A Letter from the United States
Dear friends,
The current of letters to the president of Adyar Theosophical Society continues uniting more and more students, asking that justice be done to one of the original founders of the Theosophical Society, William Judge.
Below you have a letter sent from the United States, by Steve Levy, a long time Associate of the United Lodge of Theosophists.
e have also published in our websites this same new letter. The links are:
http://www.theosophyonline.com/ler.php?id=224 and http://www.esoteric-philosophy.com/2011/04/2011-letter-to-radha-burnier.\
html
Best regards, Joaquim
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A 2011 Letter to Radha Burnier
A Long-time Associate of the U.L.T.
Writes to the President of the Adyar Society
Steven Levy
Dear Mrs. Burnier,
I have been an associate of The United Lodge of Theosophists for many years, so speaking or writing about the value of the work and writings of William Q. Judge is a joyful privilege for me. However, writing to you directly as part of the “Justice for Judge” letter campaign is difficult. I suspect that there are many Theosophists who, while grateful to W.Q. Judge, have struggled with the same difficultly and have hesitated to write to you and express how they think and feel about the matter.
One of the chief obstacles is that in writing to support “Justice for Judge” or in defense of Judge, one must either directly state or indirectly suggest that there are some in the Theosophical Movement who still provoke unjust feelings, attitudes and behaviors towards Judge. This is easier for some than for others, but it is particularly difficult for Theosophists who prefer to exercise charity, gentleness, and compassion in their judgements of others. As a student of the writings of W. Q. Judge, I have often asked myself in difficult situations, “what would Judge do in this case?” So when I ask myself what is to be done in this dilemma, his words ring out clear in my mind: “Judge the act, and not the actor.”[1]Therefore, my words to you address actions, not personalities, societies, or organizations.
Although I am not a member of The Theosophical Society, I have known of you and your work for Theosophy for years. Yet, I have never read or heard anything that you wrote or said about Theosophy. No doubt, you have never read or heard anything that I wrote or said about Theosophy through the years. That is both our losses, and maybe it will change in the future. But, access to each other's experience and knowledge has not been limited by false accusations and misinformation that breeds suspicion and disdain. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Judge. If someone were to deny or discourage me from reading anything you wrote by stating what sounded like a derogatory denunciation of your character or motives, I would not hesitate to ask for proof as to why I should discount your life and work. I would like to believe that you, who have devoted yourself to Theosophy and The Theosophical Movement as you understand it, would do the same for me. We are entitled to that justice, no less than Judge.
The fact is that there have been generations of Theosophists, including many today, who never read anything by W.Q. Judge. Are they denied access to his writings because all of his books have been burnt by some tyrannical despot and dictator? No. Are they kept from his philosophical insight, clarity of expression, and simple practicality because of the religious persecution of a fanatic religious tribunal? No! Have they been deterred from seeking his guidance because of fear of physical torture and death? No!! They have been denied all these things and more because of the actions of others within the Theosophical Movement. Unbelievable, but true!!! These persons are not entirely at fault. They act against Judge as they do because they have been bred on false ideas regarding W. Q. Judge that encourage mistrust and disdain, so they discourage others. I, and many others, have been impressed with ideas and facts about his life that inspire admiration, gratitude, and devotion. We have been given the opportunity to read his writings. The real enemies to unity are false ideas and ignorance. That is our mutual struggle.
Judge and I were in our early twenties when we were first introduced to Theosophy. His book, “The Ocean of Theosophy,” was my gate of gold that opened up the understanding of Theosophy and possibility of the Theosophic life. His many articles have led me to the Path and his many letters have illuminated that Path. Yet, if I have had that privilege, it is because of the actions of Theosophists who gave me that opportunity.
H. P. Blavatsky’s writings are like the sun. They are indispensable to Theosophic understanding and life. Yet, they are so brilliant at times, so burning and far-reaching, that one cannot take them in at once. One turns away, at times, before the awesome power and meaning of her words. But, W. Q. Judge’s writings are like the fire burning in a hearth on a cold night. One can and wants to get close to them. They invite you with their warmth. They stimulate you with their gentle potency.
Having been fortunate enough to read his writings, it is with sadness that one must face the fact that so many others are still left out in the darkness and coldness of ignorance of his wonderful work for the Theosophical Movement. It is for the benefit of those less fortunate than I that I have decided to write to you and ask that you do what you can for them. They deserve justice too, as do the future generations of Theosophists.
People, like yourself, in a position of great influence have an equally great opportunity and responsibility. I know what I would do if I were in your position. But, all I can do for now is write this letter and endeavor to have it openly published on the internet in hope that those who read it will do the same.
