Letter to The Prosperos ohana

9 November 2004
Los Angeles CA

Dear friends and members of The Prosperos ohana¹,

Just two months ago, at the invitation of Al Haferkamp, a group of 17 students got together prior to The Prosperos Assembly to share their experiences of their lives and the great Work that we have each pursued in one way or another. The format was very informal – "A gathering of companions" – and in that setting many of us were surprised to learn just how similar our experiences have been in recent years.

A recurring theme – both in that meeting and in random conversations during the Assembly – was the need for a sense of community on a more regular basis. That's what this letter is about.

We (William Fennie, Al Haferkamp, and Rick Thomas) have taken up the task of creating a virtual space on the internet where students of Thane can learn of each others' activites and communicate. More than that, it is envisaged as a place :

• To celebrate who we are and what we have done
• To share what we are doing and what we would like to do
• To offer to a larger public a view of how Thane's instruction has transformed our lives and to encourage others to share what they’ve learned

As of today, the site is operational and drawing interest and enthusiasm. Discussions have been initiated in the forum about "continuing the conversation" begun by Al and the group, about good book recommendations, and about ontology.

This web site is not an official website of The Prosperos but rather an activity of people who have The Prosperos as a common heritage and who wish to be in community around the principles we learned as students.

Another common thread in our conversations was the desire to find a way to carry forward what we were so fortunate to experience ourselves. We are convinced that the starting point before all else is to nurture a strong community among all of those who have studied and worked over the years, beginning with long-time students, High Watch, and Mentors, and going on to include others interested in spiritual work in the ontological vein.

We invite you to participate in the Thane Legacy Community. We want to know what you are doing, how Thane's teaching makes a difference in your life today, and what we can do to include you.

Greater Community

• The site will include an online journal of articles written by members on any subject as long as it is treated from an ontological perspective. We hope that this will eventually be a peer-reviewed journal.
• The site will include profiles of the members of our community, what they are doing, and how they apply the teaching in their lives today.
• Links to relevant websites will be included : Ontology, absolute science, physics and metaphysics, fourth way, culture – movies, books, drama – whatever, as long as it relates to the ontological message – i.e., every person's spiritual journey.
• In the Forum you can participate in discussions on any topic relating to spiritual growth. Some topics will be exclusively for members and will focus on our common experience of Thane's work. Others will be open to the "surfing" public and intended for opening our world to newcomers as well as exploring spiritual topics of all kinds.

Knitting Together for Common Strength

Today more than ever people need a spiritual reference point that draws upon divine strength without imposing human control. Even more important is to advocate discernment in this age of sophisticated image manipulation. We together represent a very impressive community of dedicated students whose practice has been fired in the oven of real-world experience. It's possible that our interaction can create a powerful vortex of enthusiasm and knowledge that may very well assist in the transformation that is reshaping our planet.

Unpredictable Good

We hope that by acting together, by talking with each other and sharing our dreams, we can promulgate and promote the vision of a world enlightened by vivid consciousness of divine presence. We do not pretend to know if any individual's application of Thane's instruction is right or wrong. Therefore, all are welcome – and our great strength will derive from our diversity.

We look forward to hearing from you at :

www.thanelegacy.com

With great aloha,

William Fennie, Al Haferkamp, and Rick Thomas

¹a Hawaiian word designating the extended family in a polynesian community.