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'''Eugene W. Munson''' was a member of the [[American Theosophical Society]] and lecturer for the [[Krotona in Hollywood|Krotona Institute of Theosophy]].
{{Infobox MLbox
| header1 = People involved |
| writtenby        = [[Koot Hoomi]]
| receivedby        = [[A. P. Sinnett]]
| sentvia          = [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky|H. P. Blavatsky]]
| header2 = Dates
| writtendate      = unknown
| receiveddate      = October 20, 1880
| otherdate        = unknown
| header3 = Places
| sentfrom          = unknown
| receivedat        = [[Simla, India]]
| vialocation      = unknown{{pad|9em}}
}}
This is '''Letter No. 3a''' in''' [[The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett (book)|''The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett'']], 4th chronological edition'''. It corresponds to '''Letter No. 3a''' in '''Barker numbering.''' [[Mahatma Letter No. 3a#Context and background|Context and background]].
<br>
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<big>[[Mahatma Letter No. 2|'''<nowiki> < </nowiki>'''Prev letter chrono]]</big>{{pad|3em}}
<big>[[Mahatma Letter No. 3b|Next letter chrono'''<nowiki> > </nowiki>''']]</big>{{pad|3em}}
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<big>[[Mahatma Letter No. 2|'''<nowiki> < </nowiki>'''Prev letter Barker]]</big>{{pad|3em}}
<big>[[Mahatma Letter No. 3b|Next letter Barker'''<nowiki> > </nowiki>''']]</big>
<br>
<br>


== Page 1 transcription, image, and notes ==


{{Col-begin|width=98%}}
{{Col-break|width=55%}}
I saw [[Koot Hoomi|K.H.]] in [[Astral Body|astral form]] on the night of 19th of October, 1880, — waking up for a moment but immediately afterwards being rendered unconscious again (in the body) and conscious out of the body in the adjacent dressing-room where I saw another of the [[Brothers]] afterwards identified with one called "[[Serapis]]" by [[H. S. Olcott|Olcott]], — "the youngest of the [[chohan]]s."


== Personal life ==
The note about the vision came the following morning, and during that day, the 20th, we went for a picnic to Prospect Hill, when the "[[Brooch#Brooch_No._2|pillow incident]]" occurred.


On [[November 9]], 1877, Eugene Munson was born in Marshall, California to Miron Munson and Fannie Aldrich Munson.<ref>1926 Passenger list...........</ref> He had two older sisters and one younger brother. By 1880, the family had moved to Spokane, Washington.<ref>1880 United States Federal Census.</ref> Little is known of the life of Miron, but by 1900, Fannie had remarried to Joseph E. Cohenhour. They lived in Chicago with three of the children, including Eugene, who at age 23 was working as an electrician.<ref>1900 United States Federal Census.</ref>
{{Col-break|width=3%}}


At some point Eugene moved to Roswell, Idaho, a small town near Boise, where he was part owner of a general store, and regarded as "one of the  substantial citizens of that community."<ref>"A Roswell Wedding" ''Caldwell Tribune'' 29 (August 1, 1908): 2.</ref> On August 1, 1908, he married Mattie Doll of Saugatuck, Michigan, and they moved into a well-furnished bungalow.
{{Col-break|width=15%}}
[http://www.theosophy.wiki/mywiki/images/ML/3A-0_Cover_sheet_6030.jpg http://www.theosophy.wiki/mywiki/images/ML/3A-0_Cover_sheet_6030_thm.jpg]


Mr. Munson died on [[October 31]], 1952 in Los Angeles.<ref>1952 California, U.S., Death Index, 1940-1997.</ref>
{{Col-break|width=30%}}
'''NOTES:'''
* '''The "pillow incident"''' refers to a [[phenomenon]] in which [[Brooch#Brooch_No._2|Mrs. Sinnett's brooch]] was materialized inside a pillow.


== Theosophical Society activities ==
{{Col-end}}


Munson joined the San Buena Ventura Lodge of the American Theosophical Society on October 10, 1904. In 1909-10 he became president of the newly formed branch in Salt Lake City.<ref>"Salt Lake City" ''The Theosophic Messenger'' 11 no. 10 (July, 1910): 633.</ref> He was temporarily lodging in Utah and working as a draftsman, while lecturing weekly at Theosophical meetings.<ref>1910 United States Federal Census.</ref> In late 1912, he disposed of his Idaho property, including a ranch, and in early 1913 moved to [[Krotona in Hollywood]].<ref>''Caldwell Tribune'' 29 (December 20, 1912): 4. </ref><ref>''Caldwell Tribune'' 30 (January 10, 1913): 7. </ref> As the local newspaper reported:
== Page 2 ==
<blockquote>
Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Munson will soon leave for Krotona, California, near Los Angeles. Mr. and Mrs. Munson are moving so as to be near the new headquarters of the Theosophical society. They are thoroughly devoted to the Theosophical cause and feel it their duty to take a move active part in the work at Krotona.<ref>''Caldwell Tribune'' 30 (January 3, 1913): 4. </ref>
</blockquote>


