Cold Cold Heart: Tara Mata's influence on SRF

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SRF Walrus > SRF Teachings and Ideals > Cold Cold Heart: Tara Mata's influence on SRF
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Author	Comment
srflongago Registered User (3/1/02 1:37 pm) Reply	Re: Mona Pratt The connection with Cayce was totally unknown to me, and is a welcome source of corrected information. It should make it easy to check in Atlanta for the birth certificate. Obviously if Mona married (and someone sometime said she did, correct or not), her death certificate if any would be under that name, and we do not have the information to find it. Is there a marriage date and/or place in there as well? Was the husband a Yogananda disciple from Yogananda's stay in New York? The times appear to allow this.
Terrie Unregistered User (3/1/02 6:09 pm) Reply	Yogananda/Cayce link I'm very happy that the Cayce readings helped to clear up the rumors about Laurie Pratt. I don't think there was any special connection between Yogananda and Cayce, but some of Yogananda's followers or disciples were interested in Cayce's work. It's quite possible that Laurie was interested in Cayce before she heard of Yogananda. There were others who received readings who also followed Yogananda. Why would Laurie consult a psychic? I think it's just a question of wanting some answers, being curious, part of being human. Cayce also gave out a lot of helpful information on health and fascinating stories of the earth's past along with numerous readings on the need to draw closer to the Creator. That was his main emphasis...the need for spiritual dedication. And thousands of readings mentioned the influence of planets...Laurie was an astrologer. Anyone can check the Cayce readings and associated reports by going to the links Webresearcher posted above. Those links are all that is in the readings on Laurie's family. Cayce's organization has done a really good job of tying all the information together into single links, one each for Laurie, her husband and child. If the husband was a follower of Yogananda, it might be in his file (#1932). Are you sure the daughter's name was Mona? I thought it was probably some other name.
srflongago Registered User (3/1/02 6:36 pm) Reply	Re: Yogananda/Cayce link The references in Cayce to the daughter anAtlanta home are consistent with letters I have from Laurie to a third party, referring to her daughter Mona, and indicating that both were in Atlanta. So the Mona identification seems entirely secure.
srflongago Registered User (3/2/02 7:12 am) Reply	Re: Yogananda/Cayce link The Cayce ties,, the description by Laurie to Cayce of her financially unsuccessful astrological career and failed marriage, the description of her ambition to be a writer as a reason to go to SRF, casts her in a new light. Laurie's emphasis on a financially failed astrological career, on a failed marriage, on the hope of becoming a paid author and edito, as reasons for going to SRF, coupled with her lack of emphasis on SRF, Yogananda, and Kriya as reasons, was striking. Having known Laurie in the 30's, having known that the SRF people accepted the image she cast as a very independent women in control of her destiny, the reliance on Cayce for life advice up through the early 1940's, and indeed her sending some other SRF members to Cayce, was very startling. I have searched East-West and a lot of Inner Culture and found absolutely no reference to Cayce. Perhaps someone else can, there or elsewhere. The legal legitimacy of Mona Pratt can be checked formally using the Cayce readings and the NY and Georgia marriage certificates and birth certificates. I now assume her mother was still married when Mona was born. But everyone then knew she HAD been married, though she was vague on dates. She was referred to as Mrs. Pratt. The rumours were still there desite that knowledge. Even though it is ungentlemanly, this does not rule out that originally this was a marriage of kindness or convenience, and that Carmody was not Mona's genetic father. If you look at the travel dates for all the parties involved in 1929, this is not yet resolved. Mabey nothing like this ever is.
Pig Ma Registered User (3/2/02 7:51 am) Reply	Re: Yogananda/Cayce link srflongago, You have added a wealth of information to this board in your posts. I love your matter of fact manner that is not blaming or judging, but tries to get at the truth. So Tara Mata becomes even more of a mystery to those of us who are trying to piece together the true story behind the gloss. I love how life is full of mysteries to be embraced and pondered upon.
