December 1980 Notes

Milton Pond construction site viewed from vineyard slopes, September 1980 (Photo: T. Campion)

 "Renaissance Vine" newsletter [summarized]

The “Milton Pond” [where barn once stood] has six swans

No gum chewing

Live Christmas trees are acceptable

Members should pay debts by December 1, 1983 [in anticipation of predicted Depression]

Concerts:

December 6 and 7: American String Quartet

December 19: Beverly Coyne sings Jenny Lind songs

December 22 and 23: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons

December 25: Souvenirs of Florence

December 31: The Messiah by Handel

January 2: Hans Weisshaar [violin restorer, died 1991]

January 3 and 4: Zara Nelsova, cello [died 2002]

January 10 and 12: Eudice Shapiro and Brooks Smith [Smith retired in 1988, died in 2000.]

Photo: “Dawn of Renaissance” [actually a sunset]

1,361 members: 805 men (59%), 556 women (41%), “and 44 angels”, average age: 32 [not including the 44 angels!]

Other Notes

 According to Harold Wirk, growth rate of the Fellowship slowed 90% in1980, making it the slowest growth year of the decade.

Fellowship of Friends 1980 recruitment analysis

[ed. - This report was prepared by Harold Wirk in 1980. According to Harold, the Fellowship's growth rate in 1980 declined by 90%, making it the lowest growth year of the decade. Only the opening remarks and recommendations are shown below. View the entire report on the Internet Archive.]

CURRENT TRENDS

There is a discernible pattern(or cycle) of growth within the Teaching. With the study of octaves we learned that SHOCKS can keep an octave going  in a desired direction. If we know the pattern of a cycle we can use shocks to either reinforce a positive direction - or reverse a trend that is undesirable. "The cyclic FORCE may be inevitable, but the cyclic RESULT in many instances is subject to our will - IF WE KNOW IN ADVANCE ABOUT THE FORCE." (from "Cycles")

The Teaching is NOW in need of a POSITIVE SHOCK!

Recommendations

"NOW is the time for the Fellowship to RESTRICT SPENDING at ALL levels ("from the top on down") as many students are reaching their financial limits - and depending upon rising membership to increase revenue seems unlikely.

"The Fellowship NEEDS a positive change of direction - or shock - to reverse the current trends. At the least, more effort should be made to eliminate NEGATIVE SHOCKS (such as increased "donations," fines, misuse of power, etc.) A downward trend can quickly gather momentum - and the result could be even worse than predicted." - H. Wirk 12/80

Read more at the Internet Archive.

November 1980 Notes

Late harvest Sauvignon Blanc cluster, October 1980 (Photo: T. Campion)

"Renaissance Vine" newsletter[summarized]

Most exercises this year have been aimed at controlling the "instinctive center" [ed. - later known as "The Lower Self"]

1,375 members

Photo: Sauvignon Blanc grape cluster

Other Notes

 November 30:

Robert travels to New York City

October 1980 Notes

Fellowship members harvest Petite Sirah grapes, September 1980 (Photo: T. Campion)

"Renaissance Vine" newsletter [summarized]

September 10: Barn removed and pond construction started on site

Concerts:

October 18 and 19: Scottish Baroque Ensemble

October 25 and 26: Beaux Arts Trio

November 1 and 2: Don Giovanni

November 8 and 9: Philadelphia (?)

November 22 and 23: Istvan Nadas

November 24: Christiane Edinger and Gerhard Puchelt [father/daughter]

September 27: Cabernet harvest – about 11-1/2 tons of reds harvested

1,385 members

Photos: harvest on the Petite Sirah slope, new pond site as seen from the Riesling slope

Other Notes

October 8:

Alice in Wonderland shown at "The Dobbins House"

Robert Burton is traveling in Europe

Sauvignon Blanc harvested yesterday

Karl Werner is enthusiastic about the quality of grapes this year

Tomorrow is the first "public" tasting of a Renaissance wine, the 1979 Zinfandel

Tasting the first "official" Renaissance wine

At the Lincoln Lodge tonight, Karl Werner hosts the first “public” tasting of a Renaissance wine, the 1979 Zinfandel.

As Karl says, at this point, it tastes like an "exploded pharmacy."

September 1980 Notes

Fellowship shop complex: metal (left), wood (center), vehicle (right), August 1980 (Photo: T. Campion)

"Renaissance Vine" newsletter [summarized]

1,378 members

Photos: inside shops, overview of shop complex (metal, wood, and automotive)

Other Notes

September 8:

Thomas and Ines K. depart the Fellowship. Rumor has it that before departing, Thomas was able to recover $50,000 he had loaned Robert Burton, which angered Burton to no end - at least that's the rumor. (In Burton's mind, it seemed "loan" was just another word for "donation.")

September 11:

After a week of dismantling the ancient structure, the D-8 cleared away the old barn foundation.

September 26:

Tractors are now constructing a dam where the barn once stood, working only at night, since they're needed on the vineyard slopes during the day.

Master book binder Max Adjarian is leaving the Fellowship of Friends. His binding equipment was removed from the Town Hall and Bindery today. Many members are leaving. Robert Burton referred to the present as a "weeding out" time.

September 27:

Harvest begins at Renaissance on the Cabernet Sauvignon slope

September 28:

Harvest of Petite Sirah and Zinfandel grapes

September 29:

Robert Burton leaves for European travels

[ed. - During this time, most "good" students followed Burton's demand that they minimize contact with their “life families.” At the same time, while Burton clearly distanced himself from his family, Fellowship students were called upon to provide his mother various services (housekeeping, gardening, delivery, etc.) while she resided in Sacramento. The following refers to a rather humorous event that took place in the course of providing such services.]

"brucelevy" wrote on the Fellowship of Friends Discussion blog, August 2, 2008:

215. elena

Re: RB’s mom

RB is such a pussy that he used to send students down to his mom’s to mow the lawn (until someone mowed naked) and clean around the house, and then he waits for her to die to both make a statement to his entourage and punish her. Sort of like a fucking 6 year old.

