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SRF Walrus

Mt. Washington, Ca

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Yuga Unregistered User (11/2/01 6:09 pm) Reply	Doubt and intuition I suspect that Guruji meant that doubt together with the intuition of the heart, an intuition born of deep meditation earned over many years and through many trials, could be a force for dynamic energy. The line that the SRF lessons will be the guru is sheer dogma. Guruji has given us the tools to communicate with him deeply inside, that's what meditation and Kriya, jyoti mudra, are all about. Since WHEN do we fall down and surrender our conscience to written lessons, certainly knowing that they have been re-written numerous times since our guru's mahasamadhi. I do not agree with fundamentalists who shout at me, point fingers and thrust written words in my face, saying that is the PROOF. Where's the PROOF that he said the lessons will be the guru? Anyone, any BOD member can say he said it, he's not here in person to defend himself.
KS Unregistered User (11/5/01 9:08 pm) Reply	Words Would SRF put words in Master's mouth to further their own ideals or for any other reason? Do any of you really think they would do that?
Musicman Unregistered User (11/29/01 12:57 pm) Reply	Timeless, but changeless? Right on, Raja and Rigiditananda. I've often reflected on the fact that those who say the teachings don't need updating (because they're absolute, immutable truth) ignore the obvious fact that Master himself updated sanatan dharma! Basic truths may not change, but the garb they're clothed in does. Master's genius was for adopting what others were doing to his own purposes. All this positive-thinking stuff shows some influence of Dale Carnegie. The idea of bringing together Christianity and Hinduism wasn't unique to Master's gurus. There was a movement called Bramo Samaj in 19th-century India that pioneered that. There's also some influence from Theosophy in Master's approach, and he must have learned something from Aimee Semple McPherson and her Four Square Gospel extravaganzas in LA. Like her, he had a flair for business and promotion. A lot of SRF attitudes about sex, as taught by Master, have obvious roots in Victorian India. Anyone who sees the old, pre-colonial Indian temples, covered with sculptures of people in every conceivable sexual pose, knows that the kama sutra and tantra yoga were anything but Victorian, or SRF! Remember the warning in the lessons that one drop of semen equals six drops of blood, that semen was "vital fluid," the loss of which was "devitalizing"? (Question: Does this let women off the hook? Then again, maybe their sexual lapses don't really matter.) How about the fail-safe method of rubbing a cold towel over body openings to dampen sexual energy. How many of you tried that only to discover it works about as well as a screen door on a submarine? Come on, in this era of AIDS and unwanted pregnancies (shades of Laurie Pratt, and maybe Master himself), some serious updating needs to be done. Who will undertake it? Celibate monastics???????? Let's take a look at the Catholic Church's track record to see how well that approach works. I believe more and more that the best administrative model for SRF would be to have a council of monastics and seasoned lay members oversee the teachings and their dissemination. Lay members with expertise in management, marketing, accounting, and business should be in charge of the administrative end of things, while the monastics concentrate on doing what they do best-- meditating, studying, counseling, lecturing, etc. Also, and this is crucial, the financial records of SRF should be public record. Impossible? Billy Graham's organization has done it for years, though he's the only evangelist who does it. It keeps things honest. At some point, the lay members will have to be given a more prominent and meaningful role, and democratic methods for selecting leadership will have to be adopted. But I don't expect to see that in my lifetime (unless all the monastics leave the ashram, which may well happen). Imagine how different things would be had Dr. Lewis lived longer and been in charge.
hapoel Registered User (2/21/02 12:30 am) Reply	Re: Bad Ladies very true. I agree!!! The nutritional advice in the Lessons is dangerous but not as dangerous you think... hey good news: Hapoel Tel Aviv again made history Thursday evening when they stunned Italian Serie A side Parma AC 2-1 in the away leg of their fourth round UEFA Cup clash. Hapoel, which has already progressed further than any other Israeli team in a European club competition, went ahead 1-0 in the 33rd minute when striker Milan Osterc exploited a lapse in the Parma defense and slammed the ball into the back of the net from 17 meters out. Hapoel midfielder Istvan Pischont put his side in an almost unbeatable position when he scored in the 55th minute to put his side up 2-0. In the closing stages of the game, Parma pulled a goal back. With both sides failing to score in the first leg at Bloomfield a week ago, Hapoel needed either a win or a scoring draw to progress to the last eight. Parma had to win outright, or in a penalty shout-out, to get through to the next round. If you can`t beat them - Fight harder! ("hapoel") http://hapoel-tel-aviv.net Edited by: hapoel at: 3/2/02 3:24:57 am
NewBoy Unregistered User (2/21/02 9:34 am) Reply	Treatment of Mildred Lewis Several times on this board people have referred to the "bad treatment" of Mildred "Mama" Lewis. I don't understand. I thought SRF provided her with a nice home near the San Diego temple after Doctor's passing. Mrs. Lewis sat on the dais at the Golden Anniversary of SRF in 1970. In her book, Brenda Lewis Rosser states that the temple in the desert that Mrs. Lewis dedicated to Dr. Lewis included a ceremony with Bro. Anandamoy officiating since Daya Ma was in India. Were they against this temple / retreat? I noticed Mrinilini Mata didn't mention it in her obituary of Mrs. Lewis in the recent edition of the booklet on Dr. Lewis. The fundamental question I have is what constitutes "bad treatment"?