XInsider Unregistered User (3/2/02 8:35 am) Reply	SRF and Cayce Within the ashram, Cayce is one of the secretly "approved" authors and astrology is a widely enjoyed pastime. No one is supposed to come clean about this to the members, of course. The public face says to rely on Master alone. But since such a close disciple sought "outside advice" even when Master was in the body, it is no wonder that this has been passed along as one of the many secrets in the ashram. (They keep a copy of Cayce's remedies in the Personnel offices, but it may be hidden or under lock and key.)
srflongago Registered User (3/2/02 9:21 am) Reply	Re: Yogananda/Cayce link Thank you for the positive words. I am positive by nature, and I liked all of these figures, whatever their shortcomings. But I do prefer accurate accounts instead of expressins of vested interests. Here, as everywhere truth is stranger, and more informing, than fiction. A look at old records reveals references to adoptions by Dickerson, the Ink Merchant at SRF, of Edward Pratt Dickerson and Mona Pratt Dickerson. This has to be run authenticated or refuted. I repeat that I believe that Laurie gave the exact birthtime and birthplace of Mona to Cayce, since otherwise the whole discipline of astrological computation is inapplicable. No astrologer asking for advice would give false information on either. I am not convinced that the Social Security death registry for (the only listed) Mona Pratt is for the wrong Mona Pratt. The death date is usually from from a death certificate and is usually accurate. The birthdate was given to Social Security in those days often with a very weak check on correctness and was easily fudged. They often were, to get work or liquor or "smokes" a little earlier, or due to misinformation, among many other reasons. So there are some remaining mysteries which I hope this community can track down as efficiently as a member of it tracked down Cayce. I did not know that the Cayce tradition had continued at SRF to this day among some of the members. This well could be the heritage of Laurie. I reallly doubt that Yogananda knew about this, even though his guru cast horoscopes. It isn't as if they were absent in early Kriya. But some of us traditionalists regard them as a Persian tradition that came to India by cultural infiltration, especially strongly after the Moghul conquests!
Ringbearer Unregistered User (3/2/02 3:01 pm) Reply	Yogananda/Dhirananda/Mona/Laurie/Cayce/Etc... "Even though it is ungentlemanly, this does not rule out that originally this was a marriage of kindness or convenience, and that Carmody was not Mona's genetic father. If you look at the travel dates for all the parties involved in 1929, this is not yet resolved. Mabey nothing like this ever is. " If Mona Pratt was born on June 28, 1930 then that would imply that she was conceived in late September of 1929. So whatever it was that Dhirananada was distressed to see upon arriving in New York, it was not until 5 months after this that Mona was even conceived. I believe that Master left for his trip to Mexico in late May, 1929 and gave a talk in Guadalajara on August 15,1929. I am not sure of the exact date of his arrival back in the U.S. however. He was in Detriot, Michigan in October, 1929 and back at Mt. Washington on Nov, 10th 1929. It looks like a pretty tight schedule and seems to me, in light of the info from the Cayce files, that it is fairly plausible that the whole Mona thing is nothing more than a rumor that after time took on a life of its own - the ashram is full of gossip and I am sure this has ever been the case. Also, in Durga Ma's book she implies that as of May, 1928 Swami Dhirananda was no longer in residence at the Mt. Washington facility. So it appears that the split between Yogananda and Dhirananda occurred about one year before Dhirananda's visit to New York. I think at this time he had his own yoga school and was living not far from Mother Center.
Terrie Unregistered User (3/2/02 3:21 pm) Reply	Interpretations It's really interesting how people can read the same information and come up with different interpretations about what was said. "...her financially unsuccessful astrological career..." I didn't think there was anything said about Laurie's astrological career being financially unsuccesful, only that the didn't like using astrology as a way to make a living. "...her ambition to be a writer as a reason to go to SRF..." From the Cayce readings, it is apparent that she WAS a writer already. She was in charge of the department of a magazine and did quite a bit of writing. She went to California to be with her mother, but only those around her at that time might know how she came to be Yogananda's editor. She worked for Yogananda as an editor. This isn't the same thing as writing. Editing is going over another person's work and cleaning it up, so to speak. Writing is sort of a free-flowing creative act. Editing is picking apart details, restructuring, and making it all better. How can I know this? I've been both a writer and an editor and have many of the same interests as Laurie Pratt did. Am I her reincarnation? Nope....too old. Laurie had very good editing skills. That's why Yogananda chose her to go over his writings. That doesn't say anything about her spiritual development, only what she was good at. ".... and that Carmody was not Mona's genetic father. If you look at the travel dates for all the parties involved in 1929, this is not yet resolved. Maybe nothing like this ever is." Especially now that the principles are all dead and gone. But if anyone discovers marriage or birth certificates, be sure to let us know!
