Sangha Newsletter
Doroethy Leonard has published the Sangha newsletter (sangha means “spiritual community”) since the late 1970s for those interested in her grandfather’s work. It was mostly published quarterly, its eight pages or so including:
- Our Mission Statement
- A lead article by Franklin Merrell-Wolff.
- One or more articles by Ron Leonard and others for the Philosophers’ Corner.
- Doroethy Leonard’s reflections, On the Personal Side.
- Letters and emails by friends, family and other members, in Neti Neti News.
- Contributions by members such as personal profiles, book reviews, critiques, poems, and inspirational quotations.
- Announcements.
Beginning January 1, 2019, it was published in digital form and distributed by email only. In January, 2026, after 7 years, Doroethy and Ron decided to discontinue the newsletter form and transition to other media. Their statements follow:
Dear Friends,
About 40 years ago, I began our newsletter, the Sangha. It was a labor of love so that I could keep in touch with my Spiritually-oriented friends (hence, the Sangha). I want to express my gratitude for those of you who have kept in touch (one way or another)! I am so appreciative of you!
It may be time close this endeavor, and so I do now.
May we all continue in Love and Peace,
Doroethy
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Dear Sangha,
We have decided to discontinue the Sangha newsletter and transition to other media.
Doroethy founded the Sangha in April, 1979, as a “vehicle for sharing communications” among those who wish to explore the spiritual world—who have a sense of the sacred or transcendent. Ramana Maharshi noted that “the first, easiest and most obvious assistance toward an individual’s private efforts is the simple association with others making the same attempt.” Although there is a natural overlap with Franklin and his philosophy, the group is not sectarian. Franklin says of his own work that it is freely offered—take what you wish.
I began contributing to the Sangha a few years later, and for many years served as copy editor. As rewarding as our efforts have been, Doroethy and I now sense that this is the time to release the structure of the newsletter so as to allow a natural transition to take place to contemporary media—the Friends of Franklin Merrell-Wolff facebook (Meta), this website (www.franklinmerrell-wolff.com), etc.
New technologies and circumstances make this transition timely. Initially, distribution was “low tech”—paper files, typing, copying, stuffing, stamping and mailing. Responses by “snail mail” made communications cumbersome and lacked immediacy.
The internet, computers, and cell phones made distribution more immediate, but still limited by a quarterly deadline, and a list with multiple email addresses. The standard newsletter format is burdensome to compose and may be too structured for many recipients.
Transition to a website and social media will allow material to be of appropriate length, well-organized and permanent. Online groups (meta, etc.) allow more flexibility, immediacy and diversity of postings and interaction. Naturally, personal email will still be available for individual contact.
Shine on, in Love and Light,
Ron
Here’s the new rule: Break the wineglass and fall toward the glassblower’s breath.—Rumi