Another "new" Transactions book - Theosophy.Net2024-03-29T12:06:43Zhttps://theosophy.net/forum/topics/another-new-transactions-book?commentId=3055387%3AComment%3A39970&feed=yes&xn_auth=noIt is obvious that theosophic…tag:theosophy.net,2011-02-27:3055387:Comment:398592011-02-27T07:06:26.010ZM K Ramadosshttps://theosophy.net/profile/MKR
It is obvious that theosophical publishing needs a model change. One possibility is release of material like shareware while retaining the copyright. Shareware approach has been successful in software arena. It may succeed in theosophical arena as well.
It is obvious that theosophical publishing needs a model change. One possibility is release of material like shareware while retaining the copyright. Shareware approach has been successful in software arena. It may succeed in theosophical arena as well. In U. G. 's case, I can see w…tag:theosophy.net,2011-02-27:3055387:Comment:399762011-02-27T04:13:46.989ZMichael A. Williamshttps://theosophy.net/profile/MichaelAWilliams
<p>In U. G. 's case, I can see why he would offer up his "teachings" to anyone to do as they please with them or "even claim authorship." Very few people, if any, would want to be associated with them in any manner whatsoever. Most likely he knew this, and this is just another example of his colorful "grandstanding" to further portray himself as a "free spirit" above it all.</p>
<p>But, to continue dwelling on U. G. Krishnamurti goes beyond this particular forum.</p>
<p>There obviously are many…</p>
<p>In U. G. 's case, I can see why he would offer up his "teachings" to anyone to do as they please with them or "even claim authorship." Very few people, if any, would want to be associated with them in any manner whatsoever. Most likely he knew this, and this is just another example of his colorful "grandstanding" to further portray himself as a "free spirit" above it all.</p>
<p>But, to continue dwelling on U. G. Krishnamurti goes beyond this particular forum.</p>
<p>There obviously are many works in all fields of endeavor that are eligible for copyright that the creator, or creators, have chosen not to copyright for one reason or another that are of merit at some level. I obviously didn't communicate that clear enough and therefor do so now.</p>
Thanks Michael.
Much before…tag:theosophy.net,2011-02-27:3055387:Comment:399732011-02-27T02:25:08.960ZCapt. Anand Kumarhttps://theosophy.net/profile/CaptAnandKumar
<p> </p>
<p>Thanks <strong>Michael.</strong></p>
<p><br></br>Much before concepts of "Open Source" and "Free Dissemination of Information" became popular we have an example of UG Krishnamurti presenting an idea. From the 1982 book, "The Mystique of Enlightenment", published in the personal capacity by his friend Dinesh Vaghela as no publisher would accept a book without a copyright:</p>
<b><i><font size="2"><br />
</font></i></b><p><b><i><font size="2">My teaching, if that is the word you want to use,…</font></i></b></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Thanks <strong>Michael.</strong></p>
<p><br/>Much before concepts of "Open Source" and "Free Dissemination of Information" became popular we have an example of UG Krishnamurti presenting an idea. From the 1982 book, "The Mystique of Enlightenment", published in the personal capacity by his friend Dinesh Vaghela as no publisher would accept a book without a copyright:</p>
<b><i><font size="2"><br />
</font></i></b><p><b><i><font size="2">My teaching, if that is the word you want to use, has no copyright. You are free to reproduce, distribute, interpret, misinterpret, distort, garble, do what you like, even claim authorship, without my consent or the permission of anybody.</font></i></b></p>
<b><i><font face="Book Antiqua,Book Antiqua" size="3"><font face="Book Antiqua,Book Antiqua" size="3">--U.G.</font></font></i></b><br />
<p> </p>
<p>Indeed, before its time, but <em>dubious value</em> - one cannot be too sure.<br/> </p> The good Capt. Kumar brought…tag:theosophy.net,2011-02-26:3055387:Comment:398542011-02-26T18:56:13.523ZMichael A. Williamshttps://theosophy.net/profile/MichaelAWilliams
<p>The good Capt. Kumar brought up the name of U. G. Krishnamurti in this discussion. It seems that he not only shared the same last name as Jiddu Krishnamurti and studied and lectured on Theosophy in the early 1940's, but the two knew each other quite well. And the relationship was not always a harmonious one, as I was once working on an article, now on the back burner, titled "Jiddu and U. G.; The Battling Krishnamurtis,"found out.</p>
<p>After WWII ended, U. G. met up with Jiddu…</p>
<p>The good Capt. Kumar brought up the name of U. G. Krishnamurti in this discussion. It seems that he not only shared the same last name as Jiddu Krishnamurti and studied and lectured on Theosophy in the early 1940's, but the two knew each other quite well. And the relationship was not always a harmonious one, as I was once working on an article, now on the back burner, titled "Jiddu and U. G.; The Battling Krishnamurtis,"found out.</p>
<p>After WWII ended, U. G. met up with Jiddu Krishnamurti(J. K.) while attending numerous lectures of J.K. and the two began almost daily dialogues in 1953. Some reports have U.G. rooming for a time with J. K. Finally, U. G. became dissatisfied and abruptly left, after a critical verbal exchange. To make a long story short, the two had an on again, off again relationship, with U. G. gaining somewhat of a reputation as being the only recorded person not to have been intimidated by J. K. and not only criticizing him face-to-face. but insulting him as well. </p>
