I believe Paul described the Shariyat scriptures as if they were kept hidden away and with him appearing for the first time.
"These writings of golden wisdom which have always been hidden in the spiritual worlds have now been translated and published for the first time."
Based on 2nd paragraph to 1st page of Shariyat-Ki-Sugmad, Book Two.
Is that true? Always been hidden and by Paul's hand published for the first time? Let's check.
Quoting a sample of text comparisons ...
"No problem greater or more moving confronts man than that of possible awareness of his own consciousness, the deep significance of the place he occupies in the world as a whole, and the purpose he should first discover and then pursue.
"This consciousness of Soul is the primal ECKANKAR experience, which while causing one to penetrate into one's own innermost being, at the same time causes one to penetrate into the universe. Therefore, man cannot behold this universe as we could some spectacle before his own eyes for he, himself, is a part of it. He aids in its formation; he is, as it were, a fellow actor in a kind of drama, the variation of which depends upon his subjective life which expresses its manifold incidents.
"His affective states are not to be considered as mere accidents, of interest to no others but himself, to which the universe remains impassive, for thereby he penetrate into its intimacy and participate in the innermost workings of its life to gain the revelations of its mystery. [... .]
- The Shariyat-Ki-Sugmad, Paul Twitchell, Copyright 1971, Second Edition 1988, p. 149
COMPARE WITH ...
"NO problem of greater or of more moving import confronts man than that of possible awareness of his own consciousness, the deep significance of the place he occupies in the world as a whole, and of the purpose he should first discover and then pursue.
[Quoting Julian Johnson, quoting Lavelle:]
"This consciousness of Self[1] is the primal metaphysical experience, which, whilst causing one to penetrate into one's innermost being, at the same time causes one to penetrate into the universe. We cannot behold this universe as we could some spectacle before our eyes, for we ourselves are part of it; we aid in its formation; we are — as it were — fellow actors in a kind of drama, the variations of which depend on our subjective life which expresses its manifold incidents. Our affective states are not to be considered as mere accidents, of interest to no one but ourselves, to which the universe remains impassive, for thereby we penetrate into its intimacy and participate in the innermost workings of its life and gain the revelation of its mystery. LAVELLE
[... .]
1. Self, called by Brunton 'Overself' and by Graham Howe 'I' and 'Me'.
http://www.archive.org/stream/ThePathOfTheMasters/ThePathOfTheMasters#page/n7/mode/2up/search/problem
http://www.archive.org/stream/ThePathOfTheMasters/ThePathOfTheMasters_djvu.txt
*********
Other possible appropriated sources include:
The Way of The White Clouds: A Buddhist Pilgrim in Tibet, by Lama Anagarika Govinda and In search of the Miraculous, P. D. Ospensky (1949)
Both of those authors were mentioned by Doug Marman in his "Whole truth" book.
Shariyat Book One has quotes similar to Churchward's material, I believe, and I've yet to do an extensive check for Shariyat Book Two. Maybe I am now being inspired to.
In summary, there is material in the Shariyat's that has not appeared for the first time with Paul Twitchell. Plagiarized from a book and the authors not credited is not the same as "... now been translated and published for the first time."
How about plagiarized for the first time? And Eckankar (under Darwin) once claimed the book The Path Of The Masters was not plagiarized by Paul Twitchell. David Lane showed that it was one of the most heavily plagiarized books!
So what is it with the duplicity? Eckankar claiming one thing and the truth being another? This is the matter that needs to be addressed me thinks. Why?
"Refuse to see Truth, pretend that it is impossible to know what is true and what is not, distort Truth, seek to mix it with Untruth, attempt to deceive both ourselves and others, give Truth in an unattractive manner, then chaos will reign in our lives...
"This is the time for Truth 'the Truth, the whole Truth and nothing but the Truth.' This is no time for half-Truths, for bewilderment and lack of understanding. These constitute the soil in which grief grows. In Truth alone there is comfort, understanding and courage."
Paul Twitchell, The Flute of God
http://www.spiritualdialogues.com/thewholetruth.html
I'm sure this will read like a brick over the head (pun intended) for some:
"Apart from Truth being spoken to others, Truth is an absolute need in our lives. We must see Truth and know Truth and think Truth, always. If we refuse to see Truth, or pretend we cannot tell what is true and what is not; if we distort Truth or seek to mix it with untruth; if we, in fact, like to deceive both ourselves and others if the truth does not present an attractive aspect to us, then chaos will reign in our lives. Our Real Self will be in conflict with our outer self and we shall continually find ourselves in the most unpleasant situations."
http://thought-bricks.com/courses/thought-bricks-foundation-lessons/thought-bricks-9-truth-liberator/
Bernard:
The "Divine Promises" have been puzzling thinking people throughout the ages. For while they speak of love; they speak of wrath. How can the two be reconciled?