srflongago Registered User (3/2/02 3:55 pm) Reply	Re: Yogananda/Dhirananda/Mona/Laurie/Cayce/Etc... Dhirananda moved out of SRF instantly the day he returned to Mothercenter after visiting Yogananda in New York in late Spring 1929, and was replaced by Sri Nerode who arrived after a delay a couple of months later, June I think. Dhirananda set up his own Center immediately and gave sermons immediately, and put to press a book compiling his past sermons immediately, by July, I think. One can find the relevant sermons and references in James Warnaack's religion columns in the LA times for 1929. (The family of the latter is scattered over the LA region.) If Mrs. Darling named 1928 as Dhirananda's time for leaving, that was an understandable memory lapse. I know of at least one other two year error in the same lovely book. Remember, that book was compiled by her loyal friend and disciple, Joan Wight, after Mrs. Darling's death from her papers, and there was no mortal opportunity for Mrs. Darling to correct them. We are fortunate to have that authentic glimpse into the past. You can also verify the year 1929 for his leaving from his activities as listed in the 1928-29 East-West on the web. There is an infinite amount of detail in everybody's travels in 1929. The time I believe also included Dhirananda's first failed suit late 1929, and another unrelated suit against Yogananda, as well. I understand that he did not testify in them, having left for Mexico with friends. I have never tried to locate records of these suits.
srflongago Registered User (3/2/02 4:05 pm) Reply	Re: More Interpretations? Terrie: One Of Laurie's statements or letters to Cayce I think said explicitly that she could not make ends meet doing Astrology in Atlanta. Look again, and correct me if I misread it! I looked at the Cayce site, it may be in some other reading I found with your numerical code. But I thought it was in one you supplied. Note also that she did ask advice from Cayce as to how and where to get her work published, and he did make a British publisher suggestion, saying the US was not the best place to start. That is not a sign of her already being an established writer. Of course she was already committed to writing, and SRF realized this commitment.
Ringbearer Unregistered User (3/2/02 5:30 pm) Reply	Re:Yogananda,Dhirananda,Mona,Laurie,Cayce,Etc... Are you certain of this? In Durga Ma's book she states that she first saw Yoganandaji on Dec 19, 1927. She then goes on to explain that Brahmachari Nerode was the teacher in charge of the Detriot center at that time. She writes "In early January, 1928 we heard that Nerode was moving to Los Angeles to take charge of Mt. Washington....when we heard that Nerode was leaving in a few days, all four of us decided to take the course before he left...That night of January 5, 1928, we went to Nerode's hotel room and he taught us all in one night the Yogoda teachings." She then goes on, "However, Nerode's plans were changed and he did not leave until May, 1928." pg. 5 On page 8 she also writes, "In May, 1928, Brahmachari Nerode was called to Los Angeles to be the resident teacher at Mt. Washington because the leader, Swami Dhirananda, had left the fold of his Guru." I could understand her making a mistake with insignificant dates so long ago. But these dates are very important since the events she is writing of concern when she first met her Guru and when she first received the Yogoda teachings. I would think she would be much less prone to error concerning the timing of events such as these.
srflongago Registered User (3/2/02 6:44 pm) Reply	Re: Re:Yogananda,Dhirananda,Mona,Laurie,Cayce,Etc... On the date of Dhriananda leaving and Sri Nerode coming, I am absolutely certain, and have unusually documentation from many sources beyond those I mentioned. You are right that this is a crucial point. Mrs Darling simply slipped up. You can check the dates of the sermons of Dhirananda and his meetings inside SRF with SRF groups in early 1929, and the announcement for Sri Nerode and his announced and reals date of arrival yourself on the web in East-West. 1928: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Academy/5185/Vol3.html 1929: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Academy/5185/EastWestVol4.htm
Ringbearer Unregistered User (3/2/02 7:06 pm) Reply	Re: Re:Yogananda,Dhirananda,Mona,Laurie,Cayce,Etc... Ok, thanks for the correction. I will check out the old East West magazines later. Thanks for the links.
