SRI DARWIN GROSS
Post Office Box 68290
Oak Grove, OR 97268
April 15, 1992
Officer, Directors or Trustee
ECKANKAR Corporation
3001 Louisiana Avenue North
Minneapolis, MN 55427
To Whom It May Concern:
This is to recommend a means for making Sri Paul Twitchell's original writings available to the public when the Eckankar Corporation is dissolved. I have proposed a non-profit trust whose task it would be to distribute the writings in their original form, letting Paul's writings speak for themselves. I came to appreciate their importance first hand, even before Paul designated me his successor; guardian of the teachings he so eloquently described.
The original writings of Sri Twitchell were appraised as having little residual commercial value a decade ago. Subsequent events are certain to further that opinion. I would however attempt to find ways and means of making the original, unrevised writings available once more. It would be a very considerable task and require serious funding, something I have declined to pursue in recent years. I have been unwilling to start a second organization and create the appearance of two paths. Paul wrote of one body of teachings promulgated by one line of teaching masters, a tradition I have earnestly sought to preserve.
I can't honestly predict what might be done in the face of such daunting obstacles. In 1971, when I was chosen to lead the organization, it's net worth was considerably less than $50,000. The organization's finances flourished during the decade which followed. In 1981 we had a liquidation value in excess of $35,000,000. Circumstances have greatly changed over subsequent years however. One would need to approach it very differently today, taking into account all that has transpired.
My goal would be to simply make the original writings of Paul Twitchell available and let the public decide, those who are sincerely interested in understanding what he believed and taught. I would also hope to create a Paul Twitchell history exhibit, one featuring his manuscripts, memorabilia, tapes and the recollections of those who knew him well. He was a gifted and controversial teacher, not to mention a prolific writer. I believe making his life work available in that manner would shed light on the man and his message.
The original writings of Paul Twitchell and their public availability are my sole concern, as outlined in this letter. This is to request that I be put in touch with the appropriate person(s), that suitable arrangements may be worked out as soon as possible.
Yours in the Spirit of Truth,
SRI DARWIN GROSS
