In reflecting on Joy’s great service to the Society, one would say that strongly-held personal beliefs – combined with the desire of the soul – developed the necessary strength to sustain her dedication and sense of duty. We experienced through her lectures and writings, her great love of knowledge and theosophy and the breadth and depth of her understanding of the Wisdom teachings. We observed in particular, her deepest admiration, appreciation and respect for HPB and the Mahatma known as KH and all their work in laying foundation teachings for the future of humanity. We also witnessed her ever-ready willingness to share her knowledge informally, in helping others understand the teachings that were complex, abstract and unfamiliar – in particular responses to those innumerable e-mail requests for assistance and guidance.

Her teaching had taken her around the globe to TS groups in different countries, cultures and continents. There were many stories she could tell about the hair-raising challenges encountered on arduous travel schedules, extreme climates, assorted modes of transportation and accommodation. She often joked about writing a book titled The Beds I have Slept In, as a TOS fund-raiser. Such experiences obviously tested her courage, health and commitment. In recounting these stories and others from times of adversity and difficulty, an underlying acceptance of karmic and dharmic responsibility always seemed to quietly prevail – accompanied by an obligatory sense of humour.

She enjoyed telling stories about the earlier days and the initiatives of a dedicated band of workers in the American Section whose zeal and enthusiasm were even translated into rousing lyrics to the tune of Onward Christian Soldiers. However, their title was Onward with Blavatsky!

In a more serious vein, one story from a South American tour many, many years ago, gives some insight into her commitment to the "great work" in which she was engaged in the context of the Divine Plan…. While travelling through a section of the Andes, she experienced a powerful vision from – as she called it – the "way distant future". She emphasized an overwhelming sense of "feeling-knowing" that came with the vision. What she saw was a glimpse of what could come to pass as consciousness expanded into new dimensions and a truly new humanity – embodying that new consciousness – came into being.

She knew that this new humanity referred to what we called the 7th Ray or "racial" type in our present fourth "Round" and that this was the ultimate development of consciousness for this particular cycle in our evolution. This consciousness was not simply of wholeness or of oneness, but one infused with Wisdom, with knowingness, with true Love, with bliss, and with confidence. And what she brought away from this experience was a profound conviction that because there needed to be room for that kind of consciousness to come into existence – even millions of years in the "far distant future" – it was important now for seeds to be planted.

Joy often spoke of KH’s teaching about the development of a mind that could "embrace the universe". The necessity to plant seeds now for their possible manifestation in a million years time – and possibly through ourselves in different vehicles and guises – confuses our brain consciousness. Our minds are programmed on Earth towards immediate outcomes or results in the near future or "in our lifetime".

This experience contributed to Joy’s appreciation of the "time element" which operated "in and out of time" in the Divine Plan of the evolution of consciousness. In all probability, it also contributed significantly to her expanded sense of dharmic duty. And even though the time scales of the Divine Plan are mind-boggling, she was not concerned with time; she was concerned with consciousness and the critical condition of humanity in which we now live. Her work, from this perspective, was an opportunity to plant seeds for a "new continent of thought", for a new and far distant humanity that she knew in every fibre of her being – not believed or hoped or prayed for – but that she knew would come into existence ultimately. A loyal sense of duty derived from this centre.

She also saw the importance of where the seeds were being planted, and recognised the need to do everything possible to minimise the efforts of the weeds to take over. For even when the seeds of compassion and love, beauty and wisdom are planted, weeds may come up in their midst. She would often say, we are to be good gardeners – vigilant and discerning.

It can be said that Joy aligned her vision and work with the vision behind the establishment of the Society and its intended work – the transformation of consciousness and building a new continent of thought. The First Object of the Society implies transformation to a spiritual consciousness. The motto or mission of the TOS embodies the Love that signifies a spiritual consciousness, centred in the compassionate Heart. It is our challenge to work towards planting seeds in our own unique ways and by being vigilant and discerning gardeners.

Thank you, Joy. You have so earned your freedom.