A week ago we entered into the sun sign of Cancer – time to highlight the new picture to the month.

Music is under the influence of Cancer and of the Moon. Pure, sublime music is associated with the Divine. The soul naturally responds to high quality music, and we get absorbed into its enchanting vibrations. At the beginning of creation, when space begins to awaken, there is a first group of cosmic Devas. The scriptures call them the Gandharvas, the musicians, because they are the intelligences who produce periodicities and durations. They are the blissful Devas, the musical waves beyond creation. The musical hierarchy is presided over by Soma, the cosmic lunar principle, which exists on all planes. In astrology, his energy is presented through Neptune; on the planetary plane it is Venus; on the plane of our earth it is the satellite Moon.

In the centre of the picture you see three spheres representing the moon principle, composed from photos of the moon and a Chinese ivory carving. I placed a picture of the constellation of Cancer in the background. The outer, bluish sphere is touching a lower sphere representing the reflective principle or the transmission of the lunar energies to the Earth.

In the upper part of the picture you see three angels with flageolets, taken from the works of the English Pre-Raffaelite painter Edward Burne Jones (1833-1899). I worked them over to represent the Devas of the musical hierarchy. The musical vibrations penetrating the cosmos are visualised by the rays descending from the cosmos.

See more pictures on the site with my paintings.

02 March 2014, pencils and photo work

In 1993, on a flight to Europe, Sri Kumar read an article in an inflight magazine about Paracelsus, the great occultist, alchemist and healer. At that time, there were celebrations in Switzerland of the 500th birthday of Paracelsus. Sri Kumar decided to visit the birthplace of this great initiate. So together with Jesus and Tiziana they walked the 5 km from Einsiedeln to the place where Paracelsus was born. Lying on a meadow, he had the vision of an Eagle with the inspiration that some day there would be a centre dedicated to Paracelsus at this place.

On 29 May 1999, the May Call Day, Sri Kumar made a trip with the group members from Mt. Rigi to the Paracelsus centre and suggested the next day that it would be good to dedicate some activity to Paracelsus at this place. Two weeks later, members of a Swiss group rented a small apartment in the house – the start of the Paracelsus Centre. And in December 1999, Sri Kumar gave a fascinating seminar on Paracelsus in Einsiedeln, and we all visited the new centre on the birthday of the initiate. Since about 10 years, the Paracelsus centre is now rent by the WTT – offering a space for meditation and study at this sacred site.

The Devil’s Bridge over the Sihl river and the house at the birthplace of Paracelsus, where the Paracelsus centre of the WTT is located.

Sri Kumar visiting the Paracelsus Centre, 17 Dec. 1999

Now, 15 years later, we gathered there as a group of 9 persons from Germany and Switzerland for a May Call celebration. The days before and after were clouded, partly it was raining but on May Call we had brilliant weather. And a beautiful meeting filled with subtle energies which images better describe than words. So here are some impressions of our small group living.

View from the hill behind the Paracelsus centre

Walking up the hill to the hotel on the top of the Etzel Pass

The memorial stone with an image of Paracelsus

Inside the Paracelsus centre – our little May Call altar

Early morning on May Call – walking to the river to do a fire ritual

A thrilling ambiance at the board of the Sihl river

Apple flowers sending spring greetings

Gathering for a photo with self-timer at the Paracelsus memorial stone

Do you like reading reports, annual reports, for example? And if you open one, would you read more than 2 lines?

I think most would answer both questions with a “no”. Clicking a “like” on Facebook is easier and faster than understanding what a report like the Annual Report of WTT-Global is really about.

12 years ago, Sri Kumar told me on two occasions that such an overview of the activities of the movement is very important. And he remarked that it had taken him years to convince the Indian members of its significance so that they started preparing such reports.

I felt the impact Sri Kumar was giving to compose an Annual Report but I didn’t really understand. I had just been called by him into the Executive Board of WTT-Global. For the previous 2 years I had translated the reports – they were more reviews of the tours and activities of Sri Kumar  in different parts of the world. Since I wasn’t touring this could not be my approach. I would collect information about the tours but rather gather reports about what the groups are doing.

Since 12 years, I am now editing the Annual Report of WTT-Global. The first report had 24 pages – short inputs from activities from 31 groups – the last one, published on May Call, has 81 pages – reports from 38 groups and committed individuals, partly very long ones, with insights into a huge variety of activities of service and meditative work; furthermore short insights into Sri Kumar’s tours in the West, the Paracelsus magazine project and the activities of the Executive Board.

