The Goldenrod

September 2002 Number 55

Events Calendar

All events take place at the Center in Hector unless otherwise noted

September

September 29 Board nomination balloting begins

October

October 20 Board voting balloting begins

November

November 8 Robbie Bosnak lectures about dreaming and advances in neuroscience

November 17 Annual WG General Meeting

December

TBA Visit from Kamtul Rinpoche for meditation retreat

December 1 - deadline for next WG newsletter submissions, including descriptions for class schedules.

Please e-mail

info@wisdomsgoldenrod.org with information to be included in the next newsletter. Ongoing and developing events information will be posted on the åGoldenrod-Eventsπ e-mail forum. To subscribe, send your name to the above e-address. If you wish to receive only the online edition of the newsletter, please indicate this to us at the same e-address.

≥Lack of a correct world view, and of the capacity to think logically and reason soundly from it, may easily be hidden when the aspirant has only to talk about his beliefs to his fellow aspirants, but it will become apparent when he has to apply himself to dealing with the necessary problems and everyday situations that arise in the course of human experience. In the face of such demands on his practical qualities, his theoretical shortcomings will then show themselves. If it is difficult to judge the truth of a system or a doctrine by intellectual means alone, it is much easier to do so by observance of its visible results in living.≤ 

Paul Brunton, The Notebooks, 21-5:1

Board Elections

For this yearπs Board elections, there are many seats to fill. Five of the seven Board members are reaching the ends of their terms, with only Herbert Shapiro and William Young remaining. A vital and activist Board is important for the general direction and growth of the Goldenrod community and institution. Please give serious thought to being of service to your community. It is one way to express gratitude for all that one has received as a member of Wisdomπs Goldenrod. We need people who can commit their energy, creativity, but above all else, their deep care for the well-being of the community. If you are interested in being nominated, informally let your friends know by word of mouth. As always, to be eligible to run for the Board, you must be a voting member in good financial standing regarding payment of dues.

On September 29th ballots will be available at Wisdomπs Goldenrod to all voting members to nominate new Board Members to serve a 4 year term, with the option of retiring after only 2 years. You may nominate as many people as you wish. Important: For your vote to count, you must write your name on the envelope provided, seal it and put it in the ballot box.

On October 20th the Election Committee shall distribute official ballots to all voting members. One vote may be cast for each candidate up to as many candidates as there are open positions.

The annual General Meeting will be held November 17th.

8:30-9:30 AM Meditation 9:30-10:00 AM Breakfast 10:00 AM Meeting

Out in the Community

In late July, friends at WG under the direction of Louis and Carol DeSarno, in collaboration with Randy and Amy Cash, ran the homemade pies, fries, and corn kiosk for the Hector Fireman's Fair, raising an undisclosed amount for the town fire department. Of all the organizations that sell food at the fair, the WG booth consistently raises the most money and is the only one to give all of its profits to the fire department.

The WG rummage sale that took place in Ithaca in mid-September, under Laurie Damiani, Charlene Temple, and Gail Birmbaum, and joined by friends was a great success. $1489 was raised for general funds.

Anthony Tapes Project

The tape archive project is on the verge of entering its technical production phase. Once contractual agreements are formalized, the process will move to the professional sound studio where approximately 1600 tapes comprising 800 audio classes will get digitized and stored on CD-ROMs. Anthony led these classes in the years ranging from 1974 to 1984.

This large undertaking will require a database tracking system to mark the progress of the preservation and archiving of the audio data, as well as manage the CD circulating library of classes that will eventually be put into place.

The audio format of the classes will be in MP3 compression files, where none of the sound quality will be compromised but the storage capacity, in terms of the ratio of recorded audio length to file size on the CDs, will be considerably increased.

The next couple phases of this project, beyond the preservation and organization of this rich resource, will set the stage for people to be able to use the library research software to access the digitized audio for mining new material for prospective publications, for use with individual writing projects, or for their personal edification.

After the audio classes are archived on masters, and circulating copies are made available for borrowing and copying, listening to the classes will be available to everyone with a computer or an MP3 CD player (which is quite inexpensive).

The archiving process is expected to take between 6 months and a year to complete. Questions about this project can be directed to William Young (wyoung1@twcny.rr.com).

