Version: October 10, 2004
"Convention" -- to come together in common purpose; an agreement about principles. This issue is the program for the 102nd Convention of the Temple of the People. Temple members and friends of the Temple gathered together from around the world, at the Center here in Halcyon, or with the groups in London and Berlin, to speak of the ties of the spirit that bind us together in common purpose. We focused on our aspirations, on our Teachings, and on the tremendous force of Love that surrounds humanity, and how we can best access that Love in our daily lives. During the week we renewed our pledges and vows to participate more fully in the Unity of all Life, to try to find our place in the community of humanity, and to help others find theirs.
It is through these actions that we increasingly find that Light which outshines all lesser lights, the Light of Love which encompasses all manifestation.
-- Eleanor L. Shumway
Guardian in Chief
August 4-12, 2001
At 10 a.m., residents and guests of the community gathered to clean and polish the University Center, Temple, and Hiawatha Lodge.
The Healing Service at noon was conducted by Zelma and George Colendich.
An Open House in the University Center between 2 and 4 p.m. celebrated the new Harold Forgostein show, "The Refreshing Green of Nature." This exhibit features both oil and watercolor pictures.
At 7 p.m., everyone gathered in Hiawatha Lodge for the informal opening of the Convention. The Guardian in Chief, assisted by Chris Thyrring, Ivan Ulz, Linda Rollison, Barbara Ricardo, and Aureliano Rodriguez, read Temple material regarding the Iroquois League and the mission of Hiawatha, paying tribute to the ensouling force behind Hiawatha, the American Indians, and the lessons we might learn from them. It is not suggested that we live as they did 500 years or more ago. Rather, it is stressed that the ability to walk lightly upon the land, to honor each other for the qualities that each of us can bring to the group, and to live in harmony with the forces of Mother Nature are some of the contributions the American Indians make to our consciousness.
This program closed with the reading of "In the Lodge of the Red Star":
"In the Lodge of the Red Star we have met and renewed our allegiance to the Tribes -- to the Warrior Forces of the Universal Chief of Life. His war lance is the flaming sun. His Peace Pipe is the silvery moon. His lance has points as many as the sands of the sea, and no one can escape them. When the Great Chief lights his pipe at night and passes it to his brothers, the Star Men, great rings and wreaths of light glow in the sky. This is the voiceless Chant of Peace that bears to the Great Spirit the message that all is well with his world children. And the Great Spirit lights another star with love; another soul glows with the fires of hope and faith in the Master Chief, whose songs of life and sweetness fill the cabins of the tribes."
-- Hiawatha
The Guardian in Chief, Eleanor Shumway, officially opened the 102nd Convention in the Blue Star Memorial Temple:
I want to extend to all of you a warm welcome to the formal opening of the 102nd Convention of the Temple of the People. Dr. Dower, our second Guardian in Chief, told us: "Our yearly convening creates a magnetic matrix through which the forces of the Masters radiate to all points of the compass to members on the outside, and through them, to the world of humanity. Those who are here are charged with this force and, when they go away to their homes, they carry the force with them and radiate it in terms of force and light independent of any religious or philosophical truth they may carry otherwise. There is a time in the orbit of each planet in the solar system when it is nearest to the Sun. So these yearly conventions bring members nearest to the Temple Sun, to the Masters who energize our work." It is our work this week to absorb the rays of that Sun, that we might radiate those forces in our daily experience, nurturing everyone we encounter as we give expression to this Holy Spirit.
The congregation then stood to sing the Convocation Hymn, "Gitche Manito, the Mighty," accompanied by Nashoma Carlson.
The Guardian in Chief invoked the blessings of the Great White Lodge on all proceedings:
"In the name of the Great White Lodge and by the power vested in me as the Guardian in Chief of the Temple of the People, I hereby open this 102nd Annual Convention by invoking the guidance and blessings of the Powers that rule the destinies of worlds and races, the Brothers of the Fire Mist, the Dhyan Chohans and Dhyani Buddhas, and the Masters of Love and Wisdom, on all proceedings and all who participate in person or in spirit in the Convention for the benefit of all humanity, promoting the Brother/Sisterhood of all Creation."
The sacred charge, Warriors of Light, was sung by Ivan Ulz, accompanied by Nashoma Carlson.
The Master's Message to the Convention was then read by the Guardian in Chief:
THE MASTER'S MESSAGE
TO THE 2001 CONVENTION
My Beloved Children:
Many times have I told you, I will never leave you, I will never desert you. Many more times have I told you that you may not rest in comfort, assuming you have somehow earned ease and safety in my protection. You are pledged disciples of the Great Lodge, children mine, and as each moment passes, you must take deeper responsibility for the unfolding of consciousness in yourselves as well as all humanity. All creation is one unit, and no matter what you do or say, such action or word affects every other part of that unit.
In the beginning of the Temple work I told you there is some person next to you in line upon the evolutionary ladder upon which you all stand, who is waiting for you to stretch out your hand and lift him or her to your side. You are held accountable if that person should fall to a lower rung. This is an immutable Law of Life. Knowing this, how dare you rest on your supporting step and not make the effort to help another into the Temple Light? You cannot use reason or logic to find that person. You will not know who it is until he or she stands beside you.
Your responsibility is one-pointed; you must become one with the Higher Law by your faithfulness to trust and duty, your performance of sacred obligations, and your fulfillment of the holiest of vows solemnly made to your Higher Selves. You will find the person who needs your help only by your attention to the little things of life performed with mutual helpfulness and kindness; by your unchangeable purpose in the strictest obedience to the highest Laws of Life; and in selfless service to all creation. This must take place every moment of every day, not just when it is comfortable or convenient for you.
