Lahore

December 28, 1961

Dear Ghulam Ahmed:

As-salaam aleikhum. The Arabs use this saying and they mean peace. The word “salaam” means “peace” and the Arab word “Muslim” means peaceful one. A man who is peaceful is called a “Muslim” in Arabic. I don’t know about other languages and I meet people in all parts of the world who call themselves “Muslims” who are not peaceful at all. That is why the Arabs do not always accept some interpretations on the word “Muslim” or rather “Musselman” and there may be a vast, vast difference between a “Muslim” in the Arab sense and a “Musselman” in any sense.  Therefor I do not call myself a “Muslim” (excepting in Arab lands), but call myself an Inshallah-ist. I do nothing, nothing without asking for the blessing and permission of Allah.

I do not associate anything with Allah. I never pray: “We do not associate anything with Thee” and then start a stream of associations which are utterly confusing. In India there are at least six persons calling themselves “God” or God-incarnations. But outside of India I find so many people identifying spiritually with their own private wills, private opinions, private portions. So be it. To you be your religion and if your religion is concerned with your affairs and not with the sufferings, difficulties and trials of other people, that is your religion. It is not my religion. An Inshallahist does not pray for himself, he prays for others. An Inshallahist never compels, never insists, never demands. He patiently awaits the approval of Allah. An Inshallahist never skips the “Bismillah er-rahman er-rahim.” This has a wonderful meaning in Arabic. But when I see people break cues and push each other aside and are rude, I know they do not know the meaning of this “Bismillah er-rahman er-rahim” which is so wonderful in Arabic, or, if translated from the Arabic.

Mohammed, on whom be peace—and from whom be peace—insisted on the Bismillah. An Inshallahist without Bismillah cannot be.

Again the Inshallahist believes “Allaho Akbar” as these words are meant in Arabic. he does not see power and might in personalities. An Inshallahist will never associate with King Ibn Saud but many “Muslims” proclaim him as leader. To an Inshallahist, “Allaho Akbar” is truth and there is no real power or might in kings and potentates but I won’t argue the point.

Without the permission from Allah nothing can be done, agreements or non-agreements, statements or non-statements. The great Revealer said there should be no compulsion in religion but who cares about that! We want “Islam” and “we” are going to have “Islam” only a lot of people elsewhere won’t have this “Islam” and you cannot force your way into colleges and universities. In America Islamic teachings are mainly in the hands of Europeans and Zionists. This was told you before, but you don’t like it so you pay no attention. Indeed only one single university in all America wants to learn the true Islam; the rest accept these teachers.

Bowing to God and to Him alone and not to anybody or anything else I was lead to the city of Washington and there met Imam Hosny who is to me a true Imam. I am not a rich man, I am a poor man, but every dollar I have is in God’s service—not in your service, not in my service but in God’s service. Imam Hosny introduced me to his superior Imam Hoballah and the latter sent me on a long and complicated errand. I did this because Islam means surrender. The word “Islam” is an Arabic word and has no more to do with  Allah than any other word. There are far more important Sifar used in

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July 18th, 1966

772 Clementina St.

San Francisco 3, Calif.

My dear Shams-ud-din:

As-salaam aleikhum. One has been directed to write to you and hope you will share this with our good friend Haji Sarfraz. A copy will ultimately also reach Muhammad Sadiq who now occupies the Manzil Ayub at Abbottabad.

A Sufi is sent into a distant land and expected to work miracles, and only Allah can work the miracles and if it be not His pleasure, one should not try the karamat and if it be His Grace, then the karamat will follow but not along lines men can direct or think. And the greatest error of the times is to ascribe to something we call “Islam” what belongs to Allah alone. And I shall begin with “Allah” and “Bismillah.”

Some Pakistanis think this person is making innovations and he is, in a sense making “innovations,” and he is willing to accept the judgment of Allah if these innovations are not entirely within the spirit of Holy Qur’an and Hadith. One receives many missionary publications and mostly they are of no value and yet at the same time what they say about “kalama” one finds to be true. And recently also one received a magazine from a nearby university in which there was an article on “Islam and Science” in which certain basic foundations are laid. There is no dispute but foundations are not houses.

So in opening a class on “The Mysticism of Sound” one begins with Zikr and Kalama. The gracious Prophet said, “Allah is nearer than the neck vein.” (This seems to be disputed by some of your friends, who, like the Christians place Allah far away and do not accept that He is the Seer, the Knower no matter what they write.) So we begin with a concentration on the neck vein. And after the concentration on the neck vein, we have a short meditation on the heart. Then the head moves from the neck vein position to the heart position and we chant Allahu and we not only know where the neck vein is and the heart is, we make the sound “Allahu” which is preparatory to Kalama. This is an “innovation” which may not please all “Muslims” but which may please Allah, inshallah.

Then there is a talk on the sound “Allah” and how it is found in many places, not exactly as in Arabic, but close to it. One is not going to write here in detail because “Muslims” are not always open minded but the talk last week included one on the word “Allah” which has been used in the Hawaiian Islands and is not far from “Allah” and is still closer to the Aramaic form of “Allah.” So there is a great value in the sounds, and although the Hindus teach “sound God” they do not demonstrate it. The scientific people of the day want demonstrations, and inshallah, they will have the demonstrations. So instead to writing on “Islam and Science,” one gives the demonstration which becomes effective in the lives of mureeds.

Hazrat Ali has said, “Say ‘Allah’ and Allah thou shalt become” and there are other passages in Holy Writ. But today one hears so much about “Islam” from Pakistan and so much about “religion” in other lands but people do not say “God” here. The advantage of “Allah” over “God” comes (a) in the sound as above (b) that the sound was uttered by a Messenger of God.

There is now in this country more wealth, more misunderstanding and more internal drama. Also the slow rise in a form of Mahdiism. There have been many forms of Mahdiism and Hadith says first there would be many living Dajjals, which certainly has been true. But so far the conditions which are listed in Hadiths have not manifested. Now they are manifesting here with more agitation, uncertainty and even chaos.

A woman named Mrs. Dixon has made many successful prophecies and among them one that the Mahdi would manifest soon, that he has already been born in the Near East. I tell people, “That means he has been born a Muslim. Are you going to accept him?” Quite unexpectedly many say they would. However it is best to have trust in Allah and to seek the Peace within. If it be His Will to send a Guide, that is another matter but we all have the Guide in our inner understanding and Kashf.

If this reaches you at Abbottabad one hopes you are enjoying that beautiful country.

There is a large Asian art exhibit on and one notices the absence of Gandara Buddhas. It is some weeks since one has written on this subject and no answer. One is going to take this up also with the Consul General. There is still too much misunderstanding among cultures and too much discussion without bringing any better understanding.

One has soon to make another venture to reach the young here. If they want excitement that is one thing, but if they wish guidance that is another.

Love and blessings,

Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti

6th August, 1966

772 Clementina

San Francisco 3, Calif.

My dear beloved brother Shams-ud-din,

Receiving your letter of the 30th past. I have dropped all other matters to answer and wish you divine greetings. As-salaam-aleikhum.

I am sending a copy of this letter to my Brother in Hazrat Inayat Khan, Shamcher Beorse, who has declared himself Pir-o-Murshid. For although Hazrat Inayat Khan gave me many, many confidences, he did not name me as successor, and besides it is most important that the United States have a guardian Khalif.

Shamcher was born Bryn Beorse, a Norwegian, and has led one of the most fascinating and adventurous life you can imagine and all the time has had to bear a most grievous cross of personal and personality problems. He is a great engineer and economist and I have long felt he could be of service especially in Islamic countries which combine the spiritual and scientific outlook. But though this is so, nufs abides and this continuance of nufs has stood.

Now I am going to make this a long letter and it is based on this truth which cannot be emphasized too much, Nothing Exists But Allah, The Perfectly Compassionate, The Perfectly Merciful who guides this world, gives us our food, our medicines, our protections and when we reject them, with or without reason, then the punishment comes. But the food, the medicine, the blessing is always given first and it is time that a few Muslims accepted and respected, “Woe be unto you who hath gone astray after the guidance hath been given.”

The disputes with Naim were silly and it illustrates the activity of nufs. As soon as the fighting took place, this person called on the Consul-General of Pakistan and proclaimed friendship even though the politics were different. This person knew five or six solutions but the main solution is and was Nothing Exists but Allah, and He is the Most Wise. If a few Muslims stopped yelling “Islam! Islam!” and cried “Allah! Allah!” just to test, it might perform miracles. But they keep on crying “Islam” which is a derivative Arabic word, and not “Allah” which is a Universal term.

This subject is being discussed scientifically with one Sheikh Idries Shah of London. But it was also presented to this person by the Pathan Abdul Ghani, who is a friend of Muhammed Sadiq and to whom Allah, the Merciful, the Wise, has given certain jurisdiction in political matters. And it as because it is the Kashmir matter, one did not of Ahmed Murad to handle as faith and there is also order and wisdom that each one on the path of tasawwuf is given the ryazat by Allah and it is not his business, much less of anybody else, to go beyond the divine instructions.

In the case of Kashmir, Ahmed Murad had already been sent on a peace mission. Its failure is due in part to the absolute refusal of the United States to trust its own citizens. And it is more foolish because,

a. The Tashkent conference took place

b. This government is demanding in Vietnam what it refused in Kashmir, showing there are no principles involved, only nufs and nufs and more nufs.

California and India resemble each other in that they are not satisfied with Divine Guidance or wisdom, human or divine, they both demand an Incarnation and in both regions you find throngs of Avatars and Mahdis, all in competition, and all solving exactly nothing.

This person recently visited Ojai Valley, the residence of one J. Krishnamurti, who was self-selected to be the reincarnation of Jesus Christ. When he denied, it was only to be called most humble and modest and to increase his following. A very complex situation arose also that others have other candidates for the “Divine Incarnation”; they are all over the place and instead of wisdom or self-assurance everybody depends on everybody or somebody else. In India this is called “the cat theory.” But you can’t teach these people anything.

This person was sent for to visit a lady in Ojai who had a spiritual experience. But to have a spiritual experience is to offer [?] Krishnamurti and when I demanded she choose between Krishna and Ahmed Murad she chose Allah! And this is a sign that in the most difficult of places one may have to present the divine message of Sufism, of which Allah be praised.

The same refers to Elijah Mohammed. You may have heard there have been riots in this city. Before leaving, Ahmed Murad went into that district and there was a Negro arising the people against the whites and selling Elijah Mohammed’s paper. So I gave him the Greeting and showed him my card and he turned very [?] and I have no use, I contribute to them nonetheless. For although one does not accept any of the forms of Elijah, Mohammed is one of the few men who gives moral instructions to Negroes and makes them satisfied in some respects with life and with Allah. There are no Christian Negro respects I know of emphasizing morality. Only theology.

As your letter shows at every point the acceptance of Tauba, there is no need to make any personal corrections. Few today accept Tauba and of those who accept it intellectually, not always many accept it psychologically.

There is project in the United States going on called The Temple of Understanding, and the idea is to have a “House of Prayer for Allah Peoples.” This is posited in the Bible but when the Israelis returned they did not establish such an institution. It is noteworthy that three prime ministers or rather Presidents of Nations that accepted this undertaking, versus those of Pakistan, India and Israel. But one of the leaders in it is the Chief Imam of Washington Mosque.

Criticisms received from your fellow citizens are not only immoral but cowardly for these people would not dare call their own Leader wrong, but when some foreigner agrees with him, that person is wrong! Of the messenger of Allah.

My first teacher in Tasawwuf gave us instructions of the “sahib-i-dil” and “gentlemen of the pooch,” etc. And it is pretty hard for the Orthodox to accept that Allah is Allah and there is nobody or nothing like him and they cannot comprehend Uwais who knew the inner sides of the real Islam without any visible contact with the divine Messenger.

While the Orthodox talk about the virtues of Mohammed (on whom to be peace), one instructs people in the Sifat-I-Allah and enables them to comprehend to universality of these virtues and one also teachers that Allah created mankind in His-image. And while the Messenger taught that he was not unique, the Orthodox teach that he was unique.

For instance, there is the tradition of “The Shadowless Prophet” which is acceptable, but Jesus also went around in the Light; today and I have seen Sufis also manifest the light-body, and this enhances the teachings of Mohammed (on whom to peace) but weakens the position of the Orthodox.

The material from Ajmir gives one great hopes of working with that body of the Sufis with whom I have indelible ties anyhow, in ways that may make it possible for the Divine Message to spread in this part of the world. The all inclusive Heart encompasses so much which the dialectic mind and the ever-reparative nufs do not allow.

As one says, despite age, despite experience, inner and outer, one keeps the open ear. One does not forget at anytime the Bismillah, nor does one elide these sounds to reach some conclusion hardly connected therewith.

One has in his possession the work of Fabre D’Olivet on “The Hebrew Tongue Restored” which is one way of describing and explaining sounds, which is also the work in another direction of our good Sheikh Idries Shah.

With all love and blessings and hoping to hear from you some time,

Faithfully,

Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti

20th October, 1966

My dear Brother Shamsuddin

As-Salaam-aleikhum. Your letter of the 12th has been very encouraging. For years the marked defect in my nature (from my point of view) has been impatience. And I realized that it was impossible to fulfill the Sabri Bayat of our Pir-o- Murshid of Salarwalla without being cautious and considerate.

Besides, we have had a long war and it is disturbing the atmosphere and causing both psychic and physical difficulties. It has had the one good effect of making the few mureeds understand that Love is deep and unitive consideration of others and not an emotional sentiment which brings us a form of pleasure, though it may do that.

Recently a very long manuscript was sent by an Indian scientist who is mystic and he gave a dissertation on nufs-mutmaina. And in answering I wrote on nufs-salima, and it is on this point that one finds Sufism more preferable than some other teachings and that in the Capacity of Seal our Rassoul Mohammed was the most all inclusive of teachers. So one does not downgrade anybody but finds in the Tasawwuf methods (not answers but methods) which seem to be superior in this day and age.

Besides, Hikmat is so all inclusive. And besides being able to write to this man on the cooperation between mystical-scientists of all races, one is now taking a course on “The Philosophy of Religion” and one has been assigned the theme of “Mysticism and Pseudo-Mysticism.” One finds the teachings of all mystics quite assumable. And it is remarkable that no matter what theology they have assumed, in the end they come to the Unity (Tauhid). And if there is any controversy one will hold to this.

Besides, in discussions with the very top people in the religions would and I mean the whole world, one has been able to come to agreement, and I do not believe that anybody can refute Tasawwuf. But there is a theme in “The Whirling Ecstasy” concerning Shams-i-Tabriz, when he asked who was superior, Mohammed or Adnan Bisami, he fell into an ecstasy. This is a false question. If man can accomplish the fana the whole thing is clear but not in any dualistic sense.

Some of Inayat Khan’s disciples are arguing with me now and if send them his first lecture they will have to retract. One does not like to put anybody to shame. Besides although fire and opposition deprived me of most of his lessons for disciples, I do have a very compete compendium on Ryazat, and this helps one help others in all circumstances.

My Message for Pakistan has always been simple: Too much Islam and not enough Allah. If you have too much Allah you can use the Islam. So the Hadith have been carefully checked. Besides there is a strange school in English by this Sheikh Idries Shah, and he goes very much on sounds. So I have written him a paper on Allah-laha (Tibetan) and Aloha (Polynesian) to show the value of the sounds and some of our friends told me about Ila in the Vedas which is true.

Roughly speaking your experiences with Hazrat Inayat Khan are very closely paralleled with my own with Mecca Shereef—sometimes the parallels are astonishing. I am doing a number of things today which might shock the Orthodox. My new friend, Hassan Hashim of Sudan, says: “Religion is what comes when people do not follow their Prophet.” Thus the Jews are those who do not follow Moses, the Christians are those who do not follow Isa, and the Muslims are those who do not follow Mohammed. His explanations to me are lucid and inspiring.

There is one difference and it is a delicate one. When this person tries to perform tasawwuri Murshid with Hazrat Inayat Khan he has to slow down his walk and breath; when he performs tasawwuri Mohammed he has to perfect his walk and breath. In each case there is a kind of attunement, but one is the perfection of what you are have, and the other is the perfection of what you might before can be, inshallah.

You have plenty of room in the courtyard, or even on the roof, to concentrate a little on Hazrat Inayat Khan and imagine you are walking behind him, keeping up with his steps, rhythm and breath. When I am ready to leave here I shall try commentaries on his writings, or take a few with me for consideration en route. Sooner or later you will have as much as possible of his teachings with all their meanings.

Next, if you would send me your birthday I could have your horoscope cast. It is not necessary, but it is helpful in a few things, and then I could show you how to help others this way. The horoscope is for insight, not predictions.

As to Pir Dewwal Shereef and Baraka. You are right. But it may be the will of Allah that this person is to bring him the Baraka. This already happened at Murree, and is not something one wishes to speak about. Hazrat Inayat Khan tells a story of a man who pretended to be a saint and everywhere he went the boys would come and yell: “Hello saint! Come in, saint.” And such things and after a while he came to be a great saint.

In September a conference of the world’s faiths takes place where also Dr. Nasr should be in attendance. After that I should prepare to go east, stopping at Universities, particularly Chicago and Pittsburgh, to pick up details for the journeys. Then leave from New York to London to visit one or two friends and pick up further information at Kew Gardens east by ship or plane, does not matter. By that time I would know whether you may be a short jump to Sudan. There will be many people from all parts of the worlds.

It is my outlook to have Lahore a sort of semi-permanent headquarters from now on, unless Allah wills others, and only come to America occasionally, unless something unforeseen happens. But I should have to make trips to various parts of Asia—to Northwest Pakistan and Sikkim in the warm weather, and to parts of S.E Asia (unclear yet) in the cold. But invitations keep on pilling up, only there is no clear kashf.

There is in ‘pindi, and sometimes at Abbottabad one Ali Mastana, a developed spiritualist. Previously your Murshid saw clearly where he might go and where he might not and this man, a Khalandar, saw and explained. It was so, it was exactly so as if there were tremendous barriers where to go and where not to go. This vision of travel is complete with the giving up interests here for some time unless the termination of the legal battle warrants holding on to possessions or properties here. This would mean perennial visits to this region but not long stays. This is the Guidance-Vision. There is some faith because of the previous Guidance-Visions completely manifesting and this does not mean all is either right or wrong, favorable or unfavorable, but all is in accord with the Divine Will.

Receipt of the magazine “Anjuman” from East Pakistan has a statement from Kalvath Shan in Ceylon: “The seeker must be adopt a selfless attitude in his day to day dealings with those around him and live not for himself but for others. His mind should be stilled, emptied and totally detached from all disturbing thoughts, imagination and material involvements.” This also is the Sabri teaching of Pir Sufi Sahib Salarwala.

Now concerning the statements of Shehudllah (spelling not sure). Idols the self thought which occupy the mind and consciousness as above. Any interference with constant Fikr is, in the Sufic sense, shirk. One may be totally orthodox and yet guilty of shirk.

One is glad to get the correct address of Brigadier Ghulam. When visiting the place they all said that Khizri Ruhaniyat would be sufficient, but it has brought no answers.

This does not give ideas about scientific and technical accomplishments. One has an ever growing accumulation of human, if not divine wisdom. The question is largely how far the people of Pakistan will accept and how far otherwise; these accumulations may go to the World University in New Delhi. Already Prof. Durrani and A.A. Brohi of Karachi have made some movements in the latter direction and our good friend Shamsuddin Ahmed is looking in that direction.

People may claim to believe in Hadith. The Prophet said. “Poverty is my pride” but among most so called Muslims everything else is the pride. Besides “poverty” must be interpreted as above the non-accumulation of thoughts, feelings, emotions and vices. The man who is clear of these has a poverty of which he might be proud. It is the non-attachment, as the people from Kalvath Shah say.

Tonight I am to meet a Witch, which means originally “wise woman” who had knowledge of herbs and all kinds of things; also I have been invited to meet her again next week at a reception. Your situation may be communicated to her. Beyond this one can do no more now.

Now I am going to post and will write to S. Ahmed and his friend Naeem on technical accomplishments which, inshallah, may be most valuable to Pakistan, and if there is anything to add this will follow as soon as possible. But the next following days are already crowded.

Love and blessings,

Sufi Ahmed Chisti

 772 Clementina St.,

 San Francisco 94103, Calif.

 January 20, 1967

My dear Shams-ud-din:

Id-Mubarak. One must thank you for your greeting. But I hope I can convey to you how Muslims act here. There is a new Mosque, and it is not paid for and I went for holiday prayers. I told my friend, “I am going to the Mosque where they believe in the Fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of money.”

There was a beautiful service, followed by an inspiring prayer, followed immediately, without pause, by a passionate appeal for funds. Next to me was a friend, an Imam, but despite his knowledge, wisdom and high morals he was not and is not permitted to lead in prayers. He has committed an unforgivable sin; so have I. He was born in the Fijis and I was born in San Francisco, so no matter what we know or where we stand, we cannot lead; we are never called on to speak. But ignorant people who call themselves “Muslims” who place self above Allah would call this congregation “Muslims.” They were all born in the right place and being born in the right places makes one a “Muslim” as nothing else can.

I told the Imam when it was time for Zakat I should consult him. But Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful suddenly bestowed on me the means to pay Zakat and also to make a trip this year to England. So the Zakat, first installment, has gone to Ajmir. And if there is any question about it, the next night I went to a restaurant called “Taj” and immediately met two men from Lahore and the one said to me right off, “Are you acquainted with Data Ganj Baksh?” I knew, immediately, this was a confirmation from Allah.

Now, a Sufi does not have other beliefs than Muslims, he has other practices, or rather one, which is to listen to Allah. Ignorant Muslims say: Bismillah and they do not know what it means. SM is the root of the term Sama which is explained at length by the same Data Ganj Baksh (Al-Hujwiri) in “Kashf-Al-Mahjub” but ignorant Muslims go to shrines and pay respect to the persons, while Sufis absorb the Wisdom which by Grace of Allah manifested in and through those persons.

No attempt here will be made to convince anybody that we can listen to Allah, either directly or by Kashf. Only, one finds, when one does that success comes. Sooner or later and if we do not, if we insist on our own wills, and most of us do, life does not come out as we plan it and then we blame others. This blame is not so bad of itself, but it is an affirmation that some other Power exists then Allah. And the fact is that most Christians and Muslims are indeed largely Zindiqs, believing the forces of “good” and “evil,” and giving in to Iblis and denying Omnipotence to Allah. They may call Allah the “Omnipotent,” but this is not practiced.

It is a subtle matter and it is most important that Allah represents all the Sifat; they are all merged in Him, but when each is used separately, they are not all there. Saying “Islam” does not bring victory and I am not going to argue over it. Saying “Allah” has brought another complete revolution, or more than one in my age, which is three-score and ten.

During this time, one has had trouble from one’s Khadim, at Ajmir. There has been interference, both with mail and funds. It has been long and complicated and he is in difficulties, and I am in full sympathy with him. But I am almost afraid that if this gets too public, it could cause trouble between India and Pakistan. I have been unable, rather than slow, to follow this up. Indeed, I would not even be writing this excepting Allah asked me to drop even emergencies after you wrote, and this morning’s experience confirmed it.

One has had some of the finest interviews with Asia Foundation, and the doors are open when one returns from abroad, assuming one goes to England, for “How California Can Help Asia.” Indeed, this project is exceedingly clear and everything seems clear for the future, praise to Allah. Also, an old friend, the sin was I knew him since boyhood, who always opposed me has changed his tune and wishes to cooperate. He was very spiritual when a boy, but was turned from the path by a fine, but material-minded lady. This lady was a friend of Dr. Chandrasekhar, who is now in the Indian Cabinet and who also became a friend, and that made them angry! But in all these things, more people have turned against one for being accepted by Asians than for either one’s sins and shortcomings, or virtues, of which they may be jealous. From one end of Asia to the other one may make friends.

This has also been true of the Iranians here. I did receive an important communications from Prof. Nasr of Tehran University and although he was answered and all the doors are opened, I have not since heard from him or his friends. This can become an important international Sufi undertaking.

One also finds nothing to like in the Islamic Movements here. They are divided and will not admit it. They are very narrow excepting the Imams sent from UAR, who are very broad and have the right way to approach Americans. I am approaching Americans with Zikr and Kalama and they like it. I do not confuse them with Fikr. One does not overcome prejudices with complexities. One has to be patient and wait for opportunities to present themselves.

Now I have purposely confused them with the story of Sheikh A. Maudoudi. They have been praising him; and for awhile he was kept in prison. I do not know the circumstances and am too prejudiced for your President. I do not agree with the majority of Muslims, that worship and politics go together, at all. I can teach the Nizam also, but refuse to introduce any kind of politics. Besides, the young who come do not like politics at all. They want Allah; they don’t care about governments.

Everything happens, good and bad together, and one bows before the Will of Allah. One uses Holy Qur’an for Divination, but some day I hope also to use some writings of Hazrat Inayat Khan for that purpose.

Love and blessings,

Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti

772 Clementina St.

 San Francisco 3, Calif. 94103

 March 11, 1967

My dear Shams-ud-din

As-salaam aleikhum. The last few days have been so terrible, it is necessary to use both patience and foresight. If one says they are evil, they will become good; but if one “surrenders to Allah in adversity and praises Him in prosperity,” then one is practicing the divine surrender.

All problems follow so fast, right after each other, but the main problem is time and one seems like a drop in the ocean in time of storm. But it is necessary to hold faith. For while some very heart-rending things are happening, so, also, many things on the good side of the ledger of life. One is tired much more than in Lahore, but many of the things are compensation or even rewards.

On the sad side, another death; three in a row, and illness of friends. My brother, fully reconciled, has been ill all the time. We are entirely agreed on our Wills today, both as to provisions and possibilities. He realizes, inshallah, that I shall outlive him and, as matters stand then, should be in excellent economic circumstances. But pride demands success by oneself, without depending on any outside help.

Two entirely new legal threats have come without giving one time to think. One is already operating on a pre-Khankah basis. But neighbors, without thought, have threatened one with the police and the landlady has threatened eviction. This, of itself, is quite illegal, but when one is planning to leave the country, it may require an entire rearrangement of plans. Praise to Allah that my brother has now offered his commodious home for the storing of my possessions, although my critics do not know this. They think I shall be caught into making concessions.

A Vietnamese Buddhist Master has come to this city and, without warning, he notified this Sufi and has both granted him much time and expected it. One has known about Vietnam for a long, long time. One has manuscripts from close friends and one also has close friends who have lived both there and in neighboring lands. On top of that, Miss Julie Medlock, who has not severed her connection with Pakistan Times, still writes and sends one material which will never appear here. Though the people are sadly divided, they do not listen to Asians. They are for war or for peace but are united against learning from Asians.

Then one had one’s first newspaper interview. It also came as a surprise and one was unprepared for time. One does not know when it will be published at all. But the strangers found this person in full possession of Kashf and the demonstration of it. The unusual is much less welcome here, even if favorable, than the unfavorable usual. But it had the strange effect of causing a young woman who was present to ask for Bayat, and there are so many asking for Bayat.

There is also a test. One had a spiritual Brother type many papers on Sufism; and although one has the postal receipt, the papers have not arrived; and it is with difficulty that a tracer would be sent out.

My first mureed has just received a legacy and I have asked him to hold it in case we arrange to go abroad. Last week my second mureed lost his mother and there is every sign that he also will receive a legacy. In this case, his family long wished to visit both India and Pakistan. This letter will be mailed before he returns, but this seems to verify the visions of Saint Nizam-ud-din Auliya, as above.

Then there is the visit here of another man from Morocco, and he makes the same complaint of the Islamic community here; that in the name of Islam they do anything they wish. The Mosque here is more a playground than a center of devotion and they have refused all suggestions to get a place free. A Buddhist group built a very large church without it costing them anything; and now a Christian group, who are mystics, are also getting a large place without it costing them anything. The community supported both efforts.

But the Muslims, who have no idea what Bismillah means, are always asking for funds and will not accept either gifts or guidance. They have demanded a Mosque; and of the leaders, not one was in the previous Qur’anic study group. They all claim to know their religion and they know nothing but folk customs.

Years ago, there came to these rooms my dearest friend, who was not only a Buddhist, but a leading Buddhist at that, one of the very top. He came in, threw off his cloak, sat down and said,

“Samuel, we ain’t got it!”

I looked him straight in the face: “Phra, we have got it!”

This man died of a broken heart, trying to prevent the war which has broken out in Vietnam. He lived there. Tragedy has weighed heavily on me. Despite our seeming to belong to difference faiths, we were very close friends.

Now this person is teaching the leading Buddhists here and also the spiritual Christians. But this is happening: there is a book by one Sheikh Idries Shah, who lives in London, criticizing groups in the West who parade as Sufis. This book itself has been criticized, which is most unfortunate. For that means that the false, pretended Sufis, find their critic criticized and themselves not criticized. All these pseudo Sufis have money and social prestige.

The older son of Hazrat Inayat Khan goes around in weird clothes, which I have encountered nowhere, and tells of his wonderful father. This attracts all kinds of people to what is known as “Sufism.”

Then there is a local lady, known as a “Murshida,” who goes around teaching that one Meher Baba, a born Parsi, is Avatar, or incarnation. It is easy, for her social prestige is great, but she does not teach much tasawwuf.

Then there is a huge organization following a man called Gurdjieff. He actually visited many teachers in the Near East and was given Bayats. But he taught his own methods; no Love and little Allah, but strange forms of Ryazat, which delight the disciples. Only no spiritual awakening.

Then there is the recent revolution going on, wherein people take all kinds of vegetable products to experience false ahwal, and they become confused and so does everybody else.

My closest associate has a remarkable son, who has become a leader of youth and who is in revolt against his parents. He came to this house suddenly; he also disappeared suddenly. “I want Bayat.” “But why do you come to me?” “I have met those other “Sufis!”

While he has disappeared, now several other young people have come for Bayat and in the midst of hard work and also legal things, I have asked Allah and He seems to say that one must prepare for a Khankah here, to remain in these parts at least until Saadia Khawar returns to Pakistan; and to try to arrange a sort of group pilgrimage.

In all this, what is most outstanding is the manifestation of Blessings (Baraka,) both from the Daroods and Wazifas. My Christian friend here, the Rev. Blighton, has uncovered the secret without knowing the basis of it and both he and his chief disciples see this person in the Light. But they do not know the Nuri Mohammed, nor is it time.

Another thing that it seems Allah wishes, is to put aside some money, so that when your commentary on Hadith is complete, it be sent to the United States, either with Saadia Khawar or otherwise; and I seek enough funds to support one Pakistani student through university by having it translated into English. Of course, the litigation is only beginning. But my brother has asked for considerable sums, and we are supposed to share alike. And when I asked Allah what to do with such money He said to have your work translated, so that, inshallah, this is a goal and concentration.

This week, also, I have to prepare for Bayats, because other young people, disgusted with the lack of spiritual development from other sources, and finding in this person the source of much more Joy and Wisdom than elsewhere, are beginning to seek discipleship. So one must be prepared. This is so different from the reports of last year and one seems to be following the visit and blessings of the Saint from the Maghrib.

Love and blessings,

Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti

March 22, 1967

S. Ahmed,

Model Town, Lahore, West Pakistan

Beloved One of Allah:

As-salaam aleikhum. I was preparing to write to Pir-o-Murshid Sufi Barkat Ali on the eve of Pakistan Day when your letter of the 18th arrived. Now it is not to my delight to criticize anybody, but when you write about taking care of health, one must realize that a Sufi sees life from two points of view, his own and that of another.

About three weeks ago, when one was tired, a telephone call came from a wealthy widow, that she was selling her home and was offering me her large library, free, if I would pick it up. It has many valuable books in it. With a program already full, one began working at six in the morning and was through at 3. Then, one lay down, but the telephone rang and there was a representative of an influential magazine who wanted an interview on “Sufism.” This was my very first such interview and the man was leaving in the evening. What should one have done?

When my closest friend here was ill and sent me on an errand, only to find that two of our mutual close friends were ill. And, this time and since, my brother has been ill and apparently unable to leave the house. And then, a widow lady whom I knew very well suddenly died while preparing to return to California. This is only one aspect of life, just one.

It was with great difficulty that I have completed my research for the University of California; and I have been summoned now to a meeting of Sufis in London. This was prompted by Prof. Hossein Nasr of Tehran. Fortunately, my mother left enough funds to cover this, which was already planned. But, I have heard nothing since and my plans are to leave [?] been successful.

Then there was the family litigation. And with my brother ill, there might been a ruling which would deprive me of many thousands of dollars. I am glad to report that the prayers of my friends have been successful. My own income has increased substantially and there is every possibility I shall become a wealthy man when my brother dies, inshallah. We have become reconciled after years of estrangement.

 While this was going on, (all this and more, at once,) news came that my Zakat payment to Ajmir had been intercepted by an Indian government official. I then sent another check, registered, and have not heard. What is worse, my Brother in Ajmir has been in all kinds of difficulties and on top of that, he could not delay his daughter’s wedding. The date had been set. And when you place all of that on top of a seven day a week, 12 hour day schedule, one wonders where one can give.

All of this, and more, has cut down on my writings, even my correspondence.

Now, during this same period one has been discovered by the young people who have been called “Hippies.” They have discovered there are other stages of consciousness and become aware of them under the influence of chemicals and drugs. And now the world around is divided between those who have experiences in the unseen and those who are fighting such experiences, at all costs. Neither of these groups is in the slightest concerned with such experiences coming without Drugs, under the natural influences of pure devotion, or Ryazat. I have had to stand firm against the whole culture. Even the Muslims are against me. But, fortunately, they are divided.

During this period, the last few weeks, this house is overrun with young people. Three Bayats were given recently. Quite a few more people are preparing for Bayat and others for study; and one of my older mureeds is ill all the while, and another older mureed has had to face death and legal complications; all this going on at the same time, on a regular program.

So, my Brother, it is easy to say, but not always easy to follow. Indeed, I am now home awaiting a telephone call from a Vietnamese. This can be very important, and for that reason, I am using the time to type.

Tomorrow some of these young people are coming here to help in smaller matters.

In the meanwhile, I had given papers to be typed to a spiritual brother. He has disappeared. And although I have a Post Office receipt, I do not know where those papers are and so I cannot give the “official” papers to these young people, both new mureeds and applicants.

While the local Muslims reject me, (but not my money,) I have started the Zikr and the Kalama. When the Messenger of Allah was on earth, there was no complete Fikr. He even said that those who repeated Kalama would surely reach Paradise. But, if any Western man said that those who repeat Kalama would reach Paradise, all the so called “Muslims” would rise in wrath. I am letting them rise in wrath and I am teaching the Kalama and Zikr to the “Kaffir Feringhis.” I also tell tales from the Hadith and other records. And I know when I reach Washington, the Ulema will welcome me. I can tell from the literature I receive from them.

Then, I teach effective Meditation. The Meditative methods of most people are good for Americans whose minds are overactive. But they do not arouse the Kashf. During all this period, the Kashf has been active. But when I told a “Muslim” I depended on Kashf and shahud, he did not know what I was talking about. Allah is nearer then the neck vein, and also I use the neck vein in the Zikr movements.

During this period, also, another death and rebirth, so to speak. Sometimes, without having any rest at all, one is reinvigorated. I have met the new Consul General. He comes from East Pakistan, and today I extended greetings for the morrow.

Now we have to learn that only Allah exists. If you look at these trials, they look dramatic and horrible. If you look at the results, they look like magical story books. But the world is at it is. The dramatic and the horrible, the trials and blessings come together.

When I return from England, inshallah, I expect to devote myself to two things: (a) agricultural problems; (b) the training of mureeds.

With all love and blessing, Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti.

772 Clementina St.

San Francisco

14th May, 1967

Shams-ed-din Ahmed,

48-K Model Town

Lahore, Pakistan

Beloved One of Allah: As-salaam Aleikhum!

This is written by one arisen from a sick bed. There is no doubt that Divine Wisdom has acted as a deterrent to some fine plans which, especially if they had been successful, could well have work out this body. It was probably an attack of food poisoning that revealed a chronic illness of the kidneys; and as that was being cleaned up some very strange behavior on the part of one of the nurses provoked another malignancy, causing the entire lower digestive tract to be blocked. After several days of effort on the art of my physician, this has cleared, but one has had to evaluate time, effort, and purpose.

Fortunately money had been saved for a trip to Great Britain, now called off—and a re-evaluation of the interpretations of the respective will of my late parents leaves one in fairly comfortable financial circumstances. Added to this was the complete reconciliation with my brother and the amazing fact that he was in full accord with my plans, and if not always for noble reasons at least for harmonious ones. For he feared I might be in league with his enemies—which I certainly am not. And it is also notable that all the surrounding circumstances other than this have been totally favorable, praise to Allah.

Inshallah, I should be moving into what to all effects will be a Khankah and I am therefore asking your indulgence not to answer your very kind letters at this time to receive a report of present circumstances and outlooks.

It was certainly at Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan’s insistence that I stick to Murshida Martin. This was a pretty good trial for it was evidenced that one passed her in hal if not in makam and this resulted in being estranged alike from both friends and foes of this lady. The Cause of God is nothing but the Cause of God (Allah) and the efforts of any and all persons to proclaim themselves without the Divine Grace and the proper experiences in hal and makam have led, and will continue to lead to strange aftermaths.

[second page seems missing]

410 Precita Ave.,

San Francisco, Calif. 94110

24th February 1969

Shamseddin Ahmed

c/o S/L Sadiq Iqbal,

P.O. #450

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Beloved One of Allah:

As-Salaam aleikhum. I am always glad to hear from you and especially with the contents of your reports. One is today busy, every day, having had exactly a single day off since last November and not caring a bit, for there is so much to do, inwardly and outwardly. The health is wonderful and few of the signs of aging praise to Allah. The only thing one can account it for is the actualization of Ya Haya Wa-Khayyum and no nonsense about it. It is very, very real.

Your reports of Haj were most interesting. To me the Zemzen represents “the waters of life” referred to elsewhere. I had the blessing of having some given by the last Haji Baba Abdul Aziz at Havelian. This man cabled from aboard ship that I was to remain in Abbottabad until he came. It is like a mystery. Our meeting were like mysteries. And when I kept on urging major Sadiq and Miss Khawar Khan to call on him, when they were ready it was too late.

The incident your witnessed is typical of all humanity. This person is now acting in the merge rolls of spiritual guide, parent and grandparent. One takes on the pains and shortcomings. The whole emphasis on perfection. Jesus says: “Be ye perfect, as your Father in Heaven is Perfect.” And one tends to accept the Supreme Messenger of Allah (on whom be peace) in the roll of Insaan i-Kemal, as much or more than otherwise. For this can be the practical ideal. In this one finds the perfection in the manhood and not much to be gained by a devotional attitude toward “superman.”

Recently one Meher Baba left the world. He made all kinds of claims and he permitted any kind of action, moral of immoral, if done in his name. Just accept him you could break all the commandments and his disciples did. But they were able to seize the Sufi property and Sufi name and came out with a lot of pretenses. They grabbed all my writings and so confused that they think some of Hazrat Inayat Khan’s writings came from me and took some of mine as his! Their main contention, that one must have a living master on earth, is now broken. I wish some people know more a of Abu Bekr’s “Let those who worship Mohammed know that he is dead, but those who worship Allah, let them know He is ever-living, imperishable.”

The curing of disease is a most thankful report. One works hard to obviate this. By practices of breathing, mediation and reciting the Divine Names one keeps robust and protected against both Dajjals and Iblis. Only I have departed on a venture which may bring controversy, or otherwise.

The field of Dervish dancing has been extended. We repeat Allah and the Divine Names with proper movement. While the good orthodox will look askance, the young Americans repeat “Allah,” over and over again. They practice the Wazifas with appropriate movements and ingest into themselves the moral qualities of each and in this way their strength, their beauty, their courage, their kindness comes out. I have not yet explored all of Rahmat and feel like the saint who never learned Aliph. Only with a Teacher the young take courage, and become brave and strong. So today one has more loving followers than one ever dreamed of and slowly more and more take the Bayat, Alhamdulillah.

I am taking advantage of your being in Arabia to give you some of the latest news and also sending copy of this to my friend, F. Mawlawi Sahib, head of the Bureau of Arab information here. He is a descendent of Maulana Roum and we are very good friends.

One of my disciple, returning from England has gone into the business of acting as agent for Arabic clothing. This is most welcome to the disciples who are growing in number. But it also fits in with some of the under-current revolutions which never get into the press. We have already purchased a number of Iranian (and Pakistani and Pathan) items both for men and women. At the expensive level cloths, and at the lower levels of money, ceramics. Some of the clothes fit in for the Dervish dancing.

I am ready of given these dances for either the Pakistanis or Iranians late in March. We shall also have a festival at that time, the beginning of “Spring.”

Another item which may be of interest, I have been studying Archaeology for years with a Mrs. Decker Colonna. Her specialty has been Egypt. This Spring she gives a course on “Early Arabic Art.” Let me tell you a story:

After leaving Ajmir I contracted dysentery, the only time in my life. When I reached New Delhi Hazrat Inayat Khan appeared to me and said I should visit the UAR embassy. So I went and nobody was there (it was lunch hour) but one man. “What do you what?” “I am interested in Moineddin Ibn’l-Arabi and in Egyptian Art prior to the Mameluke dynasty.” He dropped his papers and stared at me in astonishment. “How did you find me? Why I am the world’s greatest authority on those two subjects.” The is how I became friend of the late Mohammed Hussein of the Faculty of Arts, Cairo, one of the most beautiful friendships of the life. The dysentery disappeared….

I also have a young Jewish woman disciple. She was expelled from Israel as a Pro-Arab. There are many of them, they want their faith but not the politics. They cannot have their faith. She tells me that the great Maimonides, one of the greatest of Jewish savants became a Muslim, too! These stories do not get out, but they can be of great importance in establishing, Inshallah, peace and understanding in this world.

I write little of Pakistan, and have made no reports to Baba Sahib. I do put into practice the teachings of Mian Mir.

I find the aphorisms in the Islamic magazines perfect, but no relation between be life-habits of the persons involved. Some sage once wrote; “Inspiration is the quality of the wise and quotation of the ignorant.” Quoting does not justify and even Holy Qur’an teaches that.

One does not know whether the repetition of Ya Wahabo or Ya Fattah will help. But it is curious that they work even with my “kafir-Feringhi” followers, and the outer circumstances change, sometimes like miracles. One is now also involved, it seems endlessly in legal matters but no bad news. Playboy, an important off-color magazine, has written me in the March issue as a “Sufi.” But at least they recognize there are Sufis. Most of our culture does not and I am fighting and will continue. I am barred from the East-West conference in Hawaii. Out of twelve on the executive committee, five Jews. Only one each of the great religions otherwise and No Muslims! This is our (?) “East-West” conference.

Love and blessings,

Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti

P.S.

This is a post-script dealing mostly with Sufism and no copy to the Arab information Bureau.

The Indian teaching in the United States have been mostly through individuals, and some of these individuals have no backgrounds at all. They use the methods of actors and orators and often are quite successful in building up followings. With Sufism it is different, it is either in the hands of non-Sufis or of legal organizations usually corporation, None of these recognize the others and none of them really accept Al-Ghazzali’s “Sufism is based upon experience and no premises.” They all have their premises.

The universities follow, more or less, Dr. Arberry, an English Arabist. I personally resent his translation of Holy Qur’an, very beautiful English, no doubt. And on this point I differ from those that deny the authenticity of Hadith. I shall not go so far to say that without Hadith Qur’an is not clear, but the Grand Man, The Insaan-i-Kemal, is understood best by accepting Hadith even so-called “weak ones.”

The corporations have money and following but no prestige. One group had accepted Meher Baba. Another is just a corporation with legal sanctioning, derived from the incorporation of Hazrat Inayat Khan’s office force to ensure the publication of books. But “democratic” processes they have elected at Will “Pirs,” etc. with no regard to spiritual enlightenment of even initiation. They have even changed his esoteric constitution and have radically altered his “Confessions,” omitting sections and introducing others. This is fine for the ignorant but they practically deny the existence of higher levels of consciousness and direct functions there form.

Opposed to them is one Idries Shah, son of Ikbal Ali Shah. He has made Sufism into his own private property. Of course his presence irks the followers of Arberry, etc. But there is no deep love, no Allah, no Divine Names, etc. Only mysteriousness.

Against him in turn is a remarkable group of European Savants, all of whom have been initiated into tasawwuf, including one F. Schuon, Titus Burkhardt, etc. They publish a magazine “Studies in comparative Religion.” They work with and under Dr. Seyyed Hussein of the University of Tehran who is a friend of Khawar and I believe of A.A. Siddiqui. It is in this group I see much hope.

But I have allied myself with Pir Vilayat Khan, the elder son of Hazrat Inayat Khan because he works with the humanity which may be most important. He presents Sufism as a progressive and progressing Science. And there is a new Age of sorts. The term “Hippie” has to be used in derision but there are now multitudes of those with heart-outlooks. And many of the young Americans tend therein.

In April there will be a seminar on “Mystical experience” and this time, Inshallah, it seems I shall not be shut out. There has been too much of that, but gradually one’s tentacles spread, so to speak. So the outlook at the moment is very good. It is yet difficult with the lack of secretarial help and so many inspirations but in time, Inshallah, my teachings on walking and dancing maybe ready either for the mureeds or the general public.

All love and Blessings,

Sam

410 Precita Ave.,

San Francisco, Calif.

19th April 1969

S. Ahmed Sahib,

c/o “Co-Opera” Bookshop,

70, The Mall, Lahore,

West Pakistan

Beloved One of Allah:

As-salaam aleikhum. Your letter of the 4th is being answered and at some length with carbons going to several persons. One has not the time to carry out by one’s ego-self all the projects and opportunities and if Muslims will not accept say: Allah and leave them to their devices, this person will continue to say “Allah” and there is every evidence that Allah approves though “Muslims” (so- called) may not.

In either correcting or directing some disciples one had them begin variously portions of Kashf Al Majub, not that one insist this or any book be followed, but to give them individually and collectively direction and this seems to have been entirely successful, praise to Allah and I have more than ample evidence that Allah approves of lots of things human beings, Muslim and non-Muslims alike do not approve and also that he disapproves of many things that Muslims and non-Muslims alike (but differing from each other) approve. And the lesson of Al-Hujwiri about Riza has failed for just as in his time and before and since the majority of so-called “Muslims” approve of their ego-selves and do not follow the standard of having their Riza in Allah. Only now one has become quite successful in presetting Allah and more to my follow kafir-feringhis. So if you came here you would be finding my disciples and friends repeating Allah but “good-Muslims” have no time for that, just for advocating, advocating but not doing five prayers a day and making dogmas out of the pillars which never was the teaching of the last Messenger (on whom be peace.)

I do not accept the news of our press and am not surprised of your reports. Politics has invaded everything and there is hardly a so-called “Islamic” publication that has any time for “Allah,” but they do publish some fine Hadith and saying of saints, of which I thoroughly and absolutely approve. The Christian publications are little different with no time for “God” but also no time for fine quotations. In this “Muslims” are ahead of “Christians,” but in observation, no! That is why the young are seeking and seeking.

This morning one attends a seminar on “The Mystical Experience” and Sufism is on the agenda. Not that one will succeed. There are two kinds of “Islamics” in this country: (a) intellectualism by non-American, non-Muslims who have charge of giving degrees in “Asian” philosophies hardly found in Asia; (b) Mosque people who spend all their time praising themselves and those of whom they approve and neither keeping up with culture of that time nor of the past.

Against this are the fine lectures by Americans who have been won to Mohammed but not to “Islam” for they will not indulge in politics, national or international. Contrary to your bigots—and you have a lot of them—they do like the Islamic prayers; indeed they prefer them to their traditional ones but they do not want to go to the Mosque and learn the politics, they want Allah and Mohammed, and they can’t have them!

Indeed the internal peacefulness which is at the very care of Din is absent. Few have this peacefulness and the fact, the hard, hard fact that this person has the baraka is becoming evident, despite both these classes of “Muslim” above, the professors and the Mosque-organizers.

Verily With Difficulty Cometh Ease. We have been close friends for some time and I tell you there is another way to approach holy Qur’an and Hadith and that is to got rid of Nufs. Besides that there is Kashf, and Kashf, not some blind editorial word called “Islam” is the way to the solution of problems. Or as the Hadith says, visions are from Allah and dreams from Iblis. I won’t go into that.

One has had the visions of the cosmic dances and then one tried Dervish Dances. These are compilations of movements from several tariks, mostly of the New East and when your countrymen stop this nonsense of Pan-Islam and actually accept what their spiritual brothers do and don’t try to lead, just to join them, you will see something else, Inshallah. In fact this movement has grown so much that they are in demand and while you do not hear the “Muslims” doing it a greater and greater number of young Americans are respecting Allah! Allah! Allah!

I do not teach them everything. Mohammed the messenger differs from “Muslims” because he said that those who repeat Kalama shall not suffer from Naar and most “Muslims” are demanding a whole lot of things, in the name of Qur’an and Hadith, which do not appear in Qur’an and Hadith. And in the Arab lands they are having social and political changes of quite different orders which are solving many real problems of real persons. I am neither sociologists nor politician and am concerned with heart-basics.

When I presented by dance in which the people repeat; Ya Mohammed Abdullah! Ya Mohammed Abdallah! Mohammed Rassoul-Lillah! Ya Mohammed Abdallah! the response was eager and instantaneous. And the campaign of “Joy without Drugs” has been successful. Or as written earlier to understand “The Cave” one must have the Cave experiences, of coming before utterly strange people by perseverance in Allah not in “Islamics” there is greater and greater response.

But the other night the place was so-packed we could neither walk nor dance so one began choral singing:

La Illaha Il Allahu (three times)

Mohammed Rassoul-Lillah (twice)

with about 80 “unbelievers” present, and the joy and report was overwhelming, and as Hazrat Inayat Khan said, “Heart speaks to heart and soul to soul.” And it is kafir-feringhis who want to repeat Allah while others are busy in politics. And I tell you, Brother and friend, it is a manifestation: “In that day will the Sun rise in the West and all men seeing, believe.” For the Sun of Truth is rising and my disciples and now others repeating Ya Hayy! Ya Hakk and the baraka is manifest and the blessings and the joy more and more every week, praise to Allah.

Indeed one has had to take some of our Indian brethren to task because they are praising everything and everybody but Allah and without any effect all, the same problem, the same miseries.

It is not only necessary, it is coming that one will be given halls for one’s work at no costs with rising collections and larger audience. This may be a new way to present Sufism, which is based on God-realization.

To an entirely different group of people, many of them older in years one’s Azan was most effective. For one can sing to Allah and with Allah and not think of ego-self. This is in the course in “Early Arabic Art.” It is necessary to write a paper therein too. One has plenty of materials. And here one also differs from “Muslims” who are so full of self-praise and without knowledge.

In this class the next lesson is concerning the Khalifs Al Rashidin. One has no right impose on others (but many so-called “Muslim” do just that) but the khalif Omar has been my ideal in so many things. And I have already brought to class some Arabic clothing and will wear a fine Moorish robe later on. We are encouraging interest in all kinds of clothing but mostly Persian and Arabic. As Miss Khawar may be here later we are keeping the doors open but all is being prepared. The campaign to import Arabic clothing commercially has not yet succeeded but I am urging an interest in Pakistani clothing and have already taken the first steps. On the point I an American, that is a doer, a pragmatist.

(So far as Pakistani foods are concerned that has been essay for me. But our next big feast outside will be at the Khyber Pass Restaurant in a neighboring city.)

Allah has also seen fit to increase remuneration from all directions. Financially I am now “at ease” but must organize and also keep in mind the possibilities of travels again. I await Pir Vilayat, son of Hazrat Inayat Khan. There are some serious things going on whether he will obtain a large parcel of land not far from the Khankah. These people refused to come to our free lectures but now they pay and they have to pay, for Americans do not learn unless they put out money.

Despite the years, the health is excellent and the practice of the Divine presence (Akhlak Allah) is most beneficial.

No doubt something will be accomplished today when one must speak for tasawwuf, but I wish to get this off as more and more doors are open.

With all love and blessings,

Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti

410 Precita Ave.,

San Francisco, Calif. 94110

10th May, 1969

Shams-ed-din Ahmed

c/o “Co-Opera”

70, The Mall,

Lahore, Pakistan

Beloved One of Allah:

As-salaam aleikhum. The work done with the young increase all the times. My old acquaintances do not accept the world in which they live and there is now a “Generation Gap” in which it is often said that older people do not comprehend the younger. Nonsense. This is nothing but nufs. Millions go to visit Data Ganj Baksh but hardly a handful know about his teaching on nufs and practically nobody recognize that Nufsaniat is the equivalent of Samsara. But everybody wants their own ego and millions of repetitions of La Illaha El Il Allah do not change this.

I do not remember his name but one of your sons became a very good friend and Inshallah, when it is possible to return to Pakistan I could keep him very busy. My outward circumstances are changing all the time and few older people want to recognize it; the inner circumstances are also changing all the time and fortunately many young people recognize it.

In 1962 I visited the tomb of Amir Khusrau with Pir-o-Murshid Hasan Sani Nizami and one of his brothers. The spirit of the saint appeared to me and gave me the same robe which had been offered by Khawja Khizr and Moin-ed-din Chisti. He said: “I appoint you as successors to Mohammed Iqbal in the school of Jalal-ud-din Rumi.” When I came back to Pakistan Sufi Sahib gave that robe and I have it. And all the famous and infamous people, all the authorities who preach without identification with their own words cannot stop what is the Divine Will. It is in operation all the time and one is now seriously considering also giving up sleep.

The other day President Zukair Hossein died and I had to listen to dualistic and hypocritical important people speak about him. But the time has come, the hypocritical and important people are being found out and very gradually the name and prowess of Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti is wending its way into the universities exactly in accordance with the blessings of Hazrat Inayat Khan. His disciples and followers refused to accept; even the man who was present has refused to accept because they do not understand nufs.

A billion repetitions of “No partner hath He” and still humankind make itself equal or superior. This person has refused adamantly to attend a “peace conference” of the local Muslims. There is no Peace but in Allah. Doctrines, dogmas, assertions are not peace and the state of Nufs-Selima is practically unknown.

The attendance at my groups increases. Last Sunday one had 150 and the daily attendance grows, the number of meeting grows and one has to visit the universities more and more and more, and no help. My chief secretaries are now engaged in their own pursuits and Allah is manifesting more and more and more. Everybody has suggestions; it is laughable. If there is one thing I do not need it is suggestions, as you will see:

It is my mission before Allah to do in this part of the world what Moin-ed-din Chisti did in India. I do wear his robe though the physical counterpart came from Sufi Sahib. Today dances are pouring through me as poetry did before. The poetry was rejected but the story is coming out. People who go around proclaiming Love, Humanity, Democracy differ only in that they use these words. It is not necessary to depend on them. The rich and the famous who might have helped, on them there is no need to reliance, in Allah only is reliance.

Every time a group comes Allah bestows a blessing. The other night one had the disciples get up and do another dance—these dances are always coming. It is based on nothing but Bismillah Er-Rahman Er-Rahim. It is real, it is effective. It is based on knowledge of psychic and mystical law which pretenders and proclaimers do not know. These dances are pouring out of one. Soon the poetry will be recognized. There is a seminar on poetry writing soon as effected by Oriental Philosophy. I shall without question bring “Saladin,” the greatest of my efforts so far.

The story of “ Saladin ,” the outer story is a shame. The person to whom it was dedicated refused to look at it. He is rich, famous and very, very lonely. He gets all his books published, he gets audiences everywhere, but they are audiences, they are not parts of himself and he has deserted Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan for his own fame and glory and he will go down in history unless he comes to the gate of Tauba. I know all about his private life and have kept quiet and probably will continue to keep quiet but it is disgusting how so many pretended devotees defy Allah Knows All Things. They act as if otherwise. And I personally defy all so-called Muslims who do not accept:

“Act as if in the presence of Allah and remember, if you do not see Him, verily He sees you.”

I do not even have free nights. Last night was taken up by two long interviews. The disciple, oldest from point of Bayat was here. He is going through two crucifixions. He is marvelous physically, mentally, morally and spiritually strong. He has already had the Khalif’s Ryazat and next I shall arrange to have a robe made for him. I wished to institute him publicly in the presence of Pir Vilayat Khan but do not know Vilayat’s itinerary.

The people at Geneva and in Holland do not accept the Invocation of Hazrat Inayat Khan: “Toward the One, The Perfection of Love, Harmony and Beauty, The Only Being, United With All the Illuminated Souls Who Form the Embodiment of the Master the Spirit of Guidance.” I understand they are instigating legal proceedings against both Vilayat and myself. Yesterday one of my disciples, given Bayat by Vilayat, told me that Pir Vilayat knew exactly what was coming and he has taken all the legal precautions. We are preparing to send a caravan to him for mountain climbing. (Murshid’s “mountain climbing” is different—through makamat and ahwal).

A whole hour was spent last night with a young lady getting material on “Alternates to Drugs in bringing Joy to the Young.” She took down huge portions of my personal history and all her questions were easily answered. They are no problems. There is just the refusal of important people to listen. Allah and Listening solve all problems, all, but important people cannot listen. This is nufs; it deadens their senses and mind. They cannot listen and so the world is disturbed.

Now I must tell you about the work of Abdal. I was initiated in the path by Ghaus-i-Azam and served him and through him, Allah and “All the illuminated souls who form the embodiment of the Master, the Spirit of Guidance.” It is a terrible undertaking and line of work. But one was recognized immediately in UAR which is a long story.

Now in Hadith there is a prediction: “In that day will the Sun rise in the West, and all men seeing, will believe.” The long interview last night coming after the blessings of more and more walks and dances based on the basic teaching of Islam, of Qur’an and Hadith, makes one recognize what one has always known. Akbar, the Khalif designate as above has long been trained in Tasawwuri Mohammed, the most difficult and deepest though simple of all practices. It is Jili’s Insaan-i-Kemal in action and practice and no nonsense.

While this is going on the Vietnam complex. I have a chair once occupied by Robert Clifton (Phra Sumangalo), my dearest and best friend for thirty-five years. He came into my rooms: “Samuel, we do not have it!” Without batting an eye, “Robert, we do have it!” This a top Buddhist. This, one of the organizers of the World Buddhist Federation! Only some of the top Buddhists recognize more and I can tell you stories of the very top Buddhists, only it would fill Muslims with pride and ego, excepting Sidi Al-Alawi who preaches Khatimal Mursaleen and recognizes all the prophets of all faiths and all religions, ending and terminating in Mecca Shereef.

This theme is to be completed in Rassoul Gita which will live on after me and the generations of the future will look askance on the people of the day. But I am also teaching The Gospel of St. Thomas, the real words from Jesus Christ, more authentic than the Christian Bible and it repeats over and over again that the servants of God will be shunned and persecuted and no one know it better than this person. People can malign, imprison, beat but they do not take away the Divine Spirit.

There is a growing concern with the breakdown of all “moral” standards. We will teach the Adab but now with dance movements and the repetitions of the Sifat-i-Allah with the proper movements and postures. But the ease with which people, I mean the young repeat not only Allah but Mohammed Rassoul Lillah puts so-called “Muslims” to shame. I have enough time with the Bismillah, Takbir and the Sifat-i-Allah to last more than a lifetime and in the young mureeds the light of Love and Compassion and of each of the Sifat shines and so no special moral or other admonitions are needed. The Sifat prove themselves by effecting changes in character and action. The light of my young friends and followers is becoming more and more manifest.

There is a corporation in Geneva and there is another one in San Francisco called “Sufism Re-Oriented.” The last accepted Meher Baba who is gone and all of his predictions fell for naught. But too many human beings “forgive” every so called “saint” for every sort of transgression and expect the little people to obey all the “traffic laws” of the universe, whereas Allah expects the proper behavior from the important people and forgives the little ones.

The true transmission is non-verbal. How many know Um-Khitab? The new dance, Bismillah will live on and on and on. There are others. The Dervish dancing has been reported and published in The Oracle, a local paper. More is to come. As I have no secretaries now, just one helper, I cannot look after details.

All love and blessings,

Murshid

410 Precita Ave.,

San Francisco, Calif.

S. Ahmed           

6th June, 1969

c/o Co-Opera

70, The Mall,

Lahore West Pakistan

Beloved One of Allah;

As-salaam aleikhum. Returning from the Khankah I found yours of 29th May and am pleased to answer it immediately. Am sending a copy to the new Consul General whom I do not know. I wish permission to copy some materials from the latest papers for a term paper on Pakistan for the Universities here, You may read about the turmoil going on at both San Francisco State which is in San Francisco and the University of California which is about nine miles from here. Actually these turmoils involve very few students. As soon as somebody wants to start trouble he notifies the police, the radio, the newspapers and television and pretty soon he is on the air and the world knows about him. But of the studying, research and achievements not even the students themselves know. It is not that I am “’against” for there is certainly much in our society to be corrected. But there are also some good things.

Besides now with the Grace of Allah, to Whom be all praise, the doors are opening and the time has arrived that not only one has no few days but not even a free evening. Sufi Sam as I am known here, has been invited to a seminar or conference “The Frontiers of Science” to be held tomorrow night. One has classes Mondays Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

The Sunday night class has been discontinued and instead we are meeting at the Khankah for a long dance session. This will no doubt disturb a lot of so- called “Sunnis.” If a person calls himself a Sunni he self-exempts himself from following what is actually in Qur’an and Hadith. Personally I think the spirit of Islam is more important than the form. The Hadith (and no “good-Muslim” has to study them) says: “In that day will the Sun rise in the West and all men seeing, will believe.” This person ignored by Mosques both in your land and this is getting a lot of “kafir-feringhis” reciting and chanting. And with joy. When you can got a hundred “non-believers” chanting Mohammedar Rassoul-Lillah it no doubt causes joy in heaven, but not among the so-called missionaries who do not missionary many people.

Hazrat Inayat Khan said, “Heart calls to heart” and “soul to soul.” The effort to introduce Dervish dancing has been overwhelming. I think I told you some time back we tried out using the Names of God; there were only a few of us. Nine opted for Allah! one for Ram, and none for God. Realizing that these were all Americans of Christian or Jewish backgrounds, that eight have been news, but the way in which it was done is too unorthodox to satisfy. So we follow the Qur’an; “Say Allah and leave them to their devices.” One realizes that “good-Muslims” do not have to do that. They have so many more important things than saying: Allah. And then one is also called a “fanatic.”

Two weeks ago I began explaining; “There are just three religions: Jewish, Christian and Fanaticism and I am proud to say I accept the latter.” This was an entirely different group and the remarks were met with laughter. And it is this group and not the “good-Muslims” that are interested in my lectures on Rumi. And I must laugh when you mention a cousin of George Bernard Shaw has adapted Islam. Why even my teachers, one by one are accepting that Mohammed was a Prophet or a Messenger and none of them are Muslims. And far from being hated and despised, it is only the ignorant missionaries who are gaining no converts who say Mohammed and Islam are despised in this land. The young want God, with or without religion.

A copy of toy work in Dervish Darning was sent to Ajmir. The recipient has been working on the Big Five of Chisti-Sufisms. He is strongly in favor of both music and dancing being used. This has been very encouraging. We had been using:

La Illaha El Allahu (three times)

Mohammedar Rassoul Lillah (twice)

La Mohammed Abdulla (twice)

Mohammedar Rassoul Lillah

La Mohammed Abdullah

Now we have both music and dance on Allah Er-Rahman Er-Rahim. Than one tried singing (low) Subhan Allah; (medium) Alhamdulillah; (loud and slow) Allaho Akbar. It is amazing how the young Americans have taken to these and other efforts. I am not going to say more here.

Everything written here may be shared. I shall try to see that you get some of the published material on the Dervish Dances. But I am at my wit’s end, always busy. I am very glad you have seem Ghulam Mustafa whom I know and may write him and send some material, too. Yes, I know about Bibijan coming here. Miss Khawar has been at Cornell University and wanted help to get her a place here. Today one has a following of about a hundred people, most with a spiritual and psychological problems and one has no free time and has not been able to make this understood. One has had so many requests about getting places to life.

I am glad you realize that my heart is still in Lahore. Since 1922 I have been studying and studying Kashf Al-Mahjub and I guess Moin-ed-din Chisti and Al Hujwiri (Data Sahib) have been the greatest influences in my life but now it is also Jelal-ud-din Rumi. When we had a big dinner for my disciple Fatima at the Afghan Restaurant, he called all of us out and gave names to those who still carried their ancestral ones. He called one Jelal-ed-din which pleased us all. And now also I am ready for another lecture an Al Rumi and Masnavi shortly.

I am so glad to be remembered by Baba, Haji, Qatari and Shafiq. It is most welcome to know that Allauddin Siddiqui now is Vice Chancellor. He has been one of my best friends of this whole life.

Please be sure to tell the Nawab the fist of this letter. Someday, Inshallah, I shall write my major opus which will be called Rassoul Gita, and will be an Islamic rejoinder to Bhagavad Gita. Oh, it is in me. But first “Saladin” must become known. This month a seminar on poetry writing as influenced by Asian studies will open and it is my intention to bring this out and also to the class on Rumi but not right away.

Praise to Allah the health is good and years do not weigh on me, only the amount of work. My chief secretaries now have outside jobs and there has been an almost miraculous change for the better. The effects will not come out immediately but they will come, Inshallah.

All love and blessings,

Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti

To Shams-ed-din Ahmed

2nd July, 1969

Beloved One of Allah: As-salaam Aleikhum!

It is with great joy that one answers your letter of 25th June. There is no question that Allah alone exists and it is tearful and pitiful that many, especially many calling themselves “Sufis” in the West today ignore Allah entirely. So to them as to the Muslins one says, “No, I am not a Muslim. No, I am not a Sufi, I am an Inshallah-ist!” Hazrat Inayat Khan warned about being used in people’s games and that is exactly what is happening and there is no acceptance of Saluk or Adab. Just words and claims, and the most marvelous reports one can give.

The Oracle of Inayat Khan said, “Sleep is restful but awakening is interesting.” I know that my last bastion would have to go and not only seven days in a week but hardly any sleep nor does one need it when one lives in Allah, the Eternally Awakened.

On top of the very full program came a procession. There is an Indian friend of Hazrat Inayat Khan here and he has tried to reach me but we have not been successful yet. Then Khawar came. It was magnificent. She was here only a few hours. We cooked all kinds of curries and then she put the young ladies in Pakistani clothes and never in my life have I seen anything so beautiful. It went over big, tremendous. We later took her to the Khankah and she watched our Dervish dances (sometimes joining) and sang with us in what are companions to Khawwals. I laughingly asked her if I would be permitted to go to Ajmir! Well we are on excellent terms with Ajmir and I hope, inshallah, with Nizam-ed-din Auliya.

Khawar stayed only a few hours and had to go to Los Angeles, 450 miles away, but will be here later. I understand Bibijan will be coming soon, as soon as the wedding ceremonies are over. But this is a new day, alhamdu-lillah!

Monday I called at the Pakistani consulate. The new receptionist is also a friend of Dr. Alauddin Siddiqui. We are in agreement that the Mosque is doing nothing. They had a meeting asking why the attendance and funds are low. When we wanted the Khankah we prayed Allah and the money came immediately without our doing anything. Someday people will accept Allah and forget all else. Then I phoned Asia Foundation and wrote to a former employer who is president of the Board of Regents of Asia Foundation in regard to a Pakistani fashion show. I shall keep you informed. The enthusiasm is very high.

I did not ask Khawar what she thought about Fazal, she who has known many Sufi Pirs. But Monday also wrote to Pir Salarwala a most encouraging letter. For things are so different, and the young are coming in ever greater numbers as Allah has shown me. Consequently I am not concerned or disturbed by other “Sufi” groups who will get the old people, if anybody, and not many of them. They also say: “Toward the One, The Perfection of Love, Harmony and Beauty, The Only Being, United With All the Illuminated Souls, Who Form the Embodiment of the Master, The Spirit of Guidance, but to them it is an invocation and to some of us it is Reality, not “a” Reality but Reality.

I am therefore making many copies of this letter which will be sent to many places.

This letter, inshallah, may well become historical. When I began study there was just one book (and no class papers). It was called “A Sufi Message of Spiritual Liberty” and from it one quotes:

“The Sufic method of realization, the study of Shariat, Tarikat, Hakikat and Marifat, also the practice of Zikr, Fikr, Kasab, Shagal and Amal, is claimed to be the easiest, shortest, and most interesting for spiritual accomplishment.”

When I went to hear Fazal last night the door of “love, harmony and beauty” was closed and a big (physically) man tried to bar the way. But he called Fazal and Fazal began—this is also “love, harmony and beauty” to accuse me. At his uncle’s meeting and at his own I never said a word but facts are unimportant to nufsians. Anyhow I went in and it was hard not to weep. The travesty, nothing at all in the slightest resembling the above or any of his sainted grandfather’s teaching.

It is fortunate they did not bar me. There were several of my old friends in the audience and one disciple of Hazrat Inayat Khan at least. What touched her were my disciples, beautiful young women, and more than beautiful. For while there was an intellectual and often quire erroneous discussion going on Jasmine asked, if after all, Sufism was not the religion of love. Fazal said that that question was better than both the speeches. It was. I told my Sister that this was one of the least of my disciples, that I had many, many more and more more advanced. This is something that corporation and church people cannot understand, the lifting of the Veils by Grace. It is totally foreign to them.

When we got home I was happy to find that Jasmine had passed the gate of Tauba. She did not know that. She just went through a complete change and turnabout. But she and Parisa and Zeynab who were there, all young, beautiful and accomplished young women, all have their inner eyes opened already. They could hardly hear the words, for they saw the lights (or absence) and the colors and the radiance (or absence) in the speakers and knew all about them. And when Fazal and his people get this letter they will be shocked. But that will only be the beginning for La Illaha El Il Allah and “these two things cannot exist together, nufs and Allah.” But then these pitiable speakers never knew Hazrat Inayat Khan and while Fazal has been to Pakistan, he does not know (until he gets this letter) what the real Sufis, and of course, Dr. Alauddin Siddiqui think of him. And how he can dream of being a leader in “One single brotherhood in the Fatherhood of God” by even condoning condemnation of an accepted Sufi is so ludicrous. And flesh and blood most certainly do not inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.

Now Khawar has told me that Prof. Seyyed Hossein Nasr is at Harvard University and at the moment also I have some excellent contacts at both Harvard, and its immediate neighbor, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, one of the highest ranking institutions in the whole world. Prof. Nasr is accepted as the top intellectual instructor on Sufism but he has a certainly mystical insight as well as experience. The possibility of his coming here or the introduction to him of Pir Vilayat Khan will compel, sooner or later the placing of facts openly and the end of all spurious claims and claimants.

Tonight I expect to wear my Dervish (Khizr) robe as well as that of murshid. There will be the institution of two Khalifs who have had the mystical insight and development and show such prowess. They are also accepted. Now I am completing the 60-100 stage of disciples.

Last night the speaker well said that knowledge of the past is power, of the present wisdom and of the future peace. But there is such a difference between a speech and cosmic actualization. In all things one “sees” as well as intuits (Kashf), but there is no sense of trying to enforce this on nufsian claimants. They do not, cannot, and would not understand. There is nothing in my life that has not been fore-visioned and today there are so many young people who have pierced veils and are looking for a “guru.” I do not know how I can now handle all these persons and so actually welcome any kind of “Sufi” here and especially any Fazal that wishes to lead the old (and often wealthy) people.

Khawar saw and others are seeing Love and Harmony and Beauty and when we sing, Ishk Allah, Mahbood Lillah (against a background of “Allah”) it is marvelous. The hearts are opening. There is a new type of humanity here.

So in a few moments Vilayat arrives. And I glance further in “A Sufi Message of Spiritual Liberty”: “Sufism contains all branches of mysticism, such as psychology, occultism, spiritualism, clairvoyance, clairaudience, intuition, inspiration….” This was definitely attacked last night by Fazal and his co-speaker! Imagine! And Hazrat Inayat Khan taught a certain kind of Occultism, but the papers have been either hidden or destroyed! Which does not stop the keen and we are here going to teach Irfan, Malikat, Waliyyat, Mushahida, Mujahida and all applications of the afore-mentioned Zikr, Fikr, Kasab, Shagal and Amal. We are already giving out the Wazifas and Kalama at many levels and the Akhlak Allah. And we are restoring all mysteries, and having them in a single general movement, and no nonsense.

When the least of the disciples already see, how about the advanced ones? How do you think this person feels who has already gone through Miraj and “Cave”? All the predictions of Hazrat Inayat Khan concerning his person are coming true, alhamdulillah and this is a new age when Insight (Kashf) not words will avail and prevail. And when Khawar heard our songs in praise of Mohammed, it was just as at the Afghan Restaurant. More is coming and one is totally hopeful, at least.

The next rumor is about people visiting your land. This is coming, inshallah.

This letter is for anybody and everybody and we may even publish it, or something like it.

All love and blessings,

Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti

410 Precita Ave.,

San Francisco, Calif.

July 28, 1969

Beloved One of Allah:

As-salaam aleikhum: I have just received yours of the 21st and am answering it immediately. If things have happened rapidly in my life they are happening still more rapidly now. However, praise to Allah, the fortunate far out-dominates the unfortunate. I must get ready to leave as soon as possible to visit the state of New Mexico. They want to learn about Sufism. I must also return as soon as possible to this vicinity because many young people wish to learn about Sufism—which is to say, they want to know more about Allah—Ya Hayy, Ya Hakk.

While this had been going on I have received another writing assignment for the Khankah. Saturday I completed my most profound work—a commentary on “Initiation and Discipleship.” Encouragement has come indirectly by some of our studies of the commentaries on Hadith by Baba Sahib which Khawar has been giving us. It will be wonderful if we could have more of this in English. It will once and for all the speculations of unbelievers about the relationship between Mohammed, on whom be Peace, and Tasawwuf, the science of the Being and Presence of Allah.

True, because of its universality, there have been found parallels with other faiths. Early in life I was taught that the most profound sciences were known to the Hebrew prophets. In recent studies it appears—and I am not too sure of it—that Prince Dara Shikoh wrote on the similarities and differences of some of these profound practices. I have read about them in books concerning Indian holy men; I have met them in men concerning Islamic-Sufi devotees. I do not agree that Allah has failed to send messengers to all people. I see Mohammed as the finality and seal over actual personages, not over concepts, not over theories. In my poem “Saladin” the inspiration came from Mohammed himself in a function as Sad-guru. I have yet to meet an Indian holy man who has denied me this knowledge, excepting the fakes of whom there are plenty.

My work with the young is increasing. Some of the ideas and methods are being copied. I have the assignment to have 50,000 American repeat Allah, and I shall not stop no matter what those calling themselves Muslims say. I cannot teach Shariah and I cannot stop saying Allah. Holy Qur’an tells us to say Allah. Besides this it words; believe me it works.

One has to take death with apparent unconcern. During the Pakistani dinner that we had last week, I had two close friends presumably dying, and yet the dinner had to be carried on as a most joyful occasion which otherwise it was. I have determined not to go to the convention of Muslims in this land. Their subject is Jihad. I am all for Jihad, but I cannot be concerned with the internal politics or even the external polities of land far away. I have to praise Allah, for both my physical and mental health and vigor are excellent for a man of any age, let alone one in his seventies.

I am glad to know about Saints who were illiterate. The conferences on so-called Asian philosophy held within the domain of the United States are confined only to the most literate and this has generally meant those of European or English University education. I have met so many Saints, real Saints, who did not seem concerned with reading and writing, or external knowledge.

There are many signs that we may be able to augment or restore the exoteric sciences. There are many other signs for I have been invited, after completing the assignments mentioned above, to visit certain places in the Eastern part of the United States. Sometimes I feel my career is only beginning and sometimes I feel just like that. I shall have more pictures made of me. Pir Sahib Salarwala was most pleased with the one sent him. If anything I have been careless about externals, but if anything for the first time in my life, I have been admired therefor.

This is a rushed letter. I feel I am going on more great adventures, inshallah. I feel that the purposes of my return to my country are being fulfilled, alhamdulillah. When I am permitted to return to Pakistan, I hope to bring messages of love and Joy and to convey Love and Joy without interfering with habits or customs.

All love and blessing,

Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti

410 Precita Ave.

Sept. 8, 1969

S. Ahmed

c/o Co-Opera

The Mall

Lahore, Pakistan

Beloved One of Allah:

As-Salaam-Aleikhum! One reads with much satisfaction your letter of 3rd September. And this letter is being sent in duplicate to you to use extra copy as you will and also a copy is going to your embassy here. One is still discompassionate about politics. Americans do things.

Yesterday we performed Dervish Dances in public and not only our people but a lot in the audience were chanting Allah, Allah, Allah when we left the arena. I do not think a single missionary coming to this country under any auspices, has ever accomplished that. Not only that, we are scheduled to have a big program in this city tomorrow night for the Dervish Dances. This will be preceded by a Pakistani fashion show given by my beloved god-daughter Miss Saadia Khawar Khan. Regardless of all politicians, Tablighis, etc. etc. we shall continue teaching Kalama to the American public and differing from many who call themselves Muslims I definitely do not believe that there is any power or might in the cosmos save Allah, to whom be all praise. I also believe when so-called Muslims stop their self-praise and praise Allah that would have not so much to complain about. And we have now a whole choral group chanting, “Subhanallah, Alhamdulillah, Allaho Akbar.”