"Just Another Voice Out Here" wrote on the Fellowship of Friends Discussion blog, August 2, 2008: 

221 brucelevy [responding to above]

I’d love to know what happened to my buddy T—-r B—y, who was tossed out for mowing Mommy’s lawn naked. [ed. - Taylor B. was "released" by the Fellowship 9/19/80.]

"lostandfound" wrote on the Fellowship of Friends Discussion blog, August 2, 2008:

Update:

By coincidence, someone recently mentioned that the birthday suit landscaper, T.B., was doing very well financially.

Permit one funny story:

Recently, a visitor from a foreign country was driving to Apollo, as she was going to an event.

She saw someone on the road near the gatehouse dressed in a tuxedo. She was just about to pull her car over thinking that there was valet parking for the event.

It turned out that someone was picketing in a tux!

August 1980 Notes

The Mozart Deck at the Lincoln Lodge set for dinner, July 1980 (Photo: T. Campion)

"Renaissance Vine" newsletter [summarized]

Concerts:

August 9 and 10: Menahem Pressler

September 13 and 14: Menahem Pressler

September 20 and 21: The Magic Flute

July 31: Alan Meadows [Ilan Beth] died. [He was on a run to procure tractor parts. He was killed when the Volkswagen he was driving ran into a truck from Speckert’s Building Supply, one of the Fellowship's primary materiel suppliers. It is suspected he fell asleep at the wheel.]

1,362 members

Photo: Mozart Deck at the Lincoln Lodge

From the Fellowship of Friends Wiki Page [Defunct]:

[ed. - thoughts from "The Teacher," Robert Burton, with apparent index number shown.]

Higher forces give us inconceivable shocks to prepare us for the unimaginable experience of surviving Armageddon. (082080.14)

Anglicization of names

[ed.- Around this time, Robert Burton directed Fellowship members whose names were not English to choose an "anglicized" name. As with many refugees arriving in America in the 20th century, Burton viewed this measure as necessary to avoid the persecution of "outsiders" that would inevitably be precipitated by the calamities he predicted (the depression of 1984, the 1998 fall of California into the Pacific, and nuclear holocaust in 2006).

Linda Kaplan was enlisted to assist members in expediting the adoption of new names. The changes naturally caused family conflicts and estrangement between members and their non-member friends and relatives (who were in any case considered expendable "life people.") In Burton's grand scheme, this was all acceptable collateral damage.

Curiously, as Fellowship recruitment in the United States declined and foreign centers began producing the majority of fresh recruits, Burton's concerns about persecution faded.

What follows is but a small sampling of the absurd surname changes.]

Achitoff - ASTOR
Annis - HEARTWELL
Barth - BRIGHTON
Bassat - GRACE
Berkan - ROBERTS
Berrizbeita - WOODBERRY
Beth - MEADOWS
Beyer - HATHAWAY
Biagi - YORK
Borowiak - DALTON
Calpouzos - CAMBRIDGE
Chudnow - LEXINGTON
Dasmann - CHAMBERLAIN
Domingo - WILLIAMS
Dragovich - DRYDEN
Finegold - TAYLOR
Focazio - BROOKS
Friedlander - FAIRCHILDE
Gabreski - MEDLEY
Goeree - CHANCELLOR
Gallardo - PEARL
Goldman - WELLESLEY
Grenados - ROSEWOOD
Heick - WHITMORE
Kloumann - NEWMAN
Levy - ROBERTS
Lonsdorf - SHERBOURNE
Lundquist - COLLINS
Maryanoff - MILTON
Mautz - PALMER
Morales - MOORE
Nikhazy - BRITAIN
Partusch - PARKS
Pera - CLAREMONT
Poulain - WINTERS
Poznanter - ASHLEY
Rissenberg - FAIRCHILD
Salazar - AUGUST
Scheer - SHEPHERD
Schmitt - SCOTT
Schwartzberg - FALLBROOK
Shimono - WOODS
Trezevant - WREN
Venerella - STERLING
Wehrlich - CAMBRIDGE
Weingarten - COLLIN
Winiarski - WINDSOR
Wirk - WEST
Yamasaki - DAY
Yudin - WESTWOOD
Zimmerman - STUART
Zoller - FAIRCHILD

[ed. - Below are two pages from the Renaissance Journal. The first shows actual surnames prior to the anglicization dictate. The second shows acceptable English-sounding names.]

Renaissance Journal, February 26, 1979, prior to the anglicization edict

 

Renaissance Journal, July 1, 1981, after the anglicization edict

 

July 1980 Notes

The Lincoln Lodge with its Mozart Deck viewed from Slope 1, July 1980 (Photo: T. Campion)

"Renaissance Vine" newsletter [summarized]

Let us toast to the 9^th anniversary of our beloved Renaissance, which carries a great responsibility for posterity, for it is here the gods have taken their stand to ensure humanity shall survive Armageddon. – Robert Burton, July 4th

Centers closing this year: Minneapolis (June), Baltimore (June), St. Louis (June), Cincinnati (July), Montreal (July), Detroit (August), Hawaii (September).

No athletics (this is a "task")

No more open meetings for prospective students – they were deemed ineffectual

No popular or rock music allowed in "Teaching Houses" (private homes where meetings take place)

Members can now use the address “Renaissance, CA” on mail

"Pantheon Industries" is dedicated

Concerts:

July 3 and 4: Tales of Hoffman

July 19 and 20: Menahem Pressler

July 26 and 27: La Boheme

August 25 and 26: Beaux Arts Trio

September 6 and 7: Zara Nelsova

Current Membership: 1,383

Photo: illumination (artwork)

Controlling the flock: tasks, exercises and suggestions

[ed. - Robert Burton's sometimes wacky exercises continue to this day. As previously stated, Burton assigned different levels of severity to his demands. Violation of a "task" from The Teacher resulted in serious consequences, possibly including fines or even excommunication. Violation of an "exercise" usually drew a much less serious punishment, often only a mild public or private rebuke, or "photograph" - a verbal or gestural indication of a lapse.]

