Theos-Talk Archives (October 2008 Message tt00756)

Bro. Duane Carpenter,
I appreciate your efforts to save the Boston Lodge from the National
Section. Now, some individuals from the same National section are
trying to hijack the International TS itself. You can understand how
serious this trouble is. I hope, along with us, you will put even more
efforts now for saving the International TS.
Best
Anand Gholap

 
--- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, Duane Carpenter
<monad_monad_monad@...> wrote:
>
> Dear Theos -talk
> I have been intermittently following some of the dialog presented on
this forum on the Theosophical society's election rules and
regulations. I am moved by the seemingly impossible situation that the
regular members may have found themselves in as we see changes and
attempted changes of the bylaws at the highest levels of the society
> Some years ago when when I was  the Theosophical President of the
Boston Lodge  one of my first duties when elected was to fend off
Nationals (Wheaten) aggressive move to seize the assets of the local
lodge. It seemed that national felt any of the asset of its charted
lodges were a part of their portfolio.  National's legal action failed
after a long and protracted law suit and the Theosophical Lodge in
Boston was finally restored to its original integrity.
> Interesting the original board of directors and trustees before I
took office were in a process of changing the bylaws and rules so that
more power would be focused into the hands of fewer and few people.
> One of the many arguments that those who proposed changing the
bylaws  to exclude the rank and file membership from direct 
interaction and control  of many aspects of the Lodge was that the
regular members  were not  not as committed nor as knowledgeable as
they. Therefore why should they share in the immense responsibility of
electing the governing body at its highest levels? It only seemed
logical to them that those at the head of the organization should make
policy to keep the Lodge alive, active and vibrant. 
> It would be good for those who are interested in this ongoing
controversy to understand this position however untrue or biased it
may seem. For it may have much to do with the present situation from
the elected official's point of view.
>  I understand that this rational or insight that I am now sharing
may be nothing new in the ongoing controversy but should be clearly
understood by all those who seek to understand the motivation at the
highest levels of the Theosophical Society and any possible long term
solution.
>  When you factor in the Esoteric Section of the Theosophical society
this even exaggerates their position more fully. Many who post here on
Theos- talk  may see these changes that are attempting to take place
at the highest levels of the society as an injection of a religious
sect (Esoteric Section), trying to unduly influence the society. The
members of the Esoteric Section do not see themselves as a "religious
sect" but see their work as "true theosophy "in its deeper aspects and
what many other rank and file members do as peripheral and not of any
depth.  
>  I understand that we can argue what is theosophy? And who are the
real theosophist till eternity freezes over and may never come up with
a tangible and satisfactory answer but this is the mind set you will
have to deal with. 
>  
> There are a number of important consideration here to consider one
of which is if you become a chartered lodge through the Theosophical
Society from Wheaten can they have any claim on this chartered lodges
assets?
> Do you have or have you ever had a Quest bookstore in your lodge.
Was it ever funded by grants or gifts by National? If so the liability
to the local lodge's assets may be greater.
> The Boston Lodge was able to maintain its integrity from national
and keep its own assets because it dug in and fought for its life. It
was able to do this because of the contributions of some legal minds
and attorneys trained in the art.
> The suggestion by one of Theo-talk participants that we need a
couple of good lawyers at this point is an important consideration.
> Instead of sitting around wringing our hands over the injustice of
the situation members need to get more involved. Somewhere out there
in Theo- land that are a couple of good attorneys who when there
conscious finally catches up to their  legal training will research
these grievances by-law by bylaw line by line and see what real course
of action can be taken.
> Many readers may feel this suggestion on my part is very un-
theosophical. To the contrary the actions exhibited by some of the
leaders of this organization are not only not theosophical but
outright illegal.  I hope the reader will not be fooled or lulled into
a false sense of complacency. Any rule or bylaw can be changed by a
good attorney skilled in the art in a number of different ways,
particularly if people sit around and debate endlessly and do nothing.
> One last footnote to this letter.
>  
> Another rational for this attempted corporate takeover of the Boston
lodge by national was national's charge that "true theosophy" was not
being taught at this lodge. In addition to teaching the works of HPB,
which I personally sponsored and supervised there were many who
studied the additional works of Alice Bailey, Rudolph Steiner and many
others. I find it of some interest that if the works of Alice
Bailey are even mentioned on this forum that many who subscribe to it
immediately go into a frenzy of criticism and hostility as if the
devil itself were mentioned. How ironical I find this for in a
somewhat oblique and indirect way the same mindset is now being
applied to many of those who post here and may feel that they are
being treated unfairly. And what is my point? Simply that one group of
so called theosophist trying to control and dictate to another group
what they may study or explore or believe may not be Theosophy. 
> When all is said and done Theosophy may be superficial by one
person's standards or it may be deep by another. To me who has had the
privilege of serving Theosophy for my entire adult life I simply ask
the question at the end of the day does it help the student
understands themselves or the universe in which they live. Does it
open their Heart to tolerance and goodwill? Memorizing endless tidbits
of occult jargon and technical minutiae may not in the final analysis
be as important as simply rolling up your sleeve's and getting
involved in many simple or practical ways.
> Another irony that may never be explained in this lifetime is that
it was many of the Alice Bailey students, who I might add, also
studied HPB extensively, who led the charge and gave there last nickel
to fend off National illegal takeover of the Theosophical lodge in
Boston. I am curious how many so called committed Theosophists now
reading this email would do the same in return?
> Each generation of Theosophist defines themselves by what they can
contribute not only to their own growth but to the growth of a wider
and more universal understanding of Theosophy and its principals.
>  
> In closing this letter  I am reminded of a quotation that summarizes
my thoughts of this subject under discussion. 
> "All that is required for evil to flourish is for one good man to do
nothing" 
> Blessings to you, may the Masters guide you in your work and Life
> Duane Carpenter
>  
>  
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ________________________________
> From: Anton Rozman <anton_rozman@...>
> To: theos-talk@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Wednesday, October 22, 2008 2:45:11 AM
> Subject: Theos-World Journeys with the Crystal Skull
> 
> 
> Hi John and all,
> 
> I am quite sure that this will be an interesting story for you.
> 
> Journeys with the Crystal Skull
> http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=udjyznJckbk
> 
> Bill Homann and the Mitchell-Hedges Crystal Skull
> http://www.projectc amelot.org/ crystal_skull. html
> 
> Warmest regards,
> Anton
> 
>  
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>