of Mind. Mental states are a web of interacting processing units. Brain = a computer that organizes symbols. Connected networks are associated with neural structures within the brain.

(3) Neuroimaging Techniques. This is observing brain activity, e.g., watching glucose molecules in the brain, seeing lesions, and showing levels of mental activity (via magnetic imaging).

Can everything we know about the mind be explained by brain activity? No, a new psychology is necessary. There are psycho-physiological influences (states of mind) that cannot be explained by science. For example, yogis can cause their brain waves to go flat, they can stop their heartbeat.

Another example is how a change in one person's mind can effect another person's body. There are documented cases of one person putting a "curse" on another person, and that curse effecting the second person, even though the second person knows nothing of the curse. Another example is placebos -- the more convinced the is, the better the effectiveness of the placebo. False pregnancies (a woman thinks she is pregnant when she is not) also occur with significant physiological consequences. Other examples are stigmata (people born with birthmarks that look like crosses or wound-marks from previous-life injuries, or people who have wounds that disappear and heal rapidly without a scar).

Another example is physical characteristics that appear and disappear in people with multiple personalities, depending on which personality is appearing at the moment. Changes take place in every organ. One person can be deaf or mute, have an accent, have a different language than the other personality. Changes in handwriting and allergies occur. There are different responses to medications for addictions. Color blindness and astigmatisms change. Visual acuity changes.

Another example is distant intentional studies. One person sends a message to another person, usually involuntary things like skin conductance, etc. Chance is 5%, but it happens 37% of the time.

Reincarnation studies. Deceased memories. Behavior change, phobias, gender confusion. Stories that "jive." Example; a drowning that lead to water phobia. Birthmarks and defects that correspond to the deceased person. Very often it is a birthmark that corresponds to a wound that killed them. There are 100’s of these cases.

How are physiological processes initiated by ideas? This is not explained by today’s psychology.

Memory. Unexplained past-life memory. Memory that survives brain-part loss. Memories that happen when the brain is anesthetized.

Automatic writing. Playing a violin while in trance, or speaking a foreign language.

These things suggest there are centers of consciousness outside ordinary awareness.

Savants (idiots who play the piano). Normal people who are geniuses at calculating – the answer just “happens”. They cannot do it with paper and pencil.

Near-death experiences. Floating and looking down. Hearing and seeing what is said, even with no brain-wave activity. Mind functions when the brain is inactive or impaired. MRI’s show no activity. The brain is dead, yet the mind functions in some vastly improved way. “Dead” patients have been able to describe what people in the waiting room are thinking.

~~~

What is the consensus of today’s scientists? These things are not explainable by today’s theories.

What is the fate of mainstream modern psychology?

Other behaviors that show “mental activity” at a higher level. Sometimes we study something but just cannot “get” it, then we “get” it as an “Aha” experience. Ideas can resonate with us without our understanding of that of idea.

Dr. Levy believes only 5% of psychiatrists and psychologists believe these ideas, and the other 95% believe it is all hogwash. There are cases of psychiatrists who have been driven out of practice for having such beliefs.

Copernicus wrote that the world was not ready for his ideas, and that he was only writing for the benefit of future generations.

Philosophy: Dualism. Spirit vs. Matter. One or the other has been dominant. In the 1900’s the materialism reigned supreme, but things started to change. “Neutral Monism”, the idea that Reality transcends spirit and matter appeared. “Naturalistic Dualism” is the idea that there is only “substance” which has both physical and mental properties.

Religion. The rise of Eastern Philosophies. The rise of esoteric Christianity (Gnosis, Kabbalah, etc.) Doing MRI’s on mystics in trances, etc.

Patanjali’s Yoga Aphorisms. Techniques to raise consciousness. Non-religious results that can be “measured”.

Quantum Theory. Reality is based only on the observer. Matter and energy are interchangeable.

Noetic Science. Using scientific principles to study “true” consciousness.

Noetic Assumptions. Consciousness is not a product of matter, it is its own fundamental phenomenon. Genius and mystical phenomena are evidence of a Higher Mind. Mind can operate independent of the brain. Different planes of consciousness.

The Contribution of Theosophy. Psychology is the study of the Ego (Higher Mind) as well as brain. Consider the spiritual nature of the personality. We must study mind and consciousness as well as the brain. Spirit causes consciousness and thought. Consciousness exists separate from the brain. The brain is the vehicle of the mind on the physical plane, and is also the Ego. The Ego acts on seven different planes. Different parts of the brain have different functions. Memory is registered in the egoic entity and the brain is merely a canal between two planes. The brain is a filter. The egoic is independent of the body, and manifests in an incarnation. The Higher Mind is the source of self-consciousness and “I am I.”

The Lower Mind radiates from our Higher Mind, but we then identify only with the Lower Mind. This is a mistaken self-identification. Our Lower M8ind is influenced by the brain and senses. The Lower and Higher can interact. Higher Mind is generally unconscious to us. Intuition, etc., is evidence of a Higher Mind.

Psychology must —

Say how the mind influenced the body. Account for how altered states impact on the body and between bodies. Account for geniuses. Demonstrate all these connections.

The Mind-Brain problem lies at the heart of Psychology.

Here are my rambling and disorganized notes from Helena Kerekhazi's presentation.

NEUROMODULATION: THE NEW SCIENCE OF SHIFTING CONSCIOUSNESS.

One in four adults have a diagnosable mental disorder.
20% of adults have a lifetime risk for depression.
10% a risk for addiction.
10-15% for insomnia.
18% for Adult Anxiety Disorder.

The way we learn to make attachments as a child effect our later life in many ways.