From BeingPresent.org:

The Work of Our Spiritual Teacher

The principal work of our spiritual teacher is to initiate and prolong Divine Presence in the lives of Fellowship members. He does this in many ways: by conveying special knowledge; by offering exercises, personal tasks, and opportunities to work; and by simply being and allowing us to be. All such efforts spring from his own Divine Presence, and his desire to convey this reality to us.

How does he work in the moment? At one level, he may use an inspired reference to something close at hand as a way of bringing a person out of an inattentive state and more deeply into the present. At another level, he may use all methods and instructions as a way to sustain presence once it has been achieved.

After a period of sincere effort, a member comes to understand that awakening is neither the practice of one exercise nor the overcoming of one obstacle alone. It is a way of life.

Awakening has become the way of life of our Teacher, and he invites us to join him in this life.

Drawing by Harold Wirk posted on Internet Archive

From 2008 Fellowship of Friends Guidebook for Centers:

The Teacher does not wish us to maintain written lists of school tasks and exercises. He has commented that such lists are institutionalizing and tend to evoke the lower self. Instead, he asks that information about the exercises be communicated verbally.

Thou Shalt Not Laugh

"Purchasing awakening" wrote on the Fellowship of Friends Discussion blog, August 10, 2007:

About laughter:

“Buddha’s laughter is both an expression of, and a inspiration for, enlightenment. ”
Now, from Robert:

****************************

Dear Friends,

The Teacher has requested that we work with an exercise of not laughing for one month, until November 23. The exercise applies only to the Apollo d’Oro area. Robert noticed that the seven of hearts is more prone to occupy space around food, and the aim of the exercise is to help us gain control over this part of our machine.

Linda T. [ed. - Linda Tulisso (Kaplan)], Apollo

******************************

Dear Friends,

Robert wishes us to resume indefinitely the exercise of not laughing around the dining table, as the King of Clubs particularly uses this circumstance to lure us away from the present.

On his last journey, while dining with friends in Abu Simbel, Robert observed a neighboring table, whose diners were laughing loudly. Because Robert and his entourage had set the aim at the beginning of their travel not to engage in laughter around the table, observing this table of non-students was a useful lesson for them. Robert commented, “C Influence are great teachers. Observing this table laughing is an even more useful lesson than the ancient site we just visited.” Robert gave several angles about laughter, but towards the end, a new connection came to his mind. “I only now realize that the Chartres devil is laughing, showing that through laughter the king of clubs overthrows the nine of hearts.”

Linda T., Apollo

From Robert: Laughter is far from innocent.

************************************

Dear Friends around the world,

Robert sends us the following message, with his love.

Thank you for giving up artificial laughter for real presence. It is the key to success for our school; one of the few instances one gets something for nothing.

In friendship,

Linda T., Isis

***********************************

Dear friends,

Robert sends the following message to students around the world, with his love.

When you are at the table, please avoid sharing funny stories that are true, such as humorous incidents that have actually happened. In the guise of telling the truth, the lower self is trying to introduce laughter and open the door to the seven of hearts. Please reserve such stories for other occasions to avoid laughter around the table.

In presence,

Linda T, Isis

**************************************

Dear Friends,

The Teacher requests that when a picture is being taken of us, we should try to be moderate in our smile and not show our teeth. Robert points out that the instinctive center, being animal intelligence in human form, likes to display its teeth.

The poster below illustrates the point.

In friendship,

Linda T, Isis

******************************

Dear Friends,

Attached are two images that Robert related to his recent request that we not show our teeth when a picture is taken of us. In both cases, the devil’s teeth are showing.

With love, from Buenos Aires.

Linda T.

"Kid Shelleen" wrote on the Fellowship of Friends Discussion blog, August 10, 2007:

“It’s also very Caucasian homosexual.”

If I ever form my own band, that’s the name:

“The Very Caucasian Homosexuals”

(I wonder how Freudian this is?)

I might like to throw “Casual” into the name somewhere. Please feel free to weigh in on this matter.

Someone asked earlier about how students keep a straight face in current meetings. Here’s a Warning-Signs-You’re-On-Your-Way-Out story:

Guinnevere was a travelling teacher visiting our center sometime in the late ’90s. She was leading a meeting on Saturday night and even the people who didn’t come to meetings anymore were going to be there. I had a music gig that evening so I arrived late with a huge amount of light-hearted, positive energy circulating in me. Maybe I was in what we use to call “Essence”. I walked in the door, or should I say snuck in, and stood for a while in the foyer dispassionately witnessing the whole scene. I was struck by the incredibly heavy energy in the room. Why was everyone sooo serious? G was going on and on about something and everyone was sitting in their seats like a repentant elementary school class receiving admonishment from Mother Superior.

At an appropriate interlude in the action, I grab a folding chair and slip into place in the circle. I am seated directly across from Mike and Don, a couple of rogue thinkers and good friends. The kiddy classroom vibe continues no matter how hard I try to turn it off. “Come on, now”, some voice is saying, “this is serious stuff.” And yet, my whole being seems to be infused with this eight year-old child yelling, “Hey, lookit all these people all dressed up playing pretend.”

Everyone is quiet for a moment. I look at Don and he’s obviously doing his best good student act, but I can see the smirk right there at the corners of his lips. Mike is studying his tie. He then proceeds to roll it up from the bottom to about mid-chest and let it roll back down. I’m not sure if he is intentionally doing this for me, he had told me a couple of months before that he always plays with his tie when meetings bore him, or if he’s just amusing himself.

Somehow the subject turns to love. Can’t remember the exact question, but we’re on to love. G starts the Robert engine, “Of course as Men #4 we cannot know what love is…” And then she says, “Perhaps we could start with a flower. One could try to love a flower. One could make that one’s aim for several months.” Do I detect a smile on Don’s lips? Is Mike’s tie flying up and down his chest like a gag blind in an old I Love Lucy episode, or is just my imagination (running away with me). I feel a sudden impulse to laugh. I stifle it and stare at the oriental carpet at my feet.

