E-mail David Christopher Lane
directly at dlane@weber.ucsd.edu
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.
Steve R. Writes:
"The problem with David Lane's work is not simply that he ignores
subjective experiences. It is that he ignores reasonable and rational
alterntatives to his hypotheses. His arguments are entirely circular.
He does not approach Eckankar with the attitude of a dispassionate
researcher, but with that of an advocate, a county prosecuter."
DAVID LANE RESPONDS:
I have considered your "typo" hypothesis and demonstrated to you
several times why it is wrong. Steiger uses a 1920s birthdate,
Jarvis uses a 1922 birthdate, and Gail uses a 1922 birthdate.
Your "typo" hypothesis is a smoke screen because you just can't
accept the fact that Twitchell lied.
I used Pro-Eckankar documents to show you that Twitchell lied about
his birthdate.
There is nothing circular, Steve, with citing three sources which
state the same thing.
It is circular, however, to keep reposting an article which has been
critiqued over and over again.
Steve R. Writes:
"The problem with these analolgies is that they are misplaced. It is
Lane who is attacking Eckankar not the other way around. It is Lane
who, like the Creationist or the Holocaust denier, wears a false mask
of scientific credibility but proceeds to violate the rules of
scientific inquiry in order to make his predetermined case."
DAVID LANE RESPONDS:
Take a deep breath, Steve. Who came up with a "typo" hypothesis even
though there is not one piece of evidence? You did. When it was
demonstrated that there were multiple sources (and all PRO-Eck) to
confirm the 1920s birthdate, how did you respond?
Geez, I am wrong, Dave. No, you went into tirade with all sorts of
speculations.
Re-read your own posts. I have at the very least documented why I
think Twitchell lied. You are bummed out that he did and
can't
explain it, without resorting to hypotheticals with no grounding.
Steve R. Writes:
"Eckankar, like the facts of evolution or the facts of Holocaust, has
been subject to pseudo-scientific attacks. This is what I was trying
to get to several months ago when I compared Lane's work to the book,
"The Bell Curve". Lots of people use a veneer of science to promote
their prejudices and bigotry. Lane does it against Eckankar."
DAVID LANE RESPONDS:
Geez, here we go again:
No matter how prejudiced you think I am:
1. Twitchell plagiarized (you can see it for yourself, bro--that is
why Klemp had to come up with that weak excuse about an astral
library)
2. Twitchell covered-up (forgery?)
3. Twitchell lied about significant details of his past (see the
documents, see his time-line, see Steiger.
Steve R. Writes:
"Look again at his first chapter. There is a "2" where there should be
a "1" on Paul's death certificate."
DAVID LAN RESPONDS:
Whose speculating now? You are. Twitchell's death certificate also
says he died at 48. Jarvis states that he just turned 40 in 1963,
and Steiger's time line says he was born in the 1920s.
You are amazing. I have gone over this time and time again with you,
and yet you still persist in bullshiting your audience. Hey, what
does Klemp say about Twitchell's birthdate? He uses a 1908
time-line, bro.
You have been faced over this issue time and time again.
Go ask Gail and see what she tells you, Steve.
Want to make any bets?
Steve R. Writes:
"This can only be used as proof of
lying on the part of the deceased by the greatest stretch of the
imagination."
DAVID LANE RESPONDS:
No, Steve, we got lots of juicy things:
Twitchell says he graduated high school at 15 (he didn't--he was 18
plus)
Twitchell says he was born in the 1920s (even you admit he was born
much earlier)
Twitchell says Kirpal Singh forged his name on many papers to link
him to his organization (completely untrue and even Twitchell's own
published articles and advertisements--not to mention tens of
letters to Kirpal--show this to be a crock)
Twitchell claims authorship of a number of books that have huge
sections of plagiarized material (and he even has the audacity of
putting Johnson's words into Rebazar's mouth. Talk about dialogue
invention?)
Twitchell tries to hide his past associations (just look at his
redaction of the FLUTE of GOD--names change, but not content.)
Twitchell says he went to India between high school and college but
his official school records show this could not have happened.
Sorry, Steve, but the dude lied through his teeth.
Steve R. Writes:
"Lane works with a stacked deck and every card that he
deals supports his contentions. But that is because he has taken all
the other cards out of the deck."
DAVID LANE RESPONDS:
No, Twitchell dealt those cards. You just don't like the fact that
he bluffed his full house.
Steve R. Writes:
"You will say, and Lane has said, "But isn't this what Eckankar does?"
Eckankar is a spiritual program and does not pretend to be an academic
exercise."
DAVID LANE replies:
So, given this logic a spiritual group should have lower standards
than academics. This is silly. Eckankar has bullshitted long enough
over plagiarism and cover-up and Twitchell's duplicity.
It doesn't take an academic to see lies, plagiarism, and cover-up.
But it does take ignorance to ignore it.
Steve R. Writes:
"Lane tries to pass his stuff off as valid research, which
it patently is not."
DAVID LANE RESPONDS:
I don't have to pass my stuff off. The public (thousands of pro and
anti Eckists alike), the academic community (encyclopedias,
conferences, published articles), and even Harold Klemp (see his
articles on Twitchell) have already utilized the findings of the
MAKING.
Those findings will stand no matter what you may think of me.
That's why I am relaxed about criticism.
I know what I have uncovered and I know there is a lot more.
Steve R. Writes:
"David Lane clearly does violate this rule, but this rule is not the
code of ethics he follows. His code of ethics seems to be:
1. Thou shalt not plagarize, under any circumstances.
2. Thou shalt not pass on false information about dates of birth under
any circumstances.
