Theos-Talk Archives (April 2011 Message tt00158)

From a post on Theos-talk
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/theos-talk/message/52549>

The above post contains the initial letter received by Orland from Mo, 
and the following letter that Orlando sent back to Mo. The apparent 
topic of the letter related to complaints that (some) people were not 
allowed to do various spiritual practices at the Orlando Lodge. The 
instances of NON-theosophical behavior are that of denying these 
spiritual practices/techniques to be performed/practiced at the Orlando 
Lodge.

Excerpts follow:

==================
Mo's allegations say:

These incidents taken together, constitute a pattern of behavior
extending over a number of years. Such behavior is inconsistent with the
nature of theosophy and the purpose of the Theosophical Society in
America.

=====================
Orlando's Response:

It has long been a Theosophical ethos based upon the teachings of Madame
Blavatsky that we do NOT teach or engage in Spiritualistic practices
such as Mediumship, Astral Projection, Psychic Development, Seances,
Ouija board, Communication with the deceased and other such activities.
There are those who in the past have made strong attempts to include
these things in our agenda.

When we explain that these are NOT congruent with our perspective &
teachings they develop a strong animus against us. So what are we to do?

=======================

The actual people alleging this "behavior" are unknown/unnamed. The 
response to close the Orlando Lodge in entirety implies that the entire 
lodge is guilty and convicted as charged.  They are doing this without 
visiting the lodge and investigating the two sides of an issue.

The only thing the Orlando Lodge has done is to protect itself from 
external factors that most would say are a form of Dugpa.

Apparently TSA  WANTS  the Orlando Lodge to allow and perform items 
involving Dugpa (contemporary term is black-magic). huhhh??

If this is NOT true, then members need to know what is actually going 
on. Why is this too much to ask of our elected, and coming up for 
re-election, leaders??

We are told to Vote for them to show respect and support. (The Messenger 
April 2011. Front page). In a prior post, I pointed out that to make 
such a statement is disrespectful of the members. Actually, the case is 
made to:  DO NOT NOT VOTE.

Another choice is that the closure of Orlando Lodge, is purely an act to 
remove them because they went against TSA's push to have John Algeo 
elected instead of Radha.  Being vocal in the TSA, not following the 
National push to support the "chosen" candidate, is now defiant of some 
TSA form of "Papal Infallibility"?  (don't you get a trial to be 
excommunicated?)

Yet another choice, is that they trumped-up the Orlando Lodge's  
accusation just to seize assets of the lodge.

So, how do we choose to understand this action,  to close down the 
Orlando Lodge??

It can only be beneficial to disclose all the facts. By allowing this 
"Vacuum/Cone of Silence Over Olcott" to happen,  is a terrible way to 
manage, lead and get respect.  I am trying to have respect. They 
generate the problems and ignore any questions for an explanation. Vague 
accusations,  "Believe Us, we know what you do not" is very near to 
Despotic rule.

Peace

John