<p>In the late 1960's he had some sort of "enlightenment" experience which he called a "calamity" and struck out on his own. He espoused a gloomy, nihilistic philosophy, denouncing just about everything, including any "teachings," "teachers" and "gurus," yet he himself had learned well the "guru game." Attracting rich patrons and a cliche of inside devotees, he traveled, giving lectures and holding "court." At some point, he would make a big to-do about giving away all his money at the first of every year - of course not devulging that his wealthy backers and close disciples would have him back in the lifestyle he was accustomed to in short order.</p>
<p>In his later years, he went out of his way to strike out at his two favorite targets, his old nemesis, J. K, and Rajhneesh(later known as Osho). J. K. kept quiet, as far as I could find out, but Rajneesh had some choice words for U.G., calling him a "bitter, disillusioned old man," among other things.</p>
<p>There still exists a small number of people who follow him and think he was "enlightened." I feel he was just a colorful mountebank.</p>
<p>As for his works, he did give them to the public domain and his inner circle of devotees continue to offer them. But, I see no publisher rushing to put them out, hoping for any kind of profit. Usually, but not always, material that becomes public domain before its time is usually of dubious value.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p> Thanks for the info.
I am n…tag:theosophy.net,2011-02-26:3055387:Comment:399702011-02-26T05:30:03.779ZM K Ramadosshttps://theosophy.net/profile/MKR
<p>Thanks for the info.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I am not surprised that theosophical publishing, at least in India, is a losing proposition. I doubt situation elsewhere is very much different.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The market for theosophical books is generally rather small or even minuscule and hence very difficult to even breakeven. Traditional publishing model has been there for a long time and current technology and tools provides new modes of delivery of material and hence with an open mind we should…</p>
<p>Thanks for the info.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I am not surprised that theosophical publishing, at least in India, is a losing proposition. I doubt situation elsewhere is very much different.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The market for theosophical books is generally rather small or even minuscule and hence very difficult to even breakeven. Traditional publishing model has been there for a long time and current technology and tools provides new modes of delivery of material and hence with an open mind we should see how the process of publishing can be modified.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I hope those in the theosophical publishing business wakes up to the current technology and tools and help disseminate theosophical material around the world efficiently and effectively. Change is a juggernaut and either get on the wagon or run over by it!<br/></p>
<p> </p>
<p><cite>Capt. Anand Kumar said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.theosophy.net/forum/topics/another-new-transactions-book?commentId=3055387%3AComment%3A39846&xg_source=msg_com_forum#3055387Comment39846"><div><p> </p>
<p>I learnt from the office bearers of the TS at Varanasi and Adyar that for the past several years, TS incurs a loss in publishing, shipping etc. Yet, their reluctance to consider ways to cut losses i.e. make books available electronically, indicates that there is a fifth element to the four already outlined by Joe - Will Deficiency.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The morality and the ethics of the copyright and the royalty earnings in this "Age of Information" requires a sepertae debate. One is reminded of the "Other Krishnamurti", U G Krishnamurti - a contemporary of famous Jiddu Krishnamurti and like him a lecturer of the Theosophical Society in his early days. UG had no objections if his followers published his teachings, made money out of it or even <em>distorted</em> it.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
I learnt from the office be…tag:theosophy.net,2011-02-26:3055387:Comment:398462011-02-26T03:23:56.391ZCapt. Anand Kumarhttps://theosophy.net/profile/CaptAnandKumar
<p> </p>
<p>I learnt from the office bearers of the TS at Varanasi and Adyar that for the past several years, TS incurs a loss in publishing, shipping etc. Yet, their reluctance to consider ways to cut losses i.e. make books available electronically, indicates that there is a fifth element to the four already outlined by Joe - Will Deficiency.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The morality and the ethics of the copyright and the royalty earnings in this "Age of Information" requires a sepertae debate. One is…</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I learnt from the office bearers of the TS at Varanasi and Adyar that for the past several years, TS incurs a loss in publishing, shipping etc. Yet, their reluctance to consider ways to cut losses i.e. make books available electronically, indicates that there is a fifth element to the four already outlined by Joe - Will Deficiency.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The morality and the ethics of the copyright and the royalty earnings in this "Age of Information" requires a sepertae debate. One is reminded of the "Other Krishnamurti", U G Krishnamurti - a contemporary of famous Jiddu Krishnamurti and like him a lecturer of the Theosophical Society in his early days. UG had no objections if his followers published his teachings, made money out of it or even <em>distorted</em> it.</p> I have frequently bought vari…tag:theosophy.net,2011-02-25:3055387:Comment:401442011-02-25T06:14:08.216ZM K Ramadosshttps://theosophy.net/profile/MKR
