Schedule

Open
Time:
08:30 - 09:30
Date:
31 December 2024

OPENING of the Convention

Prayers of Religions

Universal Prayer

Greetings from the Sections, Associations, Agencies

Invocation and opening by the International President

Group Photo

 

Speaker

Tim Boyd
International President of the Theosophical Society
Time:
09:30 - 10:30
Date:
31 December 2024

Adyar Today and Future

Presidential Address by International President Tim Boyd.

Report of the Theosophical Society worldwide from October 2023 until September 2024.

Speaker

Tim Boyd
International President of the Theosophical Society
Time:
11:00 - 15:00
Date:
31 December 2024

Inaugurations

11.00 AM        INAUGURATION OF ART AND MUSEUM EXHIBITIONS- HQs building
  1. "The Divine Hidden in the Ordinary" by Art Conservation Laboratory

    The TS Adyar Art Project is pleased to present its second annual exhibition, bringing together sixteen works of Modern Indian art from the collection that explore the role of art in unveiling the divine hidden in the ordinary. These paintings envelop the gaze of their creator; some depict intimate moments that create a space for self-reflection and contemplation, while others capture actions that express an organic flow of energy, celebrating the life force. In these works, the pursuit of spirituality intertwines with the simplicity of daily life, offering a new position on the connection between art and spirituality.

  2. Museum: Objects of historical interest

     

11.40 AM        OPENING OF THE STALLS - Enquiry Office
  1. OES = Olcott Education Society
  2. BMAD = Besant Memorial Animal Dispensary

     

2.00 PM           INAUGURATION OF EXHIBITIONS AT THE LIBRARY - Library building
  1. H.P.B.’s Paintings, Satirical Sketches, and Doodles                  S. Narayan Archives
  2. Kanjur and Tanjur: The Holy Books of Tibetan Buddhism       Display Room

     

Time:
15:00 - 16:45
Date:
31 December 2024

Reception

Meeting the delegates around snacks and tea/coffee

Time:
17:00 - 18:00
Date:
31 December 2024

The Value of Joy in Self-Transformation

For years, I have been working to develop a basic spiritual practice, simple and easy to remember, but profound in its effects in supporting personal transformation through the development of unity consciousness (i.e., buddhi, in the form of universal brotherhood). The practice is: (1) Show up; (2) Be fully present; (3) Be kind to yourself and others (in thought, feeling, speech, and action); and (4) Find a step to take in (mutual) joy. This is a much-condensed version of teachings found (for example) in Annie Besant's The Laws of the Higher Life and J. Krishnamurti's At the Feet of the Master. It can be practically applied to any inner or outer experience, any relationship with others, and even to our study of Theosophy itself. The key is spontaneous joy, the feeling we experience whenever we take a step closer to unity consciousness, whether within ourselves or with others. Such joy is both the reward of and the incentive for further self-transformation--and I believe its pursuit is the most practical expression of Theosophy as a yoga of union with God.

 

Speaker

Kurt Leland
International Lecturer
Time:
19:45 - 21:00
Date:
31 December 2024

Ritual of the Mystic Star

Time:
08:30 - 09:30
Date:
1 January 2025

Short lectures

1. “The Alchemy of Theosophy”

Linda Oliveira, TS Australia

Theosophical teachings can be of immense interest, but have they had a qualitative effect upon the way in which we live our life?  Perhaps even a transformative effect?

The spiritual unfoldment of a human being requires what we can regard as an alchemical process.  Alchemy has been commonly understood as a medieval form of chemistry, the chief aim of which is to discover how to turn ordinary, or base metals, into gold.  The production of gold was therefore a traditional function of an alchemist.  In time, alchemy become associated with the search for the universal solvent and the panacea. 

Madame Blavatsky described alchemy as the ‘chemistry of nature’.  She taught that it has three essential aspects:  cosmic, human and terrestrial.  In the human context, she equated the mysterious process of the transformation of lead into gold with the transformation of personality into pure, homogeneous Spirit.  She referred to the Soul [Manas] assimilating Spirit (Buddhi).  I would suggest that this is the very heart of human alchemy.   Through this rather mysterious process of assimilation, there is an emergence into the One Life.   In such a state, love is discovered as the only Reality – as Dante described it in The Divine Comedy (‘Paradiso, 3): ‘Love, that moves the sun and the other stars.’

