Theos-Talk Archives (July 2001 Message tt00065)

=====================
PRELIMINARY NOTE: This letter is based on a message that I recently
E-mailed to 31 Theosophists, privately (on June 18th). I have edited,
re-written, and shortened for this public forum, as well as taking out
all of their names and e-mail addresses.
=====================

It is a message that I think ties in nicely with, and should add to, the
conversation going on (presently on bn-study) about a "United"
Theosophical Movement.

It is aimed at all dedicated, knowledgeable, and skilled Theosophists,
worldwide.

It is kind of like an an "Open Letter" presenting, for consideration, a
proposal for the building of a "UNITED TEAM" action within the worldwide
"THEOSOPHICAL MOVEMENT".

I must admit, and I want it to be very clear, that I'm just a
Theosophical "generalist", and am not much on details the way many
Theosophists are. I'm just a not-so-skilled or scholarly Theosophist who
happens to, overall, in general, recognize what Theosophy truly is, have
a large vision for our Movement, which I'm weak in skillfully
presenting, as this letter clearly shows. But I have written it in the
hopes of inspiring other wise and skilled Theosophists to maybe come
together and do something like I have long envisioned for our somewhat
broken and somewhat unfriendly Theosophical groups -- especially all of
the Theosophists from the different organizations (as well as those from
none) who now publish, and all those who write for, the many different
publications, both printed and on-line.

In trying to set the stage a little, here are some of my thoughts about
this:

First let me say that it has been and is my mission, as my introductions
on the WisdomWorld.org web site clearly show, to try and "Unite"
Theosophists from all of the organizations to work (and write) together
in reaching out to humanity, irregardless of what went on in the past.
With the over 1,100 articles that I have so far placed on the site, I
try to make sure that all readers, especially newcomers, have a chance
to check out a large sample of the high caliber of Theosophy which has
been presented by THEOSOPHY magazine for the last 89 years -- which
clearly shows their mission and style of pointing to the original
teachers, HPB and WQJ. -- and that they will be part of this "United"
team action.

I am mostly concerned with present-day humanity, besides having access
to the original literature, always having access to, whether it happens
now or in the near or far away future, a "Team" of present-day "United"
Theosophists who can very wisely, knowledgeably, and skillfully interact
with humanity on every important subject under the sun.

A great deal of what I have always aspired this "United Team" project to
eventually be, how it might interact with humanity, etc., etc., is found
in the right-hand column of the "Main Page" of my web site, and
continues on another page via a link at the bottom of what is said
there. After you finish reading this letter, please carefully read those
"Introductions" to the WisdomWorld.org site in order to see how I speak
to humanity about this; the links to them are found at the end of this
letter. There are many paragraphs on both pages that speak in some way
to humanity about this proposed "United Team". Even though my writing in
the Introductions is done in a very amateurish way, I am sure it is at
least clear enough to paint a good enough starting picture for everyone
to think about.

I feel if this kind of coming together is not done by wise and
knowledgeable Theosophists, from all organizations, and from none, in
close association, of course, with the "ORIGINAL" Theosophical
literature, and our Movement stays fractured, and endlessly arguing and
fighting over what went on way back when (even though all this history
has its place), we are unwisely doing the wrong thing, overall, in
general, to the worldwide fraternity of Adepts, to their direct agents,
HPB and WQJ, and to humanity as a whole.

I humbly suggest that our worldwide Theosophical Movement should try and
pull together a "United Team", one that presents endless writings
dealing with all that affects humanity today, and on into the future, in
a new publication, whatever it may be named, and even if just on the
web, for starters. And that every web site within the Theosophical arena
should put a link to this same one site, on their own sites. Even though
each group continues doing whatever it does, in whatever publications,
and in whatever ways, the same as now, if each also had a link to this
"United" publication, we may, as a Movement, begin to do better among
ourselves and in catching the attention of humanity, and hopefully, the
attention of the Adepts themselves, to a point, after a while, where
they might even begin to be impressed enough with our "United" action to
send in articles and series of articles, because we are finally working
together, in the way they probably hope we would and should.

Should this new publication be like any existing Theosophical
publications, either those in print or on-line? To this I have to say,
NO, I don't think so, as will be explained further on.

