91. The Work in Munich

The description given in previous issues of the work being done in the German branches of the Theosophical Society will now be followed by a continuation of the particularly lively activity in Munich. The long-standing local branch is chaired by Miss von Hofstätten. Miss Sopbie Stinde, together with Countess Pauline Kalckreuth, has been doing dedicated and multifaceted work. Miss Stinde's work is aimed at a genuine deepening of Theosophical life, based on prudence and a correct assessment of all the factors involved. The branch, which has 36 members, meets every week on Friday evenings. Thanks to Fräulein Stinde, a small shop has been rented at Damenstiftstraße 6, where a Theosophical Reading Room has been set up. This offers everyone who wants to go there the opportunity to obtain all the information and instruction they desire about Theosophy and the Theosophical movement. Every Monday and Thursday, a member of the Munich Lodge takes over the lecture on theosophical teachings and answers questions asked by the visitors. So far, the evening has been well attended in a most gratifying way, and not by the curious, but by people who take a deeper interest in spiritual questions. On Saturdays, friends can also appear in this place and read the magazines and books available there. On Sundays, a music and reading evening is held. Two members of the lodge have rented a harmonium there, so that it is a real theosophical art evening. In addition, a second lodge has recently been formed in Munich under the chairmanship of Mr. Zikan. Baroness Gumppenberg and Mrs. Kuhn are also on the board. Baroness Gumppenberg has devoted herself to the lectures in this branch. The lecture evenings take place on Tuesdays at Damenstiftstraße 6. Guests can be introduced by members. — On Thursday afternoons, members of the Theosophical Society in Munich can borrow books from the Theosophical Library at Adalbertstraße 55 III. Last year, 200 books were borrowed.

The space available in this issue does not allow for a detailed account of the beautiful theosophical work that is emerging in many ways and in several places. I would like to do this in more detail in the next issue. Only a brief report from an exemplary section of this work will be presented here. It has already been mentioned that in addition to the important work being done by the two lodges in Munich – a third has since been added – it is thanks to the activity and dedication of Fräulein Stinde, together with Countess Pauline Kalckreuth, that a Theosophical Reading and Lecture Room, to which everyone has free access, has been established. (This reading room, at Damenstiftstrasse 6/0, hosts lectures on Monday and Thursday evenings at 8 p.m., and fairy tales are read to children on Sundays from 6-7 p.m.) Through the initiative of the two aforementioned ladies, another exemplary step has now been taken. At Herzogstraße 39/0, a hall has been rented and tastefully designed as a “Theosophical Art and Music Hall”. The following program demonstrates the commitment of our Munich members to spiritual science: Sunday mornings 9-12 a.m.: art display; Sunday evenings 8 p.m.: slides or opera with text reading and music excerpts (adults only). Tuesday evenings 8 p.m.: concert. Wednesday 4-5 p.m.: fairy tales for children; Wednesday evening 8 p.m.: art display (adults only). Thursday 8 p.m.: concert. Friday 8 p.m.: lecture on Theosophy for beginners (adults only). Saturday 8 p.m.: legends, heroic stories, dramas, etc. (adults only). Admission to these events is also free for everyone. On Sunday, April 26, I was able to attend the slide demonstrations, which Dr. Peipers held and which he accompanied with a beautiful lecture. The development of Romanesque and Gothic architecture was presented in an excellent way through these demonstrations. It is highly significant when the theosophical school of thought is applied fruitfully in such a way in a wide variety of directions.