It is also quite untrue that there is much criticism of Mohammed Rassoul-lillah, on whom be peace. I have yet to meet a single young person who has come to my meetings on any occasion to hesitate in chanting praise to Mohammed. What Americans object to is the lack of sincerity in religion of Muslims, so called, and failure to accept in actuality the wonderful moral teachings of Hadiths. To some extent this acceptance of Mohammed is due to the growing protest in this country against what passes for culture. When I read Hadiths, which are seldom read in the mosques here, there is almost universal acceptance; in addition to that Saadia Khawar has been giving special lessons on Hadiths both to the mureeds and the general public. And when Muslims start teaching Hadiths and accept that Allah loves his creation more than a mother loves her offspring, we shall see a different and a better world, inshallah. Naturally we have been interested in the wedding. Saadia Khawar will be leaving here this Thursday after I depart presumably for the Northwest. The whole outlook is different: responses to my meetings, putting into practice the teachings, and all those things which belong to a true spiritual life, are slowly but surely becoming elements in the culture of America.

Naturally I am sorry that your benefactor is passing away. But I am also taking it as a sign to study Afghani. I have been sympathetically inclined, but have not read him. I am also, inshallah, planning either to attend or send a representative to the next Conference of World Religions. There is a great deal of difference between the actual teachings of Hadiths and the assumptions that every type of behavior pattern by every type of so-called Muslim is automatically noble. The Prophet of God said “Oppose oppression, whether by a Muslim or by a non-Muslim.” He did not say, “We condone oppression by Muslims.” I believe this teaching, given to the world, will help fulfill many predictions.

Please send me the address of Haji Sarfraz. I have not heard from Major Sadiq who is supposed to be in Abbottabad. Saadia Khawar and I often discuss either another visit to Pakistan, inshallah, or sending one or more disciples. I which to show her especially the last part of your letter, dealing with the writings of Prof. Durrani at Peshawar. I have often asked for his books. Today, alhamdulillah! I am in a much more favorable financial position, and not only have a growing flock of mureeds but letters, inquiries, and visits, covering a larger territory.

A group of us here are most interested in a local professor who is giving classes in Islamic Art. It started as Arabic Art, but the superiors, despite a certain apathy in your land about this country, instructed her to change from Arabic Art to Islamic Art. This Autumn we shall be mostly concerned with Persian culture, but also its effects on the sub-continent. Again, it is not Muslims who show much interest, but some of us whether we are called Muslims or not, who have deep love for Khatimal Mursaleen are cooperating fully, socially, financially and otherwise in this undertaking. Indeed most of my intellectual efforts outside my personal work are in this direction. And I am ready to throw the Hadiths, the actual Hadiths, at both Muslim and non-Muslim who will dare to dissent publicly or privately from such a stand. This confused world is not going to gain while each of us places his private code above divine revelation, or what is next to it. Even now, we are considering a number of purchases from Ashraf. There are disciples here to whom I have never spoken a word about either Mohammed or Sifat-i-Allah who have had the most marvelous awakenings from studying Arnold’s Pearls of Faith. And when the religious people accept the teachings of nufs either as taught by Hujwiri (Data Sahib) or otherwise we are going to see a new world, inshallah.

With all love and blessings,

Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti

December 21, 1969

S. Ahmed The Mall

Lahore, Pakistan

Beloved One of Allah:

As-salaam-Aleikhum! Inshallah, this may be a most important letter. One hopes it is an encouraging one. There is such a gap today between surrender to Allah and what passes as “Islam” that it would seem impossible to bridge this gap. There is a conference of Islamic nations now going on in Morocco. One of the most important books to me, and I mean to me, is An Islamic Saint of the Twentieth Century concerning a great Pir-o-Murshid of the Alawi School which has its centers, influence and affluence in the Margreb. It was my good fortune to meet the successor of this great Pir-o-Murshid and the “Islam” and Baraka is quite out of line with everything going on today; in fact it transcends. His Islam has nothing to do with egocentricities and manmade or man-derived outlooks. But he left his Baraka here and his predictions which have come true.

Along the same line has been the course “The Influence of Arabic Civilization in the Mediterranean” just completed. There were practically no “Muslims” in these classes, excepting one other American at night. The “Muslims” of the day are concerned with politics and join the Christians in praying “Our will be done in heaven as it is in earth.” So long as this Iblis prayer continues we are going to have confusion on earth; we are going to have nothing but confusion.

I agree with the Messenger of Allah, on whom be peace, “The words of Allah can abrogate my words, but my words cannot abrogate the words of Allah.” This is of course not practiced in Islam. Anything can be abrogate that proper “Muslims” want done, and that is why instead of turning to Allah, the real Allah, they spend time in passing endless useless resolutions, and I don’t know to whom. For all these resolutions presume that there is some power other than Allah. And when man presumes there is some power other than Allah he is supporting Iblis no matter what he says. When the great World War was at its worst this person beseeched Allah to open his eyes. Everything happened as was seen, and this gave the direct experience into the prowess of Ghaus-i-Azam and the spiritual hierarchy which exists. Nor do I dare challenge that Allah always has his representative on earth. I am not one of those who pays lip service to Holy Scriptures and finds every reason or unreason to abrogate them when it so pleases him.

Therefore I personally accept all teachings of scriptures not contradicted by Holy Qur’an. I do not accept that Qur’an was the only sacred book. Holy Qur’an does not say it is the only sacred book. But bigots have made it “the only sacred book” and by so doing have taken away its value.

I have in mind here certain phrases of the Hebrew Bible which I use at Christmas such as, “Every Valley shall be exalted, and every mountain laid law, etc.” And, “Comfort ye may people.” These phrases from the Hebraic Isaiah etc., belong to umm khatib as much as do Holy Qur’an and much of the Hadiths. The Messenger himself said, although he has been contradicted by multitudes of Muslims, that he was not different from human kind, and that we must not judge prophets and messengers which has been done and is being done through the ages. But if we go deep, and a few do go deep, when we reach Mushahida we will know the truth ourselves. Multitudes seem verbally attached to Shahud without direct experience, and those who have direct experiences are constantly being challenged by the worthy and unworthy. This means in practice we accept other than Allah, and this other than Allah is mostly our own nufs.

It may shock a number of so-called “good-Muslims” to find that our choral master here is teaching Christian hymns against a backdrop of Kalama. Why a “good-Muslim” does not even have to say any Kalama; he just has to require that others do it. We accept Isa and Musa, not verbally but actually. We believe that the Prophet of Mecca come to complete their work. We find in practice that the people of the synagogue do not use the Name of God that Moses used, nor do the people of the Church use the name of God that Isa did. Therefore we consider it our first duty to get Americans to say Allah, and before Allah but not before the Islamic communities, the young Americans are saying Allah. Recently to my amazement as I was crossing a square in front of this house a group of young children came to me, surround me, and chanted Allah, Allah, Allah. Whence this inspiration? And we have little infants here whose first words are not the usual mama or papa but Allah. These just might be signs, inshallah, of “In that day, the sun will rise in the West, and all men seeing will believe.”

I have two world projects, and I mean world projects, in front of me at this moment. The first is a gathering of all faiths scheduled for Istanbul, Turkey next spring. I hope to bring, inshallah, a message of spirituality and universality based on direct experience and wisdom. At least it would appear that I must attend. My finances are in somewhat better shape today. I have also been assured of help if necessary from Saadia Khawar (I have just learned that Auntie Bibijan is now with her at Ithaca, NY). Also a letter has been received from Pir Vilayat Khan, the oldest son of the late Hazrat Inayat Khan, assuring me that his finances are in excellent shape. I have known for a long time from outer sources that this would be, but now I am glad to report they are.

Pir Vilayat has had a long, complicated and arduous history into which we need not go. Since he has documented his appointment by the Grand Pirs of the Chisti Order, there seems to be no reason whatsoever not to given full and absolute co-operation. Indeed, since our working together, we both seem to have made considerable progress. Evincing that the will of Allah is not only real but comes into manifestation. Nor do I believe it can be otherwise.

The other is writing of Rassoul Gita which inshallah may become an immortal poem, an Islamic parallel to the Indian Bhagavad Gita. This is a seemingly daring project. Previous poems, to each religion, have been rejected by that religion. This is also true of Saladin, written under the inspiration of fana-fi-Rassoul. This poem will someday stand. It is the religionists, the hypocrites, who are going to disappear, not the truths which come with every breath from the living god.

This poem has in essence two portions, the reaffirmations of Kalama and Shahud; and the denunciation of the Dajjals. India and California (but much more of the United States) seem to agree that problems are solved? By the manifestation of some egotistical superman who will solve all problems, especially if you give him everything. Even the greatest of Sages do not seem to have done much to clarify the perplexities of India. But Americans tend to go even further.

In a few days, inshallah, we may have a gathering at local San Francisco State college, a well-known institutions full of complexities and newsworthy happenings. However, there they do have a form of free speech, really free speech, which few can comprehend. Every point of view, and I mean every point of view, is given its opportunity. The young Americans, whatever be their faults, are very firm for democracy, tolerance, and free speech. Of course they do not control the media of exchange so you can never read about this; you will never read about it. But this does give one an insight into the conflicting Dajjals and the spreading confusion.

To me most of these Dajjals resemble Nietzsche’s “superman”. In Nietzsche mankind was supposed to be sacrificed for superman. Indeed, such characters as Hitler and Stalin seem to act that way, but they never claimed to be divine. The Dajjals claim to be divine. It is not so much that their claims are false, but their directions are totally bound up in nufs and not in Allah.

We have a book here The Shadowless Prophet of Islam. Not only from legends and traditions, but from my own experiences, both Isa and Mohammed seem to have operated as if they were Sun in human form, not Allah in human form but the Sun in human form. The Sun gives, the Sun blesses, the Sun does not depend on human kind, the Sun does not depend on earth, the Sun does not depend.

Above I mentioned our studies in Arabic civilization (ignored by so-called “Islamic communities”). In this course we had to study the art of Islamic Spain (Andalusia). Although I have not visited this land, I was just as much impressed, if not overwhelmed as in visiting Taj, or the great Mosques of Cairo. There is a vast difference between subjective ego satisfaction and a rejoicing in human accomplishments based on divine guidance and inspiration. So I have re-read the American Washington Irving and his writings.

I was much impressed by the history of Tarik (from whom we get the word Gibraltar). This man was not only eminently victorious, he treated with kindness and consideration all his fallen enemies—no rancor, no envy, no accumulations of wealth, but he followed in the footsteps of Mohammed and Omar. For this he was removed by his jealous superior Musa. In the end the Khalifs at Damascus removed Musa and rewarded Tarik. It is the grand drama ignored by the egocentrics.

Islam was victorious when it adhered to Allah, the Qur’an, and Hadiths—not to the words but to the practices. It would seem today that religion has no particular objection to rancor, envy, malice, self-accumulation, etc. That is why religions is failing; that is why jihads are useless; that is why it is going to require something more than empty words to bring peace and justice to this world.

At this writing I am awaiting a very strange character, a disciple of Sufism who became a citizen of Israel when the land was occupied by the invading Israelis. He is a friends of a disciple of Jewish birth who was expelled from Israel for befriending Arabs. I have always held, and will continue to hold, there is a brotherhood of heart Sahib-i-dil beyond all difference and distinctions. It becomes a time for demonstration and test. But is also becomes a time to resume the writing of Rassoul Gita, as above which inshallah, shall be my contribution to the world’s cultures, become it known soon or in the distant future. Therefore I bear no ill-will, no malice, and continue to operate in Kashf and shahud, and will do, so stand I alone, or stand I in the midst of, or stand I ahead of the rising generations of quite different types of Americans—leaderless at the moment but seeking the truth within and without.

My greetings to you, to your family, to Haji Safraz and his family and disciples; to Sufis Barkat Ali, to Dr. Alauddin Siddiqui, to Major Sadiq, to all our friends, and to all Muslims be they followers of Allah or of their own misguiding egos.

Love and Blessings,

Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti

Feb. 22, 1970

Mr. S. Ahmed

c/o Co-Opera

The Mall

Lahore, Pakistan

Beloved One of Allah;

As-salaam-aleikhum! It is easy no doubt to have a greeting. It is also important to take that greeting and make it the basis of life. One is departing from many methods of the past in an age also when the telephone, the motor car, the aeroplane, and other mechanical devices are being substituted for human endeavor. In all this there is no change of man’s relation to Allah. Mohammed, on whom be peace, said that if a person recited Kalama he would surely not go to hell. In general, one finds oneself in a most peculiar relation with many Muslims who demand what the messenger of Allah did not demands and who have substituted a multitude of legalisms for the divine Rahmat.

Last week we were performing a dance based on the Bismillah and a man came and was enjoying it. I discovered he was an Arab from Jerusalem. There was also present a lady disciple who had lived in Jerusalem, but left that land because she also loved the Arabs. She loves the Arabs; she loves the Israelis; she loves what Allah loves and whom Allah loves, and she will not accept that Allah loves some and not others. We had a beautiful short conference. Inshallah, we way have more of such meetings. You will not read about them in the press. What is done to stir is published; what is done to pacify is not published. Now I am preparing to go to Geneva, not Istanbul where the leaders of the world’s religions will convene. One does not yet know what one will say or do, but one is prepared to serve Allah, to look into the hearts of human beings, and to do more.

The immediate problem here has been one of health, not illness on my part but on the part of several near and dear to me at this hour. My brother has been released from the hospital and is home but very weak. My oldest and best spiritual friends now are suffering from ailments which come naturally with age, and which also they realize come with age. Of course we are making a science of the Names of Allah, and using them. All sciences are not necessarily of the outer world.

I am most interested in Fazal Shah of Mian Mir. I have received to myself the greatest wisdom teachings at that Dirgah from almost anywhere. It is hard to explain and perhaps unnecessary. Next to the Divine Names, the practice of certain forms of tasawwuri have been most effective. It is hard; it is strange; it is new, that souls born in a distant land should be so behaving that the Hadith: “In that day the sun will rise in the West, and all men seeing will believe” may be manifesting in unpredictable manners, but manifesting because it is Allah’s will, not because it satisfies human beings. In addition to the sacred phrases there are certain forms of refined breathing which we use, most healthful.

I have an advantage here of receiving mail from many lauds. From India, it is usually Ajmir, but one also hears from Australia, and from many parts of the United States, all showing signs of spiritual upsurges.

When one returned to this country, his mission was to convince 50,000 Americans to repeat Allah. This did not satisfy many orthodox who expect much more, expect from others what they have not accomplished themselves. This still goes on, and it may always go on. But now there are two signs that this goal is within one’s grasp. The first is the mission originally for Istanbul, now for Geneva, Switzerland, where one will meet the ecclesiastical leaders of all faiths. What one succeeds in doing is in Allah’s hands.

The next is no doubt more exciting. Preliminary offers have been made to film the Dervish dancing. While the cure for the ills of the world everywhere seems to be, “O Allah, make the other people behave,” the Sufi begins with his self, with his small ego. Now it seems to please Allah that people recite His Name, and His praise. It may not always please others; but it seems to please Allah. At this writing the possibilities of filming Dervish dances and presenting the praise of Allah to the multitudes is indeed far more propitious and auspicious than one could surmise. Evidently Allah wishes what people who propose to speak in His name, do not always wish. So at this writing one not only has a most crowded schedule, also the opportunities are here.

I personally believe that if Mohammed had appeared to peoples other than the Arabs, the Qur’an might have been different. He himself said that to every people was a Book. He distinctly said that Holy Qur’an was given in Arabic so that the people in ignorance could understand. A book which does not open to divine consciousness, has to be examined with great care. The simple fact is that this writing, more and more young people are coming to this Murshid so to speak, requiring more and more attention, more and more time, more and more effort, more and more consideration. And despite one’s age the simple fact is that the Daroods offered by Sahib Salarwala work. They are operative. They manifest. They give life and rest and hope, and bring Divine guidance at every step of the way in every aspect of life. I am therefore sending also a copy of this to Pir Sahib and to Khawar.

With all love and blessings,

Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti

March 13, 1970

Mr. Shams-ed-din Ahmed

c/o Co-Opera

The Mall

Lahore, Pakistan

Beloved One of Allah:

As-Salaam-Aleikhum! One rejoices in your letter of 5th March. It is something which is going to be read to others. One has at this time a growing following. The hundred disciples vouchsafed only three years book by Allah Himself are a reality. Every individual is a reality. Every individual is repeating the word Allah. Every one of them is chanting Mohammedar Rassoul Lillah. One was told this would be, that this would be part of one’s life mission, and it is. For the soul of man belongs to Allah, and when rightly approached, every soul is drawn to Allah—not necessarily drawn in the way the mullahs and imams wish but in the way Allah would, and evidently He does so will.

One feels you are entirely right on every point. Now one has the opportunity to communicate this to the world; one has the duty to communicate it to the world; and if Allah so wills, one soon will be communicating it to the world. I am not talking in symbols or in fanciful terms, but in actualities.

A very strong letter has been written to the American Friends of the Middle East who engage in pious sentiments while political enemies are murdering each other, often in the name of religion. The Bible says, “The earth is the Lords and the fullness thereof.” No doubt there are reasons for property occupation. No doubt there are reasons for a thousand and one things in this world. Centuries have not stopped man from disobeying “Thou Shalt Not Kill.”

I have a disciple named Hasan who wishes now to publish “Saladin” along with its Hebraic predecessor, “The Day of the Lord Cometh.” One has felt this Divine inspiration so many times—in poetry, prose, in the daily life, in human relations, and in all things. You are entirely correct, in my opinion, about this nation. Jesus has said, what matter if you gain the whole world and lose your own soul. Hatred, dissatisfaction, confusion everywhere. At this writing even this city is in turmoil. Last week a letter was received from a friend in India depicting conditions much worse than even a hostile Pakistani press has reported. On the other hand, vision is still vouchsafed, Kashf is still active. All the foreboding of a few years back have some to objective manifestation, almost without exception.

Now one’s brother appears to be dying. We were enemies for years; it was useless. But as our estate was under legal examination it seems that this very time Allah may be intervening, and if this proves so, it could mean, inshallah, that one becomes comparatively a wealthy can, and will be able to travel anywhere that Allah wills on the surface of the earth. But this can only be accomplished by careful attention to the matters at hand, with full trust and hope in Allah, and not in pious sentiments or empty wishes.

I shall make note here to the secretary that in case Nawab appears in this vicinity he shall be given every consideration. We usually have an empty room at the Khankah. In my absence there will probably be at least two empty rooms. And when I am in San Francisco, also I can make provision at this house. I may also drop a note to the Consulate here.

On my return here, inshallah, I shall make every effort to put Tarikat on a sound footing. The young Americans about whom you may be hearing very little, are a different breed from those of the past. For this very reason they are treated with utmost hostility by the press, and most public agencies. But they have within them a spirit of devotion absent among their predecessors, and it is most unfortunate that Islamic missionaries verbalizing that the name of Mohammed is excoriated and the principles of Islam loathed, are entirely wrong. Only I am not an Imam. I am not a teacher of Shariah. And my duty has been to get Americans to repeat Allah, and keep on repeating Allah, and then determine whether they would also say Mohammedar Rassoul-Lillah. This has been done, this is being done and there is every sign that this will be increasingly done; more and more and more. So one is not afraid of Iblis; one is not afraid of any and all the powers of evil. One is not afraid at all.

With Love and Thanks, and blessings to yourself your family and friends,

Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti

May 23, 1970

Shems-ed-din Ahmed

c/o Co-Opera

70 the Mall

Lahore, Pakistan

Beloved One of Allah: As-salaam-aleikhum!

Thank you for your letter of the 15th of May. Please present my salaams to Haji Safraz. I wish him to be informed of an event which if it transpires may be of greatest interest and even importance.

When the psychedelic conference met in San Francisco a number of years back I stated that there were words in Sanskrit which covered most of their presumably unusual experiences. The panel consisted mostly of university professors who had turned against what are known here as the Establishment. Although they ridiculed me, one by one they went to India, and came back very enthusiastic for Indian philosophies. They came back enthusiastic, but now after a few years, they have not had the spiritual development they expected. The most active and important of them, one Richard Alpert, who has been going around as a sort of Guru, calling himself Baba Ram Dass, is now preparing to leave for South America. There is a report that a Naqshibandi Pir-o-Murshid is active in these parts. Richard Alpert has already left to me, from his point of view, the directing of American youth in spiritual affairs. He dial most ask me; he simply is withdrawing, and according to rumors expects to become a mureed in Sufism, Naqshibandi order. If this is so, it should draw us even closer together. Actually, I believe that all things are in the hands of Allah, although sometimes it would appear Allah does not operate the way certain personalities say. I am still convinced that we should surrender to Allah in times of adversity and praise Him in times of prosperity. But adversity or prosperity we should always be looking for His Guidance.

Alhamdu-Lillah! I have been successful in getting quite a few Americans to accept this point of view.

I have already written Sufi Sahib at Salarwala, and believe I have sent you a copy. I am writing more regularly to Prof. Nasr in Tehran. Strictly speaking, a Sufi is one who is aware of Divine Guidance, be it in the form of Noor, Kashf, Shahud, or otherwise. I must differ from certain types of people who call themselves Muslims who would restrict the Divine Grace. There can be no restrictions on Allah.

We are now preparing for two events which may greatly affect the youth of America. In a few days I shall be leaving to take over o spiritual directions of Lama Foundation in the northern part of New Mexico. Here a whole group, a spiritual colony, has asked me to present the Sufi teachings, and it is quite possible many of them, inshallah, will seek Bayat. Some of my own mureeds are joining me, and I must especially mention one Bill Mathieu. Without any instructions from me, he has presented out of his own inspirations the most marvelous kawwals. They are not only most inspiring to me, they have inspired many disciples, and songs of triumph issue from the hearts of the young. We started out with a few; we are now many.

Sunday we are having a farewell festival of sorts which is also the birthday of one of my Naqibs. From the attendance at the meetings there should be a large turnout. It is really marvelous how young people are accepting and responding to the Divine call. And I am quite indifferent today whether this is accepted or not by human kind. In any event more and more Americans, and also some in Europe, are beginning to respond to signs of Divine Guidance, both in the Murshid and in themselves.

While this has been going on, Pir Vilayat Khan, the eldest son of Hazrat Inayat Khan, has not only been promoting his own work, but there is certainly a quantitative response. He hopes to make this response qualitative also.

And while this has been going on, there are signs of at least interest on the part of television stations in this land. If this progresses further, I shall write to Ansar Nasri in Karachi. It would certainly interest him, and it could even result in Pakistanis paying further attention to my efforts. I am asking for nothing now, but one can see the signs both from heaven and from earth.

Yes, there is turmoil and confusion. Too many people expect too much from others, and are unwilling to make sacrifices themselves. This past week we were successful in getting a Rabbi to give us an interview. There has been some question with the Arabs and Israelis yelling at each other, and saying they would be willing to sit down and talk, that it is a bluff on both sides. We have not may been successful in at least having this Rabbi open the doors, but we are now awaiting the arrival of an Arab Muslim who is a Citizen of Israel to ascertain what he thinks might be done next. There is such a vast difference between operative surrender, and the attitude of closed minds and hearts.

I think I have told you the story of how we found a copy of Hadiths (Mishkat). I am turning this material over to Khalif Moineddin who may use it as be chooses during my absence.

I already have a new basis for the study of this work which may not be popular at first, but which I this will be effective:

Rassoul Mohammed (on whom be peace) said, “The words of Allah may abrogate my words, but my words can never abrogate the words, of Allah.” In practice too many Muslims do not accept any words of Allah excepting those in Holy Qur’an, and in this they have in effect made even Qur’an unholy. For instance the Christian Bible says, “We have the mind of Christ.” And it is with the mind of Christ, so to speak, I intend to study and evaluate the sacred Hadiths. This will take one beyond all analysis, all deductions, into a universe of holiness and integration. This will not negate a single Hadith, but will examine them from a supreme point of view. To me this would be a great adventure. It might even lead to a different consideration that could develop greater unity and understanding in the world. From your letter I take it you would approve of such practices.

All love and blessings,

Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti

Box 444, San Cristobal

N.M. 87564

June 8, 1970

S. Ahmed

care Co-Opera

To: the Mall

Lahore Pakistan (West)

Beloved One of Allah:

Asalaam aleikhum! Some time ago when I began producing dervish dances a Syrian said to me, “Muslims will not approve of what you are doing;” I replied “It is not a question of whether Muslims will approve of what I am doing; it is a question of whether Allah approves of what I am doing.” It is certain that from that time there has been progress, successful progress, in every aspect of my life.

Imam Al-Ghazali has said, “Tasawwuf is based on experiences not on premises.” But there are so many books and I have met so many people that limit tasawwuf to certain premises, to certain outlooks, etc. In his time the mullahs permitted alcohol to Emperor Salim Jahangir, but a little person is supposed to adhere to very fine points based often on custom. I differed from the Pakistani press when they said, “Islam can solve all problems.” I say, “Allah can solve all problems,” and it is remarkable that at this time I am not only feeling internal peace but am experiencing external peace. Pir Sufi Sahib Salarwala gave me one Darood practice for peace and peacefulness. The directive received at the Dirgah Mian Mir was Peace Is Power. And I left Pakistan with a commission from Allah Himself to get 50,000 Americans to repeat the word “Allah.” And I can almost say in the name of Allah that this is what Allah wants, inshallah, and no Tablighi has accomplished anything like it.

No, I have not yet gotten 50,000 Americans to repeat “Allah.” But now I have many 100’s of them doing so and once this is done they also repeat Mohammedar Rassoul Lillah. I am not concerned with any critic whatsoever. If the critics are right, let them demonstrate it. Before Allah I am demonstrating and shall continue to do so.

I am using the Sifat-i-Allah to success in raising the consciousness of 100’s of young Americans. Once they come under this influence drugs and alcohol and filthy language are no longer a part of their behavior pattern. This is deed and it is even possible, inshallah, for such deeds to be on television. I am not sure at this writing but there are possibilities, inshallah. Therefore I have absolute trust in Allah despite the turmoil, the crass emotionalism, even the terror that is going on, will not prevail in the end.

At Geneva Dr. Nasr successfully opposed the Dajjals. Dajjalism is very popular in America as it is also in India. People believe they can be absolved from sins by bathing in rivers, climbing mountains, or devoting themselves entirely to some man who has a good staff of advertising agents. The spiritual and moral teachings of the great religions are laid aside for the phrase, “spiritual and moral betterment” which results in nothing.

Tomorrow, inshallah, I shall be introducing the name of Allah into two cities in this state of New Mexico. I remain here until the end of the month. Almost as Jesus Christ saw the people as sheep without a leader, I am now having the young beseech me to visit them. Yesterday there was an actual pilgrimage to me, the second in my life. The first took place in Lahore of some dervishes at Sufiabad coming to visit me. Kashf and Shahud are to me utter realities in function, beyond the scope of law and logic.

When I return to San Francisco I have the task of relating the moral teachings of Hazrat Inayat Khan (Saluk) to the Mishkat. This may not only be a tremendous task but one which is going to be accepted, inshallah, by the young of the world today. At times it would seem, “In that day will the sun rise in the West and all men seeing believe.” So many of my own disciples have had visions either of Rassoul Lillah or Ghaus-i-Azam that it is difficult to realize that this has not happened in the Western world before and one does not know whether it happens often in the world of Islam.

The so-called Sufi Movement at Geneva was nothing but a corporation that has expelled Pir Vilayat Khan. It is all grossly legal and devoid not only of spirituality but of intellectual prowess. Pir Vilayat is to say the least a remarkably educated man. He is in California now while I am in New Mexico, but evidentially intends to go to either Pakistan or India for further Sufi training.

Yesterday there was a so-called Holy Man’s Jamboree in San Francisco. Pir Vilayat was to have introduced and represented Sufism. It is too early to have had a report on this, and if I do not write now to you I man not see my way clear for a long time.

One has to teach; to offer moral and psychological counsel, to present the spiritual dances, to work, to attend to his private affairs and a number of other things. Along with me is disciple Wm. Mathieu who has also been receiving from inspiration the most wonderful type of Qawwals which are greeted with joy by the members of his choral groups. They are a wonderful contribution to my spiritual dancing, but more Islamic and less universal than some of my work. I am being astounded today by the prowess of my disciples and also by the number of fine young spiritual Americans who are looking for a guru.

I realize the shortcomings of political groups, of so-called economists and sociologists. They are adepts at confusion and imbeciles at solutions. I still agree heartily with the words as they are translated from A Thousand and One Nights, “There is no power nor might save in Allah.” I not only find the term Allah most supreme, but I notice so many young people reaching the same conclusion, not only under my influence but even without it.

Love and Blessings,

Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti

July 7, 1970

410 Precita Ave,

San Francisco, Ca. 94110

Shams-ed-din Ahmed

c/o Co-Opera

70 The Wall

Lahore, Pakistan

Beloved One of Allah:

As-salaam-aleikhum! I have before me your letter of 26th June and have written to the consular section of the Embassy of Pakistan in Washington. Later on I hope to be in Washington, Inshallah.

The life is so full that without Divine help and guidance one can do practically nothing. I am not talking in symbols. I have returned from Now Mexico and there are at least 500 young people in that state chanting Allah. The reception here was quite good and the attendance at meetings continues to increase, alhamdulillah!

The other persons in this house have also just returned from the State of Arizona where they had established a camp, presided over by Pir Vilayat Khan, the oldest son and perhaps the real successor to Hazrat Inayat Khan, Everything is moving and at such a rate that a parson of my age could not possibly handle his affairs if it were not for Divine grace.

I have four tremendous undertakings at least: A. The harmonization of the moral teachings of Hazrat Inayat Khan and the Hadiths. B. A deep philosophical explanation of the Christian First Epistle to the Corinthians in such a way that it will present both a reconciliation of the presumably different teachings of East and West, and at the same time clarify all the confusion presumably by participation in psychedelic “drugs.” C. The spiritual instruction for an ever-growing number of young Americas covering an ever-expanding latitude. D. The seeking of peace in Palestine on some basis that will provide practical means for surrender to the Will of Allah in everyday life.

Of course there is more. The difference between the Sufi and others is that others are always talking to God-Allah while the Sufi is listening. The very ability to listen and thus sometimes to receive gives one an extremely optimistic outlook in an age of almost universal pessimism.

At no time has my devotion to the holy teachings flagged. When Pir Vilayat visited this house in my absence he remarked “I feel in this house the overwhelming presence of my father; it is wonderful to see his work being carried out by his own mureeds.”

The association with Pir Vilayat and the need of the times makes it incumbent to give to the world, or at least to mureeds, a number of inner sciences for which many souls seem to be ready. Or, as last night I told some critics, the essential difference between a Sufi and others is that the Sufi practices Akhlak Allah which in a sense is the supreme of all devotional attitudes.

There was the review in the New York Times on Sufism, chiefly devoted to the writer Idries Shah, whom I distrust and whom the reviewer distrusted even more; and to a work dealing directly and indirectly with Ghaus-i-Azam and the Kadaria School. Sooner or later it is going to be necessary for the Western world, and especially America, to accepts few realities, and in this I see great hope.

My love and blessings to all, and excuse be for being so busy I cannot write more at this time.

Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti

7th July Afternoon

My dear Shamseddin:

As-salaam aleikhum. Although it seems just a few hours since having written you, on receiving your letter of the 1st I felt it proper to answer it at once. I am in a strange position—my health is firm, my finances are in excellent shape, more and more people are coming to meetings and in one direction things look beautiful. But excepting for one faithful secretary and another disciple, now a Naqib, there is far less help than ever. The chief Khalif is ill and where I thought some of the responsibilities could be released, one has to wait until an esoteric council can be summoned, i.e. a Jamiat.

A lot of time was “lost” today in a strange way. What is happening in Israel is horrible and wonderful. One has received stories before of the terror that has been established in an almost totally irreligious State but the stories told this morning show—and this was predicted in my poetry, that “Nazism” would be established in many places on earth after Hitler. The question is how far a benign and beneficent Allah will permit it.

Sunday one added the “Rose Dance” based on aspects of Zikr and dedicated to Ghaus-i-Azam. There are more such dances and rituals in the inside. And also one finds more books on Sufism appearing in the market, mostly from West Africa, i.e. the Maghreb. This is surely a sign. Then my faithful secretary here quoted from Hadith on “the sun rising in the West” and perhaps this is what is happening through this person.

I am awaiting a letter from Khawar who is having problems of her own. I do not know how long she will remain in this land. She is my Khalifa for Pakistan and has my full confidence. And tonight, which is presumably a free night, both a Jewish mystical teacher and a Korean Buddhist Master arrive and both have sent for this person!

Now there is little understanding of the spiritual hierarchy, of the work of the abdals and ansars and awliya, but this world has never gone without guidance, no matter now terrible it may seem. Before all the “awful” things there is the Rahmat of Allah. And if we go deeply into ourselves we shall find the true Islam.

The difficulty is that so long as there is ill-will we feed the enemy. Jesus (Isa) has said, “Love ye your enemies.” I find that the enemies compel you to remove what the Hindus call “samskaras,” impressions which clog the mind and keep the nufs in turmoil. But they also compel one to seek by every means possible one’s own purification. Hazrat Inayat Khan has written on this and his work has been published. When books are real qualitatively and intellectually, there is no spirit of devotion and then no wisdom arises.

Nufs-i-salima is a state of absolute peace within. One obtains it in a sense at the Dargah Mian Mir and I urge you to go there as often as possible for prayers and meditations. We have no places in this land but now it is part of my work to see that there are such places, centers for baraka and Selim.

It is very difficult to get letters. I have not heard from others in Pakistan and Leopold Asad also never replied to mail from me. But it is possible, Inshallah, that I may have to establish legally a branch of the Islamiya Ruhaniyat Society and this may also be taken up next week, inshallah. I am not worried, certainly not qualitatively, only quantitatively and this may be changed this week. The doors are opening and opening fast, and I urge you be of good courage. One sees help, help from both within and without.

Love and blessings,

Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti

July 24, 1970

Mr. Shems-ed-din Ahmed

c/o The Mall, The Co-Opera

Lahore, West Pakistan

Beloved One of Allah:

As-Salaam-Aleikhum! All praise is due to Allah, but I have failed in convincing most Muslims of this. They prefer self-praise and arrogance, and difficulties. I have at the Khankah, Mishkat, which I am using in connection with commentaries on Hazrat Inayat Khan’s moral teachings. But I find the teachings, and evidently the practices of this work so far from the actual habits and customs of many Muslims as to make an almost unbridgeable gap. What Mohammed said about peace and blessings, is not the custom of Islam at all. I have no intention of trying to reform egocentrics. But I look upon the world, and agree with the Messenger of God, and not with most Muslims, that there is no power nor might save in Allah, and that if things go wrong we can actually look to Allah. I have no time to write a commentary on the Hadiths or Mishkat.

Where there is a plague of influenza in the world it is possible that a certain cure can be found and applied. When there is malnutrition, another cure may be found and applied. It is different with venereal disease, it is different with tuberculosis. It is different with every ailment.

I not only believe profoundly that Allah has sent Messengers into the world to cure people of various ailments, but I believe these Messengers differed because they had to face different ailments, and not because of differences among than. Mohammed said that every people had had their Messengers. If Allah is Rahm, this must be so. And if one looks at the history of humanity he will probably find it is so. The Messenger may have said: “Seek wisdom even unto China,” but try it, just try it!

Pakistan is entirely wrong in regarding the Near East conflict as a religious one. There are lots of synagogue Jews who do not accept the conflict. Indeed in this district there are Jews raising funds for the Palestinians, and it is certain that many so-called Muslims are doing nothing more than spreading emotionalisms which help nobody. Indeed we are having pictures taken of Israelis and former Palestinians together. Editorials are not going to stop devils. Actions might.

But even the most enthusiastic or interested or bigoted do not take into consideration that actions consume time and energy. You don’t overthrow devils by hatreds and editorials.

It is not so long since we put on the Rose Dance, dedicated to Abdul Kadiri Jilani, Ghaus-i-Azam. It is based on four derivatives from Zikr. It is put on as a dance pageant, which will shock a lot of Muslims. The fact that we are using Kalama and Zikr in our everyday life is helping to transform an ever larger number of Americans including a few of totally Jewish extraction, and quite a few of partially Jewish extraction.

Our next venture will be Lily Dances which has three petals. The phrases are all derived from Kalama or Wazifas. When I presented it last night to about 20 disciples, it had tremendous effect. I believe Allah is going to make it possible to have a number of dances and pageants derived from the sacred phrases of Islam, and I am not the least concerned with the reactions of any people, especially ignorant ones.

The meetings I have attended and those I have addressed, today are crowded. I have not had a single day off since my return from New Mexico. My chief Khalif has been incessantly ill. One of my secretaries has now a good paying job. It is quite a story. A wealthy publisher was looking for Sufis. One of my local disciples discovered him. He gave the land for Pir Vilayat’s successful summer camp. The outcome has been a very great increase in my local audiences in the number of mureeds under direct tutelage and the number of others seeking Bayat.

Within a few days Pir Vilayat Khan and Paul Reps, both disciples of Hazrat Inayat Khan, and well-known, left this country and declared the United States was under my spiritual tutelage, not theirs. At the very same time one well known Dr. Richard Alpert, who is being called Baba Ram Dass, told his numerous following that he was going back to India and they should look to me.

At the same time the pictures originally taken of my Dervish Dancing efforts have spread all over this huge country, and not only spread but have been successful in obtaining financial backing, quite independently of other efforts. These are only a few of present-day undertakings.

At last yesterday disciples expressed themselves and accepted the responsibility of helping Murshid, instead of relying upon him for everything. This change in direction and directives is tremendously encouraging. It is very difficult to explain to others that one has to administer to about 100 disciples today, that audiences are growing, and that calls for one’s services are increasing from many directions. In the single case of Mr. Walter Bowart, this request was substantiated by financial offers. In most instances, the requests come, and one is supposed to supply money, time, and effort. This is impossible. But this is much better than the earlier Cave career. With Allah’s help, we do. We just don’t talk, we do. And we believe, that with Allah’s help, we can do, and do a great deal.

I am sending a copy of your letter to Khawar, who is now planning, inshallah to return to Pakistan late in September. At this writing I do not know what I shall do, being so overwhelmed. My name is in the paper today, and I had to clear it. All sorts of Indian holy men come to this country often mixed up with psychedelics, called drugs, and the pursuit of fame in the name of God of course. Besides all this I have considerable number of personal problems and very little time for them. Our efforts in planting—the Garden of Allah, the Garden of Inayat, and this house—have proven to be very successful Alhamdulillah! So have many other things. The rest of your letter, especially concerning Mr. Engineer and Prof. Durrani, may be answered later.

Love and blessings,

Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti

410 Precita Ave.,

San Francisco, Calif. 94110

1st August, 1970

Shamseddin Ahmed       

c/o Co-Opera

The Mall,

Lahore, West Pakistan

Beloved One of Allah:

As-salaam aleikhum. There is a very high state in tasawwuf wherein one develops nufs-i-Salima and is able to spread the blessings of peace and the peace of blessings (Baraka). This person has just had his second day off for the whole year. Everybody keeps saying one should rest and the same persons ask one to do something for themselves or others. In the teachings of Data Sahib (Kashf-al-Mahjub) it is distinctly said one should have utter reliance and faith in Allah. One does not expect others to follow this standard and ideal. One is doing just that. One practices Akhlak Allah, and praise to Allah is sometimes successful but the very last people who would admit that are the local “good-Muslims” who admit nothing but their own self-praise.

They are passing resolutions of hatred against Israel, utterly futile because they have neither prestige nor votes. We are working for Islamic cultures. We attended the concert on Nubian music. We are planning to join in with a vast Arabic archaeological expedition next year. And we have accomplished what it is doubtful any other group on earth has done—we have succeeded in getting former Israelis (and lots of them Jews and part-Jews) to repeat Kalama, and not only La Illaha El Il Allah but Mohammedar Rassoul Lillah. “Good-Muslims,” of whom we are not a number, praise themselves and pass resolutions of hatred and ignorance. We do, and before Allah we are sometimes successful.

Last week our choral group, some 18, went to the Afghan restaurant in the city of Oakland. They serve excellent meals, they have a wonderful decor, as it is called, and we sang and sang our praises of Allah, our praises of His Sifat and our praises of Mohammed (on whom be peace). The “good-Muslims” will have nothing to do with this or with us. Now they are hating the Jews, they are hating all Jews regardless. They quote from Mohammed on the Jews of Hedjaz but they ignore the policy of Omar at Jerusalem which, to me, ought to be the policy of the day. But since “good-Muslims” do not study Omar or literature or Salah-ud-din, or anything, we do our praises of Allah and our beautiful hymn, Alhamdu Lillah, is elevating, inspiring, and won the good-will of all the non-Muslims at the Khaibar Pass Restaurant. Besides many of the staff come from Sufi families, and it was one of the grandest nights of my life.

And now even Israeli are sending for me, to try to build up peace with understanding. It would appear I shall be helped most also by Arabs who are citizens of Israel, not by choice but by circumstances.

Now the news is out that a truce may be signed. But as the Jewish religion teaches that God made man in His Image, and as Mohammed taught that Allah loves His creation more than a mother loves her offspring, I shall work incessantly for Din, not a word without contents, but with full contents.

I have now a direct following of about a hundred, but from what I hear hundreds and hundreds of young Americans are now chanting “Alhamdu Lillah” and also the three Wazifas and little children are chanting “Allah” before saying the customary “mama” and “papa.” So we are not with the “good-Muslims,” we are following we believe the Will-of-Allah.

In studying Mishkat I find many differences between Mohammed and the customs which are deduced from various aspects of Shariah. Mohammed was not a very “good-Muslim.” He said that his words could never abrogate the words of Allah but that the words of Allah could abrogate his words. But a “good-Muslim” will not let any other “good-Muslim’s” words be abrogated at all. It is a question whether “good-Muslims” or Christians have gone the furthest in abrogating the Sermon on the Mount of Jesus (Isa). And the result can be seen in the political and social events. This person can see No Power Nor Might Save In Allah, absolutely and unqualifiedly.

The young Americans, called “Hippies” without distinction, are sowing a magnificent cosmic outlook. Above it was mentioned that even Israelis as well as other Jews have been attracted. Now there is a vast campaign going on for Indian teachings, all kinds of them. And one thing that is noticeable is the great differences between them. The groups called “Buddhist” have nothing to do with each other at all, they are not even on speaking terms. The groups influenced by Indian teachings are on bad terms with each other. We preserve the teachings of Christ that Allah is Love and we should love one another. We do not teach “incarnation.” But now more and more people believe that God incarnates and they are so divided with a different man, from Bahaullah through Meher Baba and on and on and substitute the belief in a “good-man” for moral law and human consideration.

Our work in music and dancing goes on. We received another notice from Ajmir. It is impossible to carry on duties and accept the invitations to travel, especially as one must use one’s own funds. Allah, to whom be all praise, has seen to it that Murad has a good income. Not only that, the incomes of many of the closest disciples have gone up. So we are going to organize legally. The instructions from Pir Dewwal Shereef and Pir Vilayat Khan are almost the same. And the movement has grown so much that on Thursday night there are four different classes in tasawwuf, different grades.

Hazrat Inayat Khan left the most marvelous and complete systems of Ryazat I have even encountered. It is most difficult to deal with them even literally. We have to teach Murakkabah before tasawwur, and then Mushahida and the deeper spiritual sciences. So many devout people oppose this. So man does not serve Allah. If man served Allah he could help restore the proper social, psychological, moral and material equilibrium. But we do do the Akhlak Allah, and this separates us from the “good-Muslims” who are concerned with their own nufs, not with Allah.

I feel so happy with the greetings of Haji Safraz and from Sian Fazal Shah. Mian Mir is, to me, even more than Ajmir and Nizam-ed-din Auliya, my spiritual home. But now I have no idea of my geographical future and am not looking ahead. Three classes today and interviews and errands between. One can only praise Allah that the physical and mental health is so good.

At last the San Francisco office is properly organized—with a wonderful secretary and wonderful assistants and associates. The Garden of Allah is also an excellent place for classes of all sorts and the Khankah is becoming a bee-hive of activity, praise to Allah.

My Message to Muslims is simple: There Is No Power Nor Might Save In Allah, and To Him All Praise (Alhamdu-lillah).

Love and blessings,

Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti

Aug. 11, 1970

Mr. Shamseddin Ahmed

c/o Co-Opera, 70 the Mall

Lahore, West Pakistan

Beloved One Of Allah:

As-Salaam-Aleikhum!

At this writing I am in utter state of confusion but all for good reason, indeed sometime very good reasons. The films which we began with watching “Dances of Universal Peace” and especially the Dervish Dances, have taken on major aspects, But before I could grasp their growth, the news came that Pir Vilayat Khan intends visiting Ajmer, Teheran, to film more spiritual activities. If there is any success it means the spreading of the spiritual teachings of Tasawwuf and an and to legends, all kinds of legends.

When certain Muslims (Pakistanis, not Arabs) said that my dancing would offend Muslims, I said, it was not a question of pleasing Muslims but of pleasing Allah. Evidently Allah is satisfied. My own finances are in better shape. The Sufi Order is improving both in membership and moneys. The efforts to raise funds to go to Ajmir have been successful right after I wrote to the Khadims we could not both support them and obtain funds for travel.

The hardest thing in life is concerning many people who beg me to take it easy and themselves consume time and energy. Two of my chief secretaries now have good outside jobs. Both in connection with the endeavors to spread the Message of God, either because of Pir Vilayat of myself, or both. And while this is going on, one is becoming recognized by Universities etc. The day of Arburys and German super authorities on Asian cultures is drawing to a close, praise be to Allah.

All our efforts in the past weeks have been successful. Those dealing with food problems; trying to bring Israelis and Arabs together in prayer, love, and devotion; in lecturing on the mystical values of religions; and in getting Americans to say Allah and even to accept Mohammedar Rassoul Lillah. In fact the last thing we discussed last night was a visit to the Pakistani Consulate in connection with our various endeavors in music and dancing. We are now becoming so strong that we cannot be ignored. And we are very different from the Mosque worshippers because we study. In fact, as I write, it becomes very clear that we must visit Data Ganj Baksh. And I am begging you, and I know you will do it, to show this letter to Mr. Engineer, Haji Safraz, and others. Things are happening so fast that I am totally bewildered, but not a single one of them is unfavorable.

My next effort will be to raise funds to visit the Eastern states. It means a new secretary, a young woman who has a motor car in New York, and this should enable us, inshallah, to contact Miss Khawar Khan, although in this respect and in most others, all the burdens are on me personally. But maybe Allah wishes it so.

I now have more classes than ever. All those which have not fixed attendances are growing. Invitations are increasing. This house is now stabilized. But I cannot tell you nor do I wish to look, as to where this personality must be geographically. Almost every conclusion is followed by another door opening. I believe we are going to have new approaches to world peace, etc.

It is unfortunate that the press of the world all use derision. All young people with new outlooks in this land are called “hippies.” Some use psychedelic drugs. Many chant “Hare Krishna.” Many, although few actually, resort to sexual anarchy. I have not heard whether the new wealthy publisher mureed has returned but he will publish everything we are doing, and the Dervish Dances are spreading like wild-fire among the young which means they also will be called “hippies” and false inferences will be made and accepted.

It is too bad that Asian newspapers accept the criticisms made of American youth. The young are seekers. The psychedelic drugs open awareness to aspects of life which our culture has denied and derided. I do not expect fairness from the press, but with Allah’s help we are getting more and more people to repeat His praise, and I mean His praise and not inferred praises of egos. All the current religions are marked by inferred praise of devotees, and this is what is destroying tradition. We demand praise to Allah; we give our praise to Allah. We feel our praise to Allah. We demonstrate our praise to Allah, and this is winning youth, Allah be praised, and not us, and not inferences. Nor have we any doubt on this subject.

I must therefore take up with each individual here who is going abroad the need of contacting you, physically if possible, and also to visit both Dargah Data Ganj Baksh and other Holy places in your vicinity, etc. But this is not easy, because I have to work all the time now, without any break, and with far less assistance than is immediately available, due to the cause above that secretaries and mureeds are getting good paid outside jobs.

I shall hold this letter up a little while to contact my goddaughters’ husband. My goddaughter Nancy is also a very good friend of her sister Khawar.

Love and Blessings,

Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti 

Aug. 14, 1970

Shams-ed-din Ahmed

The Mall, Lahore,

West Pakistan

Beloved One of Allah:

As-Salaam-Aleikhum!

Many thanks for your letter of 10th August. It comes at a very happy time. In fact, blessings at this moment are so many I am dizzy. But events of the time are of such a nature that we must keep you informed. Letters have not been received from your countrymen. I wonder if they realize what is happening. No doubt on the surface there are affairs and events which seem far from perfect, but we find, we believe there is no power nor might save in Allah, and though there may be temporary setbacks in the end truth and justice always prevail.

When I was in Egypt the representative of the United Nations told me my plan was the best one he had ever heard. It was accepted by Israelis, Egyptians, and Saudi Arabians. It was rejected by practically all Christian groups and by all American official organizations. Now Gunnar has come into the headlines. He has come into the headlines when we have already brought Israelis and Muslims together. We are having Muslims chant the Shemah of the Jewish religion and all sorts of Jews accept the Kalama. And I tell you before Allah, that those Muslims are liars who say that the young people of the west are opposed to Rassoul-Lillah. In fact, I differ from the local Islamic community, at least the Pakistani part, for being anti-Jewish. We are anti-Israel, and we are anti-war, and we are anti-racial differentiations.

In my “Saladin,” and privately, I have regarded he policy which Khalif Omar established in the Holy Land as basic for all times. I am expecting with Allah’s help we may re-establish something along that line. In fact we have gone much further, about which I may let you know later.

Now disciples of Pir Vilayat and myself are preparing to attend URS in Ajmer. Some are going to Iran first, and then to New Delhi where all will meet together. My god-son also hopes to come to Pakistan after URS. I can give him a number of important introductions. We believe our spiritual dancing, and especially our Dervish Dancing, will in the end go far to establishing peace, love, and harmony on earth. Therefore I wish to keep you informed.

I am also hoping to get money to be able to visit the Eastern states and see Khawar, inshallah. All seems part of a tremendous program. This keeps me busy all the time. More and more young people are receiving Bayat. More and more young people are candidates for Bayat. More and more young people are recognizing Allah and His Messengers and especially Mecca Sharif.

 Love and Blessings,

 Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti

Nov. 20, 1970

Mr. Shemseddin Ahmed

The Mall

Lahore, W. Pakistan

Beloved One of Allah:

As-Salaam-Aleikhum! Your very gracious letter of the 14th November arrived this morning. We have been considering what we might do for the sufferers in E. Pakistan. Financially, and in some other respects, we are better off than we have ever been, praise to Allah. We cannot demand respect for Kashf, but it seems our choral group has been doing excellent word and have been planning both to record on tapes and phonograph records their accomplishments. They have been most successful in building up Western types of music, both traditional and new age, based on Wazifas and Sifat-i-Allah. These have been most inspiring, and equally inspiring are the common inspirations and forms of insight between Ala-din the choral leader and our Murshid Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti. So we are going this morning to the consulate to discuss this.

We are also going to consider making longees. Mary of our women are most interested in sewing and in the handling of fabrics. It may be easy enough to send old American clothing, but if we can do this, we can also add the Baraka.

Next week is not only American Thanksgiving, but we expect to have back with us our Khalif, Moineddin Jablonski, who has been in the hospital a long time. His illness and absence have made our work extremely difficult. It is a curious thing that no matter how much we do so called “good” people expect more. So we are devoting all our attention to Allah and not trying to win the good will of anybody.

Last night we celebrated the birthday of one of our beautiful young women disciples whose name is Shirin. Instead of our usual classes Murshid read from Futuh Al-Ghaib of Hazrat Shaikh Muhyiddin Abdul Qadir Jilani. We have now the basic materials here from the founders of the great Sufi Orders. Contrary to what a great many bigoted people in Pakistan believe, there are Jewish publishers in this land who are both cooperating with Ashraf, and also restoring writings by great Sufi Saints which have gone out of print. When we read and study these works we feel ashamed that so far few people have risen in Islam to present these marvelous majestic works to the world. Then Hindu missionaries or American emotionalists are successful in gaining converts to various schools of Indian teaching. This angers both Muslims and Christians, but nobody is doing anything about it, i.e., excepting our young American people here, who are not exactly orthodox. Then they are blamed for their heterodoxy and nobody stops the emotionalists of Christianity and Hinduism.

Personally we think Futuh Al-Ghaib a most wonderful book and we are realizing that Abdul Qadir Jilani was the greatest of all members of the hierarchy, let alone the Saints.

Murshid dictated the above for me to you. One just wants to share with you the love and blessing which we feel penetrating our beings here and the world thru the Grace of Allah. All my love to Saadia and Ata and family whom Murshid has suggested should get a carbon of this.

Wali Ali

Dec. 7, 1970

Mr. Shemseddin Ahmed

c/o Co-Opera,

Lahore, West Pakistan

Beloved One of Allah:

As-Salaam-Aleikhum! and Eid Mubarak!

Thank you for your letter of 30th November. We have just some back from the office of Pakistan air lines. We already have bundles of longees, which our young women here have made. We had already scheduled a Dervish Bazaar for 20th December, and then added that funds would be used to help the sufferers of Bast Pakistan. We do not get much information here. My young cousin has gone to New York and I have asked him to call entry friend Mr. Chaudhuri at the Consulate. We are in a somewhat better financial condition than in the past, and are very hopeful that we might be helpful.

I understand the difficulties of your political complex. Mahatma Gandhi made such impressions on the rest of the world, and Pakistan has not had any international heroes. On the other hand, the more I read and study Al-Ghazzali and Abdul Qadir Jilani, the more I see what can be done if people would stop worshipping their own egos, and really sought refuge in Allah. But would-be leaders are so often self seekers.

The stories are here that the East Pakistanis now want their own country. I have found both the Bast Pakistanis and Kashmiris not particularly skilled in statecraft; sometimes not knowing what they wanted. I am not particularly concerned with politics, but I am concerned with human welfare on any and all levels. Perhaps this tragedy to Bengal may awaken some hearts; I certainly hope so. In any event we are fully committed to doing everything we can for Allah’s children. I am so busy. I had two theoretical nights off during the meek, and no days. One of these nights is now spent lecturing at the University of California on Sufism. The other will be given over to disciples of Hinduism that want to learn about Sufism. So the doors are wide open, and we intend to use all opportunities. But I had to tell my disciples very clearly that I was not in the entertainment business, that I am over-worked and that all the goodwill without help can be useless. I think they understand this and the forthcoming Bazaar will show, inshallah.

Friday also I will have a private meeting with my choral master. He has made great headway with his musical group, and this headway also includes a much better financial outlook. We have discussed having records made, which could be sold for the benefit of the sufferers of Bast Pakistan. In general, we have not reached the Islamic communities, but we certainly have reached the staffs at Pakistani House in New York and San Francisco.

The possibilities of increased teaching of Tasawwuf very great indeed, Alhamdulillah! But have had to write some very strong letters to Islamic publications. They are spending lots of money in this country in what they call the defense of Islam. This really means the defense of their egos. Last week I spoke —and this will annoy a lot of people—on Christ versus Christianity and Mohammed versus Islam. One cannot compel, and the refusal of Muslims to act as if in the Presence of Allah, as the Messenger taught, is one of the grievances of the day. Too much of religion, and this applies to all faiths, is nothing but ego-defending. I don’t know what is gained by this. Every ego defends itself; few submit to Allah. We hope we are submitting. And in this we see endless possibilities.

Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti

The Garden of Inayat

910 Railroad Ave.,

Novato, Calif. 94947

9th December, 1970

Shams-ed-din Ahmed

Co-Opera, the Mall,

Lahore, West Pakistan

Beloved in of Allah:

As-Salaam aleikhum. On has returned to the Khankah very tired and very eluted. The health is very good and age is not disturbing. But there is no spare time and not enough help. One theoretically has two free nights, but works seven days. Last night we went to the University of California and presented the Dervish Dances. The previous week one spoke on Sufism.

It is surprising and wonderful what has been happening. Two persons had been successful in keening this person off the university. They were deadly enemies of each other. One, pretending to be a Sufi, has been supporting the Dajjal, Meher Baba. The other has successful in helping reorganize the Mosque in San Francisco. They never would permit me to speak. They followed this non-Muslim until he failed them. But no repentance, no reconsideration and no culture.

One does not know who is responsible but here one finds a complete “Al- Hadis” in English, another copy of holy Qur’an by A. Yusuf Ali; both “Ali the Superman” and “Maxims of Ali”; more Khawaja Gharib Nawaz” and Al-Ghazzali, Jami, etc. We are not recognized by the official “Muslims” and do not care.

We have taken the suffering of the people of East Pakistan very seriously (the elections not so). Secretary Wali Ali has been much moved by the writings of Ghaus-i-Azam and we both agree that if Muslims were to spread his teachings and those of Al-Ghazzali it would modify the emotional influences both of Gandhi and the Indians here. We respect Gandhi but his non-violence is not enough. I personally have never accepted “God and non-violence” because I reject all “God and….”

The first rejection came from my studies and knowledge of pure logic. Infinites cannot have “And.” Both Muslims and Hindus falter in this. There is no “and” in infinity and spiritual awakening. One has been in “hal,” let us say much, but really fana, the ego being effaced and something very strong emanates from the personality.

Friday one has been sent for to present Dervish Dances to followers of a group influenced by Hindu esotericism. There is no question but the young want esotericism. The esoteric sciences can be revived and it is my work to do this. There has not been the slightest objection to Mohammed. But the substitution of the term “Muslim” to people whom he did not call “Muslims” and the by-passing of those whom he called “Muslims” brings up some very nice points which theologians avoid. Abraham, Moses, David and Jesus did not do certain Sunna or Sharia practices. I am not against Sharia but I am against saying that is the only way to ultimate spiritual development. All things are in Allah’s hands, not man’s. Surrender to God means in the end freedom. Methods may be used on the way but more than one method has been used in the past. It is this narrowness which turns man against man.

At the same time there is Rahmat which I personally hold as superior to anything else. I am glad to differ but one wonders what happens to those ignorant people who excuse themselves by saying others are not Muslims because they do not behave exactly as is written or traditioned. Allah is to me closer than the neck-vein and that means that and nothing but that. And it seems that this one has Guidance in everything, alhamdulillah!

It has been exceedingly difficult for a person who finds in the published Hadis teachings so totally different from those of so-called “Islamic Communities” that there is no reconciliation. The people of the Mosque in San Francisco—and some elsewhere—say that as this one was not born a “Muslim” he could possibly not know what they know (and Prime Ministers to the opposite not with—standing).

I now have three different short versions of Hadis and they all seem to agree and to differ from the common (?) nufs and Islamic outlooks (so-called). For example before me:

“It is better to teach knowledge one hour in the night, than to pray the whole night.”

But I shall not quote further. Finding fault does not introduce constructive measures.

The audiences in Sausalito which is just north of San Francisco, are gradually growing. And here is every sign of increase, inshallah. But today to my surprise there is a large item in the press, for the first time I can recollect, with pictures of two of my most faithfully disciples and also with this person teaching a group of young women. There are several mistakes but they do mention we are trying to raise funds for peace in the near East and for the East Pakistanis.

They do mention belly dancers and tarot which to my knowledge are not part of the program of the benefit and certainly not part of anything this person is trying to do. One did mention more of the spiritual hierarchy last night and also of the differences between the Sufi hierarchy and the today “popular” proclamations of this state. I say against both Muslims and non-Muslims alike that the most fundamental principal is Rahmat and Allah has compassion for his creation and keep on emphasizing that and demonstrating that. This is the primary teaching in the spiritual walks and dances.

I am now teaching a Universal Islam through walks and dances—not through theology. They help to demonstrate Mohammed as Khatimal Mursaleen. One can have the experience though in a rather simple way. It does not deny or exclude anybody or any faith; it shows that Mohammed was sent to the world to complete and perfect and every one can prove that by himself and it works, before Allah it works.

For diversion I have been reading Memories of Babar. This version came from “The book house,” Urdu Bazar, Box 734, Lahore. This work was originally published in 1909. I have always been a great lover of the Moghuls and cannot tell why; something very strong within the consciousness and I have always been life goes along fine with Al Ghazzali’s Counsel for Kings.

Now with the newspapers at long last mentioning our work—though the article is full of misprints—we can do something. We are not at war with the Indian influences here. We let them go ahead but we have moral teachings which they do not have and human consideration and beyond that the operations of Islam and Rahmat and no nonsense and this is being felt more and more and more.

One would appreciate it if you could investigate and let us know if this book house is still functioning. On the whole we are in a somewhat better financial position, but we will not bow to beggars. Today we need money to promote a real peace plan in the Near East and to send things to East Pakistan. We already have longees and P.I.A. has been more cooperative.

Last night I had the largest group of young Americans chanting “La Illaha Il Allahu” (Three times) Mohammedar Rassoul-Lillah (twice). This was done with strangers in the city of Berkeley the night before. I have no time for orthodoxy, I have nothing but time for Kalama and Zikr tonight go ahead with the “science” of Zikr which is both practical and effective, actually and no nonsense.

And gradually we introduce the Akhlak Allah and this is also effective and beneficial. In a word there is no bad sense but the good thing piling up beyond capacity. The Khalif is now getting better. If he cannot work I shall have him studying the Hadith and the esoteric sciences and inshallah we are going to give them to the world regardless of priests and Rabbis and Imams and all the Orthodox who divide humanity.

We have on our program the presentation of spiritual Islam to top Israelis. Many of them do not believe in their own religious traditions. Ben Gurion practices Yoga and is more or less Buddhist! and when I relate my anecdotes there is nothing but applause and appreciation and from more and more of the young.

This is, one hopes, an encouragement, an encouragement in most trying times. This land has not been gracious to Asians and in particular to Muslims but Muslims fail to see the points of view of others and resent and react, quite contrary to the great teachings. There is nothing more wonderful than the Chisti-Sabri-Kadri silsila and the Baraka of Khwaja Khizr. This may become known soon, inshallah, making one a most controversial person. But the question is, how effective.

Love and Blessings,

Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti

cc- Saadia Khawar Khan

cc- Alauddin A. Siddiqui

Dec. 14, 1970

Shamseddin Ahmed

Co-Opera

Lahore

Beloved One of Allah:

As-Salaam Aleikhum! Your very fine reports of the 9th and 10th of December have reached here at a time when I am exceedingly overworked, and the hardest hazard is not the work but the constant drumming in my ears that one should relax, without any help coming, which could make relaxation possible. Words are so easy, so easy. We are very happy to get the news about Saadia and Ata. We have even had some applications recently from persons once students at Cornell University where they are enrolled. In fact, one of the hazards at the moment is the growing number of applicants. Khalif Moineddin is slowly recovering and Khalif Akbar has been so effected by the recent classes which he has attended that he realizes he must help more to lighten extremely heavy load on his Murshid’s shoulders. Rather sarcastically, this person has been saying he is too much concerned with the tragedies of East Pakistan to have any time or qualification for humility and compassion, words so often uttered by hypocritical people. At the same times, there is every sign, inshallah, of greater growth in our efforts, and even rewards therefrom.

We are enclosing copy of a document which came from Ceylon. One finds oneself in an entire agreement with this teacher, and we hope to have it published in Sufis Speak. There is no doubt in my mind that some serious mistakes were made at the time of partition. I had such different outlooks, alike from the Gandhians and Muslim League, that it was impossible to find expression. People simply do not listen to the unimportant, no matter if it results in untold tragedies. We seem to prefer the tragedies and we are getting them. And as my outlook is so totally different, alike from the people of the East and the West, there is hardly any sense in expressing it. The world is going to suffer, especially because Muslims and Christians, who verbalize surrender, do not know to surrender, and they mislead themselves and others on this. I am always concerned with humanity and I am sure Allah loves His creation more than a parent loves the children. But although we pretend to have reverence for God’s Apostle and pretend to believe in his revelations, it is not always demonstrated. Every moment of the time is taken up. Sunday we have a Bazaar, originally planned to promote our peace efforts, but now also concerned with helping the suffering people of East Pakistan. Whatever the faults of Americans be as a nation, we are much more compassionate than some who verbalize compassion but do not demonstrate it. And as I have more disciples today, there is now a multitude of young people working day and night. Indeed this number has become so great, that we are now not always ignored by the press and channels of communication, and we are hearing that there will be more offers to take film of our work. All these reports are very favorable, but they also at this moment add to the quantity of work needed to carry an. We are therefore hoping if we cannot get financial support that we will have more workers so badly needed by us.

In addition to the enclosure from Ceylon, one mast report that we are advancing rapidly in what might be called the science of Zikr. One has been most successful in using methods proposed by Mohammed himself, for the benefit of humanity. True, in the course of time these methods have been obscured by all sorts of institutions and orthodoxies which have covered them from man’s sight.

We are so delighted with the reports on Saadia and Ata, and especially what you say of our very good friend Uncle Mustafa. But I have no time to write him. We are regarding you as our representative, and therefore leaving it in your hands what you may be telling to others.

I haven’t the slightest doubt that the world is moving very rapidly toward real spirituality; even as the Apostle said, “In that day will the Sun rise in the West, and all men seeing will believe.”

The program after the Bazaar will be divided between our Christ, not Christmas, celebration and several birthdays. I have been daring to lecture on “Christ versus Christianity and Mohammed versus Islam.” It is almost as easy—and I challenge all the pretending Tablighis—to get people to say “Mohammedar Rassoul Lillah” as it is to get them to say, “Allah.” We do not demand that they wash in a certain way, or sit in a certain way at meals, or eat in a certain way, or even separate the sexes. The so-called Five Pillars of Islam have become five hundred thousand, and Allah has been lost. Perhaps the greatest blessing in my life was that I never met an Imam until I was over 50.

It is noteworthy that without any suggestions f am me, or any influence, one disciple after another has been charmed by the writings which have come into our hands recently concerning the lives, teachings, and missions, of Abdul Kadiri Gilani, Moin-ed-din Chisti, and Shahabuddin Ibn Omar Sohrawardi; and of course Al-Ghazzali.

But these are only the outer circumstances. The spiritual practices, the Akhlak Allah attitude, and other deeper factors in life, are becoming inward and outwardly effective. This is now being understood at the Pakistan Houses in New York and here we see a different “Islamic state” from that devised by politicians. To us a spiritual revolution is needed, not necessarily a material one. But we also see a new age coming materially and effectively, and praise to Allah, to our benefit.

Love and Blessings,

Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti

[undated]

My Dearest Friend Sufi Sahib,

Islamu Alaikum….

Today I am celebrating a Historical function in memory of Majidded Sahib the greatest scholar of Islam; during the course of ceremony I get your message which pleases me very much indeed. I was overjoyed to read it. Many friends who really love you were present and all felt as you were actually here especially you friend Majzoob.

A few if not none surrender, all the rest survive which is the main cause of spiritual failure. If one surrenders he survives and none surrender until and unless he surrenders. I am very lucky God (The great and best Merciful) has forced me to surrender in full and also thanks that you too and many others as well surrender and submit.

I am introducing to you a very shining “Star” who is at present very intimately studying Humanity Science and Religion in U.K. His address is as below:

Mr. Mohammad Ilyas

5 Lancaster Place

Blackburn Lancashire England

I hope you would write him too. He may be employed and where he is Sufi, a young worked for God, and his Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him). He will convey you and your God’s message in full Insha Allah. Ask any thing you will get a reply and I am sure that you will get object asked for as well. I have suggested a local medicine for Miss Khawar and hope it would be a hopeful addition to your holy prayers. Last month I visited Data Sahib thence to Miss Khawar. I sat in Bhalla House where you oftenly used to sit whilst in Lahore. Mr. Sukhere met me in Lahore; he was doing well in all respects. Shamush was happy and both wishing you good luck. Having prays which we always do here are as follows. If you do this in U.S.A I hope it would be a success.

Re Ism Azam (Please carry on).

(Ya Haleemo Ya Kareem-U-Shfe) here say sick man’s name….

Please read this Ism Azam only seven times. (i.e. Ya Haleemo Kareem-U-Shfe…. Name of any sick man). I am your own and always wishing you every good thing success from God. I afraid. I am not hearing anything from Major Sadiq since man months.

Wish Best Wishes Your Own Cheerio,

Barkat Ali

Salarwala

June 14, 1961

My Blessed Pir-O-Murshid:

There are times when one has unusual experiences and these are tests, no doubt, of one’s spiritual and personal ability. Jesus said: “Let us not into temptation” and I do not know whether what I am facing is temptation or not. I have met a Khalandar and I see him almost every day, even several times a day. He is Al-Faqir Zuhl faqir Ali Shah Nastan and he claims to have many followers including the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. He is planning to go to America and no doubt he will go to America. He wishes, or is guided, to bring the message of spiritualism to my country and to other countries. He has given me many evidences of his powers and what he calls “kashf” but what he calls “kashf” is not the same as what I call “kashf.” Which does not mean that I am right and he is wrong. Only his kashf seems to be concerned with seeing and an ability to escape from the body, to function in “heavens,” to meet saints, and to have grand faculties.

All this is excellent but to me it is not Tauhid. When I was in Japan I was taken to the Third Secretary at the Pakistani Embassy. “Why do you bring this man here. It is an insult. It is an insult to him and an insult to me. You do not know this man. Only the Ambassador is fit to talk to him and then only maybe.” This was rather a surprise because my host, James Otoichi Kinoshita, had already accompanied me to many sacred and holy places in Japan where foreigners do not go.

On the last day I was in Japan I had tea at noon with the Ambassador of Pakistan. He told me the story of Farid, how Farid practiced austerities and even made a flock of birds die and become re-born to fly away. He came to the house of a lady and demanded food. She was very slow. Finally he grew impatient and seemed to threaten her. She said to him: “Do not treat me as a flock of birds that you can cause to die and be reborn.” This amazed him and he asked her the story which she gave him. It is a well-known story.

Now I am receiving instruction from the Khalandar and he believes he is one of the most powerful men in the world, and maybe he is one of the most powerful men in the world. He knows much about sacred phrases, he undoubtedly goes into heavens and he may have miraculous faculties. Maybe he is one of the few who has them and maybe many have them. He says he has 38,000 followers and they will help him to travel. I have no follower. I am going over the globe a second time. I have crossed the United States many times. I crossed the United States without having 50 rupees at any time and yet lived in fine homes and hotels as well as in poor places. I had nobody but Allah and He showed me. This was a different kind of kashf.

The Khalandar asked me to ask Mohammed where he belonged in the assemblage. I am only in the rear rank of the assemblage. I have not been allowed to see many there, only Isa (Jesus). But I told him I could not ask Mohammed because I had already asked Allah. He did not seem to realize that if I could ask Allah this might be higher than asking Mohammed.

I told him he was greater than I in all but one thing—I could be a greater pupil than he. I could learn from him, I could listen to him but he could not listen and learn from me and although in Rubuyyat and kashf and shuyukhuyat he was far above me, I was a greater mureed. This rather surprised him.

In some things I cannot agree with him. He places Ali above everybody and then far above the saints, Abdul Kadiri Gilani. I have only had two visits from Ali in my life and have never seen him. I am not concerned with persons, I am concerned with duties. I cannot believe that Haqiqat and Marifat are stages that the human mind can fathom. I have not often been in assemblages under Mohammed. I have been in one assemblage under Mohammed as Abdullah. In this assemblage are many persons and I am only in a rear rank. I have seen him many many times clearing and cleaning a great Mosque. He does not use any magic; he does not use any power. He uses love and humility and I cannot compare the love and humility of anybody to that love and humility. It is as if everybody were a baby and he had to look after everybody and with love and sweetness.

He is not exactly assisted by Jesus. Jesus washes the feet and looks after the shoes of the devotees that come to this Mosque and does other very simple things. I have seen this many times. Mohammed says this is his work as Abdallah. It is not his work as Rassoul-lillah.

I have seen him in two other assemblages too and they may be called—although this is not exactly correct, the assemblages of the Nabis and the assemblages of the Rassouls or Pagambars or Avatars. The assemblages of the Nabis are all of men mentioned in Holy Qur’an. The other Assemblage consists of some not mentioned in Qur’an. These are described in my poem “Saladin.” In “Saladin” I was shown a Meraj, not exactly as it appears in the record but he told me he wished to reconcile Qur’an with Bible and I had to write it that way. Also in the highest assemblage he made me write what I have not believed and I do not think many Muslims believe.

“Saladin” has long been finished but extra copies were given to Ansar Nasri and Quadrullah Shahab to be translated into Urdu and published. I have an extra copy which you may read.

But now I am receiving another poem called “Rassoul Gita.” It is to be, inshallah, the Islamic answer to “Bhagavat Gita.” It is a very deep poem and it requires me to be in stages and states of receptivity. I have to listen, not see, and to feel and feel more in the heart. There are many things given to me which I have either not believed or not known.

The poem is divided into two parts:

La Ellaha which deals with fana, the Kingdom of the Cipher and the Conquest of India—meaning every sort of “other” worship.

El Il Allah deals with baqa, the Kingdom of the One (Tauhid), the Conquest of Pakistan and the Resurrection of Pakistan.

It is based on Nimaz and then on. My interpretation of Kalama has caused some dismay and opposition but I do what God wishes. Anybody who has studied the sciences, inner and outer, knows there are certain principles found, not certain personalities. The whole poem is based on principles. It is also based on fana-fi-Rassoul.

People here are unhappy, uncertain and do not have enough food. I have been sent here as a servant of Mohammed, Abdullah and he wants me to follow him as Abdullah. People call him “Rassoul-lillah” and go contrary to Hadith where he says he did not want a lot of titles like the Christians gave Jesus. If one says that Mohammed has all power, is the greatest of the great and then is concerned with Kashmir, he is a liar. I have seen greater problems than Kashmir settled. And in the poem Mohammed says the problem is Kashmir versus Kashf-mir. If this country insists on Kashmir it will go down and if it insists on Kashf-mir it will go up.

People here are concerned with Kashmir and Mohammed is concerned with Islam. People use the word “Islam” and they know nothing about submission; they only know insistence and insistence is the enemy of submission. Besides there is no peace and though I have met quite a few who know more and believe better it is fortunate when they understand by their behavior, nufs-mutmaina.

The explanations of nufs in UAR are more complete than here and they give seven stages, four in manifestation and two beyond and the last is not nufs but comes in fana-i-baqa. There is another stage between lauwama and mutmaina wherein the imagination is active and this is the usual stage of the artists and creative scientists. Anyhow I am preparing my lectures on “Islamic Philosophy and Modern Science.” Evidently this is right because some Murshids are coming here—not only to Abbottabad but very close to my residences, who are scientists. This will facilitate the reconciliation of Islamic philosophy and modern knowledge.

I have run into some opposition to Tauhid especially from some who say if Ifnu’l-Arabi was correct than Ahmed Ghulam Kadian was correct. This is nonsense. I have read the Ahmadiyya literature on nufs which is very good but very, very incomplete. I am not interested in such discussions and human logic cannot be applied to spiritual knowledge. This is one of my sub-topics in “Islamic Philosophy and Modern Logics.” The modern logics know much better than the traditional logics which Al-Ghazzali had to overthrow. They do not fit into the spiritual realm.

“Rassoul Gita” is being written in the hope that it will help spread the Messages of Mohammed through the world. The divines can take care of Rassoul-lillah and they will succeed or not in so far as they follow the will of Allah and not their own wills. But I have to show Mustapha, Ahmed and Abdullah and this involves a lot of things people here cannot accept.

There is an Australian here. He gave up lucrative work and does nothing but keep the chief Mosque clean. This is acceptance of Abdullah. No talk accepts Abdullah, you do not teach, you do not command anybody and you have to learn love and reverence. This is not easy.

When I left the Khalandar yesterday convinced of his great power, a flock of little boys followed me. I danced for them and finally bought each one a sweet. I have been showing little boys games. I am nearly 65 but when I function Abdullah I do not feel any age. Indeed I was surprised in looking into the mirror the other day that I am looking younger. This has happened before. I have died before death and my vigor and looks is the best answer I have to that dehvil-shereef or whatever he is called at ‘pindi. This to me is a real demonstration of the Baraka of Khidr. Also my poetry. The success of my poetry ends his claims and his false school forever because they demonstrate nothing, only claim. I claim nothing, only demonstrate, inshallah.

I have asked the Khalandar to answer me two questions:

Why is there starvation in West Pakistan?

Why is there unhappiness in West Pakistan?

He claims Abdul Kadiri-Gilani is the greatest of the great. I claim nothing. He knows Mushahida and disclaims Murakkabah. I try to practice Murakkabah in the way you showed me in the writings of Abdul Kadiri-Gilani. I keep on succeeding even when I have no faculty for success.

