José B. Acuña
José Basilio Acuña was a leader in Central and South American sections of the Theosophical Society, Adyar. He was born February 7,1897 and became a Fellow of the Theosophical Society in 1913. He attended Benares Hindu University, and completed a Bachelor of Laws degree.[1] According to another source, he studied psychology in France before World War I.[2] He was addressed as Dr. Acuña.
Military service
Dr. Acuña received war decorations for his military service, and also was a Knight of the Légion d'Honneur.[3] Byron de Ford-Solano states that Acuña served in the Red Cross in France in 1917.[4]
Professional career
In his teaching career, Dr. Acuña was a professor of psychology and logic in Lyceum, and of Latin in Normal School.[5]
Theosophical work
In 1927 Dr. Acuña served as Presidential Agent to Costa Rica, and was General Secretary pro tempore several times in that section. In 1935 he joined the Executive Council of the TS, representing Central America.[6]
During World War II, he toured lodges in the United States, speaking of "Democracy in the Evolutionary Scheme."[7] He taught at the 1951-1952 and 1952-1953 sessions of the School of the Wisdom at Adyar.[8]
In 1953, after visiting Adyar, he stopped in the Philippines. "During his stay he gave several lectures on Theosophy not only at the headquarters of the Society, but in practically all the lodges in Manila. He was of considerable help and his visit was very much appreciated."[9] He lectured extensively in the United States, as well.
Liberal Catholic Church
Dr. Acuña was active in the Liberal Catholic Church, and became Suffragan Bishop for Central America and Colombia in 1937.[10] He is pictured in a photograph of LCC clergy on the Liberal Catholic Church Website.[11]
Freemasonry
Dr. Acuña was the founder of Freemasonry in Costa Rica.[12].
Writing
Byron de Ford-Solano states, "He wrote poetry, and a great number of essays in English, Spanish, and French. His translation of Shakespeare's Sonnets into Spanish is simply magnificent."[13]
Publications
- Democracy in the Scheme of Evolution. Wheaton, Illinois: Theosophical Press, 1944. This is a compilation of lectures delivered by Acuña and others in the 1943 Summer School at the Theosophical Society in America. All talks are abridged.
- "From Human Bondage to Spiritual Freedom" The Theosophist (April, 1952): 37.
Notes
- ↑ The International Theosophical Year Book 1938 (Adyar, Madras, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1938): 164.
- ↑ Byron de Ford-Solano, Conversations with a Young Nagual, Memories of Young Carlos Casteneda, (Costa Rica, 2008): 65. Available online at Wattpad Website [1], accessed February 17, 2012.
- ↑ The International Theosophical Year Book 1938 (Adyar, Madras, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1938): 164.
- ↑ Byron de Ford-Solano, Conversations with a Young Nagual, Memories of Young Carlos Casteneda, (Costa Rica, 2008): 65. Available online at Wattpad Website [2], accessed February 17, 2012.
- ↑ The International Theosophical Year Book 1938 (Adyar, Madras, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1938): 164.
- ↑ The International Theosophical Year Book 1938 (Adyar, Madras, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1938): 164.
- ↑ "Theosophy in the Field: Detroit Lodge," The American Theosophist 32.2 (February, 1944), 44.
- ↑ "The School of the Wisdom," The American Theosophist 50.5 (May, 1952), 83.
- ↑ Supplement to The Theosophist (February, 1953): 374.
- ↑ The International Theosophical Year Book 1938 (Adyar, Madras, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1938): 164.
- ↑ Liberal Catholic Church Website, "The History of the Liberal Catholic Church," Liberal Catholic Church[3] accessed February 17, 2012.
- ↑ "Costa Rica, Theosophy in," Theosopedia [4]
- ↑ Byron de Ford-Solano, Conversations with a Young Nagual, Memories of Young Carlos Casteneda, (Costa Rica, 2008): 65. Available online at Wattpad Website [5], accessed February 17, 2012.