It is this way. The divine promises are spoken as the voice of everlasting law. God put this law into action at the beginning of the world, that "whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap". This law is just and logical, part of great inheritance of man, who is God's offspring and heir.
Whatsoever God has "sown" on earth by the power of his divine thought has grown into visible reality. Therefore whatever we "sow", as offspring and heir of God, comes into visible reality too.
God's thoughts are infinite; man's are finite - both operate under the same divinely appointed law. With this knowledge the divine promises are made clear in both their aspects. If evil is sown in thought, evil is "reaped". If good is sown in thought, good is "reaped".
How then to turn evil, once "sown" and reaped, into good? By the power of Christ within, the intermediary which saves us from our "sins". The scripture tells us, "Your life is hide with Christ in God". This divinely appointed "bridge" between God and man, between God and not-good (or evil) enables that which is not good to become good, that which is not happy to become happy and that which is incurable to become curable. [... .]
http://thought-bricks.com/charts-2/divine-promises-chart-affirmation-exercise/
"Anyone following the path of ECKANKAR cannot go through a day satisfied that he has read some truth in the morning or that he is going to hear some truth in the afternoon or evening. There must be a conscious realization of truth going on all the time." [The Key to Eckankar]
https://groups.google.com/d/msg/alt.religion.eckankar/iGrI8aNG0Dc/9-xAkCNiuTcJ
So truth is important.
"The student of spiritual wisdom cannot go through his day, satisfied that he has read some truth in the morning, or that he is going to hear some truth in the afternoon or evening. There must be a conscious activity of truth going on all the time. - Practicing the Presence
http://www.scribd.com/doc/82916572/Practicing-the-Presence-of-God-Joel-S-Goldsmith
KTE - p. 40
"Spiritual consciousness is attained through the activity of truth in consciousness. Dwelling on scriptural quotations or statements of truth helps to spiritualize thought. The more truth we read and hear, the more truth is active in our consciousness. We learn to abide in the world by putting truth into ourselves. This is the first step on the way to God."
PTP - p. 20
Spiritual consciousness is attained through the activity of truth in consciousness. Dwelling on scriptural quotations or statements of truth helps to spiritualize thought. The more truth that we read and hear, the more active is truth in our consciousness. Thus we learn to abide in the Word. This is the first step on the Way.
TKTE - p. 40
"The second step cannot be taken unless the first step has been mastered, that is, knowing the letter of truth. All the years we spend in reading truth, attending services, lectures, and classes are fruitful in leading us to that point where inspiration flows from within our own being. This inspiration, however, usually comes only after a thorough grounding in the letter of truth."
PTP - p. 21
The second step, which leads to a state of consciousness where we are receptive and responsive to the still small voice, cannot be taken, however, unless the first step has been mastered, that is, knowing the letter of truth. All the years that a person has spent in reading truth, hearing truth, thinking truth, attending church services, lectures, or classes are fruitful in leading him to that point where inspiration flows from within his own being. This inspiration, however, usually comes only after a thorough grounding in the letter of truth.
TKTE - p. 40
"Yaubl Sacabi told me long ago, 'Let my spirit dwell in you. And so shall the SUGMAD be exalted so that you will bear the harvest of good deeds.'
"To live in this truth, to abide in the Word, is to bear the harvest of all things in the richest manner: that is, to live harmoniously in the spiritual senses. But if we forget to live in the Word, to abide in It, and let It live in us, we become as the branch of a tree that is cut off and withers away.
"How can we live in the Word if we do not know It? We must know the Truth. We must learn what the correct letter of truth is. Let us have a principle with which to work, and let us stand on this principle, until the moment comes when we feel that spiritual awareness within us is realized. Then we shall know that we have attained the spirit of truth, the consciousness of truth, which is the Word of the SUGMAD and is power. Anyone with a sufficient desire for a realization of God can achieve that realization - the grace of God will guarantee it.
PTP - p. 21
Jesus tells us to let "my words abide in you. ... Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit." To live in that truth, to abide in that Word, is to bear fruit richly, that is, to live harmoniously, spiritual lives. But if we forget to live in the Word, to abide in it, and let it abide in us, we become as branches that are cut off and wither. How can we abide in this Word if we do not know it? We must know the truth. We must learn that the correct letter of truth is. Let us have a specific principle with which to work and let us stand on that principle, until the moment comes when we feel that spiritual awareness within us, which is realization. Then we shall know that we have attained the spirit of truth, the consciouness of truth, which is the Word of God and is power. Anyone with a sufficient desire for a realization of God will guarantee it.