“..and then after learning to love the flower, one could move onto a small dog, perhaps.” That was it. “a small dog.” Don’t defeat your will by starting with a large dog. A burst of laughter exploded from my mouth, although it felt as if it jumped right out of my chest. I tried to disguise it as a cough, but I could tell by the faces around me, no one was buying it. And on G went with the ladder of love for man #4. I couldn’t stop The Laugh. I have to pretend that I’m having a coughing fit and leave the room. I’m standing in the Kitchen and I can’t stop laughing. I try several times to compose myself and return and each time I come un-glued as I enter the room. Finally, I pull it together and return.

Photograph received. (one from G, one from center directors, one from myself)

The moral of the story is be careful (isn’t that always the moral), for if you start to laugh at meetings you will lose the school.

And remember, Uncle Gurdj says: “There is no laughter in higher centers.”

"Just Another Voice Out Here" wrote on the Fellowship of Friends Discussion blog, November 24, 2007:

115 Fat Boy

“I believe what is encouraged is gentle laughter rather than cackling.”
_____________________________________________

In my day at least, the expression was “gentle mirth.”

So Fats, have you verified that people have a choice about the way in which they laugh–that Mr. Burton, for example, could, if he allowed himself, “cackle,” instead of doing that little tee-hee he does in response to his own jokes? Have you verified that someone who has always responded to humor with a big belly laugh could, if she chose, adopt a mincing little giggle? Has it occurred to you that the reason Mr. Burton made this exercise is that he naturally laughs a certain way, and that the real exercise is to act like Robert Earl Burton naturally acts?
And have you verified that people who laugh one way are more conscious than people who laugh a different way? Have you verified that telling people how to laugh is more effective than suggesting that people just be aware of themselves, however they are, without trying to ape Mr. Burton?

"brucelevy" wrote on the Fellowship of Friends Discussion blog, November 24, 2007:

117 Just Another Voice Out Here

“Has it occurred to you that the reason Mr. Burton made this exercise is that he naturally laughs a certain way, and that the real exercise is to act like Robert Earl Burton naturally acts?”

I think it’s more that RB has a uncontrollable need to control everybody and everything within his sphere of influence. It’s unmitigated greed, narcissism and psychopathy.

Thou shalt set aside the first bit of food

"Purchasing awakening" wrote on the Fellowship of Friends Discussion blog, August 10, 2007:

Playing with food:

Dear friends,

Regarding the new exercise of setting aside the first bite of food, this only applies to the initial act of eating: whether the meal includes one course or several, one is to set aside the first bite of only one of the courses, not the first bite of each course. Moreover, the Teacher is encouraging us to choose the bite that is the most attractive to the instinctive center, both in selection and in size, as it is the bite the instinctive is most reluctant to relinquish.
The exercise is designed to show us how important food is for the instinctive center, when in fact what is truly important in that moment is consciously controlling the instinctive brain.

Thank you for your diligence.

Linda T [ed. - Linda Tulisso (Kaplan)]

*****************************

Dear Friends,

To further clarify the exercise of setting aside the first bite, we are to set aside the very first bite of our breakfast, lunch, or dinner meal, and not the first bite of the principle course if we are having more than one course at the meal. The idea is that this exercise is most effective when the machine is hungry and most interested in food, not when it has already taken a few bites from the course before the principle one.

Our Teacher comments that when we put the first bite aside, we are making an offering to our own presence.

Thank you.

Linda T

**************************

This idiotic exercise created “first bite policeman’ at almost every dining table. I am sure you know what I am talking about. Also it helps to promote one’s vanity since students often try to make sure that our first bite is noticed by others at the table. Some choose the best bite and later talk about how they managed to put it aside. This is self-delusion.

“The exercise is designed to show us how important food is for the instinctive center…” – Duh! do you need an exercise to be shown this? I though it is pretty obvious. Does anyone have doubts about importance of food and nutrition?

How about… simply eating? Why not enjoy your meal without all this silly circus?

"Jana" wrote on the Fellowship of Friends Discussion blog, November 22, 2007:

...To make women look unsexy and unattractive he invented infamous “pant” exercise. Women had to mandatory wear skirts on the property, even if they were working on landscaping and it was clearly not practical to wear a skirt while working. Young attractive women looked like a bunch of village grandmas in those stupid long skirts…

...Then he came up with an exercise of not coloring aging grey hair for women, so to let them “naturally” age and look old and unattractive. All of the “infra-sex” exercises were against women and their natural beauty.

Then finally he came up with anti-serving exercise in 2006, saying that men shouldn’t serve women at the table anymore, because it is feminine dominance...

"Mauretania" wrote on the Fellowship of Friends Discussion blog, October 5, 2007:

On the subject of misogyny:

Does anyone reading this have any direct knowledge about how the skirt “exercise” started – the first time?

When it was first instituted, there was NO Rose Garden for anyone to be sighted in, so the story about RB propositioning a masculine looking woman there is suspect – unless that was what brought about the second imposition of this lifestyle rule.

The first time that was handed down as an exercise was about 1980 or 1981. It was in place for several years, perhaps through the 80′s. It came back for a time in the 90′s. At the point RB declared pants to be an acceptable nuisance, it was always accompanied by the statement that “Nothing is being given, because nothing was taken away”.

"Pensate un attimo" wrote on the Fellowship of Friends Discussion blog, October 24, 2007:

This morning message from ‘the teacher’: wow!!

Dear Students,

Although you may have read or heard something different, all students are reminded that the exercise of not spending unnecessary time with former members has not been changed. All members are also requested to refrain from reading and participating on what is known as the “Blog” and the “greater fellowship” or similar websites.

Robert stated: “This exercise comes from Influence C. You can support Influence C and not be a denying force to Influence C.”

The Fellowship of Friends

"Stella Wirk" wrote on the newsgroup "alt.smokers", May 11, 1994:

Smoking already is some kind of a "moral" issue, and we have experienced this first hand. We both were members of a small psychological self study group -- the leader of which decreed that everyone should stop smoking or leave the group. We didn't want to do either. Thus, when we met our friends and the custom was to hug each other, the friends seemed to be "sniffing" us when they hugged! Sure enough, one of our friends "turned us in" for smoking in the privacy of our room, and we were FINED by the group -- not a simple fine. We were fined $3,000!