He wrote articles for Theosophical periodicals, such as "Tesla's Wireless Power and Mr. Leadbeater's Prophecy"<ref>"Eugene W. Munson, "Tesla's Wireless Power and Mr. Leadbeater's Prophecy" ''The Messenger'' 3 no. 6 (November, 1915): 164-165.</ref> He demitted to the Krotona Lodge in 1917.<ref>Membership Ledger Cards roll 5. Theosophical Society in America Archives.</ref> Beginning in 1917, he served as treasurer of the national Society.<ref>Eugene W. Munson. "Treasurer's Report" ''The Messenger'' Statistical Year Book supplement 5 no. 4 (September, 1917): 4.</ref>
{{Col-begin|width=98%}}
{{Col-break|width=55%}}
My good "Brother,"


When the Besant Lodge of Krotona was established in October 1920 with 56 members, he was a charter member and vice president, with [[Marie Poutz]] as president.<ref>"Besant Lodge, Krotona" ''The Messenger'' 8 no. 7 (December, 1920): 577.</ref>
In dreams and visions at least, when rightly interpreted there can hardly be an "element of doubt." . . . . I hope to prove to you my presence near you last night by something I took away with me. Your lady will receive it back on the Hill. I keep no pink paper to write upon, but I trust modest white will do as well for what I have to say.


=== Lecture tours ===
[[Koot Hoomi|Koot' Hoomi Lal Sing]].


After Krotona had become established in Hollywood, Munson was more active in the national organization. George H. Hall, Manager of the Krotona Estate, wrote:
{{Col-break|width=3%}}
<blockquote>
Later he entered the service of The Theosophical Society in America as a National Lecturer, and traveled throughout the United States lecturing and organizing study classes and lodges. He was one of the best lecturers for the Society and made many friends all over the country. It was from this work that I called him in 1923 to help me at Hollywood before we moved to Ojai. When we sold the Hollywood property, he and Mrs. Munson were the first to move to Ojai, and for nearly thirty years we have worked together to build the new Krotona in the Ojai Valley.<ref>"Mr. Eugene W. Munson" ''The American Theosophist'' 40 no. 12 (December, 1952): 240.</ref>
</blockquote>


During the years 1916-1922, Munson worked as a National Lecturer of the [[American Theosophical Society]], touring for months on end. His presentations received excellent reviews from local newspapers. After speaking in Pueblo, Colorado, a reviewer wrote:
{{Col-break|width=15%}}
<blockquote>
[http://www.theosophy.wiki/mywiki/images/ML/3A-1_6031.jpg http://www.theosophy.wiki/mywiki/images/ML/3A-1_6031_thm.jpg]
Mr. Munson has just competed a very successful course in Denver, speaking to capacity houses. He is a pleasant speaker  and uses anecdotes, stereopticon and blackboard illustrations freely in demonstrating the more unfamiliar phases of his subject.
 
He appears practical and level-headed, being an engineer by profession.<ref>"Lecture Course in Theosophy" ''Pueblo Chieftain'' (March 12, 1922): 6.</ref>
</blockquote>


During the First World War, he often lectured about topics related to current events, such as an occult view of the war and the rebirth of those who died in wartime in his lecture "What Comes Out of the War;" "The Occult Relations of France, Great Britain, and the United State;" and "The New International Ship of State" [referring to the League of Nations].


Usually Munson spoke more directly about Theosophical subjects, using the stereopticon slides of [[Thought-Forms|thought forms]] and the [[Astral Body|astral body]] developed by [[C. W. Leadbeater]]. Titles included "How Many Lives Have You Lived?," "Do the Dead Return," "The Path of Achievement," "The Inner Gates of the Soul," and "The Science of the Borderland" [Theosophical explanations of spiritualistic experiences]. A reviewer in Great Falls, Montana, wrote of "The Hidden Side of Things":
{{Col-break|width=30%}}
<blockquote>
'''NOTES:'''
In the course of his address, which was heard by a large gathering of interested men and women, Mr. Munson described how telepathy is possible, explained what thoughts are, showing them as tangible objects, with shape and color visible to the occult eye. Mr. Munson also dealt somewhat at length on the evolution of the soul toward perfection.
* '''"Something I took away with me"''' refers to Mrs. Sinnett's brooch, which was [[Brooch#Brooch_No._2|materialized]] the next day.
* '''pink paper''' refers to a phenomenon on September 20, when Mrs. Sinnett received a KH note on HPB's pink paper.  


The lecture was the first of a series of four to be given here... The purpose of the lectures is to arouse interest in the science of theosophy with the idea of perfecting an organization in this city.<ref>"Theosophists Plan to Organize Here" Great Falls Daily Tribune (September 12, 1921): 9.</ref>
{{Col-end}}
</blockquote>


In addition to his extensive travel in the United States, Munson toured lodges in Canada from Vancouver to Toronto.<ref>See multiple references in ''The Canadian Theosophist'' 1 no. 1-4 (March-June 1920).</ref>
== Context and background ==


=== Work at Krotona Institute of Theosophy ===
Mr. Sinnett had been asking for some direct evidence of occult phenomena, and he was extremely eager for some kind of immediate personal contact with the Mahatma K.H.