[Keep in mind Joel S. Goldsmith's book was called Practicing The Presence and that another phrase he used (and a book by that same name) was called The Infinite Way.]
https://groups.google.com/d/msg/alt.religion.eckankar/Wle6bykppIc/SjghdLsP_t8J
... continuing from earlier post
TKTE - p. 41
"It is possible to know all the truth found in the letter of truth and still be the branch that withers away, unless we live so completely in the Word and let this Word live in us so that the Very Spirit dwells in us-the Spirit of God in man. No man is devoid of It, but most of us are as unaware of It as we are of the blood coursing through our veins. God is with us, God's presence fills all space, the Spirit of God dwells in us. But how many have felt that presence? It is talked about, prayed for, theorized over, and sermonized about; but It is not experienced! It is the conscious awareness, the actual feeling or realization of the Presence, which is necessary."
PTP - pp. 21-22
It is possible to know all the truth found in the letter of truth and still be a branch that withereth, until we so abide in the Word and let this Word abide in us that the very Spirit of God. There is a Spirit in man. There actually is a Spirit - the Spirit of God in man. No man is devoid of it, but most of us are as unaware of it as we are of the blood coursing through our bodies. God is with us. God's presence fills all space; the Spirit of God dwells in us. But how many people have felt that Presence? It is talked about, prayed about, theorized about, and sermonized about; but It is not experienced. It is the conscious awareness, the actual feeling or realization of the Presence which is necessary.
TKTE - p. 41
"In most religious teachings, we are told that God is everywhere, but this is not true in the sense of prevalence. If the Spirit of God were everywhere, all persons would be free, healthy, wealthy, independent, joyous, and harmonious. The Spirit of God is present only where It is Realized. This is why we are all trying to become channels for Spirit."
PTP - p. 22
In most religious teachings, we are told that the Spirit God is everywhere, but that is not true. If the Spirit of the Lord were everywhere, everybody would be free, healthy, wealthy, independent, joyous, and harmonious. No. the Spirit of the Lord is present only where it is realized.
TKTE - p. 41
"Unless we feel the actual presence of God, then as far as we are concerned, we do not have the realization of this Spirit. It is like electricity (which is everywhere, just as the Spirit of God is), but electricity is of little use or value to anyone unless it is connected in some way for a particular use. So it is with the Spirit of God. It is everywhere in an absolute, spiritual sense, but It is only effective in our experience to the extent to which It is realized."
PTP - p. 22-23
Unless we feel the actual presence of God, then, as far as we are concerned, we do not have this Spirit. Again, it is a case of rolling up the window shades, or it is like saying that electricity is everywhere. That is true. Electricity is everywhere just as the Spirit of God is everywhere. Electricity, however, will be of no value to us, unless it is connected in some way for our particular use. So it is with this Spirit of God. It is everywhere, in an absolute, spiritual sense, but It is only effective in our experience to the extent to which It is realized.
TKTE - pp. 41-42
"Anyone following the path of ECKANKAR cannot go through a day satisfied that he has read some truth in the morning or that he is going to hear some truth in the afternoon or evening. There must be a conscious realization of truth going on all the time. This does not mean he is going to neglect his human duties and activities. It means that he is going to train himself to have some area in his consciousness always active in truth. Whether we look at the forms of nature as trees, flowers, or oceans, or whether we are meeting people, we find some measure of God in each experience. We train ourselves to behold the presence and activity of God in everything around us and live within the Word."
PTP - p. 23
The student of spiritual wisdom cannot go through his day, satisfied that he has read some truth in the morning, or that he is going to hear some truth in the afternoon or evening. There must be a conscious activity of truth going on all the time. That does not mean that we neglect our human duties and activities; it means that we train himself to have some area of consciousness always active in truth. Whether we look out at forms of nature such as trees, flowers, or oceans, or whether we are meeting people, we find some measure of God in each experience. We train ourselves to behold the presence and activity of God in everything around us and to abide in the Word.
TKTE - p. 42
"So it is important to learn all that we can about the correct letter of truth, to understand every principle and then to practice these principles until we go from an intellectual knowledge to an inner awareness of them. We build our foundation on specific principles. Some of these principles are found in all scriptures, but mainly in the Shariyat-Ki-Sugmad, the Way of the Eternal."
PTP - pp. 23-24
It is important to learn all that we can about the correct letter of truth, to understand every principle, and then to practice these principles until we go from an intellectual knowledge to an inner awareness of them. We build our foundation on specific principles. Some of these principles are found in scripture: Christian, Hebrew, and Oriental. Some of them are not found in any written form, but nevertheless, they are known to all the mystics of the world. The further we go in this work, the more necessary it is that we know every one of these principles. They are the foundation of our understanding and they must become so much a part of us that when we are faced with a problem, we do not have to think consciously of any of them.
TKTE - p. 41
"The deeper we go into this work, the more necessary it is that we know every one of these principles. They are the foundation of our understanding, and they must become so much a part of us that when we are faced with a problem we do not have to consciously think of them.