Is there a topic you would like to present

at the Center?

As part of the ongoing discussion and re-visioning of our future at WG, some of us have revived the idea of a series of seminars on different topics on Friday nights and occasionally all day on a Saturday. The proposed format would invite anyone to present on a topic of their choosing for one to three Friday nights, to be complemented by occasional all-day seminars on Saturdays. The Saturday sessions could be linked to the Friday night classes or offered independently. These classes will be coordinated with other activities that are currently under discussion for weekends (including meditation retreats.)

If you are interested in suggesting a topic or presenting, please contact Kira Lallas at (607) 266-8909 (kiralallas@yahoo.com) or Alan Berkowitz at (607) 387-3789 (alan@fltg.net).

We've received the deeply sad news that our friend Ed McKeown died suddenly on 9/20/02. A memorial service for Ed will be held at WG sometime in October, and a more extensive article about him will appear in our next edition.

Gratitude

Weπre grateful to all those whose work and energies keep our Center going. Most donπt ask for thanks, and some prefer a lower profile, but letπs express our gratitude anyway. In particular, we thank:

Ä Susan Alida, our summer resident, who took care of many visitors and took on a multitude of chores

Ä The many people who ran and hosted our Summer Studies program

Ä Carol and Louis DeSarno for organizing our efforts at the Hector Firemenπs Fair in July, as well as all those who baked and fried and served customers; special thanks to Martha Walsh Cohen for a super baking effort

Ä Eric Widerstrom, for organizing and hosting meditation retreats

Ä Charlene Temple, Laurie Damiani, and Gail Birnbaum, for coordinating our September rummage sale, as well as many others who helped

Ä Leigh Keeley, who donated a car in response to a request in the last issue of this newsletter

Ä Justin Kramer, for setting up and maintaining the WG website, wisdomsgoldenrod.org

Ä William Young, for much behind-the-scenes work hosting various e-mail groups and list-serves and maintaining our mailing lists

Ä Many who improved and preserved our buildings and grounds during Work Days and at other times

The Goldenrod also acknowledges that weπve probably left many off this short list. Our reporting staff is very small, and weπre not always aware of all the work that gets done.

We give thanks, too, to all who help with thoughts, ideas, and wishes from the heart.

Prison Program Request

As many of you know, we regularly send PB books--mostly What Is Karma?-- at no charge to prisoners on request. Thanks to just a few donors and one incredibly dedicated volunteer, more than 7,000 books have now gone out to prisoners, counselors, and administrators in state and federal prisons throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Many of the individuals who get the Karma book write us very moving letters of appreciation, asking for anything else by PB that we can send them. Quite a few of them specifically request early PB books that are now out of print. If you have and could donate any of these (in particular) to the project, we would happily pass them along:

Ä A Search in Secret India Ä The Hidden Teaching Beyond Yoga

Ä The Wisdom of the Overself Ä The Spiritual Crisis of Man

Any other early PB books are of course also welcome. We can send paperback copies only, because of prison regulations.

In addition, we are out of stock on Notebooks volume 6 paperback and very low on volume 4, parts one and two. If you have extras of these to donate until we reprint, Jan has requests for them as well.

We can also make good use of any suggestions you have for sympathetic administrators and counselors to contact within the prison system, as well as -- of course! -- any financial support you can offer the program.

Thanks! - PRC for Larson/PBPF

A New Class: Fundamentals of Spiritual Studies

This class provides an overview of fundamental ideas and concepts shared by most spiritual teachings and philosophies. For example, in the last few weeks we have spent one week on each of the following topics: the idea of the quest, the doctrine of the subtle body, meditation, the power of symbols, universal archetypes and ideas, levels of reality, what is the Self, and what is enlightenment, with illustrations of these ideas from a variety of spiritual traditions.

For the next few weeks we will be reading Looking Into Mind together.

The format is very informal and participatory. We begin and end each class with a short meditation and devote some time each week to a discussion of different meditation techniques and practices.

We meet on Sundays at 7:30 PM in the meditation room. All are welcome for a single class or more. For more information contact Alan Berkowitz (387-3789, alan@fltg.net), Rama Hoetzlein (rch8@cornell.edu), or Kira Lallas (266-8909, kiralallas@yahoo.com).

