What one least expects

[Etznab]

"[...] if we tear something down, we should have something equally good to put in its place; [... .]" - Drs. Louis and Dorothy Bluth, Berrien Springs, Mich.

http://www.aberree.com/scans/v03/v03no09/page0014.png

Eckankar?

The first part for that article appeared on bottom of page 13.

http://www.aberree.com/scans/v03/v03no09/page0013.png

*********

I think a Dr. Bluth was the first president of Eckankar, and his wife's name was Dorothy.

Coincidence?

A Dr. Bluth was one of the main persons wanting to make Eckankar a religion, and in spite of Paul Twitchell, the founder of Eckankar, who allegedly said "They'll be sorry."

And Eckankar did become a religion!

About a year later, after Paul Twitchell suddenly died an early death, the same Dr. Bluth was poised to take over the religion of Eckankar; the one that he helped to create!

I think someone should really try to follow up with Scientology about who wrote that Aberree article, or if they were the same person who made Eckankar into a religion.

[Etznab]

"Here is what was published in The Mystic World two months after Paul passed on:

"The official cause of death was a heart attack. The separation was immediate and Doctor Louis Bluth, 7th Initiate who was hastily summoned witnessed Paulji ascending in the company of the Masters of the Vairagi. He realized that efforts to revive the body would come to no avail although every medical effort was made."

https://groups.google.com/d/msg/alt.religion.eckankar/8RIi72vTcGg/96zhFj1ypd4J

[Etznab]

Some more quotes (see link for context):

"It came as a surprise and a shock to many Eckists when Paul Twitchell died suddenly on September 17, 1971. Many of Twitchell's followers had expected their master to live at least another five (if not fifteen) years. It came as a bigger surprise and shock to some of those same Eckists when Darwin Gross was proclaimed the new "Living Eck Master," a month after Twitchell's demise. Shortly thereafter, several esteemed Eckists, including Dr. Bluth (President of Eckankar and Paul's personal doctor) and Edward Pecen (Paul's personal bodyguard and confidante), left Eckankar disclaiming Darwin Gross and Gail Atkinson."

"Paul apparently did make a list, a short list, of those who were potential successors. But he did not make a final choice before he died. This put Gail in a very awkward position.

"She began to get calls from a few of the prominent leaders, such as the ECKANKAR office manager and Dr. Bluth. They told her that the whole teaching would fall apart without a leader and that no one else except her could say who that leader should be, since she was the closest person to Paul. They urged her again and again to do something. But Gail told them exactly what she had told Paul: It was Paul's choice and he was going to have to make it. She wasn't."

https://groups.google.com/d/msg/alt.religion.eckankar/8RIi72vTcGg/96zhFj1ypd4J

[Etznab]

On Sunday, February 10, 2019 at 8:56:15 AM UTC-6, Etznab wrote:

FRom the beginning of the post:

"David starts with this:

"As with his birth, several stories have cropped up concerning Twitchell's unexpected death (translation). A few Eckists, including Jim Peebles, believed that he was poisoned to death; some state it was in Spain, others claim in Czechoslovakia. No one seems quite sure. At the time of his death, Dr. Louis Bluth, one-time President of Eckankar, reported seeing Twitchell's soul carried out in a celestial cloud of light. Yet, he later changed his story, claiming instead that Twitchell had disobeyed the orders of the Vairagi Masters and was carried away in chains. Whichever story one believes--even if one belongs to Eckankar--the fact remains that an autopsy was performed and the coroner's findings were that Twitchell died of a heart attack."

https://groups.google.com/d/msg/alt.religion.eckankar/8RIi72vTcGg/96zhFj1ypd4J

So it looks like Dr. Bluth evidently changed his opinion about Paul Twitchell and Eckankar after Bluth was not chosen to succeed Paul Twitchell.

