Ananda Tara Shan

25 September 1946 - 16 November 2002

It is with deep regret that The Theosophical Fellowship announces the passing of our beloved Mother Founder and Teacher, Ananda Tara Shan (Rev. Jeanne Dara De Murashkin). Ananda passed to the inner worlds on the 16th of November 2002 following a brief illness.

Ananda Tara Shan began her spiritual work in 1975 in Denmark. There she developed a school of spiritual healing and established a new Theosophical movement. She emigrated to Australia in 1982, where her work led to the founding of the Society for Maitreya Theosophy in 1991; The Theosophical Fellowship in 1994; and Heart Flow Worldwide in 2001. The work of these bodies is now carried out by members and associates throughout the world.

Ananda Tara Shan was Head of Church of the Church of the Resurrected Life and the Church of the Sacred Heart of Maitreya, both affiliated with the Associated Christian Spiritual Churches of Australia. Ananda was a mystic and teacher of practical theosophy, and her teachings emphasised living from the heart and putting spiritual guidelines into practice through meditation and service.

Much of Ananda's effort was devoted to working for world peace. Despite the fact that most of her work dealt with the suffering and difficulties of the world and many serious issues, Ananda had a wonderful sense of humour, and always encouraged people to stay in touch with the joy in life.

Ananda taught the principles of harmlessness, tolerance, love, joy, humility, balance and service, and emphasised and put into action the importance of working together with the many groups around the world doing world service. She established a comprehensive healing system and a theosophical meditation system that have helped many people find and move along the spiritual path.

Ananda is survived by her husband, Pauli T. Pallesen, her mother, Paula, her brother, Jan, her children, Michael, Jaron, Maggie, Maya, and Benjamin, and her granddaughter, Katherina.