3. Thou shalt keep the names of all your inner masters straight under
all circumstances..
DAVID LANE RESPONDS:
Very good, Steve. Now you are on the right track. Grammar school kids
are taught the first two rules. Guess Eck Masters need to get
retrained. About point 3, why bullshit your following?
Steve R. Writes:
"4. Thou shalt be allowed to use innuendo and unverified rumor to color
thy perceptions.
5. Thou shalt be allowed to be hypocritical.
6. Thou shalt be allowed to pass thy work off as valid historical
research despite lack of objectivity, valid methodology or peer
review.
DAVID LANE REPLIES:
If this applies to Twitchell, I would most surely agree.
Steve R. Writes:
"Not when he writes on Eckankar. When he writes as a hobby, outside of
his academic life, he is no longer doing so as an academic. His works
on Eckankar have not been accepted in the academic community, and for
good reason. He violates the most basic rules of good research."
DAVID LANE RESPONDS:
Citing one's sources and documenting one's allegations is precisely
what academia is all about. You just don't like it that Twitchell
got caught plagiarizing, covering-up, and lying. I have documented
that. You have come up with a typo defense. Nice try, no cigar.
You say my work on Eckankar have not been accepted in the academic
community. You better check your library again.
Try reading Olson's latest chapter in Timothy Miller's ALTERNATIVE
RELIGIONS published by SUNY.
Try asking Ninian Smart, J. Gordon Melton, Eileen Barker, Robert S.
Ellwood, and others--all of whom cite my book and quote from it
in their various studies.
I even presented the findings of MAKING on several occasions to the
AMERICAN ACADEMY OF RELIGION (including their 82 meeting at
Stanford).
Indeed, two "refereed" articles were published which contain my
critique of Eckankar's Rebazar Tarzs.
You better read some more.
Steve R. Writes:
"Only by your twist of logic. An objective stance is something that
all researchers should strive for. Biases are things that all
researchers should be aware of in themselves. As in all things there
is a balance here. Lane makes no attempts to be objective and makes
no acknowledgement of his bias."
DAVID LANE RESPONDS:
So that is why I include Eckankar's official view of my work on the
very first page of the MAKING (want a free copy, Steve, to check it
for yourself and to see how you are wrong?)?
That is why I include Harold Klemp's explanation for plagiarism?
Why I include Alan Nichols' letter defending the same?
That is why in the 83 edition I included several original documents
in the appendix for all to see?
That is why I list over 25 Eckankar books in my bibliography?
That is why I include full excerpts from the Darwin/Klemp battle?
That is why I always include Eckankar's "official" version for each
event they don't like?
Better read the book, bro.....
Your typo defense is wearing awfully thin.
Steve R. Writes:
"He is cited as an historic researcher
of Eckankar by people who know no better. He makes no efforts to
disabuse them of this notion. It is like Hitler saying, "So I wrote a
book. I didn't know anyone was going to kill any Jews over it."
DAVID LANE REPLIES:
Interesting comparison, Steve. What you continually fail to
understand is that I have at the very least (mantra time once again)
documented why I think such and such.
You can never get around the plagiarism
You can never get around the lying
You can never get around the cover-up
You and Eckankar are stuck with it.
Keep calling me names; the interested reader can simply follow my
leads and see for herself.
Steve R. writes:
"I do not attack David Lane, the man, personally, but I will not sit
back and allow his faulty work to be passed on as valid without a
challenge."
DAVID LANE REPLIES:
I commend you on "doubting" my research. That is a good thing.
I just don't commend weak defenses.
Steve R. Writes:
"Paul, here is a question for you. In the complete absence of any
supporting evidence, in his book David Lane states that Paul
Twitcehell lied about his age out of a need to impress his young wife?
He states this as fact. What role does such a statement about Paul's
motivation serve in a valid piece of historical research?"
DAVID LANE Replies:
Let's see what I said exactly, Steve, in the MAKING:
"Nevertheless, these two documents do summarily indicate
that the "1922" birth date was a fabrication made years later
by Paul, presumably to convince his young wife, Gail, that he
was not too much older than herself."
Excerpt from MAKING (93 edition)
Read it closely Steve.
What I state is the reason I think Paul changed his birthdate.
Notice that it is right when he meets Gail that we have official
documentation that he lied about his age (see his Jarvis interview).
I don't doubt that there may be other reasons behind why he changed
his birthdate, but I argued for the Gail connection since she is
also the one on that infamous death certificate who states that he
died at the age of 48.
I have linked my "presumably" (remember that word, Steve, since that
is what is states) with actual documentation. That is very clear.
What is not so clear is why you cling to a typo defense when it is
wrong on several counts.
Nathan writes:
"David Lane's unethical and heavily biased (self-admitted)
theories are really not worth any truth seeker's attention."
DAVID LANE RESPONDS:
This is cute, Nathan. Unethical? Geez, for doing what?
Documenting my sources? Explaining my documents? Listing my
references? The more information the better, I say. What you are
suggesting is the opposite: less information, less leads, less
documentation.
Nathan writes:
"These quasi-intelligent detractors, including Lane himself ( if he
could humble himself for a while) ought to take a break and start
searching for the truth within themselves, without the mind getting in
the way."
DAVID LANE replies:
I don't know what you want me to humble myself to, but I think
humility starts with being honest about the originations of one's
group. Humility is acknowledging that one has borrowed pages and
pages from another author's work. Humility is admitting that one was
connected with his spiritual teacher and not trying to hide behind a
fiction called "forgery."
