Some Difficulties of the Inner Life

Choong Chi Pin gives a talk based on a pamphlet by Annie Besant of the same title first printed by TPH, Adyar in March 1913. Synopsis follows:

“...He (the aspirant) finds that his life consists of a series of ever-varying states of consciousness, of alternating conditions of thought and feeling. ..... And the worst of it is that he is unable to trace these effects to any very definite causes; they come and go, impermanent, and are as little predicable as the summer winds. Why was meditation easy, smooth, fruitful, yesterday ? why is it hard, irregular, barren, today ?...”

5th May 2014

Commencement of the 37th A Course in Theosophy & Meditation

Lecture 1: The Different Planes of Nature

Knowing the different planes of nature; the different bodies of man and the different vehicles of consciousness.

8th May 2014

37th A Course in Theosophy & Meditation

Lecture 2: Man’s Evolution

A discourse on evolution; where we come from and where we are going to; the Law of Karma; Reincarnation as a process of evolution.

10th May 2014

37th A Course in Theosophy & Meditation

Lecture 3: Death & After

Putting death in its rightful place as a function of evolution. A discourse on the life after death and the harm of mourning for the dead.

12th May 2014

37th A Course in Theosophy & Meditation

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.

The Wesak Festival

This is an annual talk on esoteric Buddhism and the Great Wesak Blessing, including a video of ordinary pilgrims at the Wesak Valley. Members are invited to celebrate Wesak Day at the Lodge. Members who have attended this talk previously may be interested to know that we will be showing new slides indicating the actual location of the Wesak Valley. Read about the Great Wesak Blessing and the Wesak Festival in the May 2014 newsletter.

This programme is for members only.

15th May 2014

37th A Course in Theosophy & Meditation

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'.

17th May 2014

37th A Course in Theosophy & Meditation

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.

19th May 2014

37th A Course in Theosophy & Meditation

Conclusion of the 37th A Course in Theosophy

Lecture 7: The Noble Eightfold Path

The subject of this last lecture is on 'The Noble Eightfold Path'. This lecture gives the guidelines on how to quicken the evolutionary pace; the perfection of virtues and the ideals of right living. We will talk about how to live the life of a true theosophist and finding peace and joy in the process, in other words, the application of theosophical knowledge. This last lecture wraps up A Course in Theosophy.

22nd May 2014

Commencement of the Meditation Course

Lecture 1: Basic Rules of Meditation

How to go about meditation and what results to expect; the 3 stages of meditation; how to train the monkey mind.

24th May 2014

Meditation Course

Lecture 2: Meditation for Development of the True Self

Insight into the real nature of thought and how it can be used in meditation for the development of the True Self.

26th May 2014

Meditation Course

Lecture 3: Meditation to achieve Union with the Divine

How meditation is used to achieve the ultimate goal of all meditation—Union with the Divine.

Understanding Karma

All members and friends are welcome to participate in the discussion on this great eternal law of Nature—the Law of Cause and Effect or better known as the Law of Karma. The subject is open to the audience for topical discussion following an introduction by Chong Sanne. This programme will be particularly useful for those who attended the recent ACTM 37.