Theos-Talk Archives (December 1995 Message tl00556)

>JRC
PS. You've got a spelling error. It's "promin e nt".
Liesel

Greetings ...
> Mucho thanks to all those who responded to the idea of
>introductory literature in general and my own little project in
>particular ... I've had little time on-line this week but I'm
>digesting all the ideas you've sent. Since no one seemed to have
>strong objections to talking about this on the list I'll
>continue to do the project publically ... but make sure to keep
>the subject header "Project 1" so as to make deletion easy for
>those who aren't interested. Liesel I thought about the idea of
>a seperate "beginners" list but I'm not sure that's a workable
>thing. John has created four or five seperate lists but all but
>one are virtually silent for long stretches of time and the
>overwhelming predilection of most seems to be to stay on theos-l.
>I'm not sure about creating yet another list when the ones we
>have are barely used - plus the "beginners" if there are more
>than just a few on the list don't seem to talk much; perhaps a
>few would but I wonder whether a "beginners" list would soon
>turn into little more than the same people as are on theos-l
>talking to one another about basic concepts ... discussions that
>might soon become as esoteric as any on theos-l -:.
> Still there is the thought that some beginners might be
>silent perhaps because slightly intimidated listeners on theos-
>l and I wonder whether some of the longer-term Theosophists on
>the list might want to set up an informal "Mentorship" program
>here in cyberspace as a means of being more open and inviting to
>newcomers by allowing them private conversations with members
>i.e. by not requiring them to post to the whole list questions
>that they may feel they would seem simplistic to ask... 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 discussions
>debates and ruminations of the on-line Theosophical community.
>We invite your voice and cyberpersonality 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 Theosophical 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 of perspectives 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 formal 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 through the agency of this list. It has been pointed
>out to the community here by several different people that the
>list sometimes seems highly intellectualized and too esoteric
>for some newcomers to feel comfortable 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 lead 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 different aspects of Theosophy in some depth have
>volunteered to engage in private discussions with newcomers: To
>recommend books to read on specific Theosophical topics that
>interest you to answer basic questions about the 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 Theosophists 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
>1 NAME:
> EMAIL ADDRESS:
> INTERESTS:
>
>2 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.
> 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
>