I think you get my drift.
As for searching for truth "without the mind" (your words), I think
you have demonstrated that you are much better at it than me.
I have this really nasty habit of thinking that my brain is
important.
Nathan Writes:
"Spiritual truth is beyond the reach of the mental aparatus,
beyond logic and reason. Anyone who thinks otherwise has never
experienced any kind of Divine Truth."
DAVID LANE replies:
Then why does Twitchell's "Divine Truth" contradict his
empirical life? I would imagine that Truth should be powerful and
all-encompassing enough to handle a term paper written by a 20 year
old. But no matter what inner truth you may discover, the fact
remains that Twitchell lied to you and to me and to Gail, and that
he lied to Steiger, that he lied to his followers, that he lied to
Kirpal Singh, and to his own high school.
Go as far "in" as you like, but no inner world is going to change
Twitchell's BS into Fact.
And that's a problem that I would imagine that neophytes of Eckankar
would be interested in--at least some are.
Nathan Writes:
"One way to find real Truth is
to sing Hu. It will help to open their hearts and raise their
awareness to levels beyond the mind. In a short time, they will cease
this kind of negative posting, and, instead, start honouring the
beautiful and uplifting aspects of this path, like the soul travel
techniques, of which the Hu is only one example of many which work to
raise the consciousness very quickly, the enormous support from the
inner master (Mahanta) as well as the various masters of the Vairagi,
and many many other gifts that this unique teaching offers that are
simply too numerous to mention--gifts that are rarely seen in most
spiritual paths today."
DAVID LANE replies:
Chant Hu as much as you like, but it will not change Twitchell's high
school records, or his association with Kirpal Singh, or his
plagiarisms, or his cover-up.
Nathan Writes:
"Spend your life acknowledging the good things. Trust in human nature
and inner experiences. Be simple. Let your heart be filled with love
for all life."
DAVID LANE REPLIES:
Good advice, I just wish Twitchell had followed it.
Nathan writes:
"David Lane's unethical and heavily biased (self-admitted)
theories are really not worth any truth seeker's attention."
DAVID LANE RESPONDS:
This is cute, Nathan. Unethical? Geez, for doing what?
Documenting my sources? Explaining my documents? Listing my
references? The more information the better, I say. What you are
suggesting is the opposite: less information, less leads, less
documentation.
Nathan writes:
"These quasi-intelligent detractors, including Lane himself ( if he
could humble himself for a while) ought to take a break and start
searching for the truth within themselves, without the mind getting in
the way."
DAVID LANE replies:
I don't know what you want me to humble myself to, but I think
humility starts with being honest about the originations of one's
group. Humility is acknowledging that one has borrowed pages and
pages from another author's work. Humility is admitting that one was
connected with his spiritual teacher and not trying to hide behind a
fiction called "forgery."
I think you get my drift.
As for searching for truth "without the mind" (your words), I think
you have demonstrated that you are much better at it than me.
I have this really nasty habit of thinking that my brain is
important.
Nathan Writes:
"Spiritual truth is beyond the reach of the mental aparatus,
beyond logic and reason. Anyone who thinks otherwise has never
experienced any kind of Divine Truth."
DAVID LANE replies:
Then why does Twitchell's "Divine Truth" contradict his
empirical life? I would imagine that Truth should be powerful and
all-encompassing enough to handle a term paper written by a 20 year
old. But no matter what inner truth you may discover, the fact
remains that Twitchell lied to you and to me and to Gail, and that
he lied to Steiger, that he lied to his followers, that he lied to
Kirpal Singh, and to his own high school.
Go as far "in" as you like, but no inner world is going to change
Twitchell's BS into Fact.
And that's a problem that I would imagine that neophytes of Eckankar
would be interested in--at least some are.
Nathan Writes:
"One way to find real Truth is
to sing Hu. It will help to open their hearts and raise their
awareness to levels beyond the mind. In a short time, they will cease
this kind of negative posting, and, instead, start honouring the
beautiful and uplifting aspects of this path, like the soul travel
techniques, of which the Hu is only one example of many which work to
raise the consciousness very quickly, the enormous support from the
inner master (Mahanta) as well as the various masters of the Vairagi,
and many many other gifts that this unique teaching offers that are
simply too numerous to mention--gifts that are rarely seen in most
spiritual paths today."
DAVID LANE replies:
Chant Hu as much as you like, but it will not change Twitchell's high
school records, or his association with Kirpal Singh, or his
plagiarisms, or his cover-up.
Nathan Writes:
"Spend your life acknowledging the good things. Trust in human nature
and inner experiences. Be simple. Let your heart be filled with love
for all life."
DAVID LANE REPLIES:
Good advice, I just wish Twitchell had followed it.
Nathan writes:
"These people, about 99.9% of them, have never heard of David Lane, or
the purpurted poagiarizing of Paul Twitchell. They are simply too busy
growing spiritually to waste their time on 30 year old history which
can not have any effect on their lives, because Eckankar is not a
ppath about history."
DAVID LANE replies:
I find the fact that Eckists do not know of Twitchell's extensive
plagiarism to be disturbing. Why? Because I do know that such
information should be revealed before joining a group. That way they
can make a clearer and more open-eyed decision.
The more information the better, especially in joining a religion.