I look forward to the day when something like this for our Movement
comes together in a definite way, and I am able to then change what I
say on those two introductory pages of my web site, so that it then fits
whatever is created by a "United Team" of wise and skilled Theosophists
-- and is written in a much better way (or everything pertaining to the
"Team" is even deleted, if that is then best) -- Hopefully with the help
and/or suggestions of the "Team", so that I don't embarrass it with my
amateur writing in my Introductions on the WisdomWorld.org web site.

I'm offering a few starting-ideas here based on everything that I have
posted above and in the Introduction on the "Main Page" of my web site,
which, as said, continues in the "Introductory Brochure" page of the
site, concerning this proposed "United Team" action. Those Introductions
will make clearer these suggestions and proposals -- especially because
so much is said in them (to humanity) concerning the "United Team"
proposal. I have woven the subject throughout the Introductions and
Final Comments on the web site. By the way, for those of you who have
read the "Introductory Brochure" page in the past, I want you to know
that I have extensively edited and re-wrote it on June 14, 2001, trying
hard to improve it.

So with the stage set a little for everyone who reads this:

I suggest that endless topics should be written about, topics dealing
with subjects like social problems of every kind, education, health,
science, religion, philosophy, history, etc. and so on; topics that will
be constantly presented in series of articles as well as stand-alone
articles; even in different categories of groupings of articles; and
steadily, so as to always be current and up to date with evolving events
-- being always contemporary. I suggest, simply as reference material,
reviewing the style of some of the series of articles presented on the
WisdomWorld.org site as examples and samples, for starters. The bottom
line is that it should be an endless ongoing project, dealing with the
day to day, week to week, year to year experiences of humanity; meaning,
for example, that some series (or groupings) of articles, on many
subjects, should never actually have an ending point, as they steadily
comment, in the Light of Theosophy, on scientific directions taken and
progress in every field, as well as on humanity's many social problems.

I also suggest that we strongly consider having a skilled and
professional Media and Press section for our "Movement's" "United Team"
action, so that it can regularly communicate with the print and online
publications in the world, in a way that is accepted as routine, like,
for example, an AP (Associated Press), a Reuters, etc., and little by
little aim to also secure, because becoming respected and in-demand, in
every important field, including the NEWS arena, invitations to have
either daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, or once in a while column
space in many publications, both print and electronic.

I suggest, for consideration, that all articles are always contemporary,
fresh, and originally written by our Movement's proposed new group, and
ONLY referring to, when it does actually refer to past teachers and
writers, HPB, WQJ, and the Adepts. Why? So as not to naturally open the
lower-nature door of any one associated with the new "United Team", or
any organization that our "United Team" members belong to; so that no
one feels in any way slighted or disturbed or angry or jealous, etc.
This would be a wise strategic move and method on our part, so that we
CAN MORE EASILY create an atmosphere where we can work together and
leave all past problems behind. We would also strategically leave
behind, in this new publication at least, any problems for our Movement
that past workers and leaders may have made; by this I mean with any
distortions of the Teaching, as well as with personality problems,
backstabbing, jockeying for power and position, and so on.

Each writer can post and show our new "United" group each and every
proposed article on a new and unique web site that makes it easy as pie
for everyone to privately collaborate, without using e-mail. Any
article, or any number of articles, can be constantly worked on, as they
are always posted and showing; and each paragraph in each article has a
tiny link to press on so that any of the members of the "Team" can
suggest a rewrite, add an idea, do some editing, and so on, until the
entire group agrees that the article is ready to be presented, and is
strictly in line with true and undistorted Theosophy. A fellow
Theosophist first introduced this unique site to us, which all of us can
use, for this writing project or for any other collaborative work, in
one of his messages to the BN and theos-talk forums. This is the unique
site that is well worth checking out and knowing about:
http://www.quicktopic.com/

Whether or not all articles presented to humanity by this "United Team"
should be either signed by a particular writer or writers, unsigned, or
simply delivered and presented when finished as a collaborative effort
by all of the writers-editors (the "United Team") is something that the
working group that may, hopefully, come together needs to carefully
think about.

