Theos-Talk Archives (May 2009 Message tt00536)

Members have right to analyze actions and policies of leaders. Just as mistakes can be discussed, it is just and fair to appreciate good qualities and right actions of any individuals. So, today I am writing what good qualities I saw in two individuals, Ms. Betty Bland and Ms. Radha Burnier.
I joined Theosophical Network at ning, run by Theosophical Society in America and which is fully under the control of it's President Ms. Betty Bland. Ms. Bland invited discussion on disenfranchisement proposal. As I thought that proposal was not good for members and the TS, I criticized Ms. Bland's proposal on her own network. Logical result could have been my expulsion from the network. But Ms. Bland did not expel me, even if I criticized the policy of disenfranchisement. They also did not curtail my freedom to speak in the network. I appreciate good treatment they gave and that they did not do witch-hunting. I appreciate Ms. Betty Bland, as far as this experience is concerned.
Many years back I attended international convention at Adyar. I saw Ms. Radha Burnier getting out of the car near the entrance of the main hall. I think it was a car meant for her use at HQ. It was one of the cheapest models sold in India. After looking at the condition of the car, I felt it was a second hand car. Another thing I noticed was she was driving that car herself. Ms. Burnier was President of one of the most prestigious organizations in the world, The Theosophical Society. Anybody would have expected her to use expensive, luxurious cars and lifestyle. We can see heads of many other spiritual organizations living luxurious life. Life of Ms. Burnier is very different from lifestyle of many others. That time her age of 80 or so, and one could expect that she would have a driver. But Ms. Burnier was driving that cheap car herself, perhaps to save money of the TS and to set example of simplicity before others. I think, she lives very simple life. 
I am not saying whether people should live simple life or luxurious life. But I think there are considerable sacrifices of comforts on the part of the President Ms. Radha Burnier for many decades. So, as far as this quality is concerned, I appreciate her capacity to make sacrifices of physical comforts for TS.
Best
Anand Gholap