I solemnly charge you to understand, appreciate, and use the power you awaken in your aspirations and prayers, for having awakened it, you cannot control its action. Therefore, I say: be careful! Be sure you are willing and able to endure whatever effects may manifest, as a result of any act of consecration. The words, "All I am or hope to be, here and now I offer Thee," are not simply the casual words of a pleasant song, for each and every time you voice them, that pledge is recorded in the Book of Life and you are held accountable.
In the ever quickening time of a new millennium, you must dig fearlessly and deeply through the layers of your own souls until you find the place where Love has its dwelling place. You may weary of this oft repeated tale, and yet, it is ever new to some sad soul, and when you have found that dwelling place of Love within, it will be all things to you, for it holds the Key to the beginning and end of your travail, the unspeakable heights and depths of the Manifested Universe, the crown of your own and all other lives. I am asking you to draw your consciousness within, and look out on life from your own vantage ground, your own center, and see with the eyes of your soul. Then reach out, and as you do, you become a radiating source of Divine Light. Only by so doing may the Avatar enter fully into the hearts and souls of all humanity.
My children, my brothers and sisters, I tell you the time is now. "The hours behind thee are God's hours, the hours before thee are His secrets. This hour alone is thine. Waste not your hour." So cries the Persian Muezzin at dawn. Are the hours behind thee hours of procrastination and self-indulgence? If so, the hours before thee will be those of sighing for lost opportunity. Wilt thou, then, let the present hour slip by in futile planning, over-confidence or indecision? Happy are you who see and grasp the chances life and effort bring to you as you weave them in a chaplet for your brow.
In loving tenderness,
your Father/Brother,
Hilarion
The congregation then sang "Creeds Disappear, Hearts Remain," accompanied by Nashoma Carlson. The service was concluded with the Feast of Fulfillment.
The Healing Service at noon was conducted by Eleanor Shumway and George Colendich.
At 1:30 p.m., the community gathered at Hiawatha Lodge for a luncheon and an afternoon of visiting.
At 7 p.m., Chris and Margaret Thyrring conducted the Meditation Service in the Temple.
At 10 a.m., in the Temple, during the Forum, "Carriers of Light," Linda Rollison, Margaret Thyrring, Barbara Ricardo, and Zelma Colendich read papers by Francia LaDue, Dr. Dower, and Master Hilarion.
The Healing Service at noon was conducted by Nashoma Carlson and Willy Gommel.
1:30 p.m. saw all interested parties being led on a walk through Halcyon gardens by Ron Carlson. This finished at the Carlson home with tea.
At 7 p.m., the Temple Officers presented their annual reports in the Temple. The Guardian in Chief, Eleanor Shumway, opened the service with these words:
A board of Temple Officers is appointed each year. As Guardian in Chief I meet regularly with them on matters concerning the Temple and its real work, that of trying to embody on the physical plane the truths of the inner planes, our real home. These officers are Inner Guard, Outer Guard, Scribe, Treasurer and three Delegates-at-Large. Each office symbolizes a certain aspect or facet of the Temple work. The office of Inner Guard symbolizes the responsibility to the feminine aspect of manifestation, the nurturing, connecting, indwelling spiritual force. The position of Outer Guard symbolizes the responsibility to the masculine aspect, the protecting, questing, balancing force. The position of Treasurer symbolizes the responsibility to our storehouse of spiritual treasure filled with the jewels we have been given to use, to care for and enhance. The position of Scribe symbolizes the responsibility to the records of our aspirations, hopes, and faith and the flow of these to and from all human hearts and minds. The Delegates-at-Large are chosen from those Temple members who live away from the Center who are meeting the challenge of putting these teachings into daily practice without the outer group support and daily meetings that we enjoy here at the Center.
Report of the Treasurer
What is the Temple Treasury? It is each of us, living and growing in accord with the Law of Love.
How we transmute these coarse lumps of personality into something precious enough to be part of the Temple Treasury is what happens in our day-to-day interactions with others in our families and communities, at work and at play, in times of pleasure and times of pain. The wealth of the Temple increases in accord with our ability to put the Law of Love into action in our daily lives.
Sometimes, however, life can become so perplexing that we forget why we're here, our connection to others, and the Temple work we promised to do. Fortunately, we are reminded of our place in the great pattern of life each time we celebrate the Feast of Fulfillment. At the end of the second section of the Pledge to the Order of the 36 are these five words: "I desire to serve Humanity." It is through service to humanity that we, together, build the Temple Treasury.
Using the compass provided by our Teachings and the overshadowing help of our Teachers, we here now have all consciously pledged to build a better world. We must remember that wherever we are and whatever we do in service to humanity, we are the hands of the Master. Our conscious application of the Law of Love is what converts the gross potential in these earth-bound personalities to the "good and perfect spirit" that shines to and through all life.
Convention is a yearly opportunity to renew our commitment to sacred promises made on inner lines. Each year, we see new faces in this room with our physical eyes, joining ranks with those who went before us whose spirits we sense with our hearts, and whose labors we build upon with our own best efforts. One day we will be among the unseen, and it is through this long line of connected lives and aspirations, of Conventions past and future, and through seasons and cycles of united wills and actions, that the Temple work is manifested.
What is the Temple Treasury? It is each of us, living and growing in accord with the Law of Love.
-- Marti Fast
Report of the Scribe
Having been called out of the eventide of the 19th century, into the dawning of the 21st -- also a new third millennium -- the history of the Temple, from an interior standpoint, has always been the history of all humanity, and the history of the Avatar.