[Etznab]

Compiling some more information before sharing my comments about all this. Doug Marman wrote to me:

"[...] Secondly, Dr. Bluth may have loaned Paul his Radhasoami books, but this explains nothing about The Far Country, since Paul had written his book years before Dr. Bluth met him. The Far Country was written in 1963-1964. Dr. Bluth didn't meet Paul until 1966 or 1967.

"So, we can see that Dr. Bluth is not speaking from facts he knows here, but simply from the conclusions that he jumped to.

"Lastly, you need to put everything he says in perspective here. Dr. Bluth thought he was going to be Paul's successor. He left Eckankar when Darwin was announced as the Master. Until that time he said only the nicest things about Paul and Gail. But he blamed Gail for not choosing him.

"Unfortunately, the only thing in his letter that might add something to the discussion is Paul's comment when Dr. Bluth asked him about the copying. This could very well have been Paul's response, and certainly seems consistent with Paul's attitudes about it."

https://groups.google.com/d/msg/alt.religion.eckankar/oVPyrb930yk/GPZumrRRbewJ

[J. Sanders]

Thank you for taking the time and effort to post these things - they are fascinating and well worth preserving as a record of the timeline of Eckankar. Makes me wonder what ultimately happened to this Dr. Bluth?

[Etznab]

On Sunday, February 10, 2019 at 9:16:08 AM UTC-6, J. Sanders wrote:
> Thank you for taking the time and effort to post these things - they are fascinating and well worth preserving as a record of the timeline of Eckankar. Makes me wonder what ultimately happened to this Dr. Bluth?

I have the obituary information someplace. It might also be in the archives here.

This information needs to be checked for accuracy. I think his wife died around March 1980.

https://www.myheritage.com/names/dorothy_bluth

And Louis Bluth died in November 1980.

http://death-records.mooseroots.com/d/n/Louis-Bluth

Again, I don't know how accurate this is or if the links are still the same. I just assume they are now both deceased.

[Etznab]

On Sunday, February 10, 2019 at 9:16:08 AM UTC-6, J. Sanders wrote:

> Thank you for taking the time and effort to post these things - they are fascinating and well worth preserving as a record of the timeline of Eckankar. Makes me wonder what ultimately happened to this Dr. Bluth?

This link has more information.

https://groups.google.com/d/msg/alt.religion.eckankar/cxXDP2wTta4/ZnwVX0-qFu4J

[J. Sanders]

Very interesting. Since it appears that he (they) were in some degree instrumental in setting up Eckankar as a full-blown religion and expected to be its next leader, I wonder what spiritual path he (they) took after it came to nothing and they left Eckankar in the nine remaining years before their death. (Just raising the question - not asking you to do any of the work in trying to ascertain the answer.)

I find it interesting that most new religions tend to sputter out and die either rapid or slow deaths after their founders demise. Mentalphysics would be a good recent example. I'd also put Eckankar in this catagory and doubt it'll last much beyond its current milktoast leader's demise.

Those that go on to grow/thrive are the exception rather than the rule in my opinion.

Those that do go on to grow in my estimation tend to have a successor who is even more, um, 'committed' (fanatical in my opinion) than the founder. Some examples whould Be Christianity/Paul, Mormonism/Brigham Young, and perhaps Scientology under the current 'captain' or whatever the bloke is called.

Anyway - just my two cents. I'll go back to lurking. :)

[Etznab]

Years ago, a lot of the history about Eckankar and its formation was limited to what so many people said; along with what was written in Eckankar books. Later, after David Lane published his findings in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s there were a series of online debates where even his evidence was criticized; as if David could not be believed. But then Harold Klemp even admitted some of the things that David Lane found to be true. So with the advent of the personal computer in the 1990s (Harold Klemp reportedly doesn't use the computer due to EMF waves) a whole series of public debates took place over a number of years where basically two sides each tried to dominate. It wasn't until the aftermath of all this when Sean, myself and others (a very small minority) started taking the time to check things, to research and to find more information. Oddly enough, after Sean and I began to share our findings more and more, most of the online groups started to disappear more and more! Ford Johnson's site broke down, many files went missing and Ford (IMHO) seemed to do a 180 by endorsing channeled masters, etc. Most, if not all of the so-called anti-Eckankar, or detractor message boards went dormant to the point of no new posts for years. (It's as if they never existed.) Even the Eckankar group HU-Chat seemed to go by the wayside.