~~~

Unfortunately, my notes stop here. Does anyone have notes from Helena's presentation?

Hi everybody!

Here are my rambling and disorganized notes from Dr. David Roef's presentation.

WHERE'S THE PROOF? A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF SCIENCE AND OCCULT SCIENCE

"Outside of Initiation, no knowledge of esotericism is possible, and all is speculation" — HPB

"One cannot be a professor of Theosophy. one can only be a student of Theosophy, because Theosophy is life, and we cannot study life, we can only live life."

"There is no conflict between true occultism and true science" — SD

"Science cannot reveal the truth of the nature of the universe" — HPB

"Science is our greatest ally" — Mahatma Letters

"Science theorizes about phenomena, occultism deals with metaphysical data."

"We must change our consciousness as well as our senses."

"Integral wholeness must include science."

"Science cannot tell us the why of phenomena." — HPB They cannot. We should demand such a thing. Something must change first.

Our differences are: Science develops through the intellect and instruments, occultism asks us to us the real Ego.

A stupid, arrogant person who develops psychic powers is still stupid and arrogant.

Science is to think about it. Philosophy is to feel about about it. Religion is to know about it. The understand is to transcend all three. Theosophy is the synthesis of all three.

Definition of esoteric and exoteric science: There are different approaches to different levels of reality. For example, meta-archeology focuses on an esoteric topic -- it deals with another reality. (How many realities are there...?)

Reality is graded into Planes. The higher transcends the lower, but is not separate. Atman expresses itself in Buddhi. Buddhi expresses itself in Manas. As aspect of it embodies itself into a body. We learn we have a physical body by first-hand experience. 1+1=2 is not a physical truth, it is a mathematical truth, it is an empirical truth. We have to think about whether 1+1=2 is true. We do not think about whether it is raining outside: we just go out and see it.

Higher is not the effect of, but the source of the lower. (This is downward not upward reality.) Therefore, the soul-mind is the source of the physical body, not vice-verse. A part of the higher "emanates" into the lower. The higher is the noumenum or cause of the lower. The higher transcends and includes the lower.

Is our consciousness in our bodies, or our bodies in our consciousness? Most people say the first, yet Theosophy says the second. The soul envelopes the body, and is present within it.

Evolution is to give birth to things already present in a body. Each thing emanates from something higher. Is a mineral the sum of a vegetable? No. What else does a vegetable have?

Lower Manas must die, to give birth to higher Manas.

Spirit"
- Atma
- Buddhi
- Manas

Soul
- Lower Manas
- Kama (desire)

Body
- energetic
- astral
- physical

Vidya (Knowledge) = Spirit
- Atma-vidya: knowledge of life
- Gupta-vidya: secret wisdom = theosophic = gnosis

Soul + Body = Avidya: ignorance

Psychologists with only the physical senses are only behaviorists. Gurus in caves know nothing of science. They will say something like, "The Earth is resting on the back of a turtle." We must respect each level. But are these spiritual facts?

Adepts use the various vidyas to examine things in various ways.

* Reductionism = Nothing-but-ism. All has collapsed to one level, the material level. Y is reducible to X: Only X is real. For example, Mental is reducible to the brain: Only the brain is real (is what scientists say).

* What is real? Science says only that which is spacial and temporal is real. But aren't thoughts real? Isn't suffering real? Isn't joy real?

A mind only has thoughts, feelings, fears, etc. A mind cannot see objective objects.