When the Avatar entered the Earth sphere in 1898 -- the foundation year of the Temple -- the immediate effect was a wave of exaggerated religious enthusiasm, resulting in numerous "Mothers of the Christ Child," and exoteric imitations, degrading a spiritual process to a gross earthly show. But the Avatar's force of Love became the motive power behind many movements that set themselves the goal to establish a brotherhood of man, to tear down the iron curtains that divide countries and classes, and to unite the people upon one principle -- that all men are brothers. Such was the Theosophical Movement, the Esperanto Movement, the Socialist Movement, today the Green Movement. Scientific and technological advancement, the like of which humanity has not seen since Atlantis, is also all due to this greatest of evolutionary forces: the rediscovery and application of terrestrial electricity -- enabling the building of machines, the proper use of which could usher in a golden age; the creation of the Internet, a great tool to unite all people in a bond of one common consciousness; the harnessing of solar energy -- a manifestation of the Christ -- which cannot be monopolized by a "combine," and will be a major tool for overthrowing Mammon. And those inventions which turned out to be a curse and a tool of destruction: deadly, cancer-inducing atomic energy; machine- and chemo-medicine that kills and maims people, especially women; biology that invents growth hormones for cows and pigs and chicken, and makes an entire population obese; genetic manipulation that produces poison food and monsters; television that kills and violates the imagination and forces thoughts of crime, terror, and sex even on children -- all of these, tools of black magic and genocide, are but misuse and criminal application of the divine power of the Avatar.
Neither is it difficult to see the handiwork of the Avatar in the two great wars, the end of the cold war, or the present conflagration. This cosmic creative force shatters or casts off that which cannot carry it and therefore, impedes it -- "He who is not with me is against me" -- tearing down old conditions. The third or "cold" war was fought against irreligion -- the mortal danger of atheism, the destruction of all religious ideals -- man's soul bridge to Divinity. Finally, the present fourth conflagration, going on simultaneously all over the planet, is the war against commercialism -- the slavery of money, the worst type of slavery ever known to man, excepting only the slavery of women. These four enemies are in reality but aspects of "the same old brat in a different dress" -- the hereditary enemy of the Lodge, the Great Disintegrator who, like Judas, is always at the side of Jesus.
In 1928, the Avatar entered the earth plane in full force, coming out of the Astral where, in 30 years of time, he had developed a body that he could use in both the Lower Astral and the Physical. And as soon as this manifestation -- cosmic in proportion, involving the entire solar system, with a vast irresistible tide pouring out from the center of the Sun into all planets -- occurred, commercialism, the stock market, suffered a devastating blow from which it never fully recovered, it being only now that it tries to regain ground, unsuccessfully.
The fact that some may have had more intimate closeness to this Holy Presence is interesting only from the standpoint that this Light of Love, which is very well a most tangible being, uses all of us of the human family regardless of what we are, or rather, seem to be. Sometimes, the greatest crack is where most of this Light pours in. This Light is capable of transforming the most hardened heart; those commonly called "sinners" are often closer and more sensitive to it than those we deem righteous.
After WW1, the Light of the Avatar shone on the nascent League of Nations, the birth of which in 1919 marked the beginning of an era that will finally usher in world peace, with all nations united, in a common bond of friendship. Though the Age of the Antichrist -- always an accompanying sign of the Presence of the Avatar -- destroyed the physical body of the League, soon it was born again in the vehicle of the United Nations. The UN today has reached the point where it has a court of nations which tries war criminals, which is also capable of meting out punishment.
The steps toward brotherhood grow ever stronger. Forty years after 1928, and seventy years after the Avatar's entering the Earth sphere, there was 1968, with the much remembered Spirit of the Sixties, the true motive power of which was, from a strictly spiritual standpoint, much purer than many would admit. At Woodstock, not five thousand but three hundred thousand were fed for free, celebrating mutual love, giving, and friendship with all sentient beings: there was more of that Great Light in the power of flowers than generally deemed possible.
There will come a day when the force and power of love, which pulls with increasing force at the heartstrings of each and every soul, will cause such a revelation that the prophecy will come true: "All men shall behold him." To hasten this day, the work of the Brotherhood of Man must be taken up. We can and must do this work in many ways; none should say it can have only one shape or priority. Those of us who can not or will not participate, will surely see one day that it would have been better, if needs be, to shout the Teachings from the rooftops, or to stop every passer-by on the street to hand out a leaflet, than permitting the chance of a lifetime -- or of a chain of lifetimes -- to slip by into someone else's hands.
The general awakening of the people still has far to go to reach a level that could save the planet. Interiorly, however, there is a great change, and many take many points of the Secret Doctrine or occultism for granted, without having ever heard from Blavatsky or the Temple. In Europe, for example, there is the so-called ecumenical movement to establish peace and cooperation between religions, with similar initiatives in the U. S. The cooperation -- now union -- between European countries who were enemies for ages, is another case. It is all due, in the last analysis, to the Great Sacrifice. But the great danger is that those who woke up -- as it happened with great masses of humanity in 1968 -- fall asleep again soon after. There is tons of New Age literature, but much of it is but tuition in black magic, for they seek answer to the question, "What do I get?," rather than asking, "What do I give?" The general tone of discourse, also the moral tone of the race, is far below the level even of the sixties, let alone in comparison to the turn of the century a hundred years ago. Defying the Avatar will surely throw the planet back not only into barbarism, but, horribile dictu, into annihilation and decay.
It is our great and holy privilege to participate in the work to stem this tide. We must give the example of a brotherhood of man in our own dealings with one another to be a true Temple brother and sister, and friend. No quarrel should enter our hearts. We must stop everything that divides us from one another -- violent opinion, issue-orientedness, the regarding of brotherhood as secondary, and sacrificing it on the altar of disunity, criticism, judgmentalism, and reproach. "Cease your complaint, and your trouble will cease." We have the holy privilege of working with the Master and his physical representative, the Green Star: if we turn to her, we can never fail.