Sacred Geometry Study Group

Two people are meeting Thursday evenings at David Gallagherπs residence in Trumansburg to read / discuss / study philosophical symbolism from the standpoint of number and geometry. All who may be interested are welcome. Starting time: 7:30. For directions contact David: 387-5863 or DGallagher@aol.com. If sufficient interest manifests, we could relocate to the Center.

Primary Text: Schneider, Michael S. A Beginnerπs Guide to Constructing the Universe: The Mathematical Archetypes of Nature, Art and Science, A Voyage from 1 to 10. New York: Harper Collins, 1994. ISBN 0-06-016939-7 (cloth); 0-06-092671-6 (paperback).

Ancillary Text: Lawlor, Robert. Sacred Geometry: Philosophy and Practice. London: Thames and Hudson, 1982. Reprint Thames and Hudson, 1997. 202 illustrations and diagrams. ISBN 0-500-81030-3 (paperback).

We will also focus on integration with the teachings of Anthony & PB.

-- David Gallagher

News about the Newsletter: Thanks, Karey

Karey Solomon, who for many years has done much of the work of putting out this newsletter, is stepping back from the production side. Thanks for all the work and dedication, Karey. The Goldenrod will miss your style and spirit. Come back any time, and we hope you continue to write articles for us.

If anyone wants to join the production staff, please contact Richard Nowogrodzki (387-6303; nowo@clarityconnect.com). Of course, articles are always welcome. The deadline for submissions for our next issue is December 1.

Spiritual Life of Animals & Plants

Composer, concert pianist and master gardener Laurie Conrad is now also the author of The Spiritual Life of Animals and Plants (1stBooks, ($14.95; designed and illustrated by Diana Sousa; available at New Alexandrian Bookstore in Ithaca), a collection of true stories and short vignettes drawn from Conradπs life and experiences with the other beings who have shared her world and taught her about it from their perspective.

The book starts with the story of Fred, a cat who sat on her music rack while Conrad, then in graduate school, practiced piano for hours. Eventually, she became aware of Fredπs attention to the music, which the cat demonstrated by jumping off the piano just three or four measures before the end of a piece.

Thirty years or so later, Conrad is still discovering the ways animals, plants, and people are interconnected. She writes about animals whose personalities changed as the result of prayers -- theirs as well as hers; describes her agreements with mosquitoes and wasps; and shares examples of interspecies cooperation when an animalπs life was saved through the intervention of other animals. At least twice, seriously injured pets experienced miraculous recoveries.

Do some of these stories sound unbelievable? ≥Having witnesses was good,≤ Conrad says. ≥I think people are embarrassed by miracles, embarrassed about talking about God and the Divine. It shouldnπt be something weπre embarrassed or hesitant about. We should be talking about this divinity thatπs all around us.≤

≥I believe all beings have innate spirituality,≤ she continues, ≥so itπs not like we have to GIVE them spirituality -- they already have that. Itπs more like our REMINDING them.≤

Conrad explains that, as a lifelong clairvoyant, ≥Iπm just trying to tell people what I see and what I experience. I think thatπs why weπre on earth, the clairvoyants, to share what we experience, because itπs a little different from what most people experience.≤

According to visionaries reporting the manifestations of Mary at Medjugorje (Yugoslavia) over the past 20 years, people are surrounded by beautifully-colored lights while they pray. Conrad says the light around animals and plants also changes with prayer.

Even a skeptic can read this book with interest and pleasure . ≥I think you can enjoy the book on many levels: as amusing, charming, or poignant stories, even if you doubt their truth.≤

Laurie Conradπs message is simple: as people recognize that plants and animals have a spiritual life, they might treat their fellow creatures better. Conrad walks her talk -- in fact, a portion of her royalties is dedicated to organizations aiding animals. ≥If that idea becomes prevalent, a conscious one, it will eventually impact,≤ she says hopefully. ≥I see miracles every day.≤

