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Time:
10:30 - 11:45
Date:
25 July 2025

Workshops (II)

  1. "Nine Meditation Techniques According to the Yoga-Sūtra", Ricardo Lindemann, TS Brazil
  2. “Practical tools for working through the personality”, Barbara Hebert, TS America
  3. “The essential work of the TS”, Pablo Sender, TS America
  4. Transformative Education -- The Art of Living and Learning”, Sonal Murali, TS India
  5. “Compassion in Action: Basics of the Energetic Healing Method, Therapeutic Touch®”, Leonie van Gelder, TS America and Donna Erickson, TS Canada
  6. “The Future of the Theosophical Society and the Work of its Young Members”, Francis Lim and Leo Ta, WFYT, World Federation of Young Theosophists

 

1. "Nine Meditation Techniques According to the Yoga-Sūtra", Ricardo Lindemann, TS Brazil

Blavatsky considered Rāja-Yoga to be synonymous with Practical Occultism. In this theoretical-practical workshop, at least nine classical techniques from Patañjali’s Yoga-Sūtra will be presented to overcome distraction. These techniques, which are optional according to the tendencies or different temperaments of each practitioner, aim to reverse the nine obstacles or tendencies to distraction (vikṣepa), which will be studied as a diagnosis. Their objective is to avoid the projection of the mind outwards and thus enable the practice of Concentration, and later Contemplation and Ecstasy, which are the last stages of Rāja-Yoga in search of Liberation from human suffering.

2. “Practical tools for working through the personality”, Barbara Hebert, TS America

Throughout the Congress, we will be addressing our journey Toward Insight and Wholeness. This interactive workshop will focus on one of the ways that will facilitate our movement in this direction. Using quotes from a variety of theosophical authors and traditional psychological sources, we will explore some practical tools to facilitate working through the personality. In so doing, our own inner strength expedites our movement toward personal insight and wholeness. Ultimately, our individual growth aids all of humanity as it treads the path of awareness and healing.

3. “The Fundamental Work of the Theosophical Society”, Pablo Sender, TS America

A Workshop on the Origins, Nature, and Spiritual Mission of the TS

The Theosophical Society was founded not merely as a philosophical association, but as a living conduit for spiritual influence—intended to uplift human consciousness and prepare the mental and moral soil for the emergence of the new humanity of intuition. In this light, the Society is not simply an institution but a spiritual organism with an inner purpose.

What is the essential work of the TS? What is it expected to offer a world in crisis? And how may we, members of this Society, participate in its sacred mission? This workshop offers a reflective exploration of the TS—its founding impulse, spiritual principles, and the vital role it plays in the evolution of humanity.

4. “Transformative Education -- The Art of Living and Learning”, Sonal Murali, TS India

Workshop 2: A theosophical school is a place where the child is loved, nourished, and encouraged to have a deep connection with nature and oneself. An educator’s role is to be an interface for the child to explore the inner and outer spaces. Like life, education is not an isolated process. It is a collaborative journey, where both the teacher and the student are learners as equals.
Self-directed and child-centred learning allows for nurturing curiosity, invoking a sense of wonder in children to help build creative thinking and experience the joy of learning and a lifetime of education.

5. “Compassion in Action: Basics of the Energetic Healing Method, Therapeutic Touch®”, Leonie van Gelder and Donna Erickson, TS America and Canada

In this hands-on workshop, attendees will be introduced to the basic assumptions, uses and practices of Therapeutic Touch, an energetic healing method developed by lifelong Theosophist, clairvoyant and past president of the TS in America, Dora Kunz and longtime Theosophist and Professor of Nursing, Dolores Krieger Ph.D., RN.  Incorporating the intentional and compassionate use of universal energy, Therapeutic Touch brings together the principles of the wisdom tradition and modern science with the insights and experiences of its founders.  You will come away with practical skills of healing to help your family and loved ones. 

6. “The Future of the Theosophical Society and the Work of its Young Members”, Francis Lim and Leo Ta, Singapore and Australia, WFYT, World Federation of Young Theosophists

There are many questions and concerns about the future of the Theosophical Society. 

Some lodges worry about the declining number of members while some lose sleep over closing their lodge all together. Many passionate members put their heart and effort to popularise or bring awareness about Theosophy in hopes of sign ups. However, seeing the same disheartening outcome over and over again. 

What do the young members bring to the table in the modern and technologically advanced society? 

In this session, we will discuss about: 

1. Concerns about the future of the Theosophical Society, lodges, sections and federations from all around the world.

2. The purpose of the WFYT (World Federation of Young Theosophists) with respect to those concerns. 

3. The approach and contribution to the future and Work of the Theosophical Society. 

Speaker

Donna Erickson
Vice President of Blavatsky lodge (Vancouver)
Pablo Sender
International Speaker and Author, TS America
Ricardo Lindemann
International Speaker, TS Brazil
Barbara Hebert
PhD, Member of TS America
Sonal Murali
Director of Adyar Theosophical Academy, TS India
Francis Lim
Member of TS and WFYT Board, Singapore
Leonie van Gelder
Member of TS America
Leo Ta
Member of TS and WFYT Board, Australia