All the while the force of the Universe, the mighty engine of Love which is the Avatar -- he who is the "fifth (exoterically tenth) incarnation of Vishnu"; the fifth (exoterically, tenth) Buddha -- Maitreya -- Buddha "who was yet to come"; the expected King Messiah, the Messenger of Light of the Kabalists; Sosiosh, the Persian Savior, "who will come on a White Horse"; the Christian Second Advent, the new central figure of Humanity does not wait. The time is short. He is here, ever nearer, ever nearer to the heart and consciousness of the earth plane, and with an ever louder thundering voice He commands, "Love ye one another!" To us, Templars, bound by a holy bond of a mighty past when we all loved one another, and died for one another innumerable times, He cries: "Remember -- fight the good fight!" And into the last words He spoke to us on the night of November 15, 1898, He wrapped a secret, the name of the mystery which is legion:
"Warriors of Light, Warriors of Truth, I salute you in the name of the Great White Brotherhood, and pronounce you members of the First Degree. Go forth to battle with the powers of darkness, armed with the Sword of the Spirit of God, the Breastplate of Righteousness, the Helmet of Eternal Truth. See to it then, that no stain rests upon that armor, no rust on that sword, that ye may become ONE WITH US on that Great Day BE WITH US. The blessing of God the Father Almighty, of Christ the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, be with you now and forevermore."
-- Istvan Balogh
Report of the Inner Guard:
We have an infinite variety of choices bombarding us daily. Add to this the concept that there are no little things. Every thing, every choice, is equally important.
Brotherhood and love are each single words, yet they encompass the guidelines for every choice presented to us daily.
As we go through our day-to-day business we might forget one thing: we always have the overwhelming love and guidance of the Master streaming all around us. When we listen to our hearts, to that small, still voice within, each of our choices for brotherhood, love and the Golden Rule are a snap.
We are gathered once again together at this convention of the Masters; what better time to renew our vows and pledges? As a group, we can make the choices for brotherhood and love. As a group we support each other in every possible way.
Everything we are and everything we do is the result of the choices we have made. (Isn't it funny how Karma and self-responsibility pops up everywhere!) When we choose to follow the choices of love and brotherhood, our vows and pledges are renewed, day by day, choice by choice.
There really are no little things.
-- Margaret Thyrring
Report of the Outer Guard
We are so lucky to have these wonderful meetings to go to. It helps us in striving to reach the goal which we are all seeking. As it says in the Teachings, "Look at this subject from a common-sense standpoint. Try to realize that the soil, the trunk, and branches of a tree must be perfectly developed if you would have a perfect blossom, perfect fruit. The fully developed Soul must have a perfectly developed instrument through which to function, and when your desires and thoughts tend towards the final accomplishment of practical Occultism, be thankful that you have reached a point where you are able to see, first your needs, then the possibility of supplying those needs; and, wherein you are deficient, set to work with a WILL to clear away all debris and build a firm foundation for the superstructure you hope to build thereon."
-- Ron Carlson
Address of the Guardian in Chief
Do you remember in school in one class or another when the teacher asked you to write a paper in class on "What America Means to Me," or "What My Family Means to Me," or, or, or -- the list is endless, and we have all written such essays at different grade levels. We would roll our eyes, struggle with enough words to fill the assignment or the class period (whichever came first), and race out the door when the bell rang.
As Convention 2001 approached, I found myself giving myself such an assignment, with the subject for the paper being, "What the Temple Means to Me." Fortunately, I am not in a school classroom, nor bounded by the constraints of bells, or having my paper marked for spelling, punctuation, and subject matter. Actually, I would suggest that everyone take on this assignment, knowing that each and every one of us would have a slightly different slant on the subject. It is a wonderful assignment that forces a focus on what is really important. And yet it must be an ongoing project, because each day I find that my focus changes as I gain more and more insight and understanding. In Beacon Fires I read, "To eat, drink and sleep, to be merry or sad, is not life. Life is the intense, pulsating, vibratory acme of knowledge, truth, love, beauty and faith. Reach out and breathe it into your own soul as a famishing man reaches for bread to sustain his fainting body." This intense, pulsating, vibratory acme of knowledge, truth, love, beauty and faith is becoming more and more my focus as I am finding more clearly what the Temple indeed means to me.
Within that changing focus there is still the constant foundation found in this statement: we "must never lose sight of one fact. The higher purpose, the aim of all those who are true Templars, was and still is the preparation of a place where it might become possible for the overshadowing Christ to enter and send forth the message which the world has waited for so long." This is part of the meaning of the Temple in my life -- perhaps it is even all of the foundational meaning. But the act of thinking things through, studying the Teachings, creating the image in my mind, still does not bring it forth in my everyday life. How do I prepare the place where it finds expression?
In my particular position as Guardian in Chief, I could very well concentrate 98% of my energy on seeing that paint, nails, roofing, and lumber are applied in appropriate places; that weed abatement is accomplished; that plumbing and septic systems are kept in good repair; along with an endless variety of other physical plane challenges. Indeed, some days it feels as if 108% of me is consumed by such details. And yet there is so much more to the meaning of the Temple in my life. If I really believed that the above mentioned physical plane details were all that is meant as "the preparation of a place for the coming Avatar," I would have been out of here a long time ago. All of this effort of preparation rests on another foundation than one made of bricks and mortar. I do not mean to negate all the physical plane details necessary to live life on this plane and make sure that Halcyon, the present place of the Temple, is maintained. These details are very important. But there is much, much more.
So what gives substance and meaning to life in the Temple? Such meaning grows increasingly simple to me as time goes by. It is not that I know any more, that I have studied any more, or am endowed with magical properties by virtue of my position or as a Temple member. It is rather the active recognition that I am a part of the Unity of all Life -- not in terms of a rosy, spaced-out view that everyone and everything is perfect now, but rather in terms of seeing more deeply into the truth of that unity existing in every aspect of the manifested Universe, of a simple acceptance of people and conditions as they are right now, and realizing that I do not have the responsibility of changing what I see to fit a pattern I have set up, but simply to accept and to love without any conditions. In that acceptance is the recognition of our mutual weaknesses, as well as our mutual strengths.
