c/o The Indian
Bank Ltd.
Infantry Road,
Cantonment,
BANGALOR 1
25th September 1967
Mrs. Sina Fosdick,
Vice-President,
The Nicholas Roerich Museum
319 West 107th Street,
New York, New York 10025
USA
Dearest Sina,
Thank you for your
letter of September 14th enclosing a copy of your letter to Mrs.
Greilling. I have read it carefully and
I shall be grateful to you if you send me her answers to your questions.
I do not think that
any legal proceedings in these kind of matters ever bring good results whether
one way or another, I have found. At
least it has been my attitude that an abundance of good always covers certain
sporadic outbursts of something negative.
I have certainly not given any copyright to the people in question
though sometime ago they did express some wish to publish some books. Hence Mrs. Greilling’s information is not
correct. There is nothing more
unfortunate than the various squabbles between different philosophic or
religious societies. Sometimes they
assume most unsatisfactory and deplorable dimensions infinitely more harmful
all around than the subject matter involved, hence I always believed it is
better to let things die or at least simmer down on their own accord when they
lose the impetus and initial inertia.
Some-times resistance calls forth added resistance and resentment and
bitterness which in turn beget an increase of harmful pronouncements. Even if these people have on their own
published some books and even if the books have not been properly translated I
do not feel one should take any official action. Mrs. Greilling is obviously disillusioned and she may have very
good reasons to be so. Time is the best
healer and brings to light everything that may be for a time concealed. Hence I say that on our part rest assured
that we have never given any copyright to these people and that knowledge
should give you the necessary strength but from numerous experiences I had with
so many organizations of this type it is best to assume the attitude of giving
out in abundance and not worry as to how it may be repeated or even used by
other people. An active enmity can be
very trying and harmful and certain forces are best when they spend themselves
on their own accord. I remember in the
past also many have been misusing the Teachings in so many different ways and
in different countries. Mother’s
attitude was one of tolerance except when things were willfully distorted to
suit certain selfish or negative purposes.
Your activities are
indeed most interesting and I know how difficult it is without adequate help to
carry on all this responsible work. As
I have already written to you I am very busy with my paintings and general
work. The present series includes ten
more large paintings so you can well imagine the time it takes and will yet
take.
I close now with very good wish and warm
greetings to all the co-workers.
With much love from us
both. Take good care of yourself.
Svetoslav
(SVETOSLAV
ROERICH)