2. “Theosophy – The Philosopher’s Stone”

Mr Shikhar Agnihotri, Assisting Executive to GM

 

Speaker

Shikhar Agnihotri
Convention Officer, National Lecturer and International Speaker
Linda Oliveira
Former National President of the TS in Australia
Time:
10:00 - 12:00
Date:
1 January 2025

Indian Section Convention I

“Inaugural Address”, Tim Boyd, International President

“State of The Indian Section Address”, Pradeep Gohil, President, Indian Section

"Treasurer’s Report", Bro Naryanan, Treasurer of the Indian Section

Speaker

Tim Boyd
International President of the Theosophical Society
Pradeep Gohil
President of the Indian Section of the Theosophical Society
Time:
15:00 - 16:00
Date:
1 January 2025

Workshops

1. “Invoking the Future Garden”

Olcott Bungalow

If you want to walk, the Garden Walk to Olcott Bungalow starts at 2 PM.

Buses start to go before 3 PM. 

Adyar Eco Development team

 

2. “Theosophical Education - The Art of Living and Learning

Blavatsky Bungalow upstairs

Sonal Murali, Director, Adyar Theosophical Academy

A theosophical school is a place where the child is loved, nourished and encouraged to have a deep connection with nature and oneself. Adyar Theosophical Academy (ATA) provides a setting for children to express and explore their creativity while organically assimilating the core values of empathy, sensitivity and an attitude of stewardship for the environment and society. 

Self-directed and child-centred learning allows for nurturing curiosity, invoking a sense of wonder in children to help build creative thinking and experience the joy of learning and a lifetime of education. Join us as we share inspiring stories from our experience of learning and growing through transformative education.

 

3. “Expanding Perspectives through Forum Theatre"

Blavatsky Bungalow downstairs

Yugesh Ramachandran, Facilitator, TS in India

Forum Theatre is a form of theatre performance/dialogue where the audience can also participate and be involved in the story

It usually explores a complex social issue or topic as follows -

1. A short scene is performed - without an ending

2. A moderator invites audience members to pause the performance wherever they wish, and suggest what the actors should say

3. Actors restart the scene - this time pausing whenever audience has suggestions

 

Speaker

Sonal Murali
Director of Adyar Theosophical Academy
Joss Brooks
Veteran Australian Ecologist, Pitchandikulam Forest Auroville
Time:
17:00 - 18:00
Date:
1 January 2025

Growing the Third Ear under the Great Astral Mother Tree - Art in Relation to Theosophy

Christine Ödlund, Sweden

Swedish artist Christine Ödlund will discuss her work in relation to the historical movement of Theosophy. 

She has previously engaged with the research network “Enchanted Modernities: Theosophy, Modernism, and the Arts c. 1875-1960”, which has generated several conferences and exhibitions on the topic. 

Ödlund will examine how theosophy has influenced artists in the past, such as Hilma af Klint and Wassily Kandinsky, and how their legacy can be traced to contemporary art; ultimately in the practice of Ödlund herself, and her artistic investigations of science, nature, mysticism, music, and their interrelations. 

Ödlund aims to explore what the arts can reveal about the complex relationships between Theosophy, modernity, and artistic culture—and why this approach remains significant today.

 

Time:
19:45 - 21:00
Date:
1 January 2025

Poetry Circle and AI translation demo

Poetry Circle presents some spiritual and theosophical poems that relate to the convention theme

Also demonstrating how the AI Translating in various languages will happen in the Wolrd Congress.

Speaker

WFYT
World Federation of Young Theosophists
Time:
08:30 - 09:30
Date:
2 January 2025

Devotional Meeting

Devotional meeting is conducted at the Temple of Light

Time:
10:00 - 11:00
Date:
2 January 2025

Dialogue

Theosophy, the Theosophical Society, and the World

Dialogue between Tim Boyd and Pedro Oliveira

Speaker

Tim Boyd
International President of the Theosophical Society
Pedro Oliveira
Member of the Australian Section
Time:
15:00 - 16:00
Date:
2 January 2025

Mini-Talks

Talks on the theme of the Convention "Practical Theosophy and the Art of Self-Transformation"

1. Hope

Vighnesh R, TS in India, WFYT

2. Small Steps Matter

Merike Martsepp, TS in Estonia, WFYT

3. Inner Unfoldment and Theosophical Life

Svyatoslav Lipsky, TS in Russia

4. The Art of Self-Mastery

Catalina Isaza-Cantor, TS in Colombia, Resident in Adyar

 