<p>I have frequently bought various books from many of the online book sellers including amazon, albiris etc. There are also many private collection of electronic files around the world and if one is determined to find a book, it is doable. I am personally confident that in not too distant a future we will see every publication become available primarily in electronic form and hard copy only for those interested. Let us see what happens in the theosophical arena in the coming…</p>
<p>I have frequently bought various books from many of the online book sellers including amazon, albiris etc. There are also many private collection of electronic files around the world and if one is determined to find a book, it is doable. I am personally confident that in not too distant a future we will see every publication become available primarily in electronic form and hard copy only for those interested. Let us see what happens in the theosophical arena in the coming years.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><cite>Michael A. Williams said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.theosophy.net/forum/topics/another-new-transactions-book?id=3055387%3ATopic%3A39508&page=2#3055387Comment39966"><div><p>M.K., I wouldn't depend too much on Publishers of Theosophical literature getting your message via this site. Perhaps it's best to contact them directly by email and/or letter.</p>
<p>Have you tried checking Amazon.com for the out-of-print Theosophical books you're looking for? I've run across many there, used, at very reasonable prices. They've got many re-sellers that offer books through them. I rarely fail to find a book I'm looking for, even hard to find ones. And all offer international shipping.</p>
</div>
</blockquote> M.K., I wouldn't depend too m…tag:theosophy.net,2011-02-25:3055387:Comment:399662011-02-25T05:37:11.740ZMichael A. Williamshttps://theosophy.net/profile/MichaelAWilliams
<p>M.K., I wouldn't depend too much on Publishers of Theosophical literature getting your message via this site. Perhaps it's best to contact them directly by email and/or letter.</p>
<p>Have you tried checking Amazon.com for the out-of-print Theosophical books you're looking for? I've run across many there, used, at very reasonable prices. They've got many re-sellers that offer books through them. I rarely fail to find a book I'm looking for, even hard to find ones. And all offer international…</p>
<p>M.K., I wouldn't depend too much on Publishers of Theosophical literature getting your message via this site. Perhaps it's best to contact them directly by email and/or letter.</p>
<p>Have you tried checking Amazon.com for the out-of-print Theosophical books you're looking for? I've run across many there, used, at very reasonable prices. They've got many re-sellers that offer books through them. I rarely fail to find a book I'm looking for, even hard to find ones. And all offer international shipping.</p> There are many books publishe…tag:theosophy.net,2011-02-25:3055387:Comment:401402011-02-25T01:50:40.818ZM K Ramadosshttps://theosophy.net/profile/MKR
There are many books published by TPH and other theosophical publishing houses which are out of print and but still in copyright. Many of them are not going to be reprinted any time soon due to lack of business viability. <br></br><br></br>Even though print-on demand technology is picking up, unless a sizable quantity is printed, it results in a high cost and puts the books out of reach of most average theosophist. Hence this not going to work. Making theosophical publications available to theosophical…
There are many books published by TPH and other theosophical publishing houses which are out of print and but still in copyright. Many of them are not going to be reprinted any time soon due to lack of business viability. <br/><br/>Even though print-on demand technology is picking up, unless a sizable quantity is printed, it results in a high cost and puts the books out of reach of most average theosophist. Hence this not going to work. Making theosophical publications available to theosophical students is critical in the current trend of dwindling membership world-wide. To me, the most cost effective way is to make them available in electronic form, not through Kindle or other electronic readers.<br/><br/>This is a policy issue that theosophical publishers need to address. I hope some of them are reading what is going on here and I hope to see some quick movement. Inaction is not a solution and is not going to help theosophical movement or students of theosophy.<br/><br/>
<br/>
<cite>M K Ramadoss said:</cite><br />
<blockquote cite="http://www.theosophy.net/forum/topics/another-new-transactions-book#3055387Comment40035"><div>Your points are well taken.<br/><br/>Pricing of some of the recent theosophical publications should be of concern to all publishers and anyone interested in making theosophical materials easily available to earnest students (most of whom are making a living day to day) and they should be within the reach of most of them, especially in the countries outside the West.<br/><br/>It is my hope that everyone in the publishing decision making chain should become very sensitive to this issue. <br/><br/>As for Hodson’s Light of the Sanctuary which goes for $699.00, getting hold of a pdf file is not a big deal. It is finding a copy from the publisher so that one does not violate copyrights.<br/><br/>From what I have learnt, there is no current plan to reprint it. I have already made attempts to see if the publisher will come up with an electronic solution. Let us keep tuned.<br/> <br/>