I have met three Chisti Murshids. One does not seem to have any power at all. But all of them had love, plenty of love. You should see the way they cherish their mureeds. They belong to each other. It was the Pir-O-Murshid of Ansar Nasri who gave me the “push” which started “Rassoul Gita” and it is you who have given me the push to continue it. Whether I gain faculties or insight is a matter of secondary importance.

The great questions here outside my ego are those of starvation and unhappiness here (and maybe elsewhere) and the need of having the real teachings of Mohammed broadcast. By “real” teachings I mean that even a few lessons from Holy Qur’an or Hadith be explained and exemplified, not by metaphysics or even spiritualism, but right here. Jesus prayed: “Thy will be done on earth as it is in the heavens.”

It is no use claiming Islam can solve all problems when the problems remain. But if even one problem can be faced and removed that is something. Claims are to me noises, and sometimes dangerous noises. I have seen prayer work miracles and I have seen multitudes pray and nothing happens.

Today I have to meet the Khalandar again. He sees in all three worlds, so to speak. I have not even got good sight in this world. But seeing in all worlds and functioning with full mind and full heart are different.

There are those places in this universe above assemblages, even above faculties, which are the well-springs of all blessings. I may be just sipping through one little straw from these well-springs but if I sip truly then I may be fulfilling the purpose of my life. It is exceedingly difficult to be compelled or impelled to take teachings about Mohammed from others and have these different from and often contrary to Hadith. I am not concerned with titles, I am concerned with functions.

I am today to learn about Abdullah and Ahmed. Those who proclaim Mohammedar-Rassoul lillah let them prove it by radiating love, peace, justice, tranquility and every sort of healing. I am still in the stage of learning. I was never told I should be or become a Murshid. I even like my spiritual duties and do not seek any others until it is so ordered by Pir-O-Murshid or Rassoul or Allah. I have seen no such signs but now I am not seeing any signs excepting what is communicated here.

I received no word about coming to Lahore and think this may be because of the heat. It reached 100 degrees hers but excepting for the numbers of visitors I receive and so cannot rest, the heat has not bothered me. Then we have had more rain and so moderate weather than usual.

As you instructed me to learn about Khalandars, I accept. I shall even receive powers if Allah wills. But my interpretation of kashf is so different and my attitude toward Murakkabah and ryazat so different.

I knew the private secretary of Prime Minister Mosadegh. He is now home in his native village, drawing water and taking it to the people on the hills. This is ryazat, this is Abdullah. This does solve some problems.

Faithfully,

Ahmed Murad Chisti

[undated]

My dearest Chishti,

A salam o Alaikum

What a joy to remember you this morning.

I hope you would have reached your destination safely and might be enjoying well.

Sakhura came here yesterday. He was asking your address—I gave him. He would be very glad to write to you.

Salams from Khan Khahah the Majzoob I am your,

Barkat Ali

Salarwala

Dist. Lyallpur

W. Pakistan

Salarwala

20 September [year?]

My dearest Soofi Sahib.

Aslamo Alaikum,

I got your letter yesterday which gave me very much pleasure in deed. I am afraid I am not writing you regularly. This is due to my ever rising tide of work. I am wholly devoted to
Hadis-E-Rasool-i-Ilah, which keeps me busy always with no break and no rest and no holiday. I indeed oftenly keep you in my mind and hope you know it. I am being advised and to communicate this very sacred teaching of Islam. I hope this would answer innumerable if not all the questions and queries. It will assist you a lot throughout. This I hope would guide you in all aspects of life. I cannot find suitable English words to translate this holy verse.

Recite These Four Daroods Fourteen Times Daily

Allah-Humma Salle Ala Badrittamame

(Means fullnight moon)

Allah-Humma Salle Ala Nooruzzullame

(Noor for All sorts of darkness worldly and spiritually)

Allah Humma Salle Ala Miftahe Darassalame

(Opener of all Peace paths and means of universal peace.)

Allah Humma Salle Ala Shafiefi Jamiilaname

(Representative to God for humanity’s forgiveness)

Please recite these 4 darood sharif facing Mecca with Madina’s Tasawwar.

Major Sadiq visited me other. He is sick in hospital and very likely to be recommended to stay in Lahore and unlikely to be posted anywhere. Anyway he was feeling all right. Miss Khawar is also doing well. May God bless her.

Apologize for misprints etc. owing to poor condition of the typewriter. With best wishes from me my friends. Everybody here love you my dear—

I would like to hear early on working of these Daroods—Very Sacred Service Indeed.)

I wish you every good thing for you—

Barkat Ali

Salarwala Lyallpur

W. Pakistan

2 Nov 1962

My dear Sufi Ahmad Murad Chisti, Aslam-o-Alaikum

What a joy to remember you this morning. I was spiritually busy or else I would have replied you earlier. I hope you would be kind enough to forgive me. It is no exaggeration to say that I have never met a man to touch you.

Your devotion to Islam is very highly appreciated here. The message of our Pir-o-Murshid Sufi Inayat Khan Chisti is of course a real message of Islam.

Love to humanity, unconditional and unrestricted love to humanity irrespective of black and white. Your love to humanity is the real worship of God. If you love humanity means your love God. Very few Sufis know this.

People here always talk about your love, your familiarity. I very earnestly pray to God our heavenly father to bring you back.

Major Sadiq is still Kohat and cannot forecast when he is likely to be back in Lahore. He will be back when God wishes him to be back.

I conveyed your salaams to Sukhera. He met me the other day and was feeling quite happy. He requested me to convey his salaams to you in my this post.

I would be glad enough to preach this Ism-Azam (the greatest name of God, the great i.e

Ya Hayyo-Ya Qayyoom—111 times to 300 times daily

Ya Zul Jalal-e-Walikram—111 times to 300 times daily

These two names are the greatest names of Allah and may be recited at any time preferably before bed.

Your faith and efforts will bring fruit no doubt. We do not sometimes care for any delay, may it be long. May God enlighten your Mind-Qalb-Rooh-Nufs so that you can find the real paths of peace in this world.

Sufi Sahib I have prayed to my God—may God enlighten your Qalb-Nufs-Rooh—Ameen.

My friends here are very humbly submitting their salaams, love and good-will to you and your friends.

Today is Friday and I am not going to mosque for prayers. With best wishes from us all—Cheerio

I am,

yours very sincerely,

Barkat Ali

Salarwala

District-Lyallpur, West Pakistan

[Ed—This is likely a part of a letter]

5/7/63

I am asking my Sheikh to frame a historical Qadrin Sanad for you with connected things. I also request Pir-o-Murshid Sufi Inayat Khan Rahmattullah Ilah to accept and confirm this Nisbat with additions etc.

I myself am wholly devoted in revising Nisab Tariqat—i.e. revision of existing syllabus of all Holy Kalmat Sharif and to rearrange them in chronological order and in such a way that over seventy percentage of all may be recited daily.

Major Sadiq in in Kohat. We do not and never criticize Nature and follow all with no ifs and buts. No man can understand Nature. Best men are those who do not criticize and do not sit idle. Idleness is a sort of death. I am really very happy to find and feel these things in you.

This is an Amal for you this would increase your Kashf

Sit facing Mecca and Recite

Right—Subboohun

Left—Quddoosun

Upwards—Rabbul-Malaekate

On Heart—Wa-Rooh

You can start from ten with daily weekly or monthly increments until you reach a higher standard.

This Amal will itself guide you and you would see and meet any Rooh you need or like.

It is nor Maghrab sunset and I wish you Cheerio,

I am yours

Barkat Ali

(handwritten notes)

Your letter of 1st was received on 5th—the day of Eid. Proceeded to Salarwala by 1.30 train on 6th reaching there at 14:30. Baba Sahib went through your letter and the excerpts and sent for a type machine. Started typing out straight and this is the valued document.

Please acknowledge direct to Salarwala. I will write again after further study and the showing-around of your letter. Yours ever, S.A. 7.5.63

17th November, 1963

Beloved Pir-O-Murshid:

It is with all Praise to Allah that greetings are sent. For your Mureed has now completed copy of such of the teachings for Murshid’s that came from Pir-O-Murshid Hazrat Inayat Khan and are in his hands in the regular order. The teachings out of the regular order will take some time to compile for they come also from many notes left by Hazrat Inayat Khan, and also from “Irfan” which was the source of inspiration for Major Sadiq and from the teachings of Waris of Lucknow and from other inner and outer sources.

These teachings have never been followed by anybody. They are connected with other writings which are presumed to be known and with experiences also which are presumed to be known. Originally the constitution of the Sufi Order called for twelve grades based on Initiation and this was shown by the progress in Zikr. But then it was changed to accord with hal and makam by methods other than Zikr.

These were divided between some left in San Francisco with the late Murshid Rabia Ada Martin and those left in Europe. Each of these were in turn divided and the divisions continued so that the whole body of literature not only did not come into one hand but each secreted what papers he had.

In the West the teachings left with Rabia Martin were in part lost because secreted away; in part destroyed in a fire and in part left in several hands. In the European groups, also some papers were destroyed in the war and the rest divided into four places which have not been on mutual terms. And although the lesser teachings have been and are being published in England, the amount of writings left by Hazrat Inayat Khan are voluminous. And when even with those that have come to these hands, plus other materials, also this is a voluminous body of teachings to be shown to humanity.

It is doubtful whether any mureeds of Hazrat Inayat Khan were able to sustain fana-fi-Sheikh and tasawwur. This reached such a state that the Secretary of the Sufi Order in one place denounced these very teachings and experiences and his denunciations were accepted by at least two of the gentlemen—maybe more, who have toured some parts of the world as Pir-O-Murshid, or Shaikh-ul-Mashaikh. And of these one perversely and egotistically (nufs) transgressed the personal instructions left him by Hazrat Inayat Khan who had been his cousin and friend, but who had never ordained him as a spiritual teacher.

The result has been everywhere confusion, division and an almost unanimous agreement not to adopt any of the actual methods used by him such as Kashf, Murakkabah, mysticism, etc. into which one need not go.

Now from the very beginning I was selected to go on the path which may be call abdal, although it is not necessarily abdal, but Americans insisted I wished to be a Murshid. Neither Allah nor Rassoul-lillah nor Hazrat Inayat Khan has ever said that I ought to be a Murshid. And it as only in Lahore, that I was challenged by little old Abdul Latif, who is to be the Voice of Allah in the most unlikely form.

The inner experiences of Abdul Latif were followed almost exactly by those of Khalifa Khawar Khan, both in principle and detail and need not be repeated. But the “silent teacher” which is affirmed toward the end of these papers came first in Calcutta at the tomb of Dadajan and then in Ajmir at the cell of Bakhtiar Khaki and then most of all on each visit to the Dirgah Nizam-ed-din Auliya and highest of all at the ruins of the Khankah Nizam-ud-din Auliya (1956) and now at many places in Pakistan but chiefly around Lahore.

The instruction left by Hazrat Inayat Khan was never to teach what one does not know. But in addition to confirming on me the path of “Abdul,” he also wanted me to go before the intellectuals. This was barred by practically everybody and made studying harder. Only today while still rejected by the clergy, the metaphysical people, the press there has been a greater and greater receptivity by the intellectuals. This has been for some time from the natural scientists, but now since the latest Darood instructions from the social scientists and from intellectuals generally—there is a new day. Only it is amusing now to see one accepted where there is indifference and not accepted where there is interest. Allah knows best and this is exactly what Hazrat Inayat Khan wanted from the beginning and all of the above splinter groups rejected—to what end one does not know. For there have never been any claims to Murshidship or leadership in the West. And if one manifests openly or secretly it will be in spite of man and because of Allah, to Whom be all Praise. For never once has Allah inspired or prompted contrary to the sayings and writings of anybody from Rassoul-lillah to the least servant of his teachings.

Pakistan. There comes regular correspondence from and with Major Sadiq, Khalifa Saadia Khawar and Shams-ed-din Ahmed, and this keeps the hearts and minds together. Only at this end the voluminous writing keeps one busy, plus the need to mingle with humanity and perform proper duties.

England. Mohammed Ilyas not only writes regularly but he has brought me into contact with a friend who happens to be a Khalif of the Kadiri Orders and the letter, of which copy was sent to you, has not yet been acknowledged but Ilyas keeps on writing. It would seem that the Divine Message must find roots in all parts of the world.

Sufism in Europe. When the followers of Hazrat Inayat Khan failed to follow his teachings and while the French were exploiting the peoples of North Africa, representatives of the Dervish Orders sent missionaries to France and Switzerland and made many converts even wrong prominent people. So now the tasawwuf in Europe prospers but through other schools. Someday, Inshallah, as a Mureed of the Rifa’i’ and Shadhili Orders one may be able to proceed in those directions also. In other words, the quantity of needed effort is the same as always, but the qualities today are all bright, shining, cheerful and ominous.

Garden of Inayat: In 1926 Hazrat Inayat Khan told me he had only about three faithful mureeds. This was not believed. When under his guidance (Tasawwuri Murshid) the “Garden of Inayat” was conceived and written; it was universally rejected and finally a fire destroyed the Khankah, Kaaba Allah in a near-by town. (Inshallah, I shall take Major Sadiq to the place when he comes.)

The Garden of Allah. Now under the tutelage, so to speak, of Data Sahib, the Madzub and your good self, the same principles have been ended and there is a plan to cover the whole earth from Delhi to the Atlantic Ocean. And strange to say, or allamdu lillah, nobody has rejected this and every person talked to at all levels think it wonderful. Only the quantitative preparatory work is huge. And were it not that it integrated all the personal efforts in every direction, spiritual, scientific and aesthetic, it would not be held. But now one is now so much in Tasawwuri Murshid as Akhlak Allah and one cannot let go. Or if one were to make a pun out of it, one is both an abdal and abdallah although the Arabic derivation of these two words is very different indeed despite their seeming; outward resemblance.

There may be a paper soon on “The Garden of Allah” for “Pakistan Review” and if so, a carbon will be sent to Shamseddin Ahmed. One has been asked for programs covering two portions of Pakistan but “The Garden of Allah” provides for both though it covers a much larger portion of the world.

Major Sadiq’s visit will harmonize thoroughly and absolutely with “The Garden of Allah” and his own plans for his place will, Inshallah, become an example and model.

Recently there have been some lectures on Humza and it is remarkable that not only the methods of Humza are not pursued in other parts of Pakistan, they are hardly known. This is the example of the difference between Ilm and something called “Islam” which has no meaning whatsoever. The guidance is always there and is seldom followed and people remain unhappy. Therefore examples will be needed most.

Bismillah. These teachings of Hazrat Inayat Khan throw considerable light on these opening words of Invocation which are taken so much for granted. One can, of course, write endlessly on the Invocation or Kalama or Zikr and some of this will be done, forthwith, Inshallah.

Further News. Appointments have been made to discuss “The Garden of Allah” within the month and Inshallah, sometimes will come thereof and therefrom.

As-salaam aleikhum. My love and blessings to everyone,

Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti

My dear Sufi Sahib,

Your letter of the 17th November [1963—Ed] breathes of the spirit that Allah placed in Adam so that man can know Him. Praise be to Allah that you are proving His existence by deeds and not mere words; and not only by deeds, but by experiences. A Sufi is he who tries to manifest the qualities which reached their perfection in our Holy Prophet. He succeeds best who surrenders the most—surrenders body, mind and soul. Hard it is to bring the body under the sway of the mind, and make both subservient to the spirit. But our tarikat calls for it, and you have achieved it —alhamdu lillah. By the power of Zikr all these three act as one because they all have the same single aim—to sing only the praises of Allah. Whether you walk, or talk, or pray, you are perpetually worshipping Him. And are we not born only to worship Him?

You live in a difficult land at a difficult time—so strong and yet powerless—so wealthy and yet so friendless—so advanced and yet ignorant. In such hard soil you are sowing divine seeds, and in some cases, a harvest is being already reaped. Inshallah the Light that was flashed on in Arabia more than 13 centuries ago will prevail in the New World also, and Sufis like you are in the vanguard of this momentous struggle. Can any battle compare with this tussle? With the sacrifices so gladly made, the loneliness self-imposed, love countering hate, the Kalama triumphant when presented with faith and inspiration. The greatest jihad is the battle for souls, and only a chosen few can wage and win it.

At Salarwala here, the Will of Allah rules, and my constant prayer is that all those who come within its orbit should receive the Baraka—that invisible shield of protection that Allah bestows when His lieutenants beseech Him. This proud world thinks that name and form and mind is all that exists, and that all progress is solely a product of the intellect. Little do they know that it is the ceaseless chanting of Allah’s Kalams every minute of every day by purified souls that causes the Creator to nourish His creation. When this spiritual symphony ceases, the Day of Judgment will have dawned. Intellect will then avail them naught, and those who worshipped at its shrine will be aghast.

This body knows little rest, but with the heart resigned to His Will, and the nufs rendered ineffective by Zikr, no tiredness is felt. Eighteen years of effort have culminated in the completion of the “Tarthib Sharif,” a compilation and commentary on the Hadith. It will run into 1100 pages, and will be distributed free. Printing has begun in Lahore and copies should be out after two months. Thus will be fulfilled the task entrusted by Sabri Sahib of Kalyar Sharif.

I write to you with joy and abundance of good-will. The details you have given are a precious record of mystic achievement. The experiences are valid and conform to the highest tradition of our glorious heritage—it is the life blood of Sufi realization, unseen but vital, subtle but real, spiritual and everlasting. Its fragrance takes one to Him and through Him we are linked in this happy bond. On this note I end with love and every good thought.

Ali.

15th Feb. 1964

Beloved Pir-O-Murshid;

As-salaam aleikhum, Preparing for Bayat to be given to Shems-ed-din Ahmed of Lahore, there are some more pages of “The Way of Illumination” of Hazrat Inayat Khan. It is probable also that some of those lessons will be sent to my God-son in Rawalpindi who is a very close associate of Major Sadiq and now spiritual stepbrother also to Begum Sadiq so there is a close relationship all around. But still waiting for my definite words from Major Sadiq who seems to be moving from place to place too rapidly to write. And although there is peacefulness within, there is not exact assurance of outer behavior.

But I am also writing because of two “miracles” which took place recently. On the first occasion a notable was speaking on education in Asia and I challenged him that neither universities nor the State (Foreign Affairs) Department answered inquiries of any sort. He said, “You have been writing to the wrong people. “Who are the right people?” He had to seek an answer and a man sitting in front of me gave me his card and inshallah, I shall content him next week both in regard to Miss Khawar’s coming and the University of Islamabad.

Then on another day I took Khalifs Khawar’s book on Urdu to the University of California. The office clerk said, “I am sorry, Professor Gompertz who must decide the matter is on sabbatical leave and we don’t know whether he will be in for three months at least.” Then the door opened and Prof. Gompertz came in and I gave him Khalifa’s book and we are to see each other Monday after which appointment and the appointment mentioned above I shall write in full to Khalifa.

This shows how much we work, or must work with inshallah and that there is always the divine guidance.

After going to post I got to a book stare to pick up a work on I’bn Sina for Khalifa. It contains a good deal on Miraj and in a sense Miraj is the central theme of my personal (Is there such a thing?) Islam. People celebrate Eid festivals and talk about the “Grand Night” but it is apart from their lives. Rassoul-lillah said, “I am a man like you,” and the bible says that Adam was created in the Divine Image, and as you have with you Madzub Sahib you have an example of a man who lives perpetually in the “Grand Night.”

The book, The Sufis recently published has much to say about Khwaja Khizr and Data Sahib and this will be of great value to me personally. I do not know what will come out of the meeting on Arab culture to take place soon. There is an awkward situation because both Muslim and non-Muslims place the glory of Din in the past, and do not see that Allah is operating every moment, every breath. Our Zikrs are too much of history, too little of Allah.

faithfully,

Sufi Ahmed Murad-Chisti

772 Clementina St.,

San Francisco 3, Calif.

March 1, 1965

Beloved Pir-O-Murshid:

As-salaam-aleikhum. One writes not knowing whether one is reporting or seeking advice. One writes because there is a sort of “psychic” climax which may or may not be important. One writes knowing the extreme difference which may be between actual surrender to Al-Hayy and something private called “Islam” which may or may not have meaning.

When a mureed is put on spiritual practices, especially the Daroods which you so graciously presented, there are bound to be effects without one knowing whether these effects are the direct results of one’s devotion or the effects of Grace which do not necessarily depend upon fervor or ardor Contrariwise, if the repetition of Wazifas or Daroods does not change the personality, the circumstances, the inner and outer life of a person, then there is either something wrong with ryazat or the devotee.

It is now some time since my return from Pakistan and the total fruit of effort in relations between that country and the personal self have not been very much. True, money and time have been spent even to the limits of one’s capacity. But the major persons in your country for whom apparently these efforts were put forth have either failed to appreciate what was being attempted, or have failed in their own private lives.

If they have failed in their private lives they are very foolish, for Allah is not a man, does not mentalize as men do, and there is nothing to be ashamed of. There is a word kham which has its psychological effect and cannot be measured. But to hide the head does not mean that thoughts are hidden or efforts are hidden. Failure is man’s reaction to something and such failures may mean nothing in the worlds beyond—Malakut, Djabrut, Lahut. In turn one feels ashamed that people who consider themselves “Muslims” are looking at human reactions, human opinions and human failures or successes.

Part II of “Saladin” is just finished retyping. This is a tremendous effort on the part of one who has little sleep or rest ever excepting to proceed with the next step. But “Saladin” though concerned with Islam, Allah and Mohammed is not particularly concerned with Pakistan.

Now suddenly or gradually personality relations with large segments of this earth have changed.* When one is on the path of the Auliya, life may go in one of several directions. One direction is to be more concerned than ever with religion, its edifices, its rituals, its teaching. Another is to be concerned with an area as if Allah has entrusted you with the guardianship of an area. Another may be to become mast. Another is to pioneer in awakening mankind where man has been asleep, and this has to do with the evolution of the whole race. Or one may be sent out with a particular message, a sort of Rassoul without being in anyway a Nabi. And others.

This person has been entrusted with two general duties in life, one concerned with the sciences and food production; the other with the awakening of hearts. Both of these will come to a climax this year in California, especially in Southern California.

There will be a scientific gathering in July and this will bring to a head all the materials for “Project: The Garden of Allah” but [?] geographical applications may change which is the subject for [?]. And in September one will be on the panel at another gathering in which the audience will be scientists but the speakers will be those versed in the great religions. It is then one must come forward as a champion of tasawwuf.

The personality relations in many parts of the world changing, the prospects for peace or otherwise in two distinct parts of the Orient have come to this person’s attention. Whether anything will result of a personal nature one does not know. One of these is non-Islamic (in the general sense). In the other instance Pakistan and Japan have been asked to intervene between Indonesia and Malaysia.

But it is in the Islamic parts of the world with which there is now concern. In the last communication mention was made of a Sufi movement in Ceylon which is trying to reach other parts of the world. Evidently the leaders are educated, certainly more educated than the “missionaries” from Pakistan who make practically no converts—one exception to be mentioned below. Their publications are in excellent English, take notice of the culture of the day, realize that one can reach the educated by appealing to the higher side of man’s nature and their printed forms are the best I have seen from any section of Asia. Now my notice has been called to their efforts in Pakistan itself and here there is a peculiar situation:

Many Pakistanis take the wrongful dualistic attitude that “Muslims” are right and non-Muslims wrong in any situation. Wicked Muslims are defended and not so wicked non-Muslims are accused. The Muslims may break all the commandments of Qur’an and Hadith and they will be defended.

But now come some Muslims who are not provincial, who have the world outlook and these same ignorant Pakistanis dare not criticize them because they are always “praising” Muslims—they don’t praise Allah so much. And thus they are caught because the universal Ceylonese and other Muslims increase both the heart and head.

The coming into my life of Hassan Hashim from Sudan has totally changed the feelings of being a sort of exile. True, almost every group which “logically” should have welcomed me has done everything but listen. But now one does not care, and as one does not care, there is growing attention from truth-seekers of various kinds.

Hashim has discovered that this person is not only versed in many sciences and branches of culture more than the average man, but also in many branches of Islamics. But most of all this person knows about the Mahdi and dervishes of his land who have been very important in history a while back and are now coming out again.

This is the first person he has met who knows these things. Also who is acquainted with the Swahili Islamic culture of Africa which your countrymen largely ignore. This has led to very serious consideration of visiting several parts of Africa. Hashim knows nearly all the lands of northern and central Africa.

But now he is urging me to go to Nigeria. His father established a large school at Kano in inland Nigeria and became the teacher of many prominent men who are playing large parts in the affairs of that new country. He also has told me about the devotion and wisdom of the men of Tarikat there and what is more important, that is one place where instructions in Tarikat are in English. For many of the men who speak otherwise Arabic, Berber, Hausa, Fulani, Mandingo, etc. converse in English and English is the language of all the schools of higher education including the religious ones.

Lagos is the capital of Nigeria and its chief imam is a very close friend of mine who once lived in San Francisco and with whom I stayed from time to time in ‘pindi. He has been most successful in winning converts to Islam but not in any of the manners set forth by various schools of Tablighi found in both East and West Pakistan. These people have the zeal to convert themselves and no outward appeal that would convince others. But my Imam friend is entirely outward and successful, and has an excellent knowledge of English.

All of this seems new were it not for the fact that my first Pir-O-Murshid wished the spiritual teachings to be brought to all lands and he has his writings in English. Whether anything will come of this is, of course, uncertain. The calling of those conferences in July (on science) and September (on tasawwuf) make it foolish to look ahead.

Today I receive little from Pakistan other than from Shamseddin Ahmed of Lahore. How one can help persons or a country without literary courtesy is very difficult. My personal will has been to visit Thailand, India and Pakistan, and possibly visit Ceylon but the personal will should not determine one’s future.

Inwardly, while recopying “Saladin” at last there has come a sign as to the literary form of my memoirs and an inner assurance that this is right. But this will take some more time and the publishers have to be satisfied. One can only work with faith and assurance, and prayer.

Hashim has come to some conclusions about this person which one does not like to repeat, but they are in harmony with what you have sent. One does not like to measure oneself. It is very hard to get any audience here; or rather one gets most favorable responses where one does not seek commendation—from business men and scientists; and one gets little response from metaphysical and religious persons who are too self-centered. Perhaps this is as Allah wills. But now one no longer feels lonely. It has been this person’s prayer to meet somebody from Sudan. The prayer has been granted, alhamdu lillah, and granted in a very simple, easy, and beautiful way.

Love and blessings,

Sufi Ahmed Murad-Chisti

* The whole story brings out the meaning of the Sabri School.

26th April, 1966

Dear Pir-o-Murshid Sufi Sahib:

As-salaam aleikhum. Greeting to your good self, to Madzou Sahib and all the brethren. Praise to Allah who has seen it fit to lift some of the burdens from this person and now to open the door so that inquires into Truth now come to his doors.

The main obstacle to leaving this land is a legal family problem involving considerable funds. It would seem proper to have such matters settled before leaving, unless either there will be a legal delay or some unforeseen factor. The plans have been to settle and then leave for Pakistan and other places, either as Allah sees fit or as advice may come.

In the last month there have been signs that this person may function to spread the Divine Message and also to answer the problem of people who are spiritually starving. By Divine Grace, a young man who came for advice has since been most successful in all his undertaking and gives present to Sufi Ahmed Murad.

The result has been a slow but growing number of inquires. The young people of America are seeking a religion based on experiences as Hazrat Al-Ghazzali taught. They are not finding the deep experience on deep wisdom from other sources.

One dare not argue that one religion is better than another, but one can easily point out that deep experience is more valid than anything else. There is also an acceptance of Human Brotherhood, which is not taught by other faiths, or if taught not practiced. Our young people are quite free from prejudice but equally caught in uncertainties. If a person has had the experience of Hal and Makam, this sooner or later impresses young inquires. This is a scientific age and just as experience is requisite for and in and outer sciences, so it is felt than experience is requisite for and in the inner sciences. [is requisite for and in the outer sciences, so it is felt that experience is requisite for and in the inner sciences?]

The subject of Pakistan has come up in several classes and when it was discovered that this person adopted Sir Richard Burton as model, first the teachers, then the students began to pay respect and one of the first things the spiritual Islam needs here is respect. If society does not give it, the universities do, more and more.

Today one went on an errand for the University of Tehran and found that the new Consul-General of Iran is the son of Arif and he was very happy to meet an American versed in tasawwuf . In addition to that one may report that the new Poet Laureate of this State (California) has been a student of Sufi poetry and especially admires Hafiz and Amir Khusrau.

Two months ago, a young man in difficulties came to Sufi Ahmed Murad and presented his problems to him. Weeks passed by and the man reported that he had found clothing but sudden success in all directions. One uses such occasions to implant the seeds of prayer, devotion and spiritually, and this is also one of the few occasions in which an American has trusted Sufi Ahmed Murad.

In the city of Los Angeles one has met his goddaughter after 27 years, and found she has grown very spiritually. She was taken to the home of one Miss Ruth St. Denis who originally brought Hazrat Inayat Khan to this country and is regarded as one of the most spiritual of Americans. She has asked Sufi Ahmed Murad to join her poetry group.

Immediately after, a very serious proposal was made to open a new school for spiritual training. The parties involved in Los Angeles was [as?] well as young people here have found that although there are many schools and cults and teachers, there is very little evidence of spiritual statement. People are heart hungry and God hungry.

Relatives of Hazrat Inayat Khan have been here and come here. While one may affirm with Isa that flesh and blood do not inherit the kingdom of Allah, it is also true that in some instances there have been families whose representatives have shown every sign of high spiritually. Indeed there is a descendent of Maulana Roum in this city who is one’s closest friend.

This person has found the Divine light underlying all the phenomena which our scientists are studying, which affirms the last wishes of Hazrat Inayat Khan; to bring the knowledge of East and West together. One cannot completion [?] anybody the practices of Zikr and Akhlak Allah, but one has to face constantly movements which call themselves “Sufi” which teach other than constant Zikr, Akhlak Allah and Hikmat. One has to extend a sort of distant compassion which may manifest (to them) otherwise. It is awkward, but no doubt necessary to see “Sufism” in the west in forms of personality philosophies and organizations, and “Islam” which confuse the meanings of Islam, Selim, etc. But the young want honesty, integrity and sincerity and this one hopes to convey whether he draws people to this orbit or not.

The day will come, inshallah, when the inner sciences are taken as seriously as the outer sciences and when that comes, reports may be different. So it remains open when and why this one will return to Pakistan, and when and why other steps are taken.

The Pakistani leaders here express nothing but the most profound reference [reverence?] and respect for this person, bearing in mind he is an American and as such does not always agree (without necessarily differing) on some of the problems of the day.

Love and blessing,

Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti

772 Clementina St.

San Francisco 3, Calif.

13th July, 1966

Dear Pir-o-Murshid Sufi Sahib:

As salaam aleikhum. This is a different greeting because today one feels there may come some changes in the outer as well as in the inner life. In the writings Hazrat Inayat Khan taught about the soul being between Joy and Peace and it is notable that at the moment, whether one turns in the one direction or another, there has been the beginning of a movement, mostly of young people, to come to this place. And it is notable that they all come much earlier than the appointed hour and run up the stairs but walk down slowly at the end. There has not been this in the life of this person before.

It started very simply when a man came here with a problem and presented it and disappeared. After a long time he telephoned and said that one had saved his life and also he has suddenly began to earn much more money. So he began sending others here and for this there will be the explanations of “Joy” and “Peace.”

This is a great, prosperous and strong Nation filled with unhappiness and dissatisfaction. And to meet this dissatisfaction people not only go to the religious meetings but they now go to other groups which are not in accord with traditional religions. Some of those are called “cults” and some are philosophical but particularly here in California, but spreading in this country, the seeker looks for a sort of personal Messiah. There are all kinds of them and the situation in California resembles India more than anywhere else. Only one does not find any people who have deep experiences excepting last week this one met a Christian mystic about whom a story may be told below.

Joy. The search for joy takes two directions: one the seeking of a person who may lead to Joy and the other the search for a drug. And people go to persons and cultures which give them false types of ryazat and instead of finding joy they often become unbalanced mentally and there is more of that. And when one questions these people about their disciplines, one finds no sound basis for them, or else they are copied from spiritual and mystical methods but only up to a point.

When it comes to Drugs you have some parallels in hashish and [?] about which one does not know much. And here are three types:

These which come from Asia.

These used by the natives both in North and South America.

Those manufactured chemically.

Scientists have been investigating and it is notable that the natives both of North and South America say: “You people speak about Christ, we speak to him.” So the Christian missionaries are not always so successful, and sometimes instead the “white” people are converted to the “natives’” religion. They take the vegetables offered and experience what they have not experienced before. In other words, they enter into hal, or even wujud.

And some chemists have discovered products which give the same effects and are easily made and the young are taking them, and thus experience “God” at their own levels of understanding.

In the year 1945 this person was asked to perform some errands for the brotherhood in Hyderabad, Deccan. To get credentials he was examined by the cultural diplomat of the then undivided India. The subject was “Ibnu l-‘Arabi” and when this person submitted as answer: “The Identity of Ibnu ’l-’Arabi and Sankara” the attaché embraced him. But when he tried to bring this matter up before certain of the innumerable European professors of Asian philosophies, he was so strongly rebuked that the matter has been dormant. Although in reading your own remarks on the subject one is very much assured.

Therefore as courtesy or report one is advising that although one will report on his own experiences in fana and hal because our university requires necessary liberal references, one wishes, and inshallah will quote your good self, and occasionally others who are in this world; and only a minimum of the writings of Hazrat Inayat Khan.

Inasmuch as one met Hazrat Inayat Khan in the world of universal spirit before one met him in the flesh, it established a relationship in the eternity. And the rejection of this by those who took Bayat has produced some curious situations. But as one is going to be criticized anyhow one is not afraid of the Malamati disciplines. One is going to write at some length and will send a copy to our good sister, Miss Saadia Khwaja Khan who is before Allah, “my” Khalifa.

It must be added that one’s own reception in Hyderabad, Deccan, was in marked contrast to any and all receptions in the Western world, or by Westerners. But instead of reacting one realizes that sooner or later the Hadith: “And in that day the sun will rise in the West and all men seeing, will believe.” One will not compromise with nufs, either his own or that of others.

Recently a leading scientist of India wrote a long paper with the goal of uniting scientists and mystics. He claimed nufs-mutmaina, and he was right. But in answering one presented nufs-salima, for in that is Strength of upsize only knew it. And now another colleague has written on “Cosmic Humanism” and this will further open the door to the presentation of the “Living God” and “The Meaning of God in Human Experience.” So one tires of rejections from little people who reject each other anyhow, and will place before the world, inshallah, mystical and love experience which happened, telling where they happened, how than happened, but not necessarily “why” they happened.

For the intellectual cannot accept the teachings of Kashf-al-Mahjub and the explanation, very simple, that makam is the result of human endeavor; and hal cometh by Grace. So Grace is beyond intellection.

And now on my 70th birthday I can attribute the strength, the energy, and even the prowess retained as the result of Grace, and the blessings received from Khwaja Khizr in 1923. And these experienced blessings were accepted in full by Pir-o-Murshid Hazrat Inayat Khan but generally rejected by those who claim some sort of “Sufic” knowledge from him.

On March 21, 1925 at exactly noon, in the broad daylight, following a ritual imparted by the aforesaid Khwaja Khizr, I saw with these physical eyes many of great Messengers of Allah, and then double (the others came singly) Mecca Shereef Grand Being.

In 1927, Hazrat Inayat Khan left this world. In celebration thereof in Khilvat, in 1930 he appeared to this one and also before the physical eyes, sat with him in meditation and showed him the fana which does not need any more the physical eyes or ego mind. At that time one had with him ‘Awarif al-Ma’arif learned this teaching, but years later all one’s books and records were destroyed in a fire. In the fire these things are destroyed, in the “ether” they are not destroyed and people who demand physical things will not accept them anyhow.

In 1946 in Khilvat came a humorous complex: the loss of a book (very significant) and the disappearance of Hazrat Inayat Khan and the appearance of the Seal of the Prophets, the reality of which took final form in the poem, “Saladin” which our good friend Miss Saadia Khawar has read.

This must not be such an autobiographical report. It is now, alhamdulillah, that one has found an American teacher in contrast to Europeans, who is willing to accept mystical reports on the same bases as the receipt, or rejection, of scientific reports. And it is time for a mystic who has had the mystical experiences to speak out.

Our subject last week was S. Augustine and this person can vouchsafe the Crucifixion experience in a manner very similar to those reported by Christian mystics, plus a Resume Resurrection experience which, added to the restore through Khwaja Khizr further increase or preserve or restore the vitality in personality. But one holds that those people who accept only the experiences of the distant past and will not examine, much less accept, the experiences of the present are themselves guilty of fraud, egotism and obscurantism.

There was once a lady here who calls herself a Sufi teacher and who has denounced this person no end, and being socially acceptable has succeeded. But in the higher realms we were tested and she went as far as she could. But when it came to fana-fi-Adam, a form of effacement in the whole of humanity, she dropped back to individuality and this person was able to absorb her but the other was not true. And this illustrates other people.

It was also my privilege, after visiting Agra, to have been received at Ajmir in a miraculous manner, and to have seen the workshop where the artisans were trained for either duties at Agra, themselves being required not only to work with marble, but to work with the awakened heart, so that they were in hal as much as could be convenient while doing physical tasks.

21st December, 1966

Beloved Pir-o-Murshid:

As-salaam aleikhum. This letter is written in not only the most pleasant circumstances since one’s return in 1962 but under some of the most pleasant circumstances in the whole life. The first time one heard of the Messenger of God was in a folk maxim here. “If the mountain cannot come to Mohammad, then Mohammad must come to the mountain.” But with Sufi Ahmed Murad, it has been that the mountain came to Mohammad, so to speak.

I do not remember whether I told all the circumstances of the coming of Sidi Abusalem Al-Alawi of Marrakesh, Morocco, but it will bear repeating so all can be known. Last month this person came for a single night and one was asked to bring credentials. But by the Kashf of Allah to whom all praise, one took the picture of the Pir-o-Murshid of the Saint and his followers, and there was instant recognition.

One asked if he knew a former companion, one Ted Reindollar and to one’s surprise this man, now dead, lived in his zawouia (Khan Agha). Then one performed one’s own Zikr, Ya Mohammed Abdullah, and afterwards the saint said that Sufi Ahmed Murad had all the Baraka necessary to give the divine teachings to the world, something Americans do not want; they always want a strange person or a person with strange teachings.

But it is evident that the Saint bestowed Baraka too in this one. For the next day one began giving an instruction in Christian mysticism to a group of young men and class is doing very well, with increased inner and outer light on all there, and there is more joy and love than one has even had in one’s own city.

Then one received back from one’s teacher at the university a paper on which he said, “Too bad. What can I say? I have to give you an A” (highest mark). The paper was on “True Mysticism versus Pseudo-mysticism.” This was written hurriedly and two imperfect copies were made, one purportedly for Khalifa Khawar Khan. But circumstances have been better, alhamdulillah, so my present companion, one William Hathaway, is going to make some suitable copies and one will go to Khalifa and one to each of two universities.

This immediately brings up the question of “innovations.” For without progress even tasawwuf becomes stilted, as we say. Yet an innovation may be questioned, so I place two innovations before you.

a) fana-fi-Wali. This is a stage between fana-fi-Sheikh and fana-fi-Rassoul, wherein one is under guidance of a Wali or a saint of earlier times. This fana and its correspondence tasawwur would be completed either with Hazrat Ali or Ghaus-i-Azam. It is clearly beyond fana-fi-Sheikh or clearly below fana-fi­-Rassoul. The details may be sent later. It certainly covers the visits to Nizam-ed­ Din Auliya and to a lesser degree Ajmir, and in Pakistan to Data Sahib and Mian Mir (other saints may or may not be included).

b) Ya Mohammed Abdullah. This is the Zikr of social revolution. It comes from the Divine Messenger himself in explaining the words of Isa, “I am the first and the last.” I am very, very happy over your work on Hadith for it has been made to clear that the Holy One of Mecca worked hard all his life and only used servants where absolutely necessary and never scolded them. But it also comes with a realization which will be referred to below.

Secret of Permanent Happiness. This is a book just received from Ajmir and it shows the conniving of Iblis. It was sent by a Mr. W.D. Begg of Amir and says, “Who has written for the first time biographies of several great Sufis saints of India in English.” As it was this Mr. Begg who urged me to buy this book and as the Khadim at Ajmir also recommended it, it was amazing to find a book so built around nufs being recommended. It is a duty to reply in full, notify the Khadim, and also my good friend Pir-o-Murad Hasan Sani at Nizam-ed-Din in New Delhi. But I am even more concerned because Khalifa Khawar has been engaged in writing about the great Chisti saints. A copy of the letter will also be sent to our good friend, Shams-ed-Din.

False Sufis. One is now receiving young people who have been misled by false versions of Sufism. This was due to a man named Gurdjieff, born in the Caucasus Mountains, who studied under several Pirs and wrote books, winning a huge following and changing the teachings as he saw fit. In both Gurdjieff and the above book there is practically no mention of Allah, and if Rassoul-Lillah is inferred, it is done symbolically and not direct.

The disciples of these false Sufis are all misled; most of them have taken psychedelic drugs and are in confusion. A close but increasing number now come to these doors, and they find there are numerous spiritual sciences but which they know nothing.

In reading “The Teachers of Gurdjieff,” one finds a marked degree of difference between the teachings given to him and the teachings given out by him. And his teachers generally agree that he could not hold the Baraka.

Now with increase of age, due to Divine Grace, this person seems to be both holding and transmitting more Baraka and his state at the moment is exceedingly encouraging. No doubt Allah does not wish one to spend time and energy with older people who are thoroughly either self-centered or self-satisfied. Mostly if they find a person called “spiritual,” they want to teach him, each wants to make the teacher his or her disciple. This is an American pattern.

Now my letter to Ranjeet Mal Mehta of Ajmir will begin.

I am the offal of the Ajmir Shereef. The sputum of Nizam-ed-Din Auliya. Sweat…. The sweat of hard working Rassoul–Lillah. And the menstruation of Goddess Kali. The companionships of Madzubs is my delight.

And the welcome of the Masts alone pleases me. There is no secret of permanent happiness. For without Ishvara-Allah there is no Sat-Chit-Ananda. Fool who would dictate to the Auliya, who in the name of the Rishis deigns to teach the Rishis. Your very absence from Happiness [?] the need of Happiness. I would give you the kingdoms of words and maxims. And hold to the Super Empire of Silence, but Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate bids me write. And I ask no repentance for my sins. For doing the assigned work of the One-All-Only causes one to sacrifice even happiness for happiness.

Every letter one must write, “Act as if in the presence of Allah and remember, if you do not see him, verily He sees you.”

The Six Interviews with Hazrat Inayat Khan.

These will now be written. The substance of these interviews has been rejected by nearly all who stem from him. They begin with the report on the visitation from Khwaja Khizr. The above poetry, the truth of such occurrences and the “karma” of refusal on the part of those who think they are mureeds but who do not work in the service of Allah is most unfortunate.

But this is written because in his first days in the West, Hazrat Inayat Khan paid particular homage to the Hadith. His family and his early associates throughout all these teachings and although I do not know where there are copies on record, they are in the heart and these foolish, self-misled people do not know the secret of the “ether” or the “sphere,” which is also called Akasha.

My chief Sheikh in Cairo, Abusalem Amria, gave his whole life to the Hadith and was exceedingly versed. And while I do not feel the absence of such people, this Sufi Love is of a different order which people here do not understand.

Very gradually Kalama and Zikr and Fikr are imparted. These are successful because everybody who comes to these doors today is ill.

With all love and blessings,

Salarwala

Idul-Zoha

My Dearest Sufi Sahib

Asalam-o-Alaikum.

What a joy to remember you after a good long period. Last Idulfitter I was permitted to write a love letter with Id greetings. Also to include yourself in Qadri Nisbat. I was dictated a very good message for you. Luckily not unluckily it was lost, or mislaid somewhere.

At this state of life (manzil) this is no difference between a jungle and a palace or king and a slave. Also indeed no difference in Far and Near. This long silence is also based on some Hikmat.

I was to explain to you a few things, namely greatness of God our heavenly father. Everybody say that God is Great but nobody believes in him at all. We love objects not God, similarly we I am given to understand, pray purposes not God. There are a few men in the whole world who really love God and who really worships him. People just say they love and worship God but really nobody loves and or worships God. God is everything great and kindest of all. If anybody really loves him—how he would not love him.

I love people and hope this would be the cause of my love for or to God someday. I very firmly hold that with God’s blessing you love him and he loves you. I pray and believe your mission would be a certain success. May you shine with Islam and your Tabligh may be universal.

Ya Hayyo—Ya Qayyoom-o-Ya Zul Jalal-i-Wal Ikram is the Isam-i-Azam. I hope you would continue this regularly daily.

I am requesting my Pir-i-Faiz Makhdoom Sabar Sahib Piran Kallar Sharif—for so many things for your future—Sabar Sahib is not only my Peer-i-Faiz but a very kind father. I can ask him anything and everything at every time irrespective of time and day. Normally one cannot dare to repeat a thing or a request when once decided but I with his gracious can ask repeat and repeat the same object from Dargarh Sharif Sabar Sahib undoubtedly is my holy father and is as kind to me as anybody—I am requesting my holy father for so many things for you and I feel certain all I have requested have been accepted.

This is being felt and told frequently that your holy preaching will surely be a success and your leading factor is love humanity and spread love amongst humanity. This love someday will please your God. Love creature of God and God will love you in turn. This is what I am being told during the course of this typing. Also I beg apologies for this misprinting, wrong spellings for I am writing and typing this after about 21 years.

I have also prayed for a life-mate. I and my friend Majzoob are feeling well and oftenly remember you, your life and manners and devotion.

My dear Sufi Sahib I have tried to disclose so many points and cannot say anymore except a goodwill message salaams from all of my friends here and all who know and love you. With best wishes, from me, from Sabar Sahib

I am, yours intimate….

[to Barkat Ali, undated]

This person met recently a Christian mystic who has had the same social rejections. But he has a meeting place and he wants this one to lecture at his place on Peace and the world religions which, inshallah, may be done.

Now Hazrat Inayat Khan taught that Peace in the world depended on the acceptance of the Hierarchy (Kutub, Ghaus, Auliya, etc.) He left a whole ceremony for this purpose but the meaning was not accepted and the practices (Mujahida, Mushahida) are hardly known at all. So instead of having peace we have turmoil.

Last week this one performed for the first time the tawajjeh of Khalif Usman, and gave the feeling of Peace to all. No doubt superficially or otherwise it is like some forms of Darshan in India but the way this person has seen Darshan, it has often been a ceremony but when this person had the tawajjeh of Hazrat Inayat Khan, (he had it in two ways) it was transforming. This also is harmony with the Darood practices.

It is only now for the first time in San Francisco that  help has been offered and one has to consider a similar offer in Hollywood when one can go there. In one sense, one has not been prepared to be a Murshid on a large scale. One inherited, so to speak, a Buzurg training from Murshida of working when there are so few spiritual people in a vast country. And one is always aware that Divine Grace is beyond all personal and personality efforts.

Love. This is the final of these three subjects. In the purer sense there is little of that here. We have passion, we have infatuation, we have much good will and Americans are by nature always kindly toward children. But having heard and met so many of our leaders, there is little deep understanding. Only now there is a change and one is unable even to lay down a program for himself because of both the needs of others and their seeking.

You will appreciate, dear Murshid, that one is always busy and now for the first time Alhamdulillah, there may be some help of a nature badly needed, for a spiritual brother is moving here who can be entrusted with typing and so help prepare lessons. And the amount of lesson material that has come, come from all nations, is very great and unorganized, and if published, the meanings remain unknown. So one is satisfied and Allah has given the strength and courage to continue at an age when my companions have become feeble and worn out. And here again is the testimony that one’s spiritual practices, Wazifas and Daroods are effective, they are operative through the person and preserve, increase and encourage his vitality.

With love and blessing to all,

Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti

[undated]

My dear Sufi Sahib,

The preaching of Islam depends on the inherent virtues of truthfulness (honesty) and piety and whatever one might say about this latter virtue, it is intrinsically a gift of God and cannot be acquired.

Greatness or glory and the working of miracles is born of piety and unless God endows a person with this virtue, he cannot work in the ways of God and whosoever does so, he is selected by God for this noble work but piety is an essential condition.

I pray that God might grant you and your friends and myself the requisite capability and piety to preach His religion.

I humbly present my mind and soul and all that I possess and ask for His help in granting them (mind and soul) harmony and balance and the light to work in His ways.

The greatest preacher of India, Hazrat Khawja Gharib Nawaz of Ajmir was the elect of God and he entered India alone and converted that country to Islam.

Nowadays many preachers go forth of their own accord ostensibly to preach but in reality for mundane glory and honor and therefore they fail in their mission and come back discomfited, whereas, if they had gone out at God’s behests, they would have met with success.

Whatever may be my attainments, I present myself to God to be used in His way and this Urge in itself emanates only from His and you should believe likewise.

The first great religion of the world is Islam. May God employ us all in the service of His religion and also all of you and my children—sons and daughters, so that the whole of this caravan marches in His ways and expires in His service till our dead bodies also start treading the path of righteousness in His ways.

This world was considered so valueless and wretched by the great prophet of Islam, how can I like it. People are all so taken in by mundane things but they have no lure for me.

Wherever we emerged, we killed all our desires and burnt the very shop of our being and entered nothingness with the result that we issued a coinage of our own wherever we went and even if I have to go to China, I will go like this. All that is needed in this wise is an experienced “Guide,” who can show the way and who has trod it himself and has seen its intricacies and whose experience in this line has become a law unto himself. If you ever get such a man who has drunk of this Cup or fortunately you stumble on him, then enter his fold and stick to him for he is like a crane, which is a bird in Asia and which lays eggs in the hills in summer and migrates to the plains in winter yet it concentrates on the eggs which it has laid in the far off mountains and it hatches them in his mind and the young ones appear and if it forgets a particular egg, it rots and becomes useless. Your Shamsuddin Ahmed must become a disciple (do his Bayat). He is a very pious Mussalmen.

The men of God on His earth issue His Commandments under His orders and all God’s creation is always anxious to hear their Commands. People are always ready to obey them and none can ever do them any harm or stand in their way, so much that even the angels become their helpers and spread their wings in their way for their tread. My dear man, those who issue God’s orders are absolutely unafraid, they are never overawed or terrified by anything. The great Hazrat Ganj Shakar of Pak Pattan set a wonderful example of a missionary e.g. he was a saint of very few words. He just appeared before his audience from his cell, cast a glance over them and affected a complete change in all of them for the better and the unbelievers learnt religion by his mere look. You might consult me about this problem some other time.

To work out things in a miraculous manner is a “must” in case of a religious preacher or a missionary and he can work out wonderful things, whenever he has any need for them, His very talk, as a matter of fact his tongue itself is capable of performing miracles for all that he says is the order of God Himself and will never go waste. His utterance is the word of God and it is like an arrow shot from the bow which must hit the target and his planning in this respect is likened to Fate itself, which can never go awry.

The religion of Islam, its culture and social manners, and customs as a matter of fact everything connected with it is universally acceptable because it preaches equality and is based on simplicity, which is the very nature of man. Simplicity is an asset and gorgeousness, a curse and many so called big Persons will like to relinquish a life of Pomp and Show and adopt simplicity; only they have not got the courage to give it up because it has become the very breath of life for them and it is a hallmark of their Society, however much they might dislike it.

The Qur’an is such a permanent code of life that it is applicable to men, women and children of all ages and climes and religion of the world and it will remain so till Resurrection and no other book can make such a claim. The Islamic Culture is the best in the world and it is mainly so because its pivot is “Nature” and its highest water mark consists in its canons of morality and its code of living together and one main argument for Islam being the only true religion, can be gauged from the fact that it accepts all the old religious as emanating from God.

Ever since the Qur’an has descended from above, all other heavenly books have become secondary in position. It seems as if God has collected them all and stored them away in His treasure as no original Copy of any one of them is now available. And then the question arises “are these books the same in their text as they were originally revealed to the Prophets, Jesus, Moses and David and called the New and old Testaments including the Psalms of David. Yet it is a fact that not a single infinitesimal change can be affected in the Qur’an nor would a second Qur’an ever descend from above.

That the great Prophet of Islam was the last and the greatest of the prophets is proved by the fact that many saints of Islam (friends of God) have appeared amongst his followers, who performed miracles like the Prophets of old and their deeds and reminiscences are talked about by all good peoples till the Judgment Day. Can any religion produce a man who has lain on fire, has kept standing for 12 years or has been skinned alive, has brought the dead back to life again etc, etc. It is the torchbearer, of this religion alone whose stories abound in books and deeds of this type adorn numberless pages, quite unlike the great followers of other religions.

If we are good for nothing, it does not mean that Islam is nothing, Islam continues the same but we are worthless, May God wake us up and open our eyes to the real perspective. Amen.

Salarwala

Dear Sufi Sahib,

As-salam-Aleikum, O’Rahmatullah o Barakatuhu.

I hope you have received my previous letter. I am head and heart engrossed in writing the Hadiths of our most beloved and Holy Prophet Mohammed (Peace and blessings of Allah be on him) and didn’t get any time to answer all your letters. Otherwise I would have replied each and every letter of yours. Please forgive me for not answering all your letters.

Your ideas about Preaching (Tableegh) Islam in America are excellent and praise-worthy, Alhamdulillah. Allah blesses your efforts and fulfils your hopes.

As I wrote to you before that for propagating Islam one neither needs Kashf, nor Karamat and the like. The servants and preachers of Islam need only one thing and that is that they should be righteous and pious and true. Their Nufs should be pure of all internal and external evils. As long as the preachers don’t possess these gifts they ca n never be successful in their goals. For preaching Islam just verbalism in the form of Philosophy and the like are not sufficient. For bringing out and explaining the truths of Islam, righteousness and sincerity is needed. Truthfulness and sincerity are collective adjectives for many good qualities.

Islam always required examples and Tableeghs failed till examples were given.

Islam in every age and to every nation presents its own examples. The greatest example is stirring my mind right now and I am over and over reminded of this great ample, and that is to walk on blazing fire if you or anybody else ever need or are asked to walk on blazing fire to prove the truth of Islam. You may freely present me on your behalf to take the Examination, and by Allah, in whose hands is my very life, I am ever ready to walk on blazing fire for the sake of the truth of Islam.

I have nothing more in hand. In this connection I have seen many aspects and scenes, one scene which I witnessed with my own eyes is that when that youth (self came into the field, he left and gave away all that he possessed. He brought nothing with him. After giving away each and every thing and having abandoned all wishes to possess them again, he entered a new field of life.

The world chased this youth. I still remember its remarks and it always echoes in my ears. “Oh wretched creature you just stop here. Neither I’ll let you come in and nor I’ll let you return. You just keep standing here with hands folded. I’ll pull your face-wise.”

After this the youth got absorbed in his mission to the extent that even silence and peace itself failed to match its absorption in his work.

More next time

Sufi Barkat Ali Salarwala

Pir-o-Murshid, Note: Sufi Barkat Ali wrote to you a letter in Urdu and asked translate it for you. The above is the translation of the letter by him for you. Khawar. [Ed—hand-written letter]

772 Clementina St.

San Francisco 3, Calif.

January 30, 1967

My dear Pir-o-Murshid, Sufi Sahib:

All Praise is to Allah, who clarifies the paths in life when it is to Universal Wisdom and human benefit to do so. And while we may not see into the future in time, we often can see into the Wisdom which is outside of time.

In 1956, just before leaving India, one took respects to Pir-o-Murshid Hasan Sani Nizami and he brought me to the ruins of the Khankah Nizam-ud-din Auliya, with hopes that the place might be restored. He showed me a staircase: “That is where the Saint performed Shagal.” There, I climbed the staircase and also performed the Shagal.

The Saint immediately appeared and told me I would return to that place (The Khankah, not the Dargah) three times more; once with three people, then with a large entourage and finally alone, before I left this world. I would now seem to prepare to bring three people to that place, inshallah, and there are a number of different factors operating.

The most evident are the streams of good will coming since the visit of Sidi Abusalam from Marrakech. Most outstanding is the complete reversal of my own flesh-and-blood brother’s attitude, who is now fighting for me as he has been against me previously and trying to make it up in every way. Our father left a considerable fortune, or rather, what he left is now a considerable fortune. We are both getting on in years and he does not give himself a long time, and yet we are not benefiting from it.

So, it is going to be necessary to resort to legal procedure unless the trustees fulfill the terms of the will. In the past, by playing us off against each other, they denied us all petitions for relief. But now we have joined forces and any sort of compromise would enable one to travel freely.

In the meanwhile Khalifa Saadia Khawar is preparing to come to the United States. If one’s Kashf is correct, one is to go ahead with plans to visit England this summer and then return in time to help her reach her destination in the State of Oklahoma. It will be rather easy to do this, although this is a very large country. Still, Oklahoma is about half-way between New York or Washington and California.

Another thing which seems to be in accord with the will of Allah and that is, to prepare for some success in the above and then make some rupee dollar arrangement with Khawar. And this, too, seems clear in the spirit, the only uncertain thing being the date of settlement.

Then there are events in the lives of the two oldest mureeds from the standpoint of Bayat.

When the fighting took place between India and Pakistan over Kashmir I asked Allah. Sufis have practices such as Murakkabah and Mushahida and Mujahida; and Akhlak Allah and they know Allah is closer than the neck-vein; and they often possess Kashf. And Allah said that whomsoever would win Kashmir would have the worst famine. So I did not please my Islamic friends and they said I was into politics. But fortunately, you have a Consul-General here from Pakistan who listened (“Muslims” don’t have to listen to anybody,) and the prediction came true; that India won Kashmir and famine and the end is not yet. And this is called “being in politics,” to listen to Allah instead of to man or one’s own nufs.

When the Saint was here, he let me speak. “Muslims” here have never let me speak, but the saint let me speak. He was explaining the five grades of Nufs and even the translator would not explain in English. So this person explained and the Saint and his entourage thanked him.

In Cairo, one was a guest of honor at Mosque and Shrine; and in Pakistan, one spoke to 100,000 people in audiences and met an equal number, otherwise. That is possible in the lands of Islam, but it is not possible here. All they wish to share here is money, not wisdom. This is called “Islam” here; I am a brother when money is wanted. I am not a brother, otherwise. So have sent my first Zakat payment to Ajmir and now will probably sent the next to Nizam-ud-din Auliya, but save some money for Lahore.

That audience had already heard a Sufi, a Sufi whom they respect as a Sufi! A Sufi who has been showing them how to actualize the God (Allah,) and who has made for them realities of what they consider theology. A Sufi can explain nufs and ruh and such terms when others cannot and also help them to awaken in their hearts.

Now, they sometimes come to these rooms. So many are coming and now Allah says not to give any money to any Mosque here, but to save it for a Khankah where people can learn the realities beyond religious forms, when they can learn the “secrets of self,” not in poetry, but in their own lives. Even for today, one expects an ever-growing number of young people. They have tried religion, they have tried LSD, they have tried Yoga and they do not find God. They come here and they find the joy, the Realities beyond forms. Their questions are answered, be they personal or hypothetic or philosophical. The questions are answered because Allah is the answer to every question.

One has to type over one’s paper on “Real Mysticism versus Pseudo-Mysticism,” which has been accepted by the universities, but not by the public. This is based on the experiences of fana-fi-Sheikh, fana-fi-Rassoul and fana-fi-Lillah and also on something that will not be read of in books, fana-fi-Pir.

This person holds, with Al-Ghazzali, that Tasawwuf consists of experiences, not syllogisms. It consists of the recognition of the Living God. We use the neck-vein in our repetitions of Zikr to make us realize the nearness of the neck-vein and then of Allah. This is experience.

One has not been prepared for the young coming, but now knows one must teach the young and let those who are fixed in their ideas go on. “Praise Allah and leave them to their devices.”

One can teach all forms of Tasawwuf, because one has been trained in all forms of Tasawwuf; and recognized from East Pakistan through North Africa and also locally and abroad by the Indonesians. But their kind of Brotherhood is not the kind of “Brotherhood” we have in America, where so many cities have Mosques and leaders who do not recognize each other. I am now a member of the Canadian American Islamic Students organization and recognize the Imams, not because I recognize the Imams, but because Brotherhood requires recognizing the Imams.

I teach, “There is no Power save in Allah.” Not only is it taught, it is demonstrated. There are all sorts of ways of demonstrating it.

I study those things which the Messenger of God (on whom be Peace) wanted, wisdom as far as China; early cultures, to find what kind of Messenger and Message they had and all the things suggested by Hadith. I do not accept wastrels and bounders, just because they happen to be
“Muslims.”

You were right in “Rab Alamin,” but it is used even now to call all people “Beloved Ones of Allah.” I challenge any and all of your colleagues to lecture on Sajda. They would not dare. People in Sajda know the nothingness of ego and they can be fed and comforted. But I have no time for sermons; but to help the young who come to these doors. One is coming shortly so I must close.

Love and blessing,

Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti (Samuel L. Lewis)

Salarwala, Lyallpur, West Pakistan

28 Jamadiulawwal

1387 Hijri

Sept. 3, 1967

Tabligh-U-Islam

My dear Sufi Sahib.

Assalam-o-Alaikum

I am very joy full to acknowledge receipt of a copy of letter to my daughter Khawar for which I am thankful to you. Please read these few lines with a peace of mind and try to understand it.

The only path of peace to reach Allah, and the only mean to please Allah is to obey and follow Dos and Don’ts of Islam or else nobody on earth can claim to be Believer or Beloved of Allah, at all.

Allah loves those who love Rassoul-ullah. How one can claim this Love until he wholly surrenders himself to Rassoul-ullah. We (all) human beings are helpless in all respects and cannot understand any mystery Hikmat of Allah: and have no other way but to obey and follow Islamic principles in full with no exception and no “if” and “but’. From day of creation to today all Sufis conveyed the Message of Allah to People and delivered to them through his Holy Messengers (Rassouls).

Allah’s message is always full in all respects and is never subject to alterations in any form.

This is all I know and preach about Allah and Islam. Our knowledge is very limited and cannot dare to alter any Islamic Doctrine in any form.

We have no other way but to surrender ourselves to Allah and Rassoul-ullah and cannot even guess any variation or difference in Allah and Islam.

Please for Allah’s sake reset your mind according to these lines and regard them as lines of honors of Islam. We preach Islam in all corners of the world and to every human being and cannot separate Islam from Allah, in any science or form. Ya Hayyo Ya Qayyoom. Islam demand equality in Zahar and Battan both. May I please emphasize to wear beard and be punctual to Namaz and seek and search peace in Islam.

Iblis misled and misleads Sufis in all ages of Sufi-ism and nobody can consider himself safe from Iblis at any time. It is as difficult to understand Iblis as Allah, and Islam is the only fort where one can shelter and defend himself from Iblis.

Please read these few lines with Love and do not criticize, I pray may Allah, Rahmah, Rahim, Hayyi, Qayyoom, Zul Jalale Wal Ikram, bless you and keep you safe and sound from Iblis and show you his righteous path and also apologize for any literal error or mistake if any, Ya hayyo ya qayyoom.

My best wishes and blessings to your followers and friends also please pray for me and my friends.

with best love and blessings I am,

yours well-wisher,

Barkat Ali

410 Precita Ave.

March 31, 1969

Pir Barkat Ali

Salarwala, Lyallpur District

West Pakistan

Dear Sufi Sahib:

As-salaam-aleikhum. There has been no particular time to step to write. At the moment there is a courtesy to send a letter to Shamseddin Ahmed who is now on his way back to Pakistan from Saudi Arabia and Hajj.

One does not know what the supreme practices of a devotee should be. There is an almost constant Zikr, the practice of Akhlak Allah, and the conscious realization of the noble Daroods which by grace of Allah you assigned to me. The shortest report would be to say one is in much better financial circumstances, one has a large and growing following, and the health is remarkable due entirely to the grace of Allah to Whom be all praise. This is not empty devotion. It is almost two years since one was on his back in a hospital. The Voice of Allah manifested with grace and direction and what was communicated at that time has come into manifestation.

Sometimes one has felt like Allah’s Messenger in The Cave. This is not only a very different land, but a land of great wealth and still greater confusion. It is almost as described in certain Hadiths. Everybody expects others to accomplish what they internally wish. I have no doubt that Allah wishes humankind to become more aware of His Presence. There have been new discussions on “God is Dead.” One of my closest associates, also born in California, has written “God is Dead.
Allah is very much alive.”

It has been necessary to find out how to communicate with my fellow Americans. They do not accept any more the religious institutions. To reach the hearts of the young it has been found profitable to use both traditional and new methods. The new methods, of course, will be condemned as innovation. One is very well aware of that. The question is, “Can we get mankind to accept that Allah is closer then the neck-vein.” In giving Zikr instructions, for example, one tells the devotees to become aware of the neck-vein. It is very successful. One now has many Americans repeating Kalama and Zikr.

The great innovation that this person has introduced are the Dervish Dances. They are compilations of the Mevlevi, Rifa’i and Bedawi practices. Having been a guest of these various dervishes at times, before Allah, there is no reason not to use these methods. However, one practiced Walking for over three years before starting in this direction. The walks were derived partly from Naqshibandi practices and partly from the instructions of Hazrat Inayat Khan on tasawwuri. To this should be added some traditional practices on a word which can easily be misunderstood. It was originally spelled hagg in Hebrew and hajj in Arabic, and included walking, both in a straight line and circumambulation. This is always done along with the repetition of some sacred practice.

The number of Americans in this region now repeating Allah is growing. The next step is to get some acceptance of Mohammed in any capacity. It may surprise you to be told that the life and wisdom of Khatimal Mursaleen is hardly ever discussed in Mosques in this land. It may also surprise you that one’s last two instructors at the University of California have come out fully for the divine teachings, Holy Qur’an, and Islam in general. How they reached such conclusions I do not know; that they have reached such conclusions I can report. And in one class two disciples have been registered to learn about the spiritual traditions of the Mediterranean area and we were more than agreeable surprised to be told in a classroom in a University that the culmination of spiritual mysteries was in Mohammed and not Jesus!

It is now nearly half a century since my first studies in Kashf-Al Mahjub. In this important work the subjects of intoxication and sobriety were discussed. In those days the divine wisdom was chiefly for older people. Intoxication was considered legitimate for the young, but as a means, not as a goal. We now have a whole generation of young Americans who resort to wajud or sukr. This is the trend of the times. In 1965 one spoke on “Joy Without Drugs.” While it was not very successful then, the very thought is in the atmosphere. No doubt the soul seeks joy while nufs seizes on any method without regard to an ultimate goal. Millions of young Americans are giving up traditions; they are as lost sheep. Traditional religions do not meet them. And it is rather surprising to find how easy it is, how willing they are to repeat the names of Allah, to join in devotion, and to follow methods new to them but heretofore buried in our culture.

Whatever its merits, Islamics is not taught in this country by Muslims but by scholars. These scholars are seldom devotees. Unfortunately most of the Muslim who come here discard rationality so their work is not effective. However, when one practices Akhlak Allah, things to happen. Nor can we cast aside the faculty and facets of Kashf. I do teach certain traditions found in the Bible such as that Allah created mankind in His Image and that humankind is perfectable. As there is no standard nor example before me, the methods are valuable in the sense that they are effective.

As many Americans are now repeating Wazifas; as many Americans are accepting disciplines handed down by Sufis, it is also remarkable to find that many Americans accept the prowess of Mohammed and sometimes merely because older people have looked askance at Islamics. This very prejudicial rejection of Islam has made it welcome to many of the young who are seeking excuses to go contrary to traditions. This of itself is negative. Among many groups of Negroes it is used for political and selfish purposes. But among the whites and some Negroes it is used as a means towards joy and wisdom.

One has written poetry of a presumable lofty nature. Up until recently it was always rejected, but now there are a number of favorable circumstances which may change the whole picture. The next question was if spirituality can be presented through poetry why can’t it also be presented through dances and ceremonies. The other day this person gave what he calls his own Zikr which runs

“Ya Mohammad Abdul La”

“Ya Mohammad Abdul La”

“Muhammedar Rassoul Allah”

“Ya Mohammad Abdul La”

This is based on Hadiths. It has been repeated in joy and love knowing that it belongs to the classification of fana-fi-Rassoul rather than fana-fi-lillah! It also came at the time when the professors above referred to came out wholeheartedly in a direction not previously encountered in this land. Sometimes one does not know oneself why one says or does things.

Our blessed daughter, Miss Saadia Khawar Khan, is now in this country. She hopes, inshallah, to be here in the late spring. This is easy. We have now a Khankah in a city 30 miles to the North. Several of us met at one time to consider the possibilities of a Khankah. We did not have to meet a second time; we now have the Khankah, alhamdu lillah. We wish others could learn also how to practice the Divine Presence and accept the Divine Will. The place is by no means completed. All kinds of things have been happening, too long to relate here, but mostly very wonderful things.

When Daughter Khalifa is here we shall discuss both a further visit by this person or the possibility inshallah of taking a small group. You must understand that Americans have not had Islamic traditions, there is no operative Imam here, we have no relation to politics of any kind, and that God-seeking is becoming an order of the day in an ever-growing number of young people. There is always a question as to how far what one is doing pleases Allah or otherwise. The Messenger himself said that those who die repeating Kalama will surely not go to hell. I am satisfied in view of the multiple confusions of the day that we are both being guided and being guided on a Right Path. One has not written as regularly as one might. One still has before one the long instructions of one’s first Pir-O-Murshid Hazrat Inayat Khan. The pursuit of these duties has gives one vitality and inner assurance; perhaps calmness and peace. Certainly a growing acceptance by an ever larger number of young people. One cannot repeat too often that the Darood comes into both inner and outer manifestation and that one is learning many things both traditional and eternal which one hopes will be in accord with the Divine Will.

All love and blessings,

Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti

410 Precita Ave.,

San Francisco, Calf

July 1, 1969

Sufi Barkat Ali, Salarwala

Lyallpur District, West Pakistan

Beloved Pir-O-Murshid:

As-salaam aleikhum. One sends you greetings of love and also lets you know that Khawar has been here for a few hours. She has gone to the city of Los Angeles for some weeks. We are sending our housekeeper, Zeynab, to stay with her a while and show her around.

She showed the lady mem-sahibs her clothing and dressed them for a while. They all loved her person and admired the clothing. We then took her to the Khankah which is thirty miles north and performed Dervish dancing and chanting for her. We were all very happy.

Yesterday one visited the Consulate to prepare for an affair when she returns.

You will find enclosed a picture of this person cut out from a local publication. I am sorry I have no proper ones here but will back this up with Mansur, one of my secretaries, who is also a photographer.

This year it has pleased Allah to increase my following. We are very unorthodox as we spend much time chanting and dancing to phrases from the Zikr or Wazifas or what would be regarded as Khawals, excepting they are either English or Arabic sacred phrase. There has been no difficulty about Mohammed (on whom be peace.) Why we even have many people of Jewish backgrounds chanting Mohammedar Rassoul Lillah, or Ya Mohammed Abdullah!

At the present moment there is a strange complex over the affairs of the descendents of Hazrat Inayat Khan with various claimants to spiritual leadership, as if man could decide such things. We have just gotten over the strange “Sufism Reoriented” based on the Parsi Meher Baba who claimed to be Avatar (whatever that means). No kindness, no consideration, no heart but just words and surface matters. There are so many ways of chanting Ya Illaha El Il Allah, etc.; they are all successful in awakening the hearts of the young people here, very slowly but more and more all the time.

Also financial matters are well in hand and my sick brother has agreed that should he predecease me the moneys will be used to bring young people to Pakistan, Ajmir and Nizam-ed-din Auliya.

With all love and blessings to the Brethren,

Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti

TELEGRAM       

SEP 9 69

LAHORE

SOOFI AHMED MURAD CHISHTI 410 PRECITA AVENUE

SAN FRANCISCO CALIFORNIA 94110

WAIT FURTHER DETAILS REGARDING KHAWARS MARRIAGE LETTER FOLLOWS

SOOFI BARKAT ALI SALARWALA

Sept. 23, 1969

San Francisco, Calif. 94110

Sufi Barkat Ali Salarwala,          

West Pakistan

Beloved Pir-O-Murshid;

As-salaam aleikhum. The cablegram of September 9 reached here just after Secretary Mansur Johnson and I went on a vacation. We had no special address or way in which to be reached. And on return there were so many pressing matters. But the vacation brought much needed rest, praise to Allah.

Now on the matter of Khawar’s marriage, this person has no views. He is trying to keep his mind clear, realizing that he might even benefit materially and otherwise from such an event. The only belief one has is that Saadia be permitted to complete her schooling, and, inshallah, obtain the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (or some variant) for which she has been working so hard.

There are some side issues but these would not affect any marriage. It has become clear that this person must attend the next parliament of the world’s religions. There is an effort being made to establish The Temple of Understanding in Washington, in this land, where as the Bible teaches, “My house shall be a house of prayer for all peoples.” The earlier conventions were inconclusive and there is to be another gathering, scheduled for Turkey, early next year, but details are not yet forthcoming.

This was the last thing discussed with Khawar who left shortly after we did. By Kashf one sees and feels what maybe done. The Dervish dances have been most successful. On our last night together Khawar had a display of Pakistani costumes and this person lead about 150 (maybe more) young people in reciting “Allah,” something that has perhaps never been done in this land before. And the program of Dervish dances is making considerable headway.

On the legal side we are now tied up with the Chistis of Ajmir but this also can be varied if necessary. Slowly but definitely the number of mureeds has been increasing and one always has more business to attend to than one can handle—and the problems which arise in the lives of young people, which are many and often quite complicated.

Khawar gave lessons on Hadith and one is amazed to find, with all the books on tasawwuf, the lack of recognition that the inner sciences are all derived from Hadith. This was the original teaching of Hazrat Inayat Khan also, but his original teachings have been suppressed and there have been some changes in the reissuing of his earlier works. And with all this material available, neither Muslims nor non-Muslims have made proper use of it.

My own belief is that every Messenger of Allah is a Universal Man and an Insaan-i-kemal, but the evidence is internal based on the Hadith themselves and not on any personality reaction to them. Over-praise of Mohammed (on whom be peace), has been just as misleading as neglect of sources readily available. Here we utter all-out praise to Allah which does not stop us from mentioning Mohammed in our dances and chants. Only never on an equal footing.

Ya Haya Wa—Khayyum. There is no nonsense in this. In a few days there will be the celebration of my being 73 years old and the body has changed very little in vitality, vigor or health. The mind, on the contrary, continues to grow and to enter into states of consciousness much more universal than personal. And this is also being presented to disciples and others in teachings, exercises and Baraka.

Today the class on Islamic Art begins. Last spring it was Arabic art and this term it will be the direct and indirect influences of these arts. One has been studying the latest works on Persian literature and runs into some very impressive translations. One also has a work on Junaid, also very impressive.

There are now a number of movements in the West calling themselves “Sufi.” Three are mere corporations building up personalities with hints of secret esoteric practices, very, very secret, although not one of them that I have heard of which cannot be found in books—such as the one on Persian Literature alluded to and l’Awarufu-Maarif and others. But without the Baraka all the practices are of little avail.

We also practice tasawwur which reaches its highest aspect (so far discovered) in Tasawwuri Mohammed. This is the Perfect Walk and leads also to Perfect Behavior.

With all love aid blessings,

21st April 1970

My dear Sufi Sahib,

I wonder if you remember your visits to my place in Lahore once with Mr. Shamsuddin Ahmed and another time with the Army officer who has healing powers. I somehow cannot recollect his name right now, although I know him very well. Ever since my arrival in United States I have been looking forward to meeting you. I will be reaching San Francisco on 4th May, inshallah, and leave for New Year on 7th morning. I will be staying in some hotel. Please let me have your telephone number so that I may be able to contact you on my arrival there. Kindly write to me at the following address:

I.A. Khan c/o Mr. John Barker

University of Southern California.

IPAC. Los Angeles.

A few days ago I received a letter from Salarwala. I have written to Baba seeking guidance from him and requested him to reply to me at your address.

I will be in Los Angeles from 29th April upto 4th May. 2nd and 3rd of May being Saturday and Sunday I will not be able to collect letters from Mr. Barker on those days. I will, therefore, request you to kindly drop me a line at your earliest convenience.

Yours sincerely,

Iftikhar Ahmed Adani

May 18, 1970

Sufi Barkat Ali

Salarwala, Lyallpur District

West Pakistan

Dear Sufi Sahib: As-salaam-aleikhum!!

With the end of this month a sort of cycle ends that one’s activities will not be confined any longer to this immediate geographical area. Sooner or later it was pointed out by so many seers, especially in Pakistan, that one would be working on a grand scale. I do not believe this would be possible if Allah did not vouchsafe it. Many things happened, and perhaps will happen which may be in accord with the will of Allah, but not always necessarily in accord with the desires and hopes of others. It is easy to say “Act as if in the presence of Allah, and remember though you do not see Him, verily He sees you.” Or “Surrender to Allah, in times of adversity, and praise Him in times of prosperity.” The words are one thing, the practices something else.

