SNAIL MAIL

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Dear Ms. Lange:

First, "Aloha!", as we Islanders enjoy expressing. Secondly, this past weekend was the very first time that I came into contact with "Truth Seeker, The Journal of Independent Thought" (Vol. 122, No. 1, 1995). I can't believe that it has been around since 1873, and, at almost 40, I've only now become aware of its existence. How very thought-refreshing and interesting! Yes, soon to follow are subscriptions to all my family and friends — fellow seekers of truth.

After reading in the Forum about Steve Allen (by Mr. Leedom; truly an enlightening insight I never knew about Mr. Allen), and, specifically, "Rule No. 53," which in my opinion should be one of the golden rules for independent thinkers. I must now seek, possibly through you, whether or not you can provide me with an address that Mr. Allen provides for people who wish to write him?

I would like to share with you a sort of axiom about seeking after truth: "In seeking truth you awaken your awareness; in so doing you will discover what you need to know to do what it is you need to do as such things arise."

I have come into actual experience of this axiom. For the past ten years this unfolding, revealing process has cleared away the obscuring clouds of self-conditioned ignorance. Of course, this spontaneous self- realization/liberation is inspired by a deep desire for such to occur within me. Call it necessary cultivation. And, thanks to all the people who now make Truth Seeker available, since 1873 to present, I can further enhance my capacity for independent thought clarity.

Thank you for your time to to read my letter and in considering my address request. May freethought continue to spread everywhere!

Sincerely,
Donald M. Killian, Jr.
Honolulu, HI
P.S. Paradise is within.

On page 30, in the article "Virtual Reality and Your Health," reference is made to the "National Institute for Health". These are common errors, but your proof readers should be advised that the correct designation is "National Institutes of Health."

Originally the Hygienic Laboratory, I believe it may indeed have been called the National Institute of Health when the name was changed in 1948. But when I worked at NIH there were ten Institutes. There are now seventeen, and they should always be referred to in the plural.

I enjoy reading "The Truth Seeker. It was my father's favorite journal back in the 1920's and 30's. Keep up the good work.

Sincerely,
Fred A. Peters
Silver Spring, MD

I would venture to guess that the previous magazines were sent to my old bunk or made their way into the prison mail abyss. With some luck they'll come to rest in the hands of a worthy reader.

As to your question about the library, that's where I first came across Truth Seeker. I worked as the law clerk for approximately a year and would browse through the magazines. l would say that the Truth Seeker made it on the shelf approximately fifty percent of the time. The library receives many religious publications and mistakenly placed Truth Seeker in this category, resulting in it not being placed on the shelf some of the time. I will contact the new librarian, who seems to be very understanding and reasonable Future issues should make it to the shelf for the prison population.

I know Truth Seeker has many outstanding writers and authors and I pale comparison, but I would like to provide my services as a person who is currently incarcerated, if an alternate viewpoint is needed. If you wish the results of current governmental prison policy, I will be happy to assist.

Thank you again for the- back issues, letter, and your never-ending patience in guiding Truth my way

Sincerely,
Timothy Smith
San Luis Obispo

Bill Lindley says in his editorial that he thinks Chopra wrong on his (Chopra's) New Assumptions # 1 and #4. I think Chopra wrong on ALL of his New Assumptions. To say otherwise is to accept the unproven, unlikely. and in fact unprovable ideas of Jung Lamarck, Sheldrake and the Anthropicists. It is also to trash science, reason learning, knowledge and experience as valid tools or sources It is in fact to accept the mystical experience as the only valid source of information about the world.

Surely this may be comforting to the intellectually lazy or limited but it flies in the face of everything for which rational people stand.

Shame!

Sincerely,
Gordon Stein, Ph.D.
Senior Editor Free Inquiry

WBL comment:
I thank Dr. Stein for writing and agree wholeheartedly with his protest. I was acutely embarrassed for Truth Seeker when I learned that the Chopra article was going in, and I still am. As for New Assumption #5, it has three sentences. I consider the first one true, the second false, and the third ambiguous. Thanks again, Dr. Stein, and please keep our feet to the fire!

Publishers Reply:
Dear Gordon, I'm delighted that Dr. Chopra's article "Ageless Body, Timeless Mind" proved to be so challenging to you. As it turns out, our editor, Marti Kranzberg, had the opportunity to meet Dr. Chopra and when asked how he explains his ideas to atheists he replied that he does not try.

Nonetheless, I would like to recommend that you take the time to reread #5 of the new assumptions so that you might better understand it. Try expanding your perception. I believe it can be done without becoming theistic.

Best regards,
Your friend,
Bonnie Lange