Does any of this seem a little unusual? IOW, people found some information and started talking about it, arguing over it, separating fact from fiction and then sharing it publicly ... followed by websites breaking down and going dormant, etc.

Of course most of this played out over a number of years, and with all that said I still had a reason (or reasons) for the title of this thread.

Truth be told, historical research is more than simply compiling a lot of words. Especially a lot of words found on the Internet. Words are not people. They are inanimate records of what allegedly came from living people. You can't question and interview words like a real person. So I have reservations even after all of these years about the specifics concerning Eckankar and it's formation from so many writings compiled by Paul Twitchell into a non-profit religion today. This information about Louis Bluth is curious to me, and especially if that Aberree article had to do with him. The article had a date at the bottom of the page and it was early 1957. This was the same year Paul Twitchell wrote an article for Scientology (or was it only called Dianetics at that time)?

Were Paul Twitchell and Dr. Louis Bluth both involved with Scientology in the 1950s? Doug Marman and David Lane both stated they didn't meet until the 1960s. Can the same be said about when they first read one another's articles?

One thing I've learned about history and historical research is not to totally believe anything without checking for verification first. For example, Doug Marman is no authority on everything Paul Twitchell just because he wrote a book with the words "The Whole Truth" written on top a picture of Paul Twitchell's face. But a lot of people will look beyond reason when choosing to worship one who they believe to be next to God. They might think such a person is overly intelligent and flawless. Afterall, How could the leaders of a new religion not know that their founder plagiarized from so many authors and credited the new religions masters instead? I mean, if they were so close to God? Better yet, Why would neither frankly admit it in plain language that the writings are in part knowingly false and deceptive? Because the truth would jeopardize their ongoing positions as living masters from an unbroken lineage of same?

The thing about pulling on a single string is that it could potentially unravel the whole ball of yarn. IMO, something religions literally cannot afford to do.

Bluth aside, I still think there are a lot of unknowns that most people would not expect. Based on all that was found and written to date about Eckankar I strongly suspect there are some vital clues relatively unknown to most. Paul Twitchell had a lot of writings in forms different from what they took after Eckankar was made into a religion, or was preparing to be made into one. The copying, the plagiarism and made up "Eckankar" stuff didn't just first come to light with David Lane in the latter 1970s. No. Not in my opinion. And I don't believe that baloney that Paul was the only person who knew about what he did. I don't believe that Gail was ignornant, that Darwin was ignorant, that Patti Simpson, Harold Klemp, Doug Marman and others were all ignorant to a large extent that Paul created some pseudo history and religion to "sell" Eckankar. Thinking that they were totally ignorant about what Paul Twitchell did is what works in their favor, perhaps, but I doubt people didn't know things. Pretended ignorance is not going to fool many people after the truth finally comes out and people start asking questions about "Why did you do it? Why did you let allow it to happen when you knew it was wrong?"

If people did know and they chose to not tell people, or even went so far as to silence certain people and censor certain information then what does that amount to? Freedom of religion? If people knowingly covered things up then it would be helpful to know who those people were and what were their motives. I think that after this is done people will really begin to see The Whole Truth.

[nomadictuza]

I too sometimes have trouble
with the whole approach of Eckankar becoming a religion. I . . . for
one . . . would rather it not . . . but I begin to appreciate why to a
certain extent . . . it must. To become a religion is more for those
that need the companionship . . . that need groups and meetings . . .
that need an organization . . . that need a building. The teachings of
Eckankar were SO underground up until Paul brought them out . . . that
it was understandable why he was against it becoming a full-blown
religion. After he left and it all got up and running a bit . . . the
need for organization and to use the term religion became more and
more clear. The term religion is one that the masses understand.