Smoke Signals Unregistered User (2/22/02 2:14 pm) Reply	Treatment of Mildred Lewis Dear Newboy, I can understand how you feel. You hear one side, and then you hear another. My believe is to not believe in any of it, because no one has any proof on either side, not SRF, not even Ananda who created the gossip. I have learned in life that there is always two sides to every story, and the truth isn't on either side sometimes, so you have to go by your own feelings and as someone said on this board, "Your own experiences." When people are hurt, they often lash out, and sometimes they fabricate lies, sometimes the truth gets embellished, and sometimes it is the truth only as they see it. If you were happy in SRF before coming to this board. I think I recall your saying after reading everything, that your heart is heavy, well, as I was saying, if you were happy before, I would not pay any attention to anything on this board because you will lose what you had if you do. But that is up to you. For me, I was glad that I listened, but only because in the long run I found something better. I wish you happiness.
srfwalrus ezOP (2/22/02 5:42 pm) Reply	Re: Treatment of Mildred Lewis I would agree with Smoke Signals. This board is for people who have experienced these things themselves, not for those out in the centers and groups who have a good relationship with Master (and even SRF). Don't bother to read this stuff if you have not "been there, done that".
Pig Ma Registered User (2/22/02 10:06 pm) Reply	Re: Treatment of Mildred Lewis Just so you know, I was at San Diego temple when Mrs. Lewis was still alive. I even had a brief conversation with her. The impression I had was that she was an elderly lady who was enjoying a somewhat reclusive existence during her last years. I don't remember seeing her at the temple events or services during this time, although it is possible she did attend them. I think this was her choice, and that she was well cared for- having a place to live, and friends that came by to visit her. Her daughter and son-in-law are still active San Diego temple members, serving by playing the organ and being the one who who introduces the minister on Sunday services. When she passed away, her quarters were converted to the use of the ministers. The previous ministers room was converted into a Sunday School room, and an overflow room when Sunday School is not in session. Actually, I don't remember reading anything about bad treatment of Mrs. Lewis on this board, or anywhere else for that matter. I believe she died at the temple, not in a hospital.
shisha Unregistered User (2/22/02 10:18 pm) Reply	Was Dr. Lewis black? Not that it matters, obviously, but from the photos I always thought he was black until someone once got very upset that someone else said he was black (thank God it was not me!). I just assumed he was, without giving it a second thought, because his facial features appeared to me to be those of a black person when I saw him photos in SRF books.
NewBoy Unregistered User (2/23/02 7:12 pm) Reply	Callous treatment of Mrs. Lewis Pig Ma, In this thread, Spi refers to her bad treatment. Scroll up and see. I've seen it mentioned at least once or twice before. One more thought: I heard that SRF was not thrilled with Brenda Lewis Rosser's book. The only potentially offensive sections I can think of involve Master's regular solicitation of money. Yet Ms. Rosser remains an active member at San Diego Temple! At least not everyone who crosses the BOD gets banished!
Pig Ma Registered User (2/23/02 8:10 pm) Reply	Re: Callous treatment of Mrs. Lewis Thanks Newboy. I read Spi's comment, and I guess it was from so long ago I had forgotten it. This is a pretty old thread. I've heard more about bad treatment of Kamala, not of Mrs. Lewis. I would be hesitant to broach this question to her daughter, since although we smile at each other, we are not personal friends. As far as SRF not being thrilled with Brenda Rosser's book- I've never heard that take on it. They've done something very unusual with this book. Although they don't sell it directly, it is in the bookroom (at least it is in San Diego) with an address of where the book can be obtained. Why they don't sell it directly seems a little odd to me, since by displaying it they appear to be giving it the stamp of approval. I also remember there being an event where Brenda Rosser sold her books and autographed them for us. It's been so long that the details on that are foggy in my mind. All of this spells out to me that SRF basically approved of her book.
