Public Lectures and Events   ~  Spring, 2011                                                        Home

Public Lecture Series ~ Sunday Afternoons  4:00–5:30 pm   
Suggested Donation:   $5.00–$10.00       (special events vary)

All events are held in the lending library, at:

717 Broadway East, Seattle, WA 98102 (206) 323-4281

Get directions     GPS   Lat: 47.62557 Long: -122.32143 (W)

 Parking may be difficult, so please allow extra time to arrive.
    * * *   Unless otherwise noted, all events are on Sunday afternoons  4:00–5:30 pm   * * *


Our non-profit library is largely funded by donations. If you would like to support us in keeping our library active, please consider sending a donation to the Library Manager Fund.  For a limited time, all donations we receive will be matched by a member donor. We appreciate your support.

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Second Saturday Meditations with  Sue Prescott
9:30-10:30am ~  $2 suggested donation each session
 March 12, April 9, May 14

This monthly meditation group is open to the public on a drop-in basis and is for those experienced in meditation as well as those who are just beginning.
Sue Prescott, a long-standing member of the Theosophical Society and meditator for over 30 years, will use a combination of guided meditations and silence which will be augmented by brief discussion. Come meditate with us in the sacred space of Seattle’s Theosophical Library.


CANCELLED:  Sunday, March 27, 2011  4-5:30pm  -  The Four Blessings,  David Spangler

The Four Blessings are a very simple spiritual practice designed to enhance our awareness and attunement in the moment as well as performing an act of "energy hygiene."  They are: the blessing of place, of self, of others, and of activity.  In this talk, David will examine the philosophy behind these four blessings and offer some specific exercises for putting them into practice.

David Spangler is an internationally known spiritual teacher, a former director of the Findhorn Foundation community, and director of education for the Lorian Association.  He is the author of many books on spirituality and teaches classes online at www.Lorian.org.

Sunday, April 10, 2011 4-5:30pm
Public Lecture: $5 - $10 Requested Donation
Pain Management, Meditations, and Learning Styles
Len Hilgerman

Medical research has clearly demonstrated that meditation can help manage pain, and many doctors now recommend meditation along with more traditional methods. Certain meditations often work better than others depending on the individual's preferred learning styles. Our preferred learning styles can be very powerful means for perceiving and interacting with all of life around us and within us. During this talk we will explore the different learning styles and how people can choose more effective pain management meditations and strategies. Knowing your preferred learning styles may also help you make different and maybe better choices at home, work, play and on your spiritual journey.

Len Hilgermann, MSW, has worked for many years as a social worker and adult educator. Most recently Len has been teaching meditations at a hospital outpatient clinic to help patients get better pain relief. He is also an ordained Tibetan Buddhist teacher.


CANCELLED: Meditations with Linda Jo Pym

4/23/2011, 5/28/2011, 6/11/2011
9:30-10:30am
$2 suggested donation each session
Linda Jo Pym

These meditation sessions are open to the public on a drop-in basis and are for those experienced in meditation as well as those who are just beginning.
Linda Jo Pym, is a long-time member of the Theosophical Society and meditator.


Sunday, April 17, 2011 4-5:30pm
Public Lecture: $5 - $10 Requested Donation
Why Sacred Music?
World Meditation Ensemble

What is it, where did it come from, who originates it, how is it created and why is it here? WME supports a more verdant, just and peaceful world by researching, documenting and performing sacred world music from various traditions. Explore origins, significances and permutations of world sacred music as a spiritual phenomenon in a discussion with members of WORLD  MEDITATION ENSEMBLE. New music from upcoming recording will be shared and discussed.