Well, that's another long story, but the point I'm pressing here is that people feel "righteous" about banning smoking, as if "God is on their side," and they are totally in the right no matter what, as you have pointed out in your essays. Pretty scarey situation.

Of course, we are no longer in the group I mentioned! (It has since turned into a cult - not surprisingly.)

While in that group, we also discovered that some people would get up in the middle of the night and go to the garage and look into the ashtrays in other member's cars - and report any cigarette butts found there! A fine would be levied!

It is too ridiculous.

[ed. - Below, Ames Gilbert alludes to the task that Burton's teacher Alex Horn gave Burton: to avoid sexual relations with Horn's male followers. Reportedly, failure to follow this task resulted in Burton's expulsion from Horn's group, leading to the creation of the Fellowship of Friends.]

"Ames Gilbert wrote on the Fellowship of Friends Discussion blog, October 29, 2007:

Vena,

Burton visited Alex Horn last week in an effort to get Alex to lift the “do not have sex with men” exercise, imposed 40 years ago; Burton has realized that not following this task is what is preventing him from becoming anything higher than a mere man 7.3.

However, negotiations have broken down, because Alex wants twenty percent of the take (past, present and future) and the same sexual access to the women that Burton has to men. Burton can only “guarantee” compliance from women students that are in the inner circle, and Alex is unimpressed by their photos.

But Horn did accept a heavy gold bracelet from Burton, and Burton accepted a pillow from Alex, so there may be a breakthrough soon.

See also "My4bits" discussion of the "sex exercise".

[ed. - in the late 1970s, Robert Burton began requiring that those followers who with non-English surnames change their names to an English surname. He stated this was necessary as Fellowship members with foreign names would be persecuted as civilization began to unravel as a result of the  disasters (depression, Fall of California, Armageddon) he predicted. The following represent a small fraction of the name changes:

Annis became Heartwell
Barth became Brighton
Borowiak became Dalton
Buzbee became Laurel
Cherbavaz became Castlewood
Chudnow became Lexington
Compagno became Westly
De Los Santos became Daniels
Des Laurier became Lane
Duran became Lamb
Eichman became Ashton
Friedman became Creighton
Goeree became Chancellor
Granados became Rosewood
Guido became Guild
Haldeman became Huntington
Kahler became Highland
Larson became Shepherd
Leavitt became Linden
Levy became Roberts
Lyras became Collington
Lichtenberg became Fields
Mueller became Eton
Neuschatz became Chappel
Pera became Claremont
Pontecorvo became Hudson
Puglia became Chandler
Rolfer became Somerset
Schmitt became Scott
Sjeerslee became West
Solomon became Stratford
Spurling became Irving
Troccolo became Gray
Wehrlich became Cambridge
Winiarski became Windsor
Wirk became West
Yamasaki became Day

Linda Kaplan (at the time, safely named Linda Rockwood by marriage) was instrumental in "helping" members comply with the new mandate. As many serious followers undertook legal name changes, the "task" further estranged individuals from their "life families" whom Burton described as "dead to you." "You-me-us-they" provides more exercises from a later era. As English is not their native language, I have avoided noting grammatical errors.]

"You-me-us-they" wrote on the Fellowship of Friends Discussion blog, March 17, 2007:

I will enlarge the subject to “exercises” or “tasks” the school provided now and then, with the premisse that I was fined twice for breaking the smoking exercise.

Can I state that, with the money my habit generated, I provided the necessary ressources for at least the acquisition of one palm tree, enhancing, hopefully, the general ladscape at Isis?

By the way, I could never look at one palm without thinking it was an ejaculating erected phallus!

When I joined the School, the sex exercise was “on” and I liked it (sort of guaranty for basic morality). For those who does not know, the practice was: no sexual activity out of the mariage form. In 1998, it was over.The form of the mariage got ridiculised. Then, I liked that too, till some extend.

The smoking exercise was also in the package. Yet, I was told that earlier days, it was very much “in” to smoke long, elegant cigarettes. Rich boxes filled with cigarettes of all brands would simply circulate around tables!

Ok, it’s over! Why ?

Till this day, I could never really get the point (except sacrifice and Robert’s dislike).

Could it be health ? Well No! How could that be considering the constant promotion of wine or other stronger alchools, well known for taking your forces away ? Now, since the 3 glasses exercise (still on ?), to stop drinking is more fashionable than the opposite, but believe me it was not always so…

I actually dicovered alchool in the FOF!

Read on this blog the many happy/nostalgic comments on “bottles”, “vino” meaning friendship, sharing and so on…

Once I invited a friend for a “petit déjeuner”, with “croissants”. When I asked “Coffee, tea ?” He answered “do you have red wine ?”

I got a bit allarmed… But not enough since I sat in front of a doctor for help with a possible alchool addiction some 10 years later!

For some exercise, each failure corresponds to a financial fine to be paid. So, I guess the sex exercise gave substancial regular source of income to the FOF…

The smoking exercise probably still do.

The spychological tool of imposing rules and having you touching them with your “being” could be quite a trip when investigated.

You fail, you tell the truth and you are “punished”, made clean with money, big hug and good luck with your addiction!

You fail, you lie, no declared need for a big hug, good luck with your addiction.

Your do not fail because you hide, good luck with your addiction!

You are a non smoker, you win. Big hug, good luck with your addictionssssssssss!

By any chance, are you a woman ? Because then, the skirt must be added! No fine though but simple eclusion, unless you wear one even on top a pair of trousers (!), from the gardens and any possible school event.

Believe it or not, I like rules as well as rituals (I truly believe we need them) and, I also belive we are mature enough to state them for ourselves. We know what is needed, appropriate and, we all have flavour for effort and things well done. There are a lot of people out there making efforts to stop smoking or drinking or watching porno… Why do they bother? Do they all have a RB ?