We have worked for years under adverse conditions, all sorts of adverse conditions, and now there are tremendous changes: 1. we have been successful in getting a number of Americans to repeat Allah; further than that we have been able to get a number to repeat Kalama. We do not have any opposition about repeating formula. This has displeased many Muslim. These Muslims have not been successful in reaching people in the Western world. Indeed they have not been successful. Their failures would indicate another power in this universe—you can call this power Iblis, you can call it technology, you can call it anything, but such words, such proposals, such attitudes, such ideas, suggest that there is another power other than Allah. This we refuse to accept. We refuse to accept it in theory; we refuse to accept it in practice. The pre-eminence of Allah is supreme, and if it displeases human beings that this person teaches Irfan without teaching Holy Qur’an, then it displeases them. As I tell everybody, it is not a question of pleasing Muslims, it is a question of pleasing Allah. 2. Our trust in Allah has brought us a form of prosperity, a growing form of prosperity at a time when there is a presumable recession in this land. We are not facing that recession. We are receiving Divine Guidance all the time. We are following in the footsteps of that Divine Guidance. We are benefiting in and from all aspects of life. This is not any theory. It is what is going on. And we see no break in it. 3. The Dervish Dances which were instituted here are slowing drawing more people. They are drawing more people. They are bringing more people to repeat the term Allah. Incidentally, quite incidentally, very incidentally, these young people also repeat phrases concerning Mohamed, on Whom be peace. I am not going to analyze these phrases. The approaches may be new, they may not be new. Several disciples claim to have had manifestations from Ghaus-i-Azam. I believe these were real manifestations. The whole of life in all aspects support that it is so. The luster of the eyes, the tenor of the voices, the beauty of personality, and all such signs manifest Divine Favor. 4. One will know shortly what one’s increase will be in his monthly financial receipts. This is increasing. It is constantly increasing. It is increasing from the family estate, from one’s own endeavors, and from all sources. These to me are examples of the Divine favor, of the Divine grace.

When we arrived in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts, the first thing this person saw was his own picture on the wall. The next thing one saw was a copy of Mishakat. This to me also was a sign of the favor of Allah, of the Divine grace. We are therefore preparing to study Hadiths, but we are going to make this study with fresh minds, with minds, attitudes, and ardour, in accord with the spirit of the day, in accord with what is going on with, among, and amid the present day living humanity. Problems are not being solved. Empty formulas do not solve problems. Surrender to the Living Allah always will solve problems. There is no change in that. All the young people come here repeat “Ya Hayy, Ya Haqq.” They not only repeat it, they are drawing the vitality out of the universe. They are drawing vigor, they are drawing holiness, and they are drawing joy. One is no longer concerned over the reactions of others. If there are any two men in history to whom we look, or rather who may be looking on us, they are Ghaus-I-Azam and Moin-ud-din Chisti. But we are living these things, not theorizing. And if Allah wills, if Allah wills, we shall continue to operate thus. We may be happy, we may be fortunate, but certainly things are happening.

One’s appearance before the leading divines of the world has brought one considerable good will from those who were strangers. This rise of good will can mean much greater good will on the whole earth, Inshallah.

Today for the first time, for the first time Sufi Sahib, a Rabbi has consented to grant an interview. It seems that wars are preferred to cordiality and good will. Everybody has a lot of empty words which cannot be demonstrated. Just words. I believe we are demonstrating the existence of the Living Allah. I believe it.

There was an Islamic magazine received sometime back in which a Persian sage was quoted, “Adventure is the sign of the wise, and quotation of the ignorant.” I believe it. Indeed I can almost insist on it, and will gladly face the Day of Judgment with such an attitude.

Secretary Mansur and I took two little brochures with us on our trip. One was a small edition of Hadiths. The other was a copy of the Tao Te Ching. Mecca Sherif may have said, “Seek wisdom, even unto China,” but woe to the Muslims who does it; he will he accused all over of heresy. This means that although the word “Islam” is used it does not mean submission to anything, it comes to mean conformity, and maybe it should, but what is gained? We have sought wisdom from. China to the extent that many local Chinese are pleased with us, who are not pleased with others. This is also in my poem “Saladin.”

Now there are movements on earth to promote this poetry, both poetry written and poetry not written. When I visited the tomb of Amir Khusrau in company with Hasan Sani Nizami, the spirit of the poet appeared to me. He bestowed a robe on me and said, “I appoint you as successor to
Mohamed Iqbal in the school of Jelal-ud-din Rumi.” It was you yourself that had this robe waiting when I returned; the same robe; the same robe of Baraka; the same robe of investiture; the same robe of divine favor.

Whatever is going on in the world, whatever disturbances there are, here we are feeling the Divine Grace; here we are filled with hope, and re-echo in praise. This is going on constantly. Finally, not long ago a daughter was born to Khalif Moineddin and his wife Fatima. This child is not yet speaking. But this child is already repeating La Illaha El Il Allah; all day long this child is doing just that. I think this is enough Sufi Sahib, to indicate that whatever we may be doing, it may have the good will of Allah. It is certainly in accord with the life (and death) of Hafiz-i-Shirazi.

Love and Blessings,

Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti

September 10, 1970

Sufi Barkat Ali

Salarwala,

Lyallpur District

West Pakistan

Beloved Pir-O-Murshid,

As-salaamileakhum. This person was sent to the United States to bring a message of Allah with directives and inspirations from at least six Pirs and Walis of Tasawwuf. Many of the things he has done will not be approved no doubt by man. Although Salat distinctly says that Allah is the judge of the universe ignorant multitudes consider themselves capable of fulfilling this capacity while differing from each other in all other respects.

There is now a Naqshibandi teacher in South America who is attracting numbers of people who speak English or Spanish. He Is not teaching Shariat. He is not even teaching Holy Qur’an. He is meeting the Western people with a book they  accept called “The Thousand and One Nights.” This has been very badly translated into English by several respected scholars and also in an unexpurgated form by the late Sir Richard Burton who was also at one time at least a Kadiri Talib. The Sheikh is using this version.

He is using this version because it teaches over and over again “there is no power, no might, save in Allah.” Nor does this person believe there is any power or might save in Allah. That Sheikh and this person believe Allah created everybody and that He loves his creation more than a mother loves her offspring. He also accepts many items in the Hadith which are repugnant to very many bigoted and ignorant so-called Muslims, although in their bigotry and ignorance they are still better than the bigoted and ignorant of other faiths or no faith.

Evidently Allah is approving of this person. More and more people are coming. The dances with which Allah has inspired him have resulted in Pakistani saying “Muslims will not approve of it.” Thus the Pakistanis. This person responded. The question is not whether Muslims will respond to them, but whether Allah will approve of them. It Is certain that the Arabs, Iranians and Indonesians do approve and the young Americans who are called hippies also approve.

It is an awkward world when so-called Muslims accept what is written in publications which themselves are financed by the liquor industry. It is the liquor industry who are fighting the so-called hippies and consumers of marijuana, etc. Yet all those in power all over the world without investigating are accepting the reports of these liars and scoundrels.

 The most beautiful report at the present time comes from a number of disciples who have what this person calls Divine Vision. Those who have seen illuminated crescents alone are very large in number. The invitations to lecture on spiritual Islam increase and increase and increase and this at a time when one's chief khalif has long been confined to a hospital, when the housekeeper in a hospital, and two of the three chief secretaries have very well paying jobs and are helping their Murshid financially and otherwise. The first replacement secretary is also ill.

The other secretary is accomplishing wonders. This person was commissioned by heaven itself years ago to bring peace to the Near East. Only one man, a Mr. Gunnar Jarring approved except for one's own colleagues. We travelled together and he thought the plan was wonderful. At that tine the Israelis, Saudians and Egyptians accepted it, and of course all the U.N. officials, but the Americans turned it down, especially the religious and peace organizations, so-called. But this person did not win.

Allah has relieved his financial worries and this year he was received by the great ones of the world, and highly respected. Chief among these was Dr. Seyyed Hussein of Teheran, whom you probably know. Now many religious leaders of all faiths are cooperating. We have been successful. Allamdo lilah in promoting joint Israeli-Christian-Arab dinners. It is only the Pakistanis who stay away. The Arabs are wonderful. This is the work of the other secretary Wali Ali.

Now reports come from Jerusalem of joint Sufi-Jewish meetings attended by disciple Phillip Davenport who published the article on Spiritual Brotherhood of which you have seen a portion. Godson Ralph Silver has become converted to the spiritual side of Islam. So have many other people of Jewish ancestry but not Jewish religion.. Even the infants around us are chanting "Allah" and Arabic sacred phrases. Years ago one wrote that the little child Nathan Johnson aid a Sahjda the first time he met this person. One feels in all things the approval of Allah and His approval.

During all trials the help has been wonderful. Now one is receiving financial support. Now one is reaching larger audiences and universities. Ninety-percent of our work is on La Illaha El Il Allah and the rest on Rahmat Muhammad and the sifat-i-Allah. Or as one says following. Sheikh Al Hujwari (Data Ganj Buksh) “The true Riza is for Allah and not for man.”

Love and Blessings

Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti

Sufi Barkat Ali

Salarwala, Lyallpur District

West Pakistan

October 29, 1970

Beloved Murshid:

As-salaam aleikhum. Praise be to Allah who makes it possible to extend his own will into manifestation through the agencies of mankind. No doubt this is not in accord with many who believe that if we just sit by and do nothing, the will of Allah will be made manifest. But how about those Muslims who hold to such a point of view with regard to the affairs of the Near East? Are the affairs in the Near East working out in accord with the will of Allah, or is there some other will operating in the universe? If there is such a will, what is the effectiveness of Allah ho Akbar?

Last night some of us went to Dacca Restaurant in this city and began our chants. When we started this work, some Muslims came and said, “Muslims will not approve of what you are doing.” This person answered, “It is not a question of whether Muslims approve, it is a question of whether Allah approves.” People of the Jewish faith have substituted Adonai for Jehovah and Muslims repeat Islam instead of Allah. No doubt followers of Mahdoudi will adhere strictly to Islam-ism, but we are adhering (inshallah) to Allah-ism. We can call Allah-ism Islam or otherwise. For instance, this person differs from the Muslims and will continue to differ, for he says, “Mohammed from whom be peace,” and not Mohammed on whom be peace.” That is a state of consciousness and his wisdom or lack of it. But so far he has not found it to fail in a single instance.

Christians pray, “Thy will be done on earth,” but the majority of both Muslims and Christians seem to have replaced the will of Allah with their own private will. Mohammed, from whom be peace, said: “My words can never abrogate the words of Allah, but the words of Allah can abrogate my words.” This person has stopped arguing with so-called Muslims because whatever one says, the “good” Muslims will say weak Hadith. As every Hadith at every level has come from some Muslim of greater or lesser inspiration, and as the oppositions and criticisms come from men of nufs, this person has become very stubborn and the stubbornness has increased because of recent successes in every direction. Alhamdulillah. A good Muslim does not have to say Alhamdulillah; this person and his followers always do that.

At least five Pirs of Sufism gave the same predictions to this person that he would return to the United States and ultimately convert fifty thousand people. No Imam, no Tablighi has come anywhere near that. On the day before leaving San Francisco, one directed a dance in a large park with a thousand young people chanting Allah. This has never occurred before. One had to wait years and years, re-experiencing The Cave. And now one is out of the cave. The Chrysalis has become a butterfly. One is becoming welcome more and more and more. The late Hazrat Inayat Khan, who gave the original bayat, commissioned this person to reconcile science, intellectualism, and mysticism. None of his followers accepted these instructions or appointments. Each one wanted to have his own appointments and privileges confirmed and approved of, but they did not act as the great Founder of the Sohrawardi movement said: “Consideration consists of extending consideration to others and never expecting consideration from others.” Now everything is moving on a grand scale beyond one’s capacity but not beyond one’s receptivity to divine grace and kashf.

We have already sent out a team of technicians who have been most successful in filming and recording the endeavors of the Sufis of Iran and at Ajmer. They were given every sort of help by our good friend, Dr. Seyyed Hossein Nasr. The films are now being properly processed by my former secretary Mansur, who is exceedingly busy in his own vocation, and with some success, praise to Allah. These films should be ready next year, inshallah, and they will place Sufism on the proper standing as against the true or false teachings of other faiths.

This person has also been successful due to the operation of the grace of Allah, and not from his own personal efforts, in winning the good will of a rather wealthy man who is also a publisher. This man was looking for Sufis, and by an almost miraculous event, ran into one Philip Davenport, one of my mureeds who seems destined to follow the same sort of career. This man whose name is Walter Bowart wishes to publish the writings and biography of Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti. While in England he dared to invade the office of Idries Shah, the man who is giving to the world all sorts of literature labeled as Sufism. He challenged this man in his private office and demanded to know why he did not recognize actual Sufis working in the world of 1970 C.E. The news is that Idries Shah has surrendered. We hope so.

In the meanwhile, our endeavors to promote peace in the Near East by joint Israeli-Arab-dinners and other activities has been very successful, Alhamdulillah, to the point that we are getting some recognition from the radio stations and others. In the meanwhile, the aforesaid Philip Davenport was last heard of in India, and he may be going soon to Pakistan. We have given him an introduction to Ansar Nasri of Radio Pakistan and Dr. Alauddin Siddiqui at Lahore. He has already met Khalifa Khawar, who is now home, and you may be hearing from either or both of them.

Yesterday we were graced with over an hour’s interview from one of the top officials of the Columbia Broadcasting Company. They are interested in filming the meditations of Pir Vilayat Khan and the dances of Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti. These dances are spreading so rapidly that it has become beyond my personal capacity to handle the matters. This situation is also aggravated because no matter how much one does, others keep on expecting more. But then, look at the Near East! Look at Vietnam! Look at the emotional problems so prevalent especially in India and the United States. All we get is words or false personalities misleading the public.

One was able to present to the broadcasting representative a whole series of very solid facts which the press and publications have chosen to ignore. Today this very situation has increased one’s popularity, because when one tells the young people his experiences have been rejected, that alone gains popularity and very quickly. So we are planning to return to San Francisco around November 9, inshallah.

In the meanwhile our efforts toward peace on a spiritual basis have made considerable progress, and people of types who refused us interviews previously are now opening their doors.

It was Allah, and not mankind, who directed this person to teach spiritual dancing. And it is Allah and not mankind which has brought the success. Why, we even have a class at the University of California at Berkeley. This is in extreme contrast to the situation of previous years where, due to the machinations of Europeans and Englishmen, this person’s very presence was barred, when Dr. Nasr asked why, this person named the culprits—non-American, non-Muslim “experts.”

Praise to Allah, that day is over. One is being received with more and more consideration from and by the universities and the public. As a result, the instruction which seem so impossible to get fifty thousand Americans to say Allah is coming very close. This releases this person from having to remain in this land or any place; but the need of helping Americans is so great and never more than at this time that one feels for the cause of Allah one should remain here.

Our good friend, Mr. Chaudhuri, of the Pakistani consulate here has discussed many of these matters. He is concerned over the rise of Indian influences. Yes, multitudes of young Americans are giving Hindu chants. This person has no objection to Hindu chants, but does not see any wonders arising therefrom. Centuries ago, Buddha challenged such methods, and Isa (Jesus) also warned the people of his time not to indulge in vain repetitions. But there are so many strange events going on that one prefers to follow Mohammed (from whom be peace) and “say Allah and leave them to their devices.”’

Behind all this is that strength which comes in practicing the Daroods, which you felt were fundamental for this person’s higher development. Pragmatically, this has been so. These Daroods have been most effective, and this brings up the central theme of one’s own life: how far to present those inner sciences which belong to tasawwuf and beyond to a type of humanity which, for practical purposes, is new to the world.

One is not here facing Arab nomads whose main occupation is fighting each other. One is facing very well educated and often noble but misled young people who are seeking for wisdom and enlightenment. If some methods succeeded, that would not matter. It seems everybody has words for other people. I personally reject and deplore the abrogation of teachings of Mohammed, from whom be peace, by self-centered authorities on a religion given to the world without any formal body of clerics. Allah loves his creation more than a mother loves her children. One means and practices just that. Mohammed placed both knowledge and wisdom on a very high level. It is possible to bring this out into the open. One has, of course, very copies of Hadiths, only small sections and Mishkat. But there is another method, and a method which Sufis call fana-fi-Rassoul. This is embodied in the poem called Saladin, rejected of course by the “good” people of Islam just as its predecessors by the “good” peoples of other faiths. But the strength is there. And one also has the elements of a majestic poem, “Rassoul Gita” written from the standpoint of fana-fi-lillah.

In the meanwhile, there is too much to do. One seldom has any rest, and often during the hours of so-called sleep constant visions which become dances. And these dances are spreading, bringing multitudes of young to repeat the divine names. Opening the doors so one can now teach Zikrs in ways they were never taught before to promote moral and psychic upliftments for the benefit of mankind. There is, of course, much much more, and this is just a single person, keeping in a stage of permanent Zikr. With all love and blessings to my Pir-o-Murshid Sufi Barkat Ali from his devoted mureed Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti.

The Garden of Inayat

910 Railroad Ave.

Novato, Calif.

19th November, 1970

Most Honored and Loved Sufi Sahib:

As-salaam aleikum.

Say: “If the ocean were ink (wherewith to write out) the words of my Lord, sooner would the ocean be exhausted than would the words of my Lord, even if we added another ocean like it, for its aid.”

—Sura XVIII, 109, Yusuf Ali.

Recently a letter was written to our good friend, Dr. Seyyed Hossein Nasr of Tehran, and now circumstances necessitate a sequel. Despite Imam Al-Ghazzali that Sufism is based on experiences and not an premises, there are so many books purporting to be on tasawwuf and not based on human experiences, and sometimes very much on premises that one has, in a certain sense, to declare war. But just as one had to experience, let us say, outwardly, so many of the vicissitudes of The Cave, so now one is fighting a sort of Jihad. But it is very difficult to verbalize because especially in the Western world, but not entirely so, there are a great many “experts” and authorities accepted by scholars to the degree that even if the “experts” and authorities were to concede, their followers would not. But one has no time to reply to the people of nufs no matter how learned, or even wise.

One has before him at this writing Yusuf Ali’s The Holy Qur’an and Maxims of Ali and the Awarifu-l-Ma’Arif and “Futuh Al-Ghaib”—the materials on and of Moineddin Chisti are at my San Francisco office. One no longer is concerned with the rejection of mystics by the intellectuals because alhamdu lillah we have a publisher who is anxious to get out all the Sufic materials he can have and he has begged this person to write. Besides, inshallah, next month one shall be calling on him in person.

One hardly see the need to write commentaries on Holy Qur’an, because a commentary on the above and also on “Nur” could keep one busy all the time. There are so many ignorant bigoted orthodox who say that Holy Qur’an has one meaning when in the Hadith one reads: “Holy Qur’an was sent down in seven dialects and each has an inner and outer meaning.” Nor is one going to waste time with bigots who yell “weak hadith!” whenever you quote what they do not like. For this person believes that the weakest Hadith has more authenticity than the utterances of the people of nufsaniat.

The publisher in Arizona has asked for everything from this person and one will probably begin with “Six Interviews with Hazrat Inayat Khan.” These interviews are based on the direct experiences in 1925 in turn with Khidr, the Prophets-in-Chain, Mohammed and Elijah, the last bestowing for the first time that robe which one had from your hands and which one is wearing at this time. This is a New Age and now a mystic may speak and write despite all the presumably learned scholars who have never had veils lifted.

For a long time one only had The Sufi Message of Spiritual Liberty of Hazrat Inayat Khan; and Kashf-i-Mahjub. But after the death of Inayat Khan his nominal successor, Murshida Rabia Martin sent this person into Khilvat with Awarifu-l-Ma’Arif. It would be unfair to write a report before that of the Six Interviews is completed.

When the veils are lifted by Divine Grace there is an insight which often operates as perfect. Long experience has corroborated that. A few weeks ago one was directed, so to speak, to give public lectures on “initiation” in San Francisco and on the spiritual hierarchy in Marin County which is to the north of San Francisco. The audiences are large and growing. The responses are beautiful. There is not a cloud on the horizon at this time, alhamdu lillah.

While one has been ready to lecture on the spiritual hierarchy from the viewpoint of Hearst Inayat Khan, the arrival of Futuh Al-Ghaib made one realize that the directive of kashf was correct. Only to me the work of Hazrat Inayat Khan is perfected so far as literary forms are concerned in these writings of the greatest of his predecessors Hazrat Ali, Ghaus-I-Azam, the Grand Sheikh Suhrawardi and Moineddin Chisti.

The great difficulty of the day is of a totally different order. One is constantly being taken up into hal. Sometime ago one gave a rose dance which seemed to be in honor of Abdul Qadir Gilani. The participants are in four circles each chanting a phase of Zikr. It had a grand effect upon both the participants and audiences and will be continued Inshallah. But today one perfected a different kind of rose dance for a small group of women who illustrate the opening of the rosebud and chant “Allah Hu.” These chants and dances are attracting more and more young people.

Due to the long illness of the chief khalif the work done on Thursday nights has been interrupted and one has been directed, so to speak, to Futuh al-Ghaib. Coming upon the Seventy-Eighth Discourse one has found such perfect teaching that it is time to give it to the world and stop all this nonsense of ignorant people and bigots. But this stopping will be done strictly in accord with Ghaus-i-Azam himself using the moral instructions.

Monday night as if Divinely directed one put into practice what one has written about before the use of the Sifat-I-Allah either in Wazifa or simple form to correct moral and psychic aberrations. This is not theory. Four or more persons felt that they had had a correction of their own ills and sins without any sermons without any other directive. It was like a miracle. One has long felt this should be done.

Everybody is hearing about the hippy revolution in America. Some people are hearing about the rise of the Hare Krishna movement. But we believe we shall be able to have these directives known to the world. For alhamdu lillah a disciple who is a professor at the University of California has not only introduced our work for credit but has arranged two evenings for this person in the near future.

It is very difficult to keep a perfect balance after one has been spurned by so many and find now that Allah, so to speak, is coming to his help both in the literature now available and in the actual lifting of the veils covering the consciousness.

One has long held before him the Hadith “in that day shall the sun rise in the West and all men seeing, believe.” Beloved Pir-o-Murshid, you may realize that in addition to having to face orthodoxies one also has to face the new “Hare Krishna” and other movements. These seem to touch the inner consciousness of the young and undoubtedly elevate them. But one does not know a single case of spiritual awakening through such methods.

The great Buddha in his time challenged a number of methods of Indian people because they did not work. Jesus Christ also warned against “vain repetitions as do the heathen.” But one cannot directly cope with ignorant emotional people. Besides wisdom must be something more than a blind word to be hurled as a directive. To me wisdom without Rahmat is useless. One has to learn to be gentle and kind but never to the extent of abandoning wisdom. One does not go forth merely to make friends like a politician. One must go forth hoping to awaken the souls of humanity. And one finds that if one is sincere and determinative results follow.

One now has a large number of disciples; a fair number of applicants; invitations to visit many parts of the United States; requests for articles; and the expansion of Dervish dancing on a scale which at the moment is beyond his ability. For this work alone requires time, need to put the dances into literary forms, and many other aspects. It is not for fun; it is not for pleasure; it is to raise the devotional spirit of the young. Fortunately many of the young are most interested in this approach and this in turn means one has to be busy all the time.

Praise to Allah one has excellent help. One is in fine mental condition and one hopes he is devoting himself along the lines of spiritual instruction especially at the moment as laid down by Hazrat Inayat Khan and Abdul Qadir Gilani and all the Sufis in chain.

Love and Blessing,

Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti

Dec. 23, 1970

Sufi Barkat Ali

Salarwala

Lyallpur District, West Pakistan

Beloved Pir-O-Murshid:

As-salaam-aleikhum! It is very necessary to make some reports. One did not write sooner because one has been overworked and had problems on the material plane, nearly all of which were given as tests for the personality. Arising out of these problems has been a nervous disorder which put one under the doctor’s care, but if people are foolish to react about this? If one were to summarize everything it would be the pursuit and, inshallah, the fulfillment of the Chisti-Kadiri-Sabri Order.

One does not know where to begin. Some very wise disciples have secured the best works available in English of the founders of the Chisti, Kadiri, and Sohrawardi Orders. At least two disciples and this person were reading Futuh al-Ghaib when the disaster struck East Pakistan. We all felt independently that an attitude which could be called Kadiri-Sabri was the best. But that has not stopped us from sewing longees which may soon be sent to East Pakistan, inshallah.

In their Murshid’s absence a number of disciples planned a Dervish Bazaar. This was originally to help promote peace in the Near East, but has changed in order to raise funds and get other assistance for the unfortunate humanity of East Pakistan. Evidently Allah was with us, for the first time the news-papers and radio stations took some interest in our work.

There is a young woman disciple here named Basira. She saw the Bazaar attended by hundreds and hundreds of people—and this proved to be so. Then she was blessed by the appearance to her of the Apostle of Mecca, from whom be peace, giving his blessing, and this proved to be so. Indeed a vice-consul from Pakistan attended the affair.

We had mostly Near East food, Dervish Dancing and Choral singing. These chorales are based chiefly on Wazifas. They have attracted so much attention that money has been allotted for tapes and phonograph records. And we all agree these should be put on the market to help the poor people of Bengal.

In the meanwhile this person who seems to have an ear attuned to the Divine Voice, completed his writings on Fana-fi-Sheikh. Hs asked Allah, “Why not more?” and Allah said, “Enough.” Now my chief disciple, Wali Ali, has just reported a beautiful manifestation to his of Ghaus-i-Azam, and this brought the message, in accord with the above, that this person would be known to the brethren of the future for his literary work on Fana-fi-Pir, which will come in between in a sense, Fana-fi-Sheikh, and Fana-fi-Rassoul. (In the meanwhile, the commentary work on Kashf, based on the writings of Hazrat Inayat Khan, has been completed. Work on Mushahida keeps one busy from time to time.)

We are now getting hundreds and hundreds of Americans to say Allah, and when you get 300 “unbelievers” to join in singing “La illaha el allahu, Mohammeda Rassoul Lillah,” this is something no tablighi group has ever accomplished. Muslims have said to me, “Muslims will not approve.” I said to them, and I say again, “It is not whether Muslims approve, it is whether Allah approves.”

Other than the disturbance alluded to in the first paragraph, the health and strength are not being recognized. We are also working on “Six Interviews With Hazrat Inayat Khan” which grew out of the original Khizr experience, which Hazrat Inayat Khan accepted and his followers almost unanimously rejected (excepting Mr. Paul Reps, a fairly well-known writer).

One is now being received by the Universities and at least two professors are going over my poetry. In the month of January, perhaps late in the month, one expects, inshallah, to visit the state of Arizona, both to present spiritual teachings and to have my manuscripts examined for probable publication. Regardless of what Muslims, so-called, think, Holy Qur’an teaches that the Divine Light is neither of the East nor the West. Allah has made all people, and there is even the possibility of our reaching some of the top Zionists. One cannot convince ignorant Muslims that Zionists are not religious synagogue Jews. Some have no religion at all, and many are accepting Indian teachings! But we stick to La Illaha el il Allah.

The number of disciples is growing. The attendance at meetings is growing. The Christian year, coming to a close, has brought love, blessing and work. Maybe this is as Allah wishes. All our activities are expanding.

It was noticeable at the Bazaar there were also represented Jewish people of mystical outlook; three different esoteric Buddhist groups; the chief subordinate of the most successful Yoga teacher in this country, and many seekers of maw kinds.

All love and blessing,

Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti

Jan. 2, 1971

Praise be to Allah!

This has been a glorious exit, and one which will go down in history, a sign of all the beauty, truth and goodness in the universe.

One has been truly saved from the jaws of death and adversity, and may live on indefinitely as God wills. It is the sign of all symbol and goodness, and the establishment of God’s Message in the Western world forever, praise be to Allah!

For I am the first one born in the West to have received the Divine Message, and believe to have representatives in all the purity and goodness of which Allah is capable and which will now be presumed done forever….

Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti

Cairo, UAR

December 12, 1960

Peg Allmond

470 23rd Ave.

San Francisco 21, Calif.

My Dear Peg:

I have been in this far-away land for over three months and will probably be here two months more. I hope this finds you well and I assume that you may be interested in some of the contents herein.

Primarily I came to this country with a number of missions. Most of these missions were snubbed in the United States, where I could hardly get an interview. But my experiences in Oriental countries had been so totally different one could not help wondering whether the Arabs would greet me as had the Japanese, Thai, Burmese, Pakistanis and Indians, or greet me as the Americans, or as the Europeans who not only snub but sneer.

I can only say here briefly that I entered this country as a VIP, my treatment here has been as a VIP but my “success” has been far out of line with any portion of my earlier career. For not only have all my proposals been accepted by Egyptians or Arabs but the government has commended me and the whole force of the American Embassy is behind me. Not only that, but at this writing the San Rafael Independent and Chet Huntley have asked for news. I have known Chet at two different periods in Hollywood, the first when he was a nobody, the second when he was becoming somebody, and now, of course, when he is tops. I have also had articles in the daily press, in Arabic.

While I keep a diary, I send letters chiefly to those periods who are particularly concerned with events of the day. Only one of these (Audley Nichols of San Rafael) is in “the profession,” but a few letters receive letters mostly as personal friends.

Cairo is a wonderful city to me for two quite different orders of reasons. The one, of course, has been the gratification of the treatment received at all levels. At times this is hard to take, and I will not write further on it here. Only it becomes a question as to what degree of “fame” is achieved here, which may be effective when I return. I have no intention to bother with other persons for it would seem I am “growing” in effectiveness and that is important to me and may also be a deciding factor in where I live afterwards.

The second series of reasons why Cairo is wonderful is that you find it a series of cities of all periods from 960 to 1960 both inclusive. It is very hard to get an over-all and it is not necessary to got an over-all as Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, London or Tokyo. In a few respects it resembles Nara, Japan, in that the life of earlier ages with arts, architecture and what not are preserved. But it also includes the arts, architecture and lives of intermediary periods. So that when one walks about, which I do a good deal, one enters into different centuries, so to speak. This type of adventure is far from exhausted.

The most interesting part of the city, outside my profession, is the Khan-i-Khalili Bazaar. There all kinds of folk arts are preserved. I have sent and may send a few things to Gump’s and to the Rudolph Schaeffer School of Design. I have also sent essences of perfumes to the Favermam Drug Co. on Larkin & Turk. I am unable to do more as all moneys for all purposes come out of my own pocket (and actually I am accomplishing what some rather vociferous corporations are crying for money for and not doing at all).

The bazaar regions are of two types. In the one type you see the segregated professors as cloth merchants, goldsmiths, silversmiths, leather workers, ironworkers, etc. occupying whole streets or even districts. In the other arrangement, there is more general merchandising. I ran into both of them today.

I am in need of shoes. There are at least four types of footwear here: modern shoes, mosque shoes, folk-shoes and slippers or sandals, which do not have leather bottoms. As Pakistan has both better heavy shoes and folk shoes than this country, I want to get the mosque shoe type. This can be slipped on and off easily and as the mosques represent the best type of historical edifices, everybody visits some of them whether one is a Muslim or not. Besides, this type is, in a sense, unique. Also they are very cheap compared to the others.

Most mosque-type shoes are for men, but I have seen them in all sizes and very cheap, too, from our point of view. But it is the folk-type which caught my eye today. You do not see them in the stores that are scattered about in this district or in the rather extended “down-town” shopping sections which are not too far away. They have their own type of inlay and coloring, and I have not examined them closely. What I did do is to price them and I got out of buying for two quite legitimate reasons! I did not have with me either your address or that of certain female cousins to whom I may send some. I also have some foot outlines, but will have to look to see which lady friends these are from, outside the cousins.

Last week I went down to the bazaar section to buy but not only am I temporarily up on my limit of money but even more so on my time and more on my time than money. So it may be several weeks before I do anything. Besides none of the stores or bazaar-shops had all the types I would select.

As the prices run roughly from about $1 to $2.50, a packet of four or five pairs may be sent under the $10 limit. I do not know at the moment how or what to select, but my present intention is to someday send a package to you. Roughly speaking I should like one pair for permanent display, one pair (provided they fit) for Leonora Martin and one pair for your good self. This, of course, is indeterminate. I have not at the moment compared the foot outlines which I have—which seem typically American—with the sizes of the ladies’ shoes seen in the bazaars, and I am, course, writing some time ahead of any shipment.

Both from the folk-art and general art point of view I think these shoes may be interesting, although they may not come up to expectations of other shoes.

I have also done my first sampling of Arab clothing for myself, which again, is part of folk-art effort. The man’s gowns may be picturesque, they make good lounging robes, but hardly are adopted to dancing.

I am now glad I did not bring my record player here. This country is not ready for folk dancing, yet. You have to take it on faith that I have met thousands of people and I find that the serious young are more interested in having dancing introduced than the mass. I have received a letter from one Bette Reeve of Mill Valley whose mother was my first dancing partner, that there is a move to introduce folk dancing as a counter-effort to subversive espionage. I am all in favor of it, but you can’t do it en masse here through any YMCA. This would attract a limited clientele.

The Whirling Dervishes here are of a low order, other dervishes, whom we entirely ignore, are great in number and contain very high-class members, including large segments of the leading scientists and apprentices in engineering and scientific research. TV is just beginning but I could easily get any folk dance team on TV as I stand “in” there. I met the TV director in Cleveland and it is I who am holding back from a studio visit.

I have seen several dervish ceremonies. They have unusual forms of singing, none of which I have ever heard recorded and I am inclined to believe there is a strong Christian influence utterly ignored by book-writers. They also have movements in their ceremonies which are like letters of a dance alphabet and sometimes movements without moving from place. The few Negroes I have been I have seen among them are the most skillful in this and also in the singing, but I think some of the dark-skinned are Sudanese and not true Negroes. I do know that I can tape-record all kinds of things others are not permitted or do not care to see.

Yet it is among the younger of these types that I have found the most cordiality. Recently I did see a large group of un-chaperoned young people trying to have their own folk-dancing in a park. There were no elders around. They may have been Christians for this seems to me unusual for Muslims. But there are plenty of Christians, too, here—I mean among the Egyptians.

For my part the best type of dancing to start off with would be the line and circle dances found from Yugoslavia to this region. There is also some interest in “Latin-American” dancing.

Before Squares could be introduced the shyness of body-touching would have to be overcome, plus the suitable arrangements of calls. Of course our calls themselves are a sort of lingua franca. This subject I shall look into again in Lahore, Pakistan, where there had been a beginning when I was there four years ago.

The folk-dance shoes will also support the kolo-horo type and there is now some infiltration of Syrian influence. The Syrians, though Muslims, do have some folk dances but I have not visited that region and it does not look as if I can with limited finances and tremendous numbers of projects to keep me busy all the time.

Not only that but it looks as if, before the week ends, I shall be drawn into some other matters, extending my lines, so to speak, but so far successfully.

I have sent a copy of this to Kraemer’s, so they can read a little of what is going on—which is very little as to the full report of my full time.

Cordially,

Sam

P.S. I am now writing Leonard on the perils of fame. Fortunately being a dar-veeeesh, they don’t bakshish me so much, but they come after “baraka” which is a rather complex subject, which we translated as “blessings” but the latter word does not connote much. For “baraka” includes magnetism, the supposition of healing or other powers and what not. The shaking of hands is a much greater favor than the bestowal of money; other gifts, however, are welcome. At the present moment I am both mingling with the hoi polloi (something which is not done) and also with the top bananas (something which is known by the European “Orientalists” that I can’t possibly do).

Cairo

January 17, 1961

My dear Peggy:

At last they are off. It was not easy. I hope the package will get across the seas safely. Anyhow it is insured. I have sent three pairs of slippers, three pairs of shoes and. I got them so that each pair would be distinct in color and size, to give you an idea of what they make here. I have also purchased a cheap pair of shoes for myself and am getting another pair made to order, but they are not picturesque.

The Khan-i-Khalili Bazaar district is one of the most delightful in Cairo. You get old smells and sounds and sights but not dirt. It is much more advanced than “Old Cairo” but it is still the centre of folk-art activity, all kinds. I have asked the merchants to include cards and information with the package.

I do not have much time to watch the craftsmen and there is still a long way to go to organize them and to preserve or advance skills of another day. There is also a gap between the traditional and modern, and though it is being filled, this is not true in all lines.

I have selected these shoes without any idea of measurement and also without any idea of disposition. Roughly speaking I hope one pair fits you and I hope one pair fits Leonora Martin, but I don’t know how she can contact you. The others you can exhibit or sell. As I have purchased these at my own risk, this is not business. But if you do sell them, the cost price landed in San Francisco for the sandals is about $1.25 and for the shoes about $4.00. Guide yourself as you will. If you still have them when I return I am willing to take them off your hands, but somehow or other you may have use for them, if for none other than exhibition purposes.

I love leave Cairo on February 16, Port Said on February 20^th for Pakistan. My first address there will be c/o Consulate, U.S.A., Karachi. The shoes and indeed all the gifts I purchased from that country arrived safely in the U.S. And I am liable to send you others from there—beaded and such. But you must have that pair I brought to your place and you can judge the value and lasting quality better than I can. The cheapest pair of Pakistani shoes I bought for myself has stood up remarkable well.

I shall have been in this country about 5 1/2 months and I expect to stay at least an equal time in both Pakistan and India, though I do not know how much will be in traveling or how much in one place. My life here is full of adventures, mostly recorded; and on the whole very much better than I had expected, even though at times I seem to have set quite a high mark. Well, whatever those marks, on the whole they have been achieved, though that is another story.

I shall go to the bazaars once more to purchase some things for myself, including, no doubt, an Arab costume. There is also another bazaar nearby where I can use Diner’s Credit Card. I have been using this for meals and had some most enjoyable meals in this part of the world. They have plain cooking in this pension, fancier in the hotels, but not worth the difference. I do not know how many types of clothing I shall collect, but some will be used by me on the trip.

The and above is a different matter. I have included some silver purchases. They are to go to my friend Seth (Silver) Wood, Trade Fair, Sausalito. There are two small pieces, and one larger one. One of the small ones is for Wilma Young, and the two others for Seth.

Buying things is relatively easy here. Shipping is both difficult and expensive, so I am compelled to fill in the niches in my luggage with purchases and some of these will be carried all the way around, and it is a long way to get home, Beside, if, as, and when I get to Penang, Malaya, I know I am going to receive more things. I am assuming I can hold out. My exploits are reported to different person but I have to put them in my diary and can’t write everybody. I have adventures every day.

Of a different nature. The first American I met here was Paul Keim of Berkeley and he has been very helpful—in technical and scientific adventures. He has a tall, white haired secretary, who knows how to be a receptionist and then some. Today I learned she teaches Latin-American dances; as I have to see her anyhow I am going to sound her out in this and related subjects.

Another reason is that two days ago I heard square dance call in Arabic! I was walking through the streets “down town” and was amazed. I have not seen much in that line yet and the traditional public dances have a long way to go. There are also undeveloped dervish dances which, if developed, would be without partners. At the moment I see much more opportunity for kolos than for partner-dances, but one does not know how fast changes may take place here. Certainly music is developing at a fast rate.

I have to see the Director of TV here who is a good friend of mine and I may sound him out. Satchmo Armstrong is expected here any day but will not remain and doubt whether his visit heard will have any effect on the Egyptians. Worse, I expect to read wide-spread and useless news from the States which will be very misleading.

Of course I have all sorts of materials for books and have been off the beaten path, but the unusual is not always welcome and there is plenty of the unusual here.

I hope this you well. No answer is necessary. If you do sell the shoes and make a profit, may be a door will be opened, but that is too far away. I can only guess at their reception. I am, however, sincerely and seriously interested in markets for Pakistani shoes in the States.

Cordially

Samuel L. Lewis

Address February 26-March 10

U.S. Consulate, Karachi, Pakistan

Then K-482, Old Kunj St.

c/o Abdul Rahman, Abbottabad, Hazara, West Pakistan

Lewis Visits Franciscan Fathers

On Monday, January 23, Sam Lewis, wandering Mariner, called at the church of the Assumption of Our Lady which is the headquarters of the Franciscan Fathers in Cairo, UAR. As one who was born within a few yards of the Mission Dolores in San Francisco, Sam has always had a warm affection for this Order, which he shares with many people of this region.

The meeting with the Fathers was both pleasant and informative. They must speak at least English, French and Latin to enter this monastery; and generally know German, Greek and sometimes Italian or Spanish. They must be conversant with Arabic and Coptic before they leave.

The monks are engaged in research, literary, archaeological and liturgy. Much attention is paid to the part that Mother Mary plays in church services, theology and in Christian life generally. This requires a study into the whole field of Coptic religion and culture. Studies are made in early Christianity, its literature and its institutions.

The tradition is that St. Mark established Christianity in Egypt and in a certain manner he is the patron saint of the region. But the Holy Family is said to have stopped in a place just adjacent to old Cairo where there is a little shrine.

The Franciscan Fathers came here in the early days of their order and have a continuous history since the thirteenth century. They are thus the oldest Christian institution here other than those groups which were developed in Egypt; i.e. the Copts. During this time some Copts and other Oriental Christians have acceded to Rome, maintaining their language in the Church Service and sometime a few of their earlier customs but adhering to the theology of the Roman Catholic Church.

The Church of the Assumption of our Lady operates for the benefit of the Fathers and Brothers and they do not operate any school other than for their specialized studies. The Dominican Fathers specialize in the relation of Christianity to Islam which visit may be forthcoming.

Lewis also passed two synagogues in this region. Ones was in the European manner and was closed. The other was a Sephardic synagogue. This was established when the Jewish people were exiled from Spain and sought refuge here. It has been in continuous operation. The prayer book and the architecture are of the universal Sephardic pattern—though this is not well known to those who are not specialists.

San Lewis reports from Cairo that all his principal missions have, in a sense, come to fulfillment and he is writing out lengthy reports with the hope that they may assist in promoting relations between the United States and the Arabic world. So far all his efforts have been encouraged by both the UAR government and the Agricultural and State Departments of the United States.

The selection of Adlai Stevenson as delegate to the UN is with general approval abroad. This man is one of the most popular Americans in all Asia. Sam says: “I was never for Stevenson for President. I always granted him to be our delegate to the UN and think he is in the post for which he is most suited.”

On Sunday, January 22nd Sam attended a football (soccer) game between Cairo and Alexandria. The Cairo team won. “The passing of these players was excellent. No one on the winning team tried to be a hero. There were few long runs, there was excellent passing and coordination, much like that of some of our better basket-ball teams. The stadium, the audience and the behavior was about the same as one meets with anywhere. Lewis thinks that UAR needs more sports, but not necessarily better players; they have them.

American Council on the Middle East

P. O. Box 19227

Washington, D. C. 20036

December 11, 1969

Mr. Samuel L. Lewis

410 Precita Avenue

San Francisco, California 41190

Dear Mr. Lewis:

Please accept my sincere thanks for your illuminating letter of December 7. I assure you that I am glad to learn of your efforts for peace and understanding.

The American Council on the Middle East is dedicated to peace between the Arabs and the Jews in the Middle East. But we believe that real and lasting peace must be preceded by a just settlement of the issues that brought about war between them. Peace, imposed by force of arms is not real peace and would not last.

As you stated, there must be clear and sincere understanding between persons and nations, in order to achieve peace and cooperation. Peace must come from the heart.

I hope that you agree with these views and that you will support us.

Frank C. Sakran

Executive Secretary

December 14, 1969

American Council on the Middle East

P. O. Box 19227

Washington, D.C. 20036

Beloved Ones of God:

This follows your letter of December 11. There is no outward reason for not joining American Council on the Middle East, but I find in general that organizations purporting to work in an international field seem to proclaim that all wisdom directed to the solution of problems and situations is centered in their own board of directors, and that even “God” has nothing to do with the solution of problems. The fallacy here is that the problems have not been solved, indeed have been augmented. Nor do I see any sign that wisdom belongs to any group, caste, race, or nation. And I see few signs among those who verbally or otherwise dissent to these words that in actuality practice acceptance thereof.

In 1928 I submitted a peace program to the World Church Peace Council that proposed the internationalization or a-politicalization both of Jerusalem and all sacred cities. But our culture is such that although we may provide for the lamb and lion lying down together, we are adamant in rejecting the possibility of a little child leading them, or an unknown presenting any program. So we have the problems, and we are going to continue to have the problems until we adapt peace with universal will, not “good” will, for I personally reject all dualisms and will not compromise that the sun and rain are for the just and unjust.

I not only have taught in churches, synagogues, and mosques, which is an accomplishment few people seem to have, I can worship in churches, synagogues and mosques without being ostentatious about it. I am, to begin with, a teacher in Sufism, that grand mystical philosophy which is precluded from this culture. And I think one of the very first things we ought to work with is the right of Arabs and Muslims to offer their culture in our institutions. We have done nothing of the kind. A generation back, and even more recently, I personally was barred from several institutions of learning in this land by Englishmen and Europeans proclaimed as “masters” of Islamic culture. This is nonsense. If I had been barred by a Muslim it would not have been nonsense. Therefore I do not know what you mean by “just settlement” until some form of justice provides for instructions in Arab culture in this land on a basis fairly comparable to instructions in European and Jewish cultures.

The group of Sufis hers has just celebrated Chanukah and will celebrate Christmas, as well as Ramadan. I hope, inshallah, to be able to go to a conference of all faiths, under the auspices of The Temple of Understanding next year. I hope to be able to present three names before that august assemblage, i.e., Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent Emperor Akbar, and Prince Dara Shikoh. Their exclusion from our culture is a defect for which I see no excuse. But we do not accept such of the Sermon on the Mount, nor do we accept the closing chapters of the Book of the Prophet Malachi which terminates the Hebrew Scriptures.

Boccaccio has given us the story of the Three Rings. The German Lessing has almost immortalized this in his Nathan the Wise. I myself have written a Hebraic, Christian, and Islamic epic (3 of them) covering this general topic. Money which I would have liked to share with so-called “peace” organizations is being withheld so that I can publish these epics. We have a lot of nonsense such as “the family that prays together stays together”; I call this blatant, arrogant braggadocio unless it is also extended to mean “the world that prays together stays together.” I do not propose the termination of any religion or any group, but only harmonious relationships.

I do not propose anything without carrying it into action. This Sufi group has celebrated Chanukah with the Jews, and we are proposing to celebrate Christ’s birthday minus Santa Clausism with Christians. But our next venture is the possibilities, inshallah, of having a Sufi teacher as a guest who has remained in Palestine during all the turmoil, as a citizen of Israel. There is a far cry between proposals and actualities, and what has irked me and I ask no forgiveness for it, has been the rejection of actualities by those who are proposing. Yours is not the only organization presumably working in this field. The common policy seems to be both other extant groups and all proposals from unimportant persons. Jesus Christ has said, “In the hour ye think least, the Son of Man cometh.” The Bible also teaches, “The stone that is rejected is become the cornerstone.”

We work unorganized. We work unorganized because organizations seem to be interested only in: a. the promotion of their own prowess to the neglect of the prowess of all others. b. the collection of monies from the outside world to promote their programs. We are seeking no outside help. We rely on God-Allah who to us is actuality—not a thought, not an ideal, not an epiphenomenon but Actuality. We work, pray, and live with Muslims, Christians, and Hebrews, and without ostentation. A number of us are of mixed races and bloods.

The whole tenor and trend of the New Age is toward real brotherhood, not subjective poppycock from nature persons called “brotherhoods.” Brotherhood consists of extending the hand of fraternity to the non-brother, not in proclaiming a subjective philosophy. Of course I am ready to share with those who can accept us as being their brothers, and if you can consider our ideas, and our ideals and accomplishments as in accord with your own endeavors we shall be only too glad to send you the proper financial disbursements to this common and.

With love and blessings in the name of Allah-God and all His Prophets and Messengers, the founders of all religions.

Faithfully,

Samuel L. Lewis

Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti

American Council on the Middle East

P. O. Box 19227

Washington, D. C. 20036

December 27, 1969

Mr. Samuel L. Lewis

410 Precita Avenue

San Francisco, California 41190

Dear Mr. Lewis:

Thank you for your letter of December 14.

Let me assure you that we are working for peace, real and lasting peace in the Middle East. Let me also say that up to now we have not advanced nor developed any specific peace program. And to be honest with you, I confess I do not know yet what kind of peace proposals have a chance of acceptance by the parties, nor what sort of proposals would bring about lasting peace.

If you have any ideas on the subject, please let us have them. We will welcome any suggestions on this subject.

I personally have had great respect for the Sufis and their philosophy. But while I have studied the philosophies of many schools I have deemed it inadvisable to identify myself officially with any particular ones. I prefer to keep my mind open for new ideas.

I think you and I have similar philosophies in many fields.

I do hope that we can count on your support and the support of your followers.

Sincerely,

Frank C. Sakran

Executive Secretary

December 30, 1969

Executive Secretary

Mr. Frank C. Sakran

American Council on the Middle East

P. O. Box 19227

Washington, D.C. 20036

Dear Sir,

One must acknowledge your very fair letter of December 27, and inshallah, we may be working closely with you. It is many many years since this person started on a career, a most lamentable career, of working for peace through religion. One studied the religions of the world. One studied the food problems of many Asian countries. One came up with proposals which have neither been refuted nor accepted. So long as there is noblesse oblige, so long as ideas are not important but the expressions of persons are important, we can hardly solve problems. Here one gave as a Christmas message, over and over again, “Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain laid low.” Religion and tradition simply do not accept this, and so we have wars, and will continue to have wars, and all our expressions of humanity or even humanism become vanities. It is a pity.

I am preparing to attend a convocation of the religions of the world under the auspices of The Temple of Understanding. My program for Jerusalem, etc., offered in 1928 has never been accepted, never been refuted. So it has been withdrawn with the hopes that conflicting opinion will sooner or later have to seek some other approach.

Last night two men came here who refused to call themselves “Muslims” anymore on the ground that any “Islam” based on hatred of anybody, rather than love for Allah, is futile. I think this is a marvelous step in the right direction.

Potential cooperation with your organization depends largely on a forthcoming event: an Arab, who is a citizen of Israel and an actual or putative Sufi is expected shortly. We hope to learn from him both ideas and proposals that can diminish hatreds and provide solutions—not suitable solutions but solutions; we believe any solution would be a suitable solution. Our program requires the adaptation of practical methods. We believe there should be, indeed there must be, neutral recognition of various religions and holy places. We see in desert reclamation infinite potentialities for the solution of many of the problems of the day. We practice the brotherhood of man, without verbal nonsense. We welcome all peoples. We have a mass of materials both on the religions of the world, and the potentialities of development of the Near East. We believe there is a God; we believe as Qur’an teaches that He always has his vice-gerents on earth. We do not accept the outworn method of pious appeals. We consider the resolutions passed by both Muslims and Israelis vanity and useless. Although any actual suggestion is controversial, when the Greeks and Turks fought some 140 years ago, the great powers took it upon themselves to bring peace by intervention. We believe this may be necessary now. We intend to work for actualities, and not pious hypocritical useless emotional appeals.

We shall write later, either after this Arab from Palestine comes, or if he fails o come. But we must insist that groups who pretend to be interested in peace in the Near East begin by demanding serious studies of Arabic culture in this land, and not the use of prominent characterized dis-interested intellectuals. With Zionists having an access to our universities (no objection), we should have “equal time” given to other parties.

Faithfully,

Samuel L. Lewis

58 Harriet St.

San Francisco 3, Calif.

[likely March 1964]

American Friends of the Middle East

323 Geary St.

San Francisco 3, Calif.

Dear Friends:

In view of two separate articles in today’s paper certain views are recorded that they may be sent on to the home office without prejudice.

The first of these is a report that Nasser is arming with the ultimate view of warring against Israel. Other factors aside the danger here is that it may terminate the existing UN organization unless something is done. And with the peculiar experience of always being able to communicate with UN officials and unable to do so with Americans involved, I feel now at any cost to put some pointers on the table.

Religion and Peace. I was at one time connected with the defunct Carnegie Group, “World Peace through Religion” and whatever the approach may have been, it was exemplified by the meeting between Christians and Muslims some years back in Beirut. In a vague way also it was instituted by the late Secretary of State, Mr. Dulles, at the UN conferences here in San Francisco in 1955.

The idea of having Hebrews, Christians and Muslims sit down together or pray together, or “come let us reason, together with the Lord may or may not be feasible. There is now be instituted a scientific group for the study of religion. This might involve theology and mysticism but one is more concerned whether it might become a modus operandi to place cards on the table and promote, at least indirectly some form of brotherhood and understanding. At the present time Judaism and Christianity are taught objectively and Asian faiths subjectively in the United States—a situation which is paralleled by the statement above that one can actually communicate with Israelis, and Arabs (though separately) and UN officials, but not usually with the bodies who tend to regard all Asians as things rather that human beings, unconsciously.

Water. I certainly cannot ask AFME to express any opinion on my private philosophy that the solution of California’s water problems will establish a precedent for the solution of water problems elsewhere. But there is in today’s paper a proposal, “How to Irrigate The Continent.”

SE Asia. This point is introduced because during the long turmoil in SE Asia and especially in Vietnam, no attention has been paid to the real religions of the real people in this area. The Chinese are able to infiltrate and say we have come to destroy the native and national religions and we either ignore the charge and respond by producing names and books by people who have never worshipped with the nationals.

This is motioned because yesterday at the World Affairs Council luncheon, the speaker, a highly place Pentagon officer who has been stationed in Saigon affirmed that one of our great weaknesses is our hauteur toward the local faiths. And it is no answer to anything to have “famous” Englishmen and Canadians lecture on “Islam” or book writers lecture on “Buddhism.” We have refused to accept hints that Asian nationals are very sensitive on this point.

Society for the Scientific Study of Religion. The A.A.A.S., the chief scientific organization in this country has announced the recent formation of such a body. It is very strange that the United States which formulated a program at the Columbia Exposition in 1893 of having each religion of the world presented by its own devotees, after establishing this formula, has gone in entirely different directions. And whatever moral or political arguments are presented, actually it has lead to our own undoing in one Asian land after another that we do not give credence to the actual beliefs or superstitions of these people, we do not take them seriously.

I must also call to you attention that the Ford Foundation, which works on the premise of the reality of the religions of Asia, is doing more for human rehabilitation, for peaceful coexistence between Asia and the United States, and even for some form of individualistic capitalistic society that any other group.

My own personal premises based on the life of Sir Richard Burton have been of great advantage to me personally; so far they have been of no use to my country. In military strategy when one tactic fails another is tried; but in diplomatic circles the methods re too often been retarded as more important than the goal itself.

Faithfully,

Samuel L. Lewis

 772 Clementina St.,

 San Francisco 3, Calif.

 January 5, 1965

My Dear Admiral Felt:

a. Following the letter written recently I have also now written to Edward Lansdale, copy enclosed. It gives some aspects of a life dedicated to “God and country” but on bases not usually followed. One can only say that what has been done has been done, and efforts have, almost without exception been approved in Asia and by Asians here.

b. After years and years of effort, and rejection, on radio station (KPFA) has expressed its willingness for me to submit a paper on “The Buddhism of Vietnam” or papers on a larger cycle covering the religions either of the Far East, or of entire Asia. This will be done gladly.

They were rather surprised with credentials. These credentials have already been accepted at Claremont College, but have been invariable rejected by all those American institutions which have relied on Europeans or Englishmen for data on “Asia.”

c. Attention is also called to “Living Buddhism in Asia” translation of a conference of Japanese. Whatever else be said this represents the actual views of actual Orientals during this age. We may like or not like what they have said and written. But this and not the metaphysical speculations which have crowded the air and book stalls misrepresenting Oriental views should be made known to the American public.

In this no apology for these Buddhism’s are needed nor any criticism. In scientific research and in true military intelligence efforts it is requisite to charter out the territory involved and not personal feelings about that territory. Unfortunately politics and diplomacy are prone to accept personal interpretations of facts rather than the facts themselves.

d. Beginning January 29 some plays will be presented at the Buddha Universal Church, 720 Washington St. this city, involving “Amitabba” and thus facets of real “Mahayana” Buddhism of which the American public has been kept in ignorance by those in control of channels of publicity and communication. I hope it may be possible for you to attend such sessions or performances and also to make a tour of the building. This church has a lot of basic Chinese manuscripts not always available in English and also the charms and amulets sent from the Vietnam “Roshi” met in Thailand.

Faithfully,

Samuel L. Lewis

 772 Clementina St.

 San Francisco 3, Calif.

 March 7, 1965

American Friends of the Middle East

323 Geary St.

San Francisco 2, Calif.

Dear Admiral and Friends

This letter is being sent in duplicate for your sharing with Terry Duce, the Washington office or anybody else. The immediate impetus is the radio announcement that Ben Bella is proposing a conference between Israel and the Arab States. Now I wish to call you attention to a few items:

1. My peace plan for Southeast Asia is being published in Thailand. I knew it would get no hearing here. It is impossible. Anything can pass as religion in the United States, including the beatnik church in North Beach, the Elijah Mohammedanites, etc. And abroad the communists have used even Christian missionary movements as their centers—names, dates, facts, persons; not conjectures.

The result is that here we have a lot of so-called “Buddhist: movements, 90% of whose members never studied an Buddhist literature at all. The Korean Master, See, will return shortly from Columbia University where he has been trying to correct the joyful acceptance by Americans of all kinds of charlatans and pretenders as conveyers of Asian cultures.

As we are dedicated to Aristotelian and Hegelian dualism, let me say that my peace proposal has no relation whatever and whatsoever to any group in the United States which thinks that peace means the withdrawal against them, etc. It is like finding a center of gravity on a straight line instead of in a three or four dimensional space. It leaves us the choice of death war and graveyard peace. It leaves us the Buddhist proposals are nothing like either. Besides I have found that the way to make peace with Chinese is not like the Quaker-Jain method of non-resistance. All the God-men of India fought wars and fought them successfully and some day we shall study Mohammed, inshallah.

2. As I told you before I had a peace plan for Palestine accepted by the UN officials, by the Israelis I met, by Arabs of UAR and Saudi Arabia, but unanimously rejected by the State Department, the Carnegie “Peace” Movement, etc., etc., in which we shall not go here.

My contact and talks with Hashim Nashim have let me into a lot of real history which has never been news, and which, if it got into the hands of your colleagues would enable them to work discretely, honestly and most objectively on the problems of the Near East. I mentioned the Southwest Asia imbroglio to indicate objective contacts with persons, events, etc. rejected always a priori by the State Department and press, but not by Army Intelligence, who at least grant interviews.

Now there are three tremendous things which Hashim is trying to take up, only the first of which I have had time to try to work on:

a. A sane overall Nile Development program, like a “Missouri-Valley” modification of a “Colorado River” plan applied to that part of the world. The minor would be on the future of the water resources of UAR, especially because of the potential withdrawal of the West Germans.

Our terrible dialectical press has over evaluated the work of the Russians and far under evaluated the work of the Germans in UAR and, in effect some of our so-called most “reactionary” press has been thus dealing out real communist propagandas. Outside of the space-physics and military research Russia is far, far behind a very large number of nations, into which we need not go.

What is needed is more pro-American approaches here and below.

b. A completely objective picture of both the Arabians and Jewish cultures, all levels, all divisions, inside and outside of both religions and politics, to point out the machinations as well as the achievements of each side. My own “peace plan” here is based on salt water conversion, but with the Ben Bella and Hashim, there are many other ways to bring about better understanding.

However I feel positive that any meetings at any level must be with spiritual consideration each of the other; a much more sober evaluation of religion than is possible to get from the Foreign Office or press; and from the pragmatic standpoint the inclusive of enough representatives of petroleum and engineering firms. There is no need for the pragmatic business forces and the spiritual people not to cooperate fully.

c. The natural resources of African which can be developed through and with protected investments. This is very vital at the moment because Hashim has already been engaged in getting Gold where white people would not readily have access. The sober, proper consideration of this might mean the solution of many problems in one organization. These are things I may also probe through the Chambers of Commerce and industrial forces.

I am still convinced that we can only have peace and understanding through (a) love and mutual consideration; (b) commerce in all its aspects. Political philosophies mean nothing to me and I confess a weakness in abhorring them all.

Faithfully,

Samuel L. Lewis

P.S. This may be fragmentary and sketchy, but I hope it will lead to your meeting Hashim, etc. with or without my presence.

 772 Clementina St.

 San Francisco 3, Calif.

 June 27, 1967

American Friends of the Middle East, Inc.

1607 New Hampshire Ave., NW

Washington, D.C.

Dear Friends:

I have your Special Issue No. 1, 1967 before me and have also written to my own Congressman, Phillip Burton, copy enclosed.

Ever since the world adopted that hollow, noisy, “peace with justice” we have had to face more and more political warfare, in which commitments are made to words, not to people. And so long

As we have the verbal and not the human commitments I see no way out of the present complexes.

Ever since meeting the late Dr. Henry Atkinson in 1928 I have worked on peace both for the world and for the Near East in particular. And it is only recently that His Holiness, Pope Paul, has come out for exactly the same program submitted by me personally in 1930 from which I have had no reason to move.

We live simultaneously in two worlds, one of hard facts and the other of abstracted opinions and these opinions are evaluated according to the personality who originates them. If there is any question of sight or foresight I am having Ellen who is your local secretary copy two epic poems written by me respectively in 1941 and 1942, one from the Jewish point of view and another from the Christian point of view covering both the territory involved and proposed “solutions.” These poems were rejected, respectively by the Synagogue and Church which does not mar their validity one bit. Later there came a larger epic from the Islamic point of view. But anybody who knows all these three points of view—suggested previously by Sir Richard Burton and others, finds himself in an unenviable position.

I have details which might solve each and every problem of the area and I am willing at any time to submit to you both the program originally given to the World Church Peace Union and the one on which I worked while abroad. In general Asian peoples accepted it, and so did and do UN officials. But with Americans it seems to depend entirely on the two cultures—the fact people being in entire accord; the opinion people being divided and largely either unconcerned or disconcerned.

As written before I have inherited, in a sense, a mental legacy from the late Terry Duce to work on desert reclamation as a means of harmonizing Israelis and Arabs, but I also have the background—not inconsiderable in the respective religions. At least Mrs. Hollister of the “Temple of Understanding” and her colleagues investigated and found them not wanting. Generally they are not investigated and found wanting. This is our “realism.”

I have found Ambassador either an extremely uninformed person or an uninforming one. The world is today divided between the less equal and more equal and it just happens that the less equal have more votes in the UN.

I am in entirely accord with your views as I think I have always been. But it is time to get away from palliatives and establish some sort of program. I was sent on a peace feeler mission from Pakistan to India and was utterly berated by our foreign offices. India and Pakistan called in Kosygin.

 I met so many UN officials and with them one could confer and talk and be equal. This is not yet possible between an American citizen and his foreign office.

Faithfully,

Samuel L. Lewis

 410 Precita Ave.

San Francisco, Calif. 94110

October 24, 1968

American Friends of the Middle East,

1605 New Hampshire Ave. NW

Washington, D.C. 20009

My dear Friends:

?????? Starting ?????? Over in the Mid East ?????

I am today enclosing what is to me a measly fifteen dollars as dues. I can afford more, and I can’t. I can’t because the average American, joining a “big” organization is a phantom to sign checks, otherwise he does not exist.

The Hebrew Bible ends: “and he shall turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.” But rather than accept the existence of a real Living, Loving, Compassionate God, we prefer the curse and we are getting the curse and we shall continue to get the curse because the fathers will not children do not like it one bit.

In 1930 my plan for bringing about peace through religion was accepted by the World Church Peace Union under the late Dr. Henry Atkinson was one of the most promising. At his request I studied all the real religions of the real world and have spoken from the platforms of each of the real religions of the real world and, of course, worshipped with the devotees of even more sects, schools and cults. This country prefers an out and out atheist, even if he be a communist. Read the papers. “Blessed are the Peace Maker” ends in the pulpit.

One can count on the fingers of one had the number of clerics that have been willing even to listen to reports of accomplishments in this field. Of fine—that is all of our beautiful clerics that would even listen, three are Quakers (Friends) and one an outcast. The rest almost unanimously believe in a “Golden Rule”—one way street. My original plan accepted the historicity of the great Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and Padisha Akbar of the Moguls, names we have to by-pass (along with the communists) because their very existence upsets certain power structures which the young now flee. Facts of the world are not important if they interfere with conclusions, programs and crusades.

I am not going into past history but on one point—being sent on a peace feeler between Pakistan and India, one got nothing but rebuffs from Americans. The Pakistanis and Indians called in Kosygin and they are going to call in more Kosygins until we get out of our ivory towers “realisms” to accept facts and humanity.

Fortunately there is not only a God, both in Heaven and on Earth, there is a splendid American tradition which may be coupled with the names of Emerson and others, totally apart from all the dualistic, subjective Hegelianism’s which the power structures of both this land and its enemies accept..

Fortunately the “truths” of the Bible are not abrogated by power structures. Jesus Christ has said, “In the hour ye think least of the Son of Man cometh.” There is a European legend that he came as a Goose girl and there is the hard American fact that now the Divine Blessings comes to an American housewife connected with no power structure of the purely subjective “left,” “center,” and “right” (which belongs to an outworn space matrix). It is Mrs. Dickermann Hollister whose “The Temple of Understanding” is attracting worldwide attention (outside the American Press which has plenty of space for Negro and other gangsters).

Mrs. Hollister and her colleagues presenting to the world in no uncertain fashion: My house shall be a house of prayers for all peoples, has accepted the hard research of this person and the historicity of Emperors Suleiman and Akbar.

My own program has been and will be: “Eat, pray and dance with everybody.” The only trouble is that this program works.

Having lived with real Dervishes in the real (and thus anti-realistic) world, I began showing these dances, repeating the Name of God. Very gradually the number of people, mostly young of course, joining increases. But the real Living God Who loves all humanity and thus all religions, has inspired this spiritual one of the late Miss Ruth St. Denis with prayers and rituals of all faiths and the young. God bless them, accept this. These dances are dedicated in a sense of Mrs. Hollister ant the late Mahatma Gandhi.

These dervish dances are based on actual dances and actual ceremonies of existents schools of Sufis, most not recognized by the “only in America” professors of Islamics. They are also “innovations.” So to recite Allah in other than traditional methods puts one outside the pales—man’s pales.

When the Hebrew Chassid, Rabbi Schlomo came here, he rushed to this unrecognized Sufi and we embraced. But his dance, through alluring, has not yet been too effective and it has, of course, brought down the thunder from the synagogue pulpits. These people, like all clergy must have their separatisms in a day when the young want to join with each other in brotherhood beyond caste, creed and sex, and all divisions which their elders insist on upholding.

As Sufism is based on Love and that “God is Love” in effective practice, not in theoretical theological terms—we are now able to bring the young together using the Names of God, first in the Islamic Dervish style and then in the real Yogi and other styles. So we have the terrible situation of refugees from Palestine coming to a Sufi teacher and joining. They join in repeating ALLAH which is nothing but a variation of the Name of God found in the Hebrew Testament and many times, and also with a slight, very slight change of vowel pronunciation the Name of God in Aramaic, the language spoken by Jesus Christ who, did not succeed in getting the “Christian” world to pronounce the Name referred to in Hallowed Be Thy Name.

This person has long given up trying to reach “realists” with their selective subjective dialectics (anti Marxist, of course but still dialectics) and found it is so easy and simple to bring the young together in effective Love and in the acceptance of a God Who is Life and quite untouched by institutions human or quasi divine, which remain institutions of separations and separativeness.

And today one finds a number of former Zionist enthusiasts, some of whom have lived in Palestine; and a large number of young of mixed Jewish ancestry finding a home and solace in repeating the Names of God in Joy and Love and in all the attributes with which each religion endows the Deity while denying the other faiths do.

I used to say sarcastically that we needed some Jewish Othellos and Islamic Shylocks. Now I have from pretty good sources that many formerly most enthusiastic Zionists are beginning to realize they have been cat’s paws of power structures.

As a person I am no longer trying to reach organizations and institutions; and as a person I am reaching the young, teaching them spiritual ways to Joy and Love without drugs and beyond drugs; drawing together those of former different faiths and presenting them a God quite outside of establishments of any kind.

One looks in vain for any acknowledgements from those seeking funds (money seems more powerful than “Allah”) and all one wants is human recognition and two way streets. Free speech means more than demanding one be heard while being unwilling to listen.

Of course as the writer holds that Mohammed was Khatimal Mursaleen he can be accused of bias. I believe in all faiths, in all religions. I believe that Mohammed completed the work of the founders of all faiths and that he was a Buddha who lived in the midst of humanity and carried on all very human affairs without forgetting God (Allah) one minute. I did not impose this but you may be surprised, my friends, that the “outcast” young are accepting it more and more. They are finding what they sought in Dancing for God (Allah) as the psalmists say, but few do.

Despite the strong terms here, one wishes you all success in real efforts toward real peace in the real world. All this one has ever sought, and almost never gotten, was a verbal recognition that he too might be working toward the same goal. The easiest way to open up the check book would be the common recognition of hearts.

God bless you,

Samuel L. Lewis

Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti

 410 Precita Ave.

 San Francisco

 July 7, 1969

American Friends of the Middle East

1605 New Hampshire Ave.,

Washington, D.C. 20009

Dear Friends:

I am finding that there is one program on which nearly all contending groups in this country agree, that is that not only is one’s own particular program superior to all other particular programs, but that success must come through certain individuals and that if it does not come through a particular group of individuals, it either will not come or should not come.

This particularly American psychology appears in Hawthorne’s “The Great Stone Face” and is very evident in California above all where there has been a constant parade of “Great Stone Face” movements with the same psychology constantly reappearing.

I see nothing gained that when a program is proffered, the success of that program must come from the efforts of certain individuals, else it must not come at all. And the possibilities of either religion or psychology being based on the experience of God rather than on any theologies or doctrines has not been too welcomed. But now it is being welcomed and especially among the young. An when the acceptance of the living God, as against a series of beliefs which are often contending ones, becomes factual it is called “generation gap” and made into any series of confusion divisions. Whereas the “gap” comes simply between those who have doctrines or theories and those who have experiences.

When an unknown (but “only in America”) succeeds in getting Israelis and Christians and Muslims to dance together, he is automatically dangerous to all Americans who persist in “The Great Stone Face” tradition. The fact that this is done in the halls of a Christian Theological Seminary is going to make it really, real historical. And some day, my friends, I hope you will recognize that “in the hour ye think least, the Son of Man cometh.”

I believe you are sincere in wishing to bring peace and understanding in the Near East. I believe your ideals and programs are excellent but all over this country one finds a man’s financial contributions are welcomed, but little else—this is almost characteristic excepting among scientific circles.

I can easily send you pictures, already published, of the young people dancing phases of “Dances of Universal Peace,” both with my own person and without my person. But it seems now that some of my disciples have been most successful in teaching these dances to others and now an effort is being made, and before God-Allah it will succeed, in bringing these “Dances of Universal Peace” to the East Coast.

Yes there is a generation gap. It is a gap also between the young who accept a God-reality and their elders who have various dogmas, doctrines, religions (with considerable sprinklings of self-praise).

My own financial affairs are improving and I would like to join with others who are working toward the same or similar goals. But I am doing and others are theorizing. The United Nations (which I admire) is not God. God is God, and when even Jews join in the La Illaha El Il Allah and when this is join in the halls of a Christian Theological Seminary, it is a new age, and the generation gap is between those who join each other in prayer, in dancing and in eating, and those who keep separate and cry because problems are not solved.

I hope you will give this some consideration.

Faithfully,

Samuel L. Lewis

Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti

 410 Precita Ave.,

 San Francisco, Calif.

 July 14, 1969

Helen D. Bruner,

Director of Public Relations

A.F.M.E.,

1605 New Hampshire Ave., N.W.

Dear Friend:

I agree with you thoroughly. “A” pat on the back” for a job well done is nice to receive….” I agree with you thoroughly.

While you are asking for new attitudes, new approaches, etc. and never acknowledging letters of any kind, this person has, via the use of Dervish dances, had Israeli Jews, American non-Israeli Jews, Christians or part-Jewish blood, Muslims and Hindus join with many others in a Christian Seminary doing these and other dances.

We would like an occasional “pat on the back.” It might even loosen our checkbook. There is, so far as I know, no one way streets in God. I enjoy your work, but never once during the years of membership has one received even the slightest “pat on the back.”

Now the Israelis and their neighbors are more than patting each other on the back, and I am going now to teach Christian mysticism at a Seminary; then return to teach here on Sufism; and then in the morning to meet a great Swami; and in the afternoon to teach Sufi poetry to Hippies.

God-Allah may appreciate this. When human beings can I shall certainly show this with money. One could equally petition you to send funds here but we depend on God alone. We are glad to share our dollars; we should occasionally like just a teeny-wheeny “pat on the back.”

Faithfully,

Samuel L. Lewis

P.S. Contribution will be put aside. Where the heart is there is the treasure also.

 410 Precita Ave.,

 Sept. 22, 1969

Erich W. Bethmann

Director of Research

American Friends of the Middle East, Inc.

1605 New Hampshire Ave., N.W.

Washington D.C. 20009

My dear Mr. Bethmann:

I have before me your letter of Sept. 18. To show my good will I am enclosing a check for $25. I can assure you that I am quite capable of sending more, but we live in a nation so ensconced in aphorisms we cannot see realities. In fact this morning I wrote a letter to Mr. Finley Dunne Jr. (Peter) of the Temple of Understanding, which is being enclosed. Anti-theism is no cure for atheism. The “God” who is one of a million of thoughts which pass through our ego-minds may have some reality, but is certainly more than emasculated. Loving quotations we repeat ad nauseum, “Peace on Earth thru Men of Good Will” meaning peace on earth thru men of importance. If they are not important we won’t listen to them.

In my letter to Mr. Dunne I refer to the World Church Peace Union. My plan was one of 16 accepted by them in 1929. The other 15 were from important persons. Instead of listening or even considering as a nation in the non-sciences we look to name and form, and in the sciences we look to experience, knowledge, and ability. So we have as Lord Snow says two cultures. In order to reach the moon, we used honesty, integrity, knowledge and skill, but in public affairs and in foreign affairs we look merely to fame, or very occasionally to the prestige of money—not to knowledge, integrity, experience, and skill.

While I was in Egypt I worked out a program by which the Arabs and I mean the Arabs and not some editorial so-labeled, conceded they would recognize Israel on these terms. Then I ran into a blank wall of our own foreign office, and the important peace societies. I was sent to India on a peace-feeler mission from Pakistan and was soundly berated by our foreign office for even attempting it, so in the end Pakistan called in Kosygin. And today we are still afraid that the Arabs and Israelis might call in Kosygin. And our foreign policy in the Near East is motivated by this one motive—we must not let them call Kosygin.

Why does the President of the United States have to turn to the UN? Plenty of Americans have lived in Vietnam and elsewhere in South East Asia (including myself).The state department never answers our letters. My program for the Near East included the vast desert reclamation project which would have absorbed all our unemployment and all those released from military duty. At least the late Perry Duce considered it feasible, but I am not an important person. There are doubtless many unimportant persons in this world. It is the young, not the old, who will accept the scriptures, “In the hour ye think least the son of man cometh.” And we repeat ad nauseum, “Blessed are the peace makers” but we will have none of them.

This is the only nation in the world that is called upon and recognized non-American non-Muslims as “experts” on Islam. Why we had here in San Francisco a Zionist, the late Dr. Michael Zarchin, as on of the chief lecturers on Islamics, and compared to several very famous non-Americans non-Muslim professors he was the soul of honesty and integrity. But I have never seen any protest against non-American non-Muslims teaching Islamics, and I have met innumerable retired Peace Corps Volunteers who were horrified between the difference of classroom instructions and examinations and what they found to be actually true.

September 1969

M. P. Evenson

32 Cove Road,

Belvedere 94920

My dear Admiral:

I have tried to get you by phone and no answer. The life is very full and one feels rested after a compulsory vacation. We visited much of northwestern United States which, to me, stands up with any part of the world.

I have written a very strong letter to AFME. They wanted, and perhaps deserve contributions, but they have failed, until the last instance, ever to answer or recognize either communications or suggestions. They write editorials but try to do what the editorials say! I am, and they have until this instance, never recognized it, so instead of sending a hundred dollars which I felt I could afford, twenty-five ($25.00) was sent.

Perhaps this is better for this money will now be used for a trip by my secretary, Mansur Otis Johnson and myself to Istanbul next spring. This will be to attend the conference of the  Temple of Understanding, and one will now go in person instead of sending delegates.

One has been prepared by a long life to meet with representatives of the world’s living faiths, some of whom are good friends, others acquaintances; and having worshiped with all but the Zoroastrians, one has a certain strong background and I am not going to permit anymore any, and I mean any, non-American, non-Asian “expert” to stand in my way and my light.

AFME has sent a courteous letter without recognizing what I am specifically doing. An even stronger letter to the Muslim Students Association brought back a surprisingly favorable reply. I am interested in “Allah.” I am not interested in the internal or external politics of Eritrea, Chad and unknown lands where Muslims are presumingly “persecuted.” Mohammed said to oppose oppression whether to or by Muslims. As the Muslims ignore the oppressions they do, the whole thing becomes a farce. I am happy to say my criticism met the approval of the majority of delegates.

