Latest news with #TheosophicalSociety
New Indian Express
7 days ago
- General
- New Indian Express
A legacy of inner light
What is Theosophy? The word 'theosophy'means 'divine wisdom'. Not a religion but a spiritual philosophy, it rests on three core tenets: The unity of all life: The universe is an interconnected whole, expressing a single divine reality. Reincarnation and karma: The soul evolves through successive lives, shaped by the consequences of its actions. Inner awakening: True knowledge arises from personal spiritual experience rather than dogma or blind belief. Blavatsky asserted that all great religions stemmed from a primordial wisdom tradition. Over time, she argued, this truth was fragmented and obscured. Theosophy, she claimed, sought to revive that lost synthesis, drawing from Hindu, Buddhistand Western esoteric sources. A Turn Eastward In 1882, the Theosophical Society established its international headquarters in Adyar, near Madras (now Chennai). This marked a profound shift—from theoretical studies in the West to a deeper engagement with Eastern spiritual life. Blavatsky's influential books—Isis Unveiled (1877) and The Secret Doctrine (1888)—offered sweeping cosmological visions, references to lost civilisations like Atlantis, and the idea of enlightened beings known as the Mahatmas or Masters of Wisdom, who, she claimed, had guided humanity's evolution from behind the scenes.
Time of India
15-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Indian jackal spotted for 1st time at Pallikaranai marsh
Chennai: Bird watchers at Pallikaranai marshland were surprised last week when they spotted an Indian jackal, marking the first-ever recorded sighting of the species in core areas of the wetland. Chennai district forest officer V A Saravanan confirmed the sighting and said jackals are known to adapt well and coexist alongside human settlements. Wildlife experts previously recorded jackals in several parts of Chennai, including the islands behind Theosophical Society, Blue Cross Road, Besant Nagar, Guindy National Park, and Nanmangalam Reserve Forest. With this sighting, Pallikaranai marshland now joins the list as a habitat for the elusive species. Conservationist K V R K Thirunaranan, who has been monitoring the marsh's fauna for years, said, "This is a positive sign of improving biodiversity." Another key factor contributing to the presence of jackals here is the abundance of food. The marsh provides ample prey, including fish and crabs. Notably, jackals have been observed feeding on African catfish, an invasive species. Their predation helps control the population of this invasive fish, contributing to ecological balance. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo The arrival of the jackal signals the marshland's growing role as a sanctuary for urban wildlife and adds urgency to the call for its protection. As urban sprawl threatens green spaces, sightings such as this highlight the ecological significance of wetlands and the complex interdependence of species that inhabit them, say experts. While jackals are primarily nocturnal hunters, they may become active during the day when females feed their newborns. G Kamaraj, a biologist from Vandalur Zoo, said jackals were once found in large numbers, especially in rural areas where paddy fields were abundant. They play an important role in the ecological food chain by controlling the rodent population, which forms a significant part of their diet. This, in turn, helps farmers reduce crop loss. Even today, their wailing howls can be heard in the countryside — a reminder of their quiet presence near human habitations.
Time of India
31-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Forest officials identify 104 heritage trees for spl protection
Chennai: Forest officials in Chennai launched an initiative to identify and protect rare and endangered trees by officially designating them as 'heritage trees' in recognition of their ecological, cultural, historical, and aesthetic value. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Tamil Nadu forest secretary Supriya Sahu said these heritage trees will receive special protection to ensure their survival and to highlight their role within the urban ecosystem. Spread across different parts of the city, these trees include the iconic Adyar Banyan Tree—estimated to be over 450 years old—which stands as a living symbol of Chennai's natural and cultural history. To carry out the initiative, the Chennai forest division collaborated with botany professor D Narasimhan and the environmental NGO Nizhal Trust to identify suitable trees across the district. A special team, formed under the supervision of district forest officer V A Saravanan, conducted extensive fieldwork and identified 104 trees that qualify as heritage trees. These were chosen not only for their age but also for their historical associations, ecological value, and relevance to community life. Among the notable examples is an African Baobab tree located on a school campus in Rajapalayam, Virudhunagar district, believed to be planted by Arab travellers more than a century ago. Another Baobab tree stands inside the Theosophical Society campus in Chennai, reflecting the diverse origins of heritage trees in Tamil Nadu. While the current phase covers Chennai, the initiative is expected to expand to other districts. By documenting and conserving these botanical landmarks, the forest department aims to foster environmental awareness and ensure that future generations stay connected to their natural heritage.
