Theosophical Society in Seattle

“The Scriptures say of human beings that there is an outward man and along with him an inner man.
To the outward man belong those things that depend on the soul, but are connected with the flesh and are blended with it, and the cooperative functions of the several members, such as the eye, the ear, the tongue, the hand and so on.
The scriptures speak of all this as the old man, the earthly man, the outward person, the enemy, the servant.
Within us all is the other person, the inner man, whom the Scriptures call the new man, the heavenly man, the young person, the friend, the aristocrat.
….The outward man is the swinging door, the inner man, the silent hinge.”
***Meister Eckhart (1260-1328 CE) German Dominican theologian, philosopher and mystic

“The soul that is attached to anything, however much good there may be in it, will not arrive at the liberty of Divine Union. For whether it be a strong wire rope or a slender and delicate thread that holds the bird, it matters not, if it really holds it fast; for, until the cord is broken, the bird cannot fly. So the soul, held by the bonds of human affections, however slight they may be, cannot, while they last, make its way to God.”
***St. John of the Cross (1542-1591 CE) Spanish Catholic priest, mystic and poet.

As a new month begins, we might ask ourselves: In what ways is consciousness growing within us?

Through study, meditation, service, and self-observation, each day offers an opportunity to awaken a little more fully to life.

“There are innumerable pages of your life-record still to be written up; fair and blank they are as yet. Child of your age, seize the diamond-pen and inscribe them with the history of noble deeds, days well-spent, years of holy striving. So will you win your way ever upward to the higher planes of Spiritual consciousness.”
*** Master KH (Kuthumi) in Daily Meditations—Extracts from Letters of the Masters of the Wisdom, compiled by Katherine A. Beechey

“God, being, as he is, inaccessible, do not rest in the consideration of objects perceptible to the senses and comprehended by your understanding. This is to be content with what is less than God; in so doing, you will destroy the energy of the soul, which is necessary for walking with Him.”
***St. John of the Cross (1542-1591), Spanish Catholic priest, Carmelite friar, and mystic

All are welcome to join us on Zoom this Sunday at 10am PDT for meditation.

While our 4th Sunday gathering is normally dedicated to Good Grief with Nichole, she is delighted to welcome Juliana Cesano to lead this week’s online gathering.

Juliana serves as National Secretary and Director of Theosophical Education for the Theosophical Society in America, bringing a thoughtful and heart-centered presence to her work of supporting study, inquiry, and spiritual exploration within the wider Theosophical community.

If you haven’t already signed up for her weekend program at Indralaya, there are still a few spots available:
https://www.indralaya.org/2026-programs-and-work-parties-full-list/721/daily-practices-to-embody-theosophy/

As an offering for our time together Sunday morning, Juliana shared this reflection from St. Augustine:

“Too late have I loved you, O Beauty so ancient, O Beauty so new.

Too late have I loved you! You were within me but I was outside myself, and there I sought you!

In my weakness, I ran after the beauty of the things you have made.

You were with me, and I was not with you.

The things you have made kept me from you – the things which would have no being unless they existed in you!

You have called, you have cried, and you have pierced my deafness.

You have radiated forth, you have shined out brightly, and you have dispelled my blindness.

You have sent forth your fragrance, and I have breathed it in, and I long for you.

I have tasted you, and I hunger and thirst for you.

You have touched me, and I ardently desire your peace.”

— St. Augustine

“If one would attain to purity of mind, it is necessary to abstain altogether from any judgment of one’s neighbor and from all empty talk about his conduct. In creatures one should always seek only for the will of God. For no reason whatever should one judge the actions of creatures or their motives. Even when we see that it is an actual sin, we ought not to pass judgment on it, but have holy and sincere compassion and offer it up to God with humble and devout prayer.”
***Saint Catherine of Siena (1347-1380) Italian Catholic Doctor of the Church

"Self-gratulation, O Disciple, is like unto a lofty tower up which a haughty fool has climbed. Thereon he sits in prideful solitude and unperceived by any but himself."
*** The Voice of the Silence, Verse 44

🌸 White Lotus Day Gathering 🌸
📍 Cal Anderson Park (near the fountain)
🗓 Friday, May 8 | ⏰ 10am–5pm

Join us for a relaxed outdoor gathering to reconnect, share a meal, and celebrate White Lotus Day together. We’ll have a potluck picnic, a free community book table, and space to catch up and talk about what’s next for our community.

🥗 Bring food or drinks to share
📚 Free books (donations welcome)
💬 Open community conversation
🧺 Blankets + lawn chairs encouraged

Volunteers get first pick of books
DM if you can help with setup or teardown.

Every day, think as you wake up,
“Today I am fortunate to have woken up, I am alive.
I have a precious human life.
I am not going to waste it.
I am going to use all my energies to develop myself,
To expand my heart out to others,
To achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings,
I am going to have kind thoughts toward others,
I am not going to get angry,
Or think badly about others.
I’m going to benefit others as much as I can.”
***The Dalai Lama