* The Scientific Method. It brought rationality into the world. Reason triumphed over superstition. But the first victory was empiricism not rationality. Using pure logic: An object that is twice as heavy will fall twice as fast. Logical truth was a rationalized argument. The rationally argued there is a God. Does a heavier object fall faster? It makes sense, but let's prove it. Science goes beyond logic. Science has delivered us from empiricism.

Galileo told the church leaders to look through his telescope, and they said no. The idea that the Earth went around the Sun didn't make sense.

* What is proof? Do not confuse different levels. Do not use biology to explain spirituality. Each level has its only proof. You can only use geometry to discuss Pythagorean's Theory.

* Scientific: (1) Try it. (2) I see it. (3) I can confirm it by sharing it with others and see if they agree.

* What is Theosophy? An uninterrupted story of experiences over the centuries handed down. All is investigated and confirmed. No vision of an Adept was accepted until confirmed.

There are different realities. One cannot explain another. Reductionism will continue. Anything of the higher appears as a footprint in the lower. One day we will see the beast which has left its footprints.

Theosophy is not an ~ism. Man originated with true knowledge. Religion, philosophy, and science are one with Theosophy.

Hi everybody!

Here are my rambling and disorganized notes from Christopher Holmes' presentation. Christopher's presentation was about zero points, also called laya points and singularities. His main premise was that HPB taught many sub-atomic theories that scientists are only now beginning to confirm. The idea is, every atom, every human, and every Dhyani-Chohan originates from its own unique singularity.

GOD, SCIENCE, AND THE SECRET DOCTRINE

"Diety is in every point in the universe" — SD 1-114

"The aim of this work may be thus stated: to show that Nature is not "a fortuitous concurrence of atoms," and to assign to man his rightful place in the scheme of the Universe; to rescue from degradation the archaic truths which are the basis of all religions...." SD 1-viii

"...the rejection of these teachings may be expected, and must be accepted beforehand. No one styling himself a "scholar," in whatever department of exact science, will be permitted to regard these teachings seriously. They will be derided and rejected a priori in this century; but only in this one." SD 1-xxxvii

God's contracting universe. The more we learn about the universe, the less God has to do. Theosophy does not believe in a Divine God, but rather, in Creators of Intelligent Design.

The surpose of The Secret Doctrine is to bring science and religion into harmony. Zero symbolizes the Absolute in the Stanzas. Even Yin-Yang is not a duality but triunity.

"There is but one indivisible and absolute Omniscience and Intelligence in the Universe, and this thrills throughout every atom and infinitesimal point of the whole finite Kosmos which hath no bounds, and which people call SPACE, considered independently of anything contained in it." SD 1-277

The Theosophical Pre-Creation Trinity

Be-ness
Eternal Parent-Space
Ceaseless Breath

Space is called the Seven-Skinned Eternal Mother-Father. (SD 1-8-9)

Three fall into Four. The fourth is the Ring Pass-Not.

The Three become the Seven-Skinned Eternal Mother-Father.

Even before Creation, a seven-level Hypercreation (seven inside) "exists".

Creation happens. ("Seven below")

"...from its primordial point gradually emerged into existence the myriads of worlds, visible and invisible celestial bodies." (SD 1-579)

Seven Circumgyrating Breaths

Causes of Laws of Nature (magnetism, etc.) (SD 1-147-148)

Seven invisible points within the area of the manifested universe.

An infinite number of universes emerge from an infinite number of laya centers in Parent-Space. (SD 1-116)

See also the Laplace Theory in Sd 1-592.

Primary Creation is Light, Secondary Creation is matter. (SD 1-450)

This is, then, Action at a distance. (SD 1-487-488)

~~~

This ends my notes on Christopher's lecture. A great deal of scientific information in charts was presented, but I cannot reproduce it here. Christopher has a book, God, Science, and The Secret Doctrine, which I purchased at the conference, and contains many of these charts. I purchased it from Ken Small, and perhaps he has more copies for sale. You can also visit Christopher's website:

http://www.zeropoint.ca/

Nick, All, Here is a nice article from Jim and Sally Colbert on their thoughts on "unsectarianism" following the Petaluma conference.

Returning From a Theosophical Conference

Gives us all something to think about.

Jon,

Thanks for the link. That is a fascinating story about the mysterious "man who received a ride."

I think we have all seen an increase in pluralism in the various forms of Theosophy in the last 100 years. The willingness for people of various Theosophical traditions to attend each other's conferences, and the willingness of conference sponsors to let everyone in is a great thing.