Sunday, November 8, 2026

Tibetan Buddhism couldn't really have worked for most people in the 1920s and 1930s because people weren't educated enough about other cultures then here in the U.S. or Europe

 

Sunday, November 8, 2026

I asked about whether the AI could find whether Mr. And Mrs. Ballard studied Tibetan Buddhism before 1930. This is the answer which is interesting to me

begin quotes from: 
AI Overview
No, Mr. and Mrs. Ballard did not formally study Tibetan Buddhism before 1930. Instead, their exposure to Eastern mysticism, spiritual masters, and esoteric concepts came from their extensive study of Theosophy and Western occultism.
Prior to Guy Ballard’s pivotal 1930 encounter on Mount Shasta, the couple was deeply immersed in the Chicago metaphysical scene:

  • Theosophical Influence: They heavily studied the literature of Helena Blavatsky’s Theosophical Society. Blavatsky's work popularised the idea of a "Great White Brotherhood" of enlightened Mahatmas guiding humanity from secret retreats, including Tibet.
  • Occult Bookstore Work: During the 1920s, Edna Ballard worked at the Philosopher’s Nook, an occult bookstore in Chicago.
  • Metaphysical Publishing: Edna also edited the periodical American Occultists.

While their subsequent "I AM" Activity framework incorporated concepts like reincarnation and ascended masters—mirroring aspects of Eastern traditions—these ideas were filtered entirely through a Theosophical and New Thought lens rather than direct training in Tibetan Buddhism.
If you're researching the roots of the "I AM" movement, would you like to explore how Guy Ballard modified the Theosophical master framework or see a timeline of their legal battles regarding their religious claims?
Posted by at No comments:
Labels:

The American Occultist: Edna Ballard used the bookstore as a hub to publish the weekly journal American Occultist (later called The Diamond) under the pen name "Veritas,

What is interesting to me about this more than anything else is that the closest thing I could come to in Tibetan Buddhism as a God and Goddess of the entire Universe is a being called Vajrasattva whose Consort is Nyema and they are often represented in YabYum which represents the male and female combined as a fully enlightened One (like Twin Rays together here on earth or "Splitaparts" from the movie with Demi Moore "The Butcher's Wife(1991).

So, calling her publication "The Diamond" makes me think that Mrs. Ballard had to have studied enough about Tibetan Buddhism to call her publication "The Diamond" Because 

Vajrasattva literally means "The Diamond" and Also, "the Lightning Bolt" of Vajrayana Buddhism of Instant Enlightenment! 

The concept as I understand it is that you are Struck by the Lightning of Enlightenment.

For example, my wife is likely the most naturally enlightened person I have ever met. She didn't really have to study with Spiritual teachers much for this either. She is just naturally this way. In fact, it took me three years to full understand this when she and I started living together and married.

One day she went outside to work on the roses but she didn't say a word all day. I was worried because she talks all the time because she is so intelligent and kind to me and everyone else she meets or knows everywhere. 

So, i went outside to ask her why she was so quiet. 

She told me that she saw everything good and everything bad on earth all at once because her mother just died.

I told her what she was describing to me was a form of Enlightenment.

She said, "I don't like it!"

I said, "You don't have to like it it's just you understand fully how things are here on earth."

She again said, "I don't like it!"

And I said, "It's sort of like having a lightning flash and you understand how cars or planes or ships work and their engines and everything. Is it good or bad to know this? Mostly it's helpful to know all these things about life so you are no longer a victim of life in any way. You are Free! "

Once again she said, "Well I don't like it"

I said, "YOU Don't have to like it but it's a form of Enlightenment you reached when your mother passed away!"

By God's Grace 

 

Posted by at No comments:
Labels:

Occult Bookstore Work: During the 1920s, Edna Ballard worked at the Philosopher’s Nook, an occult bookstore in Chicago.

If you were raised in the "I AM" movement like I was from birth in 1948 until 1969 this would be something of a revelation to you too. It takes things to a whole new level that I likely could never have imagined before this moment.
 
AI Overview
The Philosopher’s Nook was a historic occult and metaphysical bookstore in Chicago operated around 1930 at 15 East Washington Street.
  • Key Connection: The shop was run by Elsie O'Brien, and her sister Edna Anne Wheeler Ballard worked there.
  • The American Occultist: Edna Ballard used the bookstore as a hub to publish the weekly journal American Occultist (later called The Diamond) under the pen name "Veritas," holding weekly metaphysical and spiritual classes at the shop.
  • Legacy: Edna Ballard later co-founded the "I AM" Activity / Saint Germain Foundation with her husband Guy Warren Ballard, a movement often viewed as a major precursor to the modern New Age movement. You can read more about her background on Edna Anne Wheeler Ballard - Wikipedia and explore archival material via the American Occultist Archive.
  • Modern Successor: If you are looking for Chicago's oldest continuously operating spirit and occult shop rather than the historic 1930s Nook, the lineage traces to the Occult Bookstore, founded in 1918 and currently located at 3031 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Would you like to know more about Edna Ballard and the "I AM" Movement, or are you looking for current occult and metaphysical bookstores in Chicago to visit?
  • IAPSOP.com
    American Occultist [IAPSOP]
    Table_title: American Occultist Table_content: | Summary: | Summary by: Pat Deveney Title: American Occultist, The. Subtitle: A Fe...
  • Wikipedia
    Edna Anne Wheeler Ballard - Wikipedia
    Ballard began working at the Philosopher's Nook, an occult bookstore. She also served as an editor of American Occultists. Guy was...
  • The Occult Book Store
    Occult Bookstore History – The Occult Book Store
    History: Established in 1918 by D.G. Nelson at 611 N. State St., Chicago, The Occult Bookstore is the oldest US spirit shop, curre...

 

Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)