Chatroom - Theosophy.Net2024-03-29T01:54:05Zhttps://theosophy.net/forum/categories/chatroom-1/listForCategory?categoryId=3055387%3ACategory%3A101&feed=yes&xn_auth=noUnited States - Morning Invocation to the Senatetag:theosophy.net,2013-10-07:3055387:Topic:1306182013-10-07T19:38:54.500ZJohnhttps://theosophy.net/profile/JohnEMead
<p style="margin: 10px 0px; width: 498px !important; line-height: 26px; font-family: georgia,serif; font-size: 20px; font-style: italic;"><b>"We acknowledge our transgressions, our shortcomings, our smugness, our selfishness and our pride. Deliver us from the hypocrisy of attempting to sound reasonable while being unreasonable."</b></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: georgia,serif; font-size: 12px;"> …</p>
<p style="margin: 10px 0px; width: 498px !important; line-height: 26px; font-family: georgia,serif; font-size: 20px; font-style: italic;"><b>"We acknowledge our transgressions, our shortcomings, our smugness, our selfishness and our pride. Deliver us from the hypocrisy of attempting to sound reasonable while being unreasonable."</b></p>
<p> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: georgia,serif; font-size: 12px;"> <a style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold;" href="http://p.nytimes.com/email/re?location=4z5Q7LhI+KVBjmEgFdYACPLKh239P3pgBxdKWI5p/GJ3AO7DDHaixEI+3RDOUyL3hbSEzwAmC3G734zQYwB/W4tc93jhb8IW3Sxh94ITw3Ppk5Ngx1ahTE5wzetMGMZdwbeyYWa+vIMKsNnIpou3L9nr6DHwvnH1zgqwDJEhs+2Jr1wVte201W7VxZCEEHeWvOTOQd6g5aQ=&campaign_id=129&instance_id=33045&segment_id=51228&user_id=47e46f459018658e18030451d15a3d5e&regi_id=45641522">BARRY C. BLACK</a>, chaplain of the United States Senate, in a morning invocation during last week's budget battles.<br/> </p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: georgia,serif; font-size: 12px;"> <b><big>READ ARTICLE and SEE VIDEO at LINK BELOW<br/> </big></b></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: georgia,serif; font-size: 12px;"> </p>
<p><a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/07/us/politics/senate-chaplain-shows-his-disapproval-during-morning-prayer.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20131007&_r=0">http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/07/us/politics/senate-chaplain-shows-his-disapproval-during-morning-prayer.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20131007&_r=0</a><br/> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: georgia,serif; font-size: 12px;"> </p> Multimediatag:theosophy.net,2013-05-03:3055387:Topic:1241952013-05-03T16:52:25.113ZJames Davishttps://theosophy.net/profile/JamesDavis
<p>I continue to research methods and styles and examples of rendering ageless-wisdom type thoughts into video and multimedia form.</p>
<p>I continue to research methods and styles and examples of rendering ageless-wisdom type thoughts into video and multimedia form.</p> What Are You Researching?tag:theosophy.net,2013-05-01:3055387:Topic:1241702013-05-01T18:12:48.630ZJoe Fultonhttps://theosophy.net/profile/JoeFulton
<p>Today I am researching computers and social networks.</p>
<p>Jessica, I know is out there becoming a great Excel guru.</p>
<p>Paul Lee James is getting acquainted with meditation.<br/> <br/> What are you looking in to or curious about?</p>
<p>Today I am researching computers and social networks.</p>
<p>Jessica, I know is out there becoming a great Excel guru.</p>
<p>Paul Lee James is getting acquainted with meditation.<br/> <br/> What are you looking in to or curious about?</p> comments on site aspects & functionalitytag:theosophy.net,2012-08-28:3055387:Topic:1147272012-08-28T23:43:49.387ZDavidhttps://theosophy.net/profile/DavidM
<p>A few years ago when groups were briefly added, I added ones on most religions--at least Eurasian ones. Now that groups have been back a while, I have joined none (except admin groups.) I see them as taking away from the forum, and I am not sure they are integrated well. Maybe we could talk to Ning about improving them or the site, like giving you notifications on the site (rather than just email.) Is there any reason I or anyone else would want to join a group?</p>
<p>The forum is also more…</p>
<p>A few years ago when groups were briefly added, I added ones on most religions--at least Eurasian ones. Now that groups have been back a while, I have joined none (except admin groups.) I see them as taking away from the forum, and I am not sure they are integrated well. Maybe we could talk to Ning about improving them or the site, like giving you notifications on the site (rather than just email.) Is there any reason I or anyone else would want to join a group?</p>
<p>The forum is also more than one page. Perhaps it could be simplified. Many of the forums would be appropriate as topics, and most/all groups would probably be appropriate as forums or topics. It should allow all on a page no matter the size. It only shows 20 per page, but my Usenet newsreader shows almost 60 per page (each have only one line of text.)</p> Er, ah!tag:theosophy.net,2012-08-20:3055387:Topic:1143122012-08-20T03:27:30.897ZPaul Murchisonhttps://theosophy.net/profile/PaulMurchison
<p>Forgive my ignorance and laziness... but what does my avatar mean?</p>
<p>Must learn how to operate a webcam or something similar! Luddite!</p>
<p>Forgive my ignorance and laziness... but what does my avatar mean?</p>
<p>Must learn how to operate a webcam or something similar! Luddite!</p> Theosophy, Masters and UFO Phenomenatag:theosophy.net,2012-04-29:3055387:Topic:1116252012-04-29T09:06:33.813ZDaniel Nogahttps://theosophy.net/profile/DanielNoga
<p></p>
