Comments on: When and where was Baird T Spalding born? Part 2 http://www.bairdtspalding.org/2009/07/when-and-where-was-baird-t-spalding-born-part-2/ The life and teaching of an American mystic Mon, 02 Aug 2010 20:54:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: madamebwolfe http://www.bairdtspalding.org/2009/07/when-and-where-was-baird-t-spalding-born-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-130 madamebwolfe Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:17:42 +0000 http://www.bairdtspalding.org/?p=146#comment-130 I'm just beginning to read these "journals" of Spalding's and mental 'red flags' went up from the first page. It's so f**king Vague. Like in 3 1/2 years he/unidentified they lived and learned from "masters". WHO did all the necessary translations in all the varied cultures allegedly visited? These are not common languages and there are so many dialects. That obstacle alone tends to make me think the whole story made up. The question is WHY? I love that there are you guys out there researching in archives. Please do keep posting here. Claudia I’m just beginning to read these “journals” of Spalding’s and mental ‘red flags’ went up from the first page. It’s so f**king Vague. Like in 3 1/2 years he/unidentified they lived and learned from “masters”. WHO did all the necessary translations in all the varied cultures allegedly visited? These are not common languages and there are so many dialects. That obstacle alone tends to make me think the whole story made up. The question is WHY?

I love that there are you guys out there researching in archives. Please do keep posting here.

Claudia

]]> By: willow78 http://www.bairdtspalding.org/2009/07/when-and-where-was-baird-t-spalding-born-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-125 willow78 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:17:54 +0000 http://www.bairdtspalding.org/?p=146#comment-125 Im curious, how is the research going, any updates on the passport app? Im curious, how is the research going, any updates on the passport app?

]]> By: todd http://www.bairdtspalding.org/2009/07/when-and-where-was-baird-t-spalding-born-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-115 todd Mon, 26 Oct 2009 01:29:12 +0000 http://www.bairdtspalding.org/?p=146#comment-115 Carlos Casteneda is a fine analogy. According to the Richard de Mille book Castaneda's Journey, at the time Castaneda was supposedly meeting Don Juan in the desert, he was actually sitting in the library at Berkeley researching peyote rituals. I read Castaneda avidly as a teenager, but looking back on them today it's obvious to see they are fictional pseudo-anthropology. Carlos Casteneda is a fine analogy. According to the Richard de Mille book Castaneda’s Journey, at the time Castaneda was supposedly meeting Don Juan in the desert, he was actually sitting in the library at Berkeley researching peyote rituals. I read Castaneda avidly as a teenager, but looking back on them today it’s obvious to see they are fictional pseudo-anthropology.

]]> By: Greg http://www.bairdtspalding.org/2009/07/when-and-where-was-baird-t-spalding-born-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-95 Greg Thu, 24 Sep 2009 20:53:43 +0000 http://www.bairdtspalding.org/?p=146#comment-95 Fascinating work. While Spalding's books were entertaining, I never could find out anything about the man or his 'team'. Not even a picture. Never one prone to blind faith, I had reached the conclusion the man AND story were all a work of fiction. Like Carlos Castanada's don Juan. Thank you for providing some answers. Fascinating work. While Spalding’s books were entertaining, I never could find out anything about the man or his ‘team’. Not even a picture. Never one prone to blind faith, I had reached the conclusion the man AND story were all a work of fiction.
Like Carlos Castanada’s don Juan.
Thank you for providing some answers.

]]> By: todd http://www.bairdtspalding.org/2009/07/when-and-where-was-baird-t-spalding-born-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-76 todd Mon, 21 Sep 2009 17:24:11 +0000 http://www.bairdtspalding.org/?p=146#comment-76 That's another Spalding 'tall tale' unfortunately. There are two variations. One says his grandfather was John Spalding, another says Baird Spalding I. Neither is true - his grandfather was Hiram, and his father was Stephen, and neither went to India or was a Hindu as claimed. I am writing a post on the topic but still waiting on one document that I need to complete it, and the Department of State is taking their sweet time about sending it. That’s another Spalding ‘tall tale’ unfortunately. There are two variations. One says his grandfather was John Spalding, another says Baird Spalding I. Neither is true – his grandfather was Hiram, and his father was Stephen, and neither went to India or was a Hindu as claimed. I am writing a post on the topic but still waiting on one document that I need to complete it, and the Department of State is taking their sweet time about sending it.

]]> By: rob http://www.bairdtspalding.org/2009/07/when-and-where-was-baird-t-spalding-born-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-75 rob Mon, 21 Sep 2009 17:17:11 +0000 http://www.bairdtspalding.org/?p=146#comment-75 Bruton says Spalding inherited a journal from his Grandfather, does anyone know his G'fathers name & whether he actually ever went to India or anywhere in the East? Bruton says Spalding inherited a journal from his Grandfather, does anyone know his G’fathers name & whether he actually ever went to India or anywhere in the East?