"It would be truly impossible for such an overshadowing of the spiritual forces to enter and dwell with a number of disaffected, treacherous, inhuman elements. It could not do the work for which it came, even if it were possible to come." If we are honest with ourselves, we acknowledge that those disaffected, treacherous, inhuman elements are part of each of us in some proportion, as are their opposite qualities. We are here in this place, on this plane, at this time, to clear out of our consciousness these negative elements one little bit at a time. As I do so, as we all do so, we are forming the matrix for this process to work its way out through all of humanity. We are enduringly bathed in that overshadowing of spiritual forces, but we do not reach out to choose to use them on any consistent basis.
For me, the consciousness-clearing process involves staying focused on choices, conscious choices, constantly being made in very practical, everyday situations. The foundation of my very being is choosing to hold each hour of each day my point of responsibility by keeping in mind three important laws: (1) Love is the fundamental source of being, (2) the Law holds me accountable for the breaking of every lesser law, and (3) I will not speak falsely, unnecessarily, or critically of anyone or anything. To the extent I can do this, can I keep my inner balance.
I must fully live in the world of the physical plane with awareness that this is not all there is, that all the inner planes must be integrated within my consciousness and expressed through my being, through my real self. Blue Star told us, "We are exactly what we think, not what we appear. If we think truth we become truth, and finally our consciousness rises to and becomes infinite truth. If we recognize, believe, and act with the law of the eternal brotherhood of souls, Love -- the underlying law of all creation -- will identify us forever with that great Brotherhood of Souls, and with the Masters of all wisdom, power, and might. We will go in and out of our Father's house, members of one great family, reunited by blessed ties, the grandeur of which we are not yet capable of cognizing, but the spiritual aroma of which reaches us in hours of perfect self-surrender, and fills us with longing unutterable for the completion of that holy function, `the marriage of the soul.' "
"Such a place requires quiet, concentration, aspiration, unified endeavor, and faith in each other and in the common purpose." That place is the Temple, is my consciousness, is my real self. It is my responsibility to see that even within the busyness of everyday life, my needs for quiet, concentration, and aspiration are met, and that I honor your needs for the same. Our unified endeavor, our faith in each other and in the common purpose is what the Temple means to me.
"These are essentials; all else is non essential." Our work is this simple.
To assist me in the work for the coming year will be Ron Carlson, Outer Guard; Margaret Thyrring, Inner Guard; Marti Fast, Treasurer; Istvan Balogh, Scribe; with Aleksandr Smirnov, Lonny Scheutzow, and Janine Wingate as Delegates at Large.
May we all walk together in Love, Light, Joy, and Peace.
-- Eleanor L. Shumway
At 5 a.m., Istvan Balogh led a walk through the high dunes at Oceano.
The Healing Service at noon was conducted by Linda Rollison and Ron Carlson.
At 5:30 p.m., in the University Center, the Guardian in Chief read material from the Temple archives for the study class.
At 8 p.m. in Hiawatha Lodge, "A Lovely Sunday for Creve-Coeur" by Tennessee Williams was presented by the Halcyon Players.
At 10 a.m., The Social Science talks were held in the Temple, focusing on the theme of "A Living Power in My Life."
Our topic is "A Living Power in My Life." God is a living power in our lives. And who is God? God exists in the "I AM" Presence. God exists in everything, and each soul has an "I AM" Presence above his or her head. The "I AM" Presence radiates God-power, light, love, purity, wisdom, truth, mercy, and immortal consciousness.
If we become aware of the "I AM" Presence, it is the most glorious thing that we can experience, for we then know God. We know the creator of all life. We were meant to live in the image of God and become one with God in all life. When we go to the other side, we also want to be aware of the "I AM" Presence.
God-power is the purity of God-energy in positive action. God-power, emanated in the soul, increases the light, wisdom, and energy in the soul presence. The "I AM" Presence contains all knowledge, energy, and eternal truth for each soul to realize. Each soul has the opportunity to become aware and awakened to the realization of the "I AM" Presence. The Masters of Light and Avatars of Light have this power of healing and of uplifting, and They send Their radiance to us, and God-light to each soul who calls to the "I AM" Presence and brings it into action. The true reality is that we need to call to the Masters and to the Avatars every day -- regularly. It was said in the Master's Message last Sunday that every second, every minute, every hour counts, and what we do in our thoughts, actions and daily life makes a big difference in what's happening within us. When we love our neighbor as ourselves, we pray for each other, we meditate regularly, we start our day knowing God. That brings power into our lives. If we understand this "I AM" Presence, we know the "I AM that I Am." It's mentioned in the Bible, and it's mentioned in the Temple Teachings. We talk about the flames of life. What are they? Well, they're the true reality of God. Without this flame we would not understand God. And if we flow with the flames of life, then we are one with God's reality. Initiated souls experience the power of the "I AM" Presence and the Christ-self in their lives. The Christ-self, as we call the Higher Self, descends down from the "I AM" Presence. It comes from the "I AM" Presence and it brings the Light of God into our Soul Presence, and that's a True Reality. When we experience the radiant spiral flames of this God-energy, then we really realize God, and that can bring the true power of understanding into everyday life. Those who are one with this "I AM" Presence become One with All Life and become unified. Each soul who flows with the pure light of God has the opportunity to raise its consciousness and respond to the Higher Self. The "I AM" Presence is a Living Power in our lives.
-- Cecilia Page
I am not endeavoring to be perfect when I recite the Avataric Mantram. I'm not perfect, I never have been perfect, and I don't anticipate achieving personal perfection in this lifetime. But it's my awareness of the Avatar as a living power in my life which enables me to realize a glimpse of perfection. When I make the conscious effort toward that realization, it invariably blooms from within, and I am secure in the knowledge that perfection is real and everlasting.