<cite>Michael A. Williams said:</cite><br/>
<blockquote cite="http://www.theosophy.net/forum/topics/another-new-transactions-book#3055387Comment40033"><div><p>I would like to point out that high prices on certain items, books, curios, artifacts, recordings, etc., goes across most Metaphysical/Spiritual organizations, and Theosophy is no exception. Also, I politely suggest that it might not be the wisest move to denigrate the wealthy patrons of an organization, if one wants their cooperation in free or lower prices on certain items.</p>
<p>The fact is, wealthy patrons have helped keep the occult and metaphysical traditions alive through the centuries, on the physical plane. Blavatsky was well kept by well-to-do people as she went about her work and they have kept Theosophy and it's branches going financially through the decades. Membership dues and the sale of books, etc. alone, certainly would not pay the bills at the Wheaton Estate, Adyar or Krotona in Ojai, CA.</p>
<p>Even though this site is monitored by many Theosophical groups, and others, it's probably best to contact the people involved directly if one wants free or low cost fees on certain PDF downloads.</p>
<p>Geoffrey Hodson was mention by M K, so I checked Amazon and found a number of his books on sale there for quite reasonable low prices, used. Although, "Light of the Sancturary," his personal diary, is now going for US$699 dollars! And only 2 left. I would contact one of our own members, Bill Kleidan, who not only studied with Mr. Hodson, but runs a website devoted to him. I'm sure he can give the reasons why the book is so high priced and perhaps give some advice as to how to obtain it in PDF format at a lower price, or how to contact the publisher to advocate they issue a low price paperback.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.geoffreyhodson.com" target="_blank">http://www.geoffreyhodson.com</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
</div>
</blockquote>
</div>
</blockquote> Your points are well taken.Pr…tag:theosophy.net,2011-02-24:3055387:Comment:400352011-02-24T21:20:49.542ZM K Ramadosshttps://theosophy.net/profile/MKR
Your points are well taken.<br></br><br></br>Pricing of some of the recent theosophical publications should be of concern to all publishers and anyone interested in making theosophical materials easily available to earnest students (most of whom are making a living day to day) and they should be within the reach of most of them, especially in the countries outside the West.<br></br><br></br>It is my hope that everyone in the publishing decision making chain should become very sensitive to this issue.…
Your points are well taken.<br/><br/>Pricing of some of the recent theosophical publications should be of concern to all publishers and anyone interested in making theosophical materials easily available to earnest students (most of whom are making a living day to day) and they should be within the reach of most of them, especially in the countries outside the West.<br/><br/>It is my hope that everyone in the publishing decision making chain should become very sensitive to this issue. <br/><br/>As for Hodson’s Light of the Sanctuary which goes for $699.00, getting hold of a pdf file is not a big deal. It is finding a copy from the publisher so that one does not violate copyrights.<br/><br/>From what I have learnt, there is no current plan to reprint it. I have already made attempts to see if the publisher will come up with an electronic solution. Let us keep tuned.<br/>
<br/>
<cite>Michael A. Williams said:</cite><br />
<blockquote cite="http://www.theosophy.net/forum/topics/another-new-transactions-book#3055387Comment40033"><div><p>I would like to point out that high prices on certain items, books, curios, artifacts, recordings, etc., goes across most Metaphysical/Spiritual organizations, and Theosophy is no exception. Also, I politely suggest that it might not be the wisest move to denigrate the wealthy patrons of an organization, if one wants their cooperation in free or lower prices on certain items.</p>
<p>The fact is, wealthy patrons have helped keep the occult and metaphysical traditions alive through the centuries, on the physical plane. Blavatsky was well kept by well-to-do people as she went about her work and they have kept Theosophy and it's branches going financially through the decades. Membership dues and the sale of books, etc. alone, certainly would not pay the bills at the Wheaton Estate, Adyar or Krotona in Ojai, CA.</p>
<p>Even though this site is monitored by many Theosophical groups, and others, it's probably best to contact the people involved directly if one wants free or low cost fees on certain PDF downloads.</p>
<p>Geoffrey Hodson was mention by M K, so I checked Amazon and found a number of his books on sale there for quite reasonable low prices, used. Although, "Light of the Sancturary," his personal diary, is now going for US$699 dollars! And only 2 left. I would contact one of our own members, Bill Kleidan, who not only studied with Mr. Hodson, but runs a website devoted to him. I'm sure he can give the reasons why the book is so high priced and perhaps give some advice as to how to obtain it in PDF format at a lower price, or how to contact the publisher to advocate they issue a low price paperback.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.geoffreyhodson.com" target="_blank">http://www.geoffreyhodson.com</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
</div>
</blockquote>