Mark Alexander's Love Connection: more debates in ECK

Author: David Christopher Lane
Publisher: Alt.religion.eckankar
Publication date: 1996

E-mail David Christopher Lane directly at dlane@weber.ucsd.edu

I want to go back to the home base now.

Mark A Writes:

"BS, David. (You are beginning to give me reason to believe that you
harbor characteristics of the *weasal*.  Hey, what's a little ad
hominum among friends, eh?)

You have written a work that *interprets* Paul's character and
legitimacy as a spiritual Master. You are hiding behind words trying to
obscure your responsibility here."

DAVID LANE REPLIES:

It is quite funny to read your recent posts, Mark. I think you
should re-read what I have stated. I clearly think Twitchell lied
and BSed and I have clearly given my interpretation. I have never
denied that. I was simply stating the obvious: there are many books
on Eckankar and Twitchell. Mine is one of them. I have clearly
interpreted Paul and I have given you my reasons. There is no hiding
behind words. It is just me being very systematic in replying.

Mark A. Writes:

"You are *not* merely presenting one piece of a larger jigsaw puzzle. You
are painting a portrait. And if you IN ANY WAY expect your work to
possess true academic standing, then you would take Feynman's words to
heart (words you *conspicuously* avoided referring to) and you would
explore, ponder and integrate the other side of the testimony in order
to paint that picture."

DAVID LANE REPLIES:

I happen to find Feynman's words quite apt. That is why footnotes
were invented and why bibliographies were devised. That is why in
the MAKING i list my sources. That is why I listen to my critics and
engage in these endless debates over a 1922 birthdate. Yes, I am
painting a portrait. But so has Klemp, so has Gross, so has Steiger.
What is great about painting and what is great about books is that
there are hundreds of such items. We then can compare. 

I think what you don't like about my portrait is that it does not
concur with what you believe. 

Well, that's precisely the point. I was focusing on those aspects
which would have never come to light in Eckankar (don't forget Gross'
denial and don't forget Klemp's latest memos about forgery).

I don't respect gurus that lie.


Mark Alexander Writes:

"The rest of your post is styrofoam. You have been presented with a
responsible and critical challenge to the legitimacy of your work and
you pretend that it is irrelevant. It is not. You hide behind the false
claim that your work's clear purpose is not *your* purpose."

DAVID LANE REPLIES:

I have never stated that questions about my work are irrelevant.
Quite the opposite. That is why I am here. I find this whole
discussion quite exciting and quite fun. My work's purpose is
obvious by the title: to explore the untold story of Paul Twitchell
and Eckankar. And in retelling many of those untold aspects I became
convinced that Twitchell bullshitted his audience.

I am very clear on that.

Hiding behind words?

Yea, that's why Eckankar has legally hassled me for some fifteen
years.

That's why John-Roger robbed my house.

The fact remains that you just don't like my portrait of Twitchell.

And I was simply telling you that it is one portrait among many. I
just happened to have documented my sources, unlike Brad Steiger's
narrative which literally made things up and is still being sold and
advertised in Eckankar as Paul Twitchell's biography.

Mark A writes:

You have not explored the testimony. You have instead dismissed it all
as irrelevant, as mere *inner* experience and therefore not even worthy
of a closer look. You seem to have done nothing to explore the testimony
of *physical* contact with these masters (your trips to India
notwithstanding...).

DAVID LANE replies:

What testimony? That a person saw Rebazar in their dreams, in their
meditation, in their waking state? Quite the opposite, Mark. I have
talked to hundreds of Eckists about their experiences. Indeed, I
remember one chap down in San Diego who claimed that the Eck Masters
were eating him alive from the inside out.

I simply told him that it was all projections of his own mind.

He stopped having such bad nightmares.

I have written on inner experiences in many places (see my section
on it in my website, see my book on Faqir, see my published articles
in the Journal of Humanistic and Transpersonal Psychology).

I don't doubt that people have many "inner" experiences.

What I question is the interpretation of such events.

See my section on Faqir Chand if you desire.

Now concerning the "physical" evidence of such gurus. I actually
spent time both in America and India trying to see if there was such
a Sudar Singh, as described by Twitchell.

I can't help it if Steiger's book is filled with a time-line that
contradicts Twitchell's testimony. 

I can't help it if Twitchell's family thinks the whole story of his
travels to India are B.S.

Hey, give me a good lead, bro, and I would be most happy to pursue
it.

I have come up with zip.

What I have discovered is that Twitchell has a proclivity to
bull-shit.

oops, not polite words, but quite accurate when describing how he
has changed his biography.