My meeting last night was again a success: to have Israelis, anti-Israeli and part Jewish Jews, Christian, Muslims and Hindu or Dharma-worshipping people dance together in a Christian seminary is an accomplishment. I doubt if anybody else has succeeded in doing that. But no, only “important” people may make suggestions, even if they are frivolous or fail. An I am enough of a Pragmatist and absolutely and anti-Dialectician, to flinch one inch in this regard.

Just before my vacation my God-daughter put on Pakistani fashion show and I lead at least one hundred and fifty young Americans in dervish-dances. And tomorrow I am to go both to a grammar school and college to present, according to the age and mentality, the Dervish dances and Sufi philosophy.

My secretary, Otis Johnson, is a close friend of Professor Huston Smith of M.I.T. He also works closely with the Temple of Understanding.

Having had at least two miserable experiences—one in the Mideast and one in Pakistan-India where ideas were turned down because the person proposing them was unimportant, I am ready to make a lot of noise. A Nation which has geniuses to reach the moon does not need to turn elsewhere for “solutions” to international problems. Or as one leading diplomat has said: “How can you trust a Nation which does not trust its own citizens.”

I have been very, very successful in campaigns to introduce Asian-Asian and American-American philosophies into our university curricula and will continue. I have a great love for the Oriental sages and a parallel love for our New England Transcendentalists and a number geniuses connected at some time or other with Columbia University, including some now there whom you know.

My audiences are growing both in number of meetings and attendance. The world can not continue half free, half dialectic.

Cordially,

Samuel L. Lewis

My work in the instruction of Dervish Dances is not one of a number of projects. It is an active operation. It is attracting more and more people of diverse backgrounds, and we are not making stupid hypocrisy of “love ye one another.” It is an actuality. But it is also based on the sublime truth that Allah Is, and although we are probably in agreement about not wanting to indulge in theological differences, we ought to be willing to face the fact that the synagogue does not use the name of God offered by Moses, etcetera; or for that matter the sublime teachings of much of Jewish literature. Or that Jesus himself must have said Allah or something pretty close to that in sound. So when we use Allah we are on safe as well as sublime ground.

I have never felt very good since the editorial sometime back of calling for a clean slate and doing nothing more. I believe, along with Mohammed, act as if in the presence of Allah, and remember, if you do not see Him, verily He sees you. With all our protests, with all our vast appropriations we are more afraid of the possibility of an all loving, all wise God than we are of the dialectical subjectivisms of the various schools of Marxists. And it is a great mistake to assume that the young in revolt are, excepting for very small numbers, connected with any new left or any kind of communist party.

The powers that be hush-hush at every opportunity any mention of the American-American Emerson, or Whitman, or Thoreau. 90% of the protesting people I have met including not only all the young but some of the mature, want Emerson and Whitman and Thoreau, etc.,etc.,etc. Pseudo wars occupy all our attention and consume much of our money. Nothing is easier than teaching Christian mysticism to the young, or even lecturing on Oriental Philosophy to the young. But about the only paper that admits of this actuality is one controlled by my own disciples.

The last words of the old Testament, the concluding paragraphs of the book of the Prophet Malachi offer one of several keynotes.

I believe I shall be permitted to speak when the Temple of Understanding has its next convocations. I shall mention the careers and accomplishments of Emperors Suleiman the Magnificent and Padisha Akbar. I know enough of the leaders of the objective world to be able to accomplish this end. The world cannot remain half free half dialectic. We need more reality and less “realism,” I have complete agreement and utmost faith with the purposes of American Friends of the Middle East. But I am also an American-American imbued with pragmatic philosophies and accomplishments, and believe that words, slogans, aphorisms, etc., are empty void and useless, or as the neglected American poet Edna St Vincent Millay said: “The world stands out on every side, No wider than the heart is wide.”

Faithfully and Sincerely,

Samuel L. Lewis

Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti

 910 Railroad Ave.,

 Novato, Calif.

 November 14, 1969

M. P. Evenson

32 Cove Road,

Belvedere, Calif. 94920

My dear Admiral Evenson:

I am reversing a usual procedure by writing to you and sending copy to AFME. Several attempts to reach you by phone have resulted in no answer. Besides events, and perhaps a train of rather successful events would make a telephonic conversation either too long or too inconclusive.

The other day when I read that the Rabbis of the Reformed Jewish synagogues were protesting the war in Vietnam I said, “Now is the time to get the World Buddhist Federation to protest against the wars in the Near East.” This is not sarcasm at all and the way my affairs are progression it might well be that this will be done and perhaps aid in terminating an enormous amount of unconscious hypocrisy both on our own parts and that of others.

So far as Vietnam is concerned I am waiting for the manuscript or publication of my friend, General Edward Lansdale. Also for my own private meeting to listen to my Vietnamese friends—they exist, you know—to tell us something of their country and what they want. Besides we have already discussed this subject.

But so far as peace in the Near East is concerned I feel it is part of my life’s purpose. I was once sent on a peace feeler mission from Pakistan to India and was excoriated by our foreign office. So these countries called in Kosygin and they met in Tashkent. I still believe this is possible. Our very ignorant experts, advisers and commentators ignore that Russia was the very first power to recognize Israel in line with the real Marxist Lenin teachings, or rather the teachings of Karl Marx and N. Lenin. Also that real communist exists on a large scale in Israel. Our misleaders want it both ways.

The other night the impossible happened. The impossible is always happening: a group of Jewish Chassid’s and disciples in Islamic Sufism met and sang together and showed every sign of love for each other. Not only that, we plan to meet again. And this sort of “inconceivable” “unthinkable” and “impossible” event is going to be repeated and on a much larger scale soon, inshallah.

While all the war mongers and the know everything commentators are offering their subjective “realisms” as factual, there is a growing “love ye on another,” not only among the American youth, Hippies and non-Hippies, but within the halls of ivy. You know 300 young, not all students, caused world news, cause world news with some property damage is incited, and 5000 students chanting is not mentioned at all. And today we have the most wonderful classes both from the University of California and San Francisco State, in subject matter, response and effectiveness, and, of course, not news. I don’t know where the Vice President stands on this, but us “peasants” have no chance at all with know it alls like Alsop & Co. There is no use even trying.

The classes lead by Sra. Becker-Colonna on the two campuses are planning a joint meeting later on, and the chief speaker will be a man from Mecca, whose family has long been there. We shall at least be permitted to offer Sufi (Dervish) dances and chants. And the young will respect and accept what their elders do not, and sometimes cannot, objectively.

When I told my friend, Rudolph Schaeffer who head a famous art school of this, he showed me what they are doing there with Iranian Art. Human beings who do not accept commentators are getting closer together and will, inshallah.

The Dervish dances and the whole program of “Dances of Universal Peace” are making great headway. At the moment I am also compelled to teach others how to teach. My own place is packed and while there have been exhibitions (rather successful) there is not the full communication when the number of participants is large. In any case the doors are open for an ever growing acceptance of this aspect of Peach through the Arts.

The immediate denouement is a conference of the World’s religion scheduled for Istanbul, Turkey, next spring. I am no longer prevented by lack of funds. Besides my God-daughter from Pakistan has proffered any financial help if necessary. We are not going around begging, we are doing.

I am waiting for information from The Temple of Understanding to determine the dates of going to the East Coast, to New York or Washington or both.

The meetings with the Chassid Rabbi Schlomo have been duplicated by meetings with spiritual leaders of other faiths, totally out of line with the subjective conclusions of non-devotee writers and agitators. My whole program is full, teaching and learning. And our next crusade will be “Jesus Christ, yes! Santa Claus, no!” And we are going to do, rather than agitate.

Cordially,

Samuel L. Lewis

Nov. 16, 1969

American Friends of the Middle East

1607 New Hampshire Ave.

Washington, D.C. 20009

Dear friends:

The events of the past week prompt this letter. Most details will be found in the enclosures herewith. We shall continue to work for peace with understanding, in or out of politics.

I do not know whether to agree with Vice President Agnew or not anent commentators. But there is no question to find a horrible species of utterly self-centered, self-appointed authorities on all subjects given so many opportunities in press and radio to inform occasionally and misinform more than occasionally concerning events and lands they do not visit.

I have in mind in particular the horrible editorials of Mr. Joseph Alsop, but this sort of thing has become horribly typical of a large section of American Culture.

We are here planning a Christmas “Jesus Christ not Santa Claus” and a joint Hanukah celebration With the local Chassid’s.

Faithfully,

Samuel L. Lewis

Jan. 19, 1970

American Friends of the Middle East

1605 New Hampshire Ave.

Washington, D.C. 20009

My dear friends:

I am enclosing a copy of a letter written to one the most important men of this region, who incidentally had at one time been an employer. I am today in a position to do things, not because of knowledge or virtue, but simply because my financial situation is constantly improving.

It may not be a virtue that one is heard simply because he is independent financially. But one certainly can use this independence to impel a more real—not a more realistic—picture of the world as it is in order to affect a better world for the morrow. I am not going into the past here, but will perpetually protest one of your former editorials which verbalized a new approach which might affect peace in the Near East, and left it there, verbalized.

It is remarkable how so many organizations in this country make grand emotional appeals, sometimes quite justified, but still we remain in the world of hazy emotions, and slight effectiveness.

Tomorrow morning I am breakfasting with a Palestinian Arab who is a citizen of Israel. He has some plans for real peace in the real Near East, affecting the real people thereof, and I am going to listen to him, and do more. I certainly protest against the common custom of all groups in this land, no matter what their presumable political and social philosophy, of listening only to those views which are palatable to them and ignoring facts and ignoring the humanity involved unless some special interest promoted. We have had no peace there from and I don’t think we will ever get any peace there from; but until we learn to listen to human beings we can and must expect more Biafras.

At the present time there are certainly rival or parallel organizations in the same general field, and I am at a loss where to place either my loyalties or money. But I am not at a loss as to my future policy, that I am going to get out of every one-way-street of groups which appeal for money from others, and do not readily accept ideas, while failing to achieve the goals which are in virtual form, but often only in verbal form, their stated objectives. I should much rather work with some organizations, and I hope you are willing to accept the report which I may be sending in on conversations with this newly arrived Israeli Arab.

If you want to know more of my views, you have them on file. I may be in Washington this spring, in connection with the affairs of the  Temple of Understanding.

I am particularly annoyed by the fact that not a single organization has accepted the idea of having Arabic culture presented in our universities thru Arabs, Islamic culture thru Muslims.

Faithfully,

Samuel L. Lewis

P.S. I am keeping Admiral Evenson informed.

910 Railroad Ave.

Novato, Calif. 94947

January 21, 1970

M.P. Evenson

32 Cove Road

Belvedere 94920

My Dear Admiral Evenson:

Although I spoke to Mrs. Evenson yesterday, I think it would be practicable to make a complete report on the events of the day. At times I feel like a resurrected Charlie Brown. It is over 40 years since the late Henry Atkinson of the World Church Peace Union said to me in San Francisco, “Mr. Lewis, I have been around the world three times, I have seen every king, prime minister and diplomat, and you are the first person to have brought me what I wanted.” I then largely at his behest studied all the religions of the world, have prayed with people of all faiths, and have met human beings of many levels into which I do not intend to go now. I have even had Arabs of many lands, Israelis, and every single U.N. official I have ever met approve of my approach. The late James Terry Duce was well aware of what I was doing and also approved of it. As you know, I had to resign from the World Affairs Council, the World Federalists, and every other group interested in world affairs, because I found that as soon as one became a member, one was denied the floor’ if you were a non-member and came from a long distance, you could speak.

But this is a different age, and the doors of the universities are opening a little more rapidly than I can adjust to the new and very favorable circumstances. I find that practically all politicians and sociologists live in a dualistic world of only partial reality which they call “realism,” and they are motivated far more by fear than facts and sometimes by hatred. In every part of the world there is the dictum, “Old men argue while the young men die.”

My original idea was to bring peace between the Israelis and Arabs so that the communists could not infilter. But today I see terrible pressures even by editors like Hearst supporting a form of communism far more revolutionary than that introduced in Russia. This is one of the reasons I cannot fathom the minds of so-called social scientists.

One of my closest friends, Mr. Shamcher B. Beorse, of Keyport, Washington, is publishing a book in which he gives “Samuel L. Lewis” nearly a whole chapter. Mr. Beorse has had by far the most adventurous life of anybody I know; has been very close to several Secretary Generals of the U.N. and has had access to Presidents of the United States and Prime Ministers of diverse lands. The appearance of his book on the market may cause some eyes to flicker: who is this Samuel L. Lewis or rather “Sam as he calls me?

For years, I have proposed bringing together the spiritual leaders of the Jews and Muslims. Without exception this idea was looked upon favorably, but practically every single Jew, Israelis or not, has said, “But I have never met any spiritual leader of the Arabs or Muslims;” while every Arab I have met has said: “I have never met any spiritual leader of the Jews, but I would like to.”

But how the heck can you do anything about this in a country whose “experts” on Asia have been for the most part Englishmen or Europeans, not Americans or Asians? The friends of Lord Gibb at Harvard, Professor Schnider and Professor Von Breunbaum at Southern California, the Professors at the University of Hawaii etc. etc. have seen to it that both Arabs and Sufis are excluded from conferences on religions of the world etc. etc. etc. The only exceptions have been at the Center for Religious Studies at Harvard where a Dr. Nasr, a Persian not an Arab, has been a guest, and at one or two institutions where Persians not Arabs have been invited to speak on Sufism and Islamic culture. In fact almost the only honest representative of Islamic culture until recently was the late Dr. Zarchin of San Francisco, who was the Islamic representative.

As you know, I have long worked on such problems as those of water resources, desert reclamation etc etc. I have been in touch with Sen. H. Baker of Tennessee and others etc etc etc. With all this and other approaches based on the hard facts of actual research and human experience, my meeting with Azam, the Arab Sufi, who is a citizen of Israel, was instantaneous and automatic. No shilly-shally or diplomatic niceties—instant recognition on both sides.

Azam has gone to Texas to complete his semester there. He will return in June, and his enrollment at San Francisco City College for the fall semester has already been accepted. I have therefore written to Dr. Lloyd Luckman, who has been chief dean of this institution and who has been interested in international affairs and sometimes interested in the solution of problems. Dr. Luckman himself is very close to at least one of two rabbis more adept at accepting peace awards than in granting interviews or doing anything.

Still it is possible and I have vague hopes that some rabbi or ex-rabbi, inshallah, will grant some kind of an interview with some kind of a person offering some sort of an integrative outlook.

But before anyone has any idea that this is primarily an anti-Israel communication, one must say that many members and leaders of Islamic communities are even worse. They are operating under the impression that if they only hate hard enough they will get some kind of victory. And Azam has concluded, having lived with many real Arabs, with many real Muslims, with many real Jews, with many real Israelis, that the present position of the anti-Israeli intransigence is even worse than that of the bigots of Israel.

There are too many unnecessary obstacles. One is the absolutely diabolical phrase, “Peace with justice.” Even Hitler accepted those words. I have gone through the agonies of the horrible Kellogg-Briand pact, and the international newspaper campaign, “Peace with justice.” These insidious slogans end in Biafra’s, and unless we do something more than coin misleading phrases, we may well have a Biafra in Palestine, and then weep hypocritical tears afterward.

I have used the work ‘integral’ above. My use of this term and words of the same sorts came originally from mathematical studies with Leibniz and Newton, and the continuation of such studies in calculus and mathematical philosophy and NOT from any racial or sociological approaches. I do no wish to denigrate the latter, but I=find in practice the use of a common word does not mean a common philosophy. In mathematics as in revelation, there are not high nor low, nor jew nor barbarian nor greek.

Azam has proposed a meeting in June. He wishes to call together several Arabs who are not anti-Israel, and a few other persons, the first of whom would be you, and this could include anyone who has views similar to your own and the late Terry Duce. I am also sending a copy of this to AFME, in case they have a representative either living in or near this region who could be present at the time.

I am disturbed with AFME for two quite opposite reasons. In the first place there seem to be today several rival or parallel organizations. They all seem to agree in their emotional appeals and in rejecting ideas.

But a reconciliation with my brother may, inshallah, place me into what to me is an awkward but to nearly everybody would be a delightful position of having far more money than I need or could ordinarily use. I certainly am not going to start another organization. The only outlet I can think of at the moment is that of the Department of Near East Languages at Berkeley; or, if I had to travel to either Pittsburgh or Columbia Universities or even (?) to certain groups at Harvard University, not under the thumbs of non-Americans non-Muslims.

The effort to spread the Sufi teachings locally through music dance and otherwise are now uniformly successful and moving at a slow but very steady rate bringing more and more young people into my sphere; and with this an almost equally steady infiltration into universities and classrooms. These universities and classrooms, almost without exception, rely on facts and human experiences, and not the prowess of named personalities and their opinions. In other words, young America, not the press, not even certain leading political forces today presents an amalgamation of New England transcendentalism and University of Columbia pragmatism. This is far more anti-Marxist and anti-Hegelian than the philosophies emanating from the noise-makers and literary leaders. No doubt this is very ‘dangerous’ to such groups, but I think in the end we can have a very sound American American approach.

Saturday I am attending the celebration of Indian Independence Day. The young students behind this affair have already published a letter in which my theme was presented: That Europeans never believed a nation of slave owners with irreconcilable Protestants and Catholics could ever be successfully established. The philistines were wrong then, and I believe they are wrong now.

I am very hopeful and optimistic. I cannot enforce on you or anybody either a belief in the existence of a God or in a living deity who is, as Mohammed proclaimed, as Compassion, All Mercy, All Power, All Wisdom.

Faithfully,

Samuel L. Lewis

Feb. 17, 1970

American Friends of the Middle East

1605 New Hampshire

Washington, D.C.

Dear Friends:

I have been sometimes working on the idea of bringing together certain Arabs who have lived in Israel or are still citizens of Israel: certain disaffected Israelis’ perhaps some non-Zionist Jews and some people who are not diabolically intoxicated by the word “justice” and who also believe that Christians should have a say in the future of Palestine. In other words, I have the temerity and audacity to stand for a program perhaps originally offered to the world by Boccaccio and then beautifully dramatized by Lessing in his “Nathan the Wise.”

I am not going into the stupid past wherein people were delighted to be misled by beguiling words such as the Kellogg-Briand Pact, the Roerich Museum Pact, and still to me more damnable “peace with justice” which even a Hitler could approve.

Evidently “God” is not entirely opposed to such an approach. For the other day I found a new neighbor who is also another Arab citizen of Israel. And on the same day a full page article in the local newspaper showing how a salt water conversion plant in Mexico was being utilized in desert reclamation, the same being almost in detail what I have been working on for years and in which your late Terry Duce was most interested.

I am not going over the stupid past when people sitting behind desks would refuse interviews. You will find enclosed a letter to the  Temple of Understanding in which Dr. Richard Alpert, now functioning as Baba Ram Dass, is mentioned. When we turn away from “The Great God Brown” meaning the meta-encyclopedical commentators whose words are regarded as revelations and meet the humanity it is very different.

No doubt many Hippies come from the “middle class” whatever that means or does not mean. It is certain that they and their parents have ample funds for all kinds of enterprises, and they are beginning to use these funds constructively. Although I am very skeptical about tear-jerking pressure salesmen, I do not believe God created a humanity to be rejected by Him either in the herenow or hereafter. I not only believe that all Gods chillin got wings, but they also have brains, heart, and money.

I am still an unorganized person with an increasingly large following of young people who trust this person. I have preserved all my diaries over a number of years and have collected material covering desert reclamation and the potential reconciliation of hostile groups, but not by diplomacy or dialectics, both of which are in vogue, both of which fail, and both of which are regarded as semi-divine even by those who are most enimical to each other otherwise.

I have never asked for anything but consideration. I have appreciated your efforts, though I am disturbed by appeals from competitive groups. Many times you have asked for new ideas and new approaches. I am no longer going to ask you to change your attitudes, but I must ask you to accept reports on accomplishments. I am hoping to go to Geneva and then later to Washington after a conference with the directors of the  Temple of Understanding.

Faithfully,

Samuel Lewis

P.S. Admiral Evenson has been informed about the above; he approves.

March 13,1970

American Friends of the Middle East, Inc.

1605 New Hampshire Ave., NW

Washington, D.C. 2009

Dear Friends:

A few brochures have just arrived and I am going to comment on them. At the present time I am passing thru a series of transitions, all of which may improve my financial and social positions. It is most unfortunate that prestige alone is important today, and so long as prestige remains important we are going to have more wars. France selling planes to Libya was wrong, our providing Jordan with munitions was not wrong. In the absence of standards we can only expect confusion and anarchy, and we are going to have continued confusion and anarchy, so long as prestige is regarded in practice as superior to moral principles.

I am interested in the report from Cairo, UAR. But I cannot continue and I will not continue to one-way-street communication. And it is very strange that elsewhere, other than in AFME, there has been serious consideration of the proposal that we need more Arabic culture from Arabs in this land; and occasionally Islamic culture from Muslims.

I am read now to go to a peace conference of the religions of the world at Geneva. It is high time that we get rid of oratory and resolutions and prestige. If we continue to be attached to these three very doubtful methods, we may as well look fort the worst. Fortunately this small voice is going to be heard there. This small voice may not carry out whatever is proposed here, but at least it will be heard. We can only look for misery in the world that pretends to be religious and absolutely will not permit valleys to be exalted, hills to be laid low, or crooked places straightened. And regardless of any politics involved, so long as this country does not permit in actuality, freedom for Arabic and other Asian cultures, we might as well be reconciled to “A Connecticut Yankee at King Arthur’s Court” wars.

I not only reject, I resent, the address of Secretary Rogers, which you have sent out. It is dishonest to the extreme. Early in the last century when Greece and Turkey were involved, the great nations sent their fleets, and at least a cessation of hostilities occurred. The pious sentiments of people in power, whether it be a Secretary General U Thant or a Secretary Rogers, show how far off our leaders are from understanding the nature of peace.

Fortunately today, youth not only thinks otherwise, youth is expressing itself. On my return from Geneva, I hope to arrange a meeting between young people, Israelis and Palestinian Arabs who are on good terms with each other. But I also hope to have present at such a meeting at least on representative of at least one important Christian group. I deplore, I more than deplore, the failure of AFME to consider any serious proposals from any person without prestige, and I am no longer fooling. Rabbis and Imams, and politicos in high office simply will not meet with each other, and the young, God bless them, will meet with each other. The parents damn such meetings, such rapprochements, and I feel you are on the side of the parents rather than being on the side of the young.

The young, not the old guffers who control the world, know all about Boccaccio’s story of The Rings. The young, and not the old guffers, know all about Lessing’s Nathan the Wise. The young, and not the old guffers, want to associate with each other, and although perhaps without power, today they have Voice.

Years ago I proposed plans for Palestine so there could be understanding between the various races and religions there. I felt this would prevent the Russians from getting a foothold. Alas, no prestige. In our scientific culture knowledge prevails; in the non-scientific part of society, prestige avails. And while one may not agree with the Vice President, I feel the most dangerous force in the land is the power given to scoundrels, operating as commentators on matters of which they have hardly the slightest knowledge. All they can do is stir up trouble, and that is exactly what they are doing. It is going to take a counter force to stop them. But I believe and I mean believe, in an omnipotent, omniscient God of righteousness, not words but actualities. And before a conference of the leading ecclesiasts and holy men of the world, I am going to present a case which will be heard, inshallah, for real recognition of human beings by human beings, and no more crap, and I call it crap, from men in high places with very unpious sentiments, increasing confusion.

Being a Dervish—which I regret you have never accepted—I am not wed to the accumulation of monies, and at this writing am being faced with the bizarre possibilities of incomes coming from several sources at a time when I have a good income. I am therefore seriously considering doing everything possible for the department of Near East Studies at the University of California, where they are practicing, some of the principles and deals of which I approve. It proves to me that what is true, that what is noble, that what is right, is not a monopoly, but is in the atmosphere, and will commend itself to an persons who are motivated by high ideals and not by power or prestige.

On March 21, I am demonstrating “Dances of Universal Peace.” It is partly open to the public, where they will see people of Jewish birth and ancestry, even of Israeli backgrounds, people who are part Jewish, people of entire Christian backgrounds, joining in Islamic praise to Allah. This is the first step. This is a step which almost anybody, unlike a Secretary Rogers, unlike an Alsop, can understand. The Dervish Dances will be followed by those inspire by Indian teachings. In the fall I hope to resuscitate spiritual Christian dances. Youths of various backgrounds will join together while the prestige symbol people will keep on arguing that it cannot be done. Before God, before Allah, before Brahm, it is being done.

We have no choice today but to practice religion or destroy it. There are no alternatives. But even I expect to demonstrate rather than argue, in love, devotion and humility before the assembled ecclesiastical leaders of the world.

Theodore Roosevelt, whom I consider a magnificent president stood out against hyphenism and was also successful in terminating the Russo-Japanese war. I have no right to demand that others venerate him, but I think it is high time to get out of the tyranny of words, and into the world of useful accomplishments. I have no right to demand that the world accept the Boccaccio, Lessing outlook, but I am willing to die for it, and I mean just that. God Bless you.

Samuel L. Lewis

May 1, 1970

Mid-East Magazine

Middle East House

1605 New Hampshire Ave., N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20009

Dear Friends;

I have just received your excellent April issue. It is very fine, it is very wonderful, but with a tremendous “but.”

I have just returned from a gathering of all the real religions of the real world about which their will be some remarks below. The sad, tremendous, and diabolic fact is that as a nation we worship the great God UP-AP. We make claims to be devotees of God-Jehovah-Allah, but it is simply not true. We worship UP-AP. We do not agree with Christ concerning the scribes and pharisees, a lot of actually agree with the pharisees and scribes concerning Christ.

Well I have lived in Egypt, I was interest in soil and water and peace. I gathered then and have now, a lot of objective facts. But were they received? It is a tragedy, but it is not a dire tragedy, because the young today believe in honesty and objectivity and sincerity. Their elders simply do not. This has nothing whatsoever to do with Capitalism versus Communism. It has to do with subjectivism realism versus objective reality. Here we in general are on the Communist side today. We want subjective realism instead of objective reality.

Our press and the important people have long looked upon Aswan as a fait accompli. Great accomplishments by American engineers abroad are by-passed by UP-AP and company. Potential achievements of the Communists are inflated and made far more newsworthy than they should be, whether factual or not.

When I was in Egypt the whole problem of water was place before me. Nasser’s government had been astute enough not to throw all their eggs in on basket. The Qattara Depression project and the American achievements were not considered newsworthy by the great God Brown UP-AP. Woe unto the simple peasant who thought otherwise. He did not have a chance. But now at least Qattara is being mentioned and I hope someday we shall have much better public records of the actual achievements of our American engineers on all fronts and in all countries, UP-AP or no UP-AP. You have taken some very great steps forward as evince by this April issue.

Now I have returned from Geneva where my secretary Mansur and I were the only ones capable of communication with the actual representatives of the real religions of the real world. We could and did sit down with all of them. We could and did offer and receive good will from all of them, from those who a not on speaking terms with each other. Fourteen different prayers were given in the great cathedral of Geneva, home of Calvinism!

In the committee meetings one of the Lebanese asked that the Communists be invited to further gatherings. If the Communists were invited you can be sure the great God Brown UP-AP would have been there with scads of reporters and cameramen. Yes there were reporters and cameramen—from the European press.

Shortly after our arrival at the Intercontinental Hotel, Father Masson, the personal emissary of His Holiness Pop Paul, entered. We not only greeted him, but presented our plan for Palestine, which he cordially received. Later on we presented the same to various other representatives of the Roman Catholic Church. We were also embraced by the Metropolitan of Orthodox Church. But the next two days were marked by the most profound and I believe sincere apologies, from the various delegations believing in the Judeo-Christian ethic whatever that means. Rabbis and Protestant ministers simply do not acknowledge mail, although just before leaving here we did receive an apology from the local Episcopalian Bishop.

Toward the end of the conference one went around proclaiming himself as an incarnation of Lessing’s “Nathan the Wise.” One has been functioning and one will continue to function before God-Jehovah-Allah regardless of all the scribes and pharisees, whomsoever, whatsoever. And at the end of the conference one received nothing but good will from Jews and Protestants, as well as from the Roman Catholics. One became quite indifferent whether any establishments accepted the personality or not.

Immediately after the conference one went to London. There was a cable awaiting, that one’s brother had died, and this will leave one in a most enviable financial position continuing in the work of bringing together representatives of different faiths. Now there is not need whatsoever to ask even for recognition from prominent persons and organizations.

We are planning locally, gatherings where displace Palestinians, Arabs who are citizens of Israel, former Israelis, some who are still Israelis, non-Israeli Jews, half Jews, and representatives of both the Catholic and Protestant aspects of Christianity. We are planning such meetings and programs with benefit from anybody accepting real humanity. The open for us to arrange for us to have human beings meet with human beings without any more emotional nonsense from the press or any foreign office.

You can be assured that this approach well received at Geneva has been most enthusiastically received by the young wherever we have met the young. I tell you my friends that religion will either have to accept religion or go. It is time to recognize the possibility of the Diving truth that, “Every valley shall be exalted and every hill laid low.”

I am next about to establish a Palestinian Peace Scholarship for the Department of Near East Languages at the University of California. I am now beholden to nobody nor do I feel ashamed either. The young people who have no voice in the press today—a small fringe of ultra-radicals yes, but the mass no. The young today want peace and brotherhood and they really want them. And I believe before the living God-Allah-Jehovah that we are going to have better understanding really.

The great blights are neither communism nor oratory from establishments. The great blights are the extreme emotional nonsense which began with the Kellogg-Briand Pact and has continued with the horrible non-entity as Secretary General of the UN saying, “What the world needs is a moral and spiritual revolution.” What he seems to mean is the peasant and youth reforms and also supply the funds for the same nonsense; and we are not gong to have it.

What we need today is to rise above the blight and confusion of words. What we need today is to get people to meet, whether at inns or dance halls or religious structures. I am exceedingly thankful that it has been Americans who called together the convocation at Geneva. I am exceedingly thankful that the young of this country and many whom I have met abroad believe that there should be amity between the religions of the world. I believe human beings can meet with human beings at all levels.

As I have said many times I believe that AFME has undertaken excellent projects. But I also believe there are others on God’s earth who are working toward the same or similar goals. And I thank God that I am now free socially and economically to devote myself toward such ends. My dance of Universal peace, are being acclaimed by the young everywhere. Efforts to reconcile religious differences are being accepted by the young everywhere. There is a school summer school awaiting me where once can present the spiritual aspects of all religions and impel if not compel greater mutual understanding and respect to rise above artificial or real differences and perhaps achieve greatly desired goals. This is come to me from others. From the young who are longing for peace and understanding and are dissatisfied with the emotional emptiness of their elders by age. I hope you can understand these endeavors. I believe love and understanding can easily stop the destruction of our government and society, and I am willing to cooperate to this end with all those who evince respect and brotherhood on any and all levels.

Faithfully,

Samuel L. Lewis

410 Precita Ave.

San Francisco, Ca.

July 8, 1970

Mrs. Helen D. Bruner

Director of Public Relations

AFME

1605 New Hampshire Ave.

Washington, D.C. 20009

My dear Mrs. Bruner:

After an absence of some weeks I have come upon your letter requesting payment to support AFME. “The beginning of the year I was struck by the words from Handel’s “Messiah,” “Every valley shall be exalted and every hill laid low.” I do not believe, before Lord God Almighty, I do not believe, that peace and good will can be achieved only thru important persons. I have, thank God, received a number of apologies from person in high, sometimes very high places, who accept the “Judaea-Christian ethic” which includes never answering letters which have annoying information, no matter how important that information may be.

Current issue of Coronet has remarks by 10 political leaders on how to prevent another Vietnam. Nonsense! We do not prevent crime by ignoring all eye witnesses, and selecting a dozen great people to act as jurors. We depend on eye witnesses, but not so in international matters. There only “experts” prevail, and if you are not somebody then you are nobody, and we compensate by over abuse of the word democracy.

My whole life has been concerned with peace in the Near East. I worked almost 40 years gratis for the World Church Peace Union, and after Dr. Henry Atkinson died they thru out those reports. But I enabled just the same to go to Geneva to a conference of leaders of all living faiths, and when, in the last days, I jokingly said I was an incarnation of Lessing’s Nathan the Wise, nobody dared to laugh.

I have never wished to work alone. By a series of rather dramatic facts I have now a very ample income for a bachelor. I am expecting to set aside a thousand dollars ($1000) before the end of the year for a peace scholarship, department of Near East Languages, the University of California. I am not only very well acquainted with all the religions involved, but have either studied desert reclamation, water problems, history, etc., or I know professors and departments of my alma mater, the University of California, who have this requisite knowledge. Therefore, before the Almighty God of Truth and Justice, and having no heirs, I intend to work with the University. And although at this writing I may not be able to have too definite a pledge, I can assure you there are a number of people, some quite well to do, who may support these efforts, and the signs are at this writing that the amount of contribution to the University may be inshallah, considerable great than any sum I alone might be able to proffer.

Yesterday, before looking at my files, I phoned Admiral Evenson saying that the usual policy of most groups in the international fields was to cry for money but never never never accept any accomplishments or knowledge from “peasants.” We prefer Vietnams. And at this writing there is a possibility of my autobiography being published which must reveal the shams of so many in international affairs.

While you may deride—and there is no sign that this may not continue—my semi-humorous claims to be an incarnation of Nathan the Wise, in the last 48 hours I have listened to, indeed I have had to listen to, the atrocities perpetrated on peoples of “Jewish” ancestry who do not accept 100% the militarism which has been substituted for freedom and humanity in the so-called Holy Land.

I am no longer asking for courtesy or consideration from any powerful or even not-so-powerful group. I now have among my friends several Rabbis of and from Jerusalem. But I am not interested in power structures. I wish to help humanity and work for peace—not my leadership believe me, but accomplishment. When a person’s bank account is recognized and he is not, there is nothing noble in one’s crusades.

I do not want any apologies. I may be coming to Washington within a period of months. I may even be speaking from the pulpit of top level organizations. A number of years ago I worked out a peace plan for the near East which was accepted by the UN (especially) and by representatives of Israel, UAR, and Saudi Arabia, but not a single American organization official or unofficial. And now I have to listen to the sad tales of both Jewish and Islamic refugees whose sin is that they do not hate each other that they even wish to fulfill the prophecies of the book of Malachi. It is for them I hope to work and also with Universities and groups that show universal respect.

Now if you wish to treat me as a human being, my membership will be renewed but not otherwise.

Faithfully,

Samuel L. Lewis

July 21, 1970

(Garden of Inayat)

My dear Admiral:

You will excuse me if I am a little tired. Great events both in San Francisco and elsewhere involve me, events which may become part of history which certainly do not appear in the newspapers. And it is very hard for me to suppress either my temper or lack of emotional balance.

Years ago there was a rabbi in San Francisco who was removed because he had the wrong political outlooks. Personally I believe that the rabbi should have taught religion but he told me he could not have retained his position at all if he had done that. Indeed the present state of some religions makes the contents of Upton Sinclair’s “The Profits of Religion” look like a description of ideals. And it is a question whether war, murder, race hatred, etc., etc. does not entirely dominate the policies of some groups.

I went to the bank today. In the bank I could talk. No newspaper has accepted anything from me and it is so long since the State Department answered any letter! But it looks as if I may be entering Washington from the top down! That is what happened to my friend, Robert Clifton. After trying in vain to tell people about Vietnam it was discovered that he was a third cousin of a noted Senator. All the doors opened. Instead of then informing the elite, he gave up his United States citizenship on the spot and died a broken hearted man, and it is costing us billions of dollars. We like it that way, or do we?

Forced with a choice of devoting my knowledge and resources to peace in SE Asia or peace in the Near East, partly on account of General Lansdale and others, I have now put all my eggs in one basket and it is going to be a race because a more than Zola-like “J’Accuse,” and just somebody opening doors for me. But they will—in Washington! The cards are now stacked—in my favor.

After all terrible scolding I got for attempting to make peace between Pakistan and India resulted in the Tashkent Conference, and our absolute refusal to have cultural exchange with any Asian nations excepting Israel, and so far as it my be concerned Russia (of all lands), in Asia, it shows we are mad.

But there is a God of justice and I don’t care for all the Hearst’s and Alsop’s or wire pullers. Once I broke up a meeting on Vietnam by circulating a picture of Her Serene Highness, Princess Poon Diskul, and his Holiness, Pop Paul. Now we are getting ready first to have a picture of a beautiful Arab girl from Algeria and a beautiful ex-Israeli girl, and that is only the beginning! And if this is not accepted locally—which would be amazing, we have a publisher! And we have plans, for peace actual peace and not a farce noise sound peace which is a total travesty.

Last week I had to attend a meeting at the House of Love and Prayer on Arguelle Boulevard. Absolutely packed, by young “fanatics” who really believe there is a God, and go on from there showing that God has marvelous qualities just as the prayer books hold. It was marvelous and I laughingly said, “I never saw so many goyim in one place!”

The next morning I ran into the same thing in my first lecture to a group, young of course, on Christian mysticism. All these “fanatics” really believe there is a God. We prefer Marx whom we can understand—and attack.

Then my last week’s dance classes were the largest I have ever had and I have to start more. The press and State Department, of course, just want anti-communists. We will not study the Oriental philosophy of Orientals. And contrast my welcome at the Royal Asiatic Society to the unwelcomes offered in San Francisco.

But this is not a sad story, not at all. It is a Zola-esque story. What is holding up my personal appropriation of a thousand dollars for a peace scholarship at U.C. is not the lack of money, but the opportunities at my door which may make it possible to raise far more without bellyaching, alligator crying before the public. The young want peace and understanding and the powerful want to sic them on each other. This leaves only the communists to try to bring the “workers and students” together, a very easy task which we simply will not touch!

I was the only outsider when Papa Tara Singh and Prime Minister Nehru met and the Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs were all over the place embracing each other. Not a paper in the world showed that!

Believe me, I have a history which all the young people thoroughly enjoy, base on facts, knowledge and contacts and it looks as if it my be published within a year. The aftermath of Geneva is marvelous in my private life. But after all the opinions of the big man who was not there are far more important than the eye witnessing of the little people who were. Or maybe it will be the other way around.

All other factors considered, I still believe our system of jurisprudence vastly superior to most. Why can’t we adopt it in other aspects of life? I an no longer worried. I have not been a mouse trap inventor; but at least 200 young people sought me in the midst of the woods when I was in New Mexico. And now! I don’t know whether it will be a grand melodrama or a ridiculous farce comedy. But my next content, for once, is local—Bishop Myers. I already have the Catholics in tow, but the Jews and Protestants! One no longer cares, and one no longer pleas and one feels that if God is with him nothing else matters.

Faithfully,

Samuel L. Lewis

27 West 71^st St.,

New York, N.Y.

c/o Lonnie Less

October 11, 1970

My dear Admiral Evenson:

This letter is not written with much joy although these is not a single negative note. It illustrates much of what is called (or miscalled) “the generation gap.” In my language it marks the differentiation between “realism” and Reality.

The effortists of all dominate powers to judge people by their relations to what some Frenchmen thought or sat after their Revolution is to me both stupid and misleading. And I have found, and in particular at Columbia University (where I have already talked) both professors and students against this totally subjective classification—but this dominates the country . . .yet.

I am really writing to AFME but they seem to be in accord with the “Judeo-Christian” ethic of not answering letters unless they come from “important” persons. It is ironical that since our appearance as unknowns at the  Temple of Understanding conference in Geneva both my former secretary, Mansur Otis Johnson (friend of Huston Smith) have had series of successes in all our undertakings. And in some strange ways these two undertakings have crisscrossed here in New York.

He is particularly concerned with the films and recordings of spiritual ceremonies, dance and personalities, and chiefly of those of the Sufis whose very existence is practically denied in our culture. There are far, far more disciples in Sufism than there are Jews, however defined, and now also there are people of Jewish birth who are disciples of Sufism, who are taking the lead in both the projects of real Asian-American cultural exchange and real efforts to bring real peace in the Holy Land through Human beings, rather than through ideologies and subjective “realisms.”

When the secretary of the Near East Studies came to work the other day she was amazed to find former Ambassador Badeau and this person just concluding a most cordial session. Indeed my colleagues in California have already gone ahead and made considerable progress along the lines proposed by him. This may delay a re-meeting because so many things are going on and quite favorable.

I cannot compel people to accept God-Allah but He seems to be looking with favor on our efforts. The success at Geneva was followed immediately by my brother’s death and a goodly income which can be and is devoted to world peace. But the responses of the young in various sectors are promoting this. Older people may shun “Dances of Universal Peace” but they are attracting the young and especially those working for good-will among human beings.

One has had a nice letter from the secretary of Gunnar Jarring but follows this up slowly. One has seen in turn our old friend, Mohammed Mehni, an important Rabbi and an important Jesuit leader and speaks at a Methodist church Tuesday night. So much for that.

The rival efforts of several “universal,” “world” and “integrative” groups, all claiming to unite humanity, all ignoring the others and all champions at exclusions has cause some other Hindus and Americans (who are apparently well healed) to start a real effort toward universal spirituality and they have invited this Sufi leader. But it happens that the leaders at Columbia University to promote meetings between Israelis and Arabs are also Hindus and this has been of considerable help in launching.

The news from California is marvelous. The Oakland Tribune and American Broadcasting Co. are behind the efforts of my young friends and their “Hallelujah of the Three Rings.” I can assure you that the Jesuit, Rabbi and Arab referred to above have always taken seriously my “Nathan the Wise” efforts and this Boccaccio-Lessing tradition is now going ahead. It was all right when Jews were being persecuted, and the young think it is still alright.

I therefore hope to call on certain magazines and publications although at the moment time is short. We have to go to Boston this week but will return later in the month.

We would have been glad to work with AFME or any of its rival or parallel groups. But they do not answer letters, They have not joined their religious affiliates in apologizing and so we have now our own fund raising campaigns and so far they have been surprisingly successful praise to Allah and God.

One is so busy we have little time to go to New York’s unparalleled restaurants save on rare occasions. I do not wish to interfere with Republican politics but they once had a President who not only won many battles but who is even better known for his motto: “Let Us Have Peace”

Cordially,

Samuel L. Lewis

Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti

P.S. I have already started my own “Peace Scholarship” at the Department of Near East Languages on the Berkeley Campus and hope it can be augmented.

American Society for Eastern Arts

August 10, 1963

Mr. Samuel L. Lewis

1088 Fulton Street

San Francisco 17, California

Dear Mr. Lewis:

Thank you for your kind letter of July 25 offering us what I believe to be your cautious assistance in case we meet certain requirements and have recognition from others interested in the Asian field.

I trust that our credentials will be satisfactory to you. We are entering into cordial and cooperative relationships with the Society for Asian Arts, the Japan Society and other relevant people and groups in the San Francisco area, and in the New York area we have already established the most cordial relationships with the Asian Society and the Society for Asian Music.

I am interested in the hints and suggestions contained in your letter and wonder if I might call on you in the near future in order to explore with you in person whether or not some of the doors you mentioned might be opened. We do expect to be around a long time in spite of the fact that others have come and gone in this exotic but demanding field.

Sincerely yours,

Robert R. Schultz

Executive Director

American Society for Eastern Arts

September 23, 1963

Samuel L. Lewis

American Representative,

En-gaku-ji Rinzai Zen Temple

1088 Fulton Street

San Francisco 17, California

Dear Mr. Lewis:

Please forgive me for being so slow in answering your letter of August 12. I have been very busy and was forced to go out of town twice in the last month for appointments in Seattle and Los Angeles.

I am of course interested in the people you mention and the contacts you have mentioned in your letter, which might be important to the growth and development of the American Society for Eastern Arts. I wonder if it would be convenient for you to meet with me so that we might talk over further possibilities of cooperation. I have time this week, but unfortunately, next week I am leaving again for Hawaii. If you can give me a call I would very much appreciate it.

Sincerely yours,

Robert R. Schultz

Executive Director

American Society for Eastern Arts

September 30, 1964

Mr. Samuel L. Lewis

772 Clementina Street

San Francisco 3, California

Dear Mr. Lewis:

Thank you for your check dated September 18 in the amount of ten dollars ($10.00) which enrolls you as a regular member in the American Society for Eastern Arts. We are delighted to have you with us.

On October 22 we will present Mr. Kimio Eto, koto, and Mr. Tadao Nomura, shakuhachi, in a concert of Japanese music at the San Francisco Museum of Art. We look forward to having you with us at this time, and will shortly mail you an announcement of the event.

We are planning now for an extended period with Balasaraswati and Ali Akbar Khan and company in the Spring and Summer of 1965, and will keep you informed as our plans and projects materialize.

We would be delighted to have you drop in to visit us at 1654 University Avenue in Berkeley at any time.

Sincerely yours,

Robert R. Schultz

Executive Director

American Society for Eastern Arts

January 3, 1966

Mr. Samuel L. Lewis

American Representative

En-gaku-ji Rinzai Zen Temple

58 Harriet Street

San Francisco 3, California

Dear Mr. Lewis:

The year of 1965 has been a busy and fulfilling experience for ASEA. We are looking forward to having an even more rewarding year in 1966, but we cannot hope to accomplish as much without the support of our members.

It has come to our attention that you have let payment of your membership ($10.00) become overdue. With our heavy schedule of events which have been planned for this year, we would like to continue sending our program announcements and quarterly Newsletter.

Again, thank you for your generous support of our past programs and we sincerely hope you will continue as a member of ASEA.

Sincerely yours,

Robert R. Schultz

Executive Director

American Society for Eastern Arts

February 3, 1966

Samuel L. Lewis

772 Clementina Street

San Francisco, California 94103

Dear Mr. Lewis:

Thank you for your check in the amount of ten dollars ($10.00), received on January 19, 1966, renewing your membership in the American Society for Eastern Arts.

You will find enclosed your new membership card for the year ending October 1, 1966, entitling you to a discount rate for our performances, use of the library, admission to members-only events, and other benefits.

Through our quarterly Newsletter and program announcements we shall continue to keep you informed as our plans unfold and projects materialize.

We greatly appreciate your continued support of ASEA and sincerely hope that you will enjoy our future schedule of events and programs.

Sincerely yours,

Robert R. Schultz

Executive Director

American Society for Eastern Arts

February 21, 1966

Mr. Samuel L. Lewis

772 Clementina Street

San Francisco, California 94103

Dear Mr. Lewis:

Thank you kindly for your membership renewal and your letter of February 8th, noting your several visits and interests.

Would you be so kind as to give us the full name and address of the Professor Davidson you mention, who has brought back a large collection from India. It’s possible that we might contact him to see what his plans might be, since, as you say, they are a little uncertain. Also, we would appreciate your introducing us in the same way to Mrs. Vocha Fiske-White; we don’t at the moment foresee a use for a Japanese collection, but it might be of some interest to us later.

I appreciate very much your allusions to the roses and thorns: you throw the roses and others will throw the thorns most assuredly,

Sincerely yours,

Robert R. Schultz

Executive Director

American Society for Eastern Arts

October 24, 1966

Samuel L. Lewis

772 Clementina Street

San Francisco 3, California

Dear Mr. Lewis:

Thank you very much for your check in the amount of $20.00, received October 24th, renewing your membership in the American Society for Eastern Arts.

Enclosed is your membership card for the year ending 10-24-67, entitling you to a discount rate for our performances, use of the library, admission to members-only events, and other benefits.

Yes, you are certainly welcome to attend the reception following the November 4th recital. It is not necessary to purchase a ticket, since the concert is free to members.

We appreciate your continued support of ASEA, and sincerely hope that you will be able to attend more of our future events and programs.

Sincerely yours,

Robert R. Schultz

Executive Director

American Society for Eastern Arts

November 10, 1966

Mr. Samuel Lewis

772 Clementina Street

San Francisco 3, California

Dear Mr. Lewis:

Thank you very kindly for your long letter of November 5th. We appreciate such expressions and your warm tribute to our work. Good luck and long life to you. We wish you well in your many endeavors.

Sincerely yours,

Robert R. Schultz

Executive Director

American Society for Eastern Arts

April 7, 1967

Mr. Samuel L. Lewis

772 Clementina Street

San Francisco, California

Dear Mr. Lewis:

Many thanks for your most recent letter of March 30th advising us further of your good fortune and plans. I would be delighted to see you again before you set off on your new journey and discuss your plans and prospects in person. I should tell you, however, that we have moved in the meantime and are now physically located at 1940 Bonita St. in Berkeley, which is just four blocks up the line from our previous location. We have the same telephone number and post office box.

I hope to see you then, and if by chance we miss connections, Bon Voyage.

Sincerely yours,

Robert R. Schultz

Executive Director

American Society for Eastern Arts

May 31, 1967

Mr. Samuel L. Lewis

772 Clementina Street

San Francisco, California

Dear Mr. Lewis:

Thank you very kindly for stopping in and leaving us your gift in the amount of $50.00 to add to our scholarship fund with the specific request that it be directed toward the student application of David Gauder. As I indicated to you, we are most happy to accept this gift in his behalf subject, of course, to the stipulation which applies to every student, that he is accepted subject to the approval of the artist. We are very happy to welcome Mr. Gauder as a student in this regard. Thank you very much again for your gift to the Society in his behalf, which is, I may add, tax deductible.

We will look forward to meeting you again and wish you well on your journeys and in your ventures.

Sincerely yours,

Robert R. Schultz

Executive Director

American Society for Eastern Arts

August 16, 1967

Mr. Samuel Lewis

410 Precita Avenue

San Francisco, California 94110

Dear Mr. Lewis:

Thank you for your letter of August 3rd. I am sorry to hear that you had more difficulty, including illness and lack of help for getting your projects arranged. I have passed on your concern for help to David Gauder, whom you have helped in his program here at the school. I am not sure, of course, that he was aware of your need, but I do know this—that our program has been so intensified and so time consuming that it’s possible he has not been able to pry himself loose in order to do those things which he otherwise might like to do. I am not trying to make excuses for him, since of course his relationship to you is purely one between you and him, but I do know that any student at this school who takes the work at all seriously has been extraordinarily busy during the past two months.

Again, we appreciate your contribution to the school and any further contributions you may make to the cause of teaching Eastern music to Western students will be deeply appreciated and I am sure, as you are aware, is of tremendous importance in the overall picture of understanding and culture exchange.

Sincerely yours,

Robert R. Schultz

Executive Director

American Society for Eastern Arts

July 30, 1968

Mr. Samuel Lewis

410 Precita Avenue

San Francisco, California 94110

Dear Mr. Lewis:

Thank you very much for your contribution in the amount of $20 in memory of Ruth St. Denis. It is a very kind gesture and one which we’re certain she would have appreciated.

Enclosed herewith is your ASEA membership card for the year, starting August 1, 1968. We hope you will be able to take advantage of the many benefits to which your membership entitles you.

Through our Newsletters, which are published five times a year, and through our program announcements we will keep you informed as our plans and projects materialize.

Sincerely yours,

Wallace Thompson

Executive Director

Sept. 30, 1969

410 Precita Ave.

American Society for Eastern Arts

405 Sansome St.

San Francisco 94111

My dear friends:

I am both interested and enthusiastic about your programs and efforts. My whole life has been more or less centered on the attunement of East and West through music and the arts. I am now teaching to growing numbers of the young Dervish and Mantric dances. And my disciples are working out chorales drawn alike from the religious of Islam, India, and the West, making great headway.

Partly connected with this and partly otherwise, I am being scheduled to participate in a Parliament of the world’s religious scheduled to meet at Istanbul at the end of March next year. This will be under the auspices of The Temple of Understanding whose headquarters is in Washington, D.C. I am therefore asking for a moratorium as to contributions until my return. At this writing there does not seem to be any particular problem about the availability of funds, but for our protection. I am being conservative, the word “our” is used because I shall have with us disciples who will be able to perform and also assist others in performing Dervish and Mantric dances—even chants drawn from the sacred phrases of various religious.

You may continue to send your programs here and they will be read to my disciples and friends. The number of these is increasing constantly. Along with that a very large number of young people of this region have become interested in real Asian cultures. They have no concern with personality dialectics offered in the previous generation as Asian culture. Most of them are interested especially in music and dance, and in time this may bring both audiences and membership to your organization.

I think you will understand this, and I hope to see you at least once before I leave this country.

Recently my god-daughter had a very successful display of Pakistan costumary here, showing another aspect of our work. She is now at Cornell Univ.

Assuring you of my continued interest in your work,

Faithfully,

Samuel L. Lewis

American Society for Eastern Arts

15 December, 1969

Mr. Samuel L. Lewis

410 Precita Avenue

San Francisco, California 94110

Dear Mr. Lewis:

Thank you very much for your payment in the amount of $15.00, renewing you as a regular member of the American Society for Eastern Arts.

Enclosed is your membership card, which is valid for one year, expiring on the date shown. Your card entitles you to discount rates for ASEA-sponsored concerts and performances, discounts on books and records offered to ASEA members, use of the ASEA library, admission to members-only events, and other benefits.

Through our Newsletters, which are published six times a year, and through our program announcements we will keep you informed as our plans and projects materialize.

Sincerely,

410 Precita Ave.

San Francisco, Calif.

December 20, 1969

Wallace Thompson,

Executive Director,

American Society for Eastern Arts

405 Sansome St.

San Francisco 94111

My dear Mr. Thompson:

I wish to thank you for your letter of 15th December. Some sixteen (16) of the disciples of the Sufi Order here attended the recital of the Indonesian dancers. We are dedicated to bringing East and West together through music and from every point of view it was most enjoyable, to say the least.

Indonesia is, of all lands in the world, closest to following the program we are concerned with. As Sufis we carry on the spiritual mission of Mohammed, but it is an all-inclusive program recognizing all religions. And you may be surprised to learn that in addition to the Zikr and Kalama of Islam we also recite the Ram Nam of India, so from a vary view we more than enjoyed the dramatization of the Ramayana.

(Incidentally I have read and studied this work in its entirety and my interpretations were accepted by the saints of India after being rejected, of course, by the “experts” of an earlier generation.)

We also had the pleasure of seeing Tandy, one of our spiritual sisters, acting as a manager for this troupe.

The Sufi Message was introduced into the West in 1910 jointly by Pir-o-Murshid Hazrat Inayat Khan and the late Miss Ruth St. Denis, both of whom I have had the blessings of having studied under. There is how a biography of Miss Ruth on the market and if you have not it in your library, I shall be glad to donate it.

My own work of spiritual teachings through dancing and singing is now prospering slowly but definitely. We hope to have “Dances of Universal Peace” based on the themes of all faiths. It is now dedicated to The Temple of Understanding in Washington, being snubbed by a number of so-called “universal” or “world” movements. The real world movements must be heart-inclusive.

We feel that the American Society for Easter Arts is working absolutely and thoroughly in this direction and pray that God bless you and help you to prosper. As was told Hazrat Inayat Khan by his own sacred teacher: By the Power of Thy Music Unite East and West.

Love and blessings,

Samuel L. Lewis

(Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti)

July 6, 1970

American Society for Eastern Arts

405 Sansome St.

San Francisco 94111

My dear Miss Louie:

I have just returned to San Francisco after a five weeks absence. This period has also been marked by deaths and accompanying legal and financial complications. However, I am today in a much better financial position than ever before, praise to God.

It may be necessary to delay payment as much as two weeks, not more, but at that time I hope also to add a contribution to help in your excellent work.

My enforced extended absence produced two items which will certainly be of mutual interest, and which I hope to discuss with Mr. Scripps or some other member of your board:

My immediate colleagues are now taking pictures on the theme of “Dances of Universal Peace.” The themes and productions are the results of several extensive conferences with the late Ruth St. Denis and are now gaining wide attention among the youths in several scattered portions of the United States.

These themes will reach a climax, we hope before the end of the year, when the technicians will go to Ajmer in India to film and record Sufi ceremonies and music which do not seem to be on record. We shall also keep our good friend Dr. Robert Garfias of the University of Washington acquainted with the programs, and of course your good selves.

While down in New Mexico I encountered a troupe of actors having what I should call a spiritual workshop. At the present time their efforts are centered on restoring Greek dramas, Moliere, and their own creative undertakings. But their long range plans include the production of “passion plays” drawn feat the Mahabharata and Ramayana. They told me they expect to send an agent or team to this city in the Spring of 1971. I as presuming this will be of interest to you and will gladly act as is liaison person if you so wish.

You will understand my whole life has been dedicated to bringing East and West closer together through the arts, and I hope this slight delay will not inconvenience you.

Faithfully,

Samuel L. Lewis

Universal Prayer

O Lord of the universe, O Creator,    

Protector and Destroyer of the worlds,         

I come in all humility to Thy holy feet

And surrender myself entirely to Thee.

Deign to bless me ever with Thy remembrance.        

O merciful divine Master, give me strength, purity and peace.         

Thou art seated in the hearts of all;   

Thou art all purity, all goodness and all love;

Thou art a veritable ocean of peace and bliss;

Thou art the lover of Thy devotees, refuge of the helpless,  

Redeemer and Saviour of those who resign themselves to Thee       

Make me dedicate my life to Thee and to Thy service,          

By Thy grace, may peace and joy always dwell in my heart, 

Thou art mother, master, friend and all to me.

Accept me as Thy child and servant

Grant me power to love Thee with all my heart,

Let whatever I do be a fitting offering at Thy holy feet.

Make me pure in thought, word and deed

I lay my mind at Thy feet; fill it always purity with Thy remembrance

Let Thy glorious light illumine my heart.

O sustainer of the worlds, O kind and compassionate Lord, God of Gods,

Give me the divine vision so that I may behold Thee in all, as all

Make me ever feel Thy constant fellowship.

May my life be guided and controlled by Thee.

Thy presence be ever with me, in me and everywhere around me.

I beg of Thee, I prostrate before Thee,

Hearken to this heartfelt prayer of mine,

And make me Thine and Thine only forever and ever!

                                        —Swami Ramdas

Anandashram

P.O. Anandashram

Via Kanhangad, S. Rly.

India

15th July, 1955

Beloved Friend,

It is joy to read your loving letter [?] inst. You have told in it a lot of news and other [?] do not matter, even Pronoun. What is needed is a complete elimination of the individual sense. All the forces of our being shall merge in the universal Spirit or Consciousness. God is all in all. Call Him any way you like.

Ramdas is very happy to know that the younger students liked Ramdas when he was in their midst. They are so  earnest, good and loving. Really Ramdas spent a delightful time in San Francisco.

Don’t you know that you are He? If you do not know then know it here and now. If you know, ever revel in the bliss of the Immortal.

Yours is a fine poem. You have the talent for writing poetry. You are steeped in Indian lore. Year thoughts are high and your heart is aglow with faith and love.

Ramdas remembers you. You saw him at the Academy of Asian Studies. Americans are so refreshingly frank, enthusiastic, active and kindly in nature. May God bless them.

Hearty love and blessings to you all.

Ever your Self,

Ramdas

Anandashram

Anandashram Post,

Via Kanhangad, S. India.

1st September 1955

Beloved Friend,

Ramdas had duly received your loving letter of the 24th July. You are a great student of Hindu scriptures and you are having contacts with persons of spiritual experience. As such you are flowing along the current of Divine peace, love and joy. You are a great force for disseminating a message of Divine peace and harmony by your illuminating writings and compositions.

Smile is a reality. Cat is a myth. The eternal smile is revealed itself through the cat. While the former is real and permanent the latter is unreal and transitory. Truth alone is.

All Love and Grace to you.

Ever your Self,

Ramdas

Anandashram

Anandashram P.O.

Kanhangad,

South India,

Oct. 7, 1957

Beloved Sam,

It was with great pleasure that I received your loving letter of the 20th September. We had also duly received your poem a few months ago. Papa also went through your letter and was happy to note what you write.

It is interesting to read what you write about your family affair. God brings about things at the right time. He knows what we need and at what time. If we leave things to Him we always remain happy and cheerful. Your next visit to India will also materialize if he wills that you should come here.

It is very encouraging to note that there is a growing demand for and response to lectures on Oriental philosophy. Of course, there is no wonder in it as people cannot find peace unless and until they turn back from the enjoyment of the pleasures of the senses, and seek the Real. Any amount of material prosperity is not going to give us real peace and happiness. Those who have known this truth by experience turn towards God.

We expect the Hamiltons here shortly. I am sure both of them will enjoy their stay in India and will gather good experience.

All goes well here as usual. We are deeply grateful to you for your love offering of Rs. 100/- sent by draft.

Papa sends his hearty love to you. Also love and regards from Satchidananda.

Anandashram

Anandashram P.O.

Kanhangad,

South India,

April 12, 1958

Beloved Ram,     

Your letter of March 20 came to us some days ago with your cheque for Rs. 100/- in time for Swami Ramdas’ birthday. I could not reply you earlier as we were all busy with the birthday functions which were attended by a large number of friends from various places.

The books required by you (complete set) are sent to you by separate parcel and your love offering is accepted with great joy.

It is interesting to note what you write about the things Indian that are confused with spirituality and how people are after such things. People have perhaps to knock here and there and get a good lot of hits and injuries before they can really turn to God the absolute existence, consciousness and bliss.

We have heard about Dr. Bose who has lived with Mahatma Gandhi for a long time.

Our friends Mr. and Mrs. Hamiltons are here. Perhaps you too are getting communications from them in regard to their experiences of stay with us in the ashram.

Swami Ramdas is not keeping very good health though he looks all right. He has weakness and gets exhausted by any little exertion. All care is being taken to see that he gets complete rest and regains his normal health.

Love and regards.

Ever your Self,

Satchidananda

Anandashram

Anandashram P.O.

Kanhangad,

South India,

16th October, 1958

Beloved Ram,

We have your loving letter of the 16th September. Kindly excuse the delay in replying the same. We had duly received your previous communications also. It is very interesting to read about your experiences regarding the appearance of Jesus Christ before you.

Swami Ramdas accepts with joy your love offering of Rs. 50/- sent along with your letter. Here the ashram activities are going on as usual. Many friends are coming and going.

Swami Ramdas is all right in his health now and is fully engaged in looking after the spiritual need of the many devotees who come here and who are spread all over. That love he possesses is the type of love we have to crave for and attain. That comes only after we realize our oneness with everything, i.e. after we realize that “I” and “we” do not exist and that God alone is. After this experience, love simply flows without any restraint whatsoever.

Deepest love and pranams to you and all our friends there.

Ever your Self,

Satchidananda

Anandashram

Anandashram P.O.

Kanhangad,

South India,

18th January, 1962

Beloved Ram,

We got your long and loving letter of the 9th instant only yesterday. We are glad to know that you are planning to come to Anandashram.

Swami Ramdas’ health has not been very good in these days. He is having some liver trouble and is advised to take complete rest.

You may plan your visit as to be here by the 3rd week of February as there are a large number of visitors at present and we have an acute shortage of accommodation. Kindly write to again when you are coming here.

Swami Ramdas sends you his hearty love and blessings.

Ever your Self,

Satchidananda

Anandashram

Anandashram P.O.

Kanhangad,

South India,

17th December, 1962

Beloved Ram,

We got your loving letters of the 2nd November and 5th December. Papa has also seen them. I was away from the Ashram for a few days and returned only on the 15th instant.

I therefore could not reply you earlier.

Your work there must be very interesting, more so as it is prompted by God Himself. We note what you write about your new books. They must also be very interesting. You may by all means use the introduction written by Ramabai C.T. about Mataji. We read your article on Mataji.

All goes well here. Papa and Mataji are in fairly good health. They both send their hearty love and blessings to you.

Ever your Self,

Satchidananda

Anandashram

Anandashram P.O.

Kanhangad,

South India

11th September, 1963

Beloved Ram,

We have been receiving all your letters all full of news about your activities.

We thought you had come to know about the passing of our beloved Papa away from this manifested world into the Eternal. This happened on the 25th July after a sudden heart attack in the evening at about 7 o’clock.

Glad that your work is going or well. God’s work God makes us do. Love and regards.

Satchidananda

Anandashram

Anandashram P.O.

Kanhangad,

South India

27th September, 1963

Beloved Ram,

We got your loving letter of the 17th, 19th and 21st September the last one enclosing a draft for 25 dollars. We are sending you by separate cover a few Photographs which you may make use of for your new book.

All is going on well here and we are glad to know that your work is going on fine.

Mataji’s health is not very good. She prays that Pujya Papa’s blessings may ever be upon you.

772 Clementina St.

San Francisco 94103

USA

May 7th, 1964

Dear Ram:

In peace, love and reverence. Papa has written so many amusing stories about Ram that one asks for pardon if one also writes an amusing outline. The whole life has been dedicated to hoping to bring spiritual wisdom to the United Sates from Asia and to bring social amelioration to your country and your continent through the application of modern knowledge to crop production that people might have more food, and water. And a few days ago a climax was reached that Sam has now been recognized by the scientists who want him to add his knowledge to the store of scientific accumulation and the people of Asia have been recognizing him more and more as a spiritual teacher. This strange document of a long life illustrates on one level that to man does belong action and to God, the fruits of action. And there could be a conclusion of irony that this is so, but it is not entirely so and irony actually is a stage curtain over something much more important.

The philosophy of the West today is that there are two classes of people–those who know because of experience and those who have opinions. But this has been so since the time of the Greeks. And the History of the world, written by the Scribes and Pharisees is the story of those rejected by Jesus Christ carrying his banner-and they still do.

A couple of months ago Sam attended a Church service, which turned out to be amusing. Christians were listening to a Korean minister and his troubles. The struggle between the Christians and Buddhists has given rise to a growing sect of people who have had mystical experience and they accept Jesus Christ because they have sand experienced him. Thus the Christians missionaries, attacking Buddhism and folk-religion found that they were losing ground to masses of common people who claim that Jesus has manifested to them. They have no defense and, of course, the American people and the world are kept in ignorance of those who have the Divine Grace and Divine experience.

The Subject was “Evangelism versus Mysticism” and in a spirit of humor Sam told the speaker, “That was wonderful. I am a mystic.” But this was no victory. The minister-who had lectured for evangelism against mysticism told Sam, “So am I.” So it will seem that in this new age Ram is going to be victorious against the Scribes and Pharisees, the pretenders and intellectuals who have been misguiding humanity until the age of education permits man to become free. A freedom, a mysticism at an early time would not avail. This a new age.

The scientists reach certain conclusion because of their valid knowledge through experience, individual and general. There is no doubt that the next stages in science must depend on the growth of the Vijnana and Prajna outlooks. These are unknown to the American people. With one notable acceptation, the Vedanta teacher in general sticks to mamas and ahankara and do not enlighten their followers. They give a broad, Universal Outlook, but it is not on the plane of Vedanta. In some places, however, elements of compassion and wisdom are added but not the experience of enlightenment. So one gets the Aldous Huxleyian outlook, very broad, very tolerant, but quite devoid of heart-wisdom; in other words, no Bhakti.

The essential difference between Sufism and Hindu mysticism is that the Hindus who been divided into rather exclusive Bhakti, Jnana and Karma methods; while the Sufis, also divided, have varying degrees of each. But in practice all Sufis are expected to have considerable karma-Yoga and today one meets them in all sorts of places, from humble peasants right up to the Vice-President of India. This last is kept from the American public by all the people who talk on India—the newspapermen, the metaphysical people and the wandering holy men. Each would lose, in a sense, some effectiveness, if it becomes common knowledge that a mystic of one type is President, and of another type is Vice-President of India, and the only difference Sam knows is that the Vice-President has more Karma-Yoga and the President more Jnana-Yoga. But it is real Yoga, not the misuse of this term by Scribes and Pharisees.

Sam’s return from the Orient has on neither occasion awakened any acceptance. It is only that he has been warned and guided spiritually not to retreat. And as one develops in the areas of Prajna and Ananda one cannot retreat. Even Sam’s most severe critics recognize more Ananda in him than in themselves.

There have been series of appearances of Zen Masters in this city and it is very amusing that Sam has been excluded from every symposium on Zen by others and been most welcome at every gathering of real Zen monks and Zen Masters. But there appeared in this city a Zen monk who had neither a title nor any college degree. He spoke on his experiences and the need to communicate and commune his joy. His lecture and discussion failed, there was no understanding. Then Sam rose and said, “This persons teaching from real Zen Masters and this person’s experiences have been exactly the same, down to every detail. The only difference between us is that his Masters are ascribed to the Rinzai School and the speaker to the Soto school, otherwise absolute agreement.” The Chair immediately declared the discussion at an end, that the speaker had proven his point.

This does not mean that there will not be a continuance of the substitution of intellectual derivatives fen Zen experience or Yoga experience or Sufi experience, or practical recognition of Ram in, through, with and around everybody. Only the day of keeping the public and the schools in ignorance is really a night and that night is going.

From this point on it is impossible to tell the story. Sam’s goddaughter has won contest after contest, prize after prize in many parts of Asia and she ascribed it to him. He is now being accepted slowly but definitely as a spiritual guide in more and more places—excepting at home, of course. And this is a difficulty because he has to do everything himself.

But while this has been going on his closest associate has been successful in every commercial venture; this is growing and growing, promising Sam the complete release from all financial burdens, and though this is an anticipation, one must accept it. To recently he has had to be all kinds of what the world (not he) would call difficulties.

On top of that there is a long story of a man evidently closely connected in the aeonic Karma who was a disciple of a disciple of Sam’s first teacher and now accepts him. This man is acting as the agent for the facing of the real problem of real Asia, such as salinity, acidity, improvements in agriculture and soil reforms. While the governments of the world and the United Nations advertise their successes there are more and more pleas for the amelioration of starvation but nothing to build up self-reliance. The results is that off the record Sam and a Sufi brother of the West have been called on and are being called on more and more in their private lives. Because the Sufi (like the Sadhu) must be in a content state of surrender and the operation of Prajna is most necessary at all times.

Sam has found out that there is no such thing as teaching. Jesus has said, “When two are gathered in my name, there I am in their midst.” These people do not know the Name and Sam has been initiated into the Name (not a very good term). In this, the self is automatically affected, there is union of teacher and pupil in Ram, with Ram, through Ram, and the wisdom comes out of the mouth without going through the mind at all. It is all heart, but includes more mind than the depths of mind. Suzuki has given a most warped picture of Zen, and a still more confused picture of Indian Metaphysics, setting up Vijnana (which he does not know) against Prajna (which he does not know). Even in Kamakura Sam was told he was two grades beyond the professor in Zen attainment, which, of course, the Scribes and Pharisees will not accept. (Sam has some pictures, which caused the Japanese to Accept.)

Suddenly things began to changes here also all over. For the first time a professor at the University of California in Berkeley Sam’s travels, personal contacts and experiences-all of which have heretofore been rejected. He was a complete report. Before this could be given, Prof. Von Grünebaum of the University of California in Los Angeles came and spoke on “The relations between Greek and Arabic culture” and to one’s amazement he came out fully for mysticism. He was against mysticism and mystics before but as there are many mystics now all over the world hiding behind other functions he could not refuse facts-he might even have met Vice-President Hussein. This changed everything.

But it also increased the subjects to be discussed with one Dr. Farber of the University of California in San Francisco. Only Dr. Farber could not see Sam; he was busy organizing a great food conference. To this conference came the leading scientists from all over America. And it seems by divine grace that they spoke almost entirely on subjects with which Sam was acquainted and not with others.

One day Dr. Farber came to Sam, tapped him on the shoulder and said, “There’s your problem.” Sam looked him in the eye and said, “No, there’s your problem. Here’s your answer” (pointing to himself). The things that happened after that were “exciting” and even more pleasurable. Sam has to cross this country continually until the money due him comes and then revaluate his whole life. But those who know understated that Ram is the Being, both the Guide and guided, and that there is vast universe between the devotee who prays to be guided; the professor who lectures on these things, and the realized soul. Things now happen too fast, and the wheel-of-life turns.

Love and blessings,

S. A. M.

Samuel L Lewis

Sufi Ahmed Murad-Chisti

Anandashram

10th March 1967

Beloved Ram,

After a long time we got your long and loving letter of 23rd February. It definitely contains a lot of news. Ram is keeping you very busy and He gets so many things done for Him through you. Blessed are those who are the chosen instruments of God. As you rightly say, it is always difficult for people to understand a real instrument of God, because everyone sees his own reflection in him; but it does not matter. We have to go our own way as prompted by God within.

Here our humble work is going on as usual. Mother was not well for some time, but she is all right now. She accepts with joy your love offering of $20/- sent by cheque. We are arranging to send you a set of our books which you will get perhaps after a couple of months.

With deepest love and regards,

Ever your Self,

Satchidananda

Anandashram

10th August 1967

Beloved Ram,

We have received with joy your three letters full of interesting news about your activities over there. You are indeed a wonderful Ram, rather, a blessed Ram. The supreme lord whom we call Ram is making you do so many things to fulfill, of course, His will.

Very glad to know that you are reading Papa’s books and also giving them to friends for reading. Papa’s way of teaching is very simple. He doesn’t go into complicated philosophical discussions using very long and difficult words. He has tried to make the most difficult subject easily understandable to all.

The experience of Jim you have mentioned is really inspiring. Jim must have been deeply meditating on Beloved Papa.

We are having our usual activities here. Though Papa has disappeared from our physical midst, He is still with us so intensely that the devotees who come here feel His presence and happily spend some days with us. Papa taught us never to cling on to his personal form. He was all for the Impersonal—the One who is seated in our hearts, who is everywhere, who has became everything and who transcends everything—the Purushothama.

When we are fully immersed in the Name, our true being is awakened from within and we realise we are the birthless and deathless Eternal Existence. We only live in this body, use it as a vehicle and instrument to carry out the supreme will. Therefore there is no wonder you felt you are ageless.

The very fact that the inexhaustible source of love and joy has opened up in your heart is itself sufficient. You don’t have to put any effort to make others know what you have or to make them taste it. You blossom like the fragrant rose and those who come near you are intoxicated with that fragrance. The rose does not strive to infuse the fragrance into others. Its very existence is sufficient. So also the very existence of a God-realised person is sufficient to radiate peace and joy in that area.

Deepest love to you and all others there.

Ever your Self,

Satchidananda

Anandashram

26th January 1968

Beloved Friend,

We got your loving letter of the 18th instant. We were very glad to know that you have been very busy with God’s work. He is bringing to you earnest aspirants who like Pujya Papa’s books also. It is interesting to hear about two ladies who have fallen in love with mother Krishnabai.

Kindly let us know what all books you require. Because you have not sent any list we are unable decide what you require. Please write to us soon.

Talks of those persons who live, move and have their beings in God, alone can inspire the hearers. Many talk but few are benefited. God realisation is not a joke. It is the rarest thing in the world. Blessed indeed are those who realise God and enjoy His eternal bliss.

With love.

Ever your Self,

Satchidananda

410 Precita Ave

San Francisco, Calif.

2nd February, 1968

Satchidananda

c/o Anandashram

Cannanore District,

South India

Beloved Ram,

Your letter of the 26th has been received in love and joy. One must begin by saying there are more than two ladies now who are in love with Mother Krishnabai. One was here today and has asked for our book list so she can purchase them. But it is possible we shall get together and have a big Ramdas library.

It is very curious that one should be trained as a Sufi and when one practices certain Sufi disciplines, especially the one known as Tasawwuri, it is Ramdas who manifests as Teacher. Not only that Sam is becoming more and more like Ramdas, becoming also Papa and Lover and it is all Grace, nothing but Grace. It is utterly beyond him. Sam feels like a playwright who has to participate in his own dramas playing roles which seem foreign to his nature.

It is very hard to get older people to accept honesty and it is very hard to be other than honest with the young. Sam was initiated into the Esoteric Buddhism in Japan and all the older people refused to accept it. His task was to purify the Dharma. We have a class in “Buddhism” at the university and not a single student in the class knew what the Triratna was. This comes from attending services at so-called “Buddhist” establishments. And Sam is going to tell the class his story of his initiation which was to reserve the Dharma in all forms.

Next Sam offers Lord Buddha’s Yoga, and we have practices in Love, Joy, and Peace. The other night Sam showed his disciples the Peace and two had samadhic experiences. Two others have had these last week. And we have stories of mergence in Jesus Christ., Sri Ramakrishna and papa Ramdas. This will horrify some people who have strange intellectual views of a Sufism of which they know nothing. Mohammed taught, “We make no distinctions or differences between the” but religions and cultists make these distinctions and differences.

Sam has colleagues, men like himself, who have been to Asia and undergone disciplines with Asian masters and come back and been rejected by society. We have joined together and also both together and apart are drawing so many young people. These young people want Truth and God and not personalities or lectures and especially sermons. We give them yoga and others give lectures on Yoga. We give many kinds of Yoga, some from Sufis, some from other sources.

It also seems that the universities accept reports from Sam which the narrow cults and study groups would not look at. All, of them want money for research and nothing else and the research is based on personality. So Sam got out what may be called his Zen stick and began getting a number of apologies. All these people had to do to get money was to be honest but so many seek fame and power. And this day is going, going fast.

Next there is the matter of Sri Aurobindo. Sam is ready to write for one class “Sri Aurobindo and Plato.” The universities encourage what the cults and private groups ignore.