As I have said repeatedly, we have more discriminating intelligence
in buying a "used" car than in buying a new or old religion.
oseph Polanik Writes:
"Since we can't seem to avoid discussing issues of birth and death
certificates, I was wondering if the discrepancies have ever been drawn
to the attention of the state officials in charge of keeping public
records. If so, what was their explanation, if any, for the discrepancy
and what, if anything, did they propose to do about it."
DAVID LANE Replies:
Very pertinent question. I have a proposal, actually a contest in
mind.
Let us see how many primary documents we can unearth about Paul
Twitchell.
That way, regardless of our persuasion, we can see what the official
records say.
Also follow up on Joseph's lead and see why the Library of Congress
has his date at 1908. Maybe track Gail in Palm Springs and get her
to come online.
Can you imagine how easily she could clear up this birthdate
controversy?
I will even put out prizes:
six pack of cokes, old wetsuits, etc.
Steve R. Writes about Twitchell's plagiarism:
"Because to do so in the works in question would have detracted from
their ability to be spiritually uplifting. They are reworked, but as
Marc says, not so as to disguise them, but so as to work them into the
whole body of the Eck works."
DAVID LANE replies:
This is an unbelievable defense of Twitchell's actions, especially
when Eckankar will sue you over doing 1/10 of what he did to
Johnson. Moreover, just look at the J.R. episode (something that you
seem to ignore).
Steve R. Writes:
"A further point is that, it is much harder, especially when using a
manual typewriter with no correct key, to copy something verbatim than
it is to paraphrase it. Paul had his reasons for the way he wrote,
but there is nothing to suggest that his motives were anything but of
the highest order."
DAVID LANE replies:
You better re-look at the plagiarism, bro. Highest Order?
Yea, Highest Order of literary piracy done by a new religion in this
century which has roots in Shabd Yoga (sidebar to Joseph, in this
regard i am simply referring to Twitchell's own writings on the
subject)
Here's just a glimpse of Twitchell's "artistry" and his "high order"
ethics:
Appendix Four
A CASE STUDY OF PLAGIARISM
Plagiarism:
An appropriation or copying from
the work of another, in literature or art, and the passing off of
the same as original.
Encyclopaedia Britannica
Paul Twitchell claimed that his book, The Far Country
(written in the late 1960's), was dictated to him by Tibetan
Master, Rebazar Tarzs. The work, however, was almost
entirely copied from the early books of Julian P. Johnson
and L. Ron Hubbard. Over four-hundred paragraphs alone of
The Far Country were directly taken from Johnson's two
books: With a Great Master in India (copyright 1933) and
The Path of the Masters (copyright 1939). There are many
more words, sentences, and even paragraphs which Twitchell
borrowed from Johnson's books, but I have only given a list
of those examples which quite clearly display Twitchell's
plagiarism. Below is a paragraph rundown:
Chapter One, "The Far Country"
PARAGRAPHS: 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 97, 98, 110, 111, 115, 123, 124,
125, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156,
157.
[Compare with The Path of the Masters (pages 283-285) and With a
Great Master in India (pages 199-206)]
Chapter Three, "The Disinterested Works"
PARAGRAPHS: 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22,
23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 33,
34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41,
42, 43, 44, 49, 50, 51, 52, 55, 56, 57,
88, 89, 93, 94, 95,
96, 97, 99, 100, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111,
112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118.
[Compare with The Path of the Masters (pages 343-362, 364-393, and
453-469)]
Chapter Four, "The Immortal Tuza"
PARAGRAPHS: 31, 32, 33, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47,
48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63,
64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79,
80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95,
96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109,
110, 111, 112, 113.
[Compare with
The Path of the Masters (pages 310-338)]
Chapter Five, "The Worship of Kali"
PARAGRAPHS: 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76,
77, 78, 79, 80, 82, 84, 85, 86, 87.
[Compare with The Path of the Masters (pages 436-445)]
Chapter Six, "That Alone Exists"
PARAGRAPHS: 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23,
24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44,
45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60,
61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 78,
80, 99, 100, 102, 103, 104, 105, 107, 108, 109, 110.
[Compare with The Path of the Masters ("Review of World Religions)]
Chapter Seven, "The Path to Eckankar"
PARAGRAPHS: 33, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47,
48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 59, 60, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69,
70, 71, 72, 73, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88,
89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103,
104, 105, 106, 107, 108.
[Compare with The Path of the Masters (pages 474-502)]
Chapter Eight, "The Rest Points of Eternity"
PARAGRAPHS: 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89.
[Compare with The Path of the Masters (pages 387-392)]
Chapter Nine, "The No-Existence of Space"
PARAGRAPHS: 94, 95, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102.
[Compare with The Path of the Masters (pages 529-532)]
Chapter Ten, "The Tuzashottama Energy"
PARAGRAPHS: 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 78, 79, 80,
81, 82, 83, 88, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 102,
103, 104, 107, 108.
[Compare with The Path of the Masters (pages 537-547)]
Chapter Eleven, "The Sugmad of Being"
PARAGRAPHS: 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43,
47, 48.
[Compare with The Path of the Masters (pages 1-24)]
Chapter Twelve, "The Philosophy of Eckankar"
PARAGRAPHS: 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22,
23, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41.
[Compare with The Path of the Masters (pages 184-195)]
New Discoveries of Twitchellian Appropriation
Recent research has uncovered even more
plagiarism on Twitchell's part. At present it appears that there is
not a single Eckankar book authored by Paul Twitchell which does not contain plagiarized
material.
Here are samples of the latest research on Paul Twitchell's extensive
plagiarism.