]]> By: elise http://www.bairdtspalding.org/2009/07/when-and-where-was-baird-t-spalding-born-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-51 elise Thu, 03 Sep 2009 16:00:16 +0000 http://www.bairdtspalding.org/?p=146#comment-51 Hello guys! Thank you very much for creating and running this site! I have always felt that something of this kind is neccessary. On this note: Could you please continue posting new and obectively correct information regarding the truth about Baird T. Spalding? I would be pleased. Many thanks in advance. -E. Mueller Hello guys!

Thank you very much for creating and running this site! I have always felt that something of this kind is neccessary.

On this note: Could you please continue posting new and obectively correct information regarding the truth about Baird T. Spalding? I would be pleased.

Many thanks in advance.

-E. Mueller

]]> By: ce http://www.bairdtspalding.org/2009/07/when-and-where-was-baird-t-spalding-born-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-48 ce Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:36:15 +0000 http://www.bairdtspalding.org/?p=146#comment-48 Fascinating indeed. Ah yes, authenticity.. Some could get disappointed by reading such a comment... Still, that shouldn't withhold anyone from reading the book. If one believes or if one does not, in both cases one is correct. What a privilege to be able look past the 'tit for that'. Good luck with you research! Fascinating indeed.

Ah yes, authenticity..
Some could get disappointed by reading such a comment…

Still, that shouldn’t withhold anyone from reading the book.
If one believes or if one does not, in both cases one is correct.

What a privilege to be able look past the ‘tit for that’.
Good luck with you research!

]]> By: todd http://www.bairdtspalding.org/2009/07/when-and-where-was-baird-t-spalding-born-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-46 todd Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:46:32 +0000 http://www.bairdtspalding.org/?p=146#comment-46 I remember that review! They are essentially correct. Bruton's biography undermines much of Spalding's story (although it adds additional distortions which are also incorrect). Bruton wasn't that dissimilar to Spalding in that he was living the life of a mystic, publishing books, and his Institute of Esoteric Philosophy had a 200 acre retreat in California etc. If anything Bruton was more committed. Unfortunately Bruton died in 1955 just as his plans were coming together. The book referenced is by retired British officer Major Alan W. Chadwick (1890-1962), later known as Sadhu Arunachala, titled "A Sadhu's Reminiscences of Ramana Maharshi". It puts a big dent in the India Tour story and essentially paints Spalding as delusional. Here's a quote: "He told me some fantastic tales which he certainly believed himself, so perhaps after all he was not to be blamed. For surely he would never have had the courage to lead such an expedition which could only end as a fiasco if he had not been slightly mad." There is also a similar third party account by Paul Brunton who was a follower of Maharshi. The authenticity question is a good one. I am working my way through a ton of material on Spalding which has simply been forgotten over the decades. Let's just say he was in and out of the newspapers for various legal and personal challenges. I have some correspondence from family members which goes even further. I think that is why he is such a fascinating subject to research. I remember that review! They are essentially correct. Bruton’s biography undermines much of Spalding’s story (although it adds additional distortions which are also incorrect). Bruton wasn’t that dissimilar to Spalding in that he was living the life of a mystic, publishing books, and his Institute of Esoteric Philosophy had a 200 acre retreat in California etc. If anything Bruton was more committed. Unfortunately Bruton died in 1955 just as his plans were coming together.

The book referenced is by retired British officer Major Alan W. Chadwick (1890-1962), later known as Sadhu Arunachala, titled “A Sadhu’s Reminiscences of Ramana Maharshi”. It puts a big dent in the India Tour story and essentially paints Spalding as delusional. Here’s a quote:

“He told me some fantastic tales which he certainly believed himself, so perhaps after all he was not to be blamed. For surely he would never have had the courage to lead such an expedition which could only end as a fiasco if he had not been slightly mad.”

There is also a similar third party account by Paul Brunton who was a follower of Maharshi.

The authenticity question is a good one. I am working my way through a ton of material on Spalding which has simply been forgotten over the decades. Let’s just say he was in and out of the newspapers for various legal and personal challenges. I have some correspondence from family members which goes even further. I think that is why he is such a fascinating subject to research.

]]> By: ce http://www.bairdtspalding.org/2009/07/when-and-where-was-baird-t-spalding-born-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-45 ce Sun, 30 Aug 2009 16:03:22 +0000 http://www.bairdtspalding.org/?p=146#comment-45 To make sure I expressed myself correctly, I'm not questioning the authenticity of the teachings. Only the fact that this person has a different perspective.. To make sure I expressed myself correctly, I’m not questioning the authenticity of the teachings. Only the fact that this person has a different perspective..

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