Obey, disobey, eventually, it does not matter, irrelevant, over, over! What matters is You.

As Gurdjieff said to one of this pupil:

everyone can stop smoking (she stopted under his demand for about 2 years), now take a cigarette!
When the flow is mainly forced/controled by external authority then, we enter a space of ‘obedience’ which seems very immature.

But it might be needed! Why not ? Are we still so far beyond the Father/Mother thing ? Again, it does not matter!

Play the game (the bad boy is still a role in the game)and wake up to the game! That’s it!

Jeronimous Bosch painted the last judgement. 3 panels. Hey? How come Paradise is as unconfortable as hell to look at ?

Watch your teeth when smiling… Even more carefully if tobacco stained them!

"You-me-us-they" added:

Forgot to add several valid option:

Exercises are there so you feel guided (dragged at times but never mind, you are never alone!)

Exercises help you connecting with the concept of “effort”.

Exercises (promotion as well as prohition) around sex, drugs and Rock are easy way to make money by speculating on your vices (FOF, Tabacco/Music industry and what not).

Exercises are given till eventually, they reveal themselves to you for what they are: useless.
Over! What matters is You!

June 1980 Notes

Fellowship of Friends press room (aka "the chapel") at the Socrates Cottage, May 1980 (Photo: T. Campion)

"Renaissance Vine" newsletter [summarized]

Parents should use non-violent methods to discipline of children

No sports cars

No flashy athletic shoes

Cookies are to be referred to as “biscuits”

On May 23, Fellowship member Raymond Kennedy drowned. A task of no swimming has been established.

Resume "wit exercise" as a permanent exercise (like the "no smoking exercise")

1,408 members

C Influence punishes Raymond Kennedy for violating Robert Burton's exercise

[ed. - I believe part of the confusion expressed in the discussion below stems from the fact that a "no swimming exercise" was instituted in 1975, and in 1980, with Raymond's death, it was made a mandatory "task" for all Fellowship members. The Fellowship roster lists Raymond's status as "Released," rather than "Task Complete," customarily applied to those who have died while members in good standing.]

From Find A Grave:

Dr. Raymond B. Kennedy, Jr.
Birth: September 3, 1945, USA
Death: May 23, 1980, USA [ed. - Actually, Bali, Indonesia]
Burial: Rose Hill Cemetery, Fayetteville, Lincoln County, Tennessee, USA

[ed. - The Reverend Raymond B.  Kennedy, likely Raymond's father, is also buried there.]

"Jomo Piñata" wrote on the Fellowship of Friends Discussion blog, March 2, 2009:

260/Lauralupa When Raymond Kennedy drowned in 1980, a statement in the Renaissance Vine (a publication then distributed to the centers) implied that his death was punishment by higher forces for having disobeyed the “no swimming” exercise.

"sharon" wrote on the Fellowship of Friends Discussion blog, March 2, 2009:

263 [above]… hmmm – I was always told that Kennedy’s drowning death was the reason behind the no-swimming exercise… it was a “sign from influence C”, and we would therefore not swim any more. That’s weird enough.

I could be wrong about the above, but.. let’s please try not to damage our credibility by the old telephone game – you know, mis-stating what we heard or mis-remembering just enough that it comes out garbled in the end.

"Jomo Piñata" wrote on the Fellowship of Friends Discussion blog, March 2, 2009:

265/sharon

I remember the sequence of events crisply. There was a no-swimming exercise extant when I joined. Shortly after I joined (weeks or months), the Vine reported Raymond Kennedy had drowned, stating something in the nature of, “This demonstrates that C influence wishes exercises to be taken seriously,” or “C influence may deal harshly with those who do not observe exercises.” Neither of these were exactly what was stated; the exact words I do not remember. The import of the words, however, I remember clearly.

"Mick Danger" wrote on the Fellowship of Friends Discussion blog, March 2, 2009:

I heard that Raymond Kennedy was murdered for his jewelry while on vacation in the Philippines and dumped in the ocean.

Patricia S.’s suicide attempt was lightly regarded from “on high” and she was condemned for bungling it.

Take my advice, you’d be better off dead.

I suspect that fear is what keeps people in, not any sort of wonderfulness or chance of “creating a soul”.

"No Kid" wrote on the Fellowship of Friends Discussion blog, March 2, 2009:

The version of the D.K. [sic] story I heard: While on a sex vacation in Bali, he disappeared. The following morning, his body washed up, stripped of the copious gold jewelry he always wore. An autopsy revealed that the cause of death was not drowning. Rather, a bamboo tube had been inserted into his throat and his lungs filled with sand. A traditional method, apparently, it is supposed to be very painful. Beach boys were considered the likely culprits. I do not know if this is true or not. Maybe, or maybe just a scare story for a little queer kid. Anyway, it is all very “Suddenly Last Summer.” N.K.

"brucelevy" wrote on the Fellowship of Friends Discusaasion blog, March 2, 2009:

265. sharon [above] The no swimming thing was already in effect when Raymond died. RB didn’t want anyone to take time away from “building the school”. Some salaried people would run off for an hour or so to jump in the water nearby to let of steam from working days on end to finish “octaves”. And with the $180.00- $200.00 he was paying us per month, he felt he owned all our time (as well as our bodies). Like when he initiated the smoking exercise. All sorts of horse shit reasons were given, but the truth was someone had half-assedly calculated how much money people were spending in cigs per year and he saw that money should be coming to the school (him).

"brucelevy" wrote on the Fellowsdhip of Friends Discussion blog, March 2, 2009:

273. No Kid [above] I was at the “Ranch” before, when it happened, and after. This is the first time I ever heard that story.

"Wouldnt You Like To Know" wrote on the Fellowship of Friends Discussion blog, March 3, 2009:

Regarding the subject of R. K. that has been discussed on this page. First let me say:

May God rest the soul of that fellow sojourner/pilgrim. We are all strangers in a strange land. And, may all those involved, and/or near and dear to that person, be at peace.

* * * * * *

No Kid said: ‘The version of the D.K. story I heard: While on a sex vacation in Bali, he. . .’

