Theos-Talk Archives (July 2001 Message tt00079)

The discussion about the role and positive or negative aspects of the ULT 
reminded me of a few intriguing mysteries about the origins and control 
of the ULT.

1. Why was Robert Crosbie ejected from Pt Loma?

2. What has been the role of the DES (the ULT ES organization) in the 
control and/or management of the ULT?

3. Who actually has controlled the ULT throughout its development, and 
how?

On question (1) there are several versions, notably those of the ULT and 
Pt Loma, but there are also "inner" accounts, at least one of which is 
probably accurate. The DES (question (2)) remains one of the great 
secrets of Theosophical history (not unlike the ER of the Adyar TS); I 
hope that its history and teachings will be made accessible to students 
of Theosophical history when I complete the history of secret societies 
in the Theosophical movement on which John Cooper and I were 
collaborating at the time of his passing. But the role of the DES has 
been even greater than that of the Adyar and Pt Loma ES groups because it 
has remained largely "invisible". For example, it is not, to my 
knowledge, referred to in a single history of the Theosophical movement 
(and is not, of course, mentioned in the Theosophy Company's history). 
Question (3) relates to the real history - as opposed to the vague 
historical statements - of the ULT. No organization operates without 
leadership and systems of power and control, and those that deny they 
have such systems are inevitably more rigidly controlled by those who 
actually hold the "non-existent" positions of authority.

I do not in any way denigrate the work (or, particularly, the 
publications) of the ULT, but I would venture to suggest that the public 
relations position it takes simply misrepresents the reality. Scholars in 
the field know, for example, who wrote Theosophy Company's history and 
who headed the movement at various stages of its development.

It is, of course, equally true that the real "inner" history of both 
Adyar and Pt Loma have never been published. Perhaps a little more open 
access, accurate and honest information and the release of historical 
material would promote (rather than damage) the Thoeosphical movement?

Dr Gregory Tillett