- Karey Solomon

Animita

One by one, the souls of the departed went into the matchbox. Fa, here is another animita, called out my brother Alfie. In my house, we often used the diminutive as endearment; so an anima (soul) became an animita (little soul). Iπm catching my own, said my younger brother Jose. Iπm sitting right here. Itπs too hot, said my sister Clara sitting on the porch steps grooming her baby doll. My matchbox was soon full. I skidded across the mosaic floor to the room I shared with Clara. I gasped in relief when I made it past my mother without being seen. My free, five year-old hand quickly found the light switch. Across the room, white mosquito nets covered our beds like two large wings. Between the twin beds, in a white bureau, rested a miniature tea set. I sat on a small chair. Here little ones, grass with dew for dinner, I said talking to my precious cargo. Next, I hid the matchbox in a drawer, burying it under clothes, where no adult would find it. Having accomplished my secret feat, I ran out of the room to find my sister for our bedtime story. The next day, I whispered into the matchbox, Can you wiggle? Can you wiggle? I smiled when I could feel the restless flutter. Patiently, I waited until dusk, holding the matchbox slightly ajar. One by one, the souls flew high, becoming stars in the dark Caribbean sky. And so the legend goes. Many years passed, and in a late May night, I joyfully linked arms with my father. I had come home unexpectedly from the United States. We looked up at the familiar sky, counting lightning bugs like two children. The next day, I held my father in my arms as he was dying from a heart attack. For a moment, I heard the flutter of the animitas in my childhood matchbox. -- Lourdes Brache

reprinted, with permission, from the journal between (spring 2002)

Book Reviews by June Fritchman

Anne Carson. Eros the Bittersweet. Dalkey Archive Press, 1998. [orig. 1986]. ISBN: 1-56478-188-7. Paper, $12.95.

Anne Carson opens her book with: ≥It was Sappho who first called eros åbittersweet.π No one who has been in love disputes her.≤ She continues with the relevant fragment, both in Greek and in translation, and points out that the word is really glukupikron -- ≥sweetbitter≤. Who has not felt this, in various kinds of love? Love is wonderful, then an entanglement (you love him, you hate him), or the honey of love is sweet but at the same time quite painfully sticky, or unattained love (in desire and imagination) is pleasurable but love attained is a letdown. The author gives various metaphors in Greek literature describing this paradox, beginning with Sappho, and traces the concept of Eros in later Greek literature and erotic writings, both homosexual and heterosexual, through Socrates and Plato. The latter part of the book develops the metaphor of the soul growing wings not only in its love for other persons, but in its love for knowledge and the Good.

Among the chapters I like the best are the initial chapters on the love poetry of Sappho and other early Greek poets, ≥Logic at the Edge≤ on logic and Eros, ≥Alphabet Edge≤ on writing and logos, ≥Ice-pleasure≤ on a metaphor from Sophokles describing the experience of love as holding a piece of melting ice, ≥Erotikos Logos≤, ≥What a Difference a Wing Makes≤, ≥What Is this Dialogue about?≤, and ≥Mythoplokos≤.

This book details the connection between Eros and Logos. Itπs a book for scholarly types, yes, but also for the poet, with choice phrases and metaphors to satisfy the poet in you. I found Eros the Bittersweet to be an ≥Idea-Book≤, with kernels on the mystery of human existence and human knowledge, and also on the nature of the quest and philosophy. The soul in loving-motion (Eros) seeks the reason-principle (Logos), and Eros is bound up with all we do -- for we would not pursue the quest or wisdom if we did not love them (but sometimes we hate them too). I was also inspired to reread Plotinus III.5 on Love (Eros is the child of Poverty and Possession, and also the birth-mate of Aphrodite), and reminded of his beautiful VI.9.9, which says ≥. . . the soul is always an Aphrodite.≤

Much of this book seems Zen-like, finding meaning in the moment of becoming, rather than in the static. This is one point the author makes about Eros, and also about Platoπs dialogue Phaedrus: that the motion of desire is whatπs important. It is crucial not to freeze love, discourse, or philosophy on the printed page, but to keep them vital. In other words, words must not solely be information, but evoke wisdom in the living person, as in Socrates, who was always seeking. ≥Eros is always a story in which lover, beloved and the difference between them interact≤ (p. 169).

Lama Anagarika Govinda. Foundations of Tibetan Mysticism.

