Walking the Path of Initiation: Bridging Head and Heart

Saturday, February 14, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. CT

Join us for a workshop that uses the lens of Theosophy to explore Elisabeth Haich’s best-known book, Initiation. In it, the twentieth-century Hungarian teacher describes memories of her past life in ancient Egypt experiencing initiation into the priestly mysteries. We will frame Haich’s story not merely as autobiography, but as a living map of spiritual awakening during the soul’s long journey through many lives.

Using guided readings, meditations, and imaginative exercises, we will reflect on the mysteries of Egyptian initiation alongside Theosophy’s teachings on karma, reincarnation, and the unity of all life. The workshop will include:

• Short Presentation: Selected details from Elisabeth Haich’s Initiation followed by meditative questioning: How do we balance doctrine with direct experience?
• Initiation and Inner Experience: Selected quotes leading to a guided visualization to reveal our challenges, temptations, and fears
• Karma and Reincarnation as Tools for Growth: Selected quotes followed by an imagination exercise to sense karmic patterns and/or inner struggles
• Unity and Polarity: Review of Haich’s “Twelve Opposites” (e.g. silence vs. speaking, caution vs. courage); reflections on their effects in our lives (balance, constructive vs. destructive)
• Closing Integration: Discussion of a bridge between head and heart formed by the weaving together of Theosophy and Haich’s Initiation; an invitation to set a small personal practice for ongoing awakening

Registrants will receive on-demand access to recording(s) that can be viewed for four weeks following the conclusion of the program.

Susanne Hoepfl-Wellenhofer was born in Austria and has been living and working in the U.S. since 1986. Even before finding Theosophy in 2009, she had been following her own spiritual path, comparing religion, science, philosophy, and psychology for over 20 years. She currently serves on the Board of the Theosophical Society in America and as the president of the D.C. Lodge. Susanne contributes regularly to the Theosophical Wiki, mentors prisoners, creates courses for the Online School of Theosophy, and lectures internationally. She has a law degree from the University of Graz and a master’s degree in educational technology from George Washington University, where she worked for 20 years before retiring in 2019. She translates texts from German to English, including the works of Theosophist Dr. Franz Hartmann, as well as teaching yoga and astrology. Learn more about her research at her website, spiritualityconsciousnessandme.com.

Program Format

This is a live, interactive online program that will also be recorded. Registrants will receive on-demand access to recording(s) that can be viewed for four weeks following the conclusion of the program.

Join online via ​a Zoom link that will be emailed upon your registration. Please download Zoom for free at zoom.us/download and test your connection at zoom.us/test. For further information, check out www.theosophical.org/FAQ or email webinars@theosophical.org.

You can also watch Susanne Hoepfl-Wellenhofer’s free talk, From Egypt to Eternity: Elisabeth Haich’s Initiation and Theosophy, via livestream on Thursday, February 5.