One thing is for sure . . . Soul . . . lives forever. Soul . . . of
Itself . . . does not die.

So . . . if one wishes to head into these teachings under the name of
Radha Soami . . . or David Lane . . . or Scientology . . . or whatever
. . have at it. You ve got LOTS of time.

Where Bluth is and what became of him and his wife . . . sounds like a
Facebook approach to me. Where IS he ? I wanna talk to him ! !

If that s where one is . . . maybe s/he ought to look elsewhere. If it
takes a name to nudge one to follow such-and-such Path . . . adventure
lies ahead.

This entire set of teachings is based on personal experience only. One
is given information . . . and then what one DOES with it . . . is
key. The Path is an individual one.

Go find Paul on the inner. He s around. Go talk to Harold on the
inner. He s certainly around. Go in and dig out the truth for
yourself. For all that s thrown at the individual . . . what really IS
. . the Truth ? That is what walking the steps on this Path . . .
whether it is Eckankar or Hinduism or Radha Soami via the Sar Bachan .
. is all about.

The more mental gyrations one puts into all of this . . . those
gyrations will get you . . . where ?

On we go.

[Etznab]

O.K. apologist, but I think you do a diservice to Eckankar by calling it a personal path and then telling people what it is and isn't. The proper thing to do is to qualify your statements with "I believe", "IMO", etc. It IS necessary, it is kind and it is more true than assuming you know what is what when guessing at best.

The teachings of Eckankar have 32 facets, no? History being one of them? It just seems to me that history of actual events that really happened does not belong to a select few to change at will, in order to make a buck, or to gain power, whatever. The truth as it actually is according to real events in the world is often vital for survival and should not be tampered with, IMHO, and neither is the exclusive property of Eckankar Inc. to modify at will to the extent of occluding the truth and replacing it with fiction and myth.

Many times I have called attention to "that" Rebazar Tarzs. Meaning the one who's words were illustrated in quotes when one finds the same words belonging to someone else.

Plagiarism by Paul Twitchell? Really? How about creating a fictional character and calling it Rebazar Tarzs?

[fife]

nomadictuza: do you really want to post here? 😊 If so, caveat emptor.

By the way, how did you find this group? Did someone tell you about it? Have you been reading the board for very long? Just curious.

Oops. I see Etznab beat me to that last question with a new topic.

Still curious, though.

[Etznab]

On Sunday, February 10, 2019 at 8:46:11 AM UTC-6, Etznab wrote:

Is this coincidence? Still trying to verify ...

IOW, was that article written by a Scientologist and / or someone knowledgeable about Scientology who later became personal friend and personal doctor for Paul Twitchell, the founder of Eckankar? Was that article written by the same Dr. Louis Bluth who later became

1. person who became first president of Eckankar?
2. person instrumental toward making Eckankar an official non-profit religion?
3. person who talked about mental state of individual who allegedly poisoned Paul Twitchell?
4. person who thought they would succeed Paul Twitchell and become leader of Eckankar?

[Maplin]

I know next to nothing about the people leading Eckankar or its history,
but I am interested to see a suggestion of a connection to Scientology.
As you know I'm no fan of that organisation.
You do always provide considered, well-researched posts, it'd take some
time just to follow the links you provide in your analyses and I think
I'd have to have much more background before it would make much sense to
me. But I always appreciate it when someone puts such effort into their
posts on a topic they care about.

[Etznab]

Just look at the name of the authors. Drs. Louis and Dorothy Bluth, Berrien Springs, Mich. Paul Twitchell's personal doctor, close friend and first president of Eckankar had the same name. His wife's name was also the same. Dorothy. My question was whether these two were the same two individuals involved with the founding of Eckankar as a non-profit religion, or if just a coincidence.