Out-of-print as far as I can tell, but used copies in various editions seem to be readily available online (I have Weiserπs paper edition). Illustrations throughout: photographs by Li Gotami of statues of the Dhyani Buddhas and Avalokitesvara; brush drawings.

An oldie but goodie, first published by Rider in 1960. One of the foundations of Anthony Damianiπs Buddhist studies, too, as old-time students at Wisdoms Goldenrod know. Lama Govinda, of the Kargyupta lineage, brings us the living tradition of Tibetan Buddhismπs teachings, after having studied and experienced them for many years.

The book, an overview of Buddhism and particularly Tibetan Buddhism, is structured around the mantram Om Mani Padme Hum. It is an invaluable resource on the Five Dhyani Buddhas and their symbolism of colors, directions, spiritual qualities, etc.

Among the topics discussed are mantram, the Bodhi sattva ideal, the vajra, mind, the five skandhas, tantra, mandalas, chakras, koshas, the bardo, the yoga of the Inner fire, the three Buddha Bodies, the six realms of existence, and the nidana chain.

Even today when there is a large selection of Tibetan Buddhism titles available, both popular and scholarly, I still highly recommend this book for the general reader and for the student of Buddhism. It is informative and readable as well as inspiring.

Story Corner

Our åStory Cornerπ will feature reminiscences about PB and Anthony, and tales of how some have found their way to Wisdomπs Goldenrod. These stories will sometimes include objective descriptions and narrative based on personal impressions, and sometimes will necessarily involve sharing personal experiences of how Anthony and P.B. entered into our lives in very intimate ways. To truly meet anyone, especially Anthony or PB, is to have a significant encounter with oneself. We hope each story will provide more than just a nostalgic backward glance; we hope it will serve to open up sharing among ourselves, providing fresh inspiration and enthusiasm for what is possible in our lives now.

Recollection of PB

The mind stilled, the self surrendered, a divine awareness possesses him. For there can be three forms of possession: divine, human (as in artists or writers), and diabolic. In the ideal sage, divine possession has become a permanent state.

- Notebooks Category 22: Inspiration

and the Overself

Chapter 2:Inspiration, #33

This quote stirred a recollection or two of PB:  Sometimes he would become so still that the very world around him stopped, as if to honor that silence within him.  In those moments, he would become He; His eye-color changed - or rather His gaze became beatific, terrifying, intimate and impersonal all at once.  One could barely stand to accept that gaze, much less return it - and at the same time, one could barely tolerate the prospect of ever, ever forfeiting that presence ever again.  Should He speak in such a moment, it was so quiet and penetrating that the words seemed mere echoes of the transmission of meaning/consciousness.  In such a moment, the meaning of Shruti - the speaking truth of the Rishi - became absolutely literal and exquisitely Real.

One day we were to travel from the small town of Vevey to the Cantonal center of Lausanne.  Standing on the train platform, I anxiously awaited the arrival of PB.  He was nowhere in sight.  The train came and left.  Then PB appeared walking through a large culvert that ran underneath the tracks.  ≥I tried a different route to the station,≤ he remarked; ≥evidently, itπs not a short-cut!≤  This being Switzerland, there would soon be another train to Lausanne, so we had about 40 minutes to wait. 

PB said to follow him, and headed off towards a pile of railroad ties and other industrial junk.  Having just witnessed his egress from the culvert, I had no idea where we were headed or why.  A few steps beyond the tracks we found a small well-kept formal garden with three benches encircling a little fountain - all nestled in amongst the detritus of the rail-road station!  It was very secluded and yet afforded a glimpse of the tracks, so we could easily know when the next train had arrived.  This took place sometime in March, which was still winter in that part of the world - mostly overcast and rainy, but seldom nice enough to be outdoors for more than a few clammy minutes.  However, on this particular day, the weather was sunny and clear, and pleasantly warm. 