"Someday I will give these principles to you for publication. An understanding of the principles of spiritual living - that is, a knowledge of the correct letter of truth - is necessary. That is the foundation upon which we build, so that we understand where we are going and why, and what our relationship is to God. It is necessary that we know these things so that we do not stumble in a blind faith that at some time or another may desert us. We need to know the correct letter of truth so that we do not find ourselves in a state of mental chaos, relying on one thing today and another tomorrow, never coming to an understanding of God - the nature and character of God, the nature of God's law, and the nature of God's being."
PTP - p. 25
An understanding of the principles of spiritual living, that is, a knowledge of the correct letter of truth, is necessary. That is the foundation upon which we build, so that we understand where we are going and why, and what our relationship to God and our fellowman is. It is necessary that we know these things so that we do not stumble into a blind faith that at some time or another may desert us. We need to know the correct letter of truth in order that we do not find ourselves in a state of mental chaos, relying on one thing today and on another tomorrow, never coming to an understanding of that which is. A spiritual life cannot be built without an understanding of God - the nature and character of God, the nature of God's law, and the nature of God's being.
TKTE - p. 42
"It is possible for anyone to change the trend of his life, not by hearing or reading truth, but by making it an active part of his consciousness in daily experience, until it becomes a habit every moment of the day, instead of an occasional thought. Let God operate in the consciousness morning, noon, and night until the actual awareness comes gradually. Then we make the transition from being hearers of the Word to being doers of the Word. Then we shall be living in the world and shall gather in the harvest of Souls."
PTP - p. 26
It is possible for anyone to change the trend of his life, not by hearing or reading truth, but by making it an active part of his consciousness in daily experience, until it becomes a habit every moment of the day, instead of an occasional thought. Let these principles operate in the consciousness morning, noon, and night, until gradually the actual awareness comes. Then we make the transition from being hearers of the Word to being doers of the Word. Then we shall be abiding in the Word and shall bear fruit richly. [... .]
***
OK that's about the best I can do right now for the similarities between Twitchell and Goldsmith that I've found so far. I have them all in a different format, and where the paragraphs are not broken up, that might be possible to share in the future. I also have examples from the other authors listed on this thread. Bear in mind I am still researching Paul Twitchell's book The Key to Eckankar and may not have found all similarities (near and exact) to date when the book (or what Rebazar Tarzs reportedly said) is compared with other authors and their books. Most of them copyrighted.
There is also Harold Klemp's Introduction for the 2003 version of TKTE that I want to append to this thread. Along with what he had to say about Rebazar Tarzs.
https://groups.google.com/d/msg/alt.religion.eckankar/Wle6bykppIc/v_i6BDdTBjkJ
"Spiritual consciousness is attained through the activity of truth in consciousness. Dwelling on scriptural quotations or statements of truth helps to spiritualize thought. The more truth we read and hear, the more truth is active in our consciousness. We learn to abide in the world by putting truth into ourselves. This is the first step on the way to God."
Based on: The Key to Eckankar - Twitchell
"Spiritual consciousness is attained through the activity of truth in consciousness. Dwelling on scriptural quotations or statements of truth helps to spiritualize thought. The more truth that we read and hear, the more active is truth in our consciousness. Thus we learn to abide in the Word. This is the first step on the Way."
Based on: Practicing The Presence - Goldsmith
[Note: Goldsmith says: "Thus we learn to abide in the Word." where Eckankar says: "We learn to abide in the world ... ." Typo???]
https://groups.google.com/d/msg/alt.religion.eckankar/nD2iq5AOBzc/4T8Ss0btEFEJ
Paul Twitchell and Harold Klemp both made remarks about Rebazar Tarzs. Paul, reportedly taking down Rebazar's dictation and Harold Klemp further remarking about
(1) the "conversation" "His [Rebazar Tarzs'] conversation with Paul ..."]
and
(2) the "dialogue" ["... the dialogue between Rebazar Tarzs and Paul ... ."]
and Harold also (in some respects)
(3) attempting to explain what Rebazar Tarzs meant.
On this newsgroup (and in so many words) it was suggested, even stated, that plagiarisms do not discount the verity of Eck Masters. Iow, that plagiarisms (by the founder of Eckankar, that were not exactly words from Eck Masters, but rather words copied from library books and credited to certain Eck Masters, etc.) have as if nothing to do with whether Eck Masters are real, or not. It almost looks to me as if some people would rather like to sweep the study and illustration for a "growing list" of plagiarisms out of the way and off of this newsgroup. Although this action is not entirely certain, what is certain are the number of personal "attacks" and ridicule, etc. of those choosing to bring up and maintain a discussion and deeper study of this topic.
https://groups.google.com/d/msg/alt.religion.eckankar/ejywO-s5UaM/UlUBm0gpBwAJ