<p>In a post in another discussion (found <a href="http://theosnet.ning.com/forum/topics/re-from-facebook-alice-bailey?commentId=3055387%3AComment%3A111063http://" target="_self">here</a> ), I made some comments that could understandably be perceived as flippant or even irrelevant, regarding the place of UFOs in the Theosophical worldview, especially when it comes to the Masters. I thought it would be interesting to open a separate discussion, first to further explain the thinking…</p>
<p></p>
<p>In a post in another discussion (found <a href="http://theosnet.ning.com/forum/topics/re-from-facebook-alice-bailey?commentId=3055387%3AComment%3A111063http://" target="_self">here</a> ), I made some comments that could understandably be perceived as flippant or even irrelevant, regarding the place of UFOs in the Theosophical worldview, especially when it comes to the Masters. I thought it would be interesting to open a separate discussion, first to further explain the thinking underpinning those suggestions, and second to explore with others any possibilities that come to mind because to me it's actually quite interesting and relevant.</p>
<p>That there's something substantial and unexplained going on with UFO phenomena is, in my opinion, not even up for debate. People aren't just seeing swamp gas, ball lightning or the planet Venus. I am sure of that, but I am not fixed in my ideas about just what is happening.</p>
<p>So why is it relevant to Theosophy (and by using the capitalized title here, I am referring specifically to Blavatsky's dispensation and its various offshoots)? Because the SD deals with the nature of the cosmos itself, a very big place--and yet it is also so very anthropocentric. Anthropogenesis is all about us and our own solar system. If I remember correctly, I think Blavatsky even stated such in a way that suggested that there are or could be other such systems but that she was focusing on this one--but without explicitly saying there are others. In other words, the door was left open and it seems like it was done intentionally.</p>
<p>So what about the Masters? What makes me think they could be connected with UFO phenomena? Simply put, if everything we read about them in <em>The Mahatma Letters</em> alone is true, that they are the Elder Brothers keeping watch over humanity's progress and evolution, then extraterrestrials would seem to be a very important thing for them to be keeping an eye on. If UFOs are connected with beings from elsewhere in the universe, clearly more advanced than humanity along certain evident lines, then their involvement, influence, or even interference in humanity's affairs would be important to the Masters, would it not? What would they have to say about it? How does karma play into this? Did the Masters know they'd be coming? Is it written in karma somehow? If the Masters are as prescient as is claimed, I would think they would have to have known, and would possibly even be involved in the phenomena somehow.</p>
<p>What about the Masters actually being a manifestation of UFO phenomena? How do we know they're not? Is that where their knowledge and wisdom about humanity and the universe <em>really</em> comes from?</p>
<p>Anthropogenesis tells us the story of humanity's development as a sort of grand "project" involving higher beings from other spheres of existence. The connections to UFO lore seem obvious to me.</p>
<p>All of this material came to us well before World War II, a major tipping point in the occurrence of UFO sightings, so I'm not surprised to see a lack of references to them in the literature. But it's happening now, and these questions about humanity's place in the cosmos are on the minds of many millions of people who have never even heard of Theosophy. It seems important to me to fit these things together. If Theosophy is to be a comprehensive source of wisdom about what it means to be human and to be a conscious participant in the evolution of the cosmos, and if the Earth is in fact being visited by other "humanities," there is a need for integration between these two fields of inquiry.</p>
<p>In closing, I want to be clear about what I am <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em>not</em></strong></span> doing in this line of inquiry: I am not applying a reductionist, theoretical UFO motif attempting to explain the SD away as the story of space aliens visiting and shaping humanity. Ancient Astronaut theory does this, writing off all mythology and religious tradition as simply ignorant misinterpretation of technologically superior beings and how early humanity saw them, and I think this is far too simplistic. Anyone who studies Theosophy knows of its depth and know that mythology has much deeper meaning than any such theory can ever explain.</p>
<p>What I am suggesting is, in fact, that the UFO phenomenon may be a whole lot deeper and more complex than most modern media referring to it is letting on. Given the metaphysical complexity illustrated in the Secret Doctrine, we have a lot of food for thought when it comes to these lights in the sky, these crop circles, and these close encounters--we know of other planes of existence which need to be taken into account, and we know of lines of development far deeper than the technological and the civil on which these visitors may be more advanced than us. Though they may be biologically different from us, do they have Atma/Buddhi/Manas too? Have they transcended their own kama-manas? Do they see us letting our own kamic nature running away with us and look on us with compassion, remembering when they were at that same stage? Do they have some kind of karmic obligation to help us while at the same time allowing us to do with our own karma what we will? Is that why they don't just land already and say hello?</p>