The work for the Annual Report – writing, compiling, translating, and editing – turned out to be full of subtle dimensions. It was not only a kind of taking the pulse of the various groups – I can strongly feel the echo of the qualities of the different groups. The seemingly administrative exercise is a fascinating instrument of weaving a network of cordial relations around the globe. You feel a difference whether the contributions are a “copy-paste” of the previous year (“we are just doing the same like in the years before”) or from a group which reflected on their own work, discovered the scope and complexity of what they are doing. You easily forget this in the currents of everyday life. By sitting down to formulate and to translate, to gather photos and inputs from the other group members, you receive new impulses, for re-sharpening the focus and cooperation: When you look at a thing with loving attention, a further unfolding develops.

Last Tuesday, the day I wanted to get the report printed, I received the biggest group input, a very impressive read which I included just before I drove to the copy centre. And two days ago another interesting contribution arrived which I could include only in the soft-copy version – I started gathering the texts in March but it seems it is not so easy for the groups to organize themselves. And some groups didn’t react at all – no problem, all are free to decide what they want to do.

Sri Kumar gave two mottoes for this year’s Annual Report, one for the cover and one as an “Editorial”: “There is no higher purpose than serving the Plan and the Hierarchy.” and “Let us Strive to Beautify the Personality To be Temple, the Solomon’s Temple.” They describe not only two guiding lights of the spiritual path but also of the work the Annual Report is all about: An instrument of alignment and transformation.

>> Read the Annual Report online / Download PDF version

16 years ago, in May 98, I participated for the first time in a “May Call Day” – an international, or better intercontinental group living of the WTT with Sri Kumar on Mt. Rigi around 29 May. I was deeply touched by this get together in the spirit of synthesis. So it was in a way the beginning of a “love affair”.

I came to learn that the energy of synthesis was received by Master CVV in 1910 in Kumbhakonam and anchored in the planetary ethers. The Master started distributing it on 29 May 1910 by transmitting some of the energy to those ready to receive it – for a quicker transformation. Many things sounded fantastic to me but I also experienced a touch of the energy in form of profound meditations  – and by coming into contact with many people with a similar orientation. Sri Kumar explained that this energy is related to the qualities of Uranus – “bend or break” – and that it might cause a speed-up of inner and outer changes.

When I look back I see that in my life it has become quite true – rapid changes, sudden breaking away of relations and situations, emerging of new ones with other qualities… The meeting on Mt. Rigi was for me a kick-off for annually participating in nearly all following May Call meetings. They brought me to different corners of Europe and even twice to South America. I blogged about some of these meetings in previous years.

Early morning sunrise at “May Call Day” on Mt Rigi in 1999

Group photo of the May Call meeting 1999 on Mt Rigi

These thrilling big May Call gatherings in the West ended in 2012 when Sri Kumar declared that at least for the next 8 years he will do these group livings in India – in Bangalore. Here, too, came a change – me and others had supposed they would go on in the West. Sri Kumar recommended me better not to come to the May Call in India, not only due to my private situation which also had changed. Also for many others it was not possible to go to India for the May Calls. And so last year we organised a meeting in the Vosges, France, a beautiful get-together. At the same time there were many other regional celebrations.

Last January, while in India,  I had an e-mail exchange with Martine, one of the co-organisers of last year’s May Call, and I asked her, “What about organising again a meeting in the Vosges?” She replied, “Let’s wait if Sri Kumar says something.” I thought, he won’t say anything if no-one asks, and so I sent him an e-mail. His answer was quick and direct: “Dear Ludger, let others decide for themselves as you decide for yourself.”

I felt irritated, a bit disappointed. I thought, so let’s wait and see – and I supposed nothing would happen. And nothing of a joint May Call celebration in the nearby countries seemed to pop up. It took some time before I realised the deeper meaning of Sri Kumar’s answer.

When meditating together with a friend beginning of April I told her about Sri Kumar’s comment and mentioned that this year there probably won’t be a May Call group living. She proposed to do a small one with a few friends in the holiday house of a friend of hers. But a week later, at our little group meeting with another friend, she told me that we won’t get the house. The other friend said that last year she went alone for a silent May Call Day to the Paracelsus centre of the WTT at the birth place of this great initiate in Einsiedeln: “Why don’t we do a May Call there?” All three of us said, “Yes, let’s do it.”

Since the Paracelsus centre doesn’t have much space we sent the invitation just to a circle of friends – in the end we are now 9 persons, from Germany and Switzerland, who will gather this week for “our” May Call, including two night stays. And I heard from others that they will also gather in their local groups for meditating and aligning with the energy. So the impulse goes on, and we will join in.

“The Avatar of Synthesis coming from Sirius to Earth via Uranus”, 25 Dec 2009
Download print version

We are just entering into the sign of Gemini. Gemini is related to the mind. So for the picture of this month I tried to illustrate an aspect of the universal mind principle. Our mind is its reflection. And both unfold in great cycles of time. Sounds complicated? So come on for an exploration.