Sample One: Compare Page IV of My Eck Master Affair by
Bernadine Burlin (which cites a passage from Paul Twitchell's The
Spiritual Notebook ), published in 1982 (first edition), with page
203 of The Path of the Masters by Julian P. Johnson, published
in 1939 (ninth edition 1973).
Paul Twitchell writes:
The Living Eck Master stands alone; he is a law unto himself. He
does as he pleases, has what he wants, comes and goes absolutely
at his own will, and asks no favor of any man. Neither does anyone
hinder him in the execution of his will, for he has all things at
his own command. If he suffers hardships or inconveniences it is
because he chooses to do so for some reason of this own. He is the
supreme giver, but not a receiver, for he always pays for what he
gets. He does not work by time nor is he bound by any rule or custom
outside of himself. He is a citizen of the whole world. His great
love alone binds him to all persons and all living creatures. He is
the Master of all men and at the same time the servant of all men,
but never fettered by human bonds. He severed all human bonds before
becoming the Master, yet never does he shirk a duty, nor fail any
obligations.
His love is one of complete detachment, and in loving this way he
gives greater love to all persons.
Dr. Julian P. Johnson writes:
The Master stands alone, is a law unto himself, does what he
pleases, has what he wants, comes and goes absolutely at his own
will, and he asks favors of no man. Neither can a man hinder him in
the execution of his will... He has all things at his own command.
If he suffers hardships or inconveniences, that is because he
chooses to do for some purpose. He is the supreme giver, not a
receiver. That is, he always pays for what he gets. He is slave to
no one, is no time server, and is bound by no rule or custom
outside of himself, and he is a citizen of the whole world... His own
great love alone binds him to all men and all animals, to every
living creature. He is both the Master of men and their servant. Yet
he is never fettered by human bonds. All of these he has severed
before becoming the Master, yet he never shirks an obligation or
fails or perform a duty. He loves, but with serene detachment.
Loving in his manner, he can give greater love than any other man...
Sample Two: Compare page 80-81 of The Shariyat-Ki-Sugmad (Book
One) by Paul Twitchell, published 1971 (Third Printing 1972),
with pages 203-205, 214-215, 217
of The Path of the Masters by Julian P. Johnson,
published in 1939 (Ninth Printing 1974).
Paul Twitchell writes:
There is only one to whom the Mahanta bows in humble submission.
This is the Supreme Lord, The SUGMAD. ITS sovereign will is the only
law the Mahanta recognizes, and the universal law of all laws--love.
While living on earth in the human form though he will break no law
of man, but supports all good governments. His life and work are
universal. He does not belong to any race or time, but to all
nations and all times. Correctly, he is a citizen of the macrocosmic
worlds, a being which has entered this world to bring the Light to
all peoples.
The Mahanta is generally a family man--he is never an ascetic nor
does he ever encourage austerities. He will advocate keeping the
body healthy as it is his duty to serve the world.
The Mahanta, the living ECK Master, lives in the world although he
is not of it. He has come to help all those who desire it, and
enters the stream of humanity to give this help. Yet he himself
stands aloof from the waves of human passions. He has attained all
virtues. He believes in the highest degree of strength; spiritual
strength which cannot be separated from the moral qualities of
mankind. This strength is the strength of love. He is stronger than
any man in intellect or spirit, for he has unlimited power, and yet
this strength is combined with the noble virtues of the humble and
gentle. All people find him inspiration for the development of
noble character.
In the realm of religion the mahanta is a paradox. He has no
theology. He teaches none, yet he is the greatest religious leader
on earth. The system of ECK, which he teaches, is not a religion
although it leads to the most complete and enlightening religious
experience. He is universal in all the teachings of ECK. Not having
a creed-like religion, he never deliberately antagonizes any creed,
or religious institution.
He never finds fault with anyone or anything, but draws the line
sharply between God and Kal. To correct errors in the chelas the
Mahanta often points out the opposite virtues, frequently in
examples.
The Mahanta is omnipresent, all pervading, except in his physical
limitations. Spiritually he has no limitation, but the body is not
the Mahanta. It is only a covering of one of his instruments.
He can leave the body and work on any of the spiritual planes at his
own volition. He has no limitations being one with the SUGMAD.
All the living ECK Masters have taught, "I and the SUGMAD are one."
In the process of the development of the Mahanta, all living ECK Masters,
in their days on Earth, wore the mantle of the Mahanta and expanded
their God-like qualities in common with all men. The living ECK
Master is, therefore, the divine man; a real son of God. Yet every
man has in him the latent possibilities for the same expansion to
mastership. He only requires the living ECK Master to help develop
it.
When the Master gains Mahantaship he attains conscious oneness with
the SUGMAD. This is the distinguishing quality of the ECK Master. He
knows his relationship with the SUGMAD, and is able to consciously
exercise his powers as a son of God. He is literally part of the
all-embracing ECK, partaking of ITS qualities...
Dr. Julian P. Johnson writes:
There is but one to whom the Master bows in humble submission--the
Supreme Lord, Sat Purush . His sovereign will is the only law
the Master recognizes, that and the universal law of all laws--love.
Yet he breaks no law of man, but supports all good governments. His
life and teachings are universal. He belongs to no race or time, but
to all nations and all times. He is a citizen of the world. More
correctly speaking, having come down here to bring light, he is a
friendly visitor in this world...
(The Master) is generally a man of the family, though not always. He
is no ascetic, and he does not encourage austerities. he does not
consider it a sin to keep the body comfortable, well fed and
healthy. In fact, he says it is a duty.