We seated ourselves on the benches, and just rested in the welcome sunlight. Whenever such a moment would present itself in PBπs presence, I would always start to meditate, in hopes of partaking of his silence, and in natural response to the overwhelming radiance that flowed from him.  This day was such a chance.  As the Sun shone down upon us, it complemented the great light I felt shining forth from within PB.  The silence deepened, thought slowed, and a great simplicity of light remained.  Then the spell was broken - gently, actually, by the arrival of our train.  PB rose from his bench, smiled, and remarked: ≥It is pleasant to sit in the sun.≤  Then He paused, and looked upon the world with those Eyes of Other and added ≥But it is better to sit in the Sun Behind the Sun.≤

Later, Anthony pointed out the following passage from Manly Palmer Hall (Secret Teachings) ≥Apuleius said when describing his initiation: åAt midnight I saw the sun shining with a splendid light.π  The midnight sun was also part of the mystery of alchemy.  It symbolized the spirit in man shining through the darkness of his human organisms.  It also referred to the spiritual sun in the solar system, which the mystic could see as well at midnight as at high noon, the material earth being powerless to obstruct the rays of this Divine orb.≤  For a more thorough explanation, I suggest reading ≥The Oration to the Sun≤ by Emperor Julian.

- Timothy Smith

Paul Brunton: A Bridge Between

India and the West
An Interview with Annie Cahn

Annie Cahn Fung studied and taught Indian Religions in France, where she wrote her doctoral thesis on Paul Brunton at the Sorbonne in 1992. The thesis is based on extensive research (much of it conducted at Wisdomπs Goldenrod using unpublished PB materials and archives) that provides an impressive integration and synthesis of PBπs life and writings. It was the first and is still the only academic scholarly work on PB. A draft translation entitled Paul Brunton: A Bridge Between India and the West, made a few years ago by Laurie Conrad, is currently being revised by Annie and Ken Fung. Part I of the thesis, which surveys the first half of PBπs life, with an emphasis on his time in India, is available from the Wisdomπs Goldenrod website.
The following conversation between Annie and Ken Fung took place this summer while they were visiting France. -- Alan Berkowitz.

KF: You discovered PB on your own in France and India. Can you tell us how it happened?

ACF: In the early 80s, while I was living and teaching public school in Paris, I enrolled in a course in Buddhism. Finding myself instead in a class on Hinduism led by a beautiful Indian woman in a sari, my fascination for ancient Hindu culture was stimulated, and in time I also felt a compelling urge to go to India. I had a sense that it was important, though I didnπt know why. Before leaving I saw a French edition of PBπs Search in Secret India in a bookstore. ≥Thereπs one more person who went to India and thinks he has something to say,≤ I thought.
The trip to India in the summer of 1984 was physically and emotionally stressful. Then one day I was in the bookstore of the Sivananda Ashram in Rishikesh, when The Quest of the Overself jumped out at me. This time, the appeal was instant. Reading PB was like meeting him--he spoke to my heart, while my other studies remained largely intellectual. For a whole year, I could read only PB!

KF: And then you became interested in researching him.
ACF: I wanted a way to combine my interests in India and PB. A book seemed out of the question, as PB was unknown in France. A thesis seemed more promising, so I enrolled as a doctoral student in Indian Philosophy at the Sorbonne. When I found his dedication to Subrahmanya Iyer in his small book Indian Philosophy and Modern Culture, I realized that PB had studied extensively with Indian masters and pandits, and that this could be a subject for a thesis if I could find enough material. In fact, my advisers were skeptical of my choice of topic.

KF: You were still working full time, and for your interest in PB you were alone.
ACF: I still had not discovered either The Notebooks or Wisdomπs Goldenrod. I really knew nothing about PBπs personal life, and only had a tiny clue to start with: the fact mentioned by Kenneth Hurst in my Indian edition of The Quest that PB had passed away in Vevey, Switzerland in 1981. Based on this, I started gathering bits of information from various people in Vevey, Montreux, and Lugano. It was like detective work. Then in Zurich during a school vacation, one of my informants produced a copy of Perspectives, and I learned about the Center.
I traveled to South India in summer 1986. At the Ramana Ashram no one wanted to talk about PB. But then I visited Subrahmanya Iyerπs daughter and received from her copies of letters from PB to her father. During those years I also visited the Ramakrishna Center near Paris. Its founder Swami Siddheswarananda had studied with Iyer in Mysore along with PB.