At the time of his death in 1952, Munson was a member of the Krotona Board of Trustees.
To read about the "pink paper"' phenomenon, see [[The Occult World (book)|''The Occult World'']] by A. P. Sinnett, pp.4-56 and [[Old Diary Leaves (book)|''Old Diary Leaves'']] by H. S. Olcott, volume 2, p.232.


== Other activities ==
== Physical description of letter ==


George Hall wrote:
The original letter in in Folio 1 at the British Library. According to [[George Linton]] and [[Virginia Hanson]]:
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
In addition to his interest in Krotona and its activities, he took a keen interest in public affairs, and was always generous with his time and contributions to many outside interests. He did much to acquaint the people of the Valley with Krotona an to win for us the respect and friendliness of the community.<ref>"Mr. Eugene W. Munson" ''The American Theosophist'' 40 no. 12 (December, 1952): 240.</ref>
The explanatory note by [[A. P. Sinnett|APS]] preceding the message from [[Koot Hoomi|KH]] is on smooth white note paper, written in black ink (It is interesting that all the letters received while [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky|HPB]] was at [[Simla, India|Simla]] during that season are in this color of ink.) ML-3A, is on this same type of folded note paper and in black ink. The script is finer than in the previous two letters. Again, the signature is in a darker ink and different script from the body of the letter.<ref>George E. Linton and Virginia Hanson, eds., ''Readers Guide to The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett'' (Adyar, Chennai, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1972), 39.</ref>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>


Eugene Munson was a 32° [[Co-Masonry|Co-Mason]].
== Publication history ==
 
 
== Commentary about this letter ==
 


== Notes ==
== Notes ==
<references/>
<references/>
<br>
== Additional resources ==
[[es:Carta de los Mahatmas No. 3a]]
[[it:Lettera dei Mahatma n° 3a]]


[[Category:Lecturers|Munson, Eugene]]
[[Category:ML from Koot Hoomi]]
[[Category:TS Adyar|Munson, Eugene]]
[[Category:ML to A. P. Sinnett]]
[[Category:Nationality American|Munson, Eugene]]
[[Category:ML with images]]
[[Category:Krotona Hollywood|Munson, Eugene]]
[[Category:ML needs commentary]]
[[Category:Co-Masons|Munson, Eugene]]
[[Category:People|Munson, Eugene]]

Revision as of 14:08, 26 October 2023

Quick Facts
People involved
Written by: Koot Hoomi
Received by: A. P. Sinnett
Sent via: H. P. Blavatsky
Dates
Written on: unknown
Received on: October 20, 1880
Other dates: unknown
Places
Sent from: unknown
Received at: Simla, India
Via: unknown 

This is Letter No. 3a in The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett, 4th chronological edition. It corresponds to Letter No. 3a in Barker numbering. Context and background.

< Prev letter chrono  Next letter chrono >  
< Prev letter Barker  Next letter Barker >

Page 1 transcription, image, and notes

I saw K.H. in astral form on the night of 19th of October, 1880, — waking up for a moment but immediately afterwards being rendered unconscious again (in the body) and conscious out of the body in the adjacent dressing-room where I saw another of the Brothers afterwards identified with one called "Serapis" by Olcott, — "the youngest of the chohans."

The note about the vision came the following morning, and during that day, the 20th, we went for a picnic to Prospect Hill, when the "pillow incident" occurred.

3A-0_Cover_sheet_6030_thm.jpg

NOTES:

Page 2

My good "Brother,"

In dreams and visions at least, when rightly interpreted there can hardly be an "element of doubt." . . . . I hope to prove to you my presence near you last night by something I took away with me. Your lady will receive it back on the Hill. I keep no pink paper to write upon, but I trust modest white will do as well for what I have to say.

Koot' Hoomi Lal Sing.

3A-1_6031_thm.jpg


NOTES:

  • "Something I took away with me" refers to Mrs. Sinnett's brooch, which was materialized the next day.
  • pink paper refers to a phenomenon on September 20, when Mrs. Sinnett received a KH note on HPB's pink paper.

Context and background

Mr. Sinnett had been asking for some direct evidence of occult phenomena, and he was extremely eager for some kind of immediate personal contact with the Mahatma K.H.

To read about the "pink paper"' phenomenon, see The Occult World by A. P. Sinnett, pp.4-56 and Old Diary Leaves by H. S. Olcott, volume 2, p.232.

Physical description of letter

The original letter in in Folio 1 at the British Library. According to George Linton and Virginia Hanson:

The explanatory note by APS preceding the message from KH is on smooth white note paper, written in black ink (It is interesting that all the letters received while HPB was at Simla during that season are in this color of ink.) ML-3A, is on this same type of folded note paper and in black ink. The script is finer than in the previous two letters. Again, the signature is in a darker ink and different script from the body of the letter.[1]

Publication history

Commentary about this letter

Notes

  1. ↑ George E. Linton and Virginia Hanson, eds., Readers Guide to The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett (Adyar, Chennai, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1972), 39.


Additional resources

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