Theos-Talk Archives (August 2001 Message tt00002)

Wednesday, August 01, 2001

Dear Daniel:

I am putting some notes below in the text of your posting to me.
These are sent as they are the result of my observation and
participation for many years in U.L.T. activities.

I hope you don't mind the informality, but I am short on time.

Dal


========================

-----Original Message-----
From: Blavatsky Archives [mailto:blavatskyarchives@yahoo.com]
Sent: Saturday, July 28, 2001 5:51 PM
To: Theosophy Study List
Subject: Joining the ULT: Several questions to Dallas


Dear Dallas,

In one of your recent emails, you suggest that I become an
associate of ULT so I can know what goes on in the ULT by
personal experience.

Before I would take such an action, I would certainly need to
know more.

For example, you constantly refer to the UNITED LODGE OF
THEOSOPHISTS' DECLARATION.

I find a copy at: http://www.theosophycompany.org/declar.html

Is this the ONLY written document that "governs" the ULT and its
associates?


DTB	As far as I know it is.

See also THE FRIENDLY PHILOSOPHER by Robert Crosbie where it is
reproduced on
p. 415. As a preliminary to that you will find a number of his
letters under the title IN THE BEGINNING from p. 363 on, in which
some of the questions and difficulties noted by early students
are covered. The first 15 or so letters of THE SPIRIT IN THE
BODY also occasionally deal with U.L.T. (see p. 37 bottom, for
instance).



I also see at the bottom of this document a "form signed by
Associates of the United Lodge of Theosophists" Also the 3
objects. Are these also written documents that govern the ULT?


DTB	That is the yellow card on which is printed the DECLARATION
OF THE U.L.T. and a clause that says the applicant who wants to
become an "associate" has understood the Declaration.


You say there is no written bylaws or written constitution. So
are you in effect saying this
DECLARATION is the only written document governing the ULT?



DTB	correct.



OBTW is the Phoenix "association" a lodge or a discussion group?


DTB	For many years it has been a U.L.T. Lodge


What is the difference between a lodge and a discussion group?


DTB	A Lodge usually has its own address, and rents or owns the
building in which meetings are held. A discussion Group is
usually preliminary to the formation of a Lodge and it may meet
informally at someone's home.


Are there "unwritten" guidelines, rules, verbal "do's and
dont's", call them whatever you like, that "govern" the lodges
whether it is the LA lodge or the Phoenix AZ lodge?


DTB	As far as I know the U.L.T. Lodge has no secret guide lines
or dos and don'ts other than the normal ones of civilized
conduct.

Those who are working in the Lodge have volunteered for certain
duties and any one who joins as an associate can volunteer to
assist. But no one need expect that any specific work will
promptly be assigned to them.

The primary focus is the STUDY of THEOSOPHY as detailed in the
ORIGINAL TEACHINGS of H.P.Blavatsky and W. Q. Judge Secondary,
so-called "Teachings of Theosophy" are not the focus for study.

I do not know what the "Phoenix AZ Lodge" is. There is a
"Phoenix U.L.T." and I assume the "AZ" is the postal
contraction for the mailing address: ARIZONA.


If I lived in Los Angeles and became an associate of the ULT and
started attending weekly meetings of the LA Lodge, I assume there
must be a list of "do's and dont's" that associates are expected
to follow. If they exist, are these written down or do you just
learn them thru your interaction with associates?


DTB	As said above the focus is the same. THE STUDY OF THEOSOPHY
and the PRESERVATION of the ORIGINAL TEACHINGS described above.

Your attending or not is entirely of and by your own free choice.

U.L.T. associates are all volunteers, and are free to chose what
we will or will not do. In the Lodge at the times of meeting
there are traditions that are observed as to the format employed.
These are the normal observances and courtesies that people
follow who gather together for mutual study.

The rules of common sense and common decent behaviour prevail in
all ULTs to my knowledge. We all know those.

We all come to study together, to assist one another, and to
forward the pure and original teachings of THEOSOPHY, so that the
present and coming generations may profit, as we have, from them.

It is assumed that each associate has these as his own motives,
and an understanding of the meaning of the DECLARATION as his/her
basis for association and attending the Lodge.

Each U.L.T. is autonomous, amorphous, but not an anarchy or a
chaos.

All its work is conducted in a spirit and atmosphere of
anonymity. This is observed because it is the STUDY OF THEOSOPHY
that is the focus and not any person's opinion. Statements made
concerning THEOSOPHY ought to be backed up by direct references
to the ORIGINAL TEACHINGS.



Since I live in Tucson, if I sign that form, what lodge do I
become an associate of? I don't think there is either a lodge or
study group in Tucson. If I lived in Phoenix, would I become an
associate of that one? Or could I choose even tho' I lived in
Phoenix, to become an associate of, let us, say the LA Lodge?



DTB	Every associate is automatically an associate of any Lodge.
And their constructive contributions to study and voluntary
assistance, are welcomed as such. They are welcome to attend the
meetings of any U.L.T. but so is everybody else.

You are right there is no U.L.T. Lodge or Study Group in Tucson.
As such you are free to choose to affiliate ourself with any of
the U.L.T. Lodges you choose.


I also ask these questions because some of your own comments
about the ULT prompt me to think about these issues.


DTB	Perfectly right, and wise to ask.

Best wishes,

Dallas



Daniel








=====
Daniel H. Caldwell
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