There was no D.K. in this story. There is another person who is often referred to as D.K. in the Fellowship of Friends. They had nothing to do with this incident of R. K.

The simple, unsensational, story is: During a time in FoF when there were exercises of:1) No sex outside the realm of the marriage vow. And, 2) No swimming. The above person supposedly went to a paradise location on planet earth (No Kid has right location) for an extramarital affair. (Other person to remain unnamed but not an FoF member at the time.) While swimming in the ocean at that location, they were pulled into the briny deep by an unusually strong undertow and drowned. Two serious exercises were violated. Other spins on the story, stated above, may or may not have validity. The point is not the specifics of the incident but, rather, how FoF spun it to its benefit.

This is how it was presented: Violation of these two exercises caused the death by sea (C) influence. As I remember it: Poseidon (Neptune. God of the Sea.) had, at the time, significant prominence in FoF (and still does). The statue of Poseidon was recently acquired; the one where Poseidon subdues lowly sea creatures with his trident. The incident was used to reinforce the seriousness of the Work that all were in in FoF.

As usual, and in hindsight, REB was diabolical and fear mongering. It was a tragedy.

Tis all a Chequer-board of Nights and Days Where Destiny with Men for Pieces plays: Hither and thither moves, and mates, and slays, And one by one back in the Closet lays.

- Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam

"Tempus Fugit" wrote on the Fellowship of Friends Discussion blog, February 8, 2013:

111. Opus111

When I read your post the smiling face of Rose Kennedy appeared in my mind after all these many long years. I remember her as kind and loving. Now she is in the other world lit by God’s presence, a place where the sickness found in Robert Burton doesn’t exist. Now she is free. In the seventies or early eighties Rose was married to Raymond Kennedy, a psychiatrist. Rose and Raymond planned a trip to Bali and Burton told Raymond not to go. They went anyway and Raymond drowned while swimming in the ocean. Burton said Raymond had been punished for disobeying him because whatever Burton said to do was the will of “C influence.” What incredible conceit and what incredible nonsense! I’ve been out of the FOF for decades but if I died today (instead of whenever, because we all die), and if Burton knew of my death he would say – “Just like I predicted, C influence punished him for leaving the teaching.” My friends, don’t be foolish and don’t be a fool. Real life is far away from the ravings of a madman, yet as close as one turn and one step.

"Jomo Pinata" wrote on the Fellowship of Friends Discussion blog, August 2, 2007:

[Quoting] 215/Critical Mass

When Adriana D died suddenly at the Mad Hatter, Robert commented that she had been dancing to jazz, “which we have been told not to do, so C Influence cut her down just like that.”

This is exactly like the claim that Raymond Kennedy’s death in 1980 was caused by his disobeying the swimming exercise. Deliberate fear induction to increase obedience.

[ed. - Place holder only. An article about the Fellowship of Friends reported by Jeff Ackerman appeared in the Yuba City Valley Herald.]

May 1980 Notes

Poseidon fountain (not yet functional) amid tulips, April 1980 (Photo: T. Campion)

"Renaissance Vine" newsletter [summarized]

Wine tanks are being constructed at the Renaissance metal shop, Shop 2

90 acres of grapevines were planted this past winter

Land clearing underway for Shop 3 (automotive shop)

No smoking allowed at Renaissance

Those who wear glasses should change to contact lenses (for a more beautiful appearance)

Ladies are not to wear pants

Concerts:

May 10 and 11: Madame Butterfly
May 24 through 26: American String Quartet

Photos: two views of the Poseidon statue with red tulips

1,382 members

Other Notes

May 21:

Robert Burton returns from Europe

May 29:

News received of Fellowship member Raymond Kennedy’s drowning . He was reportedly body surfing in Bali at the time. As a result, Robert Burton imposed upon members a new “task”: avoid swimming.

[ed. - Violation of a "task" involves more severe consequences than violation of an "exercise."]

May 31:

Shop 3 [automotive and antique restoration] dedicated. “Pantheon Industries” inaugurated, with Kenneth Wygal managing operations at Renaissance.

April 1980 Notes

"Renaissance Vine" newsletter [summarized]

Members should adopt European table manners

1,375 members

Photos: Renaissance orchard in Spring, marble bust of Homer

Other Notes

April 2:

Performance of Bach's St. Matthew’s Passion in San Francisco

Robert Burton asks specific individuals to lose weight

March 1980 Notes

"Renaissance Vine" newsletter [summarized]

March 22 and 23 Quarterly Concerts: Beaux Arts Trio

Children should call parents “mother” and “father”

1,358 members

Photos: fountain, gilding room

Other Notes

March 20:

At Robert's direction, the topic of tonight's meeting was the transformation and correct use of the sex center.

Robert has asked many persons to change their names.

New dining procedures (or "manners") have been introduced at Renaissance.

From the Fellowship of Friends Wiki Page [Defunct]:

[ed. - thoughts from The Teacher, Robert Burton, with apparent index number shown.]

The school will make elaborate plans to retrieve objects of art for posterity after Armageddon occurs during September, 2006. The gods work openly with us, and this is the theory they have transmitted to me. 031780.52)

This type of suffering may be intended to prepare one for the trial of being huddled together within a fall-out shelter after Armageddon. (031780.97)

"The Hell Letter"

Image source

From an archive of Stella Wirk's website:

[ed. - Stella's website has also been captured at Stella Wirk and on fourthwayschool.org.]

[Stella wrote:]

This is known as "the Hell letter" for reasons which will become clear.

The letter below was sent to Sheila Cousins, also known as Sharole Manering, who had fallen and injured herself in 1980 and had gotten behind in her monthly payments to the Fellowship of Friends.

Sharole died in 1982 after a long struggle with cancer. Her mother was very upset to find the letter from FOF among her papers.

Sharole's mother also was disturbed to find out that Fellowship members had come to visit Sharole in the hospital, to sit and stare at Sharole, and eventually talked Sharole into returning a cameo "given" to her by Robert (the reason for this is unclear).