I don't know if true, but Doug Marman wrote: "I believe Dr. Bluth first met Paul around 1966."

https://groups.google.com/g/alt.religion.eckankar/c/mhhEzLNJNu8/m/ThqdSnSmTaoJ

Here is a fact vs. fiction example for those interested. It concerns what others (including Bluth) said about Paul Twitchell.

A.

"The official cause of death was a heart attack. The separation was immediate and Doctor Louis Bluth, 7th Initiate who was hastily summoned witnessed Paulji ascending in the company of the Masters of the Vairagi. He realized that efforts to revive the body would come to no avail although every medical effort was made."

http://www.littleknownpubs.com/Dialog_Ch_Four.htm

B.

"[...] At the time of his death, Dr. Louis Bluth, one-time President of Eckankar, reported seeing Twitchell's soul carried out in a celestial cloud of light. Yet, he later changed his story, claiming instead that Twitchell had disobeyed the orders of the Vairagi Masters and was carried away in chains. Whichever story one believes--even if one belongs to Eckankar--the fact remains that an autopsy was performed and the coroner's findings were that Twitchell died of a heart attack.
[Ibid.]"

C.

https://web.archive.org/web/20160624161402/http://webspace.webring.com/people/de/eckcult/chapters/tmsm4.html

Date: June 19, 1980

"My wife and I opened the first Eck class in Sun City, Cal. I personally treated Paul [Paul Twitchell] many times and was the main speaker in Cincinnati when he passed away. Paul was a sincere student in the beginning and I considered him honest. Problems between him and his wife Gail led him to believe she was going to leave him and he desperately wanted to keep her. So when she demanded more money and better living, he started to write things and copy from other books. He borrowed my books on Radha Soami and copied a large share from them. I helped him write the Herb book and went to Riverside University and took Sanskrit, so basically much of the material is good because it is copied. I confronted him with what he had done and his answer was 'since the author of the book said it better than I could I copied it.' The trouble is that he never gave anyone credit as to where he got it.
"As far as Darwin (Gross) is concerned, my opinion is that he is a fake as a Master. I don't think that a Master would divorce his wife and seek many other female companions.

Signed: Louis Bluth, MD.

Based on: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eckankarhistory/message/1434

[Etznab]

Hey Maplin. If you know so much about Scientology then maybe look at the dates of Bluth's involvement before and during Eckankar and suggest to me a blog, or a website where his name might have been mentioned, or others might have known him. If not, then can you tell me about that "Congress" that they (the Bluth's) attended and later referenced? I think it was called: 'Will politics boost or kill Scientology'. See last paragraph here.

https://www.aberree.com/scans/v03/v03no09/page0013.png

Maybe looking at information about that Congress can reveal other leads?

[Etznab]

Is this the same conference?

The ICDS was a gathering of early practioners of Dianetics in 1953.

https://www.scientology-lies.com/materials/lectures/international-congress-of-dianeticists-and-scientologists.html

If it was, I assume there were other conferences after that one. I'm not sure.

[Etznab]

Here is more trivia.

"[....] He [Paul Twitchell] said he was 23,000 years old. And he was a Thetan. And he said that he had come from outside of our solar system, but in the physical universe. [....]"

http://www.littleknownpubs.com/Dialog_Ch._One.htm

Maplin, you do know that Twitchell was involved with Hubbard and Dianetics prior to the founding of Eckankar? Also, that Twitchell copied some of the writings (Ex: Axioms) and added them to his teaching?

https://groups.google.com/g/alt.religion.eckankar/c/uDXLSQidZVs/m/DnA5M4QnCQAJ

He also referenced L.Ron. Hubbard in his personal letters such as letters to Gail. The particular letter may have been edited out of the later published books, but there should be a link to it in the archives here someplace.

https://groups.google.com/g/alt.religion.eckankar/c/uDXLSQidZVs/m/V8-vceQ3CQAJ

[Etznab]

BTW. I found this one link interesting where Hubbard allegedly said he worked undercover for Naval Intelligence.

https://www.scientology-lies.com/press/los-angeles-times/making-of-l-ron-hubbard.html