New Indian Express
27-05-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
A quest for green spaces
Golden jackals, mongoose, Indian flying fox, painted storks, pelicans, and spotted owlets are among the many animals and birds that are frequently spotted here. To put things in perspective, fauna lists displayed at the 149th International Convention of Theosophists, held at their global headquarters in Besant Nagar, listed 12 mammals, 52 birds, 6 amphibians, 14 reptiles, and over 100 insect species — from butterfly, dragonfly, wasp, beetle, ant, to spiders — that call Theosophical Society their home. Many of which are only found here, after much of Chennai's natural habitat has been lost to housing and infrastructure. This sprawling green space shows how wild the city once was and how wild it could be. Although establishing large green spaces such as this within a densely populated city is unrealistic, efforts could be made at a smaller, but equally meaningful scale. Upcoming development projects can adopt a landscaping model that prioritises diversity in trees and plants over purely ornamental and aesthetic values. That could both improve biodiversity and benefit the people residing in surrounding neighbourhoods.
Los Angeles Times
26-02-2025
- Los Angeles Times
Looking to calm your mind? 6 places in Ojai to meditate, recharge and find peace
There are many reasons to visit the Ojai Valley — the hiking, the vistas, the sweet-smelling orange groves. But for the last 100 years, this small mountain town an hour east of Santa Barbara has also been drawing spiritual seekers to its beautiful environs for meditation, inspiration and the dream of building a new, more peaceful civilization. Ojai's modern spiritual roots can be traced back to 1922, when the philosopher and teacher Krishnamurti and his brother Nitya arrived in the rural mountain town with the hope that its warm, dry climate would soothe Nitya's tuberculosis. The brothers enjoyed their time in the peaceful, scenic valley so much they decided to keep a permanent residence there and Krishnamurti continued to speak and teach in Ojai until his death in 1986 at the age of 90. Krishnamurti was already a well-known spiritual teacher when he arrived in Ojai and his presence drew early 20th century seekers to the valley to hear attend his lectures. The area's reputation as a spiritual center received a further boost in 1924 when the Theosophical community Krotona, which was dedicated to 'the spiritual awakening of the human family,' left its original home in Hollywood and moved to Ojai as well. When Annie Besant, the president of the Theosophical Society, an international organization dedicated to the study of the world's wisdom traditions, visited Ojai in 1927, she wrote that it would one day become the 'cradle of the New Civilization of America.' She promptly raised funds to buy 520 acres in upper Ojai, known today as Happy Valley, where she could establish a school that would educate future members of this new society. Over the following decades other spiritual pioneers were drawn to the town. In 1946 Agnes Baron, a devotee of the Indian spiritual leader Meher Baba, founded Meher Mount in his honor on a 170-acre property off Sulphur Mountain Road. One year later, Beatrice Wood, a free-spirited ceramicist and member of the NYC Dada movement, moved down the street from Krishnamurti. In 1968, Florence Gerrigue, the 80-year-old co-founder of the School for Esoteric Studies in New York City, created a mini-oasis called Meditation Mount, where she hoped to sow the seeds of a new, enlightened and compassionate world through creative meditation. Spend a few days in Ojai and you'll soon understand why spiritual seekers have been long been drawn to this small town. The landscape is rugged and wild, but there's also a softness to the area thanks in part to the many oak trees that shade the valley and the famous pink light that reflects off the mountains at sunset. Residents speak of the valley as a nest or a chalice protected by the mountain ranges and say it emits a feminine energy. 'The longer I live here, the more held I've felt,' one local told me. Annie Besant thought it could take 700 years for Ojai to birth the new civilization she saw in her vision, but that shouldn't stop you from visiting now and perhaps sowing your own seeds of spirituality and connection to the divine. Here are six places where you can ground, meditate and experience Ojai's rich spiritual history for yourself.