Since 1999 Seattle’s World Meditation Ensemble has celebrated the commonality of human spirit with an extraordinarily eclectic tour of world sacred sounds. An imaginative and respectful to spirit and culture worldwide. www.WorldMeditationEnsemble.org


Sunday, May 01, 2011 4-5:30pm
Public Lecture: $5 - $10 Requested Donation
Love in Esoterics
Stanton Stevens

Henry T. Laurency and the Theosophical writers discuss so much that we haven't and can't personally experience, and often have surprising perspectives on what is part of our daily lives, such as love. Laurency can seem harsh, as he dismantles and dismisses the "idiologies" that modern humanity believes in. But in Laurency's writings as well as Theosophical texts, love is mentioned often. It is said to exist in all "higher worlds" of existence, and in fact be the bridge between them. It is stated clearly that is the most powerful force in our solar system. I will discuss what is said about love, as well as how "sexual morality" is viewed in esoterics.

Stanton Stevens is a long time student of the esoteric teachings, and has spoken before on esoterics and Laurency particularly. He leads two Rainbow Bridge meditation groups, in Seattle and Port Townsend, and is a software engineer.


Sunday, May 15, 2011 4-5:30pm
Public Lecture: $5 - $10 Requested Donation
Bill VandenBush's NDE in Vietnam
Bill VandenBush

Bill died when his platoon was bombed by our own planes in Vietnam. Several challenges faced him when he returned from his out-of-body journey. First, he now returned to his body as a loving being, but he was about to fight N. Vietnamese infantry. Secondly, part of his head was missing, and he could only see from one eye. Third, as he led his platoon to an evacuating helicopter he noticed his consciousness was in 3 places simultaneously. One part 100 feet in the air saw the helicopter they had to reach.

Bill has appeared on Arthur C. Clark’s Mysterious Universe, Sightings, and several near-death experience PBS specials.


Monday, May 16, 2011 7:00pm

Wesak Full Moon Meditation
Mark Ray and Karen Johannsen

Please join us in this annual meditation that celebrates the life of the Lord Buddha. It is said that every year at the time of the Full Moon in Taurus, he returns to give humanity His great blessing. In group meditation we will tune into His energy as transmitted through humanity's spiritual hierarchy. By participating with millions of people around the world meditating in unison, we can create a powerful force for peace and soul culture.

Mark and Karen have led this annual mediation for several years.


Sunday, May 22, 2011 4-5:30pm
Public Lecture: $5 - $10 Requested Donation
Religion Versus Science
Ed Alden

What is called Science and what is called Religion have frequently been perceived as incompatible. World and American culture resounds with the conflict between their adherents. Is there any way to resolve or dissolve this apparent incompatibility? Can a person be scientifically religious, or religiously scientific? Or is there another way, that is neither, and both?

Ed Alden is a long time Theosophist and member of the Seattle Lodge.


CANCELLED  Sunday, June 05, 2011 4-5:30pm
Public Lecture: $5 - $10 Requested Donation
The Power of Emotions: Understanding their nature and using their transformation as a way to harness their force and affect healing.
Dirk Hein, M.Ac (UK), L.Ac

This lecture will look at the emotions as an expression of the Five Elements of Chinese Medicine and provides an understanding of the associated organs from a psychological perspective. The Chinese understood how chi not only controls body functions, i.e., the functioning of the stomach, but also guides corresponding functions of the mind, i.e., the stomach of the mind has to process information. Many see emotions as distractions or even risks to lose control. Instead of seeing emotions as a hindrance to personal growth, we can use them as gifts for transformation.

Dirk P. Hein is the founder and director of Wu Hsing Tao School. He has been in private practice in Seattle for 27 years, holds a "Master of Acupuncture" from the College of Traditional Chinese Acupuncture in England where he studied under the late Professor JR Worsley.


* * *   Unless otherwise noted, all events are on Sunday afternoons  4:00–5:30 pm   * * *

Our non-profit library is largely funded by donations. If you would like to support us in keeping our library active, please consider sending a donation to the Library Manager Fund.  For a limited time, all donations we receive will be matched by a member donor. We appreciate your support.

SERVICES OF THE THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY IN SEATTLE    

Theosophical Lending Library
Our research library and learning center are now inviting new members and patrons. (Library member fees are $30/year) This service is included in your lodge membership, should you join the TS in Seattle.