Mark Alexander Writes:

"BS, David. If he exists, if he is an ECK Master, he may very well not
want to be *found* by you. I doubt you approached the search for him
with the stance necessary for him to want to make himself available to
you. I know of the testimony of many good people who establish his
physical existence. I have not had that experience so I have no true
knowledge of him, but I know enough of the nature of testimony (from
Aristotle's Rhetoric to the present) to know when a case can be made.
You have avoided sincerely trying to make that case."

DAVID LANE replies:

Very interesting rebuttal, Mark.

So one has to be "found" by Rebazar and one must have the
"necessary" stance before he shows up.

Hmm, with that modus operandi I could simply say that you don't have
the "right" stance to read my work, you have not yet been chosen by
Lane to understand his truth revealing.

It is so silly. The burden of proof is not on me. It is on Twitchell
who made the claim.

I would be really impressed to meet this 500 year old guy.

But if he only shows up to believers, then you have a very very
telling answer.

It is more likely that the "believer" is constructing Rebazar than
the other way around.

If Rebazar really exists then let's see some physical proof.

I don't mind being wrong.

I just happen not to be a chump.


Mark Alexander Writes:

"BS, again, David. You don't believe there is any possibility that you
are wrong, so the above statement is BS."

DAVID LANE replies:

Are you now an expert on what I believe or don't believe? 
You see, Mark, if Rebazar did show up in the surf lineup (the red
robe, the short beard, the birth certificate), then I would have to
ADMIT he existed. What I think you don't like is that I have not
seen any proof for the dude.

What is so fun about this endeavor and what is so progressive about
science is that sometimes one just gets faced..... even if they
don't want to.

Thus, bring Rebazar over. I shall not mind. I will really tell you I
met him.

I am not going to apologize for not being a chump. I just happen to
believe that we should hold out for some evidence for these trans-
personal happenings. More proof won't worsen the case; quite the
opposite.

Mark Alexander Writes:

"I used to believe that you were sincere in these proclamations, but with
time it has become clear that you construct a persona to obscure you
skeptical certainty. I am not buying it any more. :-/"


DAVID LANE REPLIES:

Now that's quite good. You are not buying it anymore. You are
getting a bit skeptical, you are doubting. I encourage you to do
more of that. Keep ripping me. But perhaps you will take that same
skepticism and apply it to the Twitchell and Eckankar. We will both
be better served.

Constructing personas?

I think you should do more research into my background. Try reading
my 1980s articles.

I would dearly love to be wrong.

That's what you don't get.

The problem is that I won't settle for cheap evidence.


Mark Alexander Writes:

"Let's face it: You *a priori* dismiss the spiritual as delusion, the
extraordinary experiences between people as confusion, the testimony of
several individuals regarding a physical manifestation as hysteria."

DAVID LANE replies:

Sorry Mark to disappoint you on your categorical appraisement of
what I believe. But I think you got your "a prioris" wrong.
Try reading my book, THE ENCHANTED LAND. 

I just happen to think that much of what we think is transpersonal
or spiritual is merely physical.

But your statements about hysteria and the like are not mine.

Here's a sampler of things  I have written to find out what I think about visions:

THE HIERARCHICAL STRUCTURE OF RELIGIOUS VISIONS (journal of
transpersonal psychology)

THE HIMALAYAN CONNECTION: UFOS AND THE CHANDIAN EFFECT (journal of
humanistic psychology)

THE UNKNOWING SAGE: the life and work of Baba Faqir Chand

and other assorted items.

You can then "test" your "apriori" hypothesis to see if you are
correct.


Mark Alexander Writes:

Your response to my post is dishonest, David. You know what your book
actually is. My critical point is legitimate.

DAVID LANE REPLIES:

Yes, I know what my book is: a critical rip of Paul Twitchell's life
and work. I am happy with that. 


Mark Alexander Writes:

"You do not have a piece of the jigsaw puzzle; you have a premature
stillborn."

DAVID LANE REPLIES:

I am curious, Mark, do you thing the same of Steiger's work?
You see, at the very least, I have touched upon things that were not
publicly disclosed by Eckankar.

You don't like it, but I have documented every thing I have stated.

I have also given you my interpretation after having researched this
area for a long time. 

I think Twitchell lied, plagiarized, and covered-up. I also think he
started Eckankar for financial reasons (he himself says so in his
early writings).

You just don't like my interpretation because you don't believe I
have all the facts or I have given all the facts.

Well, not to get postmodern on you, but NO book has ever given all
the facts. They have, rather, given whatever glimpse they could
given the limits of time, space and focus.

I would love to give you all the plagiarism examples I have, but it
would take volumes.

Maybe in the future.


Mark Alexander Writes:

"It is not an honest portrait. But more of yours is becoming clear.
You are unwilling to deal with *that* truth.
Yet still I have"

DAVID LANE REPLIES:

What truth? That Twitchell lied and you somehow condone it? I am
quite comfortable with the Twitch, the human. I just happen to think
that he BSed about lots of things, including his claim to be the 970
master in the ancient Vairagi lineage.