Crog Unregistered User (2/24/02 7:30 am) Reply	Fear fear fear Remember the title of this topic section? I believe SRF's reaction to the book was one of fear, unreasonable fear. ANYONE publishing things about Master is suspect, and books out of their control are FEARED just for all the dirty laundry they might reveal. Based on the amount of fear of these things one can assume they have a lot of dirty laundry. Also, to NEWBOY, they didn't provide Mrs. Lewis with a nice home and she was "socially" left out of life with the old timers at mother center. She was not invited to Convocation for special seating, or Christmas programs at mother center, etc... Her appartment was left to degrade until at the time of her death it was a disgrace. He allowance was shameful. She was turned out completely until she produced a letter from Master saying SRF would take care of her. Even then it was only the SRF members in the Encinitas area rose up and complained that SRF took her back in and gave her minimal support. Brenda Rosser is another story and as far as I can tell is not part of the "inside" special priviledged group either even with her history. SRF does not stop anyone from attending a temple.
Pig Ma Registered User (2/24/02 8:04 am) Reply	Re: Fear fear fear Crog, I don't know what your source of information is, and I, myself, can only report on how things appeared to me. I can say the outside of the apartment was in beautiful shape, because San Diego temple is maintained very well. I doubt if her apartment was a "disgrace", because she had her daughter and friends visiting her, and if she had needs there were ways they could have been met. Some folks allow a bit of clutter and resist change in that regard- I have no idea if that was the case here. What a sad story about being turned out by SRF until she produced a letter. Maybe one day I will be brave enough to ask Brenda what the truth is in this regard, but without a relationship established, it would feel very awkward to broach such a subject. As far as being a part on the inside priviledged group, since I'm not part of it and I had no idea it existed, what can I say that would have any meaning? Brenda Rosser seems to be accorded a lot of respect- it is not as if she is an outsider that SRF is putting up with attending "their" temple.
NewBoy Unregistered User (2/24/02 12:10 pm) Reply	Treatment of Direct Disciples Pig Ma, Thank you for your input; it adds balance to these threads. (Sorry if we're not talking about fear exactly right now, but if this is how the BOD treats such esteemed disciples, I would be fearful to join the Order and / or continue with the organization). I, too, have heard that Kamala was badly treated after publishing her two, wonderful in my opinion, books. Was she simply shunned or pushed aside like Mrs. Lewis? As you must all know, SRF published and sent a letter to its members denying the accusations made against them by A-nanda regarding Kamala. Kamala's books seem so mild compared to Brenda Rosser's. Maybe SRF has just mellowed or sort of given up on controlling all publications entirely. What a sad state of affairs when devoted disciples all wanting to extoll their guru and his teachings end up fighting over who may say he's the greatest!
Smoke Signals Unregistered User (2/24/02 1:14 pm) Reply	Treatment of Direct Disciples Dear All, Have any of you proof that Kamala was mistreated, proof other than what Donald Walters gives? Why do you all buy into all the gossip? Why do you think that Walters has an edge on truth? Have any of you asked Mother Center for their opinion on what happened with Kamala?
NewBoy Unregistered User (2/25/02 6:13 am) Reply	More on Kamala Smoke Signals, In a book by John Laurence, I forget the name but I can get it for you, he comments briefly on her bad treatment. He simply refers to Kamala as a saint "despite what's been said about her" or some such remark. John Laurence assisted Kamala for years at the SRF San Francisco Center and he knew Master. I think he's still living (age 90 something) in the Bay area and working as a psychic counselor, teacher, and lecturer. I found it interesting that Kamala was not sitting at the dais of the Golden Anniversary of SRF in 1970. After all, she was, at that time, a disciple for 45 years and a minister for almost as many. They allowed J. Oliver Black and Mrs. Lewis to sit on it, so it was reserved for monastics only. Of course SRF denies any such treatment.
Smoke Signals Unregistered User (2/25/02 6:33 am) Reply	Kamala Thank you for the information. I had heard of Laurence, but I don't know much about him. I had heard that he had written a book, but I didn't know how to find it.
NewBoy Unregistered User (2/25/02 9:46 am) Reply	Book by John Laurence Smoke Signals, You can order this book from East-West Bookshop in Mountain View, California, or from Crystal Clarity Publishers at A-nanda. Go under other publications on the A-nanda web site.
truth Unregistered User (2/26/02 8:51 am) Reply	john laurence book ... does not seem to be available at crystal clarity!?
joyjoyjoy Unregistered User (2/26/02 9:20 am) Reply	ordering information JL's books is not available from Crystal Clarity, but there is information on how to order it on the Ananda Website. Go to the bottom of the page: www.ananda.org/ananda/disciples.html