The Master lives in the world, though he is not of it. He enters the
stream of human life to help others, yet he himself stands aloof
from the waves of human passion. He has attained all virtues...
He believes in developing the highest possible degree of strength,
yet the strength must never be separated from the moral qualities.
Strength minus love and humanity produces a brute. The Master has
become strong, stronger than any giant of body or intellect--for he
has unlimited power; yet he combines with that strength the noblest
virtues of the humble and the gentle... All people find him
inspiration for the building of noble character.
In the realm of religion, the Master is a paradox. He has no
theology, teaches none, yet he is the most religious man on earth.
His system is not a religion, yet it leads to the most complete
religious experience, and the most happy. He is absolutely universal
in all his teachings. He has no creed, yet he never antagonizes any
creed, sect or institution...
He finds no fault with anybody or
anything, yet he draws the sharpest lines between the good and the
bad. To correct faults in his disciples, he simply points out
the opposite virtues.
He (the Supreme Being) is omnipresent, all-pervading. The Master is
exactly the same, except as to his physical limitations.
Spiritually he has no limitations. But the body is not the Master.
Is is only a covering, one of his ready instruments. He may, at
will, leave the body and work upon any of the higher planes...
He
himself being one with the Infinite, has no limitations.
Jesus himself said: "I and the Father are one." So all the Masters
teach... In the process of their development, all masters simply
expand the god-like qualities with which they, in common with all
other men, were born. Any true
Master is a divine man, a real son of God. Moreover, every man has
in him the latent possibilities of such expansions, of such
mastership. He only requires another living Master to help him
develop it.
When any Master attains Sainthood, he gains conscious oneness with
the Supreme... That is one of the distinguishing qualities of a
Master. He knows his relationship with the Supreme Over-Soul
and is consciously able to exercise his powers and prerogatives as a
son of God.
Partaking of his qualities,
one and the same in essence and endowed with the same attributes, he
is literally part of the all-embracing Father.
Sample Three: Compare pages 9-10 of The Spiritual Notebook
by Paul Twitchell, published in
1971 (Third printing 1974), with
pages 45-46 of The Great Initiates by Edward Schure, published
in 1961 (original version in French 1889).
Paul Twitchell writes:
The Semitic and Aryan races can be viewed as two great rivers that
have flowed down through the ages. Upon both have floated great
ideals of mythology, religion, art,
science and philosophy.
But the Semitic and Aryan currents have carried two different
conceptions of life. The reconciliation and balance of the two is
said to be truth, but this is not necessarily so. ECKANKAR is the
only current of life, and it alone carries the full conception of
truth.
The Semitic current provides absolutes and superior principles which
is the ideal of unity and universality in the name of a supreme
Principle (called Allah , God, and other names) in its application to
the unification of the human family. The Aryan current provides the
concept of ascending evolution in all terrestrial and
supra-terrestrial kingdoms into the richness of advancing
development.
The basis of Semitic thinking is that spirit descends from God into
man, thus becoming the God-man on Earth. The Aryan principle is that
spirit within man ascends from man to God, thus unfolding
spiritually until Soul becomes one with God. The first is
represented by the avenging archangel who descends form heaven with
his sword and thunder; the other by the spiritually developed Soul
who is able to take the elements from heaven to help the human race
in its struggle to have life more abundantly.
Man bears these two principles within himself. He thinks and acts
under the influence of one or the other in turn, for they are not
harmoniously blended within him. they contradict and fight one
another on the battleground of our inner feelings, in our subtle
thoughts, as well as in our social life and institutions. Hidden
beneath our many social forms and mores are the currents which we
may call spirituality and naturalism . They control our arguments and
struggles.
Edward Schure writes:
The Semitic and the Aryan currents are the two rivers upon which all
our ideas, mythology, religion, art, science and philosophy have
come to us. Each of these streams carries with it a different
conception of life; the reconciliation and balance of the two would
be truth itself. The Semitic current contains absolute and superior
principles: the idea of unity and universality in the name of the
supreme Principle which, in its application, leads to the
unification of the human family. The Aryan current contains the idea
of ascending evolution in all terrestrial and supra-terrestrial
kingdoms, and its application leads to an infinite diversity of
developments in the richness of nature and the many aspirations of
the soul. Semitic genius descends form God to man; Aryan genius
ascends form man to God. One is represented by the punishing
archangel who descends to earth, armed with sword and thunder; the
other by Prometheus, who holds in his hand the fire snatched form
heaven and surveys Olympus with his glance.
We bear these two geniuses within us. We think and act under the
influence of the one or the other in turn. But they are not
harmoniously blended within us. They contradict and fight each other
in our inner feelings, in our subtle thoughts, as well as in our
social life and institutions. Hidden beneath many forms which can be
summarized under the generic terms spirituality and
naturalism , they control our discussions and struggles.
Steve R. Writes:
"I believe that there may be a 1963 article written by someone else and
reprinted by Paul that gives incorrect info on his age. I have not
seen said article. But given the poor quality of the rest of David
Lane's information, I am not particularly interested. I went through
David's first chapter, simply using the material as presented and
showed that it does not hold water. There will always be a scrap of
paper that Lane can find to use, and someone will always be there to
offer a different inerpretation. It is a waste of time."
DAVID LANE replies:
A waste of time to show you that your typo defense is lame?
I have point by point replied to your critique of Chapter One and
have demonstrated that you have come up with "air."
I have a much better idea, and one inspired by you:
Let's get Gail to come online. Maybe we can get Charly Wallace to
persuade her out of her retreat in the desert.
