Theos-Talk Archives (December 1995 Message tl00544)

> Perhaps something like the following could be posted on theos-l once a
> month:
> ************************************************************
> GREETINGS TO NEW MEMBERS!
> We are pleased you've chosen to join the ruminations of
> the on-line Theosophical community. We invite you into our
> forum and hope you feel free to begin or join any thread that
> draws your interest.
> _____________________________________________________
> For those new to the list but not to Theosophy we think
> you'll find this a challenging and stimulating place; there are
> members here from almost every prominant Theosophical
> perspective and from a number of different nations. You may find
> as many of us have that ideas and assumptions you've had about
> Theosophy and its concepts will be questioned sometimes
> vigorously -: but believe that as many of us have also found
> your knowledge and appreciation of Theosophy will be deepened
> precisely because of the wide diversity here.

> [NOTE: If this is the first time you've used Listserver software
> and run into technical problems no one minds questions posted to
> the list ...]
> ______________________________________________________
> For those new to Theosophy as well as to the list we'd like
> to welcome you into the Theosophical current! You may have
> recently joined a Lodge or Study Center may be reading
> some Theosophical books or may have come to the list through a
> cyberspace trail and be just getting your first taste of
> Theosophy here. It has been pointed out to the community here
> by several different people that the list sometimes seems
> highly intellectualized and too obscure for some newcomers
> to feel comfortable about speaking. While no one on
> the list would believe any question or comment you have was not
> worth posting and often the simplest questions have led to some
> of the most interesting discussions we understand you may wish
> to ask questions and become a bit more comfortable with the
> basics before you post to the whole list.
>
> To this end a number of list members who have studied
> various aspects of Theosophy in some depth have
> volunteered to engage in private discussions with newcomers: To
> recommend books to read on specific topics that
> interest you to answer basic questions about different
> Theosophical organizations or even to simply define an unknown
> term you may have seen in a discussion. While there are great
> differences of opinion among some of us about many aspects of
> Theosophy and those on the Mentoring list will naturally have
> strong personal beliefs about many topics in putting their name
> on the list see below they have agreed to attempt to present
> not simply their own view about a topic you may ask about but to
> present the several main perspectives if there is dispute about
> the topic.
>
> Below is the list of volunteers with their private email
> addresses and their particular areas of study or interest. They
> invite you to write. The *only* stupid question is the one that
> remains unasked - and the complete confidentiality of any private
> conversation you have is assured. Again welcome to Theosophy!
> ___________________________________________________
> MENTORS
> 01 NAME: Dr. A.M.BAIN Alan
> EMAIL ADDRESS: guru@nellie2.demon.co.uk
> INTERESTS: Kabala but not magic; esoteric ideas generally. A
> student of some 40 years ..... will inflict occasional merry
> quips upon you. Member of TS in England Adyar.
>
> 02 NAME:
> EMAIL ADDRESS:
> INTERESTS:
>
> etc. etc.
> ***************************************************************
>
> What do you think? Liesel? Anyone? By the way the text of
> the message was just to sketch the idea ... if a few people
> actually wanted to do this the message should be re-written
> until it was agreeable to all participants.

My rewrite above ...

> In practical terms a person would have to volunteer to
> become the "Keeper of the Message" - who would take
> responsibility for updating the list and making sure to post it
> once a month. Monthly updates would mean that those volunteers
> who might want to join could have their name on the list when
> they have time and could remove it during times when they were
> too busy. Additionally it could always be posted with the
> identical subject header MESSAGE TO NEWCOMERS or something like
> that for instant deletion by regular members.
>
> Anyway ... this is just a thought. Any suggestions? Anyone
> out there who would volunteer for such a thing?
> Theosophically -JRC

Sadly I could be relied upon to forget to do it.

Alan
--
Member Theosophy International.
Member Human Race.
----------------------------------------
Private e-mail: guru@nellie2.demon.co.uk