Before I continue, here are some selected excerpts, which may help give
some more food for thought to everyone, from a couple of e-mail
responses to me by a fellow Theosophist, which offer some starting ideas
on how to think about and go about this project, many of which are
similar to my own, whether expressed by me or not. He is a Theosophist
whom many of you know, or know of, as he participates in some of the
on-line forums on Blavatsky Net and theos-talk, as well as in many
scientific forums elsewhere. He is an old, skilled, and very
knowledgeable professional in the media and publishing worlds, among
many other fields:

=====================
Selected excerpts from his 1st letter:
=====================

John,

... I think ... topics ... dealing with "contemporary world problems"
... should be the sole purpose of any new magazine in the field.

In my view the ... Online Magazine ... should publish only articles that
have relevance (from a "Wisdom Teaching" [theosophical-solutions] point
of view) to all of the varied problems plaguing the world today due to
what the Buddhists would call, "wrong view"... (Whether scientific,
religious, technological, governmental, social, philosophical, cultural,
ecological, medical, psychological, judicial, correctional, commercial,
economical, etc., etc.) Thus, it can attract editorial writers,
advisors, activist-authors, group leaders, etc., with knowledgeable
backgrounds in all fields.

... But ... no dependence on advertisers, and writers could have much
more editorial freedom... To call a spade a spade, so to speak -- as
well as to advocate radical changes in the way the world presently
works. ... I like the idea of a (r)evolutionary approach that pulls no
punches, and can work toward upsetting the apple carts of the greed
merchants, as well as awaken the world to the emancipating power of
sound theosophical thinking in practical application. ...

... for starters -- roughly to frame out an editorial goal and author's
style ... Articles might be contributed by anyone who not only has a
sound understanding and knowledge of the theosophical principles, but
can make a good case for applying such knowledge, as well as
promulgating it (using the common "language of this age") -- within the
framework of the actual world conditions that exist today -- with the
consideration that such conditions could be changed and problems solved
through application of theosophical thought and unified action.

These articles should be understandable by everyone, regardless of their
educational level, and should clearly define the problem(s) and the
solution(s), as well as give a reasonable and possibly inspiring
rationale for each solution based on the fundamental laws and principles
of theosophy...

The goal of the magazine should be to publish such articles for purposes
of helping all of humanity understand the fundamental truths and,
ultimately be able to create for themselves a better, and happier world
-- free of oppression and discrimination, and based on the principles of
altruism and universal brotherhood -- leading (among other positive
goals?) to unity in diversity, liberty with responsibility, and self
government "of the people, by the people, and for the people," etc.,
etc.

... it needs some more thought and bouncing around organizational and
operational plans ... I would be glad to work on developing it ... and
give whatever assistance I can after the start-up.

... use the Quick Topic [http://www.quicktopic.com/] site to work in
conjunction with the magazine -- for editorial discussion and work group
gathering and planning purposes.

=====================
Selected excerpts from his 2nd letter:
=====================

... doesn't yet have a definitive editorial policy, format, or managing
editor, publisher and production manager. ... these projects, if they
are to work, would have to have a strong leadership and a very positive
course of action as well as an organization plan. For instance, the
magazine would need a Publisher/Editor who can hand out assignments,
supervise and manage the editing (even if done by online collaboration
and consensus), handle the formatting, layout and rewriting, if
necessary, and also manage the website and the posting. ... and I don't
know who is going to take the reins and act as a strong leader. My take
is that unless there is such a leader with great enthusiasm for the
"United Team" idea, plus the magazine and other projects it will work
on, as well as the time and skill to organize and manage it all -- it
could have very little chance of getting off the ground. ... I think it
is worth a try to ... find someone to take over and run with your idea.
(And that could include concise and complete planning, designing,
packaging, proposing, presenting, recruiting, and managing.)

==============
End of his selected excerpts.
==============

To continue: I suggest that there should never be a deadline for the
presentation of any article or series of articles that will be added to
this new on-line publication, or any size, or page-number, or
length-of-articles limitations. No such pressures of any kind: just
calmly and coolly working together to get each article up to speed, so
to say, that all agree is absolutely in line with the Teachings --
putting each new article up, in whatever section, or series, or grouping
on the new web site that it belongs in (the web site would actually be
the publication, as far as I see it, for starters); and then the skilled
"Media & Press" team announcing it to the world's media, or selected
portions of it, according to the particular subject covered.

