What attracted me to Theosophy? That's a question I used to frequently ask newcomers who came to the TS Lodge in Milwaukee. You would get some interesting answers. In my case, I would have to say it was "karma." What I mean by that answer is that my past karma resulted in my being born to a mother and father who were both Theosophists. My grandmother was also a member, which makes me a 3rd generation Theosophist. When I was growing up as a kid, I loved to read. My parent's library had plenty of books by such writers as Besant, Leadbeater, Hodson, Jinarajadasa, Arundale, Blavatsky, and others. I was exposed to the theosophical ideas early on. Of course, you might say being born into a theosophical family was just a matter of chance.But I don't think so, and for this reason. I had three sisters and two brothers, all of whom had the same parents and had the same opportunity to read theosophical literature as I did, yet I was the only one of my brothers and sisters that really got interested in Theosophy. So I figure that would be an indication that I came into this incarnation having already developed an affinity for Theosophy from past lives. In any case, it has had a profound influence on me and shaped the way I view life and the world. At this time I am very fortunate to be able to work at the national headquarters of the TSA in Wheaton, Illinois. It is a wonderful opportunity to work for the Society and the Masters and I am very thankful that this opportunity came my way. I have been the director of education since 2003. Before that I worked in the electronic distrubution industry for some 20 years. That helped pay the bills and put food on the table but my heart was never in it. Now I am doing something I love and I look forward to going into work each and every day. I never thought that I would end up working where I now am working, but life sometimes has some surprises that you can't anticipate.
Wow, David, that is a great story.
I have often what kind of karma causes us to be Theosophists in this life. Were we members before? (Can anyone identify themself as a particular writer-member from years gone by...?)
It is indeed a special karma that allows us to be born into a Theosophical family. I was introduced to Theosophy when my brother got married, and his new mother-in-law (a Theosophist) came into our family. She introduced me to Theosophy. and, as they say, the rest is history. I always tell my brother the biggest favor he ever did for me was to get married, so his new mother-in-law could tell me about Theosophy!
I am sure that many of us would like to work full-time in the Theosophical world, but we do not have that option. I am glad to see you were able to pull it off. The rest of us will just keep plugging along, "working" for Theosophy on a part-time, non-paid basis.
You are correct that merely being exposed to Theosophy does not mean we will end up going in that direction. My very own sister ended up becoming a fundamentalist Christian!