If she does come online, Steve, will you accept HER testimony about
Twitchell's birthdate?
Steve R. Writes:
"It''s like the turtle story. I went down so many levels of turtles
just to demonstrate the futility of doing so. Now David introduces
another level. If I debunk that, he will introduce another, and
another and another, as he has done over the past few days."
DAVID LANE replies:
You have debunked nothing, Steve. Instead you have forgotten to
really think about what I said:
Steiger says Twitchell graduated high school at 15 (that's a lie)
Steiger says Twitchell traveled for a year between 15 and 16 to
Paris and India (that's a lie--check Twitchell's school records)
Steiger says Twitchell was a teenager when his mother, Effie
Troutman Twitchell (thanks tommy), died in 1940 (that's a lie).
Jarvis says Twitchell just turned 40 in 1963 (that's a lie)
Gail says Paul died at the age of 48 (that's a lie)
Okay, who was the SOURCE for these lies?
Paul Twitchell.
You have debunked nothing, Steve, and you continually misrepresent
the argument.
Oh well, keep doing it.
I will keep replying.
Steve R. Writes:
"I'll save you the trouble Daniel. Suppose Lane finds a scrap of paper
from 1963 saying "I have just turned 40, David Lane is right, I am a
liar, signed Paul T." Is that simply a test for Eckists? Is it a
joke? Is it an error from the printer? Is it an extract from someone
else's article that Paul just didn't bother to correct? Is it a Davd
Lane fraud? Is it true? There are any number of explanations. In
the end, you will read into it what you want regardless of how valid
the evidence. And in the end, it will have absolutely no bearing on
the validity of Eckankar or the integrity of Paul Twitchell."
DAVID LANE replies:
Pretty amazing rejoinder, Steve.
In other words, when you are shown to be wrong it does not matter
because there is always some loophole in which you can hide and
defend Paul's integrity.
And you still have to question "my" methods?
It is called a slipperly slope and you are sliding right down on it
with this kind of defense.
Twitchell lied, bro.
And your defense does nothing but try to condone it.
Try this one on for size, Steve.
Why the name changes, but not content changes?
The Flute of God: A Case Study of Re-Editing
Twitchell's enormous editing of names reached a pinnacle
when he decided to publish in book form The Flute of God .
The work was originally printed in installments in Orion
Magazine , from 1965 to 1967. The first six chapters of
the text profusely mention the names of Kirpal Singh, Sawan
Singh, and Jesus Christ. When Twitchell had the book
republished, however, he redacted every single mention of
Kirpal Singh, Sawan Singh, and Swami Premananda. In some
cases, he even edited out the name Jesus and replaced it
with "Gopal Das" or other Eckankar Masters. And, although
he quotes from the Christian Bible, he even changes the
name of his source (to that of the Shariyat-Ki-Sugmad ) while
retaining the same biblical quote. Below is a comparison
study of the two versions. Remember that the Orion version
is the earliest, and that Twitchell's editing is primarily
"name replacements."
The Flute Of God by Paul Twitchell as it appeared in installments
in Orion Magazine .
Chapter I - "In The Beginning" (March-April, 1966):
Par. 3: "I remember very well when Swami Premananda , of India, who
has a Yoga church in Washington, D.C., said, "When someone asked
Bertrand Russell what his philosophy of Life was, he wrote several
volumes of books on the subject."
The Flute Of God by Paul Twitchell as published by Illuminated Way
Press (1970).
Chapter I - "In The Beginning":
Par. 3: "I remember very well when Sudar Singh , the great Eck Master
said, "When someone asked Bertrand Russell what his philosophy of
Life was, he wrote several volumes of books on the subject."
The Flute Of God by Paul Twitchell as it appeared in installments
in Orion Magazine .
Chapter I - "In The Beginning" (March-April, 1966):
Par. 15: "I have studied under many teacher [sic], and may yet have to
study under more. Like Meher Baba , the Indian saint, who was said
to have nineteen teachers to help him gain his place in the universe,
I have so far had seven, some outstanding ones, including Sri Kirpal
Singh, of Delhi , India.
The Flute Of God by Paul Twitchell as published by Illuminated Way
Press (1970).
Chapter I - "In The Beginning":
Par. 16: "I have studied under many ECK Masters only they have led
me to the highest truth. Like Fubbi Quantz , the ECK saint, who
was said to have nineteen teachers to help him gain his place in the
universe, I have also had several, each outstanding, one being
Sudar Singh of India.
The Flute Of God by Paul Twitchell as it appeared in installments
in Orion Magazine .
Chapter I - "In The Beginning" (March-April, 1966):
Par. 16: "Each has had a place in my growth toward the spiritual
goal; each are equally great in their work for mankind. However,
I have felt a closer kinship and friendliness to Kirpal Singh , who
has shown me a lot of the other work during my first year or so
under him. Since we have parted he keeps an impartial view toward
me and my research. Therefore, if I quote him in these pages it
is because I feel that he is sympathetic and interested in my work."
The Flute Of God by Paul Twitchell as published by Illuminated Way
Press (1970).
Chapter I - "In The Beginning":
Par. 17: "Each has had a place in my growth toward the spiritual
goal; each is equally great in his work for mankind. However, I
have felt a closer kinship and friendliness to Sudar Singh , who
showed me a lot of the other work, during my first year or so under
him. Since we have parted he has retained an impartial view toward
me and my research. If I quote him in these pages it is because
I feel that he is sympathetic and interested in my work and led me
to Rebazar Tarzs."