<p>Does anyone else see where I'm going with this?</p>
<p></p>
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<p></p> Illuminationtag:theosophy.net,2012-03-16:3055387:Topic:1098392012-03-16T10:03:27.924ZJaakko Matti Johannes Alholahttps://theosophy.net/profile/JaakkoMattiJohannesAlhola
<p>Hello my friends.</p>
<p></p>
<p>This is one subject I would want to have conversation with everyone here.</p>
<p>Illumination is a pretty strong word and many people around the world recognize themselves as illumined. But who can really put forward so high definition about him/herself? Is it just a one person raising self above others?</p>
<p>I don't dare to say that there has never been illumined persons in our times, I'm most certain that there have been many. But the ones who were…</p>
<p>Hello my friends.</p>
<p></p>
<p>This is one subject I would want to have conversation with everyone here.</p>
<p>Illumination is a pretty strong word and many people around the world recognize themselves as illumined. But who can really put forward so high definition about him/herself? Is it just a one person raising self above others?</p>
<p>I don't dare to say that there has never been illumined persons in our times, I'm most certain that there have been many. But the ones who were illumined from my point of view, they never dared to raise them selves on a higher level among the people, but just acted like brothers and sisters to every person in the world.</p>
<p>Illumination can be found in all of us but it's a feeling that everyone who reaches it, should look into the feeling as deep as possible, study the feeling and listen to it. Then bring the feeling as a teacher to your everyday actions to serve others around. The one who has the knowledge and capability to love others without personal needs can be illumined, but he never acclaim to be one.</p>
<p>"Keep it secret, keep it safe"</p>
<p></p>
<p>What is illumination from your point of view?</p>
<p></p> Winter Solsticetag:theosophy.net,2011-12-21:3055387:Topic:1017882011-12-21T19:17:00.474ZJon Fergushttps://theosophy.net/profile/JonFergus
<p>Happy Solstice everyone! :)</p>
<p>It's that time of year when all the world reaches the end of one cycle and the beginning of another and we officially enter into the season of winter (summer for our southern brothers and sisters). The Solstice has been celebrated throughout human history all across the world by ancient and modern civilizations alike, carrying with it symbolic meaning and importance.<br></br><br></br></p>
<p>So what importance do you place on the Winter Solstice? What does it mean…</p>
<p>Happy Solstice everyone! :)</p>
<p>It's that time of year when all the world reaches the end of one cycle and the beginning of another and we officially enter into the season of winter (summer for our southern brothers and sisters). The Solstice has been celebrated throughout human history all across the world by ancient and modern civilizations alike, carrying with it symbolic meaning and importance.<br/><br/></p>
<p>So what importance do you place on the Winter Solstice? What does it mean to you?</p> Open-Mindednesstag:theosophy.net,2011-11-16:3055387:Topic:883402011-11-16T03:59:00.067ZJon Fergushttps://theosophy.net/profile/JonFergus
<p>Saw this video today and thought I'd put it out there for everyone. Some interesting thoughts</p>
<p> <iframe width="480" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/T69TOuqaqXI?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0"></iframe>
</p>
<p>Any thoughts?</p>
<p>Saw this video today and thought I'd put it out there for everyone. Some interesting thoughts</p>
<p> <iframe width="480" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/T69TOuqaqXI?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0"></iframe>
</p>
<p>Any thoughts?</p> How do you prefer to see the forums on the front page?tag:theosophy.net,2011-09-10:3055387:Topic:782892011-09-10T09:21:28.147ZDavidhttps://theosophy.net/profile/DavidM
<p>Theosophy.net's front page has changed several times, including what you see of the forums. I preferred to see a list of latest topics being discussed on the front page (not just to the side,) but now instead there is a list of all the forum areas. Anyone who really wants to see the forum areas can go to `forum' in the menu. What do you prefer to see on the front page: the topics or the forum areas?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I was going to change it back but want to know if there was some admin…</p>
<p>Theosophy.net's front page has changed several times, including what you see of the forums. I preferred to see a list of latest topics being discussed on the front page (not just to the side,) but now instead there is a list of all the forum areas. Anyone who really wants to see the forum areas can go to `forum' in the menu. What do you prefer to see on the front page: the topics or the forum areas?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I was going to change it back but want to know if there was some admin consensus about this, but more importantly, what all the members (admins and non-admins) think.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Maybe if the middle of the page showed topics, those could be omitted from the site news feed at the side. Even if that could not be done, I still think it would be better to have a list of latest topics instead of forum areas, but what do you think?</p>