Een zeer geslaagde conferentie waar leden van de Theosophical Society Adyar, TS Point Loma-Blavatsky House, de Unified Lodge of Theosophists en onafhankelijke theosofen aan meededen. Dit was de zestiende conferentie van “International Theosophical Conferences Inc.” Dit wordt elk jaar op een andere plek in de wereld gehouden. Lees hier de declaratie die na afloop werd uitgebracht en een verslag van het evenement.
The International Theosophy Conferences 2014, Naarden Declaration
Having respect for the diversity and freedom of the various Theosophical streams, we will endeavor to act as a Beacon of Light for bringing Theosophy in accordance with* the teachings of H. P. Blavatsky and her Masters to the world. In an undogmatic manner and through harmonious cooperation we will strengthen the Theosophical Movement for the benefit of humanity. In the spirit of unity and brotherhood, we endeavor to make Theosophy a living power in the world. We commit ourselves through learning, training and cross-pollination to popularize and keep the teachings alive for future generations.
*IN ACCORDANCE WITH: in harmony with – in conformity with – consistent with
The ITC board realizes that it is virtually impossible to state in words, that what actually took place during this historic and successful conference. Our shared and most important objective is to keep the spirit of ITC 2014 alive.
Report of the conference by Marja Artamaa
There were 143 participants from the USA, Europe, Africa, South-America and New Zealand. The Theosophical traditions that were involved included the TS Point Loma-Blavatsky House, the ULT and the TS Adyar. Next to these three mainstreams there were “independent” Theosophists as well. This was the 16th annual Conference of International Theosophy Conferences Inc.The main goal of this Conference was to create a dialogue among participants that results in the Naarden 2014 Declaration, which consist of the stated intentions as to how we, Theosophists from different backgrounds and nationalities, can work together to promote Brotherhood in the world using Theosophical teachings as a framework.Both the objectives and the format focused on communication and building relationships – Communication from the Heart.This was a real working Conference conducted in a very professional manner. Host and co-organizer was Jan Nicolaas Kind from Brazil, born in Holland. The two main facilitators were Marijn Gijsbers and April Hejka-Ekins. In addition there were 16 other facilitators as 12 groups worked intensely on the subjects of Religion, Philosophy and Science, keeping in mind the future of Theosophy.The Conference started with orientation, greetings and statements by the representatives of the three mainstream Theosophical organizations: the ULT by Vicky Prinz and Nandini Iyer, the TS Adyar by Tim Boyd, the TS Point Loma-Blavatsky House by Herman C. Vermeulen). The Keynote was given by Tim Boyd. After this there was a panel discussion based on the Maha Chohan’s Letter – our shared responsibility.The following days, before each workshop there were two introduction lectures. After the workshops all gathered for a plenary harvest on the subject. The last evening a group of some facilitators started working on the draft for the Declaration, which was presented for comments on the last morning of the Conference. Declarations are not complete without action; so what to do? Consequently Groups worked again on those. Finally each group presented their results, which were videoed for the ITC Board to continue with their plans.
Videos of all introduction lectures and plenary harvests are on the ITC website http://www.theosconf.org/video
Impression: This was the first time that such a typical working Conference was being held; the previous ITC gatherings were mainly filled with lectures. It seems that it has become more and more important to combine talks with interaction. It enables the participants to go deeper and to ponder, assimilating Theosophy in its wider aspects. The Theosophical movement is a stream of living Wisdom. The differences among the various Theosophical streams did not turn out to be disturbing at all, because it was Theosophy that formed the basis for all deliberations.
Actually it was an inspiring, at times breathtaking and heartwarming Conference!