Anyhow, next Sunday, God willing, Sam will be speaking on “Sri Aurobindo and His Predecessors.” This will be in two parts. One will have to do with Darshan, an actual method of Yoga which Sri Aurobindo used. Sam never had it from him but had it from Dilip Koomar Roy. Sam also had the Darshan of many Buddhist masters and also in a varied form from Pir-o-Murshid Hazrat Inayat Khan. It was this glance which is keeping Sam going, in his seventies and younger and younger all the time. And it becomes so funny that the people who will not listen to Sam and call him a liar have to fact this strange vitality. And the young regard it as a sign of Grace of God.

Sam’s family of beautiful men and women is growing. His place is filled to capacity and although he now lectures five times a week, he will have to prepare to lecture in nearby places. The ability to give the Love, Joy, and Peace from Lord Buddha wins hearts. The young want Heart, the want Love, the want Peace and they do not want lectures.

But there are some Sufis gradually coming here and each time it happens it is like a whole army coming to one’s aid. And what does Sufism teach: Nothing Exists but God, and God Is Love. Now we also teach through walking and breathing and meditation and concentration.

Finally the RamNam. These young people take it like honey. Sam thinks they are reincarnation Indians and they act like it. We chant in Sanskrit on Sundays and Arabic on Thursdays. And you may be getting more letters from the beloved young people who are part of a new kind of family—and they all love one another and not a word has been said about this!

Love and Blessings,

Anandashram

26th March 1968

Beloved Ram,

According to your letter of 19th February we have dispatched the following books in three packets:

World Is God................................. 1

Gita Sandesh.................................. 4

The Divine Life Vol.II ................... 4

Guru’s Grace................................ 10

Silver Jubilee Souvenir of

Mother Krishnabai’s Renunciation. 2

Homage To Mother Krishnabai.... 25

Thus Speaks Ramdas ................... 20

The Pathless Path ........................ 10

A Devotee’s Diary Vol. I to V. …… 1     

We trust you will receive the books in good condition and your friends and devotees will enjoy reading the books. We have made our own selection of the books. If you like to have any more or any other books, please write to us. We had also received your cheque for $25 sent along with your letter.

All well here. Mother Krishnabai is well and the ashram activities are going on as usual. Mother prays for Beloved Papa’s blessings on you and all the other friends there for eternal happiness.

Ever your Self,

Satchidananda

Anandashram

April 23, 1968

Beloved Ram,

We got your loving letter of April 6 enclosing a cheque for $25. The books for Mrs. Sitara Dolphin have been dispatched. We are glad that many young men and women are coming to you to hear more and more of what you say about God, Divine Love and Papa and Mataji. You are doing God’s work and as such He will see to it that fit instruments are brought to you and that is His business.

Recently Mr. Paul Reps came in contact with the Ashram. Since then he has been writing to us and asking for more and more books which we have sent him. It is very good to hear that he is also doing great work.

All well here. With deepest love and best wishes,

Ever your Self,

Satchidananda

.

Anandashram

6th May, 1968

Beloved Ram,

We got your loving letter of April 26 with your cheque for $10.

Yogacharya Mildred Hamilton is in India now. She visited us last December for a week and is now touring different places in North India. She has met many saints and yogis during her tours in India during the last two months. Her address in India is c/o Dr. Pravinder Singh, 15A Aurangzeb Road, New Delhi. She expects to be in India for a few months more.

We are glad Mr. Paul Reps will be with you shortly. It is good that many young men and women are anxious to hear about God and lead a divine life. May those who have seen the Light show it to others who are groping in darkness!

All goes well here. With deepest love to you all. Please convey our best love to Mr. Paul Reps when you meet him.

Ever your Self,

Anandashram

14th June 1968

Beloved Ram,

We have your loving letter of the 7th of June with a cheque for $10 which we gratefully accept.

We hope you have received all the books sent from here. It takes a long time for the books to reach here.

It is interesting to read your description about your meeting the Swami. What is inside is not always seen outside. One may appear to be very grave and reserved, but at the same time he may be very humble and loving. In this case, by your love and RamNam you brought out the real nature of the Swamiji. God’s game is really wonderful.

After all, the world itself is a big tamasha. In it so many tamashas as you have mentioned are going on. May the newly wedded couple be blessed with a long, harmonious wedded life, peace and prosperity, and may they walk on the spiritual path hand in hand. Both of them are really blessed that they are guided by you and Dr. Chaudhuri.

With Love and Best Wishes,

Ever your Self,

Satchidananda

P.S. We got also your loving letter with a copy of your addresses to Pondicherry.

Anandashram

12 July 1968

Dear Brother,

It is nearly a month since the receipt of your long, loving, descriptive and interesting letters of the 12th and 19th June, which we have been unable to acknowledge so far, owing to various unavoidable reasons. You will pardon us for the same. Your letter of the 19th June contains a cheque for $10.00 being your love-offering which we accept with great joy. We have also received your last letter of the 1st instant.

We here in Anandashram are mostly engaged in the constant repetition of RamNam (Lord’s Name), meditation, service of the poor and to the extent possible, following the tenets of our most revered Papa (Swami Ramdas), viz Universal Love and Service.

Love & Pranams to you, Ram!

Ever yours in Him

For Anandashram

Mr. Sadanand S.Nagarkatti

Anandashram

24th July 1968

Dear Brother,

Your loving letter of the 17th instant together with your contribution of $10/- has been received here yesterday with grateful thanks.
The mahasamadhi Day of Beloved Papa is on the 25th inst., the fifth anniversary. The usual programme of meditation twice a day in the Homa Mandir of Beloved, Papa’s mahasamadhi, besides the usual RamNam repetition in the Ashram Bhajan Mandir, goes on fine.
Glad you are all keeping fine, in His remembrance and in the blissful spiritual atmosphere all around !

Loving Pranams.

Ever yours in Him.

For Anandashram

Mr. Sadanand S.Nagarkatti

San Francisco, Calif.

18th August 18, 1968

Anandashram

Kanhangad

South India

Dear Ram:           Om! Shri Ram, Jai Ram, Jai, Jai Ram!

One always enjoys “The Vision” but this letter will be more in reports of the inspirations and impetus that comes from and with it. So there will be a long report and a small enclosure. It began with a meeting with a clairvoyant and ended with a meeting with a clairvoyant.

Two weeks back on Monday morning a convocation was called by a very, very wealthy and powerful man of this region. He is known as a politician, a successful business man and a “high liver.” Underneath he is an advanced initiate and hides this. He goes around to spiritual and metaphysical places and they treat him in their usual manner practically of them and churches too full of self-respect disregard St. Paul’s “Show kindness to strangers for many have thereby entertained angels unawares.” This has been his career.

He called a spiritual meeting and in the end gave very determined instructions to Sam’s disciple Sheyla, to get ready to go to India. He was very adamant and first Sheyla and now another disciple, Dara, is being prepared. They will aim first at The Temple of Understanding which will hold sessions at Darjeeling. The leaders of this movement have shown Sam utmost respect both for his learning and spiritual center. But the churches, the “Universal people,” the metaphysical people have not. Even those which pretend to accept the Temple have not. And it became a source of unfortunate amusement to find all these people crying for funds, money, dollars and turning away the very people that can bring them money by their bastard “humility,” which means they have no ears and having no ears, evidence they have no hearts. The country is full of them.

Besides everybody cries for money and few for action. This man has demanded action and Sam’s job is to see he cooperated with The Universal Meditation Center which is a Universal Meditation Center and not some self-organized group of people who use names. The idea came from Paul Reps and was immediately supported by a Sufi and a number of Buddhists from a number of Asian countries. It has nothing to do with the intellectual or ecclesiastical movements which adopt high names and cannot fulfill them.

It is only that Sufis are not dualistic and do not play around with words like Advaita and remain dualistic. It is Sam’s job to invite any and all and build up a universal which is universal in the sight of Ram and not in public estimation or bank accounts. It must be all-inclusive. And there is a cartoon in this land, “And then the fun began.”

Sheyla and Dara are getting ready for India. They are both deeply in love with Mother Krishnabai. Sam has assigned to Sheyla the working title, “Spritual women in the World of Today.” They are first stop at Madras where Indian Air Lines enters your country with a letter of introduction to Br. Radhakrishnan who always answers Sam’s letters, with whom there is deep understanding.

The visit to Pondicherry will depend on timing but they should visit there and even the
Radhe-Soamis before returning home. For they are connected with a growing movement in this land for communal living based on spiritual, not on political premises. This movement is growing very, very rapidly and is, on the whole un-lead.

This world is filled with people who claim to believe either in the moral order or karma and don’t. It is unfortunate. They have often cut themselves off from the very funds they seek. And the same came true in the visit of Dr. Huston Smith. This man is regarded as America’s greatest authority on Asian faiths and philosophies. Twice when self-important people turned down papers from Sam he accepted them. He is connected with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, one of the most advanced groups in the whole world. But Ram is full of humor, as Papa Ramdas used to say. Sam’s esoteric secretary was the star pupil of Dr. Huston Smith! And we are planning a luncheon to which we are inviting Dr. Haridas Chaudhuri if this can be arranged. It is time to stop a lot of promotional nonsense about bringing East and West together, including the wealthy and intellectual and excluding the wise and awakened!

Huston Smith is regarded as the supreme authority both by all those who are taking psychedelic drugs or involved in forms of psychiatry which lean toward the Orient. In the class he told Sam that Sam would be given an “A.” and Sam also brought him poetry rejected by the very “nice” East-West people whom I shall not name. They all believe in “moral order” and Karma and do that. But all of them fit in Ram’s Scheme, only not as leaders.

During that time something funny happened. One of Sam’s disciples wrote about his return from the East Coast. He is preparing to go to India and Pakistan if it can be arranged. After Sam reported this to the heads of the department he wanted to visit some Indian instructors who are friends of either disciples he found them in the office of one Prof. C. Naim. Naim said, “Who is this man?” “Don’t you know the Sufi?” Naim scratched his head, “of course I know the Sufi!”

When the “great” professors of Oriental studies were here and some very technical questions were asked about Indian literature and philosophy and nobody could answer they did something that never occurs in “East-West” circles, they opened the floor to anybody. A little man got up and answered the top experts in this land. His answers were accepted and that is now he met Prof. C. Naim who was then stationed at Chicago, So Sam is planning a real “East-West” gathering and will also invite Dr. Chaudhuri.

In the meanwhile Sam is presenting spiritual, not intellectual, methods we had used the Sufi Tawajjeh but only for disciples. Now he does the Darshan, following a real, real universal method, not intellectual. In one of the prayers of Hazrat Inayat Ham Khan, Sam’s first Sufi teacher it says:

”Allow us to recognize Thee in all thy holy names and forms; Let us know Thee as Rama, as Krishna, as Shiva, as Buddha       As Moses, as Jesus, as Mohammed.”

Now Allah(Ram) speaks to Sam and told him to perform first what is called tasawwuri, a Sufi expression meaning outward attunement and effacement. But Sam must have satisfied Allah(Ram) for the next told him to perform Darshan. And one reports in a spirit equally scientific and devotional:

Ram brings courage, fortitude, nobility, faith, honesty, one-pointedness and is very effective for and with men.

Sri Krishna is the most difficult for Sam. It make him fall in love with all the women and they with him. And Sam has around him some of the most beautiful young women he has ever seen. And when he did this he felt ashamed but Allah(Ram) said to him: “For others it may be wrong but for you it is not wrong for in you there is no lust.” And then Sam could realize that Sri Krishna could appear and dance with man Gopis.

Sam’s best balance was the Darshan or Jesus which brings all love and tenderness for everybody and is something like the Buddhas Avalokita. Actually this would be his favorite but one serves Ram, not himself.

The Darshan of Shiva is like the Sufic Akhlak Allah, that God is in, around, through everybody and everything. That of Moses is fitness, concentration, much of what the Indians include in Artha Sastra. And that of Mohammed is the total integration of all before him, and to Sam is that of Maitreya Buddha. But the “”highest” is he Darshan of Buddha. This is “active peace.” No movement here and Sam has had his picture so taken and it may be published soon.

During this same period Sam has had no less than six interviews–not even time or sleep! And eating! His stories and articles may soon be published. A complete turn of the wheel-of-life, in everything. For “The stone that was rejected his made the cornerstone” was revealed to Sam when he was very young. And now all the people that have been rejected by the self-proud are coming to him in greater numbers all the time.

The period ending Friday night was marked by the first attempt to bring Buddhists together. This was tried over thirty years ago by Dwight Goddard, compiler of the “Bible of Buddhism.” It resulted in all the very ego-centric people who call themselves “Buddhists” rejecting Goddard! And, of course, each other. But although Sam is a close friend of Her Serene Highness Princess Poon Diskul, President of the World Buddhist Federation, each of the Buddhist “leaders” of whom there are many reject this and most of them reject each other.

Sam has tried the Jhanas of Lord Buddha and they work. As was stated things are done in an equally scientific and devotional spirit. The Jhanas work, the young increase their capacity for and their conscious realization of joy, love, peace, devotion. Of course this is done with Guru. It is not accomplished without Guru. The empty words remain. With Guru it is done.

With all love and blessing and apologies for the egocentricity of these reports (Sam has never asked for forgiveness for his sins: he only prays for and relies on a just punishment).

Om Sri Ram Jai Ram, Jai, Jai Ram,

SAM

Anandashram

28 August 1968

Mr. Samuel L. Lewis,

San Francisco.

Dear Brother,

We acknowledge with grateful thanks your love-offering of $10/- (cheque) sent

along with your letter of the 18th instant. We read the contents of your above letter with great interest. May all be well with everybody and may love and peace reign supreme in the universe, is the prayer of:

Yours in Him,

Yours in Him,

Sadanand B. Nagarkatti

(for Managing Trustee)

October 1968

Anandashram

Cannanore District

Travancore-Cochin

South India

Dear Ram:

It was with great delight that one received the list of books now on their way. With the establishment of the Sufi Khankah to the north of here, and with the slowly but steady growing number of adherents and followers, this matter can only be fully pursued after disciples Sheyla and Dara visit you.

There is much satisfaction today to find the growing acceptance of the heart outlook. While Sam accepts the teachings of Sri Aurobindo, he also accepts the general Indian cosmic psychology such as is found in the Brihadarankya Upanisad and Gita in particular. He also founds (Brahm) in all people. There is some confusion between the mere verbal acceptance of this and applying it in life.

Sam finds it easy to demonstrate that there is great joy in the contact of human bodies; this pales into insignificance before the contact of the subtle bodies. This subtle body, non-physical contact is being demonstrated in the Dervish dances here. In turn this is paled when there is the living contact between the hearts as is now being performed by Sam in Darshan, and in another form in the Krishna dances. In performing these Sri Krishna dances Sam seems to disappear entirely in the personality of the Lord-this is one aspect. The other aspect is as the Sufi’s teach: The lover is a vain thing, the beloved is all in all. These transformatory experiences are being accepted by those that dance with Sam and even more so by those that are attending Darshan.

In the Darshan we move from the subtle to the higher realms-this is one aspect. In the spiritual dances the blessings of the higher realms manifest in part through the guru and in part through the dances, rituals, and pageants. These are all based on the actual scriptures or ceremonies of the great religions. They are certainly not dependent on personality and even less so on intellectual prowess which has been wrongly substituted for true Yoga.

While this is going on more and more disciples have seen the mergence of Sam in and with Papa. This in turn has made it possible to present much more mystical and esoteric teachings, i.e., methods, to the young both disciples and non- disciples. We have obliterated nearly all dualistic sermons, oratory, verbal emotionalism., which have certainly not transmuted human egos. Love is Love. Light does not depend on its casting powerful shadows.

It may be necessary soon to send more money so as to have literature at least both in San Francisco and Novato. However, some of Sam’s disciples are about ready to go into the book business and the matters may be turned over to them.

Sam is most fortunate in having around him a group of vigorous and active and beautiful devotees who are his associates and helpers. They all join in sending their greetings especially Srimati Krishnabai.

Love and Blessings,

Sam

P.S. Mr. Paul Reps will be here shortly. We hope to have good audiences here.

Anandashram

12 October 1968

Beloved Brother,

Your loving letter of the 28th September has been received here on the 7th instant. With it, the list of Books of Beloved Papa, sent, has been received as under:

                                                                                        Price of each copy

The Divine Life Vol.2 -                            4 copies                       Rs. 2-50

Guru’s Grace                                           1 copy                         Rs. 2-50

Gita Sandesh                                           4 copies                       Rs. 2-50

A Devotee’s Diary                                  6    “

Thus Speaks Ramdas                               5    “                          Rs. 0-75

Krishna Bai (out of stock)

Glimpses of Divine Vision                      1    “

Ramdas Speaks Vols. I, II, III (2), IV(2), V(2), IX(2) X

The Pathless Path                                    4 copies                       Rs. 1-00

Letters of Swami Ramdas Vol l - 4 copies & Vol. II 3 copies,

In Quest of God (out of stock)

Homage to Mother Krishna Bai              2 copies                       Rs. 0-25

The Sayings of Ramdas                           1 copy                         Rs. 1-00

Call of the Devotee                                 1    “                           Rs 1-50

God-Experience (out of stock)

The Vision***                                           2 copies
The available Books will be sent to you, as required, by Sea Mail at the earliest possible date.

We have received in the past your love-offerings which we have promptly acknowledged. The “small contribution” mentioned in the opening para of your letter, is not received here which is just for your kind information, along with your letter under reply.

When Mrs. Sheyla McKendrick and Mr. Robert Rowell come to India, they are quite welcome to the Ashram which belongs to all.

Pujya Mataji sends to you all loving devotees there Pujya Papa’s blessings for eternal happiness.

Love & Pranams.

Yours in His service,

Sadanand

Mr. Sadanand B. Nagarkatti

*** Do you require the book “In the Vision of God” or “The Vision” monthly magazine?

Please enlighten. Thanks.

18th October, 1968

The Manager, Anandashram

Anandashram, P. O.

Cannanore District,

Kerala, South India

Dear Ram,

The July issue of “The Vision” has arrived and Sam reads with some sadness of Shri Swami Satchidananda ill-health. Sam does not regard himself as different from Swamiji; we share “secrets” which belong to the world above duality. As long as man dwells in the duality and is deceived by the verbal expressions against duality the destiny of man will remain unfulfilled.

Sam is delighted that you have used the quotation from Sri Aurobindo. This great Sage has left a compendium of divine wisdom and already he is being substituted for God and people worship him and quote him but shunt their own higher selves in his name. The result is that the young people here admire Sri Aurobindo but are rejecting the projects in his name, especially in India. These are all being built on emotional dualism and the rejection of real holy men who were achievers and the substitutions of prominence for deviate inspiration.

Unlike the followers of Sri Aurobindo—and of course these people reject it, most unfortunately, Sam has been often “Merged in Sri Krishna.” So he is sending either here or in a separate envelope copy of The Rejected Avatar. This is the day of its release. It is to be reviewed and then put on the stands. The idea of a Sufi writing about Sri Krishna will cause much abhorrence but the truth is that the Sufi can respect Lords Buddha, Christ and Shiva and Rama, but the followers of Shiva and Rama and Sri Krishna and Christ and Buddha either do not or cannot show the same respect to Lord Mohammed and restrict Ram to certain names and forms. Therefore Sam prefers to be known as a Sufi without any diminution of spiritual effacement, or devotion. For a Sufi sees God-Ram and worships God-Ram in all names and forms while others mostly just say it, say it and do not demonstrate it.

Sunday night Sam gave Darshan to about 50 people, only two or three over 30 years of age. This is a communication of unity in the Supreme and not any dualistic ceremony of “I am different from you.” It is difficult for San to report on it. Sam had with him Fatima and Mansur and they do not choose to report. There are forms of love, spontaneous especially which come from the depths of the heart. It is this Heart-Vision and Heart-Unity which will draw the peoples of the world together, is drawing the peoples of the world together now. Older people want to lead; younger people want to join each other.

Sam is continuing the joint heritage from Hazrat Inayat Khan and Ruth St. Denis. Disciple Fatima has drawn a marvelous picture of Sri Krishna and the Gopis. She has Sam’s spirit through and through. Her concentration is on Mataji Krishnabai; this is real spiritual practice. Sunday we open our “The Garden of Inayat” in the town of Novato some 30 miles to the north. Hazrat Inayat Khan told Sam how to raise the funds; when we operate in the name of Ram, Ram comes to us. We had no campaign, no anything. We have the place. There is a vast difference between verbal adherence and actuality.

Today is Sam’s birthday, and tonight and Sunday celebrations and in between the dancing class. Sam continues with the Dervish dancing and Ram has given him the Hari Krishna dance and the RamNam dance. There is no need to tall the young people, “God is Love.” It is being demonstrated and as Moineddin Chisti gave the love-religion through the Music, now Sam is giving the love-religion through the dance, It is most effective.

This week Ram gave Sam the Lord’s Prayer with movements; a Buddhist mandala ceremony in the swastika-eight fold path formation using Sanskrit and Pali formulas. Also the Rama dance to bring strength, courage and manhood by a real Yoga effort, not mere physical exercises and postures, but a real energizing of the subtle and causal bodies and no nonsense, and no philosophy.

Then the Krishna-Gopi dance. This was for a disciple of Sam named Krishna Das who is compelled to be away. Both the Krishna and Rama dances require Darshan also. The first effort to put on the dance produced a phenomenon totally unexpected—the manifestation of love from so many young and beautiful women. Sam never had anything like it. Krishna dances with all the Gopis until he meets Radha and then pays no more attention; so then a number of men equal to the number of Gopis join and we end in what might be called a follow the leader dance, a combination of Indian and European movements. We may give this tonight; we shall on Sunday when the Khankah (Sufi Ashram) is opened.

All of these dances require the incessant repetition either of the Divine Names (mostly) or the Divine Attributes, nothing else. These Names are repeated over and over during the dancing. The same is true of the “Opening of the House” and “Birthday Dance” that we repeat over and over the Divine Name while dancing.

These are dedicated to Mrs. Judith Hollister who is now heading the convocation of the real leaders of the real religions of the real world in Darjeeling. It may be necessary to present than in the city of Washington later when these people return.

Actually Sam has had a break-down—all work, work, work and no help. Some people have the idea if they only pray help will come so Sam got a lot of prayers, a lot of letters, a lot of people coming for spiritual help and a number of requests for his manuscripts, all spiritual, from himself and others. Two secretaries were engaged in moving and another in marriage and the choices of prayers, good-wishes went on and on and on but no help. Finally a notice was given that Sam was closing his place. Then Ram stepped in:

Yesterday a long-distance call and a man wants to have Sam work with him on both the scientific and spiritual problems which this man also sees as One. No more dualisms passing as Advaita (we have a lot of them). But the Union of Sufism, Kegon Buddhism and Sankara with Love. Sam does not know what it means. He refuses to look beyond Sunday. It will be a new world with great venture and adventure. The young want Love, their elders give them words, words of encouragement no doubt but still words!

Om Sri Ram! Jai Ram! Jai, Jai Ram!

Samuel L. Lewis

Sufi Ahmed Murad-Chisti Sam

Anandashram

24 October 1968

Beloved Brother Sam,

Your long, very long and loving letters are wonderful indeed! Your experiences too are equally wonderful. The book, “The Rejected Avatar” has been received with joy.

Your love-offering of $10/- has also been received here.

We have arranged to send you the Ashram publications by Sea Mail, as desired. Trust you will receive them in order. Please do acknowledge.

All goes blissfully well here in His remembrance.

Pujya Mataji sends one and all of you Pujya Papa’s blessings for eternal happiness.

Love & Pranams.

Yours in His Service,

Mr. Sadanand B. Nagarkatti

The Garden of Inayat

910 Railroad Avenue Novato,

Calif. 94947

November 7, 1968

Anandashram,

Kanhangad,

Cannanore,

South India

Dear Ram:

The practice of the presence of God is so different from the dualistic, emotional and intellectual aspects of life that it has caused a vast generation gap here. Older people are satisfied with words or with the emotions and favorable samskaras suggested by them. Sufis say, “heart speaks to heart and soul to soul.” This is entirely different from the dualism called Advaita. Dualistic advaita is on one hand a source of confusion, and, on the other hand, such utter nonsense, it cannot affect the New Age culture arising here.

Sam’s vision includes an ever-increasing number of dances and rituals. These are utterly unreal to older people who will not participate, and just as utterly real to the young who participate or observe. The young people differing from their elders accept that when Sri Krishna is on their side victory is theirs. Their elders still hanker after money power, fame etc, but mostly without being aware of it. There is far more ignorance than evil; perhaps there is only ignorance and no evil at all.

Within two weeks Sam hopes to choreograph these new dances and rituals. Last night Sam instituted the Sun dance and the Moon dance. The forces and factors involved make one feel that there is something like the restoration of Vedic and Mystery dances. So far the high point comes when Sam is merged into Sri Krishna. The difficulty is not in the merging but in the control of the ecstatic state.

Prema may be delightful. It does not always help one’s fellow man. The mergence of Sufism and Indian culture, which is Sam’s dharma, is now taking effect here. It has the virtue of being all inclusive, without using the term “all-inclusive.”

In discussing these new developments with the housemother here, Fatima, Sam said, “I do not like to talk to you. I am your senior by many years in age. I am your spiritual teacher. But when I look into your eyes, I see nothing but “Mother Krishnabai. Then I feel terrifically small.” Fatima replied, “but I am Mother Krishnabai!”

Sam may have to ask you a favor. His disciples Sheyla and Dara are traveling in India. They report they have not too much money. Sam wishes them to visit Anandashram. While we believe they can cover their expenses there, if not, please let us know and we shall send the proper funds for their sojourn.

Some of the items in “The Rejected Avatar” come out of Sam’s life. Older people accept the words karma and golden rule, but they do not behave other than has the generality. Now the young people are very different: to them the word love means love, compassion means compassion, generosity means generosity, words of themselves have no meaning.

Dare and Sheyla report the resemblance between the hippy communities, American and non-American, with Indian customs and traditions. This confirms Sam’s belief. It is almost impossible to convince seniors that the soul has no age, and that those of young bodies may be far more advanced than they are. They seem unable to accept this even when willing.

The repetitions of the names of God, mostly Arabic or Sanskrit are the basis of all the new dances coming through Sam. In fact, you cannot do them without remitting the divine names. The result on the emotions is revolutionary. It is almost awkward for a person formerly rejected almost everywhere to today being accepted in almost exact counter-balance to the former relocations. It is said love will find a way. The Divine Love is all ways. It is manifesting here and now. Sam’s Darshans have been so successful, it is possible that they will in time revolutionize culture itself, inshallah as Muslims say.

The Garden of Inayat must become a model to the new age. There are now 6 permanent and 3 part-time sojourners. In a sense we are more than a happy family, because we are becoming a family in the sight of Ram, in the repetition of Ram (or Allah) and in the knowledge of Ram (or Allah). Of the last 15 people Sam has interviewed, every single one of them has expressed willingness to accept the reality of God, apart from religions, cults, philosophies, institutions, dogmas and all persons whomsoever who wish to divide, or to divide, humanity. We do not have “universal-religion.” We are having a universalism which includes everything-Vijnanavada

We must thank God for the airmail which brings us so close in time. Love and Blessings,

Anandashram

17th November, 1968

Beloved Brother,

Your loving letters of the 19th September, of the 28th September enclosing a cheque for $10/-, of the 19th and 31st of October and the last of the 7th instant have all been received. We offer our heartfelt thanks for your love offering of $10/-. In the midst of our daily activities which cover up a pretty long time of the day, I am sorry, I have not been able to write to you touching all the elaborate points you have mentioned in your long loving letters. You will pardon me for the same.

RamNam keeps us blissfully engaged. With our united Love and Pranams.

Yours in His Service,

Mr. Sadanand B. Nagarkatti

Anandashram

19th Nov. 1968

Sir:

As per your kind instructions in your letter of 28th Sept: last, we have the pleasure to advise having completed the dispatch of the following books under two separate Regd. packets, by Surface Mail. Trust they will reach you intact at an early date.

Out of the books ordered for by you, the following are out of stock: i.e. “Glimpses of Divine Vision”; “Index of Contents of Ramdas Speaks”; “In quest of God” & “God Experience.”

For packing adjustment, we have added one more copy of “Thus speaks Ramdas.”

Name of book      No. of copies in Pkt: I          Pkt II         Total          Price

                                                                                          copies
                                                                       

Guru’s Grace                                         1                                           Rs 2-50

In the Vision of God)

Part I & II two copies each)                  4                                              10-00

Letters of Swami Ramdas

                                           Vol: I       4                                          10-00

                   “                     Vol: II        3                                          7-50

Gita Sandesh                                         4                                              10-00

The Pathless Path                                  4                                                4-00

Sayings of Ramdas                                1                                                1-00

Call of the Devotee                               1                                                1-50

A Devotee’s Diary: Vol: 1 to V     2(sets)          4 sets        6 sets        30-00

The Divine Life: Vol: II                         4                                              10-00

Ramdas Speaks (Vol: 1 & 2 together)    1                                                2-50

            “                Other volumes                               9        copies      11-25

Thus speaks Ramdas                                               6              “            4-50

Homage to Mother Krishnabai                                2              “            0-50

Add: Packing, postage & Regn. on two packets                                   41-75

Total…                                                                                          Rs 147-00

All’s well here by Divine Grace. With hearty love and greetings and prayers for Divine blessings of peace and plenty to you all there.

Ever yours in the Divine:
Balaji
Manager

 P.S. Trust you have duly received by now our Air Mail letter dated 17th inst: acknowledging your previous letters and the remittance of Dol: 10/-

November 19, 1968

Anandashram

Kanhangad

Cannanore

South India

Dear Ram;

Sam is here sending you his monthly contribution. He does not know how far this goes at Anandashram. He is concerned over the whereabouts and financial status of two of his disciples now in India, Mrs. Sheyla McKendrick and Mr. Robert Dara Rowell. He has written that it they are in difficulties, they may proceed to Anandashram and would receive help in an emergency from him through you.

The great obvious thing is that God is love, but this love includes intelligence, wisdom, mercy, compassion and joy to say the least. There is a vast difference, a tremendously vast difference, between verbal “God is love” “God is intelligence” and the pursuit or attainment of these verbalisms in the objective daily life. Sam has been writing and also receiving very cordial letters from Auroville, Sri Aurobindo Ashram. In this land there are persons and organizations full of praise for Sri Aurobindo, his efforts, his successes and the work of his disciples and followers. Words, plenty! Sam has no intention of trying to convince anybody that God alone exists. After writing yesterday to Auroville, Sam returned to San Francisco and was given hints of actual methods by which tractors and other equipment can be sent to ashrams in India. There is a vast difference between verbal praise and actual accomplishments; between platform orations and the devout pursuit of real karma yoga, where yoga means life in God and not mere physiological or mental gyrations, so popular among certain peoples.

The difference between verbal karma yoga or purna yoga and the actualities could have been witnessed at the work party put on at the Sufi Khankah “The Garden of Inayat,” now officially opened in the city of Novato, some 30 miles to the north of here. Disciples and friends came, worked in joy without supervision, without homilies or sermons and in living brotherhood, such as Sam has not seen in his already long life in this land. Long work hours were followed by dervish and yoga dances, which awakened and strengthened joy and love among the participants. We are putting the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad into practice and actualization among living devotees, nearly all quite young, but many far more spiritually advanced than more or less famous sermonizers and intellectuals much better known.

It may be amusing, but it is certainly important, that Sam’s closest Christian colleague now calls his institution “Church of the Children.” He has reported more samadhic and illuminatory experiences than all of the groups in this vicinity proclaiming God-realization, samadhi, satori, etc, combined. Sam does not believe that there is any change in the teachings of the Bible in general and Jesus Christ in particular that wisdom may come from and through the young. He has no time to try and convince that the subjectivities of older people do not fulfill the actual teachings of the real scriptures of the world.

The Coming Race predicted by Bulwar Lytton, H.G. Wells and Sri Aurobindo is here. These advanced soils are manifesting intelligence, love, and brotherhood. No doubt they need a guru or many gurus. Sam is now instructing through the sciences of Breath, Dance (nirtya yoga), Art (yantra yoga etc.), and other means which the living God is manifesting to and through him. The lessons of “The Rejected Avatar” are being fulfilled in objectivity. Holy Qur’an teaches that Allah is closer than the neck vein. So are Rama, Krishna, Shiva, Buddha and all the actual Avatars of India (Bharata) and non-India. These methods are completed by Darshans and these Darshans have become very effective in awakening the hearts of devotees young in body, but not so young otherwise.

As the American philosopher Everson predicted, the world would beat a path to the household of any great inventor, though he lived in the midst of the woods. This week Sam is preparing to greet the Vietnamese, Dr. Thich Thien An, an advanced real Buddhist, with a knowledge of profound Buddhism hardly known in the western world. And then, our good friend Mr. Paul Reps.

Arrangements are also being made for a party to greet Lama Anagarika Govinda, who may be somewhere in this vicinity. Sam does not know how far this is a heart-man. If the meeting is delayed, Sam will demonstrate some real Vajrayana pageants. These are to demonstrate the realities of Prajna, Alaya-Vijnana, and Akasha. No doubt, it is very fine to have intellectuals and podium lecturers talk on these things. But they belong to the inner beings of all humanity, they are manifestable. The Kingdom of God Is Within.

Sam has then to prepare to meet the Sufi Vilayat Khan. Despite the very large number of actual devotees, real practicing Sufism has been almost entirely excluded from American culture. By the very laws of karma and moral rectitude, this is bringing about a great reaction among the young, who eagerly greet whatsoever has been rejected by their elders (vide: “The Rejected Avatar”).

This series of hosting visitors will without question come to a climax next year. Sam has already met Swami Swahananda who will be in charge of the Ramakrishna Vedanta Temple here. That is, if you want to call it a meeting. As the Sufi Hazrat Inayat Khan said, “Heart speaks to heart and soul to soul.” We are therefore copying some of Sam’s more profound poetry and also sections of his diary (rejected by Vedantists, so-called, in other parts of the country).

These are all preliminary to the coming here of Swami Ranganathananda, Maharaj whose very name and personality make it difficult for Sam to continue without entering an ecstasy. The meeting of East and West will become more than delightful maxim, sweet sermons or substances less delight. Sam hopes to bring large audiences to hear Swamiji.

There is also going on, underground at present, efforts to bring the teachings and poetry of the great Sufi Jelal-ud-din Rumi to the public. All these things and more are going on. There is no time for boredom. There is time to praise God, and there is a growing realization of His Reality among the young. Papa and Mataji are with us, very much with us.

All Love and Blessings,

Samuel L. Lewis

Anandashram

5 December 1968

Beloved Ram,

Your long and loving letters are a delight to read. The latest ones are of the 19th Nov. and 24th Nov. With the former, you have been kind enough to send us $10/- as your love-offering which we expect with great joy.

Everything goes on blissfully well in His remembrance.

Looking forward with interest, to receiving your letters and with all of our united Love & “Pranams” to you and all all all all all there,

Yours in His Service,

Mr. Sadanand B. Nagarkatti

410 Precita Ave.,

San Francisco, Calif.

December 18, 1968

Sadanand S. Nagarkatti 

Anandashram

P. O. Anandashram,

Cannanore District

South India

Dear Ram:

We are always trying to be one in love and Pranams, and we are not restricted by these words. We seek rather to work in the realities behind these words.

Some people guessed that “The Rejected Avatar” was the blessing Sri Krishna gave to Sam because he, Sam, was not permitted to present his mystical and spiritual philosophy and knowledge to others. All these wanted was money. All say that Sri Krishna was selected by Arjuna over all else and thus Kurukshetra was one. But all over this land, all they want is the money and they do not want anything else. And every time Sam is rejected by man, Ram manifests, to so speak, sand the young who have not the demerit of frozen ears, some and find the experience of Joy.

Since the manifestation of the RamNam in dance form has come the Ram-Sita-Ram. It is very much alive, it is very real, it brings joy to the young and we no longer care whether the older ahankara-manas people accept or not. For there are signs that through the Dance Sam may become an instrument of Ram in bringing the young to repeat mantrams in joy—which is exactly what is happening more and more.

Mr. Paul Reps was skeptical and now he is the most enthusiastic. Unlike others he did not ask Sam for money, he asked to see the dances and was immediately converted. Others just want the money and do not accept the dances. But this is a New Age; the young accept the spiritual realities and have a love also for Sri Krishna which is very great.

The disciples in India did not follow their projected paths but one has returned and wishes to go back. There is more and more communion between the young of your country and this. And now also the Indian students are organizing and they will accept from Sam the spiritual contributions and are not just seeking the money. It is funny and unfortunate.

Isn’t it wonderful to have been permitted to live a long time end find oneself in the midst of a multitude who evaluate Love and Bliss and Sri Krishna and do not care about the money at all?

Love and Blessings,

Sam

Anandashram

24th December, 1968

Beloved Brother,

Your loving letter of the 18th instant enclosing cheque for $25/- has been placed before Mataji. She accepts your love offering with joy. 27th being the Sanyas Day of Beloved Papa, we are expecting to have a good Satsang here, as many devotees are expected to come here during this week. Pray to the Lord for all the best and eternal happiness to you.

Love and Pranams.

Yours in His Service,

Mr. Sadanand B. Nagarkatti

410 Precita Ave.,

San Francisco, Calif.

February 12, 1969

Anandashram,

Kanhangad Post Office,

Cannanore,

South India

Dear Ram:

This is really a funny letter and it is written very early in the morning, long before daylight. Many copies are being made and some of the recipients are going to be shocked because it looks as if Sam has to go to law to bring a law- suit. And people will be shocked, but they will not help Sam in the way he wants it. It is fortunate that in Sam’s private Kurukshetra with Sri Krishna on his side battles are won. And there are many people who glub-glub Prajna but most reject it. Only to practice what is into guidance is always a pause of shock to good people who are still attacked to their egos.

Sam has not had a day off this year and he does not know when he will have one. There are so many problems of so many people and the Mystical Experience when God said to Sam! “I make you spiritual teacher of the Hippies” is fast manifesting, and it is as Sam has been telling everybody, “Sam’s campaign to be a Pied Piper has failed miserably, only the young show up.” And they do every week more. Only Sam has practically no help and the more he succeeds the more suggestions he gets, not help but suggestions. So this is a very funny letter.

Playboy, a very well known off color magazine has written about Sam and they say some things which are entirely untrue. They have written about him without his consent and they call him a “Sufi, which is all right. But the article has to do with the cults of California and the Sufis are not a California “cult.” The American people are ignorant of Sufism although the poetry of Rumi and Hafiz is getting more popular. The Persian (Iranian) Consulate accepts Sam but if he tried to lecture on Sufi Poetry it would be rejected. It is all very very funny.

Sam is now reading his Christ poetry—to the young, of course. Their elders always rejected it but mostly the churches and poets rejected it. Also those who presumably are interested in predictions. This poetry was written from a high state of consciousness and every single prediction in it came true. Some came true almost immediately and some it took a few years, but everything in it came true. And the class on Christian-mysticism which is private is growing in attendance every week. And now Sam is giving practices in Breathing and Meditation which are effective; under the Guru they are effective but the important people deny Sam is a Guru and as he does not want to be their Guru be does not care.

Sam holds classes every single day and now in many places. The most important one is in the Height-Ashbury District. Sam appeared before the Hippies and found not a few had spiritual experiences. They have been turned down. Sam knows this for this is a long career with many associates who foresaw this day and now all but Gavin Arthur and one or two others are dead. But what we saw is now come to pass which provokes all the people who claim to be interested in predictions and prophecies. They cannot accept that the part-of-God can permeate the mind of man and they will not accept Prajna and Vijnana—but the young do and more and more all the time.

The only good thing in Sam’s life is that three out of four people who make appointments don’t show up. If they did the whole of life would be taken with consultations and classes. But this is a sign.

Sam’s work with the dances is progressing, more and mere dances, more and more interest. And now we shall have a whole group based on Om Sri Ram! Jai Ram! Jai Jai Ram! Sam sees this with the Inner Vision. Last week for the first time he presented the Dervish dances and then Hari Krishna! One of the disciples suggested a few changes and Sam said, “Yes, we need the symbols.” So two went out and got cymbals! But this was a good suggestion.

Then Sam had a surprise visit from a Jewish Sunday school class. He felt he could explain Sufism to him (unlike their elders they listened) but he did not know whether he could explain Judaism so he told them he lived some of the Chassids who are Jewish mystics. They are so concerned with politics, so little with God. And now a Christian seminary is sending for Sam. It is wonderful that there is an awakening toward the reality of the God-Experience.

So many go around claiming God-experience and when they ask fine, he always says: “Never mind their claims. Show me their disciples.” And we hear stories of the rise and fall of this great personality and that but never a sign of any great disciple. So many churches and so many cults but only the young experience God, so we shall have a new age in which the God-people may be separate, in a certain sense from the Church people. This is coming, inshallah.

So Sam is ready for the Kurukshetra in the law-courts and this will shock the good people. They avoid Kurukshetra. Out twice in the last year Sam was flooded with bills he could not pay and in each case in exactly ten days money came. Only now Sam feels his has Sri Krishna with him. He is going to compel the Americans by strange ways to accept the possibility of the God-experience and even more of the Love-experience—not thoughts, not emotions and not even Prema but the All- Embracing Love of Christ am Krishna, of Mohammed and Buddha as an actuality.

Well all this looks like bombast, but in the midst a disciple of Sam, twenty- five hundred miles away long distance in the middle of the days; “SAM ! Om Sri Ram! Jai Ram! Jai Jai Ram!  I have had ‘IT’ the illumination!”

This is worth all the criticisms and suggestions and comments and enables Sam to again resume his program of seven, days, 12 hours a day. His of assistant is away, ill, but the Inspiration is here, praise to Allah-God-Ram.

Love and Pranams,

Sam

410 Precita Ave.,

San Francisco, Calif.

11th March, 1969

Anandashram,

Kanhangad P.O.

Cannanore District,

South India

Dear Ram:

It is with great joy that one has received another packet of books. But it is also in greatly changed circumstances. These books are definitely in demand. The whole world is outwardly changing. One does not expect others to adhere to any moral standard, one expects oneself but now there is a whole generation of young people here in America, totally different from those of the past. Sam has “reasons” to believe many are re- innovated personalities who have lived before in Indian bodies. There is too much evidence of it.

Ever since the visit of Swami Ranganathananda Maharaj hare, witnessed by university professors, there has been great change of attitude. The professors, seeing the communications of speech and silence now open their doors to Sam. He is no longer pushed away and we can and do discuss the realities of Indian history and Indian philosophy and the related subjects. There is a growing acceptance of spiritual realities and of the unimportance of “self-important” persons who previously occupied the platforms, the roster, the pulpits.

Last week Sam spoke in the now famous Haight-Ashbury District and the audience was very attentive. There were no self-important people there but there was a division between those who had theories and those who practiced the mantrams. This is leading toward two immediate goals; the sacred dancing and the Darshan. But for both of these some acceptance of Mantrams is needed first. And the young who have practiced Mantra- Yoga are so much more full of life. Only they need to learn there are many kinds of mantrams and the best ones are those given with the Grace of Guru.

It is on this point the intellectuals tall short. They are giving teachings without Grace of Guru. They become popular, they attract attention and after a while they become less popular and do not attract attention. But now one sees all over notices of Gurus and their mantras and this is becoming more and more a popular institution. It is only among the intellectuals who used to do all the speaking, all the talking, all the explanations that this is not so.

Paul Reps will be here shortly and he is attracting far more persons—not more public attention—but actual persons. It is not necessary to name the popular lecturers of the past. Many were not even referred to in an article in Playboy magazine (March 1969) in which Sam was mentioned. The writer did find that Sam was attracting the young. And like Paul Reps he is being called on to visit more and more educational institutions where the real spiritual philosophies are opened to the world, almost universally with techniques, techniques of meditation, techniques of breathing, techniques of silence. And now they are seeking Love, not some philosophy but manifestation so Sam has been saying that his efforts to become a Pied Piper have failed, only the young show up and every single week of this year more than the previous weeds. One does not know what to say.

 Sam now has a whole compendium of Dervish dances and they are being accepted everywhere but in the circles verbally devoted to “East-West” culture, everywhere else welcomed. And now we have added both the Ram-Sita dance and the RamNam dances. The Ram dance itself was part of the dances derived from the prayer, Salaat of the late Hazrat Inayat Khan, the Sufi. There are now walks for Rama, Krishna, the Bodhisattva, Moses, Jesus and Mohammed. And dances for Rama, Krishna and Mohammed, and ceremonials for Buddha and Jesus. These are all the heritage of the late Miss Ruth St. Denis.

But we are also resurrecting the whole mystery and original folk dances and have in mind the combination of RamNam dances and Maypole dances and hope to have a Maypole. But we are also planning to combine this with Wesak, in honor of Lord Buddha and even more so because Sam’s real-Zen real-Roshi will be here in May. We have a big place thirty miles north of here with much room.

We are planning a spring party soon and Sam is planning to cook curry for perhaps a hundred or more people. The attendance is growing and growing. And now the professors instead of turning Sam away accept first his physical history—which all the “important” people of a few years back refused to listen to, and more. This is a new age, an age of honesty, objectivity and devotion.

We are also having several women disciples preparing to be mothers and we have given them the Kwan Yin and Saint Mary walks. We are not talking about Bodhisattva, we are demonstrating that everyone is Bodhisattva. And now the heads of the Rinzai Zen School and the Korean Zen and the Vietnamese Chan are accepting this. It is very true and it is only the old school intellectuals that do not.

This means that sooner or later we shall have a real Universal School of real Universal Meditation and more, which will be all-inclusive and not particularly selective. Besides now both Sam’s dervish stories and Zen stories, stories of real life, meeting real persons in this age are being prepared for publication.

The career of Sam as Guru (also Murshid and Roshi) is peculiar in that it will be the first of such in history. And yet the principle is that Nothing Exists but God. This God-reality is becoming the Reality of the young. We are leaving to others to give the lectures, the intellectual things, the hard philosophies…. We are leading the young, in a sense. Bat the young are also leading Sam. Even in the dance field, Sam has some Yoga disciples and what they are accomplishing is amazing, they draw from the Akasha which is something the manas-ahankara people cannot do.

Even at this writing it seems there will be an improvement in Sam’s financial affairs and in the next communication there should be an enclosure, inshallah.

With all Love and Blessings,

410 Precita Ave.

San Francisco, Ca. 914110

April 14, 1969

Anandashram

Kanhangad,

South India

Dear Ram;

Love and Blessings to everybody. It is something like a story to find that outwardly affairs are changing very rapidly. You may have heard about the so-called war between science and religion. So today it is very amusing that in the universities one can discuss God and his existence, in the churches this is seldom done, and in the so- called cults which are so prevalent here, it is never done.

There are so many new movements in this land; all kinds of them; they are nearly all based on ego-leadership and dividing mankind even when verbally proclaiming brotherhood. It has become very funny. The young people and more and more and more of them want to be together. There is every sign that they will be together.

Sam’s main work now tends more and more to music and dancing. The young find a joy in repeating the names of God than the older people ever dreamed of.

Both in the university and the class in Christian Mysticism we are studying the Gospel of Saint Thomas. This proclaims the majesty of male over female. One of my young lady students questioned this so last night we presented materiel on Mataji. You can tell Mataji that Sam considers her the greatest of saints but will not be her bhakta both because she does not want any bhaktas and because she is Papa’s bhakta. We went over this point last night in both extreme reverence and extreme humor, the way I am sure Papa would have liked it.

We are always chanting the names of God here—in our public meeting on Sunday in Sanskrit, in our public meeting on Monday in Arabic, and in either or both during the week by ourselves. It has been easy enough to allure, charm, and awaken young people but to our surprise we are now attracting men in their 30’s and find some of them are also allured, charmed, and awakened.

We are planning a May festival here and Sam has worked out a number of dances based on RamNam (we also have a very large number now of Dervish Dances). It has been suggested that the RamNam chanting both that which accompanies the dances and that which we do in connection with our studies and meditations be tape recorded. It also brings up the question of sending these tape records to Anandashram. The big problem involved is that of writing up the dance prescriptions and formulae. There is simply not enough secretarial help.

We have received another consignment of books and we are also enclosing a check for $25 at this time.

This brings up another subject. Two of Sam’s disciples went to India but did not fulfill his requests. Now another young disciple has been won over to the idea of going to India to study spiritual dancing. We understand that this would involve a visit to the general Travancore-Cochin area but do not know yet. It is our hope that than she can visit Anandashram. This matter may take several months to settle but you wish you to be informed ahead of time.

Sam has now both more followers and more money. He does not like to be involved in financial matters and is constantly involved in financial matters. Still he realizes that God has released him from poverty and that others are in great need. He therefore considers it a duty, even a privilege to make contributions as if nothing belonged to him anyhow. There is one thing we must absolutely agree with you on and that is the effectiveness of the RamNam. The life proves this and so does the love prove it, and so gradually our Americans being attracted because as a great Sufi has said, “Heart speaks to heart and soul to soul.”

Our love and blessings and always.

Faithfully,

Garden of Inayat

23rd April, 1969

Dear Ram,

With all the verbalizations about God very few seem to make Him a reality, and yet all the great saints and sages say that God is the Only Reality. One sometimes despairs of convincing certain types of intellectual people that this is true but now there is another kind of humanity manifesting here which may well be the types that Sir Aurobindo predicted, but when followers of Sri Aurobindo do not accept, sometimes cannot accept, so great is the desire for leadership among some types and they cannot see that “leader is he who is leader of himself.”

Last week ended a mystical experience and this was different from former seminars. In former seminars only intellectuals and professors were permitted to speak and their ideas and opinions were given serious consideration. This time the leader who is also a professor of philosophy, began with insistence on the reality of mystical experience and he stuck to it.

The reason is that in the end he not only accepted Sam’s history but wants more. And this was followed almost immediately by Sam meeting a new type of professor of Indian culture, Americans who have studied in India under Indians and not Europeans and Englishmen and their pupils. These last do not know the mystical experience and have had the audacity to make themselves the authorities on it.

Then follows a negative and a positive achievement. The negative achievement is that more and more universities are refusing to accept mere intellectuality as a sign of any knowledge of Asian cultures especially those dealing with mysticism and spiritual achievement. It is something one has longed for for years and now it is being attained, praise to God. No more dialecticians and self-important professors.

The other is that tow universities will accept the writings of Papa Ramdas. Sam is very glad that we have kept on asking for and getting the literature and now we can give some of the extra copies.

It is noteworthy that 150 students of the University of California went to India because of Meher Baba. Now this man is gone and whatever his claims were and are, it looks like a ship without helmsman and rudder. But what is important is that this as a sign of hunger on the part of youth for spiritual attainment and no more lectures and monologues. It is a wonderful sign.

Sam does not know how many weeks have passed this year but the total attendance at his lectures and meetings have increased every single week. The house in Marin County has been filled to overflowing and also his house, but in both districts, San Francisco and Marin a seminary, that is a religious school, has offered the facilities free. Even the orthodox realize that religion cannot be maintained without the God-reality.

Sam’s work is with the dance and now a new sort of chant derived from Sufi sources. One no longer cares that the intellectuals have turned their backs on the existence of Sufis; Sufis could equally turn their backs on the existence of intellectuals but they realize that God is in everything and everyone, is everything and everyone, actually, not in theory.

We have been doing RamNam dances and on May 4 we are giving a form of folk-dance based on RamNam around the May pole. It will be a combination of May pole dancing and Wesak celebration and we are also making arrangements for the proper Pujas. We expect more people than we have ever had for it is not only the young but now professors and older serious people who want realities and not mere lectures.

Paul Reps has published a brochure on “back-breathing.” Sam has been using a sort of “Kundalini” approach but with reverence. And Sunday night he said, “People say Sat Chit Ananda with serious faces. If you are going to say ‘Ananda,’ let your face light up with joy.” Why, Ram, it is not only the young who constituted nearly the entire audience but now there were older people who attend light up, and the recitation and dancing and walks of RamNam have brought such joy and light to people, one is sure that this is making Papa happy. It has become so real and is in contrast to the sombre letters of a few years back.

For there is no question that the world seeks God or Ram and the young lovingly say “Ram” and more people are repeating RamNam all over than could be anticipated.

This week we accept to join the Hindu students in their activities. The doors are opening, all over are they opening, and the Joy is manifesting.

Om Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram!

Sam

410 Precita Ave.

San Francisco, Calif.

6th May, 1969

Anandashram,

Kanhangad,

Cannanore District, South India

Dear Ram:

It is almost seven years since Sam returned to this country and while he had two visits to Asia and was received with utmost cordiality by sovereign and holy man alike the “leaders” in this land refused to take him seriously. The wheel-of-the-law turns and karma has no special respect for those who lecture on it. They are no different, to karma, than anybody else.

Yesterday we had a short commemoration of your late President Dr. Zukar Hussain. This man and Sam were really like “two peas in a pod” but the now passing “leaders” refused to accept this at all. And now we are seeing a New Age in which no man can retain leadership unless he fulfills the Sufi dictum, “leader is he who is leader of himself; ruler is he who is ruler of himself.” And one has the fantastic situation that “leaders” refused to accept Sam’s visits to holy men and holy places and now equally they cannot realize that young Americans wish to learn more about holy men and holy places and so they are coming to Sam more and more and more.

And now the universities, seeing that the young are coming to Sam and finding what the local Indian cultural attach says: “Mr. Lewis knows more about India than any other Americans,” this is a New age, a reel New Age in all respects.

The Oracle has now been published, one hopes to see that copies get into your hands. The articles are written by Sam’s friends and disciples and at least one by himself, and more is coming. And now young editors are approaching Sam and young people, so he will have to make some journeys as soon as the programs are cleared. In the meanwhile his chief secretary is carrying on and successfully carrying on.

This secretary, Mansur Johnson, was a star pupil and friend of Dr. Huston Smith of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and is regarded as the leading American authority on Asia and its cultures and wisdom. He is not a product of English and European universities and he has sat at the feet of Indian gurus and Japanese Roshis and not at the feet of important university professors. He himself is an important university professor of the very highest intellectual institution, perhaps, in the whole world.

Sunday we constructed a Maypole. May Day used to be of importance in Western culture. It was for the young. The communists made it their day and to fight the communists the politicians made it their day, for their tiny offspring. But we are trying of restore folk-lore and its cognitives, and we were successful.

We combined May Day and Wesak and we began with a special dance of Sam to RamNam using the Maypole. It was the very effective beginning of a very effective day. We had 150 people, practically all young, the oldest being those in charge of Buddhist puja.

It is almost impossible to convince the intellectuals of Prajna, Vijnana and Ananda. They stick to ahankara and manes. But the Prajna is very operative. The Buddhists asked if he could do a
Nembutsu which is a Japanese mantra. “You are just in time” for Ram has just Sam a folk-dance to the salutation of the Buddha of Infinite Light and they joined in and now it will be shown all around. We did one after another, although on this occasion we only did one Dervish dance.

At the commemoration Sea met a Swami, friend and disciple of the great Swami Maharaj Ranganathananda. “What are you doing?” “I am teaching Dervish and Mantric and Bhakti and Yoga dances.” “I wish I had the time to see you.” But both Swamiji and Sam are very busy. And now within one year as Ram had shown Sam his close following has jumped from 60 to a hundred—it was foreseen and it comes. And this is the limit that Sam can do until he organizes.

Sam did not wish to organize, but all the people who proclaim cultural integration and world outlooks have refused to accept him seriously; and now in turn the universities do not accept them seriously. In the last communication Sam mentioned about placing the Ramdas literature in two local universities, but doors are open more and more. And not only people but money—which is the great virtue here. Besides, after Sam gave some very serious admonitions to his closest disciples they have advanced not only spiritually but even financially, and when there is financial betterment then others wait to share. And Sam would like to share but he cannot share money with those who will not accept either his intellectual or spiritual achievements and people would rather deny them even if they lose money for manas and ahankara are mamas and ahankara and Prajna, Vijnana and Ananda are different and that is what the young want.

So many doors, new doors opening and so many young coming, and no intention on Sam’s part. But it is time for Indian leaders to accept Tam Tvat Asi and that Brahm is in human beings as well as in wild elephants and cows and monkeys.

Efforts will be made now to organize a Music and Dance department with emphasis also on Walks. The Buddhists were amazed at our Avalokitesvara and Kwan Yin walks. They are full of love and devotion, Bhakti walks. This is a New Age, beloved ones.

Faithfully,

Samuel L. Lewis

18th May, 1969

410 Precita Ave.

San Francisco, Calif.

Anandashram

Kanhangad

Cannanore

South India

Dear Ram:

Sam sends his greetings and wishes to say that today all is very well. The whole of life turns and whereas in previous years there was pessimism, at least from the outer standpoint everything has changed.

For “reasons” known to Ram—logic does not explain it, every single week this year so far has shown a total audience-increase. Recently Sam has been asked to join a class at a local college which is studying “Mystical Experience,” not the traditional “American” view of comments on it, but the experience itself. And this week the talk before the “Hippie” audience was not only very well attended, but received with all seriousness.

Next week one will begin reading some Sufi poetry because these young people like poetry, only one will go into the depths. This is based on
“Let my heart become Thy lute, Beloved,
And my body Thy flute-of-reed.”
The young people are so different—they are objective and heart-seekers. Their elders are subjective and power-seekers. And whatever else be said, there are always young and more coming.

There is another fact and factor that they are all seeking a “Loving Father.” Whatever Christianity has done, it has emphasized “Loving father” but there are not many “Loving Fathers” and apparently from the present scene even less loving mothers. Sam has three God-children because they did not have loving mothers and loving fathers. And now he has what he calls “ersatz grandchildren.”

One is preparing to come to South India to study the spiritual dancing and I shall keep you informed on this. Sam has only one secretary now when he needs many but Ram is seeing to it that these men have paying positions, to support their families and also the spiritual needs of the time. These needs are growing but most fortunately also the response is growing.

Sam has two happy homes and two families, outside the growing number of disciples and general audiences. We have mourned the death of President Hussain. As Sam told the Consul here, “That man was My Self in another body.”

Love and Blessings,

Samuel L. Lewis

Anandashram

23rd May, 1969

Beloved Ram,

We have duly received your loving letter of April 14 enclosing a cheque for $25 as your love offering which we accept with joy. Glad you have received the books.

When you are talking about singing God’s name and dancing, I thought of writing to you that Beloved papa’s grandson Premanand is now in Hollywood. He is with his wife there and has taken on a job. His address is: Sri P. Trikkanand, 1850 N. Cherokee Ave Apt. 11, Hollywood, Calif. 28.

He will be very happy to meet you and you and your friends can hear him sing devotional Indian songs. We are glad that you are always chanting God’s Name in public meetings. It should be like Krishna’s flute attracting the Gopis. People should become mad of God by hearing His Name sung. The ecstasy they feel on hearing the name will prompt them to take the name themselves and enjoy divine bliss. Good that you are getting younger men taking part in these programmes. Let us make every heart a church or temple.

Noted that one of your disciples will be visiting India and may come here also. We are very happy to meet him here.

With deepest love and best wishes,

Ever your Self,

Satchidananda

Anandashram

15th June, 1969

Beloved Ram,

We got your loving letters of the 18th and 27th May. We are glad to know that Beloved Papa’s books are more in demand. When you are sending cheques with your letters please also write what books you exactly require from here. If the names are mentioned and also the number of copies required we won’t have to churn our mind which to send and which not to send.

We note that your youngest disciple, Deborah Devia Cherney will be visiting us some time that is whenever she visits New Delhi. She is welcome.

We had a letter from Shri Premanand yesterday in which he writes that he had heard from you and that you would be meeting him soon.

All well here.

Deepest Love and Best Wishes.

Ever your Self,

Satchidananda

The Garden of Inayat

910 Railroad Ave.

Novato, Calif. 94947

End of June, 1969

Anandashram

Kanhangad, Cannanore

South India

Dear Ram: Om Sri Ram, Jai Ram, Jai Jai Ram!

Sam had planned to write on his return to San Francisco about the wonderful visits we had with Premanand. After our first visit Premanand asked Sam if he had had a good time and Sam replied, “No, an astounding time.” It was not the first occasion and when man lives for God and not for himself this often happens.

Sam’s associate Moineddin stayed also at Premanand’s in Hollywood and Moineddin was so moved he asked if we could chant the RamNam here in Novato. We started it this morning and the singing came out so beautifully that Sam felt he should write at once. The quality and characteristics of the voices was inspiring and compelling. And Sam believes we are moving in the direction of brotherhood through universal love and not through any doctrines even the seemingly all compelling ones.

There were four of us, two young women disciples, Moineddin and Sam. The girls slept in a different part of Los Angeles but it seems that each of them had marvelous contacts. Halley has been studying with Alla Raka, the percussion player for Ravi Shankar. We spent one evening there both listening and doing our own chanting. It seems everywhere outside of the cultural circles we are admitted and permitted both to listen and to illustrate, and everywhere there is mutual cordiality.

The household at Hollywood suggested we visit the Ashram at La Crescenta which is now called Ananda Ashram (or Anandashram). Sam has not found such a place of love, joy and please in this country. The whole atmosphere is holy and marvelous. But the Mother is away so we have decided to send representatives south more often to Hollywood, to La Crescenta and to wherever else it may be proper to do so. And we stand in pretty substantial agreement that music is going to bring the peoples of the world together and doctrines will divide them, continue to divide them as they have always been.

Of course the highest form of music comes in the Mantra Yoga. We are using all kinds of mantrams today and from all religions, too. We are not the “universal religion” of various individuals who think they have something to give to the world and who ignore Kabir and Akbar. This characteristic of the old day is departing. The young people know better and will not follow emotional appeals without substance. Love ignores nobody; doctrines divide.

Professional “universal religionists” omit Mohammed and the whole course of Sufism. They ignore the existence of the All-Pervading Deity and think they are beyond moral laws. And the young are turning to truth while their elders adhere to the empty noise-word “Truth.” And it is this change of the young, all over, which is so marvelous.

Sam is now admitting children into the RamNam but not into Sufism. Our last performance was entirely successful. Perhaps it is God telling Sam, not Sam trying to “teach” about God. But one thing is certain—this method is raising the capacity for real Joy and once there is an experience in Ananda, there is a turning away from psychedelics and artificial stimulants.

There are various representatives of Sufis coming here now. Sooner or later the obscurantists will have to admit the existence of Sufis and their part in the world’s history, including the career of the late President Hussein.

There is now a strong movement toward the establishment of communes. Without the “guru” they seldom succeed. Even important people have tried to establish communes without a guru, even wealth has poured into them, but unless the Lord buildeth the house, they labor in vain who build.

The whole world is coming closer together through love and music.

All Love and Blessings,

Sam

11th August 1969

Dear Ram,

Sam is high in the Rocky Mountains and had no intention to write but a miracle occurred here. Sam brought no reading material but some Hadith of Mohammed and a little “Thus Speaks Ramdas.” He thought it was one he read before but he was mistaken.

A lady here was ill so Sam thought he would read to her. Her name is Joy. Sam opened the book and began reading “All is thyself” by Mother Krishnabai. It had to do with Joy and in a few hours the lady was healed and is now very happy.

This place is called Lama, and the original name of this place was given by Native Americans. The Lama Foundation is made of young Americans who want to lead a spiritual life. There are now lots of young Americans who wish to lead a spiritual life. They wanted a Guru but all the Indian Gurus in this land have been mutually exclusive. Even when they say they are integrative this is not so. They just want to “integrate” other people’s money and in this way they have lots both money and following.

The Americans wish to be universal. The only other “Guru” who has been here is also an American. He is a very famous, highly intellectual former professor of Harvard University but now is called … Ram Dass. He is coming back in October.

They meditate and chant. Sam taught them first dervish dances, then the RamNam dances and next real Yoga dances. These dances have been offered to many but they have refused them. Many famous groups have refused these dances. They all call themselves “universal” and all they want is other people’s money. Many of these young Americans are far better devotees than some Hindus.

Yesterday we held Darshan and gave vegetables grown here as Prasad. Some people were given the RamNam, but each wants to follow his own religion and many are ignorant even of their faith. But that is all right, they are looking God-ward.

Last night a delegation of rich Americans passed this way. They had been to India. They thought they were followers of Meher Baba. Meher Baba said you had to have a living teacher in the flesh; this was his teaching. Then he left the world and they became confused.

They then went to Pondicherry and were very disappointed. They say these people are not universal at all. They are strongly for the United Nations and Believe in Santa Claus. The young Americans want God. So they have returned here and gotten a lot of money together and purchased land. They think they can do better than the Sri Aurobindo people. They want real God and real Yoga and they include the Chinese and Sufis which the Sri Aurobindo people do not.

As they have the land and money and intelligence, the idea is to establish ashrams and send for Gurus. They are very sincere. They may call again next Sunday when there are many visitors. The Sri Aurobindo people in this land tried to establish an Ashram and they all made themselves Gurus but they did not get enough money and still less disciples.

These Americans chant beautifully, mostly of Buddhist sources but there are no real Buddhists among them. Sam has taught them the First Jhana of Lord Buddha and the walks of Avalokitesvara and Quan Yin. They are very eager.

This whole state of New Mexico once held high spiritual civilizations. The atmosphere is very pure. The population is divided between American natives, Spanish speaking people and “Anglos,” none in the majority.

Really they practice Hatha Yoga here, but with heartfelt devotion which is wonderful. Now Sam has to reconsider the whole scene for with the dreams of the Sri Aurobindo movements and the passing of Meher Baba there is a need for the awakening of man and Sam finds the Mantrams most effective and most enjoyed.

Love and Blessings,

410 Precita Ave.

San Francisco, Calif.

August 26, 1969

Anandashram

Kanhangad

Cannanore District

South India

Dear Ram:

One hopes things are well. Sam is in a state of bewilderment. He is longing to take a vacation of some sort. He seldom gets any time off. More people come to him and more send to him to come. And he has just returned from the State of New Mexico. He therefore encloses a check for twenty Five ($25.00) Dollars. This is not an offering; it is to ask you to send some literature, any literature to

Lama Foundation, Box 444,

San Cristobal,

New Mexico, 87564

This is high up in the Rocky Mountains, the properties ranging from 7,000 to 10,000 feet above sea level. Sam at first was dizzy but after awhile he showed the people a mountain-climbing breathing practice. This will be taught officially next year. Sam will soon be 73 but his body and mind are usually full of vigor, and between sleeping times also he is very active.

There are two types of communes arising, one of those who seek spiritual teachers and are very Sattvic in all respects but with a degree of Rajas needed for Karma Yoga. The other type is definitely Tamasic and need not concern us.

Sam has been asked to come as a spiritual teacher next year and will need your literature then, but if it gets here in three months or more that will be quite satisfactory. Both Dervish and Yoga dances were taught with total satisfaction. There is a RamNam dance for children, too, very attractive. It will be very funny for Americans to be coming to Asia and offering spiritual dances, but that is very probable, Inshallah.

Later on Sam will take up the California matters which are also proceeding with vigor. It is only the great claimant groups (who ignore each other, of course) who disdain barn but not his money! It really very drole, to say the least.

Love and Blessings,

Sam

Sept. 9, 1969

Anandashram

Kanhangad,

India

Dear Ram:

The copy of “The Vision” for this last month has just been received. Sam has been working all the time every day and badly needing a vacation had decided to stop all writing. But on receiving this copy of Vision he immediately became fully resuscitated. Nevertheless he expects to leave this region tomorrow.

There are some valid reasons for writing. In the first place it can be substantiated and it is going to be substantiated more and more that reciting the name of God is a most effective pragmatic way of healing human and superhuman ills. One cannot help commending both The Vision and the quotation from Mahatma Gandhi that you have put on your back cover. There is of course a vast difference between slogans and actions. As you enter San Francisco there is a quotation from one of the putative holy men of your land, “Happiness consists in making other people happy.” This has never prevented the slogan-people from attacking and deriding the works and characters of others. Even stooping to very low acts. This behavior itself is a sign of stupidity and ignorance. It has led to rivals coming to this land with the same claims, claims not substantiated by manifestations of love and compassion. The young people, tired of slogans and verbalisms, are seeking the God of direct experience more and more and more and more. They are chanting God’s name publicly and privately and reaping the reward from such chanting.

Although Sam functions as a Sufi teacher and also has passed all tests in Zen Buddhism given by Japanese, Koreans, and Vietnamese, it is only recently that Western educated, or shall we say mis-educated, intellectuals, have even granted a possibility of this being so. But in the last months so many Indian teachers representing different schools of Indian wisdom have come to Sam asking for a real integrative culture of East and West and as there has been so much embracing in public, the young people of this day and age are satisfied and more than satisfied that there is an “Allahabad” where Ganges and Yamuna join. That the time has come for superaction. So Sam is making the first steps to go to other lands to present the realities of Divine vision and the operation of love-culture, in a way adopted to the hearts of the day.

Spurned by the “elite” Sam has now successfully presented his spiritual dances to the public and will be given an opportunity again on a much larger scale within the next few hours. This is partly in protest to the recent horrible demonstrations of the “elite” combining Oriental Philosophy with cocktail imbibitions. I don’t think you can stop that but it is not very pleasant to see the name of Ramdas dragged into the filth by well known intellectuals seeking public favor along with the drinking of cocktails, etc. But it also means that the young will turn their backs on every such incidence of vile behavior on the part of those who ought to know better. So Sam will on his return make every effort to join will all the leaders of the various schools of Asian wisdom in this vicinity to establish a real school of integrated culture based on the real efforts of real men of the real past who have been called saints in various places. And Sam thinks with the growing demonstrations of devotion and serious search on the part of young Americans that we shall soon be seeing real Asian cultures presented to the Americans based on love, devotion, morality, and honesty.

Sam is very interested in an editorial “To seek a better India” coming from the students of the University of California. The two problems of India that Sam is most interested in are those of spirituality and food production.

These may even be phases of the same problem. Sam has just sent some money to Darshana International, a publication of your land. He is particularly delighted in the article on Dr. Radhakrishnan who has posited Prajna, that insight which belongs to all of us but is not always applied to problems, personal and impersonal. But it is very interesting that more and more Americans are contributing to this publication; more and more Americans have been affected by the wisdom of your land, wisdoms coming perhaps more often from Saints than from philosophers. So it may be we are going to see the real integration of the real Asia and the real America, within a short time.

But Sam’s plans may take him next to the conference of the religions of the world, and he is going to present the standpoint of universal love and universal joy along with Prajna, with or without the intermediation of dialectic cultures which are not necessary inherent of divine wisdom. The young people of America are looking more and more to super-human experiences, whether it be manifested directly to them or through some Saint of your country of other lands. But Sam’s music, dancing, and chanting are all applications of the spiritual awakenings which follow repetition of the divine name, and are neither necessarily or not necessarily associated with any intellectual efforts. We thought you would be glad to know this, because this summarized some of the events of the day which do not get into the newspapers or any channels of publication. Chanting the names of God stands on its own merit. The fulfillment of divine wisdom stands on its own merit. Experiences of Love and joy stand on their own merit. And I believe sooner or later the world will not only believe it, but accept and practice it.

This is a sort of greeting coming from one who should be a tired old man working as he is continually seven days a week, but who is constantly being resuscitated repeating the divine name.

OM SRI RAM JAI RAM JAI JAI RAM!

Love and blessings,

Samuel Lewis SAM

October 3, 1969

Dear Ram;

Sometimes Sam thinks it is important to make a report. He is sending also a copy of this to one of the leading movements in India which is very well known but has made, Sam thinks, a grievous mistake in placing Santa Claus high on the list of saints. We have just celebrated a Mahatma Gandhi centennial. Sam has studied and reveres the same scriptures. One might conclude that others also would study and revere these scriptures but the tendency has been to go more and more into personalism and personalities and not see Ram in everybody.

Sam was recently in the State of New Mexico where spiritual revolutions are taking place. Meher Baba has left the world and when Sam returned he found that two other men were claiming to be “Avatars,” and in all these cases they expect the rest of the world to accept them but they do not accept. And while Sam would like to join and help he is slow to accept those who are not at least his equal in accepting others. They want to lead, not accept others.

Sam remembers a meeting with a Khalandar. He claimed to be superior in everything. Sam said, “Yes in all but one thing.” The Khalandar repeated his claims and Sam had the same answer. The Khalandar asked what it was in which Sam claims to be superior and Sam said, I am a better pupil than you are.” The Khalandar apologized, but one finds that the claimants will not even admit that.

Now something is going on. Next week all the holy men of the region have been asked to come together. It never happened before. When such a convocation was called Sam would ask, “Who is on the committee who will not let me speak?” He never had any answer but now Sam has been consulted. There are a lot of young spiritual seekers. Besides there are a lot of Indians of various out-looks, mostly compounded Bhaktis. Sam himself will speak on “Bhakti.” But this is taking place.

And this afternoon Sam is acting as consultant at a local university which has invited all the real and presumable holy men to speak. It is open. There is no rejection of anybody and this is most marvelous because the various claimants also are adepts in rejecting, often each other. But the young will have nothing of it. The young are open in heart and zealous.

One of Sam’s old friends has returned to this region and gone to the various meetings. He is not a young man and has been all over the world and said he never saw such glows on the faces as he has found here. Sam gives full independence to the inner spirit of everybody and encourages them in their relations to and response to Ram, actually—no manas, no ahankara.

There is one young man who is still on probation and he is a wonderful choral director. We shall do the Sufi Zikrs and the RamNam but he has put together a most ecstatic Ram-Sita which was chanted while we did the dances Sam has offered. It was very difficult; one wanted to go into ecstasy so Sam had to stop listening. You can understand why so many young people say: “They are not Sri Aurobindo’s people; we are Sri Aurobindo’s people.” No discursive minds, greater and greater love and tolerance and ecstasy and wonder and joy, especially joy. Older people cannot appreciate this; it is, my friends, a New Age.

In addition to that Sam is going to be given the opportunity to present “Dances of Universal Peace” at a world gathering. They come right out of the ethers. They are based on the spiritual teachings and rituals of the great faiths. They are reaching more and more young people so we do not care if their elders by age do not accept them. They come from the heart of God, so to speak, and from the akasha.

Sam has in his life, worshipped with man, and it is always a puzzle why those who have not so worshipped expect others to come to them. We worship and pray with all faiths and actually accept the scriptures. Sam is giving lessons on all scriptures and on all levels, because that is so.

There is an amusing story going around that Sam went to the Orient, sat at the feet of the teachers of all faiths and then deserted them, and while the story was going around Sam received a cable from his Sufi Pir and an air-mail letter from his Zen Roshi. And of course, correspondence has continued.

Soon it will be Sam’s birthday again and a great tamasha. The discovery that the young both want love above all else and respond in love is most wonderful. There is a singer named Donovan and he is very famous. He is regarded as the leader of the New Age. And he has astounded all the authorities by coming out against drugs and for Jesus Christ. And the response was marvelous because the young really accept that God is Love; their elders talk and talk and talk and it is obvious they do not really believe. But the young believe. You can see it in their faces and hear it in their voices.

Also in addition to inviting Sam to speak the universities are looking over his poetry beginning with “The Rejected Avatar” concerning Sri Krishna, and the cosmic poetry inspired by Mohammed. The older people talk and then reject, but in this New Age there is heart-acceptance and heart-manifestation. It is most wonderful.

Love and blessings,

Samuel L. Lewis

October 20, 1969

Anandashram

Kanhangad Post Office

Travancore-Cochin

South India

Dear Ram:

Om Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram!

Sam has just had a birthday signifying he has been now 73 years in jagat. It was certainly the most marvelous of occasions. After 50 years enmity one received a greeting from one’s brother; this proved to be an excellent augury. Yesterday a party was given for Sam and about 100 young people came. One ham never seen such manifestation of love and along with it glorification of God Who was praised mostly as Allah but also as Rama and Krishna.

The chorals, all in praise of Allah, were of such a nature that everybody was deeply moved. Don’t let anybody say that there is anything sweeter than singing the name of God in praise. The way these young people resounded! The way the other young people are responding in this vicinity led by personalities who are in many senses my colleagues! The day of abstruse dialectical metaphysics parading as Asian wisdom is over. Asian wisdom is in the Name (Nam).

It is no longer necessary even to lecture that love, joy and peace manifest through the recital of divine Name. Early in the celebration some friends gave Sam a memento of Sri Krishna and immediately he went into a Sri Krishna chant. People tell me it was very beautiful and moving. But the time is past when intellectual sermons will be taken for Asian wisdom. This week one of the leading universities is having Sam speak on Sufic mysticism. This will kill forever the pretenses of those who try to introduce mysticism and spirituality by by-passing actualities.

The way matters stand there will soon be institutions for the valid study of various forms of spiritual development, In fact this is going on in colleges and universities on the one hand and in public places on the other. It was not news when a few years ago my friend Allen Ginsberg led 3000 university students in Sanskrit chants. It was world news when a much smaller number took part in riots. But I assure you, beloved ones, that the souls who have been Indians, now incarnating as Americana, may well became the leaders of the future world.

The gift enclosed was previously a sacrifice; it is now an easy matter. The refusal on the part of those trying to convince the public that they are working for peace and understanding and accomplishing nothing, simply means that monies they would like to have had go to actual purposes. You may accept this as a gift, sending literature or not as you please. After a while we shall establish both a Sufi repository and a Papa Ramdas repository; and whatever else Ram directs.