KF: And Swami Nikhilananda, weπre told. But back to our story. You then came to the Center for the next three summers.
ACF: I would spend my days in the Library, going through the mountain of PB material. The first summer, just before leaving, I hit the jackpot, discovering among the books in the Annex three red-bound books that until then no one had examined. They turned out to be a typescript record of PBπs studies with Iyer -- notes taken by PB during mostly private conversations, as well as essays by Iyer.
In this treasure trove I felt I had found the laboratory in which elements of PBπs outlook had taken form. I could see the roots of his doctrine of mentalism, as well as confirmation of much of what would later appear as his ethical views, especially the emphasis on reason and balance.
After that, the thesis began to take shape.

KF: How did you go about piecing together PBπs biography?
ACF: Itπs really more of a sketch, and it only goes as far as the end of his years in India. For his early years I largely followed Kenneth Hurstπs memoir, adding discussions of the spiritual currents and other spiritual seekers of his time, like GuÈnon, and Krishnamurti.
The part on his Indian years involved more original research, using sources such as letters, clippings, and PBπs notes. It took some doing to come up with a chronology of his travels and main encounters in India. And there are still gaps. continued on p.8
. . . continued from p.7
KF: Your emphasis on the time he spent in Mysore with Subrahmanya Iyer and the Maharaja of Mysore may be new to readers.
ACF: In some ways, despite his earlier big experiences with Ramana and the extraordinary inner development of his later life, I see PBπs years in Mysore from the late 1930s till the end of WWII as a high point of his life. He was often in the company of these two exceptional individuals. They formed a private circle of friends, and they had frequent deep discussions. They also entrusted him with a mission -- to bring Indian philosophy to a Western audience in contemporary form. Later on, the war was much on their minds, and PB was writing his two big books.
PB was with the Maharaja until the latterπs death. He attended the funeral. I was unable to find out how his relationship with Iyer ended, or when he saw him for the last time.
Of course PB also had a wider circle of acquaintances and contacts, and I imagine he traveled all over the subcontinent during those years. He also did some broadcasts for the war effort.

KF: Your thesis also compares PBπs ideas with those of Vedanta.
ACF: There wasnπt enough material for a full biography, so I added a comparative study showing how PB reformulated Vedanta and Neo-Vedanta to appeal to modern readers. Of course his work is an original synthesis from many traditions, but I focused on his Indian connection, which I believe was primary.
So Part II of the thesis is about PBπs ideas. I tried to explore in what ways his notions of mentalism, the World Mind, the Overself, etc. might have had their roots in traditional Vedanta or Neo-Vedanta. The concept of the Overself particularly interested me -- I think itπs PBπs most original creation.

KF: Your work on PB brought you to the Center, and then to your present life in Ithaca.
ACF: I had my dose of big city life! Now Iπm happy to be close to the woods and fields. In nature I feel close to PB. Fortunately, there are the long winters for inner work -- and writing projects!

Note by Alan Berkowitz: Subrahmanya Iyer was the court philosopher to the Maharaja of Mysore and was one of PBπs important teachers. PB accompanied Iyer to the International Congress of Philosophy at the Sorbonne in 1937. While in Europe they also went to Switzerland to meet with Carl Jung. It was the Maharaja of Mysore who sponsored PB while he was writing The Quest of the Overself (which is dedicated to him). Indian Philosophy and Modern Culture is dedicated to Iyer and was written at his urging.

Letter from the Office of the Dalai Lama

Tenzin Geyche Tethong, Secretary to His Holiness the Dalai Lama kindly wrote to Wisdom's Goldenrod thanking us for the letter of birthday well wishes we sent to the Dalai Lama. His Holiness expressed his happiness about the strength of our community and our committment to the goals of our founder Anthony Damiani. He expressed his confidence that our spiritual search benefits both members and those who come into contact with the community.

"Now, however, within the continuum of consciousness, there must be something unique to consciousness, there must be something that makes the first instance and second instance and so on, possess that nature of being an experience, which is called the Luminous Nature. Something in the nature of mere experience, something in the nature of mere awareness. And it is on that basis one speaks of beginningless continuum and endless continuum. So long as that faculty, that quality of pure awareness, of mere experience is concerned, it is not contingent upon any physical conditions. And neither it is contingent upon any specific time, so from that point-of-view, consciousness and mind is said to be beginningless and endless."

from the Dalai Lamaπs address on Generating the Mind for Enlightenment

(May 7, 1998, Washington, N.J.)

