Public educational work was a feature of the Krotona community from its earliest days in Hollywood. The first director of education was Augustus F. Knudsen in 1912. Incorporated as Krotona Institute of Theosophy in 1913, schools for all age-levels were planned. During road building and housing/office construction, a Winter Session of fourteen weeks began January 14 and ended April 25, 1914.

In 1922, a proposal was made to establish a School at Adyar whose programs would attempt to develop a dynamic synthesis of all the aspects of philosophy, religion, science, literature, and art. Dr. Besant directed that the work should be based on the central principle that all human activity is an evolving expression of the One Life. The school was called Brahmavidya2 Ashrama, a name meaning practically the same as ‘School of the Wisdom’. It was opened in 1926 with the expectation that educated young men and women, were eager to lead a simple life. The student who aspires to Wisdom needs to cultivate the talent to engender enquiry and the capacity to discover illumination from within not from without. It was to be a nursery from which generations of theosophical communications would arise with the best qualities of mind and heart.

As the work grew at Krotona in old Hollywood, in addition to the resident theosophist, the Board drew on the university and professional teachers in the Los Angeles area for its faculty, and they continued to hold sessions up until the time of moving to Ojai, California, in 1924.

The Board of Trustees of the Krotona Institute still today rules the Krotona School, and the Kern Foundation has indicated a willingness to support a theosophical school analogous to the School of the Wisdom at Adyar. Although, the Krotona Institute has a library, today, it is no longer considered to be one of the finest special libraries in the area. The removal of rare and first editions by Lord Lytton, Romesh C. Dutt, Bulwer, and many others, whom were members of the Society, and even those within the Theosophical Society cannot offer researchers the material needed to do extensive research, and their lack of having archives available to back up their findings. They say that Krotona does not have an archives department, the author wishes to say they do have an Esoteric Archives kept in the E.S. office opposite the Krotona Library, which is not open to the public, nor to members of the Esoteric School. What is of interest is what Radha Burnier, International President of the Theosophical Society at the time, and Esoteric Head of Krotona quoted as the purpose of Krotona at a staff meeting on March 3, 1999. The statement is from notes taken by Nell C. Taylor, and Shirley Nicholson, acting as Resident Head of Krotona, revised them. The author has added the words within […] to show the correct statements regarding Krotona’s position.

When Krotona’s Hollywood site ceased to be congenial, it was sold, and the monies divided between the ATS [American Theosophical Society in America. The name was changed in 1934 to the Theosophical Society in America,] and the Krotona Institute. Krotona (became) [was always] a center for the Esoteric (School), [Section, with an Esoteric School] as is The Manor in Sydney, Australia. It is said that the ES stands for the heart of the TS, and that it would vitalize the TS by its members’ insight, deeper perspective, greater devotion and serious intent to live theosophy. Unselfish, pure intent combined with a living brotherhood attract forces from above, producing a radiating center.

We must not be so closed that people cannot come here, and yet visitors must not overshadow the objects of the center. The central purpose must be maintained, but the center must also be available to others. For example, the classes at Krotona School should take place in an atmosphere that itself helps develop the inner point of view. CW Leadbeater tried to bring out the importance of the inner side.

As a tree grows from sun, atmosphere, and soil, the hidden alchemy of Krotona produces sap for the tree, which in winter appears dead but in spring becomes vitalized. Influences of thought, emotion, life, in all aspects, like the sap that enlivens the whole tree, generate vitality for ES work.

The TS is to offer theosophy, making it available to those who are ready, but not watering it down and calling such things as acupuncture "theosophy." There must be a clear transformation message, or at least a seed. The ES should offer clear insights and encourage deeper levels, but the ES should not take over the TS work.

Community life is testing, as are monasteries and convents. It brings out difficulties and challenges. Part of the work is to live together and work together in a spirit of goodwill. HPB said we all have imperfections, but we are all sincere, trying to live in cooperation and brotherhood, and to see our flaws and correct them. It is a greater responsibility for the residents in a community to have right attitude and feelings.

The following documentation will start around 1932 when Alfred Taylor returned to college as a student at Oregon State College (now University) in Eugene earning his B.A. In 1934 he earned his M.A. ⎯ Alfred, somewhat bitter and disillusioned by his war experiences, for in 1916 he enlisted in the Canadian Royal Air Force Flying Corps, and in 1917 was shot down over Germany and held prisoner until November 1918. Something he never really talked about the rest of his life but found a home in academic life. At college, he accumulated a straight "A" average except a lonely "B" in swimming. He graduated with Honors and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Taylor was one of the first four students to receive his degree of Doctor of Philosophy in biology at Oregon State University on June 3, 1935, was appointed instructor of the Department of Zoology (Physiology) 1935-1940 with Herbert L. Jones. There, he became associated with the world-renowned chemist, Roger Williams. He was brought to the Clayton Foundation Biochemical Institute at the University of Texas by its head, Dr. Roger Williams in mid 1940 to work in cancer research, so to discover cancer’s cause and ways aimed at cure of it. Together their research on Cancer brought them international fame. But Alfred always had a strong interest in philosophy, (love of truth in daily life) more than in science.

Nell Moore Carmichael was a senior student at the University of Texas in 1945 and was enrolled in Dr. Roger J. Williams’s class in the spring of 1945. Her major was Zoology, minor was in Chemistry, Math, and Art where she designed costumes for the Austin Ballet Society. She was also a member of the Lota Sigma Pi, Tellurium Chapter honorary chemistry fraternity for women. One day, near the end of the term of her last year before graduation, she was walking down the hall of the Chemistry Building, when Dr. Williams, who knew she would be graduating in 1945, stopped her. He asked if she would be interested in work after the term ended. She said, "yes". He then led her to his office to talk about a position that would soon be open. After a few more questions, he telephoned a scientist working at the Clayton Foundation Biochemical Institute, which researched human nutrition and pathology, made an appointment for her to be interviewed that afternoon by the scientist who was conducting research in cancer.