Theos-Talk Archives (May 1996 Message tl00650)

On Sat, 11 May 1996, Michelle Donald wrote:

> Hi All
>
> > being greatly discouraged & hampered; except that Adyar is against becoming
> > part of the Internet;
>
> Having talked with Joy Mills upon her recent return from Adyar this
> comment is incorrect. While I didnt have time to ask Joy for more
> details, she did tell me that Adyar are setting up connection with
> the net. I cant offer more details than this. I would think it will
> be announced in due course - and for committees that can be a longggg
> time ;-)

	Glad that you inquired of Joy Mills about connection to the net.
I am somewhat aware of the cost side of the connection in India.
Everything is very expensive unless you are part of government or an
educational institution. Even e-mail is prohibitively expensive. The
equipment is already there having been donated by a member of TSA. Adyar
can see the advantages of e-mail with sections and lodges in so many
countries in the world. Again, when the connection is set up, we will
have to see what application it will be put to initially. Certainly
unless they are able to get a free connection thru an educational
institution, they cannot afford to get all the traffic generated on
theos-xxxx just from a cost stand point, IMHO.

>
> I think the grumbling about the International or National offices
> that goes on from time to time is often not based on fact and these
> falsehoods and preconceived perceptions and then get passed on as
> truths. This is sad. One thing that has stood out in my time with TS
> organizations is needing to discriminate. Many of us have strong
> emotional connections, are very dedicated to "the work" and this can
> result in a veil through which we transform what we hear, while for
> others it can lead to a distortion in what we say. Hence a keynote
> when reading, writing, speaking or hearing Theosophy, for me is to
> discriminate.
>
	One of the major problems that is at the root of wrong
information and misperceptions is the lack of information flow from the
top to bottom on some of the important issues that are very vital for
long term growth and survival of TS. I do not know what is happening in
other parts of the world. I can only speak for USA.

	A very glaring case was the memo that Radha Burnier sent to the
General Council in 1980 and which was posted here some months ago. I do
not know if you have seen it. It raises several policy issues on which
many of us agree with her. We do not know what were the reactions of the
General Council on these policy matters and what decisions were taken. In
my opinion, some of the fundamental policy matters should be explained
and discussed with the membership so that the membership can intellgently
participate and work towards some common objectives. If this is not done,
you only see actions here and there which are bound to be misunderstood
and misinterpreted. Lack of information is at the bottom of this problem.
Unless more open and better communication is established from the top
down, this situation is not likely to change. It is going to be very
difficult for independent minded members to blindly accept and support
every move every administration makes, because of this lack of
information. This is my reading of the situation, and I may be wrong. But
I welcome other views on this.


> Also regarding the point about the Russians - I have heard other
> versions that indicate that they werent willing to comply with the
> International Rules of the TS (Adyar) and that was why they werent
> allowed to join. The international body of any organization has that
> right, but it is often easier to think wrong of those at the top of
> an organization.
>
	Thanks for the clarification. You have helped us to understand
the background to the decision.


				......doss

> in fellowship
> Michelle
>