Mark Alexander:

"Love in Hu"

DAVID LANE replies:

I am glad that you still love me.


--------------------------


Mark Alexander Writes and cites Lane:

"The more I read your responses on this issue, David, the more
duplicitous they appear to me.
OK, let's stick with your metaphor:
*B*
I see my work as simply one piece in a larger jigsaw puzzle. Now I
realize that you and others may want me to flesh things out, but
that's not the focus of my work.
*E*
So you interpret the entire picture based on one piece of the puzzle?
That is dishonest.

DAVID LANE REPLIES:

Re-read again what I wrote (just above). I didn't say I
interpret the entire picture based on one piece of the puzzle;
you said that. I stated that my book was merely one part of
a larger puzzle.

I have read almost every Eckankar book I could get my hands.
I have read almost every obscure article by Twitchell and
others I could retrieve. I have even read those "secret"
discourses that have been sent my way by long-time members
who wanted me to know that side of the story.

I have an extensive collection of pro-Eckankar materials. So
your claim is actually false.

No, I try to make judgements on the basis of widing reading.
It just happens to be the case that I think that Twitchell
lied and I have documented it for thousands to see.

Mark Alexander writes:

"David, you draw conclusions that defame a man's character and work, and
the chosen spiritual path of tens of thousands...and you think it is
*honorable to only explore *one piece*?"

DAVID LANE WRITES:

Better read me more carefully. I never said what you allege:
that it is "honorable" to only explore one piece. I said
quite the opposite. It is good to do as much research as
possible. That is why I read all the postings on this
newsgroup. That is why I listed tens of Eckankar books in my
bibliography.

By the way, in light of free information flow, do you
remember what Darwin said about my manuscript and the SCP
journal?

DESTROY THEM.

I guess he didn't want that piece known.

Do you know what I say to people who want to know more about
Eckankar?

Read as much as you can from a variety of sources, including
the rips of me.

I guess THE LIVING ECK MASTER wants less from you.


Mark Alexander writes:

That is dishonest.
You seem to show no concern for Feynman's injunction. You claim academis
standing, you are a professor, and I presume you desire some scientific
respectability. And you think you should *ignore* Feynman's point?
That is dishonest.

David Lane Writes:

Ignoring Feynman's point? Hmm, I pride myself on having read
any thing that Dick wrote. I have listened to his injunction
very carefully. That is why I have footnoted my work, that
is why I have given you the leads to my documents (I even
made them available worldwide). That is why I have cited and
referenced my sources. That is why I have engaged in this
newsgroup.

Did Twitchell follow Feynman's injunction in the FAR
COUNTRY?

What you fail to understand about that injunction (by the
way, read what Feynman says about OBE's and NDE's) is that 
footnoting and citations is the method by which one's work
can be checked and re-checked.

If I didn't believe in his injunction, I wouldn't be on this
newsgroup responding straight out to my critics.

Feynman and other scientists clearly favor their one pet
theory over another. What they do, unlike Twitchell, is give
the trail by which others can "test" their claims.

You see, Mark, I took ONLY pro-Eckankar documents about the
1922 birthdate. I didn't take anti-Eck material.

It just happens that the contradictions in Eckankar arise
from Eckankar's literature.


Mark Alexander Writes:

"You have avoided dealing with the central critical point I am making.
Why?
Are you dishonest?"

DAVID LANE REPLIES:

Funny that you should bring up dishonesty in the context of
Paul Twitchell, but to answer your point once again:

My book is one among many. I think Twitchell lied.

You just don't like my interpretation.

Mark Alexander writes:

"You have had almost *two decades* to go beyond *first steps*. Is there
nothing to you beyond your little precious piece of the puzzle?
That is dishonest."

DAVID LANE WRITES:

Well, Mark it is pretty obvious to me that there are more
than just first steps.

Like admitting when someone lied about his age.
Like admitting when someone tried to sue one of his own over
plagiarism but didn't have the courage to own up to his
(Twitchell vs. J.R.)

Yes, I think I was much too naive in the 1970s and 1980s.

I think the bullshit factor is a lot higher than I ever
suspected.

Now growing up means realizing certain painful things, like
Santa Claus doesn't exist, like Darwin is no longer a Master
in Eckankar (can't even get a membership, huh?), like
Rebazar Tarzs is a cover name, like Sudar Singh is fictional
and so on.

But even though I am quite convinced that much of
Twitchell's allegations are B.S., I still have this weird
trait:

To listen and to respond to critics. I like to keep things
open even if it remains only a possibility and not a
probability.

I don't know about your issue of dishonesty.

I think maybe Twitch knows more about it.