-- Ivan Ulz
I spent a lot of years looking for the Light. And then I got burned. So I started looking for the darkness -- some place to rest -- and then night fell. And now I'm looking for a little bit of light in the darkness, and the Light says "Thank you for choosing Love again and again, because it's not easy. It may look easy, but it's not."
And I want to say to each one of you, "Thank you very much."
-- Anne Dunbar
I will endeavor to realize the presence of Chocolate as a Living Power in my life. Actually, chocolate isn't the only living power in my life. To be quite honest, such kinds of "Living Power" require very little, if any, endeavoring on my part. A romantic interlude, the laughter of a child, the smell of blooming jasmine, a cool summer breeze under a deep blue sky, and the never-ending rhythm of the ocean are also examples of living powers in my life, although some require more awareness than endeavoring.
I will endeavor to realize the presence of Exercise as a living power in my life. Now that's a different story. Sure, I choose to exercise, but it's much more challenging than choosing to have a piece of chocolate. Eating too much chocolate seems to be as easy as not exercising at all. "There are no little things" tends to remind me that a mustard seed can contain enough faith to change the world. I believe this is as true of exercise as it is of the Avataric Mantram. The problem comes from not doing them at all. In this ever-quickening time, that Power that maketh all things new doesn't seem to come very easy to me, but it does keep coming because I keep trying. I have found moderation and balance to be the keys. It doesn't take much, as long as it is consistent and steadfast. The challenge of living by the Golden Rule in our competitive world requires endeavoring and self-responsibility if we are to have the opportunity to do something to nothing.
I will endeavor to realize the presence of Patience as a living power in my life. I will endeavor to realize the presence of Understanding as a living power in my life. I will endeavor to realize the presence of Love as a living power in my life. I will endeavor to realize the presence of the Avatar as a Living Power in my life.
-- Rick London
About three years ago, three Russians came to Halcyon -- myself, Vladimir and Natasha -- and we received more love and attention from the Temple of the People than we had ever received in our lives.
About a year before we came to the Temple, we visited the museum of a famous Russian painter, Konenko, who also wrote a very important cosmogonic cycle. In one of his works, he painted the two countries coming together -- Russia and America -- like the meshing together of two big wheels of the prophets.
I thought at the time it was like two halves, the feminine and the masculine, coming together and trying to unite. I don't know which is Russia and which is America -- the feminine and the masculine. I feel a powerful blending together of the cultures and the spiritual development of both countries. Especially I felt this after seeing that two Russian families have moved to Halcyon, finding their home here.
Then I felt that the love of the Temple of the People is not only directed at America or Europe, but that it is international, and belongs to all humanity.
I feel a need to give back the same love with all my heart. I wish to convey my own love and that of the seven Temple members in Moscow to you.
-- Svetlana Belinskaya
A LIVING POWER IN MY LIFE
To realize -- according to the greatest authority of the English language, the 20-volume Oxford English Dictionary -- is "to make realistic or apparently real"; "to convert into by making real"; "to complete a piece of music left sparsely notated by a composer"; "to enrich the texture of a work; esp. by orchestrating music written for a single voice or instrument"; "to make real as an object of thought"; "to present as real"; "to bring vividly or clearly before the mind"; "to understand or grasp clearly"; "to conceive, or think of, as real"; "to apprehend with the clearness or detail of reality"; "to become aware of the presence of"; "to have actual experience of." So, if "I will endeavor to REALIZE the presence of the Avatar as a living power in my Life," I actually try to become aware of my own unity and identity with that force of manifested Divinity that is immortal and lives in me. Can there be a separation -- an iron curtain or Berlin Wall -- between myself and "the first among many brethren" who bore me -- and by creating me, became me, by sacrificing Itself to Itself? Only if I hold on to the curse of illusion. Only as long as I keep myself occupied with myself, instead of Myself, and turn my back on Him, so to speak. "Try to reach the state between waking and sleeping" -- precisely for the purpose of interrupting this insulting attitude. If we do not get polite with the Avatar voluntarily, we will certainly do so involuntarily, if needs be by blows of extreme pain or joy to make us shut up. Odds are that whatever method we choose to stop our personality from keeping us blindfolded in misery, that imaged form of discordant music just keeps on shouting around, keeping us occupied and wallowing in dirt. The tricks of the personality are immense, or rather, the pitch-black smoke we generate around us is too thick to penetrate even for a ray of divine light. We are gnomes and criminals toiling away in darkness, shutting out all that is light. There are many methods we can use to escape from this condition, but all of them are full of danger because we have ears but refuse to listen, and we shut our eyes to the light. The more we try to do occultism in such a condition, the less our chances are to escape hurting ourselves and others seriously. How do we approach then this reality of that most sacred living power in my life from the right standpoint that is helpful and uplifting to all?
"Body be still, Soul know, that I, Higher Self, am God."
"What is the sound of one hand clapping?"
"Yew never slept over a promise. When he (Yew) heard anything which he had not yet carried into practice, he was afraid of hearing anything else."
Confucius said: "Fine words and an insinuating appearance are seldom associated with virtue." The Master said, "I would prefer not speaking." Tsze-Kung said, "If you, Master, do not speak, what shall we, your disciples, have to record?" Confucius said, "Does heaven speak? The four seasons pursue their courses, and all things are being continually produced, but does heaven say anything?"
-- Istvan Balogh
As often happens, I have not come here with any prepared talk. Yet I feel there is a thing or two that I have to say after listening to everything else.
Svetlana anticipated me a little bit. She spoke, reflecting the unity of spirit between two cultures, between two ways of life. California is a bi-cultural society -- Spanish and English, or Mexican and American, whichever way you wish to think of it. Halcyon has become a bi-cultural society too -- but it's more Russian and American. I love it.