Speaker

Catalina Isaza-Cantor
Member in the TS in Colombia, resident in Adyar
Merike Martsepp
Member of the TS in Estonia, resident at Adyar
Vighnesh R
Board member of the World Federation of Young Theosophists
Svyatoslav Lipsky
Organizing Secretary of the TS in Russia
Time:
17:00 - 18:00
Date:
2 January 2025

Besant Lecture

His Excellency Governor of Tamil Nadu has consented to give the Besant Lecture

Speaker

Thiru R. N. Ravi
Hon’ble Governor of Tamil Nadu
Time:
19:45 - 21:00
Date:
2 January 2025

Nadam dance

Narthan Academy of Dance and Music

Time:
08:30 - 09:30
Date:
3 January 2025

Theosophical Order of Service (TOS)

Presentation by Nancy Secrest

TOS International Secretary, USA / Resident at Adyar, India

Speaker

Nancy Secrest
International Secretary of TOS and International Treasurer of the TS
Time:
10:00 - 12:00
Date:
3 January 2025

Indian Section Convention II

Opening and closing remarks, Deepa Padhi as Chairperson

[1] Who am I?
Brother Milind Joshi                   

[2] How to Know Thyself
Sister Smitapragyan Patro

(3) Knowing is Loving
Sister Arunima Baruah

(4) Liberation by Renunciation
Brother M. S. Sridhara

[5] Self-Realisation through knowing Thyself
Sushma Srivastava

 

Speaker

IndSec-speakers-1
Indian Conv. Speakers
IndSec-speakers-2
Indian Conv. Speakers
Time:
15:00 - 16:00
Date:
3 January 2025

The Divine Hidden in Daily Life

1. Elif Kamisli, Turkey
The Divine Hidden in Daily Life

Elif Kamisli will explore the role of art in unveiling the divine hidden in daily life, as highlighted in the collection exhibition presented at the Conservation Laboratory during the Convention. These paintings envelop the gaze of their creator; some depict intimate moments that create a space for self-reflection and contemplation, while others capture actions that express an organic flow of energy, celebrating the life force. In these works, the pursuit of spirituality intertwines with the simplicity of daily life, offering a new position on the connection between art and spirituality.

2. Anupama Gaur, India
Preserving the Legacy; the Art Conservation Project for TS Museum Art Collection

Anupama Gaur will offer a report on the ongoing restoration of the Adyar art collection, the meticulous processes involved in reviving decaying masterpieces and preserving their original splendour.

 

Speaker

Anupama Gaur
Director & Chief Conservator
Elif Kamisli
Exhibition maker and writer
Time:
17:00 - 18:00
Date:
3 January 2025

Science of the Sacred: Water's Transformative Power

Public lecture

Speaker

Alok Aurovillian
Water Science Researcher
Time:
19:45 - 21:00
Date:
3 January 2025

Members' Talent Show

Artistic sharing by the Delegates

Moderator Vinay Patri

Speaker

Vinay Kumar Patri
President of Madras Theosophical Federation, India
Time:
08:30 - 09:30
Date:
4 January 2025

Symposium

Sabine van Osta, Moderator, TS in Belgium

1. "The human mind, this unknown laboratory"

Krista Umbjärv, TS in France

2. "The Blossoming of Intuition”

Richard Sell, TS in New Zealand

3. "Self- transformation through values"

Deepa Padhi, Vice-President of the Theosophical Society

 

Speaker

Deepa Padhi
International Vice-President of the Theosophical Society
Richard Sell
National President of the New Zealand Section
Krista Umbjarv
TS in France
Sabine van Osta
TS in Belgium
Time:
10:30 - 11:30
Date:
4 January 2025

Olcott School new building dedication

Olcott Memorial Higher Secondary School has a new school building at Besant Gardens.

We will have a dedication event with the delegates.

Speaker

Tim Boyd
International President of the Theosophical Society
Time:
15:00 - 16:00
Date:
4 January 2025

World Congress and WFYT

Invitation to the 12th World Congress in Canada July 2025.

Trailers

Update of the work of World Federation of Young Theosophists

Speaker

WFYT
World Federation of Young Theosophists
Time:
17:00 - 18:00
Date:
4 January 2025

Spirituality and the Practical World

Public Lecture by the International President

Speaker

Tim Boyd
International President of the Theosophical Society
close
Time:
18:00 - 19:00
Date:
4 January 2025

Closing of the Convention

Closing words by International President, Tim Boyd

Vote of Thanks by Convention Officer, Shikhar Agnihotri

Speaker

Tim Boyd
International President of the Theosophical Society
Shikhar Agnihotri
Convention Officer, National Lecturer and International Speaker