Dr Stephan Hoeller;

GLIMPSES OF THE ESOTERIC TRADITION; ITS NATURE, EXPERIENTIAL CONTENT, HISTORY AND LEGACY

THE ALEXANDRIAN HERITAGE: NEOPLATONIC AND HERMETIC GNOSIS:
The founders of the Theosophical Society chose the name Theosophy of Neoplatonic origin. What is the ancient Theosophy of the Alexandrian sages, and what is its relevance to esoteric study and practice today?

GNOSIS PERENNIS: THE GNOSTIC TRADITION YESTERDAY AND TODAY:
Today we see the rebirth of Gnosticism by way of its rediscovered scriptures. The perennial message of Gnosis throughout the ages, and its relationship to H.P. Blavatsky and Theosophy.

ALCHEMY, THE SPIRITUAL SCIENCE OF GNOSIS:
The late scholar Gilles Quispel called alchemy the yoga of the Gnostics. The revelations of alchemy from Paracelsus to C.G.Jung, evaluated in a Theosophical spirit.

THE PRESENT AND FUTURE OF THE ESOTERIC TRADITION:
The Gnosis rediscovered, and the reentry of esoteric wisdom into the modern and post-modern world. (Included will be glimpses of esoteric California where the speaker has resided for 57 years.)

Dr Stephan Hoeller will hold an evening of informal conversation with Hungarian members in the Hungarian
language.

Biographical: Dr. Stephan A. Hoeller was born in Budapest, and in his youth emigrated to the USA, and since the 1950's has resided in Hollywood, California. A member of the Theosophical Society for 57 years, he lectured in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, England, Sweden, Iceland, and Germany. He is the author of 5 books, including "The Gnostic Jung", and "Gnosticism"; his books have been translated into 9 languages. Over 300 of his recorded lectures are available on http://bcrecordings.net

Dr. David Roef

BLAVATSKY MEETS DARWIN: A PERENNIAL VIEW ON EVOLUTION:
The year 2009 is the bicentennial of Darwin's birthday, and the sesquicentennial of his Origin of Species. In this and the following sessions we will look at different aspects of Darwin’s genius and compare his legacy with the perennial perspective on evolution as taught in The Secret Doctrine.

THE ID OF THE GODS:
Blavatsky was one of the first persons who used (in 1888) the phrase ‘intelligent design’ to convey an inner perspective on evolution. Now, more than 120 years later the growing ID controversy has resulted in a battle between exoteric religion and orthodox science, raising more questions than it can answer.

THE ORIGIN OF HUMAN CONSCIOUSNESS: APE OR ANGEL?:
Is our consciousness the result of biological evolution, or is its origin deeply rooted in spirit? Did we evolve from below, or do we incarnate from above? Or are we doing both at the same time?

THE SACRED WEDDING OF SPIRIT AND SOUL:
Man is dual. He has a mortal personality and is an immortal SELF. But also his real SELF seems to be dual. IT is spirit
above and Soul within. IT is flame and spark, father and son, bride and groom.

Biographical: Dr. David Roef has spent the past 20 years studying the life and teachings of H.P.Blavatsky and
W.Q.Judge. As an associate of The United Lodge of Theosophists he has lectured and written several articles on ancient and modern Theosophy. He teaches criminal law at the University of Maastricht (Netherlands).

Thomas Martinovich
A short overview on the Hungarian 'white savages' that lived in the Carpathian Valley for the past 1100 years and their spiritual background which has remained alive to this day in spite of all the historic turbulence.
Biographical: Thomas Martinovich is the Presidential Agent for Hungary.

Michael Gomes

THE SECRET OF THE SECRET DOCTRINE:
H.P. Blavatsky's Secret Doctrine is one of the great monuments of modern esotericism. But its 1500 pages can prove daunting. Michael Gomes, whose new abridgement was published this year by Penguin, will use it as a guide through the concepts offered in the book. These four sessions will look at the events that shaped the book, presuppositions needed for an understanding of the text, and the methodology that will allow the reader to experience the Secret Doctrine firsthand.
Biographical: Michael Gomes has written extensively on the life and work of H.P. Blavatsky. He has abridged her two main works, Isis Unveiled and The Secret Doctrine, as well as an anthology of her articles, H.P.B. Teaches. He is Director of the Emily Sellon Memorial Library in New York.

Harold Tarn
NEW SCIENCE ECHOS OLD WISDOM:
The pace of research that resonates with “The Accumulated Wisdom of The Ages” quickens with every decade. Quantum Physics and The New Biology are obvious examples. There is certainly room for optimism, although H.P.B’s pithy comments on modern science – particularly its limits – will always hold.

Colin Price
SCIENCE, ESOTERIC SCIENCE & CONSCIOUSNESS:
This subject is covered in two talks. The attempts by science and esoteric science to resolve the mystery of human consciousness are reviewed. The synthesis of science, religion and philosophy in the Secret Doctrine is relevant in various ways and is discussed together with the credibility of the hypotheses which arise from it and their practical
implications.

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Tuesday 13th October
Optional Sightseeing Tour to Budapest and Gödöllö

A bus is organized that will take you to Budapest city centre, the Royal Castle, Matthias Church and Fisherman's Bastion followed by a drive and visit to Gödöllö which is the second largest Baroque Palace and former summer residence of Emperor Franz Joseph and his Empress Elisabeth (Sissi). The interior of Gödöllö Palace gives a glimpse of the lifestyle at the time of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The website http://www.eurama.hu/ shows a short video giving a flavor of what to expect on the tour. The fee for the day is €55.00 including lunch and dinner. Booking is essential.