Theos-Talk Archives (July 2001 Message tt00067)

I think we should look at it as a war. And modern warfare is information
war. 

We don't have the resources to counter mainstream propaganda and mass
hypnosis - especially when groups who are geared to materiialism and the
pursuit of profit have a vested interest in theosophy not being accepted
worldwide. The solution of course is guerilla warfare. The
eco-terrorists etc have known this for years - they can'y buy space on
TV they can't buy Adprint in the US etc So you have to spray paint
across the statue of liberty at night 'THERE IS NO RELIGION HIGHER THAN
TRUTH' etc

You have to get involved with christian newsgroups, scientific
reductionist atheist newsgroups etc etc - take part and tell it from
theosophy's POV - give references back it up - if we know we're right
why should we be timid or is it more right to say that the TRUTH needs
no defenders. 

I think if we work hard microscopically the results will be achcieved
macroscopically - as above - so below - For starters - does everybody in
your family understand theosophy? I find myself meeting a stumblimg
block before I even leave the house - IYKWIM.

IMHO

Nos





##-----Original Message-----
##From: ramadoss [mailto:ramadoss@infohwy.com] 
##Sent: Tuesday, 10 July 2001 9:09 AM
##To: theos-talk@yahoogroups.com; theos-l@list.vnet.net
##Subject: Theos-World Re: A "UNITED ACTION" FOR OUR 
##THEOSOPHICAL MOVEMENT
##
##
##John:
##
##You should be commended for the post. Internet may be last 
##tool of the 
##salvation for uniting those who are interested and committed to the 
##dissemination of theosophy. All organized approaches driven 
##by political, 
##financial, or ideological interests have failed to unite in 
##the common 
##theosophical cause as demonstrated by the fractured multiple 
##organizations. 
##The only hope that remains is from the (non organizational) 
##individuals 
##fired up by the ideals of theosophy want to do some thing in 
##the hope we 
##can popularize theosophy for the masses. I hope in my 
##lifetime we would see 
##some of our theosophical dreams fulfilled and Humanity helped.
##
##mkr
##
##John wrote on 7/9/2001:
##
##=====================
##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
-------




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