It's amazing to me that these things "just happen" -- and yet they aren't "just happening," if you know what I mean. For me, it translates to "Life is a Living Power in which I live."
-- Willy Gommel
The Healing Service at noon was conducted by Marti Fast and Istvan Balogh.
At 7 p.m. in the Temple, "Temple Treasures" papers about the Inner Orders were presented.
The Healing Service at noon was conducted by Margaret and Chris Thyrring.
At 1 p.m., everyone came to the Colendich garden for a potluck luncheon followed by a program presented by Ivan Ulz, and visiting in the restful garden "rooms."
At dusk, a campfire sing-along was enjoyed in the garden near the Central Home.
At 8 a.m., everyone gathered for breakfast in Hiawatha Lodge, prepared by Marla Lowman and her crew.
The Healing Service at noon was conducted by Zelma Colendich and Willy Gommel.
The Healing Service at noon was conducted by Barbara Ricardo and Chris Thyrring.
From 2 to 6 p.m., "Remember the Sixties" was the theme for an Open House at Irm and Istvan Balogh's home.
At dusk, a campfire sing-along was held near the Central Home.
At 10:30 a.m., The Temple Builders' Program was held in the Temple. This program is by and for the Children's Department of the Temple. Our children constantly remind us that everyone must come to the place of the child-like mind and heart in order to enter into the Kingdom of God.
The Guardian in Chief spoke of the work with the children:
The Builders have been an important focus for the Temple, particularly since moving from Syracuse. Ninety-nine years ago the children's movement was discussed at the Convention and put into effect in 1903. In the Artisan from that time we read, "The lessons for the children will contain the simple fundamental truths of Science and Religion, as elaborated by the Masters of Wisdom in all ages. They will be written in childhood's language and will abound in illustrations from nature and other lines familiar to children."
By June of 1903 the children's movement was reported to have nearly 100 members from around the country -- partly children, partly teachers, and partly grown members who found the lessons helpful to themselves.
Over the years since, the numbers have increased or decreased, the language of childhood has changed with the times, but the simple, fundamental truths of Science and Religion have not changed. These are timeless. Timeless also is the service to and by the children. Having been a Builder, I find that one never really stops feeling like one, although we might not come to the meetings twice a month! I am sure that Cecelia Page, Susie Clark, Marla Lowman, Missy Lowman, David Brkovich, Zina Colendich, Jennie Clark Foremaster, Karen and Will White, Roselma Quinn, Thada Drummond, Mindee and Kristel Thyrring, Joy DeLaLuna, Jamil and Leon Smith, Alex, and Kaety Rollison, to name just those former Builders living here at present, will tell you the same thing. This holds true for those who have been Builders leaders such as Marti Fast, Susie Clark, Linda Rollison, Zelma Colendich, Mary Orcutt, Barbara Ricardo, Ivan Ulz, and Natalie Grantham.
After a song by Ivan Ulz, Rick London, leader of the older group of Temple Builders, spoke:
Every 2nd and 4th Sunday at 9 a.m. the older Builders meet here in the Temple. The hour of the morning seems challenging for most. Apparently, Temple Builders comes much too quickly after a Saturday night. With some of us yawning in silence, we light a candle and open with the "Words of Force," surrounded by images of the Masters, H. P. B., William Quan Judge and the Guardians in Chief.
From the Mantrams, to the Rallying Cry of the Red Ray, to the Rules of Discipleship and the objects of the Temple, we try to understand and relate these words to living with our families, friends and, of course, ourselves.
As in years past, the "Master's Message to the Convention 2001" begins with "My Beloved Children." As I listened to that Message, I couldn't help but notice that the only words hanging on the Temple walls conclude with "All Temple Children."
Becoming aware of the Spiritual side of Nature is a lifetime endeavor. Here at the Temple, people of all ages have the opportunity to discover God within themselves. The choice is there and the opportunities are boundless. From Willy's youth club to our spontaneous encounters with each other, we all are Temple Builders. The Great Mysteries of Life are unfolding for each one of us as we venture from what is known to the unknown.
One never knows when enlightenment might come. "Thanks for encouraging me to attend the Informal Opening of the Convention," I recently heard while leaving the Lodge. Was I being reminded of our Spiritual connection to Hiawatha, the Iroquois Nation and the significance and importance of the Tribe, all "Temple Builders?"
Last Tuesday, some of us heard the words of guidance and encouragement from William Q. Judge to Dr. Dower, as Dr. Dower endeavored the formation and management of the Syracuse Branch of the Theosophical Society. Again, I was reminded of the Master's Message for this Convention: "You are pledged disciples of the Great Lodge, children mine, as each moment passes, you must take deeper responsibility for the unfolding of consciousness in yourselves as well as all humanity."
The children read papers they had prepared:
A SPECIAL WELCOME
"Welcome, you dear people,
In Christ's dear name we greet
You children of The Temple
Who in Convention meet;
May Golden Light surround you,
May Christ's own Seal be thine,
May Love and Peace attend you,
Dear you, and yours, and mine."
-- Read by Tyler Clark
written by Duncan Ferguson in 1930,
and read nearly every Builders Sunday since then
I have been living in Halcyon for about eight years and four months. Halcyon is my favorite place to live. I have a bunch of friends here. They are older and younger than me.
Most of the time I play with my brothers, and sometimes I visit my grandma who lives next door. Living in Halcyon is great. I have one dog and one cat and five people in my family. The most special thing that happened this summer was that I got my own room. My room is all purple and a little bit of white.
I know almost everybody in town, but some people I don't know that well. I like to come to the Temple and Lodge. My favorite thing to do at the Temple is to eat all the treats and say the mantrams.
I have a few special places in Halcyon like the one at my grandma's that has a tunnel made of flowers. Everybody is nice to me. My favorite thing to do in Halcyon is to play with my friends.