Mark Alexander Writes:

"What an incrediblay inadequate excuse. You are arguing FOR shirking your
responsibility in this matter. Sure, if you were simply giving a new
perspective for needlepoint or rebuilding a car engine in a new way, you
may have a valid point here.
But, you *advertise* conclusions that defame, desparage, degrade without
exploring or offering contering evidence or interpretations. 
That is dishonest."

DAVID LANE REPLIES:

You are quite right that I have strong conclusions on
Twitchell.

What you forget is that I DOCUMENTED and REFERENCED why I
thought so.

What excuse, Mark? I didn't come up with an astral library
defense for plagiarism. I didn't come up with a typo defense
for the 1922 birthdate, I didn't bullshit my followers about
my previous associations with spiritual teachers.

What did I do that you object so strong to?

Researched Eckankar and found that Twitchell lied and I told
the public about it.

You want me to give "another" side?

What you forget is that is what I have done.

You can read IN MY SOUL I AM FREE and the many volumes in
Eckankar for their "official" (if doctored) history.

I even list them in my bibliography and footnote tens of
Eckankar books.

Has Eckankar put my book in their bibliographies?

Has Klemp cited me as a source for his essay on Twitchell?
[I was the one who interviewed Twitchell's first wife and
found out the information he and others now use.]

Has Eckankar listed all the alternative interpretations
there are to Twitchell's life?

By the way, Mark, it is not "I" who defamed Twitchell.

He did it to himself.

I have simply used his material back on himself and
demonstrated it to the public.

It is also not defamation if it is true.


Mark Alexander Writes:

"Are you like a schlock lawyer who hides behind the defense of "Oh well,
justice will come out in the end if we present our own little extreme
position and leave it to others to find the larger picture"?
That is dishonest."

DAVID LANE REPLIES:

Try taking that very same criticism of me and applying it to
Eckankar or to Paul Twitchell. What you fail to realize over
and over again is that I have no problem with others reading
anything they wish on Eckankar.

You see, Eckankar has a problem with people reading my
stuff.

Darwin asked for it to be destroyed!

I believe in the free-flow of ideas and Eckankar has shown
repeatedly it does not (see the Garland episode or the
Peebles episode for proof).

It is doubly ironic to me that you think i hide behind words
when I have been the subject of numerous attacks (including
robbery).

I will say it again: I think Twitchell was a liar.

Does that help?

Am I hiding now?

I just happen to think that one should have the option of
reading as much as possible about a subject (and not suing
or "destroying" one's alternative view).

I have listed many Eckankar publications in my book.

Has Eckankar given you a resource list for all their critics?

Geez, Eckankar hasn't even given you an address to get
Johnson's book, despite the fact that he is one of their
key, if unacknowledged sources.

I think you got your lines crossed here, Mark.


Mark Alexander Writes:

"My God, this is duplicitous. You *do* sound like a lawyer who throws mud
and then says, "Well, it is up to the other side to clean it up, IF THEY
CAN."
That is dishonest. You are not a sleaze lawyer, you are a professor. Act
like it.
At the very least, be enough of an honest professor to respond to
Feynman."

DAVID LANE REPLIES:

It is amazing to me that being up front can get one such
negative feedback. Duplicitous? All you have to do Mark is
find me Sudar Singh's address and proof that he existed and
I will broadcast it world-wide.

I am sorry but I cannot condone plagiarism, cover-up, or
lying.

If Eckankar or you really wants something changed, then give
me some proof!

You have given me nothing except that you don't like my
posts or don't like my responses.

Again, read all the literature you can.

I even put Eckankar's homepage on my website.

Have they put the Dave Rife's on theirs?


Mark Alexander Writes:

"These are the more disappointing posts I have read from you. I am
beginning to regret having defended you in times past, now that your
true duplicity seems to be emerging."

DAVID LANE WRITES:

Duplicity? Is it duplicity to say read lots of books to get
a wider view? Mark, I think you should re-read what I wrote.
I was simply stating that my view was one of many. For sure
I think  Twitchell was a first-rate liar.

But all I was saying over and over again was that I
understand why people think I have a narrow focus.

You call me duplicitous because I say I have a narrow
focus.

This is so silly, I can't stop smiling.

Don't defend me, Mark. Why?

Because that's not what I desire.

What I want is some documentation that shows Sudar existed.

What you fail to really understand is that I don't mind
being wrong.

I just won't say I am wrong when I am not.

Do you REALLY think the 1922 date is a typo?

If so, then give me some proof.

I am sorry that you are disappointed in my posts.

I am not disappointed in yours.

They are fun.



Mark Alexander Writes:

"Love in HU"

DAVID LANE REPLIES:

Glad you still love me after two posts.


----------------------------



E-mail The Neural Surfer directly at dlane@weber.ucsd.edu

I want to go back to the home base now.