Printed in the Fall 2019 issue of Quest magazine.
Citation: Craig, Carol, "Members’ Forum: Nurturing New Students of Theosophy " Quest 107:4, pg 8
By Carol Craig
The Theosophical Society of Wichita, Kansas, became a certified study center in February 2018. It is not easy to start a new study group in America’s Bible Belt, and developing a core group of committed students to study Theosophy is an even greater task. But I am happy to report that we have a dedicated, enthusiastic study group and we are learning from each other at every meeting.
The majority of our Wichita membership heard about our group from the newsletter of the bookstore where we hold our meetings. We have a few people who have heard, or read, the word theosophy somewhere. When they googled it, they found the Theosophical Society in America website, which led them to our local group. We are the only TSA group in the entire state of Kansas. We have one member who travels two hours, in both directions, to come to a meeting,
The TSA recommends that to become a certified study center, the new group must study and complete John Algeo’s Theosophy: An Introductory Study Course. This was certainly a blessing here in Wichita, because every person who came to our group—whether only once, twice, or regularly—was absolutely brand-new to Theosophy. Most had never even heard of it before. Algeo’s excellent course introduces basic Theosophical concepts without going so far over your head that you give up!
Now in our second year, we are soon to finish Robert Ellwood’s Theosophy: A Modern Expression of the Wisdom of the Ages (A prudent next step after Algeo’s introductory course, as Ellwood’s book takes the basic concepts to the next level, and all of our members, who are new to Theosophy, need to have a solid background before moving on). Recently we were discussing that it is time to start thinking about what we want to study next as a group. I heard myself say, “You know, after only one year of studying Theosophy, by this time y’all are way ahead of where I was in my understanding of basic Theosophical concepts.”
If the TSA lodge I originally joined had recommended Algeo’s course to me in the beginning, a lot of things would have come together for me much sooner. For quite some time, most of the public lectures, and members’ meetings, were over my head. The course would certainly have been of great assistance to me as a new student of Theosophy by giving me understanding and confidence as I started on this journey.
I say that to encourage all TSA groups around the world to pay particular attention when someone comes to their meetings who is absolutely new to Theosophy. Because I started attending meetings at an established group—as opposed to a newly formed group that would be studying Algeo’s course first—I just had to jump in and tread water alone for years.
We must do our part to introduce those who are ready to hear about and study Theosophical concepts. When the student is ready, the teacher will come. How long has it been since you introduced Theosophy to your community? To those who are ready and waiting to hear?
Therefore plant the seed for studying the Ancient Wisdom: consider putting flyers around town—particularly in metaphysical bookstores—announcing an introductory course in Theosophy by your group. Older, more established groups might even offer the introductory course periodically at a separate time from the regular meetings, so that new students who have joined during the year will not feel so intimidated and will be able to grow and develop with confidence as new Theosophists.
This article applies not only to study centers that are already formed but to those who would like to start a Theosophy study center in their communities. Even though the TSA website offers us many wonderful ways to study Theosophy alone (which I did for almost two years after moving away from my longtime TSA group), it was very important to me to have a group to study with.
Algeo’s introduction says:
H.P. Blavatsky has been reported as saying that the study of the great universal principles of Theosophy requires a special kind of mental effort that involves “the carving out of new brain paths.” It is not always easy for us, with our conditioned minds, to submit to so rigorous an undertaking, but once we have overcome our reluctance and inertia, we may find it the most exciting adventure of our lives.
All new students of Theosophy should be nurtured so that they do not become overwhelmed, or frustrated, and walk away. Therefore I suggest that all new students of Theosophy should be offered the opportunity to start that journey with Algeo’s course.
I am always open to suggestions of ways to introduce Theosophy to new students and would be very happy to share the way it was done here in Wichita. You can find me on the TSA website under Local Groups, Central District.
As the spring 2019 issue of Quest so enthusiastically states, “Together, we can elevate the consciousness of our world. YOU can be the change!”
Carol Craig is secretary of the Wichita Study Center of the TSA.