You see, Robert "gave" lots of cameo "gifts" to the women in the group, and they had to PAY for them! The prices weren't cheap, some up to several hundred dollars!

Sharole's mother was very angry about this, and demanded return of the cameo, with no success. She finally requested the help of Karl Werner (winemaster at the time) and he quickly came to her aid to effect the speedy return of the cameo rightfully to her.

Sharole would have wanted it this way; she was too weak in the hospital to deal with FOF students who came to see her, and could hardly stand to have them sitting there staring at her. We know about this because we lived in Nevada at the time, and we visited her frequently. She confided in us these things. Her mother told us about the cameo scenario, and she was mad as hops. We suggested she contact Karl.

The late Karl Werner had a sense of fairness for such things, and if anybody could accomplish the cameo's return, it would be him. He, one of the few rare ones, could speak up to Burton and any of the hierarchy. He was unimpressed by people acting snooty.

When Sharole died, the only person "assigned" by Robert to attend her funeral was Doris Elizabeth. When it was discovered that Harold and I were still in Sparks, Nevada, Doris decided to allow us to represent FOF as we were going to the funeral anyway.

We represented ourselves at the funeral, and chalked up another notch for the inconsistencies and insensitivities of FOF members learned from the leadership.

Here is the letter which upset Sharole's mother deeply because she realized her daughter had kept this letter with her for two years, no doubt very hurt by it herself. It has come to be known among ex members as "The Hell Letter."

Fellowship of Friends

March 27, 1980

Sharole Manering
Philadelphia Centre


Dear Sharole,

As you requested, herein are the angles the Teacher offered to you.

"Tell Sharole hello for me. And tell her to remember that she is working with Influence C and that she needs to be a good businesswoman with them. Tell her that she has held on this long and that there is no reason that she cannot hold on eternally; that is, until she becomes an angel. Remind her that this is C influence speaking directly with her through me. Remind her that this is their way of warning her and that she has to become current with her donations now or she will have to leave the Fellowship. Tell her that the only other place to go is hell."

Those are his words, Sharole. Good luck to you.

Sincerely,

JB/dh

From the Gurdjieff-Ouspensky Centers (Fellowship of Friends) website:

Can I leave at any time?

Yes. Your monthly donation represents your commitment to participate for one month at a time. You can view membership as an experiment: Did I get what I wanted during the past month? If you inform us that you are leaving, you will be removed from the roster immediately. Moreover, anyone who is inactive for three and a half months is removed.

February 1980 Notes

With The Fall of California in 1998, Robert Burton said the ocean would rise to the level of this fog. (Photo: T. Campion)

"Renaissance Vine" newsletter [summarized]

No smoking in Teaching Houses

No firearms

No speaking about spouses

Concerts:

February 2: Miha Pogacnik, Norma Brown

February 9 and 10: Tales of Hoffman [Diane Gilfether and Maureen Forrester?]

February 17: Gerhard Puchelt

1,344 members

Photo: Fog in the valley (California, after the fall!)

The Orchestra Octave

[ed. - The following letter was posted on the Internet Archive. This was the early days of what would eventually become the Apollo Symphony Orchestra, under Michael Goodwin's direction. Linda's use of "octave" may be loosely interpreted as "project." Note the use of "within." At the time, as a "word exercise," members were to avoid using the word "in."

In addition to those who actually had musical experience, Robert Burton assigned individuals with absolutely no experience to take up instruments. The letter is heavily steeped in what was known in the Fellowship as "feminine dominance," a clearly implied pressure to conform to the request. For the "octave's" launch, see: April 1979 Notes.]

Fellowship of Friends

February 7, 1980

Dear Friends,

The Fellowship's Orchestra Octave is proceeding well. Several members from each centre are now studying a musical instrument. Because it is difficult to get a 'feel' of the scope of the octave, I have decided to send out a list of those persons currently involved with the octave.

As you may immediately notice, this octave is large. Some persons who have had several years experience with an instrument and have yet to commit themselves to the octave have been listed anyway. If these people truly are unable to resume lessons and practice, will they please write me a personal letter? Our school is successful precisely because it is ours. We must use every resource available to us if we are to fulfill the grand aims that the Gods have established for us.

Also included within this letter is a copy of a section from a private letter sent to me by Michael Goodwin, the Fellowship's professional conductor currently residing within Germany. I feel it will serve as a source of inspiration for our budding musicians.

We must realize that a time will come when we will no longer have musical cassettes and stereos to play, how shall we be nourished if not by our own efforts? A musical instrument is both a private and a public experience, bringing joy to those that play as well as those that listen. The necessity of practising every day is so similar to the efforts we must make to self-remember that the two endeavours can spur each other on.

If I have overlooked anyone,please write to let me know.

'Little strokes fell great oaks.' • Benjamin Franklin

Thank you again for your participation.

(s) Linda Rockwood [a.k.a. Linda Kaplan, Linda Tulisso]

Fellowship of Friends Inc., Main Office, Post Office Box 575, Oregon House, California 95962
916-692-1653

January 1980 Notes

"Renaissance Vine" newsletter [summarized]

Ladies are to take up sewing and knitting

This is the tenth anniversary of The Fellowship of Friends. The Fellowship began January 1, 1970 in Lafayette, CA. Membership growth over the years:

Year 1        26 members
  2              80
  3            127
  4            279
  5            477
  6            545
  7            885
  8         1,035
  9         1,186
10         1,346

Photos: Riesling grapes in winter, Shop 2 slab

Other Notes

January 1:

New word exercise: avoid using "in." ("Within" or "inside" are permissible.)

January 2:

Robert is considering Mercedes buses for the Los Angeles and San Francisco centers.

January 30:

Robert leaves for Europe.

Harold Wirk's notes for 1980:

Kloumans quit 10/80 [ed. - After Thomas Klouman reportedly recovered a very large loan from the Fellowship, without Burton's approval.]. 1980 emphasis: restrictions, tasks, fines, obedience. "Organized religion" emphasis (2/80). Payments: $350 mo. 1980: growth rate declines by 90%. (Lowest growth year)