National Lodge
For information on joining this Lodge, see MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION. Upcoming Study Course Title: THE TECHNIQUE OF THE SPIRITUAL LIFE Course Instructor: Maria Parisen Schedule: September 2005 — August 2006 Optional Text: Purchase of The Technique of the Spiritual Life by Clara Codd is optional, as the lessons will include extended excerpts from the book. The Theosophical Publishing House (1-800-669-9425) has a limited inventory for sale at $7.50 plus shipping and handling. (TPH is sold out of this book. Backorders are due 12/05. We apologize for the inconvenience.) Maria Parisen is a resident staff member of the Krotona Institute of Theosophy and was formerly a national lecturer for the Society. Clara Codd was for many years a prominent writer, mentor, and lecturer for the Theosophical Society. Interview with Maria Parisen Click here to listen to this 15 minute interview of Maria Parisen being interviewed by David Bruce, Director of Education at the Theosophical Society in America. Topics include: outline of the NL course The life of Clara Cood Codd's The Technique of the Spiritual Life Current Study Course Sample Lessons
For information on joining this Lodge, see MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION.
Title: FRODO’S QUEST AND THE SPIRITUAL JOURNEY Course Instructor: Robert Ellwood, PhD [see interview] Schedule: September 2004 — August 2005 Required Text: Frodo’s Quest: Living the Myth in the Lord of the Rings, by Robert Ellwood Designed by Robert Ellwood, the course will explore themes from J. R. Tolkien’s popular fantasy The Lord of the Rings. Author Joseph Pearce (Tolkien: Man and Myth) noted that myth—as a genre—can be a better vehicle for transmitting timeless truths than the fact-based novel. To quote Ellwood, “The whole twentieth-century was a time when many of the most significant books were not “realist” novels but literary fables and fantasies.” Interview with Robert Ellwood Watch this 16 minute video of Robert Ellwood being interviewed by David Bruce, Director of Education at the Theosophical Society in America. Topics include: The influence of J.R.R. Tolkien The Lord of the Rings trilogy Frodo's Quest by Robert Ellwood To begin viewing, select your bandwidth: LOW HIGH Requires Windows Media Player 7.1 or higher. > [Your user agent does not support frames or is currently configured not to display frames. However, you may visit E-mail submission form.] Note: National Lodge members will receive a special discount on the Frodo’s Quest text (regular price $18.95) when purchased through the Theosophical Publishing House. The member price is $12.95 plus shipping and handling. To order, call 1-800-669-9425 and ask for the National Lodge discount.
To begin viewing, select your bandwidth: LOW HIGH Requires Windows Media Player 7.1 or higher.
Note: National Lodge members will receive a special discount on the Frodo’s Quest text (regular price $18.95) when purchased through the Theosophical Publishing House. The member price is $12.95 plus shipping and handling. To order, call 1-800-669-9425 and ask for the National Lodge discount.
Previous Study Course Sample Lesson Title: THEOSOPHY AND WORLD RELIGIONS Course Instructor: Robert Ellwood, PhD Schedule: September 2002 — August 2004 First Year Lessons 1. Introduction: Theosophy and Religion 2. What Is Religion? 3. Primal Religion 4. Shamanism 5. The Hindu Vision 6. Yoga, Tantra, and Vedanta 7. The Buddha’s Life and Message 8. Varieties of Buddhism 9. Vajrayana and Zen 10. Chinese Religion 11. Confucianism 12. Taoism Second Year Lessons 13. Shinto and Japanese Religion 14. Western Monotheism 15. The Hebrew Scriptures 16. Judaism 17. Jesus and Early Christianity 18. Varieties of Christianity 19. Christian Mysticism 20. Muhammad and Islam 21. The Life and Practice of Islam 22. Islamic Mysticism 23. New Religious Movements 24. The Religious World in the 21st Century Note: Members of the National Lodge may request a free electronic copy (PDF format) of the above course lessons. Paper copies are priced at $1 per lesson, or $20 for all 24. To order, contact the National Lodge Office at
Note: Members of the National Lodge may request a free electronic copy (PDF format) of the above course lessons. Paper copies are priced at $1 per lesson, or $20 for all 24. To order, contact the National Lodge Office at