-- Violet Drummond
What I learned in Builders: What I learned in Builders is the White Light. The White Light is a White Light that goes around the world giving peace and love to everybody. Another thing I learned is the Offering Prayer which is "All Things come from Thee, O Lord, and of Thine Own have we given Thee." The offering is to raise money for the Temple.
-- Johnny Foremaster
Love and Friendship: This guy I met once wrote a very impressive piece on love, which I think ties into friendship. Of course friendship is, in its own way, a type of love. You can love your parents, your husband, your children, and your friends. All of these are different types of love. I would like to read this piece to you today. It is titled LOVE:
"Love is Friendship that has caught fire. It is quiet understanding, mutual confidence, sharing and forgiving. It is loyalty through good and bad times. It settles for less than perfection and makes allowances for human weaknesses.
"Love is content with the present, it hopes for the future, and it doesn't bleed over the past. It's the day-in and day-out chronicle of irritations, problems, compromises, small disappointments, big victories and working toward the common goals.
"If you have love in your life It can make up for a great, great amount of things missing. If you don't have love in your life, no matter what else there is, it's not enough --" LaMar Stubblefield
-- Julie Moiseyeva
In an Internet forward that a friend of mine sent me I found this quote: "A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back when you have forgotten the words." I loved this quote because it describes all of my views on friendship. A true friend is one who has been with you through some of the hardest times of your life, one who shared in the smiles and in the tears, and one who has never given up on you. A real friend is trustworthy and caring. When the rest of the world deserts you a true friend is there by your side. And no matter how many arguments or fights you get into, you can never really break that bond which holds you together, because no matter where we go in life, a friend is with us in our hearts.
-- Alena Veller
What friendship means to me: Friendship means you have to be really nice to friends. Friends make you feel good, and when you feel bad, friends make you feel good. Like Bailey. I think Jesus and God make friends. Thank you God. What I learned in Builders: When we light the candle the shining light comes up and we take the love to everybody.
-- Megan Foremaster
Chris Thyrring read the Poem "If" from a 1900 Artisan.
The Healing Service at noon was conducted by Marti Fast and Istvan Balogh.
At 3 p.m., the annual Ice Cream Social made us all very happy at the home of Karen and Will White.
At 7 p.m., the Candlelight Convention Benediction Service was celebrated in the Temple.
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RISE up! Be strong! It is another day -- another Glad New Day.
Let not fear stalk thy Path, a millstone round thy neck to drag thee to the bottom. Aye, rise up, before it seizes thee. Turn, turn thou upon it -- and grip it within tight clutched hands, Hands of thy Soul -- Intelligence, Hands of Spiritual Power from which it cannot escape, try as it may or will. And thy greatest strength shall come without outer move on thy part. But act, act from thine Inner Self and let the flooding currents sweep.
Master over fear art thou -- fear, dread enemy of the Warrior of Progress, Light and Accomplishment.
And thou, Thou art the Prince, the Favored One, the Long Loved, Cherished Favorite of the King, thy Father -- the Child of thy Sweet Mother true -- Mother in Faith and Undying Love.
Rise up! Be strong! It is another Glad New Day.
In Memoriam. Laura Evalyn Williams Nelson was born August 11, 1909, in Heppner, Oregon, and died in Santa Maria, California, on June 29, 2001, six weeks short of her 92nd birthday. During those 92 years Laura worked hard at being a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, teacher, librarian, friend, and attentive neighbor. Laura and her family lived here in Halyon for thirty-seven years. In her shy, diffident way, Laura was always there when needed with the necessary help, whether it was a ready ear, a sympathetic heart, a plate of cookies, a cup of tea, or a strong arm to lean on. She also had strong opinions, clear ethical standards, and a lilting laugh when something caught her funny bone. We will miss her.
Temple groups: There are groups in New York City and London, England, as well as several in locations in Germany. Anyone wishing more information about these groups can call the Temple offices in Halcyon.
William Quan Judge Library serves Temple members, residents of Halcyon, and friends with an interest in Theosophy or who are doing research involving some of our special collections. Our library is staffed by volunteers; hours are Mondays, 9-11 a.m. and 6-8 p.m., and Fridays, 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Other hours are by appointment through the Temple office.
The University Center Gallery is open by appointment. Please call the Temple office at (805) 489-2822 for information. This year the exhibition consists of paintings by Harold E. Forgostein, fourth Guardian in Chief of the Temple. This exhibit, "The Refreshing Green of Nature," features both watercolors and oils depicting Harold's deep insights into the the world of nature about us. Also on display are many interesting articles and artifacts accumulated through Temple history.
The Temple Healing Service is held at 12:00 noon each day in the Temple. All are welcome to attend. A Meditation Meeting is held in the Temple on Sunday evening from 7 to 7:30.
Study Classes under the auspices of Temple Officers and various Temple Orders are held regularly in the University Center on Tuesdays and Fridays at 5:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Sunday Services are held at 10:30 a.m. in the Temple. The Feast of Fulfillment (the Communion Service of the Temple) is celebrated on the first Sunday of each month. The last Sunday of each month is a prayer and meditation meeting. Other Sundays are speakers' meetings. The public is cordially invited to all services.
Speakers in the Sunday services were: May 20, Linda Rollison read Blue Star written by Mark Hall Patton; June 10, Eleanor Shumway read Art and Its Relationship to Life by Harold E. Forgostein; June 17, Istvan Balogh, Mens Sana In Corpore Sano; July 8, Eleanor Shumway, You Are All Invited to a Banquet; July 15, Marti Fast, The Voices of Dreams; July 22, Richard Lentz, The Avataric Mantram; August 19, Ivan Ulz, Who Am I?
SPECIAL NOTICE
You will notice slight changes in the format of this edition of The Artisan. We are using a different method of producing the magazine. We trust it will be clearer. [Webmaster's note: This relates to the paper edition only.]
-- The Editors
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