The Flute Of God by Paul Twitchell as it appeared in installments
in Orion Magazine .
Chapter I - "In The Beginning" (March-April, 1966):
Par. 32: "Life fascinates me. Certain details of life to be worked
out are strange. Lying on the bed late at night I watch the pattern
of shadows weaving about the room. In the presence of familiar
night visitors like Kirpal Singh , or Rebazar Tarzs, a Tibetan Lama,
who come often in their Nuri-Sarup, or others, some strangers, some
friends, I wonder about life."
The Flute Of God by Paul Twitchell as published by Illuminated Way
Press (1970).
Chapter I - "In The Beginning":
Par. 34: "Life fascinates me. Certain details of life that have to
be worked out are strange. Lying on the bed late at night I watch
the pattern of shadows weaving about the room. In the presence of
familiar night visitors like Sudar Singh , or Rebazar Tarzs, the
ECK Masters who come often in their Nuri-Sarup bodies, or others,
some strangers, some friends, I wonder about life."
The Flute Of God by Paul Twitchell as it appeared in installments
in Orion Magazine .
Chapter II - "The Symbol of The Princes":
Par. 12: "Therefore, the principal (sic) involved here is: `We live
and have our being in the Supreme Being.' Jesus said it in another
way as `we move and have our being in God.' Other savants e.g.,
Jalalddin Maulana ana Rumi put it another way, `Divine Grace is not
limited by the conditions of ability, but ability, in fact, is
conditioned by Divine Grace.'"
The Flute Of God by Paul Twitchell as published by Illuminated Way
Press (1970).
Chapter II - "The Symbol of The Princes":
Par. 11: "Therefore, the principle involved here is, `We live and
have our being in the Supreme Being.' Lai Tsi , the Chinese ECK
Master, said it this way, `We live and move and have our being in
the SUGMAD.' Other savants state it in a slightly different vein.
For instance, Jalaluddin Maulana Rumi said, `Divine Grace is not
limited by the conditions of ability--but ability, in fact, is
conditioned by Divine Grace.'"
The Flute Of God by Paul Twitchell as it appeared in installments
in Orion Magazine .
Chapter II - "The Symbol of The Princes":
Par. 48: "This is what Kirpal Singh speaks of in his discourses.
`We must become the conscious co-worker of God.' Meaning, of course,
that once man is freed of his imbalances he inherits the throne
and does his work for the whole."
The Flute Of God by Paul Twitchell as published by Illuminated Way
Press (1970).
Chapter II - "The Symbol of the Princes":
Par. 45: "This is what Sudar Singh spoke of in his dialogues. `We
must become the conscious co-workers of God.'"
The Flute Of God by Paul Twitchell as it appeared in installments
in Orion Magazine .
Chapter III - "Purification of the Princes" (Sept.-Oct.
1966):
Par. 37: "All masters of earlier days, to name a few: Buddha, Gura
Nanak (sic), Christ, Mohammed, Zoroaster,
Lao Tse, George Fox, Sawan Singh , Confucius, Krishna and Shankhacharya
exhorted us to know ourselves. Kabir says the same thing `Learn
to die a hundred times daily, not once.'"
The Flute Of God by Paul Twitchell as published by Illuminated Way
Press (1970).
Chapter III - "Purification of the Princes":
Par. 37: "All ECK Masters of earlier days exhorted us to know
ourselves. . . Gopal Das says the same thing, `Learn to die a hundred
times daily, not once.'"
The Flute Of God by Paul Twitchell as it appeared in installments
in Orion Magazine .
Chapter III - Purification of the Princes" (Sept.-Oct.
1966):
Par. 38: Christ said, "Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall
see God." Guru Nanak said, "Be pure that truth may be realized."
The Flute Of God by Paul Twitchell as published by Illuminated Way
Press (1970).
Chapter III - "Purification of the Princes":
Par. 38: Jesus said, "Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall
see God." Rebazar Tarzs said, "Be pure so that truth may be known."
The Flute Of God by Paul Twitchell as it appeared in installment
in Orion Magazine .
Ch. I, Par. 41:
"When Jesus looked upon His people and
said, `I cannot tell you more because you cannot hear the whole
truth.' He was saying that they were so far down the spiral of life
they could not grasp His meaning. To tell them all would bring
disorder into their lives, for once exposed to Truth, those not
understanding develop hostility."
The Flute Of God by Paul Twitchell as published by Illuminated Way
Press (1970).
Ch. I, Par. 42:
"When the ECK Master, Gopal Das , looked upon his
people and said, `I cannot tell you more because you cannot hear
the whole ECK,' he was saying that they were so far down the spiral
of life they could not grasp his meaning. To tell them would bring
disorder into their lives, for once exposed to Truth, those not
understanding develop hostility."
The Flute Of God by Paul Twitchell as it appeared in installments
in Orion Magazine .
Ch. I, Par. 44:
"One of my experiences while serving under the Yoga
Satsang line of masters, was that I found one of the masters in
the guise of a beggar. I had been in difficulty for sometime, and
very unhappy over the fact that nothing could be found to solve my
problem."
The Flute Of God by Paul Twitchell as published by Illuminated Way
Press (1970).
Ch. I, Par. 45:
One of my experiences, while serving under Rebazar
Tarzs , was that I found one of the ECK Masters in the guise of a
beggar. I had been in difficulty for some time, and was very
unhappy over the fact that nothing could be found to solve my
problem."
E-mail The Neural Surfer directly
at dlane@weber.ucsd.edu
I want to go back to the home base now.