Terrie Unregistered User (3/2/02 7:48 pm) Reply	More of Laurie's Unknown Life Srflongago: This one deceased lady sure is getting a lot of our attention! The letter about astrology on this board said she was dissatisfied with using astrology for a livelihood (or something like that...I can't go back and look), but I didn't think there was any mention of not being able to make a living, per se. Here are some additional clues for those early years of Miss Pratt's life: R2. 11/25/32 [778]'s letter to EC: Box ..., Ga. My dear Mr. Cayce: ...I do not know if I ever told you that I used to be, for four years, before my marriage, the editor of ... Now, I am still connected with the magazine, in charge of its Astrological Department. I hope you are finding my series on "Astrological World Cycles" of some interest. My astrological findings, based on a very ancient and long-lost or long-hidden Hindu world Cycle computation (see ... issue for Diagram), indicate that the world is at present on the ascending arc of a cycle of..." Comment: I wonder if this was the New York work (job) she asked Cayce about? Supposing she was married in 1929, so it would be before that, maybe including 1929. "...I have, as you perhaps know, a very peculiar (in the sense of deep-rooted) sympathy for and understanding of the work you are doing in the world. This may well be because, as I believe you told me, I was once one of your Egyptian followers who went with you, as priest, into exile and back into power. "A few years ago, when my baby was coming, and my mind was in an exalted and clear-seeing state, I had many Egyptians glimpses and impressions..." Comment: I don't know if this letter of Laurie's is on the internet site. I took it from my word processing file from the CD. She was a writer, all right! She wrote lots of letters!
Anon Unregistered User (3/3/02 8:51 am) Reply	A question for SRFlongago Dear Sir/ madam I have a question for you at pub78.ezboard.com/fsrfwal...ID=4.topic It is in the YSS section of this message board
mangomoy Registered User (3/11/02 7:35 pm) Reply	Has Laurie had her way with The Holy Science too? Does anyone on this board have a copy of Sri Yukteswar's The Holy Science as published before the SRF came into being? I wonder if any devotees in India may have it? Is Sri Yukteswar's book as now published by SRF, still the same as when SY wrote it? It sure is hard to read! Edited by: mangomoy at: 3/12/02 2:30:23 am
New Perspective Unregistered User (3/12/02 2:12 pm) Reply	The Holy Science I was told that the book is very different than what was published when Yogananda was here. You can talk to someone at www.crossandlotus.com. Mother Hamilton left SRF after Yogananda's passing and started her own group. I talked with Rev. Larry Koler who has the book, and perhaps he could tell you more about the editing.
srflongago Registered User (3/13/02 4:09 pm) Reply	Re: pratt financially unsuccessful as astrologer in Atlanta from Cayce: REPORTS OF READING 778-2 F 34 R1. 1/12/35 Ltr. to EC from [778]: My dear Mr. Cayce, "Please accept my grateful thanks for the Check Life Reading you sent me and which I found very encouraging and helpful. It is indeed good of you to find time for me in the midst of your many duties and services to others, and I deeply appreciate it. "My mother has not been feeling very well lately and I have been asking her to send to you for a Physical Reading. "Your possible trip to Atlanta early this year was pleasant news to me and I have given it considerable thought. This is a large city and it would seem advisable that you visit it with your message. Then you will be in position to judge whether it deserves your further attention. It is a very orthodox city, with little interest in the occult or more unusual aspects of life and thought. Even international lecturers on such subjects, who can command large audiences elsewhere, do not find a good response in Atlanta. Krishnamurti, W. L. Rogers, ex-president of the Theosophical Society, Dr. Homer Curtiss and many others of like fame, have had very small audiences here. I have never received due consideration of my astrological services here, and depend mostly on written readings for people in other states. People simply are not interested, and those that are either cannot or will not pay reasonable sums for the work required.
Terrie Unregistered User (3/13/02 10:04 pm) Reply	Translation of Holy Science Yes, this book is very hard to read. I've decided the only way to understand it is to sit with a notebook and translate from the translation! At the bottom of page 21 it says that the sutras were stated in Sanskrit only, and SRF provided the translation. I'd say that we need a new translation! And I still cannot make Sri Yukteswar's Yuga timing work out unless each period (Sathya, Kali, etc.) is in turn sub-divided into four sections. Then using everything Cayce said, we might make a case for Kali beginning around 10,000 BC and finishing about now. Anyhow, that discussion is somewhere else on Walrus.

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