Class schedule

MONDAY:

Goddess Studies for Women

(7:30 pm gather, 7:45 begin) We read, discuss, draw, sing, dance, chant, write, and share dreams together in an exploration of womenπs spirituality. Our work is often personal, and we share leadership. We are finishing up the Russian fairy tale ≥The Maiden Tsar≤ and will be discussing what to work on next. Please contact a class member if you want to join in at this point.

Astrology (7:30 pm, in the library). We continue to read the natal charts of class members. Next we will undertake a study of planetary aspects and their number significance. Contact Greg Kramer at grk1@cornell.edu or 387-5526.

TUESDAY:

Creative Buddhism (7:30 pm). Practicing mindfulness. . . in sittings, discussion, life. Presently using Breath by Breath (Larry Rosenberg) for some guidance, light context -- open to other references, perspectives. Welcome. Questions? 546-2629, Eric Widerstrom.

WEDNESDAY:

Astrological Degree Symbols (11:00 am, at Ella Mayπs house) The class continues to study and discuss degree symbols in general and quintiles in particular. The study of degree symbols is approached as a means to understand the universe through the ideas the symbols represent. All are warmly welcome. For info call Sam Cohen (582-6777).

Paul Bruntonπs The Wisdom of the Overself (7:30 pm) We are reading and discussing The Unveiling of Reality chapter. All welcome, always beginning. For information call Herbert Shapiro (277-5685).

THURSDAY:

Raphael Meditation

& Discussion (4:00-7:00 pm, in the library) A small group conducts synchronized meditation with Raphael, followed by a discussion of meditation and philosophic issues related to the passages meditated upon. A variety of sources are used for meditational themes including PB writings, texts from the Vedanta, and Raphael's writings. Interested newcomers please first contact Alan Berkowitz (387-3789 or alan@fltg.net). It is desired that participants make a serious commitment to the meditation circle and have some genuine affinity with Raphael.

Living Wisdom (7:45 pm) This class on Anthonyπs work is studying transcripts from classes he gave in 1984, focusing on the central theme of the relationship of the universal to the individual. For info call Sam Cohen (582-6777).

FRIDAY:

Astronoesis (7:45 pm, at Ella Mayπs home). We are studying the 5th Idea of the metaphysical chart: Leo as the Idea of Man, in Anthonyπs magnum opus, Astronoesis. Then we will complete our review of the 12 Idea-Principles.

SUNDAY:

Fundamentals of Spiritual Studies (7:30 PM). The class incorporates brief meditations with discussion of ideas common to different wisdom traditions. All are welcome, for a single class or more. During the next few weeks we will be reading Looking Into Mind. For more information contact Alan Berkowitz (387-3789, alan@fltg.net), Rama Hoetzlein (rch8@cornell.edu), or Kira Lallas (266-8909, kiralallas@yahoo.com).

Depth Transformation (7:30 pm, in the library). We have been using various formats and methodologies as means of self-discovery and group cohesiveness. Currently we are studying the defense structures described by Bio-Energetics founder Alexander Lowen and others. For information, please call Michael Eisman (582-6204) or Steve Smolen (546-9556).

Studies in Mantra (7:30 pm, at the home of Tim and Karen Melamed Smith). Our current detour is into a work by K. Bhattacharyya, to explore the meaning of cosmic consciousness. All are welcome for a single class or a series. Information: Richard Nowogrodzki (387-6303).

Classes at Wisdomπs Goldenrod meet in the main building unless otherwise noted. In addition to the classes listed here, see the rest of this newsletter for notices of other classes that are forming. Still other classes, some led by Wisdomπs Goldenrod members, meet in or near Ithaca.

Meditation Schedule

Mornings: 8:00-9:00

Weekday evenings: 5:30-6:30

Saturday evening: 5:00-6:00

Sunday evening: 4:00-4:50 and 5:00-6:00

Tuesdays, 6:00-6:45 pm, meditation for world peace

Also Sunday afternoon, 12:30 to 1:30: meditation inspired by Sant Kripal Singh, takes place at Tiamat Studios, Ithaca. Use the Commons side door. All are welcome.