Love and blessing,

Nov. 24, 1969

Anandashram

Kanhangad Post Office

Travancore-Cochin

South India

Dear Ram:

Om Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram!

Sam did not return to the United States with any grandiose schemes, but if we are to take visions and dreams seriously, he may have to play an important or dramatic role in the world. It is certain that everything is pointing to his attendance at a parliament of the world’s religions under the auspices of The Temple Of Understanding. It is equally certain that all his efforts at accumulating outer knowledge or inner wisdom will be coming to the surface soon, Ram willing.

In 1956 Sam discussed with Swami Maharaj Sachitanand at least one of his former lives and the significance of the cosmic memories for the missions at this age. Whether it was fanciful, objective or subjective, all indications point to its significance.

There is a small check ($25) enclosed. We say “small” because the needs are very great. We are simply unable to retain the literature from Anandashram. It is given away, bestowed or otherwise, and we wish to have as many copies of everything available. Therefore one is going to ask you send us a putative bill, so we can gauge how much more money to send you for various usages.

There is a saying in the Bible which appeared before Sam all his life, “The stone which is rejected has become the cornerstone.” It is certain that although the total number of followers, friends, and adherents is still small, it is slowly, surely and steadily increasing. Not only that, but within a period of a few days Sam met or was greeted by a Hebrew mystical teacher, a Vietnamese “Zen” Master, a teacher of Indian sacred dances, and a new Zen Buddhist Roshi who has just come to San Francisco. Once when a brilliant writer of the last century, E. G. Browne, went to a tomb in Iran the custodian said to him, “Among the Gnostics, there is no differentiations of sects.” But Sam has found, when he meets these spiritual representatives of any faith whatsoever, there is no differentiation of personality. It is tat twam asi. There is no sense of meeting “somebody else,” and this is true regardless of the person or faith involved.

Now Sam’s whole life has been centered upon either the restoration of Fatehpur Sikri or the establishment of a similar institution in some land other than India. The nearest to this comes in the undertaking of The Temple of Understanding. It is surprising that even such a person as the late Meher Baba whose disciples seem to condemn everybody else as if God the Creator were wicked, went on record in this particular instance. Nor should it be surprising to you that all Sam’s recent efforts in the direction of spiritual awakening through music, dance, and related spiritual sciences have been meeting with success internally and externally. So much has this been so that out of the blue, so to speak, Srimati Ishvani has promised to come to this house to instruct us in mudras.

A few years ago the Hebraic Rabbi Schlomo from Jerusalem came to this house and a so-called Sufi teacher (Sam) and he embraced in warm love and mutual reverence. Sam went to many of his meetings. He was trying to teach young people love and reverence thru the dance, but they did not join very much in either love or reverence. Sam said to Schlomo “You know I have plagiarized your work.” Schlomo said to Sam, “That is all right, I myself plagiarized it from Baal Sham Tov (a great Jewish mystic of the 17th century).”

In any event, Sam seems to have become somewhat successful in inculcating the spirit of love and reverence in a growing number of young people. The difference between us and others is that we use sacred phrases from various religions; that we use arm and other movements of psychic and metaphysical import as if from various religions. So there is before us tremendous areas of dancing, with all kinds of movements, symbols and meanings that we hope to give to the world as Ram wills.

It is therefore not surprising that an Indian dancing teacher wishes to join in the efforts to revive the memories, the institutions, and the aftermaths of the work of the great emperor Akbar and his associate Abu Fazl and Tanzen.

In a previous report Sam told about the resonance which takes place in singing the RamNam using the head as a dome. Now the resonance has become more complete, using and vibrating the whole body, demonstrating what is taught, is taught but not studied, in the Christian Bible, “The human body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.”

Now the theory of Sufi Zikr is that this should happen when we recite the Name of Allah in certain fashion. It is happening exactly the same. The difference at this moment is that while it happens to Sam with the RamNam or Zikr it also happens to certain disciples in one or the other, and sometimes more significantly in them than in Sam. This must be taken as evidence of the spiritual progress or the innate spiritual aptitude in young Americans who are now in revolt against their traditional institutions endways of life.

It is also very significant that in the University classes which Sam attends, the contents, the subject-matters, and the open consideration is at a much higher level than one found anywhere in previous generations in churches, temples, cults, or educational institutions anywhere in the United States or Europe. No doubt it is a pity that people who claim to represent Hinduism simply will not accept that Atman is Brahman or the Buddha’s teaching “I see now all sentient beings have perfect wisdom and enlightenment, but do not know it; I must go and instruct them.”

Attached hereto is a copy of an article about the Bodhisattva written by my secretary and disciple. To Sam it is most significant, and speaks for the new age.

With Love and Blessings,

(SAM) Samuel L. Lewis

14th December, 1969

Dear Ram:

Om! Sri Ram, Jai Ram! Jai Ram!

It is over forty year ago since Sam met a noted Baha’i in debate and asked what difference would it be to have 400 contending religions and 400 contending universal brotherhoods! Now it is coming, largely more and more “universal brotherhoods” of all kinds obtain followers, and also dividing mankind as did the sectarian religions. Everybody wants to lead and the leaders will not listen!

Now one sees so many “Internal” and “World movements” and they do not call upon man to universality, to God, to Mukti, to Moksha! Each calls for its own leadership. But it is a different world and the young Americans do not want any more the manas-ahankara “Yoga” which has all kinds of names. And it is funny that one gets appeals from all these people for money and gets letters from leading Americans philosophers called one Ram, or saying “Hare Krishna! And these misguiding Indians cannot see that the world is going to universality and without their leadership!

We had a discussion about buying more and more of Papa’s books and marketing them. One of the disciples is very serious about it. And also found two of Papa’s books on the market which we have bought. In fact Sam wishes to pay more attention to swami Ramdas for he finds exactly the same leadership and teaching in his lessons that one finds in the highest esotericism which is kept from the people.

The Philosophy classes are recognizing this and more and more for the heart and soul of man want Truth and not ego leadership and complexities called “Yoga” which lead nowhere; and the hiding of sacred scriptures and writing more and more and more books which are only confusing. So what is going on at the college campuses of this country is wonderful, really wonderful.

Last night Sam presented the RamNam Square dance (or quadrilled). It is very difficult, for one enters a state of ecstasy or ananda while trying to teach it and the young people took to it “like mad.” You could hardly believe it, singing and chanting RamNam! And full of delight and bliss.

Sam hears that his dances are now spreading like wild-fire. He has no monopoly, no copyright and if Ram wishes this it will come and not all men’s organizations, not all the closed “Yoga” groups in the world can stop it, for heart calls to heart and soul to soul and we are celebrating December 25 without Santa Claus but for with Jesus Christ. And the whole of life is being affected in it. And the young are realizing this; the capacity for pain and joy are the same capacity and they will not settle for less, for the atman cannot settle for less.

And this is the reporting from a very busy person who sends all love and joy and greetings.
Samuel L Lewis

January 4, 1970

Anandashram

Kanhangad,

Travancore-Cochin

Dear Ram:

Sam wishes to send you all heart-felt greetings for this coming New Year. A year which has started out full of promise.

Sam had 80 guests in this hose for Christmas, all young people. Their ideas, their inspirations, their talents were used. Especially interesting were the new type of chants where they have integrated the musics and sacred phrases of different religions, blending them together in a most inspiring manner. I think there were two people about 40 years of age, all the rest young. And no one is standing in the way of these young people who praise God and nowhere more than in chants and in songs.

Our New Years evening party had a somewhat larger attendance owing to the cooperation from some Vajrayana Buddhists. There ceremonies were so inspiring. These are based on the cosmic Hinduism, which the various representatives of Indian dharma do not present to the American public, either because they do not know it, or do not care to present it. We had true integration and no nonsense.

Sam had Christmas cards from Vietnamese, Koreans, Indians, Ceylonese, and Islamic lands. Perhaps best of all was the retraction from Mr. Patel, one of the leaders in the Sri Aurobindo movement. These people have rejected everything coming from Sam but his money. In turn they have had to face that karma which they cannot ignore. This group was excluded from the convocations of holy men, and from considerations in the class studies of our colleges and universities. It may be unfortunate, or it may be just, but young America wants real Love and real Yoga. And you see signs of this all over, excepting around those exclusivists who verbalize themselves as “internationalists.”

The young people here also sang from Handel’s “Messiah,” and Sam’s theme for Christmas was “Every valley shall be exalted and every hill laid low.” One has no intention to try to convince anybody of the truth of this, but one feels sorrowful about very efficient persons who do not accept real cosmic truth, and consciously or unconsciously demand leadership.

Everything points to a more dramatic year. One sees so many signs of real love and real brotherhood and more and more and more and more. These people, who have often been called “hippies,” are now becoming serious self-sufficient and even successful. But they will not accept anymore the egotism and exploitations of the past. They have the human, human, and humanitarian outlooks, and demonstrate—one repeats demonstrate—the totality that Atman is Brahm.

One is also receiving visitors who have become chelas of an American who is now known as Swami Ramdas. We think this is wonderful. This Swami was a very well known American professor who surrendered all his university credentials, his teaching, his mad desire to lead, and has become a beloved American Guru. His very back-ground has produced serious consideration of his methods, and without abolishing arty educational or scholastic merits, demonstrate that these are little or nothing in the life of the spirit, which is the true life of man.

At the moment the chief undertaking before Sam is to present his program at the conference of the world’s religions which is being summoned this spring. Sam has had a program for over 40 years. It has been rejected by all and sundry; it sometimes makes one repeat the words of the Bibles “The stone which is rejected is become the cornerstone.” Too many people presume and dare to presume that in the elevation of their own egos lays the solution to world problems. Sam is also aware of that, but the chief difference is that he is constantly practicing mantra yoga devotions. Our work in mantra yoga, our work in cosmic dancing, is being built up, and we are succeeding with our song and dance where the verbalists, the intellectuals, the mere exhortators fail. In this sense our praise is towards God, or Ram.

On New Year’s evening end since, more and more RamNam dances have come through Sam’s outer consciousness like a flood. That together with the Sufi Zikr is the contribution we are offering the world in the name of Truth, Peace, and Humanity.

With all love and blessings,

Samuel L. Lewis

Jan. 5, 1970

Swami Satchidananda

The Vision

Anandashram

Kanhangad P. O.

Travancore-Cochin

South India

Beloved Ram;

Om Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram!

Through Papa’s Grace we feel His presence with us here in San Francisco so much. Every Sunday our Murshid Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti (Sam Lewis) reads from Papa’s works or tells stories about him, and the holy Ram Mantra is always being sung. Life is truly a Blessing when God reveals His Ananda, his laughter, to the devotee.

I am enclosing for your enjoyment two prayers given by the Sufi Pir-O-Murshid Hazrat Inayat Khan. If you should wish to publish these in the vision please feel free to do so.

Victory, always victory to Ram.

Love,

Wali Ali

410 Precita Ave.,

San Francisco, Calif.

18th January, 1970

Anandashram,

Kanhangad Post Office,

Travancore-Cochin,

South India

Dear Ram:

Om! Sri Ram! Jai Ram! Jai Jai Ram! A Sufi passing this way some days ago said to Sam: “You have not only started the year right, you have started the decade right.” This Sufi, returning, found himself in an auditorium with the largest group of people, nearly all young and all adept at chanting mantrams and eager to learn the spiritual dances Sam is now teaching. It is very simple but it is almost impossible to impress older people that the longing of the soul is for God (Ram) and nothing else. The young people, like Arjuna, want Sri Krishna and not all the wealth and prestige of the world touches them at all. Sam is now trapped, not by anything negative, but the calls and demands of those who want to learn the spiritual teachings by their own experiences and not from books or transmissions via lectures.

Sam had just been reading of the Sufi saint, Shah Latif of Sind and the short talk was: “God is not your jailer, He is your Lover.” The young appreciate that, and the visiting Sufi talked on the New Age and what it means. It is curious that following Huxley and Sri Aurobindo a lot of older people are trying to organize without any of the deep understanding of Vijnanavada which comes through the awaking of consciousness and the transcendence of ego-self.

We are having more and more Dervish dances, Mantric dances, Yoga dances and increase in joy with balance—not blind ecstasy, but the joy which opens and expands the inner consciousness. And also there was another Sufi who comes from Palestine and wants to work to bring about world peace, or at least Near East Peace through real spiritual understanding.

Also today a man came representing Dr. Alpert who is called Swami Ram Dass in the United States. There is already a sort of legend that this Ram Dass and Sam are the leaders of the New Age. It is the young who want us and more and more. But there is a difference that Sam is also on demand at the universities where this Swami Ram Dass is a retired professor from Harvard University and has had his fill of mere intellectuals.

One aspect of this is coming next week in the Indian Independence Day celebration. Not only has Sam been invited but the principal speakers are his friends. And he will be permitted to tell the audience about his interviews with great Indians, stories which have been barred by the private institutions but are now being welcomed at the universities.

No doubt another change may take place when the religious leaders of the world meet under the auspices of the Temple of Understanding. The young do not want any more separatism and their elders are all crying not for spiritual freedom but for leadership. In fact Sam has burst out roaring at some of Papa’s sayings which are read every morning. They are so true, they may not appear to be funny but again they are filled with joy. Sam does not believe there is any truth without complete joy—call it “Ananda” or anything else.

Anyhow this is written in Joy and Love and to let you know that real Love, real Joy and real Truth are now coming more and more into the objective consciousness of mankind in many parts of the world.

    Samuel L. Lewis

910 Railroad Ave.

Novato, Calif. 94947

January 28, 1970

Dear Ram:

Om Sri Ram Jai Jai Ram!

This is a strange and one hopes pleasant interlude. Imagine going into an old church and hearing hundreds upon hundreds of young people chanting RamNam. This happened last night in San Francisco. While the churches are complaining of non-attendance and there are many disputes about the existence of God, the young people are doing their thing—chanting together, singing together, even dancing to other, more and more and more.

All the people, older institutions, are complaining. They are going to complain themselves out of existence. The older people want institutions and power; the younger people want to commune with each other and with the Spirit of the universe.

The speaker for the evening was the former doctor Richard Alpert, now known as Baba Ram Das. He has known wealth. He has reached the highest grades of intellectual prowess in our most complex culture. He has tried psychedelics. He has drunk from the cups of sin to their upmost, but he has done more; a famous actress once wrote a book, “Why not “Try God?”

Dr. Albert has tried God. He is known as Baba Ram Das. He has gone through many stages and stations of the Srimad Bhagavad Gita and has totally rejected the manas-ahankara interpretations of philosophers well known and not so well known to delve into cosmic experience and empty himself to be a Voice of Ram.

Sam has believed that America just might produce some of the spiritual leaders of the future. He is wondering whether his former future is now not the present. Before the evening was over the old church was literally crowded to the rafters. As we were chanting RamNam Sam has no idea how many were turned away. He has attended so many gatherings of thousands of yours Americans. They are heart hungry and soul starved, but they are finding the cosmic substance and sustenance which rids them from hunger and starvation.

In this talk Baba Ram Dass spoke from an apparently light vein of humor and criticism, but he indicated that he intended to speak next constructively, to offer remedies that were being offered to the world. San feels rather strange, because Baba Ram Dass seems to have criticized almost everything and everybody, but when he offered at least six ways out, he mentioned Sam. One must face the great possibilities as is said in the Hebrew bible, “The stone which is rejected has become the corner stone.”

Sam thinks this is most interesting coming so soon after the Indian Independence Day celebration. There is much more, lots more. With already one book to print mentioning Sam at the highest level and Baba Ram Dass planning another with the same outlook, one realizes the thin line between self- proclamation and self-effacement, and the indifference one can have to either and both.

Love and Blessings,

SAM

910 Railroad Ave.

Novato, Calif. 9494

February 4, 1970

Anandashram

Kanhangad P.O.

Travancore-Cochin

Dear Ram:

The month of February started here with the most beautiful weather—like springtime. We have had an unusually wet winter, but practically no frost. This seems to reflect the general condition of and on all planes. A constantly growing audience of young people comes to Sam’s various meetings, while the total number is small; it is always increasing week to week.

Not only that, there is a new type of teacher of oriental philosophy here. With the exception of an occasional Indian, all of them are Americans; usually Americans who have lived in the Orient and every single one of them has either been under spiritual guidance or lived with the common people and not in tourist hotels. This means today a slow but over increasing interchange on all planes. This means today the gradual subsidence of dualistic intellectuals who offered opinions, their own private opinions, as “oriental philosophy.

Last night, in order to get proper seats to hear Baba Ram Dass we arrived nearly an hour ahead of time, but not too soon. We listened to and joined in the repetition of sacred mantrams. Where before one might meet even a hundred or two hundred old people listening to lectures, today not only hundreds but even thousands of young people are gathering for holy chants. This was particularly true of the RamNam although there were many other sacred chants.

Papa was right; the mantram, especially one from a spiritual guru, offers the most satisfaction, especially for beginners. There is no doubt that the “coming race people” are more spiritual advanced than their predecessors. No doubt Sri Aurobindo as well as H.G. Wells, Aldous Huxley and others predicted the coming race, but these young people simply will not follow the leadership of the manas-ahankara oldsters who want to be their leaders.

There is one humorous, not to say ridiculous, aspect to it. There are so many churches, legal groups etc. crying for financial assistance. There are also so many detractors of the young. They do not see that by their very attitudes they are repelling the young. And the simple fact is that many of these young come from wealthy families or themselves are now obtaining substantial livelihoods. In his last report Sam said he never saw so many greenbacks, that is American paper money. This time he did not even look. There was not only an overflow audience, but all the annex rooms in the huge church structure where the meeting was held had microphones in them. Nobody knows how many thousands of people there were, and we are not particularly interested how great the collection was.

One of the greatest failures of Sam has been the impossibility of communicating to the manas-ahankara people of the reality of prajna. They simply will not have it. They will not have it despite Dr. Radhakrishnan, Dr. Daisetz Suzuki, and others. This becomes all the more evident when a man like Baba Ram Dass relying on prajna has total success. So I guess it is time to close a book and turn the pages away from the many manas-ahankara people who have so little respect for each other anyhow.

The talk of Baba Ram Dass was a sort of compilation of Patanjali yoga, and Sana Tana dharma. Both Baba Ram Dass and an organization is the eastern part of the United States are seeking to compile various spiritual practices in use today. It is very very funny indeed. Sam wrote you before that he returned to this country with the later lesser Upanishads. He tried in vain to give them away, but the manas-ahankara people considered their loss of face more important than their obtaining sacred literature. Now there is a new age, a new generation, and Sam is able to proffer this literature and other sacred writings to the new age reader.

The same thing is going on in Zen Buddhism. Sam has a great compilation of very original teachings which the publishers have refuted, which the academics have refused, but which the universities are now welcoming. In this connection Sam remembers the greatest lecture ever given by the late Zen monk Nyogen Senzaki. It consisted of sweetly two words: “Buddha Hridaya.” Sam is now going to present this to those who are willing to accept it, because in one of the mantrams Baba Ram Dass gave last night from Indian sacred literature is emphasized Hridaya.

Next Sunday Sam will start the study of the Taittiriya Upanishad. It is time to make people aware of the five sheaths—not to give lectures on the subject but to promote a conscious awakening. The audiences are now ready. Inayat Khan said, “It is the mureeds who make the murshid.” There is no such thing in this sense as a guru or spiritual teacher. When the innate propensities of an audience grow and grow, it impels and compels a person to awaken to the highest in himself, which is to say God speaking through him. Without the audience he may not have it. Satsang is not a one way street, it is a communal endeavor.

One can go on and on, and Baba Ram Dass will again speak next week. The youth of America are calling for spiritual methods and spiritual teachers and not homilies, sermons, aphorisms, jumbles of words. It may be, inshallah, that in a short time we shall have multitudes of awakened Americans. And one can see this particularly in the infants who really demonstrate the predictions of the late Sri Aurobindo and refute the efforts of his followers or all those who substitute manas-ahankara for moksha.

Love and Blessings,

Samuel L. Lewis

910 Railroad Ave.

Novato, Calif. 94947

March 11, 1970

Anandashram

Dear Ram:

Sam was influenced to maintain a diary after reading the works of Thomas Jefferson, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Papa Ramdas. But in retrospect it must be said that the more one considers it, there is no diary; there is only the fulfillment of the divine life in and through what would appear to be an ego-personality which is nothing but a mode of God Himself expressing Himself outwardly. And daily Sam seams to find that there is really nothing else but this divine life, and this in turn, so far as he is concerned, gives much greater value to Papa’s works, especially the earlier ones.

No doubt there is a time for all things. And now, instead of lapsing into the presumable securities of old age, Sam’s life is becoming more and more public. It has even become public enough to warrant an apology from one of the leading divines of the region. No doubt it requires considerable patience when one’s theme is, so to speak, “The stone that is rejected is become the cornerstone.” One cannot understand why persons who preach morality and love and brotherhood are among the forefront of those who purposely neglect.

One of the great folk stories of Europe is called “The Goose Girl.” Everybody is awaiting a deliverer who is supposed to be a princess. On the day of liberation, when the gates of the Great City are opened, nobody enters but a country Goose Girl who brought her flock every day at dawn anyhow. After much drama, too late of course, it was discovered that the Goose Girl was really the princess who had been kidnapped when an infant.

Sam’s theme which may now be presented to a conference of great spiritual teachers and ecclesiasts is not going to be “Love Ye one another.” Sam is amused by the number of people in audiences who interrupt saying, “Why don’t you preach and teach more love?” not aware that rude interruptions are self-evident demonstrations of the lack of love and the dominance of dualistic outlook. So Sam will present instead “Respect Ye one another.”

This is very difficult, for Sam has as his ko-an, so to speak, the first words of Mandel’s Messiah “Every valley shall be exalted and every hill laid low; the crooked places made straight.” But how is a little valley going to express itself amid a throng of mountains who because of their very nature are unable to bow before each other. Nevertheless, this will be the theme. And as the time approaches, the presence of Divine Grace becomes more and more evident, both in the daily consciousness and during sleep at night.

The Krishna Theme. This is long and elaborate. The first step is to distribute or sell more copies of Sam’s “The Rejected Avatar.” But it is becoming evident to more and more persons that although Sri Krishna is the theme, he himself has been rejected. Now it is very easy to convince anybody who is not an “Orientalist” that there is such a thing as counter karma, and the great danger of the moment is the overwhelming willingness by the young to accept everything Sam says; and when it is true or they believe it is true, to go all the way. And it is chiefly among people who claim a “moral outlook” that the rejections prevail—all other doors are open. But even this is coming to an end for Sam has just received a beautiful letter of apology from one of the leading divines in San Francisco.

Sam has also received from Dr. Milton Singer an autographed copy of his latest book on Sri Krishna, and this man is perhaps the top Sanskrit scholar in the United States. But yesterday, one of Sam’s secretaries discovered a sacred Sanskrit book on Sri Krishna in a second hand book store. It had been placed on the market by the now presumably defunct American Academy of Asian Studies who had hosted Papa when he was in this region. But this institution was adamantly dedicated to one theme: personality leadership. The resulting karma was melodramatic and awkward. Only today the universities themselves are open and, as reported before, Sam has already put some of Papa’s works in the University of California and certainly doors are open all over.

Tonight we shall give the last rehearsals of one of Sam’s ras lila dances. The technique is simple. The steps are easy. But without extreme devotion it is utterly impossible to perform. The same perhaps pertains to the Hare Krishna etc. dance which has already been photographed.

This brings one to the most dramatic element of the present life. Three years ago when Sam was flat on his back in the hospital there was a divine visitation with words and visions. All the words, all the visions have now manifested. But the door did not close, and the next steps in life are evident.

Last Thursday in this house and Monday night at the San Francisco home, Sam gave his farewell addresses to privacy and tranquility. There is no time now when interviews are not sought, when office work is not done, and when there are other aspects of both spiritual and material business. For the next 5 days in a row at least, there will be cameras and sound equipment recording the spiritual dances, the sacred lessons, and the daily life of a man who was marked for spiritual leadership by so many holy men and egotistically rejected in previous years with a single exception-these all being a priori rejections.

Actually the whole thing is funny. The whole thing is ridiculous. For instance, the Sri Aurobindo people have been pushing the poem “Savitri” on Sam. But they were the foremost to reject his poetry and not only reject it, sharply criticize Sam’s efforts. Sam has asked one of his own disciples to compare Savitri with one of his epics. The man said: “They are the same kind of poems, but yours is clearer and more profound.”

It is certain that in Sam’s cosmic realizations, as verbalized in his poetry, we come to the fulfillment and perfection of “Every valley shall be exalted and every hill laid low.” To find galaxies in an atom; and all the super-galaxies and constellations and universes together forming a small portion of divine reality seems to be beyond the conscious scope of most of the people today who toy with the word Yoga.

Sam is taking with him, as probably was written before, a brochure of Vice-President Geary. It is not only as Walt Whitman said, “In all men I see myself,” but it is all a teaching of the Real Religion which is behind all of the particular religions that everything is reflected in everything. The Gita, the Upanishads, the Prajnana Paramita Sutra, the Johanni books of the Bible, and the actual sacred traditions of the Jews support this same theme, this universal theme.

In “The Rejected Avatar”:

“The strong say yes to God The weak say no to man.”

This habit is so ridiculous that the young are laughing today at all the pretenders and dualists who offer their private formulae as solutions to problems of the day. They do not understand that their individual separations are the basis not only of these problems but of the existence of problems in any form.

One cannot go much beyond this because Sam’s theme is going to be “Keep a soft tongue and loud, very loud ears” (e.g. as the Tibetan Saint Milarepa).

No doubt efforts will be made to report further from either Switzerland or England late this month or early next.

With all love and blessings,

Samuel Lewis

March 22, 1970

Anandashram

Kanhangad P.O.

Travancore-Cochin

South India

Dear Ram;

Package of books has been received from Anandashram, Gita Sandesh. It is particularly welcome at this hour. Sam is now already to go to the conference of the real religious leaders of this plane; he does not know what be is going to say or do other than keeping the mind clear and clean so that, God-willing, the Divine Voice may be speaking to and through him.

There are certainly two lessons in life impressed upon Sam this week; one is the vibratory activity of all the cells of the physical body and along with them of the finer bodice when the RamNam is sung or chanted. The day has gone when audiences are impressed by lofty emotions apart from direct experience. The young want direct experience; they are getting the direct experience; they love the direct experience. They mount the ladder of Ananda, which in a certain sense is the same as Jacob’s ladder in the Hebrew Bible. There is no time for talking; there is time for realization. There is always time for realization. Yesterday Sam presented a Spring Festival for the young. It was also the birthday of Gavin Arthur, who was always a warm admirer of Papa. It was very different; there were 200 to 250 people there, practically all young. They joined in the dances and chants. They love to recite RamNam and Hare Krishna and Sufi sacred phrases. It is a totally different world; it is a totally new world.

Some of the young women surprised Sam with a Sita dance. When they completed, Sam put on a Ram ceremonial; then they all joined together in a Ram-Sita performance. This was not India. This is the America of today, a very different America. This will also go down on record, because there were television cameras and sound equipment and all technical paraphernalia.

The height of the amillah came when Sam performed Ras-Lila. One cannot describe this because in it there is no sense of being. There is sense of emergence. One becomes the instrument of God, so to speak. This is what the young people want. This is what they expect. This is what they respect. My friends, it is a New Age. It is an age of warm delight in the Divine Presence. Now Sam is getting ready to attending the conference of the great religions of the world, but he has already abandoned the fruits of action; he has not abandoned action, be has abandoned fruits of action. There is some hope for the world when it accepts the evidence of spirituality, not only as presented by let us say a Guru, but when it is reflected in the awakening of hearts, in the brilliancy of faces, in the manifest joy and delight.

Although this was a long day, we had the dancing class at night. Everybody came. We introduced some new Shiva dances. And in the next few days everything will be done to get these dances in order that they may be used in the future.

The second lesson Sam has learned is that of and from pain. To him, this means the wiping out of samskaras. It is in no sense an evil. The wiping out of samskaras helps free the spirit, helps one to appreciate joy.

This may be the last letter before our departure for abroad. If we have been over bearing we shall soon learn this. But if we are life-bearers, we may also soon learn this.

Sam is now getting apologies from those who would never let him present his points of view, or perhaps his knowledge. Too many efforts are being made to promote verbal “world outlooks” by the suppression of knowledge, by the suppression of facts, by the suppression of history. This will no longer do. The young are intelligent and alert and innately so honest that it is very difficult for older persons to conceive their attitude.

A series of speakers on television have shown that the harm done by alcohol is 40 times as great as all problems, moral, legal and otherwise, due to partaking of psychedelics. San never used psychedelics because he felt the superiority of the mantras to begin with—not the philosophy of the mantram, but its recitation. That is what young America wants; that is what young America is getting. It is a New Age my friends, it is a period of hope and joy and love.

All love and blessings,

Samuel L. Lewis

May 3, 1970

The Vision

Anandashram

Kanhangad

South India

Dear Ram;

Volume 38, no. 3 copy of the Vision is here. This is a new day. This is a day when it is become extremely easy to communicate its content to an ever growing number of young people. One does not convince the elders that God made mankind in His image. One does not try to convince the young people; they accept it already. The young people who accept cosmic truth are no longer interested in the empty words of their seniors by age but not otherwise.

Sam returned to his native city, met by a large crowd of loving young people. They made such tamasha that it disturbed or surprised the airport. It would seem that there will be more of such disturbances and surprises. These will have to be accepted as facts of a life which seniors have declined to examine. Or as the Sufi Inayat Khan taught: “Heart speaks to heart, and soul to soul.”

The homecoming was followed by a very large public greeting, and this in turn yesterday by a combination of a May Festival and marriage ceremony.

We also have another RamNam Dance. The young people are full of love and joy. This reflects in their faces, in their auras, in their glow. There is more joy in the voices of Sam’s friends and followers, chanting the Names of God, then in all the sermons in the world. It is God speaking to God through God to meet God, or as you say Ram, it does not matter. Actually we say Ram a good deal, a great deal, with joy, with love, with grandeur, with devotion.

Sam already has a Summer School awaiting him of young people in another part of the country. And a much larger convocation in the Eastern states because Baba Ram Dass (the young American to whom others were looking for leadership is leaving the country). He is going to South America to study with a Sufi. All this has helped Sam. All this and very much more about which one does not wish to write, excepting to say in a few words that with the help of Ram we hope to accomplish what others are talks about. We do not have to go out and beg and cry. And someday better known people who proclaim the beliefs in karma will discover it is very true. This is a long story also, but it has shadows.

This is a long story also, and one does not feel happy about it. But the news has come in today’s paper that the efforts of Auroville have produced no fruit, quite the contrary. It is very sad no doubt. It is very unfortunate that some people cannot accept that God-Ram alone is great, and no self-proclamations really mean anything. There is an argument in an English publication on the relative merits of Shankara and Ramanaja. Sam believes Atma and Brahm are the same, and this goes for everybody. It is those who have failed to be convinced of this who are failing, while those who accept and are aware of it succeed more and more. And why not. Sam believes this is a day for the whole of humanity and not just for privileged ones. And today the world is beating a pathway to his doors, as he forefelt. Now it is coming true. Everything is coming true.

Love and Blessings,

SAM

May 14, 1970

Dear Ram:

A little event this morning prompts this letter. While we were singing RamNam it seemed that the depth and vitality not only impregnated the cells and tubes of the body, but even the hairs. Sam not only has a full beard today—many little children now call him Santa Claus—but it seems that the hairs of the beard stood on end and danced while we were chanting RamNam. While we perform a ritual so to speak it would seem that we rush to our chanting not because it is a duty or discipline, but because it is a source of great delight, a delight which becomes actual experience.

Sam attended another Wesak celebration Sunday. It seems here that Wesak has become a compounding of ritual and ceremony that have little or nothing to do with Lord Buddha. It has been made into a hyperbolic ritual with very vague meanings in to a presumable super-magic for which and from which there is no evidence. Many non-Buddhists have seized this word to proclaim all sorts of things which have no evidence in facts and are empty in fancy.

Now the various Buddhists who are extremely badly split have moved in the same direction. Sam sees only one dharma, one dharma, call it sanatana dharma, call it arya dharma or otherwise, or not at all. His holding to this point is also illustrated in his poetry. All his poems were rejected by presumable world leaders. Then his own friends had “The Rejected Avatar” published. Now this is in demand.

Returning from a conference of the real leaders of the real religions, Sam has learned that his efforts have been appreciated. He stood in competition with no one, and he showed his appreciation of all. This stands in mark contrast to the leaders of all the rival schools of so-called dharma who are treating each other with contempt. The almost total absence of ananda is so evident. To Sam the dharma without ananda is noise, nothing but noise, but that is what the young people hold and proclaim.

Sam has a summer school all waiting for him: enrollment, funds, freedom to teach real systems of real yoga, and real Sufi esoterics along with spiritual dancing. The young wish this; the young grab. The young know intuitively what Ramdas has been saying. It requires no effort at all; it is simple and easy. While people of mature ages seem to spurn us, that very situation is an additional factor in the continued drawing and increase of audiences of and from the young people. Love is love and there is no substitute for it. Joy is joy and there is no substitute for it. Peace is peace and there is no substitute.

This letter is being written before Sam received official news about an increase in his monthly allotment, coming at a time: when the world, that is the world of young people, is beginning to recognize him. But it is not personality recognition, it is dharma recognition, it is the presentation of Sufism which declares God Alone Exists—when the gods arrive the half gods go.

Love and Blessings,
SAM

910 Railroad Ave.

Novato, Calif. 94947

May 27, 1970

Anandashram

Kanhangad

Dear Ram;

There is something remarkable that goes on in life. It is like a story; it is like a super-story. Sam has been saying, you can convince almost anybody about what is going on unless he calls himself a realist, then it becomes hopeless. Sam is about to leave here to conduct a summer school in the State of New Mexico. It was not particularly his idea. Sam has written previously about the Professor now known as Baba Ram Das. He is a man from a very wealthy family. He is also a man who has a degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Harvard University. But he is also a man who has only spiritual values: wealth, fame, acclaim, all those things which Christ condemned he shuns, and all those things which Christ evaluated he loves. So there is nothing else to do but go into other parts of this country and teach what scriptures acclaim and religion has shunned and is just awakening to the simple but hard reality of karma.

Everything is so different today, everything. There is soon to be another, what is called, Holy Men’s Jamboree in this region. Sam will be far away, but it is his disciples who are taking the lead in and for this project. It is his disciples who are doing things. It is his disciples who are gradually finding their maturity and finding also the avenues for full expression of inner potentialities and faculties—you will please pardon not sending details; they would take too long.

What the leaders in this country and one suspects the leaders in other countries and one further suspects that all those who are concerned with leadership and not with humanity fear most is a real moral and spiritual revolution. And what they are totally unable to stop is such a real moral and spiritual revolution. For it is not only Sam’s disciples, but their friends and schoolmates and others of the same age that have the universal and spiritual outlooks. The sociologists and politicians fail to grasp what we may call the soul of man, and there is no question but that the spirit of Walt Whitman which manifested in this land is now coming into prominence along with that of Emerson and Thoreau. This is the America which you do not read about in the press, which you do not hear about on radio and television and which is beginning to manifest itself in the real non-violence of Mahatma Gandhi and not in the dramatic nonviolence which has brought so much attention and accomplished very little.

All of Sam’s meetings have shown a slow but steady increase. The same is true of the meetings of his colleagues and disciples. We have not reached the news point, but what can you expect of the channels of communication which fail to mention the gatherings of all the world’s faiths at Geneva which Sam recently attended? There seems to be a great fear of real religion.

There was a story by Hans Christian Anderson in the last century called “the Emperor’s New Clothes.” With pretense some conniving tailors made it appear that the cloth was so refined as to make it invisible. When the day came to display it, everybody remarked on its wonders. Only a little child said, “Why he has nothing on at all.” The young of today are like that little child. And now also the stock market which reflects the real economy of this country is demonstrating that, when all money is used for weapons of war, there is no wealth behind it.

There was an amusing incident recently in San Francisco. There is a female cat in this house there. It was advertised that he had kittens to give away. When the young people heard than Sam had kittens to give away, they flocked to his house, they telephoned his house. It was dramatically humorous to find that many young people have learned about Sam and have admiration for him, but you never see his name in the paper and it is most difficult to get an interview with people of importance.

Nevertheless, for the first time a Jewish rabbi gave him an interview. If you read the papers you will read that Muslims and Israelis alike are howling they would be willing to sit down at the table and discuss peacefully with the other party. But such events never take place, only the challenges. But after what happened in Geneva, it is becoming evident that religions that do not have a living God are hopeless. They mean nothing. The young simply will not attend their services. The young simply will not take them seriously, so the young are attacked and accused or sometimes defended but never permitted to speak for themselves.

Shortly-after Sam leaves there will be another Holy Man’s Jamboree. It is being called by the young. Before any newspaper men will show up—realists never pay any attention—the police may show up, And If the police show up there may be some news, otherwise, no; things are not done that way. Someday we hope to convince some disciple of Sri Aurobindo that the cosmic evolution about which he wrote so much is really going on, is really going on with evolved race. Of course Bulwer Lytton and H.G. Wells also predicted that, and someday we hope to convince some people who see only extreme good or only extreme evil in and from India that God is everywhere and truth is everywhere.

There was another interesting episode: One of Sam’s disciples who is a very adventurous type travels all over. He goes out into the deserts and wildernesses and mingles with every kind of person. He fears nobody. Once he was robbed and he told San, “I was out on the desert and my tent was robbed and what do you think they stole? My whole collection of Swami Ramdas’ books; I had a whole collection and they were all stolen. Wasn’t that wonderful? “We had a hardy laugh and hope you can join in it.

When Sam returns it will be necessary to organize very carefully. This is something new. At Geneva he was approached by a stranger, “You have a wonderful message and I admire your personality, are you properly organized? Well, I hope  to come to San Francisco as soon as possible. The world needs universal teachings and the divine spirit above all else. That was a stranger’s conclusion. It shows God is in everybody and someday we hope to convince some of the people who think they are devotees of Indian wisdom that this is actually so. We are not troubled about others.

The key-note of life is found in the sayings of Papa Ramdas, that the ananda of the jnanana and of the Bhakti are the same. We are demonstrating it here on a great scale. But life is demonstrating it on a greater scale, much greater, among the evolved youth of this day and place. They really evaluate love and joy and peace about which their elders talk so much and do so little. So we are going to emphasize more and more love and joy and peace and also present the techniques given to the world so many times by great spiritual teachers, ignored so much by institutions utilizing the names of the same spiritual teachers. In this we do not have to blame anybody. We shall simply demonstrate, and more and more and more. So on return we shall take up what might be called the business aspects of this letter and try to build up a library consummate with its contents knowing full well that it is not a library but the growth of human hearts that will produce a better world. With all love and blessing,
Samuel L. Lewis

[Ed—Included is a note from Moineddin Jablonski on August 14,1971:

I just found this letter sealed in an envelope ready to send to India, but apparently misplaced by Murshid or someone at the time, as it was under some papers in the back of the desk drawer.]

June 11, 1970

Anandashram,

Kanhangad,

South India

Dear Ram:

There is on episode in the life of Jesus Christ that he was taken to an exceedingly high mountain. Lama Foundation is near the summit of the tallest mountain in the United States outside the State of Colorado. The peaks of those States are well known but this one seems to have been a holy mountain since most ancient times.

It seems that Sam must follow the career of Paul Brunton—he did in India and Egypt and now instead of the Himalayas the Rockies. And Sam sees now he must speak in behalf of a Universal God Who is not jailed in any system of mountains. A great Sufi saint said: “Allah is your Lover, not your Jailer” and Sam says that man, too must not jail his God, which so many want to do. It is useless but people want to try. Sam does not know why, how can the Creator be confined to places? much less single places.

In fact Sam has some doubt whether he even wants to visit Arunachala. He was himself a chela of Paul Brunton when the latter was a chela of Maharshi. But Sam’s work is in Karma Yoga, and also so as Swami Ranganathananda Maharaj said, in Bhakti and Jhanas. It is not in the “tyranny of words” which so limits and confines mankind. Now we have God-else “Yoga” which is certainly not egoless “Yoga.” The churches are being pulled down to set up narrow organizations all claiming to lead the world, and they are based on egotism not on any Supreme Being. Just words.

“The Vision” was sent here but, dear ones, you cannot send “The Vision” to Sam without Sam having a Vision, so to speak, and this Vision is to write a commentary on St. Paul’s “First Epistle of the Corinthians” which may be done, Ram willing, when he returns to the lowlands.

There is a vast spreading of Yoga in the land. First there is Godless Yoga. It has various names and methods and is very prominent in publications. The prevailing culture wants that. It is innocuous. It does not bring God or Mukti. Sometimes it brings wealth, fame, and it certainly does not harm. But it tends to accent egotism and is so limited.

Sam has been writing for years: “When the Gods arrive the half-gods go.” Now there are some real systems of Yoga being introduced. They are making all kinds of claims. They are often exotic and complicated. They are always presented in an obtuse fashion, so that nothing is clear. But Sam welcomes them as they do posit God and Mukti and human experience and do not limit salvation to some private legal organization which proclaims it will save the world—there are so many of these! They deny each other and they deny historicity and they shun the Sufis!

Well last Sunday there was a Holy Men’s Jamboree in San Francisco and crowds of young people came. Sam has not the news yet but has been told it was most successful. As it was organized by Sufis and at least one Sufi spoke it has to be by-passed by all who claim to have world brotherhood and world leadership and world this and world that—and will take anybody to help in their Kurukshetra but Sri Krishna! But this way is gone. The youth who represent the new age will not have that. They want realities, not words or claims.

On the same Sunday, 7th June, Sam was honored by a pilgrimage to this place—nearly all young people. The only other time a pilgrimage was made to Sam was by Sufis who are ignored by all the “world” groups. The theme of the Sufis is God Is Love. So Ram has directed Sam to write a commentary on the First Epistle of the Corinthians beginning with the Love-theme and then going on to the three bodies mentioned in that holy book but ignored by cult and religion alike. It is time to restore the Sanatana Dharma.

This was a mission given also to Sam on another holy mountain, in Japan. Sam may still have some pictures. The world legal groups refused to accept his reports and of course, ignore his pictures. They always lecture on the need for moral and spiritual reform, a point on which they are joined by politicians and gangsters as well as saints. They all verbalize “moral and spiritual reform.” But Sam is directed to emphasize Love.

Well Tuesday Sam visited two cities in this State of New Mexico and was greeted by delegations of young people. They want God, they want Love, they want experience and they do not want to become figureheads in some milking operation known as “world brotherhood” or “world union” or “world-anything.” The soul longs for Salvation and the mind offers billions of alternatives—which are not wrong in themselves but useless.

So Sam realizes his time is coming and maybe soon. The whole universe speaks to him and sometimes through him. The young are coming to him and he to them. The three-body psychology is being introduced, but based on Love and Love and Love and Compassion and Mercy, which are so much more powerful than legal love or political love and sentimental love. And it would appear that with Sri Krishna with him Kurukshetra will be won. Anyhow the young believe Sri Krishna is with Sam and they accept his dances while the claimants to world brotherhood” and “world undon” and “world this” and “world that”…. I leave it to you. As Mohammed said: “Say Allah and leave them to their devices.

We now have many songs and cues on RamNam, many and more coming. Love and blessings,

Samuel L. Lewis

410 Precita Ave.,

San Francisco, Calif. 94110

21st June, 1970

Anandashram,

Kanhangad P.O.

Travancore-Cochin

South India

Dear Ram:

Om! Sri Ram! Jai Ram! Jai, Jai Ram!

There is something strange going on in life and although Sam has seen it all in the spirit before, when it happens it is just as strange as if there were no forebodings.

Sam is becoming wealthy by a very strange process. He has never tried to accumulate money and does not believe that wealth is significant. Before his brother died we discussed what would happen and it is happening. So many people want money for Yoga research and mystical research and occult research. And when Sam writes he has some materials they always reject the materials but want his money anyhow and they keep on asking for the money, but never, never accept his spiritual reports, no matter what the evidence.

Sam has discovered there are two kinds of movements today, the one kind in which the spiritual teacher or Guru acts like the sun and gives and gives and gives, and asks nothing. The other kind is like the Superman of Nietzsche—they want money, obeisance, servitude, even slavery and they always treat other peoples as lesser beings. And we find both of these in the world and especially in California and India.

While the true Guru blesses and gives and heals and soothes, the other type advertises their virtues, only their virtues and never accepts the virtues of others, only their money! And they name certain persons whom they consider vastly superior and expect the world to bow before those people and if anything goes wrong they say that it is because the world has not accepted their special Holy Man. There are so many; they come and go and stress emotionalism. If you mention “God” or “Ram” to them, they wince. They talk about the divine life, the spiritual life, the holy life, and it is very, very restricted—just to them and their colleagues and some they select at random.

Now the Upanishads has the way to determine spirituality and this was also taught to Sam by some very real Masters. And now Sam is communicating it to the young, more and more. The whole upper portion of the Rio Grande Valley in the Southwestern part of the United States is filled with new types of communes and mostly they have a spiritual basis, all over. Multitudes. To San they are the New Age, they are the traces predicted by Sri Aurobindo and Bulwer Lytton and H.G. Wells. They have real Yoga, real devotion and not endless philosophy about and about. They are worshippers, they are devotees they are real Karma-Yogins with touches of real Bhakti.

Last night there was a dramatic group visiting Lama where this is written and they presented a play, “The False Guru.” For one hour beforehand Sam put on Sufi (dervish) dances. Then after the play some of the devotees began the RamNam dances. And somebody called out, “What have we to do with a false Guru when we have a true Guru in our midst.” And all the people, mostly young called on Sam and he presented a series of RamNam dances in which hundreds participated. And when it was all over the dramatic leader who played the part of the false guru came to Sam, knelt at his feet and invited him to visit them. This may have been coming, it was seen and foreseen.

The letter will be written before the day’s program where and when hundreds of young people from all over the upper parts of the Rio Grande will be coming to Sam. And then Tuesday and Wednesday Sam will be visiting them and presenting the spiritual dances. The older people do not want them and besides they belong to a passing evolution. The world is advancing, humanity is advancing and with all the bad news, “I come. I go. When Dharma decays I come.”

Today there is also another Holy Men’s Jamboree, as they are called, in another part of the Rio Grande Valley. It is so different now. And before Sam leaves this State (New Mexico) he will be given a special send off. And the same will be true about his return to California.

Now also Sam is receiving the most wonderful letters from so many distant places. They realize sincerity if not wisdom. Sam is still a believer in “La Illaha El Il Allah”, there is no deity but Allah, although this is interpreted in the Bhal manner:

“Allah, Shiva, and God-nam, Ram-Sita, Ram-Sita-Ram”

And those who are substituted men’s names (and sometimes women’s names, and only arousing emotions and thinking they have reached the Goal, would pass away as they always have. Love alone is eternal and emotions are passing.

This coming week Sam will teach the Maha Mudra, to help people attain peacefulness and spread that peacefulness with wisdom through the world. Sam knew this was coming. He has to give up the “lonely” life which was forced on him for a life of some social consideration, also in a sense forced on him. But we surrender to God. We do not say or pray, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” we seek that this be the way of life for all.

Om! Sri Ram! Jai Ram! Jai Jai Ram!

Love and Blessings,

Samuel L. Levis S. A. M.

July 4, 1970

Anandashram

Editor of The Vision

Anandashram

Dear Ram:

Om Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram! This is the most difficult letter Sam has ever tried to write. Every word, every thought, even every feeling, is a shadow, but it is a shadow of Divine Light.

Sam has just returned from his almost private ashram in the Rocky Mountains. Although he was there chiefly as a Sufi and mantric teacher and devotee, he also imparted the whole gamut of Buddhist meditations from the first Jhana to the highest Maha Mudra. This may have been almost the first such effort since the days of the ancient Taxila and Nalanda. Sam is not the least concerned with the personality-rejections of these efforts. The fact is that more and more young people are accepting what he is offering and the days of the a priori rejections by the intellectuals, sophists, and metaphysicians, is over.

Years ago Her Serene Highness Princess Poon Diskul, now president of the World Buddhist Federation, told Sam he was piling up a mountain of good merit. Sam said he was not interested in merit. Her Serene Highness said this would increase the merit. But today seems to be the beginning of a harvest of long efforts and perhaps in all sincerity.

The last days in New Mexico were so dramatic that one can only outline them. A. The demand for more copies of “The Vision” and works of Papa Ramdas. This came spontaneously to Sam from others. B. The extreme unsolicited cooperation from the American known as Baba Ram Das, unqualified cooperation, leaving Sam partly stunned and astounded and partly joyously compelled to enter the doors opened by and from this man’s efforts. C. The increase in the new spiritual dances coming through Sam so to speak and also in the growth of audiences and participants far beyond his present capacities, but manifesting in front of him all the time, showing the New Age in all its hopeful expectations. D. The unexpected surprise meeting by Sam of a dramatic group living in the center of the Stat of New Mexico, planning to dramatize the Ramayana and Mahabharata in ways comparable to the Christian efforts related to the Passion Play of Lord Jesus Christ. I think it was already reported that when they presented a drama called “The False Guru” someone in the audience yelled, “Why should we be concerned with a false guru when we have a true Guru in our midst?” The reaction was sudden and astounding and soon Sam was leading hundreds in Ramnam dances as he has led other hundreds in other parts of the State of New Mexico in both Ramnam and Dervish dances.

The local news from other sources and the distant news from other sources is in the same expansive vein. It would appear that there may be harvest autumns in one’s private life, but as the Bible teaches, one is reserving the fruits of these actions to God, and as the Gita teaches one is reserving and dedicating the fruits of actions to Sri Krishna.

The last dramatic episode in New Mexico was a spontaneous call for a Hare Krishna Dance which was immediately done; Sam leading about 200 young people in this and they want more. This is a New Age and one thinks this is enough to report in a single letter.

Love and Blessing,

Samuel L. Lewis

10th July

Dear Ram:           Om Sri Ram! Jai Ram! Jai Ram Ram!

Sam is now visiting the Garden of Inayat which was intended to be the Sufi spiritual headquarters. But now the movement is spreading very rapidly. There are so many who claim to be leaders, to be representing world movements, to be Sadgurus, Avatars, Maharshis and when they have finished the young people find there is no change in the world, in themselves or in the suffering of humanity. Added to this is the hard but simple fact that most older people simply will not interview Sam, and this is making him a hero. Perhaps they are right, but to claim to be moral and act this way only impresses the young that their seniors by age are hypocrites.

When Sam was high in the Rocky Mountains, in the woods, many came long distances to see him. Now that he is back among his fellows people come but not so long distances only more of them. There is no substitute for Love and the use of these sacred phrases in devotion is now becoming more and more a habit—among the young. Meetings continue to grow in size and Sam is now being approached by serious older people who are convinced that he really believes in the Divine Presence, and they want to learn more.

The world is now filled with groups that verbally claim to be universal and do not recognize each other at all. They all verbally cover the earth and make tremendous claims. The other day Sam telephoned a new group (there are so many of them) that claimed to represent the whole of humanity, “What is your particular faith?” Sam asked, “What!” They repeated it and Sam repeated it. He said, “I thought I was telephoning the “Whole of Earth” society and they ask me for my particular faith. I guess I have the wrong number.”

They apologized. But it is not often so. Those who claim to represent everybody do not usually apologize. In fact all they do is seek money for some particular project. Indeed one group is seeking funds for scientific research in  Yoga. You can be sure that this is not a group of scientists. They know better. When scientists assert or affirm they are honest and impersonal. But when others seek funds for Yoga—-what is that? Everybody wants everybody on their side but Sri Krishna at Kurukshetra.

Sam has demonstrated the Sri Krishna dances and the so-called Krishna devotees keep away. So Sam is now going into serious writing to demonstrate the difference between high emotionalism and spirituality. Besides, the Ananda of the emotionalists is limited.

Sam is constantly amazed by new people coming to him. He is overworked but accepts that as part of his dharma. The real New Age people are devotees, not emotionalists and even infants are chanting the names of God—it is like a miracle. It is only the fund-seekers who each have some private “world organization” that do not change the praise of God, only the praise of themselves. And each apart from all the others.

Sam returned with plenty of work to do and two emergencies; a Korean Zen Master was coming to San Francisco and had to see Sam; also a Jewish Chassid mystic was coming to San Francisco and had to see Sam. Fortunately Sam had a free night—a very rare occurrence. He went first to the Buddhist meeting and was treated as a Bodhisattva. He had just returned from Lama Foundation where he taught all kinds of Buddhistic-Buddhist meditations from the original Jhana to the highest Maha Mudra. But Buddhist groups accepted that and we all came to agreement (it is only the “universal” people who do not accept).

Then he went to the Jewish mystics and was also received by them as a great spiritual man. It is very sad because one of them has had the prophet-Christ experience in the unseen and then in the seen—the same drama which goes on forever. But both Sam and the Rabbi know what to do. While the politicians are spending billions of dollars to kill innocent people, the holy men suffer as they always have. Only some of us really want to do something, not just collect money and power for ourselves, under the guise of a “New Age.”

So in meetings we spend more time singing and chanting the Divine Names and do not enter into other matters. This not only consumes all the time but is winning more and more hearts, covering more territory and spreading and spreading until Sam is dizzy.

Hazrat Inayat Khan said: “Heart speaks to heart and soul to soul.” Sri Krishna condemned ahankara-manas and all the ahankara-manas people are spending much money—seeking more money—and losing all over. But the young are rising, rising in love, in faith, in sincerity, in wisdom and toward real peace.

Love and Blessings,

410 Precita Ave.,

San Francisco, Calif.

20th July, 1970

Anandashram,

Kanhangad Post Office

Cannanore District,

Travancore-Cochin,

South India

Dear Ram:

Om! Sri Ram! Jai Ram! Jai, Jai Ram!

Sam is enclosing his monthly contribution but is in an utter state of bewilderment. There is nothing wrong, nothing wrong at all. For instance by series of circumstances Sam’s income has gone up until it has reached a maximum from family sources. Sam’s father did little for him and apologized on his deathbed. Then his brother fought him and when Sam fought back they become friends and the brother died which benefited Sam financially.

Sam has been wondering about his “enemies” and reading the commentary of Swami Ranganathananda on this subject, on the ISA UP. He realized that all people are his benefactors, those who help him possibility and those who help him by putting the obstacle in the way which help awake on the faculties needed for perfection. This is not philosophy; this is to Sam, the reality.

Of course people who place obstacles have to face their karmas and do.

A few years ago some rather emotional young people said they were summoning the spiritual leaders from all the world. When Sam asked who was on the Board of Directors that would bar his attendance they became very confused. But when Sam returned from New Mexico he received two urgent letters from a Korean Zen Master and from a Jewish mystic from Jerusalem, and five different summonses to go to Colorado to a so-called “Holy Men’s Jamboree (tamasha).” It seems that leaders of all kinds leave it to Sam.

On top of that the Sufi Vilayat Khan, the well known Paul Reps, the man who calls himself “Baba Ram Das” and others notified Sam they considered him the spiritual leader in the whole of the United States. And while this has been going on the audiences increase and more and more young people are coming to the dance classes where they must repeat the sacred phrases and do. And when one tells you that this is all additional to the former programs, you might understand the bewilderment.

There is a massive “Hare Krishna” campaign also going on in the United States among the young while Billy Graham is trying to build up emotional Christianity among others. Both campaigns are emotional but both have to do with Deity. Only when Sam does the “Hare Krishna” dance he has no sense of self at all. It seems that God is dancing through and with his body and sometimes he can do steps that are impossible in his conscious moods.

Sam has been reading in “The Vision.” While he himself is repeating the Divine Name constantly he is not so sure that this is “the only way.” He does not condemn the Tantric and occult and other means, nor the Swamis and self-styled “holy men” because some of them may really be holy men.

He does notice so many proclaimed men coming and going and leaving not realized disciples in their place; and there are others who do not so self- proclaim, who leaving self-realized souls to carry on their work. But the important thing of the moment is the very definite chances in the mass- consciousness, not only among the young but now more and more among the elder Sam is meeting.

Sam has been shown by vision and warning that he would rise in the social strata. Saturday night he went to a Jewish mystical gathering. The place was packed, maybe ten older people among the mass of young and perhaps only half of them of Jewish ancestry. The rabbi spoke only on the Divine Name and spiritual realization.

Then Saturday morning Sam gave the first of his new talks on mystical Christianity, teaching about the three bodies from the Christian point or view, using only the Christian scriptures but pointing out that very few religionists teach all of their Scriptures. This is being recorded and may be published. But so many things are happening in the expansive field, even in the financial field because more audiences, larger ones and more opportunities placed by God there is only bewilderment, the repetition of the Divine Name and praise to God.

Om Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram!

Love and Blessings,

July 27, 1970

Anandashram

Kanhangad P.O.

Travancore-Cochin

South India

Dear Ram:

Om Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram!

Sam is very tired, gloriously tired. He has had to increase the number of his classes. He has to face slowly but definitely growing attendance at all meetings. He is gaining more disciples. As was last reported, famous people like Paul Reps and Baba Ram Dass are boosting him. And then their friends are boosting him. The “Dances of Universal Peace” are spreading like wild fire. The gatherings presided over by real or fanciful holy men are spreading. Real Yoga practices are being given to an increasing number of young Americans. Even Jean Dixon, the purported national seeress, has predicted there would be much of this, and there is. And the first that young Americans are chanting Holy Names is bound to have some effect, though the last places this will be reported will be in and by the press and radio-television.

But Sam has been impelled to write now because his alumnus, the University of California, has become aware of the trend. In previous letters Sam wrote that 300 people giving a radical demonstration or damaging property was world news, not only local news, but world news. But 5000 chanting mantras wasn’t news at all. Now the University authorities have become aware that the seal for change may be spiritual and psychological rather than political and sociological.

The only people not involved are those who claim to have world-outlooks, to be of integrative approaches, and to be all-inclusive. They actually are so exclusive that they are not recognized by the University, and certainly are not by the international assembly of religious leaders. While Sam is not happy about it, it seems you can do nothing with people whose desire to lead is so great they have no room for the Divine or for Moksha.

Sam has been collecting funds for peace, and was about to give a scholarship to the Dept. of Near East Languages at this University of California. His original intention was to do this to help bring Israeli and Arabs to become reconciled to each other as human beings. At the human level, these endeavors have been quite successful, but apparently the political leaders recognize it and they may bring about further understanding.

As the Dept. of Near East Languages include all of Asia from Suez to the Bay of Bengal, he may obtain the good will of this department also to and for better understanding among the peoples of India, that is Hindus and Muslims. It is noteworthy that the so-called world groups are doing nothing of this kind, nor are the great “peace” organizations. But there are a great many most intelligent young people in the world today, and with divine help we believe we can do something about this.

One of the main reasons for writing this is that Sam is constantly reading Papa’s writings. He cannot help seeing in actuality the beneficial results that come from repetitions of the Divine Name. This is so evident, and to an ever growing number of young people, that it may become part of the history of Western culture. One is sorry of course that a great many enthusiastic Indians and also Western people under Indian influence have refused to recognize the historicity of Emperor Akbar. They do not seem to understand Karma and moral laws. Their emotional pressures avail them nought.

On the other hand, if you tell older Americans that the repetition of the Divine Name will bring salvation, they will applaud, while the younger Americans will do. It is become very easy to get more and more young Americans to chant Holy Mantras. It is not only very easy it is very effective, and perhaps one can also say, very glorious. To Sam it is the New Age, a marvelous New Age, an Age of marvels, and Age of wonders, an Age of beauty, and an Age of effectiveness. No wonder Sam is very tired, but the rest of life is become exceedingly beautiful and exceedingly effective.

Love and Blessings.

Om Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram.

Samuel L. Lewis

P.S. The material and financial outlooks here are exceedingly propitious. We may have to organize. We would have been willing to join others on the condition that they accept our historical and spiritual background. We have failed in this but otherwise not a failure in sight. The repetition of the Divine Name is the most glorious of all human undertakings.

7th August, 1970

Anandashram,

Kanhangad P.O.

South India

Dear Ram;

Om! Sri Ram! Jai Ram! Jai Jai Ram!

Papa never told Sam he had once been a professor of nineteenth century English literature but he seemed to know all about it. And now Sam is discovering that those who stand in the way are nothing but a pack of cards as Alice discovered at the end of “The Wonderland.” Sam wishes it were not that way. He is an intense believer in human brotherhood. Today he finds the greatest obstacle to human brother from among those who verbally proclaim it, do not recognize each other and least of all recognize “Sams” and unimportant people. They will accept money and praise but never ideas nor facts.

Sam has noticed that the repetition of the divine names produces exactly the effects that Papa taught. We are repeating Divine Names, more and more. Only we use many of them, at least in public. And while others are advocating “Yogas,” especially new kinds of Yoga (?) Sam has found that the repetitions of the Divine Names not only effect great “changes” in character and personality, but also increases in joy, beauty, love and material benefits! We are not seeking the latter; They Are Seeking Us!

Yesterday we had to visit a legal friend to organize. We have never wished to organize. But we are most unwelcome to those groups who verbalize themselves as “integral,” “universal,” “world,” etc. They do not recognize each other, they are mutual competitors; they proclaim personalities or political institutions and anyone who claims satori or samadhi is immediately downgraded by them as a pretender and braggard.

But such is the effect of repeating the Divine Name and the now almost immediate increase in Ananda, that it is drawing more and more people and demands. We cannot fill them. Two secretaries have been withdrawn to good paid jobs, both indirectly in connection with our work. ALL the “universal,” “world,” “integral” groups rejected our Dances of Universal Peace, excepting The Temple of Understanding in Washington, District of Columbia. And while they, the so-called “world” and “universal” and “integral groups were rejecting, the calls were so great our technicians have been overworked, travelling all over the United States, and even abroad! It is the little people, the young, the “Hippies” who recite the Divine Name and the “integral,” “world” and “universal” people who function otherwise. Yoga without God is dead; indeed it never was.

Now the universities are beginning to discover Sam. They want to find out about real mysticism. They have not found out much about cults and they are not pleased with the rival “universal,” “integral” and “world” movements proclaiming themselves or some great personality, and disregarding or ignoring history and hard facts. This means that Sam alone represent Emperor Akbar and Prince Dara Shiko—who are either ignored or derided by the world,” “integral” and “universal” movements. The universities are discovering that, and they are seeking Sam, and more and more. So we have to organize legally. We cannot join any one of the them because they will accept our money but not our knowledge and never our wisdom nor that of others nor actual Mukti, just words.

In the meanwhile the Garden of Inayat and the Garden of Allah are blooming and attracting the attention of gardeners and markets but not of the above groups. The knowledge of science sad soils, coupled with loving plants has the most marvelous result. And the young of America are eating less and less meat and more and more vegetables and milk products. This is part of the New Age pattern, but the New Race is not recognize by the “big” people who want to lead, only lead and never recognize anybody else.!

Last Saturday Sam gave his first talk on The Three Bodies found in the Christian scriptures. Sam was in trouble before with the “great experts” on Oriental (???) Philosophies by pointing out that the pronoun “I” is not found in the Hebrew Scriptures excepting when referring to God. The “important” people all resented that. Now not only are the young coming but some clergymen who wanted to test Sam became excited and exalted. We are tape recording but have not enough clerical help at the moment. There Is Only One Truth and it is found in all Scriptures.

The “new” universal, “integral” and “world” groups are also calling the young Hippies and deriding them. For the young have far more love and insight. Psychedelics awaken their consciousness to the subtle world. It is a real awakening; they rise above the material. The “universal,” “integral” and “world” people all reject the Gita’s teaching to transcend manas and ahankara. They proclaim manas and ahankara. But the atman knows otherwise. So the trend is toward The Rejected Avatar, so to speak. And more and more and more.

Fortunately the repeaters of the Divine Names are also prospering. We have a printing establishment here. Our colleagues are growing in this direction. And one of our disciples is very wealthy and in the publishing business. This is going to be very hard on those who reject: “When the gods arrive, the half-gods go.” But this is as it is.

The “universals, “integral” and “world” groups all agree in by-passing Akbar, Dara Shikoh, and naturally, Mohammed. The latter said, in times of distress and confusion: “Say Allah and leave them to their devices.” But you can’t convince “Muslims” either any more than the “universal,” “integral” and “world” people. So we are repeating the Divine Names.

And when we do new dances manifest, new blessings manifest. When Sam lived in the midst of the woods, like Emerson’s hero people came there. Now he is in “civilization” and they come more and more.

We are getting Jews to repeat the Islamic Kalama; we are getting Muslims to repeat the Shema; we are getting both to chant the RamNam with joy. This is enough to upset everybody, and thus the world goes on. The teachings of the Upanishads of the ever increasing of Ananda manifest. Sam is becoming a folk hero. He did not want it that way.

As he wrote one editor; “One’s greatest process was his being invited a guest of honor to the Imperial Palace Grounds in Tokyo and getting a free dinner from Americans. But to that must be added the thirty-three rejections of his paper on Vietnamese Buddhism.” Now this is making him more and more of a hero and the same time being asked to write more and more for purification and preparing to take long instant grips in the United States.

The soul wants more than manas and ahankara. Om! Sri Ram, Jai Ram, Jai Jai Ram!

Love and Blessings,

August 10, 1970

Anandashram

Kanhangad P.O.

Travancore-Cochin

South India

Dear Ram:

Om Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram! If you want to know what is going on in Sam’s life just get out “The Sayings of Ramdas” and apply them to the physical world. Things are happening so rapidly that we cannot have a proper diary. We are very short in secretarial help at a time when there is expansive development in all aspects of life.

Sam has been telling people that hearing is often the key to spirituality. It may be something more than this, for one thing is certain, that our constant repetitions of sacred phrases, either the RamNam or the Sufi Zikr, is resulting in constant new manifestations of dances, too rapidly to be recorded. We are also in the midst of legal organization, made necessary by our growth. It would seem that everybody is accepting our work excepting those groups which have the words “world” or “universal” or “integral” etc. in their titles. As written recently too, the universities are calling on us.

In addition to the dance work, we are expanding very rapidly in our musical undertakings and in the filming of spiritual activities here in America. We are sure you are not misled by the one-sided reports of those called “hippies.” Many young people are finding much higher emotional and psychic experiences in saying or chanting Divine Names than in partaking either questionable or not questionable psychedelics.

Sam knows he would be asked soon about disciples visiting Anandashram. Two very good disciples are now planning to attend a Sufi Urs at Ajmir, and they have asked Sam about visiting Anandashram. They may be coming as devotees, or they may be coming as technicians to film your activities. But it is wrong to impose or suggest unless you feel it is absolutely right to have the undertakings of Anandashram recorded on tape or film. It would also be very wrong to have a letter written to you with short notice.

It is neither Sam’s wish nor to the contrary. And the disciples would also accept any decision you may have on this matter. It is very certain that the spiritual teachings are now finding resting places in this land. This is particularly true of the young and in much larger numbers than you may be reading about from any sources.

Two of Sam’s closest associates just visited this place and our complaints, if you want to call on that, are that blessings and opportunities are coming as fast as we can assimilate them at a time when blessings and inspirations are coming at a pace faster than we can assimilate them.

Love and Blessings,

14th August, 1970

Anandashram,   

Kanhangad P.O.

Travancore-Cochin

Dear Ram:

Om! Sri Ram! Jay Ram! Jay Jay Ram!

There is no spare time in Sam’s life and the affairs have become so dramatic that one does not wish to read anything but sacred tests. It is not devotion, it is the way life is. Thus last Monday afternoon five hours were spent with appointments, usually sudden ones, for people are coming longer distances to see Sam and in their opinion, to seek God. Older people will not accept this and when some come-which is seldom, they are amazed.

At the same time Sam lat lost two sectaries. Our work is prospering now, praise to God. There is a new diet and natural food stores are prospering and many of Sam’s disciples are getting goodly paid jobs. And in turn these stores are advertising what Sam is doing.

Then our efforts in the field of mystical explanations of religions, beginning with Christianity, have been successful. Our Wednesday night meetings, held in a seminary-auditorium and now packed. and God, so to speak, is giving Sam new dances all the time, especially Sufi and RamNam dances and the young not only love them but are having the effects in greater joy, even ecstasy, and psychic and moral education.

The only people who will not accept this are the various “world” and “integral” and “federal” groups who are also in competition and trying to introduce God-less Yoga. And when the real Yogins come, and they are coming, they attract far more. So what is called the “underground press” has been giving Sam plenty of publicity.

This in turn has led a group of disciples to become professionals in taking films of spiritual movements. They have already traveled far and wide and their next project is to film Sufis whose very existence our cultures have denied; or else they have been downgraded by many who clam “universality.” But the efforts to raise money have been successful. All the pretended “universal” people cannot efface the history of Akbar.

Sam had to take harsh measures with his local god-daughter’s husband and now he is Sam’s best help. He has come to realize that God-experience is either real or effective and more and more people are drawn to it and that the only universality there is an all-inclusive one. So it is very ready to read Papa Ram Das’s works and also to get people to repeat the RamNam. Thus between Sufism and RamNam Sam is busy all the time.

The other day Sam again met the famous Alan Watts who has now become a seeker. Sam supposes the main difference is that Sam who is older had much more vitality. This is a grace. It is very difficult to convince intellectuals about Grace but the young see it and are satisfied.

But now the universities are sending for Sam to speak on those aspects or Oriental wisdom which are excluded or barred by those who pretend to be universal.

The disciples of Sam are young, handsome, intellectual and depend on Prajna. They are working to bring Jew and Muslim, Israeli and Arab together. While everybody else emphasis war and differences, they are going ahead and so far been surprisingly successful. They wish to work with and for the Temple of Understanding.

Another group is preparing to come to Asia. Sam has written about this before. They wish first to photo and record the “non-existing” Sufis and Dervishes. Then come to India and Sam has suggested the Shivananda Ashram and also Saint Rehenad Tyabji in New Delhi. But some want to come south and especially visit Anandashram. They may be writing to you in person, but their schedule is not clear. This is partly because they do not know which holy places will welcome them.

After Sam visits the universities in California he will have to go to the eastern seaboard. There is a growing interest in things spiritual, cosmic and divine and unlike many of the “Yoga” movements in this country, Sam has the mystical or cosmic outlook.

But Sam also emphasizes that all great prophets taught almost the same thing and the emphasis on the three-body constitution of man and the utilization first of Love and then Joy and Peace as comic attributes and functions are succeeding. It is a new age with the evolved souls so predicted. Only they will not accept the leadership of the older dualistic manas-ahankara people.

Love and blessings,

August 19, 1970

Anandashram

Kanhangad Port Office

Travancore-Cochin,

South India

Dear Ram;

Om Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram. Sam is at this time bewildered. He is bewildered with wonder. He is reading all about Papa and the life as a Sannyyasin. All the time he is reading he is getting more good news. More disciples, more applicants, and even more money. Indeed it seems as if a divine Ram is helping in all plans for his traveling again.

The first reason for writing now is that Ralph Silver, the husband of Sam’s goddaughter, whom Sam also calls god-son, obtained his visa today for India. Sam has been writing many letters, especially to Bombay. The young people around Sam have all become, what Papa would say, incarnations of Ram. They are full of life, of light, of luster, of inspiration, and of success on many planes. Every day brings new external blessing at least, and Sam is in a very funny position that, with so many disciples and aspirants working and with his own mission expanding in so many directions, he has not enough help. Only it makes him laugh rather than cry.

Sam has also been visiting the Department of Asian Studies at the University of California. He is now being received almost as if he were a great holy man—this from the universities, not from the churches, and not always from the “spiritual movements.” Yet it is also evident that many Indian movements, which call themselves “spiritual,” and do not recognize each other, recognize Sam. It is almost complicated, glorious, and funny.

We have also been to the Indian consulate here because the disciples have many plans to promote real cultural exchange. There are a number of Indian movements here which claim universality and spirituality and each has chosen to exclude certain aspects of Indian culture! The consulate new understands that Sam’s India is absolutely all-inclusive, inclusive in history, inclusive in geography, inclusive in anthropology, inclusive in accepting all cults, all acharyas, all darshans, and not merely using words but meaning. This in turn is reacting to Sam’s benefit. His schedule is overcrowded, and especially where young people are concerned-more and more and more.

A lot of time is spent with disciple Phillip Davenport. He especially wishes to visit Kanhangad later on. We hope that you can make accommodations for him.

There is another matter. Sam was given three hundred rupees by the Princess in Hyderabad to make certain purchases, and he found it was impossible. Nor was he able to return the money. He is now able to do so, or rather to send fifty dollars to you for which check is enclosed. Sam has lost the Princess’ address. He is very sorry because of carelessness on his part, on the one hand, and rulings from the Indian government on the other. Besides that, Sam is back on his old schedule of about ten hours work a day, seven in the week. Only now he feels Ram is with him in everything. This becomes also evident the more Sam reads of Papa’s life-that we are unable to determine what is right or wrong; that Ram is always doing it for us, and, if nothing else, it brings much elation and happiness and wonder.

At this writing we are arranging for teams of technicians to go to the Orient for various purposes. At this writing we are arranging dinners for Jews, Christians, and Moslems, Arabs, Palestinians, and Israelis-to sit down together. We have already gotten Jews to repeat the Kalama and Muslims to repeat the Shema. Without divine help this might be impossible, but it is going on. We ourselves cannot understand why it is going on or why we are succeeding where those regarded as great have not succeeded, but we have utter faith in the Divine Being.

You would be amazed and delighted the way many young people are acting today in this land. You would be delighted with the aspects of our new dances, taking into consideration the Divine Names, always the Divine Names. It is marvelous how one young person after another has come to San and said, “I do not need to take acid or marijuana anymore. I get more joy and exhalation from your spiritual dances.” It only means, however, that we have to present these spiritual dances ourselves, because Indian groups, even those verbalizing themselves as universal, reject each other, I guess this does not matter. It is most wonderful that the hundreds are passing into thousands of young Americans constantly chanting divine terms. Only those saying Hare Krishna get public attention, but even this is something. The early hippies used pornographic and scatological terms. The present hippies at least say, “Here Krishna.” Isn’t that wonderful? No wonder the life is so full of constructive excitement.

Love and blessings,

Samuel L. Lewis

Sept. 1, 1970

Anandashram

Kanhangad P.O.

Travancore-Cochin

South India

Dear Ram:

On Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram!

This may be the last of reports made by a seemingly loquacious Sam. Last week Sam went to a woman’s dancing class and began with a concentration on Divine Saraswati and also ended with the same concentration. Only in the second effort both the effacement and the Vision were more complete. But the visions did not stop. In a week, full of events, such as described in the letter to Mr. F. Clive-Ross, the visions kept on coming. There were three classes of them, RamNam Dances, Ram-Sita Dances, and Dervish Dances. They have been coming so fast there is neither time nor persons to record them. Speeches can be recorded on tape and they are being so done.

It would seem there is a real revolution going on. Sam seems to think he has a RamNam dance or a Sufi dance which can cure many of the ills and complaints of mankind. These absolutely follow the traditions already given us about the value of Divine Names. You should therefore not be surprised that Sam is attracting more and more young people who want to be students. They are finding more and more joy in chanting the Divine Names and attributes, whether in Arabic or in the languages of India. In fact today the only people who do not recognize or accede to what is going on are those who verbalize themselves as leaders in world movements. There are so many of these, and it is pitiable because they do not recognize each other.

But the “coming race” of Bulwer Lytton is exactly the same as the “new humanity” of Sri Aurobindo. They are such much more advanced, lovable, and intelligent than their elders who want to be leaders not lovers. There is no use philosophizing about love being the leader, because it is so, it is being demonstrated.

With this latter Sam is not going into a new dimension, new vision, new activities. His visions show many incarnations, so to speak, of Ram in his very midst. He is completing the reading of Volume I “In the Vision of God.” We need and want further copies of this and also other parts. When he is not reading this he is reading writings about Sri Krishna. He has had full cooperation of the University of Chicago. This also helps in the efforts in the Dance work. It is stupendous and astounding. It is also elevating and keeps the consciousness at very high levels.

But Sam is finding many young people now reading the writings of Papa Ramdas, and about Sri Krishna, and Sufi poetry on a very large scale. And with the other events, as described in the letter to F. Clive-Ross, you may be able to learn the trends of the day.

It is probable that disciple Phillip Davenport will be contacting you soon. Everything is moving graciously, gratefully, and beautifully-moving toward what might be the manifestation of Divine Will without compulsion and without pretension under those who have not yet had the Divine Vision. There is no substitute for that which belongs to God. One believes this will soon be manifesting, with or without the leadership of yours with love and blessing.

Sam

410 Precita Ave.

San Francisco, Calif.

8th September, 1970

Anandashram,

Kanhangad Post Offices,

Travancore-Cochin

South India

Dear Ram:

Om! Sri Ram! Jai Ram! Jai, Jai Ram!

Sam has been so busy he thought he would not have to write any more but Ram has ruled otherwise. Another sleepless night after Sam spoke on the dangers of accepting Sanskaras. And it as not that kind of night at all—the whole night nothing but visions and pictures of new dances, all based on the Sufi Zikr and RamNam, and this after so many others have come, and Sam does not even have a dance secretary. Indeed the task was to show the danger of reacting until one had the complete picture.