The Eastern wisdom describes the unfoldment of the creational activity in tremendous time cycles called Manvantaras. They cover periods far before the creation of our present earth and go into cycles of far distant future times. A Manvantara is ruled by a solar intelligence called Manu and the Manu presiding over the present cycle is called Vaivasvata. Vaivasvata is the son of the Sun; he is the mind of the Sun and is also called the light of the soul. The Sun is called the weaver, Vivasvata; he weaves the globe of light around itself. The very meaning of Vaivasvata Manu is “the weaver of the light of the soul”, of the divine plan on earth.

This painting visualizes Vaivasvata Manu as emerging from the Sun in the background. Behind his head you see the radiance of the solar light and his headpiece has the form of the solar material shown in images of the Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (EIT). His youthful face reminds of him being the son of the Sun.

The sages describe the creation as emerging from out of a golden egg. You see a golden egg-shape in the background and the Manu surrounded by a wheel of 14 egg-shaped figures each containing the colours of the rainbow, representing the 14 Manvantaras and the 7 planes of each creation. The whole is contained in a huge lotus, the symbol of unfoldment. Vaivasvata is in the midst of the lotus, and inside the Sun you see a higher octave of the lotus out of which the Manvantaras emerge.

Creating this picture was a strange experience. It seemed that it didn’t want to come out. And while working on it, I wasn’t satisfied with the way it developed and on several occasions wanted to destroy it. In the end, I realised that my concepts of how the picture should look like were blocking its emergence.

See more pictures on the site with my paintings.

09 February 2014, pencils and photo work

The most extraordinary person about which I came to know in my life is Master CVV (1868-1922). However, it took years for me to realise it. When I first read a book about him 18 years ago, travelling in the underground of Hamburg, it was a like a thunderbolt. It had a lasting effect on my life.

Today, 12 May, is the day of the departure of Master CVV in 1922. He said that it won’t be his death but his physical disappearing. He repeatedly demonstrated deathlessness and said that all who follow him will also experience deathlessless.

Below is a short extract from two lectures of Dr. K. Parvathi Kumar about the departure of Master CVV.

Master CVV announced his disciples that 12 May I depart. They didn’t mind because he demonstrated departure and arrival, 18 times. He demonstrated there is no death if you follow the path of yoga. You can gain the body of light and live eternally. To ensure gain enough trust, 18 times he departed for hours and came back. He said, “On 12 May 1922, I depart.” Disciples asked, “Master will you come back?” – “No, this time I don’t come back.” – “How can you leave us?” – “I don’t leave but you won’t see me in this body.” – “Is it final decisions?” – “Yes.” They were all in tears.

He said, “Don’t weep. You too can gain it if you follow me. That you can depart and you don’t have to die.”

They all gathered around him on that day – he said, “All who will weep can stay out of the room.” One disciple said, “Will you give me the garment so that I can keep it as a memento?” He wanted the robe of Master. He said, “I wanted to give you a golden robe, why do you want a cloth robe?” He gave it anyway. “Follow me, you too will get a golden robe. I am moving into golden and diamond robes. Even from those robes, I divert myself. I permeate all around the earth. And whosoever invokes me, I shall directly relate to him. And work with him to form the golden body so that you will experience there is no such thing as death. At 10:28 in the morning, I’ll depart.” And he did.

Before Master CVV departed he said, “Don’t burn me, sink me into the river of Cauvery, the Mother Cauvery will take me.” The family did not agree; there was the tradition to cremate. They did not see the grandeur of the father. No prophet is known in his own land, less in his own house. They did not give much credit to his wish. They prepared the fire, they lit it, but there was suddenly a torrential rain. The river Cauvery swell and took away the fire and the body, so there was no way to do the cremation. That happened in the early 20th century.

Master CVV and his wife Venkamma

The Vaisakh Festival (also written Wesak) is an important annual event for receiving the cosmic energies of Will coming from the “Eye of the Bull” and giving us a fresh dose of Will energy to carry out the work of good will. The festival is celebrated at Taurus Full Moon. The full moon phase is from 13 May, 10:45pm – 14 May 09:16pm CEST.

You can read more about the significance of the festival on the WTT website. In the book “Mars – The Kumara” by Dr K. Parvathi Kumar there is also a chapter about the deeper meaning of the Vaisakh Full Moon. Here is an extract as a PDF.

The Lucis Trust has just released a new beautiful video about the Wesak Festival 2014.

Taurus – The Vaisakh Festival, (Images of Synthesis 2010)

The 8th of May we celebrate “The White Lotus Day”, in loving remembrance of the departure of the great soul that we know as HPB or Madam Blavatsky.