Steven H. Levy, M.D.
Associate,
United Lodge of Theosophists
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
I have been an associate of The United Lodge of Theosophists for many years, so speaking or writing about the value of the work and writings of William Q. Judge is a joyful privilege for me. However, writing to you directly as part of the “Justice for Judge” letter campaign is difficult. I suspect that there are many Theosophists who, while grateful to W.Q. Judge, have struggled with the same difficultly and have hesitated to write to you and express how they think and feel about the matter.
One of the chief obstacles is that in writing to support “Justice for Judge” or in defense of Judge, one must either directly state or indirectly suggest that there are some in the Theosophical Movement who still provoke unjust feelings, attitudes and behaviors towards Judge. This is easier for some than for others, but it is particularly difficult for Theosophists who prefer to exercise charity, gentleness, and compassion in their judgements of others. As a student of the writings of W. Q. Judge, I have often asked myself in difficult situations, “what would Judge do in this case?” So when I ask myself what is to be done in this dilemma, his words ring out clear in my mind: “Judge the act, and not the actor.”[1]Therefore, my words to you address actions, not personalities, societies, or organizations.
Although I am not a member of The Theosophical Society, I have known of you and your work for Theosophy for years. Yet, I have never read or heard anything that you wrote or said about Theosophy. No doubt, you have never read or heard anything that I wrote or said about Theosophy through the years. That is both our losses, and maybe it will change in the future. But, access to each other's experience and knowledge has not been limited by false accusations and misinformation that breeds suspicion and disdain. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Judge. If someone were to deny or discourage me from reading anything you wrote by stating what sounded like a derogatory denunciation of your character or motives, I would not hesitate to ask for proof as to why I should discount your life and work. I would like to believe that you, who have devoted yourself to Theosophy and The Theosophical Movement as you understand it, would do the same for me. We are entitled to that justice, no less than Judge.
The fact is that there have been generations of Theosophists, including many today, who never read anything by W.Q. Judge. Are they denied access to his writings because all of his books have been burnt by some tyrannical despot and dictator? No. Are they kept from his philosophical insight, clarity of expression, and simple practicality because of the religious persecution of a fanatic religious tribunal? No! Have they been deterred from seeking his guidance because of fear of physical torture and death? No!! They have been denied all these things and more because of the actions of others within the Theosophical Movement. Unbelievable, but true!!! These persons are not entirely at fault. They act against Judge as they do because they have been bred on false ideas regarding W. Q. Judge that encourage mistrust and disdain, so they discourage others. I, and many others, have been impressed with ideas and facts about his life that inspire admiration, gratitude, and devotion. We have been given the opportunity to read his writings. The real enemies to unity are false ideas and ignorance. That is our mutual struggle.
Judge and I were in our early twenties when we were first introduced to Theosophy. His book, “The Ocean of Theosophy,” was my gate of gold that opened up the understanding of Theosophy and possibility of the Theosophic life. His many articles have led me to the Path and his many letters have illuminated that Path. Yet, if I have had that privilege, it is because of the actions of Theosophists who gave me that opportunity.
H. P. Blavatsky’s writings are like the sun. They are indispensable to Theosophic understanding and life. Yet, they are so brilliant at times, so burning and far-reaching, that one cannot take them in at once. One turns away, at times, before the awesome power and meaning of her words. But, W. Q. Judge’s writings are like the fire burning in a hearth on a cold night. One can and wants to get close to them. They invite you with their warmth. They stimulate you with their gentle potency.
Having been fortunate enough to read his writings, it is with sadness that one must face the fact that so many others are still left out in the darkness and coldness of ignorance of his wonderful work for the Theosophical Movement. It is for the benefit of those less fortunate than I that I have decided to write to you and ask that you do what you can for them. They deserve justice too, as do the future generations of Theosophists.
People, like yourself, in a position of great influence have an equally great opportunity and responsibility. I know what I would do if I were in your position. But, all I can do for now is write this letter and endeavor to have it openly published on the internet in hope that those who read it will do the same.
Steven H. Levy, M.D.
Associate,
United Lodge of Theosophists
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
(Letter sent in April 2011)
NOTE:
[1] “Expect nothing; work without thought or desire for reward; share your happiness with others; be upright in your dealings with your fellow laborer on life’s highway; work for the good of humanity; speak ill of no one; judge the act and not the actor; and last, but not least, strive for consistency as a Theosophist. Then will be realized the basic idea of Practical Theosophy and Universal Brotherhood.” (Exeter, a pen name of W.Q. Judge, in the article “The Present Situation Disconnectedly Considered”, at “The Path” magazine, Volume 4, 1889.)
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