Membership of the HPB Lodge of the Theosophical Society.

To become a member of the Theosophical Society, you must be in sympathy with the Society's objects, which are:

Affirmation in the context we are looking at it is a form of prayer or a metaphysical technique that is focused on a positive outcome rather than a negative situation. For example, a person who is experiencing some form of illness would focus the prayer on the desired state of perfect health, affirming this desired intention “as if already happened” rather than identifying with the illness. Then asking for help to eliminate it. An example of a positive affirmation is: "I will be strong, brave, persevering in His service." An invocation, from the Latin verb invocare “to call on, invoke, to give.”

Mantras are words, phrases, or syllables which are chanted thoughtfully and with focused attention. Mantra meditation involves chanting a word or phrase until the mind and emotions are transcended, and the higher consciousness is clearly revealed and experienced. As the mind wanders so much, the music and rhythm of a mantra easily rescue the mind and brings it back to the object of one’s meditation. Both the rhythm of it and the meaning of the mantra combine to guide the mind safely back to the point of meditation the higher consciousness or the specific spiritual focus.

The birth of Theosophy in Auckland really happened when in the six months between September 1891 and March 1892 sixteen persons joined the Society. Among them were Mr W.H. Draffin, Samuel Stuart, Margaret Lilian Edger and Dr Charles W. Sanders, all of whom were destined to play important roles in the future work of the Society. Mr Draffin was headmaster of one of the Public Schools of Auckland and Mrs Draffin is mentioned by Col. Olcott in 0Id Diary Leaves as “having suddenly blossomed out as an eloquent platform speaker after having passed through a very severe illness.” Mr Stuart was a keen student of Mathematics, Astronomy and Astrology but was unable to accept the more esoteric aspects of Theosophy. Miss Edger M.A. (Hons) was one of the first women in the British Empire to gain a University Degree. Four years later she became the first General secretary of the N.Z. Section but enticed by Col. Olcott, who recognised her outstanding ability as a lecturer, she soon departed overseas. Dr Sanders, a practising homoeopath, became General Secretary after Miss Edger and held that office for twenty-one years. He was a born propagandist and had a large private correspondence throughout New Zealand.

Beginning meditators are often asked to count their breath, on the exhalation, up to ten. Then you begin back at one. If you lose track, simply go back to one. Your breath should be slow and regular, but not forced or artificially controlled. Just breathe naturally and count. A few weeks later, you may forego the counting and simply try to follow your breath. Concentrate on it entering you and exiting you. Best is to be aware as fully as possible of the entire process of breathing, but most people focus on one aspect or another: the sensation of coolness followed by warmth at the nostrils, or the rise and fall of the diaphragm. Many meditators suggest imagining the air entering and exiting a small hole an inch or two below your navel. Keeping your mind lower on the body tends to lead to deeper meditation. If you are sleepy, then focus higher, such as at the nostrils.