If a working "Team" begins to come together and decides to have a new
and separate neutral web site (within and representing our entire
worldwide Theosophical Movement), which I personally think is the best
way to go, for the reasons given earlier, I volunteer to pay the initial
fee, and then each yearly fee for the new web site name that is decided
upon, as well as the initial start-up fees and then the ongoing monthly
fee for the Host provider where the site will be technically located.
But I strategically bow out of having anything to do with creating the
new web site and the new magazine and action, or whatever else is put
together by a wise group, based on these raw starting ideas, other than
always being a part of it by offering comments and suggestions, whenever
they occur to me, and helping to proofread articles for the team, when
needed. Why? Because I definitely am NOT, in any way, shape, or form,
based on long-lived first-hand experience, a capable organizer, writer,
or web-site-operating person.

Based on our sorry history over the last 125 years, as a very fragmented
Theosophical Movement, I suggest that if we are to overcome this, and
all that it has done to present Theosophy in a poor light before the
world, even making it a laughingstock to some degree, that the wisest
and most knowledgeable Theosophists from all organizations, and from
none, should very skillfully find a way to come together to present to
humanity, on an ongoing basis, the highest and profoundest caliber of
Theosophy that is possible -- and always pointing out any and all
Theosophy that is to some degree distorted and/or not valid, whenever
necessary and possible.

Some very important things for everyone to consider, while pondering
over this rough proposal in the days, weeks, months, and years to come:
If humanity would open-mindedly come-a-calling, so to say, at the
highest levels of science, religion, philosophy, and education, as well
as the media in general, worldwide, inviting our Theosophical
participation in endless ways on endless subjects, is the condition of
our Theosophical Movement, from the point of view of, "If the Student is
Ready (humanity as a whole) the Teacher will Appear", presently ready to
put our best foot forward in a "UNITED" way, and actually win the day in
the eyes of a watching world? Would each of us, who come from different
organizations, with their various publications, web sites, on-line
forums, activities and projects, etc., etc., be satisfied if any
particular one, and not our own, spoke for Theosophy and the
Theosophical Movement? I could be dead wrong, but I suspect not, on both
questions. But if we together, for starters, create a "neutral" web
site, from the point of view of everyone in our Movement, which IS, or
contains, a publication that is made up of wise and skilled and
dedicated theosophists, who are members, associates, and writers from
all of them, as well as all those wise and skillful writers who are
members of none, which might eventually, if we do this right, also
include some Adepts, then the climate would be completely different for
each of us individually, as well as for our Movement as a whole. We
would be operating in a very friendly "United Team" atmosphere where we
are able to put out the wisest, profoundest, truest, and best Theosophy
at all times -- and in a collaborative way, to make sure of this, while
drawing ourselves, little by little, ever closer together into a
Theosophical "nucleus" of brotherhood founded, even if only for
starters, on a skillful and effective MOVEMENT-wide working
relationship.

OK, this should now be enough additional starting-ideas and information
for everyone to have absorbed, so as to coordinate with what has been
presented on my WisdomWorld.org web site for a long time now (in the
first 3 links that are found below), concerning the "United Action"
proposal in the "Introductions".

Hopefully I have offered enough starting-ideas so that a dialogue
between many individuals and groups of theosophists who see this letter
can now begin and maybe, hopefully, a large and steady "United Team
Action" will begin to build and grow for our eternal Theosophical
Movement.

Fraternally yours in Universal Brotherhood,

John DeSantis
(Compiler)
-------

This is the link to the "Main Page" of my web site, and the
Introduction:
http://www.wisdomworld.org/index.html

This is the link to the continuation of the above "Main Page". It is
entitled the "Introductory Brochure":
http://www.wisdomworld.org/intro.html

This is the link to my "Final Comments" that follow the 166 compiled
articles in the Introductory, "Volume 1--> Setting the Stage" book:
http://www.wisdomworld.org/setting/conclusion.html

-------

...and here are:

The Index page of the Introductory, "Setting the Stage" book:
http://www.wisdomworld.org/setting.html

The page where "Additional" articles are steadily being added:
http://www.wisdomworld.org/additional/index.html

-------