The Theosophical Society in Iceland

offers a variety of programs, such as public talks, study groups and courses, discussion groups, open house, meditation, seminars, a summer school, a library, and a book sales and ordering service. Almost all programs are open to the public and free of charge. New members get an introductory study course posted monthly for two years. A newsletter is sent to members regularly with list of programs and news on the work. The magazine Gangleri is published bi-annually, each volume 96 pages packed with spiritual food and sold to subscribers nationwide.

A short introduction to the various activities:

Public Talks

are held on every Friday evenings at 21:00 from the beginning of October to White Lotus Day on May 8th.

The talks are delivered by both members and non-members, who have something of interest to offer at the podium. The Friday talks are advertised in the local newspapers and serve as our "window" to the public.

To give an idea about subjects that are covered, here are some examples from spring 1997:

Who am I? - Psychological Obstacles in Astrology - The Natural Step - The Dweller on the Threshold - The Inner Yoga - Self-Knowledge - The Peace Message of Dalai Lama - Leaves from the Tree of Buddhism - On Zen Buddhism - Three Stages of Awareness - Krishnamurti - Shamanism in the Arctic Regions - What is a Freemason? - Introduction to Mysticism - Some Points About a Great Trailblazer (H.P.B.).

The forms of the Public Talks can vary from a talk from podium, to a symposium, to discussions and picture shows. The session time also varies according to subject and form. After the event, which goes on in the public hall at headquarters, guests are invited with the speaker for a tea or coffee and cakes, where they can discuss the subject and partake in the most important of all our activities, namely the communion of friendly brotherhood.

As with all activities there is no fee to pay for the public talks. On the other hand there is a $ 5,- price for the coffee and cakes, which makes up an important portion of the income of the Society.

Open House

is also a weekly activity every Saturday in the winter at 15:00 to 17:00.

Members and the public are invited to a cozy and informal gathering with tea and coffee. At half past three a member or an outsider is invited with a short program, intended for the stimulation of discussion. This has proofed to be immensely valuable, as a stepping stone for the members towards further participation in teaching and leadership within the Society. It is also an important place for the members and newcomers to learn to know each others and learn about the activities and the aim of the society.

Courses in "Mind-Culture"

held as advertised each fall and spring at the Headquarters Lecture-Hall on Thursdays at 20:00

For many years, there have been held a seven week introductory course to meditation and spiritual practices, twice a year, under the name of "Mind-Culture". These courses are intended for the public and advertised in the local papers. Participation has been from about 60 in the beginning to about 30 or 40. The course is free of charge apart from a small fee to cover the cost for the study material.

The courses are about: Principles of meditation, the unity of mysticism, the labyrinth of the subconscious, the primary factors of the psyche, the principles of emotions, desires, views, will, knowledge, understanding, love and compassion. It deals with self-culture, yoga, karma and reincarnation, food for meditation, the inner seeking, and the philosophy of spiritual growth. The total number of participants is now well over 700, mostly non-members and newcomers to the spiritual arena.

Study Groups

One study and meditation group has been gathering on Tuesdays at 20:30 for many years studying various theosophical books and subjects.

There have also been one or more groups working once a month each winter on Wednesdays at 21:00 on such subjects as Self culture, the Yoga Sutras of Patanjalis, The Rainbow of Consciousness, etc.

Meditation

Has for long been an important factor in the program of the Society.

One Group has gathered for decades on Mondays for one hour of a silent meditation.

An hour of guided meditation for beginners, open to the public, is held on Sunday afternoons at 17:00

For the more advanced there is a Zen Meditation (sazen) three days of the week.

The Summer School

A major yearly event on the program of the TS in Iceland.

 In beautiful surroundings near Reykjavík we have Summer School for 3-4 days in the end of June each year. 

The Library

The library has been re-arranged and re-opened to lending out books for members only, after two decades of 'shelf-sitting'. New books are being purchased as funds allow, and a special attempt made to acquire as many books on spirituality in the Icelandic language as possible.

The re-opening has been met with enthusiasm an the library is slowly becoming an important factor in the activities.

The Book Service
Opening hours in the winter on Thursdays at 16:30 to 18:30, and during regular meetings.

It is closed during summer.

Mundilfari
A newsletter sent to all members of the TS in Iceland.

Mundilfari is the link to the members bringing national and international news of the activities, and the program of the activities in schedule. It is also a vital link to the members that can't visit the activities on a regular basis. It is issued about 4 times a year, or when necessary.

Gangleri
The magazine, an organ of the Theosophical Society in Iceland.

Gangleri is our messenger among the public. It is mainly sold by subscription, the subscribers being about 1000 in a population of about 260,000, which is three times the membership.

Gangleri was founded in 1926, and has been published regularly twice a year ever since. Each volume is 96 pages, 15 by 23 cm (6 by 9 in), and has no ads within its pages. Thus Gangleri is like a book in subscription that you keep in your bookshelf rather than paper basket.

The content consists of articles, transcriptions of talks, short extracts from books, book reviews, and news, both translations and original composition.