The Franklin Merrell-Wolff Fellowship

Richard Moss received his B.A. from the State University of New York at Stony Brook in 1968 and his M.D. from New York Medical College in 1972. In 1977, he left the practice of medicine after experiencing “a spontaneous state of illumination” that left him with the ability to sense human body-energy fields.

After reading the “amazing” Pathways Through to Space, a Smith College student inquires whether Wolff’s book, Yoga: Its Problems, Its Purpose, Its Technique, is still in print. The enclosure noted in the letter has not been found. (1 page)

This file contains a number of letters from John and Toni Lilly. Also in this file is the Prologue to Mr. Lilly’s book, Simulations of God: The Science of Belief, which he had sent for Wolff’s review. Wolff’s comments on this work may be found in his audio recording, “Belief Systems and the Search for Truth” (May 31, 1975). Unfortunately, none of the letters from Wolff to Mr. Lilly are included here. (10 pages)

This file contains a letter from a student who, urgent for enlightenment, asks why drugs are not an appropriate gateway. She also reflects on the dilemma of producing art while in an unenlightened state. Gertrude’s response is both thoughtful and pragmatic. (5 pages)

This file contains four letters from Peggy and Peter De Cono, who were longtime members of the Assembly of Man. Peter was a key figure in the construction of the Ashrama during the 1940s, and in 1961, the couple built a home on the Assembly of Man Ranch outside of Lone Pine, Calif., about the time Wolff and his second wife, Gertrude, permanently relocated there. The letters here give a brief glimpse of life around Lone Pine; also included here is an obituary for Peter from the Lone Pine Progress Citizen (April 4, 1969). (6 pages)

This file contains the correspondence between Eto B. Broughton and Franklin Wolff. Ms. Broughton writes expressing her thanks to Wolff for his book, Pathways Through to Space, stating that it has helped her to clarify some of her own experiences. Wolff responds with some advice for Ms. Broughton. Note: The letters in this file are transcriptions, as the originals have not been delivered; it is not known whether these transcriptions are faithful to the originals. (2 pages)

This file contains three letters from 1945 that are part of the correspondence between Franklin Wolff and George Briggs. Mr. Briggs was Sherifa’s second husband (Wolff, her third) and the father of James Briggs, Sherifa’s son. Although there undoubtedly should be more letters in this file, only one original letter has been delivered; the other two letters here are transcriptions and it is not known how faithful they are to the originals.

In this note, Wolff thanks the Milwaukee group of the Assembly of Man for a gift on the occasion of his birthday (see Peter Geshell’s December 25, 1939 letter for details about the gift). Written during the second World War, Wolff reminds them that “when stupendous, historic forces are operating so widely in the world and naked force seems to dominate the scene, then it is most important that there should be those among men who devote themselves to forming a lamp within which the Light of Compassion may shine for the blessing of men.” (1 page)

This file contains correspondence between Wolff and the well-known actor, Burgess Meredith. The first letter is from Mr. Meredith’s secretary, who relates that Mr. Meredith is a close friend of John Lilly and that he is anxious to get copies of Wolff’s recently published books. Mr. Meredith sends a letter with a check for the books; the file also contains a postcard reporting that an “admirer” of Wolff has “meditated in London, Ireland, Bavaria (Munich) and now Switzerland.” Included here are an article on Mr.

Dr. W. Brugh Joy (1939-2009) practiced internal medicine in Los Angeles until a 1974 bout of pancreatitis led him to investigate alternative methods of therapy, such as energy healing, Jungian work, and dream work. He soon abandoned his medical career and began leading self-development workshops that explored body energies, the chakra system, meditation, and higher levels of consciousness. A self-described teacher of “beinghood,” Dr.