She was a fearless fighter for the Truth; she started her book “Gems from the East” (London 1890) with the words:

“UTTISHAT! Arise! Awake!
Seek the great Teachers, and attend! The road
Is narrow as a knife-edge! Hard to tread!”
“But whoso once perceiveth HIM that IS –
Without a name, Unseen, Impalpable,
Bodiless, Undiminished, Unenlarged,
To senses undeclared, without an end,
Without beginning, Timeless, Higher than height,
Deeper than depth! Lo! Such an one is saved!
Death hath not power upon him!”

– THE SECRET OF DEATH (from The Katha Upanishad)

In the book “The Golden Stairs”, Dr. K. Parvathi Kumar describes HPB with the following words:

“Madam Helena Petrovna Blavatsky is as tender as a freshly unfolded white lotus. The tenderness of her being cannot be expressed in any language. In her case incompatibles have become compatibles. She is as fiery as she is tender. Her being is essentially and naturally tender and extremely motherly. But at work she is an embodiment of fiery Will. She was the chosen darling of the Hierarchy to inaugurate an era of enlightenment. She did her job ruthlessly, dedicating her life to the noble work of the Hierarchy. She has broken many distorted and crystallized concepts of TRUTH. She synthesized the universal wisdom; she presented afresh Cosmogenesis and Anthropogenesis, which are the world scriptures for posterity. She explained dexterously the story of man on earth. Through the key of Manvantara cycles and races she reintroduced the most ancient wisdom relating to globe chains, the seven rays and their universal application. She skilfully utilised the keys of astrology, etymology and cycles of time to unlock wisdom from the most ancient manuscripts of cave temples that exist in the Himalayas. She was as much in the subtle as she was on the physical and was therefore able to grasp the truth in its variety of dimensions. She was a fully inspired lady who inspired many through looks, through speeches and through mere presence. She was even seen as a reincarnation of Buddha in places like Sri Lanka.

She is regarded as the white lotus that unfolds afresh the beauty and fragrance of new age wisdom. She is respected as Upasika, the one who is in connection with the ruling light of the planet, which is said to be mysteriously posited in the subterranean regions of Gobi desert of Mongolia.

Inspired by her teachings ever since, thousands of groups sprang up in all the four corners of the globe, trying to find the way afresh with the help of knowledge that she unfolded for the forward march of the present humanity.”

HPB was the first one who not only brought the existence of the Masters of Wisdom, the Mahatmas, to a larger global notice but who also had frequent contact with them. It was part of the divine plan to bring back the eternal wisdom to a larger understanding and to uplift human consciousness – a most difficult task.

On the Theosophical Society Wiki you find a page about “People who encountered the Mahatmas“, a very impressive collection of reports of encounters in the subtle and the physical realms with the Masters, also about HBP. And the Blavatsky Archives also contain a “Casebook of the Encounters with the Theosophical Mahatmas”.

In spite of the many proofs and great evidence there were many sceptics who refused to accept what was before their eyes and even massive attacks from various sides. However, the Path which was opened by the work of Madam Blavatsky has led many serious seekers to strive along the “Golden Stairs” to the temple of divine wisdom.

HPB and her mother, Helena Andreyevna Hahn, (born de Fadeyev), painting from the museum in Dnepropetrovsk
Who would have guessed that this delicate young girl would be a fearless messenger of the new age, a tiny rivulet unfolding to a huge stream?

Today, at Easter, we enter into the month of Taurus. So here is the picture to the month.

In the symbolism of Puranic scriptures the flow of life is described as the cosmic waters of space that had to be brought down to earth from the plane of the creator, Brahma. There was no one on earth who could receive the intensity of the fiery flux called Ganga (Ganges) but Shiva, the Lord of Divine Will. So a solar king ardently prayed for a long time until Shiva agreed to receive Ganga.

Shiva, who carries the crescent moon on his head, opened his hair, and when Ganga came down, she was caught in the hair and her impact was reduced before she was allowed to descend from his head to the heart and then to the planes.

The head of Shiva represents Shamballa and the heart of the planet is Spiritual Hierarchy. The human beings live in the planes. Each year in Aries, a new annual impulse is received in Shamballa and in Taurus it is passed on to Hierarchy and in Gemini to humanity.

For this painting I chose a picture of Shiva with a beautiful smile. I transformed it a bit, added the crescent moon onto Shiva’s head and placed a picture of Mount Kailash into the background. Then I created the sphere with the downpour of the energies onto Shiva’s head and from there, changing colours to golden yellow, down to earth. The air is filled with the flow of etheric energies.

It must be like this to stand in the full flow of life.

See more pictures on the site with my paintings.

A touching commercial as a viral video about an “Unsung Hero” (more than 6.6 million views). The “Good Story” by Thai Life Insurance is about good will and selfless sharing without seeking to get attention. Well done!

A pic from the video (c)