2nd June, 2004

Wesak Celebration

The esoteric Wesak Festival and the Wesak Day public holiday normally coincide, but not this year (see the article on The Great Wesak Blessing in last month’s newsletter). Although the esoteric Wesak Festival took place in the early morning of 5 May our time, we believe there will also be a tremendous outpouring of beneficent forces on 2 June 2004 as millions of people--a great portion of the world’s population--will be celebrating Wesak on that day. This, we understand, is in line with the law of nature that divine forces will take advantage of great congregations of devotional people as useful channels for the outpouring of blessing.

We shall celebrate Wesak Day as we normally do, with a talk giving a detailed account of the esoteric Wesak Festival including a video recording made by an Australian TV station of pilgrims gathering at the legendary Wesak Valley. We will then have a group meditation for 30 mins. A vegetarian buffet lunch has been kindly sponsored by Bro. Kam Chai Heng for the benefit of participants.

3rd June, 2004

18th Basic Theosophy Course

Lecture 3: Death and After

This will be the first of three lectures on death and the post-mortem states of man. The first lecture is on 'Death & After' describing the process of dying and a summary of the post-mortem states. We will be presenting the theosophical view on death as a recurring event in the course of man’s pilgrimage towards divinity. We shall also talk about where the man goes to after leaving aside his physical vesture. An important aspect of the talk is on the harm of mourning. This lecture, which also covers the karma of death, is useful and is in fact a prerequisite for the next two lectures, viz. 'The Astral Plane' and 'The Mental Plane'.

Study Class—Light on the Path

Commencement of the Study Class on Part II of Light on the Path

Q & A and Free Discussion

The Lodge will be open for a question and answer session and free discussion, with Chong Sanne as the moderator.
 

10th June, 2004

18th Basic Theosophy Course

Lecture 4: The Astral Plane

This is a continuation of the lecture on death and after. A general description of the Astral Plane and its inhabitants will be covered. We shall also discuss man’s activities when the physical body is asleep and when he sheds his physical body at death. We will also talk about ghosts and other phenomena.

Study Class—Light on the Path

  The Nag Hammadi Discoveries & The Dead Sea Scrolls

Sis. Gertrude Weerekoon talks about the accidental discovery of the Gnostic Library at Nag Hammadi and the Dead Sea Scrolls. (Note: This programme was originally scheduled for 15th May 2004.)
 

17th June, 2004

18th Basic Theosophy Course

Lecture 5: The Mental Plane

We will be talking about both the higher and the lower mental planes. This is a continuation of the lectures on death and after and the astral plane. A short description of the heaven world and its inhabitants will be covered. Does everyone go to heaven? We shall soon find out.

The Mental Plane is also the realm of the Mind, i.e. the plane where thought arises. We will discuss further the subject of elemental kingdoms and the elemental essence that ensoul thoughts. Hence, this lecture serves as an introduction to 'thought-forms', one of the most important aspects of nature. This lecture is useful, if not a prerequisite for the 6th lecture on 'Thought-Forms' next week.

Study Class—Light on the Path

Reincarnation—Fact or Fallacy?

An illustrated talk by the Hon. Secretary, Lily Chong, giving a comprehensive look at Reincarnation from both the occult tradition as well as the scientific viewpoint. The scientific research by Dr. Ian Stevenson of the University of Virginia will be discussed together with theosophical explanations. See story in the newsletter.
 

24th June, 2004

18th Basic Theosophy Course

Lecture 6: Thought-Forms

This is probably the most important lecture in the whole course as knowledge of thought-forms will help us conduct ourselves better and live a life in harmony with nature. The lecture will include the following: What are thought-forms? How your thoughts affect others, near or far from you. The virtue of having the right thoughts and the consequences of bad thoughts.

Study Class—Light on the Path

The Lost Continents of Lemuria and Atlantis

Chong Sanne will give a lecture on The Lost Continents of Lemuria and Atlantis. This is a sequel to the talk given last month on the Doctrine of Cycles. The talk is about the third and fourth Root Races and the land they inhabited.