Sam’s chief associate is slowly recovering. His former secretary is earning so much he is contributing largely to the work here. The replacement has been ill but there is a new secretary because the replacement may become a teacher. Our work so growing, young people coming and others spreading the divine message all over the country. Sam means the divine message, not their leadership. The karma of those who proclaim self-leadership is evident.

They all proclaim universality and limit leadership to Englishmen, Hindus and Americans! They reject the great Akbar, the Sufi Emperor who did so much for the dance. Sam has read the
Ain-i-Akbari and Akbar Nam and Dabistan as well as the whole of the Mahabharata and Ramayana and self-leadership people all reject this. Once, no three times Sam tried to get the self-leadership people to accept a paper on the relation of the Jewish to the Hindu mysticism. He had discussed this with Paul Brunton. The self-leadership people all derided it and the University of California offered him a PhD degree for the same thing and the time has come. The self-leadership people have
conveyed a congress for scientific yoga. This ?congress? is meeting now in three different parts of India that Sam knows of, maybe more, and each ignores the others.

In the meanwhile there is an underground effort to promote God is Love among the young people of this country with Yoga and also Sam’s dances. They do not praise you for your money and ignore your heart and mind-just the opposite. And so the New Age race is rising and will not accept the leadership of the self-proclaimers with their God-less, love-less “Yoga.”

So some real Yogins, self-realized men have come to San Francisco and are going to have a celebration. They are so different from the self-leadership people. They do not want Sam’s money, only his love and cooperation and dances, and this will win for Sam’s disciples are now moving and some may be in India. It is a real new age with God-leadership, met self-proclaiming pseudo-leadership.

Why even the local representation of the United Nations have shown interest in the place for the Near East-which none of the self-proclaimers would even look at and our joint Jewish-Christian-Muslim dinners have been surprisingly successful. The soul recognized the soul and as the Love in man begins to express itself we rise above differentiation.

Sam is now beginning also to give out the RamNam in addition to the Sufi teachings. It has become most effective. We were called on to dance at a public festival yesterday, just the Sufi and RamNam dances and were surprised at the public response. A strange women approached and without permission took over the microphone and chanted—loudly—the RamNam! You don’t hear about these things in the press.

Slowly but steadily our audiences increase and now some slightly older people also. But in the dances mostly the young and even the younger. Many of the children of the district are reciting the Divine Names—it is like a miracle.

The RamNam and Sufi dances follow particular principles but not patterns. They also involve what would be called “occult” principles, and the new dances for women are all in circles excepting those dedicated to the divine Shiva which are in a Swastika formation. Then there is another type of Krishna dance. Sam has now completed volume I of “In the Vision of God.” He does not have other volumes of this. We give these books away and are happy to do so, for we want more and more people to know about Papa.

But Sam has now completed reading all the Sri Krishna literature available. We have an intense Ras Lila and a lighter one but Sam has seen “Sri Krishna introduces Rukmini to the Gopis, and another “Sri Krishna and his wives.” He has been holding back but Ram wants it so Sam will do as Ram wants. All the young people now leave Sam but the men and women; it is so different from previous times.

The importance of the Om Nama Shivaya and Ram Sita dances have not been lost but there is only so much time. Sam is nearly through his lectures on “The Three Body Teaching of St Paul.” This also the “important” people would not consider but it is a New Age and the truth common to all religious is offered not as the empty noise-ward “Truth” but with actualities and this we hope may be published. This is to entirely different young peoples of this area. Then Sam will no doubt go to the East Coast of the United States.

Then there is another thing. Sam reading Papa how he lived such a stringent, self-sacrificing life and now Sam has some comforts. But Ram says that he wants Sam whose body is in the mid seventies, to live that way. He lives in the midst of society, the cities, mankind and noises and “pollution.” He lives in a country where sex, semi-nude women and especially heavy drinking is prominent. And where everything is blamed but heavy alcohol for the ills of the times.

But Ram is great and wise and patient.

P.S. All one’s visions, all one’s forebodings are coming into manifestation. It is a wonderful world.

    Love and Blessings,

    Samuel L. Lewis

Anandashram

9th September, 1970

Beloved Ram,

We have received your letters dated August 10, 14, 16, 26 and 27. We have also received two cheques for 25 dollars and 50 dollars respectively sent by you.

You say that you had borrowed Rs. 300 from the Princess of Hyderabad. We cannot understand whom you refer to. Do you, by any chance, mean Rani Lalita Devi of Hyderabad who had accompanied Beloved Papa on his world tour? If so, please let us know. We do not know of any other princess of Hyderabad.

You seem to be having a very interesting time with a large number of following, all interested in the holy Ram Mantram. We hear from other sources how you are making people take RamNam more and more. God’s ways are mysterious. You had mentioned about the visit of some friends who are interested in shooting films. Just today, we have a letter from Mr. Philip R. Davenport. We are writing to him that he and his party are welcome here and may shoot any number of films they like.

The only thing is, Mataji doesn’t like herself to be photographed. So, they may not be able to take her pictures at all. This takes away all the interest in any film on the Ashram activities and so we wonder if the friends will care to visit us at all.

All goes well here. RamNam Japa is going on almost nonstop in the Bhajan Hall and the Samadhi Mandir. Mataji’s health is fairly good.

With Love and Best Wishes,

Ever your Self,

Satchidananda

September 15, 1970

Anandashram

Kanhangad P.O.

Travancore-Cochin

South India

Dear Ram;

Om Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram! Please excuse Sam, who is going through many inner and outer transformations at the same time. He has resigned himself to the abandonment of sleep. Every night is like a continuous stage performance of spiritual dances. Nearly all of them are based on the RamNam or Sufi Zikr. An attempt will be made to have some of them copied or recorded in some form. It is almost like looking into the worlds of the apsaras and gandharvas. Only sacred phrases are sung, nearly always the RamNam or Sufi Zikr.

We had a ceremony last night in which 16 more young people became disciples of Sam, and also put on the first spiritual dance based on the Jewish religion. It was most effective.

Yes, it was Rani Lalita Devi of Hyderabad who gave Sam rupees. He found it impossible to make any arrangement for purchase of a watch or anything of the kind for India, and it is impossible now for him to travel—that is for Sam’s body to travel. One is in the state of consciousness with no particular identity with the ego-self, and yet certainly not in the folds of Divine consciousness. It is very active and conscious Lila. It is easy so to speak to get into a Krishna- consciousness, with two remarkably different aspects of activity consciously operating at the same times:

More and more beautiful young women taking part in dances; but always and only, sacred dances.

Success in two world undertakings toward establishing peace in the Near East, and also real cultural exchange between Asia and America.

Any of these activities by themselves should be all-absorbing. But they are only a small part of Sam’s life. There is a Sufi teaching called Zavaliat, in which, if a devotee lives long on earth he will reap the rewards or receive the punishment for earlier endeavors. It seems now the harvest is going in every direction. Besides this, Sam is being invited to join several spiritually realized Yogis who happen to be in the United States—not those who are being advertised, but those who have reached Divine awareness.

Phillip Davenport is a very faithful disciple. At this moment however, Sam must confess he is also receiving more faithful disciples. It is overwhelming. Contrasted with the past it is astounding. In a sense Sam has no more home or family and seems like a man possessed of everything and nothing, nothing except the continual repetition of the sacred phrases of and from God-Allah-Brahm.

All love, reverence and blessings to Satchidananda and everybody else,

Sam

September 24, 1970

Anandashram

Travancore-Cochin

South India

Dear Ram:

Om Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram! This is the most difficult letter Sam has ever been called on to write. Philosophy may be noble, words may be beautiful, but when series of events prove the teachings, one hardly knows what to say or write.

It is most difficult to convince manas-ahankara people of anything. They want leadership. And at this writing nobody is rejecting Sam but those groups which claim to be world organizations or adherents of universal religion. Outside of that and them, the whole world, the whole objective world is beginning to recognize the Divine reality, and to operate this reality in the everyday life in ordinary and extra-ordinary ventures.

Sam does not know where to begin. When he was ill a few years back the Voice of God came to him and said, “I make you spiritual leader of the Hippies.” More recently the Divine Voice appeared and declared Sam was a nataraj. It is only the intellectual, self-centered persons and groups who declare themselves to be world organizations and leaders, who are not accepting this. It is a pity because some of them are very fine persons and some of the movements have very high ideals, but they have rejected that Atman is Brahm, and they have put politicians and politics above Yoga and spiritual attainment. The natural karmic result follows. They themselves are being rejected.

Since the Divine diksha, Sam has had hardly any sleep. He closes his eyes and there is a Divine Dance. So many Divine Dances all the time. Yesterday we joined in a celebration of the Autumnal Equinox, and Sam taught 1000 young people his new RamNam for five persons. It just spread like wild fire, even more than the other dances. This is a New Age, and the manifestation of souls in American bodies who in previous lives were Indians is making a mark on the culture. Even the Universities are accepting Sam, and more and more and more. He is leaving shortly to be a guest of two of the most prominent Universities in the United States.

Dear ones, the youth of America accepts God is Love, and does not accept verbalisms on this subject. Sam was cooperating with Yogi Bhajan, who offered techniques and practices, but all variations of Love Yoga—techniques, operations, manifestations, experiences—not lectures, not emotional harangues, not verbalisms. And today 1000s of young Americans are accepting Yoga Systems which are Yoga, and not emotional harangues without human or divine experience. It is a whole New Age, just as Sri Aurobindo predicted. But it is not an age of leadership by the disciples of Sri Aurobindo or any putative “Avatar,” when the disciples have not had the Divine Awakening.

While the press and the important people are discussing World War, Sam’s disciples have been most successful in putting on joint Arab-Israeli-Christian dinners, all based on love, all exceedingly successful, all drawing more and more attention. Even the hardened newspapers are accepting. It is only those groups who verbalize themselves as being universal that have refused. And that day is over.

Everything is coming out wonderfully. It is not only our joint Israeli-Arab dinners. It is the reports of our cultural exchange missions to Asia. These have been successful far beyond their dreams. They have had the most wonderful welcomes. We do not know if disciple Phillip Davenport has this news either. Sam has long said, “Unless the Lord buildeth a house, they labor in vain who build.” Both Rabbis and Arabs are accepting Sufi Love, Love in operation not in theory. The attendance at all our meetings is increasing. The young are hungry for love and peace. Really they are hungry for God. All our Dances are based on repetitions of the Divine Name. The young, first by 10s, then by 100s, now by 1000s, are accepting this. It is becoming a reality and part of the American culture. Even the University of California has established a course in which RamNam or Zikr are parts of the requirements. All this within a very short period.

There is no question but that Americans will be ordering Papa Ramdas’ literature on a much larger scale soon. Sam is leaving in a few hours for the East Coast, and when he returns there will probably be a new organization and method. It is no longer in his hands.

Sam has been entering a stage of consciousness in which the ego is all gone. When he dances as Sri Krishna his body is capable of movements transcendental to those of its age and what would be called normal behavior. So long as the Krishna-consciousness is dominant, this is happening, and more and more and more, and more people are being attracted and the Divine Love through the personality is becoming more evident. So many new dances based on RamNam or the Sufi sacred phrases, and a few around Sri Krishna. The ego has nothing to say.

There has also been a miraculous healing. It cannot be explained, but it has happened, and others like it. Even the animals, especially the dogs, have been clustering around Sam lately. He used to say, “The Divine approval will be in evidence when animals and infants show their approval. This is what is happening. One does not know why, but there it its.

While this is going on, Sam’s choral director has produced so many hymns based on RamNam, which have utterly enchanted the young. Real ecstasy as such has never been evidenced in America before, and on a large scale too.

Our harvest crops have been most wonderful and every evidence of the expansion of “The Garden of Inayat” and “The Garden of Allah.” Even Mr. Alan Watts, who once tried to debate with Papa, has come to recognize the reality of events over the importance of opinions base on ego-reactions to these events.

There is no doubt much more with the same tendency, and so with utmost love, and thanks to God-Allah-Ram, Sam is leaving for the East Coast with all love and blessings,

    Sam     

Samuel L. Lewis

c/o L. Less 27 W. 71 Street

New York, New York

10.9.70

Anandashram

Dear Ram:

Om Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram. It is wonderful how Ram works. Sam brought a secretary to New York City and found also several of his disciples here. Our main concern was to promote peace through mutual love and respect in the Near East. It is a remarkable story. Sam once had as traveling companion Mr. Gunnar Jarring of the United Nations, who said he thought Sam’s plan was the best he had ever heard. The time had come to act.

The first actions were taken by Sam’s disciples who have put on joint Israel-Arab-Christian dinners. They eat together. They worship together. They dance together. Even the newspapers and some radio and television people have had to admit this has been effective.

The day before Sam left San Francisco, he led a thousand young people first in Dervish dances and then in RamNam dances. It was a joint affair with an Indian Spiritual teacher name Yogi Bhajan. At first Sam came to N.Y. to do this, but also went ahead with his peace program. In the meanwhile, he met an Indian named Mr. Karmakar, who had almost the same program. The Indian invited Sam and his associates to attend a Durga festival. Thus he has met many Indians and may be called upon to lecture to them.

Now there are a number of so-called international yoga congresses going on in India. They quite ignore each other, but each presumes to be leading all the spiritual people of the world! In the meanwhile, the yogi teachers and swamis in this country have decided to establish their own international spiritual movement, certainly not manas-ahankara. Certainly not emotional campaigns with stress on ego-personality. Certainly mutual recognition of spiritual attainment. This is the only basis for establishing love and brotherhood. We are going to have two convocations, one in California and the other in NY. Sam has been invited to each, but hopes to attend the one in N.Y.

We have already been quite successful in introducing the RamNam dances here and in other matters. We have been invited to New England also and hope to go soon. This place is right across the street from the Vedanta Center, and Sam has received also a cordial welcome from them. Everything indicates an international alliance between the real spiritual leaders and teachers apart from emotionalism and modern pressure advertising. These means do not delude the young; they do not even reach the young anymore. It is so obvious that many of our young people are advanced souls who lived in India in previous lives.

The universities are also opening their doors. It is a new age. Even a considerable number of older people in the region are aware. We do not know if we can reach those persons and groups who have been trying to establish their own personality leadership instead of Divine leadership. They have many graces and virtues, but one of them is not that they lack in recognizing the graces and virtues of others, and this destroys all claim to universality. Atman is Brahman. Jesus said: “Ye are gods.” A sermon is not necessary. Truth is now coming to the surface. Om Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram.

Love and Blessings,

Samuel L. Lewis

Anandashram

15-11-1970

Beloved Ram,

Your loving letters of 19th October and 9th November have been received.

The conflict between the two opposite forces has been going on from time immemorial. In olden days we called such fights as the fights between Devas and Asuras. Later periods they have been given different names. Whatever may be the names they are the two opposite forces, one working towards peace, harmony and the highest attainment, and the other for discord and confusion. Blessed indeed are those who are instruments of the Lord to help those striving for the attainment of the Supreme goal and eternal happiness. Blessed are also those who are striving to establish peace and harmony in the world. Whatever work the Lord gives us, or for whatever mission He makes us His instruments, let us only be conscious always that we are only such humble instruments in His hands to do His work, to fulfill His plans.

We have received your love offering of $ 25. We are indeed grateful to you for the same.

We are glad that Mr. Samuel Weiser of New York is interested in selling Ashram publications. You might be able to advise him what books he should order more. On hearing from him we shall send him the books and let him know the terms etc.

Our friend Sri Davenport, who came to visit us alone stayed with us only for a short time. We hope he has returned to the States and has met you. He has taken with, him a few books. We trust you will guide us as to what books we should send you in large numbers. Mother Krishnabai’s autobiography entitled “Gurus Grace” is just out. This is indeed an ever inspiring book. If the American mothers would appreciate the way of approach of Mother Krishnabai, you may introduce this book there. However kindly write to us what books we should send you.

It is very interesting to hear of the great success of your meeting with young and old men in different parts of the States. May the Lord inspire more and more of His forms to aspire more and more intensely to realise their true Being, Himself.

We are writing your secretary Sitara Kessler with a copy of our book list.

Love and best wishes.

Ever your Self.

Satchidananda

Nov. 24, 1970

Anandashram

Travancore-Cochin

South India

Dear Satchidananda Beloved Ram,

One has received with love and delight your letter of 15th November. We recognize the warfare between the devas and asuras. Hazrat Inayat Khan, my first spiritual teacher, said, “Good aids good, while evil fights evil,” So it is in this world, that people working for peace, and good, and harmony, help each other, while the forces against peace, and good, and harmony are most belligerent toward each other.

But this is a new day and age. Samuel believes that a great many of the young people have lived before in Indian bodies. Many of them will not eat meat. Hardly any of them will touch beef at all. And there is something very deep that causes this, and we do not waste time in explanations.

We are turning your letter over to disciple Mark Watson who will be both in charge of our library and the ordering of books. It is almost a mistake to assume that Samuel is doing anything to spread the reading, with or without the sale, of Papa Ramdas’ works. It is the age itself. Yesterday Samuel was surprised to hear that his direction of 1000 young people in Dervish Dances before he went to the East has been filmed and televised. It is ridiculously easy to get very many American young men and women to repeat Divine Names. They want that; they do that. Samuel may read the books of Papa Ramdas, or the lectures, but it is like reading to multiplicities of himself. There is almost unanimity in accepting that repeating the Divine Name helps to raise one above difficulties. And there are so many at RamNam Dances coming through him! The other night we had a party, and a RamNam for three was inspired through him. We of course have dances with partners and dances in groups, no partners. The RamNam for five people is the most popular of all dances. We have a very good one for seven or more; another for nine or twelve, and very soon there will be a small class of six people. We have two RamNam Dances for six people and they have become very popular, although one has to be careful about leftovers. But it was shown Sam the other night when he put on a RamNam for six what to do with the extra people; it was all very clear.

Square dancing is popular in America and quadrilles in other Western lands. We now have a Dervish Dance for 8; a RamNam for 8; and Om Namo Shivaya for 8. It is very funny. The young Americans take to them like we say a baby takes to candy, while older people in various organizations derived from Indian sources ignore them entirely. But the young are full of joy and the elders only have self- satisfaction. So Sam sometimes lectures on the increase of Ananda according to the Upanishads. And the deva-souls take to these teachings quickly, while the manas-ahankara people are often stunned or stupefied.

We shall certainly want copies of Mother Krishnabai’s “Guru’s Grace.” As soon as we find how much it costs we will buy copies accordingly. We will also take up the matter of distribution. They will be wanted in many places and we may contact Mr. Samuel Weiser, because we have neither time nor inclination to go into commercial enterprises. Then there is another door opening, and that is to the Universities. Sam has no spare time whatsoever, and even less dull time. There is something very wonderful happening every minute. Sri Davenport is in Paris, and will rest before coming home. He is very tired. But we shall await him with joy and gratitude.

In a certain sense one has had forevision. The reality of Prajna may not be proved by argument, but life itself demonstrates it. Yes, my dear brother, the lord inspires one more and more and more. Secretary Sitara in New York and secretary Wall Ali here are not only feeling it by sharing in the blessing.

We are going to have a joyful Thanksgiving. Chief associate Moineddin is at last being released from the hospital. It has been a trying time to work without one’s two chief associates. We have been quite successful in our efforts to promote peace in Palestine, and now we are faced with the tragedies of East Pakistan. But according to all spiritual teachings, composure and peacefulness of heart are the best aids, and during this period we have been most fortunate in our material and financial undertakings, praise to Ram!

Love and Blessings,

Dec. 6, 1970

Anandashram

Dear Ram;

Om Sri Sam Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram!

This is like a report. This is science and this is devotion. This is Bhakti Yoga and this may be Puma Yoga. We are not trying any experiments, but we are finding out in fact that Joy is increased among the young whether they chant the Sufi Zikr or the RamNam. Each is working, and not working despite or because. They work because they work. And more and more young people are appreciating, and even experiencing what they do not gain by listening to the most pleasurable, kindly, or informed lecturers.

The most delicate element in teaching Dance classes is that although Sam comes as teacher, as Guru, as Murshid, whenever he takes those roles the ears become opened and very loud, and sometimes the Inner Voice becomes so loud that the conducting becomes difficult or even has to stop entirely.

We now have RamNam for 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or more, 9 or 12, and for all kinds of groups. The RamNam for 6 came very suddenly and proved to be the  most successful in raising the Ananda appreciation both internally and externally at the same time. Now in America the sexes dance together. Sam is taking all the elements he knows of in Western dancing and amalgamating them with the Names of God and praise of God. It is both devotion and science, because although the motif is toward Holiness, it seems to bring out at the same time Joy, elation, beautiful art forms, and wonderful responses. These responses do not come from the folk dances of the West or rather of Southeast Europe and the Near East. Something always happens when one performs the same movements with the praise of God or the Names of God. Sam cannot explain this but Papa said this over and over again, and this is exactly what works.

On 20th December we are going to have a Bazaar. It is hoped money will be raised to promote our peace program (which is ping on very well), to help Sam, and also to raise funds and clothing for the unfortunate people of East Pakistan. This is attracting sudden attention which we have never had before.

Now there are in India five different competing groups Sam knows of, and maybe many more, all claiming universal brotherhood and world leadership. All ignoring the others. But they also ignore many groups which may be spiritual and are certainly left out. Most of the groups which have been left out seem to Sam to be more spiritual than the over-organized ones. One of these groups is interested in modern versions of Kundalini Yoga. They offer discipline, practices, and methods. They do not inflate personalities.

Apparently the largest one of these at the moment is that led by one Yogi Bhajan. It is attracting many Americans. It does not have the publicity given to the Hare Krishna movement. It does not have the dramatics and exotic behaviors (for which there seem to be no scriptural background). It is at the same time sober and Bhakti. We have been working in more or less close accord.

They have invited Sam to a new ashram, which is not far from his spiritual home. They invited San to bring his Dances, his Dervish Dances. When he said he would like to bring some disciples to do the dancing, they invited them also for dinner next Friday night 11th December. This will give us a great opportunity to present the RamNam for 6, as well as the Dervish Dances. We see here the union of spiritual forces.

On the other side, we hear nothing but dissensions arising from the ranks of all kinds of pretenders. Yes, it is the old dove vs. asura warfare; only Sam understands now how to act toward the asuras. One does not fight them; they fight each other. Then one can help with their wounds brought by one group on another.

Another thing Sam has learnt is what Papa says about the Guru. One loses all self-consciousness. One loses all sense of individual being. If one feels anything it is like being a foghorn or a Tibetan trumpet or a device from Sound coming from the unseen to the seen. One cannot explain one’s states, but one knows the Divine Wisdom is going through one. Perhaps this is why the term “logos” is used in the Christian religion, which means alike, “word,” “reason,” and “discourse.” One becomes like a sound machine through which the universe is speaking, and it also has marvelous effects on the audience.

Last week also Sam spoke at the University of California. Sam was long kept out of the universities by a strange institution found hardly anywhere else, that is the European professor of Asian culture. Papa met lot of these men in this land. They are gradually disappearing, either because of age or replacements. The new American professors of Asian philosophies seem to realize that many young people today are advanced souls in young bodies, and even that many have lived before in Indian bodies. It is almost funny that when Sam gets up before groups of young Americans in certain planes he acts as if he were addressing young Hindus! And it works, it works marvelously.

Love and Blessings,

Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti

P.S. Have just learned that Sri Davenport will return in just a few hours.

Written at Novato, Calif.

12th December, 1970

Anandashram,

Kanhangad P.O.

Travancore-Cochin

Dear Ram;

Om! Sri Ram! Jai Ram! Jai, Jai Ram!

Sri Davenport has returned. He is so much like another “Sam” that one’s acceptance of his reports look almost egocentrical. He has confirmed everything that Sam has said publicly and privately. Most important, perhaps, has been his splendid admiration of Krishnabai.

Years ago when Sam was living in New York City there was a great institution headed by one Nicholas Roerich, an artist and archaeologist who later proclaimed himself a Buddhist and prospered, and a Master whereupon he lost everything. Greatest among his creations was a drawing of “The Mother of Irfan” based on what he saw in Central Asia-probably Mongolia. It was very effective, but disappeared. Now after many years some of his drawings have been recovered and copied. Sam purchased a few of them and the young people everywhere went wild. They all seem to confirm Sam’s feeling that this is one of the most outstanding spiritual paintings of all times. It also helps in concentration and devotion when the subject is “World Mother.”

There are now some radical and even outstanding changes going on. The best are in the directions of integration, actual integration, not the verbal integration of people who are repeating the same mistakes as Roerich above. Very selective persons are proclaiming themselves “world leaders,” so many of them that none can possibly succeed. And at the same time there are new types of movements originating from India which are attracting the young and money. So we see more and more ashrams, and some of them are splendid.

Sam has not only no days off but no nights off. Last night he was invited to a new Ashram not far from his Novato home, in the city of San Rafael. In the midst of a day when people are talking about communities and communes and when the spiritual ones are succeeding and the egocentric ones failing, the establishment of a fine spiritual commune in his vicinity is itself a wonder.

The leader is one Yoga Bhajan and he teaches real Yoga, not the gymnastic physical
“Asanavada” which passes for “Yoga” in America. The young are drawn to him and while they also exercise physically they have methods which certainly control the Pranamayakosh and they are great devotees in mantras. Yogi and Sam had cooperated before and the Yogi is going back to India so Sam was invited to teach spiritual dancing.

It began very slowly but after an hour there was so much enthusiasms. One cannot convince the manas-ahankara people that there is something beyond their egocentric thoughts. Now it is being demonstrated. The manas-ahankara people in competition with each other, are losing the young. The young, deep in Vijnanavada and deeper in Anandavada, are increasing in numbers, effectiveness and wealth and this last is ultimately going to disturb the Asuras who want to organize, and lead, especially lead. So they fail. They all proclaim verbal humility and hardly refer to a Supreme Deity. But it is the “God” who is sound, as both Bible and Upanishads proclaim and who is nearer than the neck-vein as Mohammed declared. The young are responding to this rapidly and at a rate which is like a favorable whirlwind. Sam has had several interviews at the University of California lately, all better and better and some day the young— who are not “humble” will accept the hard but simple fact that Sam has actually met so many saints and holy man whom he can name and place and the young accept that; their elders disdain. It is actually humorous today. The Asuras compete with each other; the Devas mutually cooperate.

On Sunday, 20th December, there will be a bazaar in the town of Sausalito just north of San Francisco. It is primarily to promote our real peace efforts among real people. We are seeking to draw Israelis, Arabs and Christians together. Now the newspapers gave us publicity, something which never occurred before. And at this writing Sam is so dizzy because of opportunities and invitations.

Everything is happening almost exactly as Sam saw in vision some years ago when he was in the hospital. In these days when almost anybody (?) can write on mysticism excepting the mystic himself, it is especially wonderful to find that one’s supposed dreams, visions and hearings should come out almost exactly, the difference being between symbology and material manifestation; that is all. The publicity says Sam has over a hundred disciples today. The total audience each week is at least double that and growing. And this at a time when the real spiritual leaders coming from India (and perhaps from elsewhere) are also drawing more and more followers. The young are were advanced souls anyhow and they do not like pretense.

It seems almost redundant to report that the soul behaves exactly as Papa says and that so many have joys of different kinds innervating sacred phrases. This is very real, very true and so simple it is not always easy to appreciate.

As soon as the bazaar is over we start our Christmas celebration. We have a wonderful choral group who chant sacred phrases but often in modern styles and although they invariably begin with RamNam or the Islamic Kalama and Zikr they have become universal, not in the advertised sense, but in the Gandhian sense—no pretense, the actual acceptance of traditions and heaving them into integrated harmonies.

Much the same is going on with dances. Sam has three dancing glasses and three specialized ones. Two of the latter are for women only and one for men only. The men’s dancing class is based on real universal religion and we learn from Rama, Krishna, Shiva, Buddha, Moses, Jesus and Mohammed and practice. We draw the “virtues” and “blessings” from the universe. You can see the changes in the light manifestation and in be character and behavior. It keeps Sam busy all the time and now a few are beginning to appreciate that.

The prediction that the Dharma would be established in America and the teachings of Mohammed that the Divine Light is neither of the East nor West is coming to manifestation. There is a growing acceptance of actual Upanishadic teaching of the relation of spiritual development to Ananda-capacity. This is spreading. The old days of lecturing and self-leaderships are over. We have no mutual competitive or ego-proclamations. Ram is in everybody, and even in a sense, is everybody and we learn to treat each other that way.

We shall ask Sri Davenport to write about his trip. His verbal reports are so in conformance with Sam’s views there can hardly be mentioned. But that seems to be the tendency of the age. And we are going to celebrate a Christmas based on Christ’s “Sermon on the Mount” and not on theologies, ceremonies or rituals.

Om! Sri Ram! Jai Ram! Jai!, Jai Ram!

Love and Blessings,

Dec. 21, 1970

Anandashram

Kanhangad P.O.

Travancore-Cochin

South India

Dear Ram;

Om Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram!

When Sam was in Kanhangad in 1956 he had a private session with Satchidananda the nature of which was not conveyed to Papa or anybody. Now we have had the manifestation of the truth behind that meeting. There are many people in this world and there seem to be more coming who proclaims universal brotherhood, the acceptance of all faiths, and a basic spirituality as the fundamental upon which these and other dreams and ideals are based.

When we go to the real depths behind any and every religion we come to the same truths. So it is that when Sam reads in Papa’s works, or in the writings of Hazrat Inayat Khan, his first spiritual teacher, or in those of Abdul Kadir Jilani, one of the greatest of all Sufis and Saints, one comes to exactly the same teaching, and if you wish the same Truth or Truths.

There is now the rise of a number of groups all claiming spirituality and universality. They may roughly be divided into three types: a. the Universal groups, which claim their own leadership, their own personality and ignore rival organizations. b. A number of entirely efforts which claim to be claiming an effort to unite the rivals of type a. c. The actual spiritual groups which are founded on the spiritual awakening of a great personality or streams of consciousness. The last type seen to be continuing along the lines posited in the Upanishads, of streams of teachers and pupils.

It is noteworthy and perhaps very important that the last types, though connected with various religions, all affirm in some way the teachings of Jesus Christ and disregard the theologies about Jesus Christ. It is near the Christmas season. The real Christmas, to Sam, is the awakening of the Christ-consciousness in mankind. To him, this comes unconsciously as Love and consciously as God-Ram. To affect this in practical operations one should consciously be functioning, even according to the Sufi Hazrat Inayat Khan, on or above the levels of Vijnanavada and Anandavada.

It must now be reported objectively that the day of asuras and obscurantists claiming and dominating is over. Practicing that God is Love and that all peoples are His people„ the disciples of Sam proposed a Bazaar to bring together the followers of the apparently opposing sects, religions, and factions, all claiming the Near East or the Holy Land in some way. The real integrative outlook justifies them all. The real Ananda outlook brings them all together in Love, Wisdom and Devotion. The passing asuras have been using the words. They have not demonstrated leadership and they depend on others to help them out. The real devotees depend upon Ram Who is all that devotees claim. We have just had the demonstration. And now for the first time, praise to God-Ram, the press and radio and television are recognizing the realities and accomplishments of the truly wise above those of the well-meaning but excluding groups who seek to have removed Ram in favor of some special persons or boards of directors.

Outwardly Sam’s work is through “Dances of Universal Peace.” Those were rejected by a number of the rival groups claiming world leadership. They have not been rejected by young, and they are attracting more and more attention. But along with that has been the choral group singing hymns and themes drawn from the real religions of the past, but integrated according to the contemporary types of music, which are becoming universal and international.

Yesterday a folk bazaar was put on by Sam’s disciples. He had very little to do with it personally. It was nearly all done by the disciples, who are devotees. As one came into the door where admissions were paid, one would have heard the chanting of RamNam, which went on incessantly day and night. The Bazaar itself had been called partly to raise funds to promote peace in the Near East based on a blending of spiritual affirmations and desert reclamation. Both of these are based on Sam’s researches in the inner and outer world and life. The overall was rather Persian, perhaps most fitting because it was called a Dervish Bazaar. We had hoped and are still hoping there will be profits which can be used to help the people of East Pakistan.

One of the great teachings of Jesus Christ has been, “Feed my lambs.” Sam is hoping to have five days celebration of Christmas in different towns in this vicinity blending together the outer and inner interpretations of this phrase.

From two quite different points of view the Bazaar was a success. Despite inclement weather everything happened exactly as was shown to a disciple who has proven to be a remarkable and blessed Seeress. There were tremendous crowds of young people (despite the bad weather). Financially the undertaking was more than a success. But the greatest success was the love and brotherhood evinced and demonstrated at every level, telling the world we can have a spiritual brotherhood of man operative now in a world which is becoming more and more aware of its fullness and unity. And that this world is because of God and not because of some recent claimant to a private special revelation which makes him or her the particular recipient and channel for Divine Wisdom.

We were amazed to receive full cooperation from Jewish mystics, one school of Zen Buddhists, two schools of esoteric Mahayana Buddhists, the most successful real Yoga school practicing the Yoga of the union with God, and others, as well as the directly concerned Christian, Jewish, and Islamic peoples. It seems that what God had revealed to Sam in previous years was coming into full manifestation, not because or despite anything but Dharma itself. This brings out into the open the conversation between Sam and Swami Satchidananda of 1956.

Sam is now writing “Six interviews with Hazrat Inayat Khan.” The reason behind these interviews was the manifestation to him of Khwaja Khizr, the putative guardian Saint of the whole of humanity, according to Sufi traditions. Khwaja Khizr offered Sam the choice of poetry or music. Both of these have now come into manifestation though hitherto rejected, and especially rejected by rival schools and personalities all claiming to represent the Universe through their egos or organizations. There is a side issue hare. Khwaja Khizr is also reputed to convey and confer longevity and vitality. Even those persons who reject—and they have every right to reject—Sam’s spiritual claims, cannot deny that his body and mind are both quite persistent and vigorous.

This is not put forth as any ego claim other than as an outer manifestation of what is written in the akasha and Alaya. Ram-God may choose anything and even everything as vehicles. The school of Sufis to which Sam now belongs insists on patience and sobriety, and at the same time he is teaching Joy, Love, and Veneration, and apparently successfully. On this point it is a practice of the Gita that man’s duty into work, and the fruits of these efforts belong to Sri Krishna.

The refusal of practically all the rival so-called Universal and new age groups to recognize the career of the great Mogul Emperor Akbar, who was a Sufi, places in Sam’s hands a tremendous heritage, and the blessings of this heritage, ignored by all the rival, proclaiming or self-proclaiming persons, groups, and organizations makes Sam feel as his first teacher Hazrat Inayat Khan taught, “The Universal brotherhood will form of itself.”

When Sam was asked recently about a crusading American who uses psychedelic drugs Sam said, “I love him.” The inquirer then pointed out all that person’s shortcomings. Sam repeated, “I love him, I love him, I love him.” It just happened that the hall was filled with the disciples of this man which Sam had not known. The point here, and it is in Sam’s paper on St. Paul, that without love all faculties, abilities, and efforts are in vain.

It is curious and wonderful to find newspaper representatives forced to admit that there is another kind of love far above and beyond biological expressions, which not only can be demonstrated, but can be demonstrated artistically, socially, and financially, to the benefit and enjoyment of everybody. The Divine Spirit dose not manifest as any thought-form still less as an orthodoxy. We have done it, or it has been done through us, by Ram Himself.

The multitudes have asked for further Bazaars. It is the turning point of life. By Prajna it has been seen and known. Fortunately there are enough groups based on Prajna. Fortunately, Prajna always wins, and egos rise and fall—this being the history of the world.

Love and Blessings, and Christmas greetings. Om Sri Ram Jai Jai Ram!

Samuel L. Lewis

Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti

January 30, 1970

Contact

Box 23, Post Office,

Bondi Beach, N.S.W. 2026 Australia

Dear Sirs:

I have before me some material which leaves one considerably non-pulsed. In a debate with a Bahrain leader over 140 years ago I asked him, “What difference would it make if we had 700 competing sects of diverse religions, or 700 groups each proclaiming in its own fashion, universal brotherhood?” The old movements are certainly in decadence. Now the new ones are springing up all over, sometimes with relative disregard, sometimes with absolute disregard, of each other; and sometimes with disregard of spiritual movements.

By “spiritual” here I do not mean anything symbolic or fantastic, but actual. That is to say, in the actual Upanishads we have lines of teachers and disciples recorded. Something of the same kind has occurred with both Patriarchal Zen and Hierarchal Sufism. In the West all sorts of personalities have become self-famous by writing on Zen with some claim to adherence. In the West also a number of persons have become well known by writing on Sufism, or using this word, without their becoming adherents. While the Zen situation is fairly well known, the actual Sufi brotherhoods, or Dervish communities, have continued for centuries and often with considerable vitality.

I began my studies early in life in higher mathematics, and Oriental mysticism (not learned from noted or unnoted scholars from Oxford, Heidelberg, Uppsala, or Nevernever Land). I noted many parallels between the Integration and Infinity of Mathematics and that of the teachings of spiritual philosophy. Time brought it about so that while I did not become famous by writing science fiction labeled “At the Feet of the Masters,” I have actually sat at the feet of Masters, and at their sides.

I do not know how you got my name. And it is certainly unworthy of my philosophy to disregard your existence, or your prowess. But today I find a very large number of so-called universal groups that seem to consider it quite proper definitely to deny the prowess of those not connected with themselves, and sometimes their very existence. I find well-established personalities like Christopher Bill proclaiming universal brotherhood with themselves as big-brother, who have all the accouterments and background for their own teachings, excepting on one point: that is to recognize that God made many peoples, many besides us-Aryans, who may have been liberated from the cycles of birth and death etc.,

Today I am not so concerned with the relative and absolute refusal of so-called universal groups to recognize this ego-personality. I am concerned that they refuse to recognize history, the prowess of great Sufis like Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and Akbar of India; or the spiritual connections even of the late Dr. Zukair Hussein, who was President of India. I have never been reconciled to the exclusive-inclusive groups. But I do welcome inclusive-inclusive groups.

It is noteworthy to me that you have not adopted the general formula: “With your money and our brains we can save the world.” You do not seem to be following the general glamour and clamour of your money and our potentialities. This is a good recommendation.

The spiritual realization of God-consciousness brings with it more than expansion. It brings with it, love, compassion, mercy, harmonization, and consideration. It brings with it the central worthiness of others.

I believe that the Kingdom of Heaven is within. I believe with Jesus Christ that “Ye are Gods.” I do not believe in forcing my beliefs upon others. But when love is radiated, when joy is radiated, when calmness is radiated, they attract.

A Sufi teacher passing this way told about “the whirling of the spheres” practiced by the Mevlevi Dervishes. Two years later he saw us demonstrate these whirls, not only the whirls of the seven planets, but also actively that of Uranus and potentially of Neptune. We are demonstrating this publicly and privately. The result is that a few people are beginning to recognize it. Or as I said to a multitude of young folks, “Let us dance together instead of marching together.” So now I am facing the problem of recognition. In any event as a man, I have visited in many lands and been welcomed by the real masters, the real saints, the real holy men of existing structures.

In view of this, the only world government I seem to understand is that of Hierarchy. I think it is unfair to write too much from a dualistic standpoint. The world is crying for love, for consideration, and much more. What do you want from me? I should appreciate an answer.

Faithfully,

Samuel L. Lewis

Feb. 13, 1970

Mr. R. L. Adamson

Aquarian Arcane College

Box 16, Post Office,

Liverpool, N.S.W. 2170

Australia

Beloved One of God:

Your CONTACT bulletin and your letter of the ninth (2170) are very much appreciated. I am also delighted that Surendra Mohan Gose has recommended me. I wish that other people connected directly or indirectly with the late Sri Aurobindo were so open. They have not left me in any dilemma. I have seen the karma of all the great ones, real or pretended, who in practice overlook history, overlook humanity, and in the last analysis are struck with words, words, words.

Having had years of training in actual Karma Yoga, by which I mean hard work, very hard work in the spirit of reverence, all day long, and more than all day long, I did learn some things which I do not find are generally accepted: that others are also working very hard, working day and night in what each feel is dedication to the Divine Spirit but these people are never accepted by others. Even those who proclaim the loudest about brotherhood and universality are adepts in ignoring the work of others of the beloved children of God.

Yes, I had wished to dedicate my “Dances of Universal Peace” to the Aurobindo movement. His Excellency Surendra Mohan Gose not only accepted them, but more. But others in the Aurobindo movement snubbed them. They even went so far as to write in derogatory terms of their own colleagues, and I have this writing in my files. These dances are going on, and they are now dedicated to The Temple of Understanding whose headquarters are in Washington, District of Columbia.

I am planning inshallah to attend an international conference of the religious and spiritual leaders of the world next month, inshallah. I am on excellent terms with many of the leaders of various religions and have done something which I find very few people in the world have done: worship in humility and I mean worship in humility in synagogues, churches, temples, shrines, mosques, and all sorts of holy edifices. I have felt myself at home each and all. I have felt myself in complete harmony and union with the devotees of each and all. About the only result of this is to be considered an egoist, a braggart, and a bombast even by those who proclaim “world union” etc. I am still under some agreement with Socrates, “Only God is Great.”

It is remarkable how many, both persons and organizations, claiming universality and seeking memberships and/ or funds, refuse to accept the historicity of the great Mogul Emperor Akbar. I am not going into details on this subject here. For over 40 years I have been caught in all sorts of movements and efforts verbally dedicated to universality, verbally so dedicated.

Today I am in an awkward position which may even become an enviable one. In the highlands of the state of New Mexico in the Southwestern part of this country, I met many young people, followers of Meher Baba, the Bhaktivedanta movement, Yoga Movements which taught the Yoga of union with God and not Madison Avenue hogwash, etc. They have decided to establish their own Shangri-las because they claim they have the money, the aptitudes and the holiness. I was non-committal at the time, but now I have been sent for to become the Guru of that part of this country. At least later on I hope to go there and function, believing that with God’s help something may be accomplished.

The term Master has been applied and mis-applied. There are two forms of Zen Buddhism in operation:

    a: One based on persons and institutions.

    b: the other based on the personal experiences of Samadhi which is sometimes, but not always, connoted by the Japanese term Satori.

    The Zen of spiritual experience is also found in Viet Nam and Korea, and among the Chinese disciples of Venerable Hsu Yuan and Venerable Tai Hsu (I have sat before the latter). Their Zen is one of cosmic attunement and attainment, not of ritual, not of important names, not of books, but of Being.

The term Master is used among Sufis (the Hebrew word is Rabbi and there are corresponding Arabic terms) to one also who has passed thru experiences of cosmic union and attunement. Such persons often go around in the most humble guise. Adulation, popularity, and social prowess mean nothing to them. In other words, I personally find a great deal of difference between those people who have experienced Universality in actual ‘expansion of consciousness’ merging into and with the All.

Years ago I studied with a Zen teacher who neither regarded himself as a Master, nor permitted others to so regard him. His name was Sokei-an Sasaki. After six months with him, I found I could understand all the scriptures of the world, and no one, and I mean no one, anywhere on earth has disproved this, though I do not go out seeking laurels there for. But he showed me (and others) how to tell the spiritual grades of everybody up to one’s own status.

This is also presented in the Upanishads and in some works on Mahayana Buddhism not particularly studied. According to Indian cosmic metaphysics, there are innumerable grades of evolution with all sorts of outlooks which we might verbalize as mineral, vegetable, animal, asura, manusha, human…, and so on until one becomes The Grand Man.

Thus God-consciousness can be conceived either as the consciousness of the fullness terminating our perfectibility; or it can be regarded as all the varieties of grades and form from the most hardened material to and thru the most sublime of sublime.

In all the mystical schools I have had training in, one is not regarded as a Teacher until he himself has one or more pupils who have experienced spiritual awakening.

Today there has been considerable success in raising the capacity of more and more young people to higher consciousness of bliss and exaltation. I do not want to set this up as a standard for others. The late Meher Baba has said, “I did not come to teach, but to awaken.” I think this is a very good statement, whether he exemplified it or not, whether his disciples manifest it or not.

I also have a Korean Master, and I am proud to call him Master. He has especially initiated me in the Avatamsaka or Kegon School of Buddhism which teaches that the Universal Light is reflected from everything and everybody, to everything and everybody, thru everything and everybody. Philosophically, and above all mystically, this is not so different from the more profound aspects of Sufi and Indian meta-philosophies.

There is a great deal of difference between meeting actual human beings and discoursing or dialectizing about those we have not met. I have also met many whom I regard living Saints among Christian monks and nuns. One can tell this by the Light that emanates from their eyes and by the feelings that come from their hearts. Having met many such people, I am not always too enthusiastic about those who seem merely to intellectualize on the subject.

With the Sufis in particular, love is regarded as most important, Love that is living, communicable and sharable. As the Bible teaches us, although it is not part of religion at all, how can we love the God whom we have not seen, when we do not love our fellowman who we have seen. Therefore my work is to elevate this love-consciousness, and apparently there is now some acceptance of this in the lives of a growing number of young people. It is therefore with a considerable spirit of optimism that I expect to go to Geneva to commingle with religious and spiritual leaders of all faiths. And I can assure you, beloved one of God, that I do accept their spirituality and their leadership, and their inner accomplishment whether they took a similar or dissimilar path to their present day attainment. My immediate objective is to help promote a spirit of good will between these people, some of whom who are to me advanced souls and some of whom are to themselves advanced souls. It does not matter. I feel that if they can respect each other—not accept but respect—the world will be much closer to a maturity.

We do accept different degrees of doctorates—bachelor, Master, etc.— in the intellectual sphere. I think this is absolutely right. I also believe that people who are truly humble will accept it when they meet persons who are proclaimed by themselves or others as being advanced. I see no humility, quite the opposite, in denigrating the titles and positions of others. To me, showing such respect is one of the highest forms of humility.

My Sufi teacher said, “leader is he who is leader of himself; ruler is he who is ruler of himself.” But I am not yet ready to hurl epithets, maxims, slogans. Anyone can do that. My hope is to raise the consciousness of human beings in love, bliss and joy. God bless you.

Samuel L. Lewis

Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti

PO Box 23

Bondi Beach

NSW 2026 Australia

3/17/70

Mr. Samuel Lewis

(Sufi Ahmed Murad-Chisti)

401 Precita Avenue

San Francisco, California.

My dear Brother,

Thank you very much for your communication of Feb. 13th which we have perused with interest. There is no doubt you have not wasted much time in acquiring Spiritual understanding through the many contacts you have been able to make as the years rolled by. I am sorry to hear that some (in India) snubbed your efforts, and others wrote in derogatory terms of their own colleagues, the letters of which you have in your own files. In our “Contact” B 12 Bulletin you will find a summing up of our intention to establish a Universal Movement to counter this unfortunate tendency of so many well-meaning people who, nevertheless, belittle or hamper the efforts of others to create a better understanding amongst men.

Our Movement is intended to arouse everywhere the interest in man in the fundamental Law of Good, and carry out research and discover the pure gold amongst the dross of evil and error. To successfully carry out this project we need the help of the most advanced because it requires an entirely new orientation of the habits of thinking. From the moment this “idea” penetrated our minds we have found the new process of thinking most rewarding. Look for the Good, the Beautiful, the True has become our slogan, and we find that the effort of searching for the Philosopher’s Stone, which is Good, has also caused a remarkable transmutation in our lives. This, as you will see, goes hand in hand with your idea of recognizing, for instance, the wonderful works of the great Mogul Emperor Akbar, and also many other historical figures who have left a legacy of Goodwill for posterity.

It would be foolish to say that there is no evil or error, but these two are only temporary conditions in Life’s project towards Good, and our task is to help in this project to stimulate the efforts of the evolving Life towards its goal. Your letter makes me believe that you have a wonderful opportunity to help us in this project in a positive way. As Guru to a group of young people in New Mexico you will be able to stimulate the followers of Meher Baba in the principle idea of arousing the God within, which, of course, indirectly means a stimulation of the Universal Principle upholding the Law for Good.

An interesting development out of this project is the realisation of the difference between Criticism and Analysis—the former has a tendency to destroy, but the latter increases the ability, to understand and so renew or make better the “not so good.” This realisation further points to a new concept of behavior—it helps us to avoid needless waste of time and mental energy. What we have done in the past and whom we have met in the past, be he “idiot” or “Master” is not important except the importance of the degree of realisation, but everything belongs to the past and time cannot be recalled. Even what we do at present is not important because the very next moment the present has become the past. The only thing really important is our intention and decision what to do, because that decision causes the events of the future become either not good enough or Good.

We trust you will realize then the tremendous importance of this project and why we need the help of the most advanced, and this undoubtedly is the reason why Sri Surendra Mohan Ghose asked us to make “Contact” with you and, through you, make “Contact” with the youth of the section of the Country under your tutelage.

We send you our warmest good wishes, and may the blessing of the Most High be ever with you.

Yours sincerely,

R. T. Adamson

March 28, 1970

Mr. R. T. Adamson

P. O. Box 23 Bondi Beach

N.S.W. 2026 Australia

Dear Ram:

Wish to thank you for the materials you have sent dated March 17. I am not the least disturbed by any sort of rejections, especially of prominent persons. But I am concerned that so many people who wish to organize and lead others refuse in practice to accept the principles of karma or utilize moral laws. It would be very foolish to repeat the same mistakes as were made by the VIPs who once organized and controlled the Roerich Museum and its appurtenances. We all make mistakes, but to me it is folly to keep on repeating the same mistakes over and over.

I have not been able to get over the effects of the first words of Handel’s Messiah, quoted from the Bible, “Every valley shall be exalted, every hill laid low, and the crooked places made straight.” There are today growing numbers of groups claiming to be organizing world movements, generally confined to an elite, a different elite for each organization.

One is not annoyed by any rejections. If one’s personality is rejected, one has to learn to take it, but if the rejecters refuse to recognize historical characters, and acclaim themselves, something is wrong somewhere. The local leaders of World Union have refused to recognize the historicity and accomplishments of Emperor Akbar, Prince Dara Shikoh, and the late President Zukair Hussein. All of these men were Sufis, and the rejection of historical personalities has been accompanied by the rejection of certain approaches to spiritual awakening. When any approach to spiritual awakening is rejected, it usually fellows that the cosmic potentialities of man are rejected, and when the cosmic potentialities of man are rejected these are replaced by human frailties.

Not so long ago these very persons wore involved with a Prof. Zitko of the state of Arizona and had a closed corporation which they presented as being destined to lead the world. They selected and rejected upon ad random personality acceptances and rejections. There was no principle involved, only personality. After this manifestation of stupidity, and equally the manifestations of important persons rejecting and defying the above Biblical quotations, one cannot see what is gained by joining these persons in an inferior capacity to repeat the same kind of mistakes.

I agree entirely with your principles. We apply alchemical teachings here. Nothing like the complex obtuse drivel of the late Karl Jung, but principles and teachings in accord with ancient and not so ancient wisdom. These principles are operative. They lead to the transformation of human personality, behavior, and above all, radiance. This radiance is manifested.

On account of the necessity of my departure almost immediately to attend a conference of the World’s religions at Geneva, Switzerland, and this letter itself may on account of the shortness of my time, exhibit weaknesses therefor.

Love and Blessings,

Samuel L. Lewis

P.O. Box 23

Bondi Beach N. S. W. 2026

Australia.

10th August 1970

Mr. Samuel Lewis          

Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti

410 Precita Avenue

San Francisco, California.

Dear Friend,

Received your letter this morning dated 24th July, many thanks. I am always very pleased to receive letters of a somewhat controversial nature because it helps us to see where we have fallen short in the work we are doing. Our original intention to avoid the general use of “personalities” seems to be well founded. So long as we deal with principles and attributes Contact is good, but when personalities are introduced friction seems to result over and over again. You have noticed that most of our articles are anonymous; to a thirsty man the contents of a cup or a glass or a cracked vessel, so long as it is pure and refreshing, is the only important thing—why label it ? Judging by your letters, I know you also are in search of that clear cool water refreshing to parched lips, but bitter experience in the past may have caused you to hesitate before you accept the vessel.

You ask: “One does not understand why one should accept (or not accept) a seventeen year old girl at all, and if so, why she should be Indian?” My brother, the world of man is thirsting, the surface of this fair planet has been wantonly scorched through the fires of selfishness and greed, the terrible events of this century cause man to cry out for relief, and when that relief is offered by a. visionary young girl, does it matter what color or shape the vessel is ?

You are quite right that grand ideas, unless they are put into action, seem time wasting dreams, but you hint at prowess in occultism or mysticism and I take it that you are well versed in both branches of the esoteric sciences. To materialize the “Ideas” relating to world improvement requires the projection of the “Ideas” into the minds of the people in such a way that the New Idea slowly becomes realized and accepted.

You will agree that this is a simple occult truism, but should we query the source from whence the “Ideas” emanate when such ideas are obviously sound? Kahlil Gibran, (no doubt well known by you) writes in his wonderful book “The Prophet” about “Children”:

“Your children are not your children.

They are the sons and daughters of Life’s

longing for itself…

You may give them your love but not your thoughts,

For they have their own thoughts…

For their souls dwell in the house of to-morrow…

You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make

them like you.

For Life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.”

Certainly, my dear brother, the Children of Islam are as dear to us as the children of any other faith, but because man clings so desperately to his own personality or individual image he only moves slowly towards a fuller realisation of the best way to serve Allah through man. Man, after all, is an instrument to be self-perfected, to be used in that wonderful project of Allah, the Supreme, and although little man, in his own conceit, may think that the world was made for him, the fact remains and becomes clearer every day that the Purpose of Universal Cosmic Manifestation is far more purposeful than Man’s idea of his own importance.

It is our belief that the “Idea” of “World Union” is more practical than hatred, wars and conflicts which have kept man separate, and consequently must have retarded and interfered with the Universal Project of “Good.”

Projecting this Image into the minds of our fellow men in several different ways by young ones and older ones seems a practical Occult method, and if this effort can be augmented with self improvement and prowess in the self expression of Good we shall move towards a more harmonious togetherness. For one thing we can be sure Allah it Allah, and God is Good, and whatsoever Good we see in our fellow men we know for sure that it is the God Principle in Man, and, this to us, is the only thing worth repeating, and really the only thing worthy to take notice of. If we see or hear something Good from a youngster, be he brown, yellow, black or white, let us repeat it and tell the world how beautiful the young ones are, and if we find some wise or helpful ideas or thoughts growing out of the minds of some old fossils let us make “Contact” and communicate with the world of Man and we are sure that slowly those “New” and better ideas will take shape and grow into perfect flowers fit for the Garden of Allah.

You hint in your letter that we ignore the ideas of a multitude of other young people and I am afraid that you are therein mistaken. We welcome new and fresh ideas of young people no matter where they come from, Arabs, Israelites, Hindustanis, Pakistanis, Indians, Negroes, Eskimos, etc. etc. Dear Brother, please help us, if you are able, to make “Contact” with them and we will broadcast their whispers from the Mountain tops.

May the blessing of Allah abide with you.

In the service of our fellowmen,

R. T. Adamson

Aug. 17, 1970

Mr. R. L. Adamson

Contact, The Aquarian Arcane Collage

P. O. Box 23

Bondi Beach N.S.W. 2026 Australia

Beloved One of God:

This is acknowledging your letter of 10th of August. I do not know of any moral law of any faith or non-faith that says that A. must accept B., but B, doesn’t have to accept A. This has been going on interminably, and is particularly to be found in intellectual and pseudo-intellectual groups, that claim world outlooks. These claims are to be found mostly in England, the United States and India. So many verbalizing that they have world outlooks. So many verbalizing the universal consciousness. So many begging for money and recognition, but themselves not giving, not giving at all. So far as they are concerned, to receive is more blessed than to give.

Universal consciousness can be discussed from two points of view: historically and metaphysically. I do not know of one world organization that has accepted the historicity of Emperor Akbar of India. But I have met many people who do; many writers who do; and many speakers who have mentioned Emperor Akbar. To me these are the real sages who have not only knowledge but also consideration of their audiences. I am on vary bad terms with the various so-called “world” organizations, excepting The Temple of Understanding in the city of Washington which is seeking “My house shall be a house of prayer for all peoples.” This institution is at the present time gaining the good-will of a lot of young people. They sent their very youngest representative on a world tour. There is no nonsense of editors and writers and organizers pall-parroting words that have no referents in the objective world. They are sending their youngest representative and she is being received, God be praised.

The other aspect may be called metaphysical. I think I am the only person on earth who has been validated as a Murshid by Sufis, as a Guru by Indians, and as a Roshi by Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Koreans. One has not always wished to proclaim oneself, but it is tiresome to receive entreaties from personalities and groups that proclaim universality, spirituality, and cosmic outlook, and themselves are champions at rejecting others, and also at rejecting each other.

Early in life I was professionally a secretary of a woman who translated the whole of the Sepher-ha-Zohar. I learned by actual study of actual Jewish scriptures and from actual initiated Kabbalists that we may regard the world as having four aspects: “physical, subtle, spiritual, and Divine.” Basically this is not different from the cosmic metaphysics of other religions. It was symbolized by the word Pardes, i.e. paradise, meaning in a sense that paradise belonged to those who had experienced all states of consciousness.

Last stages depended upon your actual experience and not on any writing, commentaries, or Verbalisms. But actuality, there are many people in this world who have had such actual experiences. They believe in common that the Kingdom of God is within Man, and it has been my wonderful experience, not only to have contacted real spiritual leaders, not claimants, of all faiths, but to have had a common embrace physically as well as super-physically. But I am not demanding anybody accept. At the same time I refuse henceforth to take any rejections from any person or group which claims universality.

One of the great founders of one of the great Sufi Orders, not particularly acceptable to Idres Shah, said, “Consideration consists of exhibiting consideration and never expecting consideration.” This house is always open and only drunks and obviously mad people are barred.

While others are talking about “the new age” and The Aquarian Age and the Me-Leadership Age, my young disciples, and I mean young and I mean disciples, have already arranged two dinners, one of mystical Jews for Arabs, and the other of Arabs for both Jews and non-Jewis. Facts. Accomplishments. But not news.

While this is going on, another group of my young disciples are preparing to go to the Orient to film and record the activities of the actual mystics. They have no connection with any of the “great” writers on mysticism excepting Prof. Syed Hussein Nazr of Iran, who also may be a mystic although he is a greatly esteemed writer on mysticism, one of the few writers on mysticism whom real mystics accept.

While this is going on two other groups of young people have joined to listen to my lectures on “The Three Body Constitution of Man” as is found in the writings of St. Paul. Even such a famous man as Dr. Huston Smith did not realize that the three-body teaching of Christianity might be the same as the three-body teaching of Hinduism, which might be the same as the three-body teaching of the Hebrew religion, etc., etc., etc., etc.

When we study the three-body constitution we find that all experiences of the young, especially psychedelic experiences, fall into the universe of cosmic metaphysics.

Oh, I think that Kahlil Gibran is marvelous, but I don’t see what he has got to do with any kind of government; world government or otherwise. I do not know what the word Good means. Here we demonstrate and I mean demonstrate, Love and Joy and Peace. While this is basically a Sufi Center, I use the teachings and methods of Lord Buddha, most of which have been discarded by so- called Buddhists. I am not concerned with their failings. I am concerned that the teachings and methods of Lord Buddha are operative, are pragmatically demonstrable. I think this is most wonderful.

We are demonstrating, not verbalizing, dances of universal peace. These dances awaken our higher consciousness. The young are coming to my meetings and experiencing a steady increase in the conscious realization of Ananda, exactly in accord with the basic teachings of Indian Sanatana Dharma. To us, truth is real, not verbal.

I am certainly not asking you or anybody to accept me as your spiritual teacher. I am on actual excellent terms with several spiritual teachers of this area. Most of them do not even accept the work of each other. That is all right. My next endeavor is to reach the University and to establish peace scholarships into which Arabs, Israelis, and Palestinians may unite.

Evidently God-Allah-Brahm favors some of our endeavors, for we have been most successful recently in all projects: more and more disciples are getting good paying jobs. More and more of our articles are being accepted by a publisher. Also doors are opening all over for those who wish to learn and who have thrown out their “humility” for curiosity. I have lived in many lands. I have associated with many peoples. I do not object to anybody’s ideas. Nor do I expect any more the commendations from others.

We practice meditation. We practice spiritual concentration. We practice listening to Cod. We practice Akhlak Allah—that is, making the Pressing of God real, not symbolic. Our work in the New Age Foods has been marvelously rewarding both in growing and marketing. God-Allah-Brahm seems to be blessing those who listen to Him.

We differ from those who think that the United Nations is in some way a Divine institution. Man himself is The Divine institution.

I have met many God-realized souls. I have met only one publisher who has accepted this as a fact. His name is Clive-Ross and his address will be put down below. But we now have our own publisher who believes that it is only proper, even if occasionally, mystics be allowed to contribute to the knowledge of actual mysticism.

Love and Blessings,

Samuel. L. Lewis

Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti

cc:           Mr. F. Clive-Ross

                Tomorrow Publications Ltd.

                Pates Manor Hatton Road

                Bedfont, Middlesex,

                England

P.O. Box 23

Bondi Beach

N.S.W. 2026 Australia.

8/26/70

Respected Murshid,

Please forgive my ignorance in failing to address you correctly, and it seems stupid on my part to salute “the only person on earth who has been validated as a Murshid, a Guru and a Roshi” as just “dear Friend.” The copy of the letter to you from Mr. D. Begg enclosed with your letter gave me a clearer insight into the wonderful work you are engaged in and I am most grateful that you consider our efforts worthy of your valuable time to communicate so speedily and at length.

In some respects your letters have puzzled me, you have been constantly attacking various groups, “intellectual and pseudo-intellectual,” who are claiming world outlooks, etc., and while at first we did not think you were referring to “Contact” your last letter has left this issue in doubt. Maybe we failed to express our ideas (which we think are mostly on a par with you) clearly enough to gain your approval.

You, with your wonderful insight into human nature and who knows so well the value of co-operation, do you not agree that co-operation with India is just as important as the activities you are engaged in bringing Jews and Arabs and non-Jews together? What is your opinion of an idea suggested by one of the members of our group to stop criticizing and drawing attention to the weaknesses of others? Instead we should proclaim the good points, because after all the weaknesses and failures of the individual are the responsibilities of the “individual” and until recognized by the “individual” as such must continue to affect the rest of society. We have proof that prohibition does not solve the evil of alcoholism, and we think that the drug problem can only be solved by self-realisation of the “individual.” When we help to make the individual strong through encouraging any good qualities present, we enhance the chance to bring out the desire of self-respect, a fundamental necessity to overcome weaknesses.

Another thing puzzling in your last letter is your comment “I do not know what the word Good means.” Oh yes, your remark is very much to the point and it is quite true that none of us know the real meaning of Good, because there is always room for improvement, but is it not also true that the whole idea of Creation is based on the principle of “Good” as expressed in “Genesis”, Chapt. 1, verse 4, “And God saw the light, that it was good”, and if we emphasize the idea of “ Good,” will we not be helping to make this a better world to live in ? Thank you, your comment gave me a much better understanding of this basic principle.

Although you say that you do not expect the commendations of others, the work you are engaged in is difficult enough and an acknowledgement of understanding often helps to greater understanding, for instance your comment on disciples getting good paying jobs and throwing out their “humility” for “curiosity” applies (as I see it) to so many of us who have long used that term “humility” for an excuse to sit back and do nothing, making the excuse of “non-worthiness” an apology for plain idleness, whereas “curiosity” is the driving urge to “be” and through knowledge, achieve what we believed was impossible.

How well you say: “Man himself is The Divine Institution.”

Originally you asked to be put on our mailing list for “Contact,” we shall be pleased to hear from you if you wish us to continue to send you further bulletins.

With grateful thanks for your valuable communications,

May the blessings of the Lord of Light follow you through the years to come.

Love in Service,

R.T. Adamson

Sept. 1, 1970

Mr. R. T. Adamson

P. O. Box 23

Bondi Beach N.S.W. 2026 Australia

Beloved One of God:

One appreciates your letter of August 26th. If you have ever studied the Bhagavad-Gita Gita you will know that Arjuna made a plea very much like yours and Sri Krishna said to him, “Fight O Arjuna.” Jesus Christ also has given us some memorable sermons against the authorities of his time. And later Mohammed against the authorities of his time. If people were so sweet and wonderful as you seem to think, I should think, what is your organization for?

A number of years ago, traveling in Egypt, in a train compartment, my companion was a Swedish gentleman, a representative of the UN. Unlike other people, he listened to me, and I mean listened, and said I had the most complete and sensible plan for the Near East he had ever encountered. His name was Gunnar Jarring. You read about him in the papers today. Well, I got a lot of Jews and Arabs to agree. Period. I was turned down by every peace and religious organization you can think of, and some you can’t think of.

Attending a real peace conference of the real religions of the world at Geneva, it was notable that the high and mighty Sir Zafrullah Khan, before whom all the respectable bow, when challenged, said he had nothing to offer. He had given plenty of oratory and charm, but it does not seem that oratory and charm act contrary to what a great French Prime Minister said, “War and peace are two things too serious to entrust to diplomats and generals.”

Having that strange idea, especially strange in a democracy, that human beings can meet with other human beings without expert bosses, and can become friends with each other without the advice of super-annulated mentalities, one can only report complete success in getting the young to dine, dance, and pray together, and especially to pray together. And I mean pray, and not meta-physical lectures about prayer.

In the meanwhile the group that started with my “Dances of Universal Peace” have gone abroad and we have had nothing but cooperation on the highest levels, and I mean the highest levels, and not oratory and bombastic pretense. There are a lot of leaders in the world today who, when they use the word Love they mean love and when they use the word Peace they mean peace. I do not know what the English word “good” means. I know what the Hebraic Tob means, which is found in the Bible. I know exactly what it means. One thing it does not mean is self-satisfaction. It might mean God-satisfaction; it does not mean self-satisfaction.

Temporarily I am holding off giving full cooperation as I think you should have. But my few secretaries are not only involved in world movements and enterprises, but are succeeding. Succeeding where governments, the literary superman and even many religious leaders, have failed. God may be speaking through them and with then. I think so; they think so. Tob, meaning God-satisfaction, good, meaning human-satisfaction???

Love and Blessings,

Samuel L. Lewis

Liverpool

P.O. Box 16

N.S.W. Australia 2170

9-2-1970

Mr. Samuel L. Lewis                  

Dear friend,

Your letter of the 30th, Jan. ‘70 to hand. In reply, (first) we posted you our “Contact” at the request of Surendra Mohan Ghose, M.P. New Delhi, India. (Second) We assume, although you write that our (we quote) “material leaves you considerably non-plussed,” your interesting reply gives some indication that our “Contact” has been effective. It has never been our intention to give you the idea that we have a formula how to save the world but rather by searching for intelligent “Contacts,” and we mean by that, those who are prepared and co-operate and work out together a formula that will lead to a solving of the problems of a intellectually growing Humanity, we try to assist in preparing the foundations for the Aquarian Age.

Historians have amassed an enormous amount of evidence of greatness of individuals in all walks of life, but it is obvious that the amount collected is probably much less than the total of real human greatness, perhaps similar to the visible part of the iceberg floating in the water, and after all that which is visible is only a very small part of the infinite ocean of Life. We recognize and salute all who have contributed to Truth and Beauty, be they Sufi or Zen, Muslim or Buddhist, Hindu or Zoroastrian, Christian or Agnostic, etc., because if they could only know, all are undivided segments of the One Life.

Somehow the term “Master” is of little significance to us; after all is it not a relative title and indicates more a form of salutation and not a degree of achievement? In our group no one claims any degree of perfection, and we believe any true “Master of the Wisdom” recognizes his own relative un-importance in the Unlimited, Universal Project of Life.

The writer of this letter, with other members of the group have realized the importance of linking isolated units of Humanity who have achieved a nature of God-consciousness. We have accepted the idea that underneath the apparent, chaotic rushing towards individual goals is a super-conscious movement towards A Divine Goal, and the first fundamental principle of that Goal is “Good”. These units linking together will make “Contact”, and unitedly project the Idea in the minds of the masses that the aim of the Divine must be “Good”, and all personal endeavors must be directed towards that Goal of “Good”.

You conclude your letter to us with the question: “what do you want from me?” We do not want anything from you. No, that is not quite true, we do want from you goodwill and co-operation, and in turn we offer you an opportunity to realize a tremendous purpose of Life and a chance to join with us to proclaim to the World of Humanity the factual Truth that the World can only successfully be governed by individuals who have accepted the First Universal Principle of Creation Which Is Good.

We will appreciate further Contact with you, in sincere friendship,

R.T Adamson

PS. under separate cover we are sending you

“Contact” 12 and would appreciate your comment.

410 Precita Ave.,

San Francisco, Calif.

February 28, 1968

Reza Arasteh,

7905 Custer Goad,

Bethesda, Md. 20014

Beloved One of Allah;

As salaam aleikhum. I have finished your work on Rumi and have written to a colleague in Lahore, asking him to call on Ashraf. I have lived in Lahore on sundry occasions and purchased heavily but now need more and more books.

The great thing here has been the sudden rise in the interest in my own work. Last year I was stricken for the first time and heard the Divine Voice tell to I was to stay in San Francisco to lead the young. There was nothing but the Divine Voice; nothing else. But now it is happening and the young are having the direct experiences of Love, Joy and Peace. No doctrines and no nonsense, realities. And so it will be very easy now to introduce first your “Rumi” and then your other works.

Spoke to my book-dealings and he has promised to put in a whole stock. For this is the center of the “Hippies” and they are seeking such a program. They are coming here more and more or to my lectures elsewhere more and note.

While this is going on one meets your countrymen and they all seem to favor what might be called a “Progressive Islam.” At the present moment it can be said without contradiction that the Mosque is greater than the Qur’an and the Qur’an is greater than Allah, a situation worsened by the behavior patterns of so-called believers.

Here we demonstrate that Allah is closer than the jugular vein. The “New Islam” is practicing what al-Ghazzali taught: “Tasawwuf Consists of Experiences, Not Premises.” “Old Muslims” are not only preemies, they are and demanding and compelling, compelling, compelling, a certain super-ritual, and if you do not follow this to the smallest iota, you are not a “believer.”

Here we have the disciples chant the “names of God” and one does not even have to translate the terms. They pick the meanings out of the sphere! So no moral injections have to be offered and no special psychological admonitions. For wherever we turn we see the Face of Allah, and this is very “bad Islamics.”

On March 16-17 there is going to be a seminar on “The Living God” which is a counter-movement to an earlier on “God is dead.” A close friend has said, “God is dead, Allah is very much alive.’

Faithfully,

Samuel L. Lewis

Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti

Samuel L. Lewis

Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti

Reverend He Kwang

410 Precita Avenue

San Francisco, Calif. 94110

February 13, 1968

Prof. A. Reza Arasteh

7905 Center Road,

Bethesda, Md. 20014

Beloved One of Allah:

As-Salaam Aleikhum. It is with great joy one has received Rumi the Persian which will be read and passed on. Also more copies will be purchased and also it shall be recommended to my friends abroad. I am on very good terms with Ashraf press, too.

There is nothing more horrifying to metaphysical egocentrics than have mystics come out openly on the same bases as scientists do and relate their experiences. Legends, rather successfully too, have arisen, that if man knows he keeps silent. And this has lead to a wholesale acceptance of all sorts of persons who are welcomed socially and sometimes also intellectually and if a man shows any sign to any contrary he is ipse facto excluded. If we did that in the sciences, we should be in the Dark Ages. There is no reason or justice before Allah that silence must be kept to please other than Allah. And when Allah speaks if man obeys he is immediately accused. And until recently barred absolutely, but no longer, alhamdu lillah. This is a New Age and I shall certainly order Final Integration in the Adult Personality.

Although this may or may not be pertinent I am a colleague of Dr. Hossein Nasr of Tehran University who has been officially selected by the Sufi Orders to lead in the re-presentation of Sufis knowledge to the Western world. He has already been to Harvard University but as accepted as personality. So long as a person is accepted qua re personality without any sign of Divine favor or wisdom, we shall remain station but that day is over.

Saturday I told the story of my first Pir-o-Murshid’s Tawajjeh, the glance which has been the life or my life and said, “There are two persons in this audience who knew we before, and they can testify whether one has (or has not) more vitality, élan and mental and physical ability than before.” In the sciences this would be regarded as evidence; in metaphysics it is recorded (by the egocentrics, or course) as egocentricism.

You will see above two titles. Even now one has been accepted by one Zen or Chan Master or Roshi and has plenty or credentials, ignored by the traditions. But who cares? When I was at Kamakura in Japan my guide said, “You are already two grades in Zen above Daisetz Suzuki,” And when we get out of egocentricities and accept testimonials, it will be a better world. Anyhow I am now teaching “Instance Zen—let the poseurs recoil!

I am able to teach “Instance Zen” because I know: Kashf-Prajna, and one keeps on emphasizing the words of Al-Ghazali: “Sufism is based on experiences and not promises.” And the future generations will examine and re-examine the efforts of scholars and metaphysicians to hide. Indeed Prof. Nasr’s colleagues have a sort of alliance with British and European professors who have gone on the path (tarikat) and been rejected by the traditional—and Iranian-language scholars who know nothing about the inner life. As Jesus said, “In an instance all will be changed.” But religionists and metaphysicians cannot accept that and the New age people, the young will have nothing else.

I presented the theme, “Joy without Drugs” to the Psychology Conference here some time back. The egocentric people in charge had to look to Prof. Huston Smith of MIT because they had nowhere else to look. Metapsychics and metaphysics can take us just so far. But now one is thoroughly successful in leading the young on the pathway of “Joy without Drugs” because one has the inner and other knowledge of all the religions of the world. One has met saints and masters of all faiths and all have greeted one as either equal, or better, as the same.

As one Sufi put it, “Perception is the role of the wise and quotation of the ignorant,” It is easy to quote, “Love thy neighbor as thyself.” In these rooms, this is a teaching which does not have to be taught, as “heart speaks to heart and soul to soul.” And it is the marvelous spiritual progress of one’s two goddaughter, one in Pakistan and one here which shall remain as living testimonials against all egocentric metaphysicians and experience and not on premises.”

In 1931 one came upon “Lives of the Adepts,” a French translation of Efleki. It was most difficult. One had already had nearly all the same experiences and nobody to talk to. Indeed every effort to get this knowledge down to an impersonal and objective level. And you will find not only Efleki but other materials in the White Memorial Collection, Cleveland Public Library.

You can imagine how astounded on has been to be admitted immediately into one Zen temple after another on a small scale; and to be welcomed by Pirs, Sheikhs, Madzubs and other Sufis on a large scale as an equal as the same.

When one returned from his second journey in 1962 a friend gave a copy of “The Whirling Ecstasy” which concerns Shams-i-Tabriz. It was bootlegged published in English in Mexico, limited edition. I can have this copied and sent to you. I asked the person, “How did you know? How do you know whether I am, or not Shams-i-Tabriz?” This, of course, is metaphorical. But to dare to be like that was to be rejected and rejected before. Not now, my friend, not now! Allaho Akbar.

One is somewhat of an imp. In a revisit to the tomb of another Shams-i-Tabriz at Multan in Pakistan one was with Americans whom one dearly loves to shock, especially when they rejected one’s credentials. (One has some colleagues who do the same, there is no other recourse.) There was a Saint there. “Why are you here? “I came to teach you.” “What?” “Ishk, Ilm, Shahud.” All right, teach.” (It is easy to teach in Asia, but until recently not a chance! Why, one is not even permitted to attend conferences if one is discovered beforehand!) I have the pictures of this Saint and myself, but no evidence can touch metaphysical egocentrics.

But it is this Ishk which the American young need and it is going to work havoc even with psycho-analysts and psychiatrists to find there is an easy, simple method by which the soul of man is aroused and can come to “sanity.” Anyhow one who has had the strangest experiences with Musts and Madzubs (impossible, of course, according to our metaphysical egocentrics) these young people are very easy. And heart seeks Ishk and soul is soul.

One of my colleagues (rejected and ejected) hosted Sidi Al-Alawi some time back. This colleague announced himself as a Mevlevi disciple. The audience asked the Saint to establish a Khankah here. “No, it is not necessary.” “Why not? “You have somebody in this audience who has the Baraka.” I am thankful to say nobody accepted this but the crypto-Mevlevi. So I do not have the older, metaphysical people but the young, the alive, the God-seekers and more and more every week. This Mevlevi is also a Buddhist Master!

Then one thing more: As one was visiting the tomb of Amir Khusrau at the Nizam-ud-din Auliya in New Delhi in company with Pir-o-Murshid Hasan Sani Nizami, the poet appeared—open daylight Mushahida—put a robe around one and said: “I appoint you successor to Mohammed Iqbal in the school of Jelal-ud-din Rumi.” When I reached Pakistan that same robe was ready and is now with me. And as to cosmic poetry, it is already written and some day, inshallah, shall be published.

In the class room now a mystic is permitted to speak and accepted. And the metaphysical people are hard put to task with their quotations. Indeed just as one was rejected before without reason one is accepted today with very little reason. Balance is an element of Nature.

I have a good deal of Rumi Literature from Arberry and other sources. Arberry and his friends never answer letters, which is just as well. We are in opposite camps.

The mission given to me was to bring scholastics and mystics together. The followers of my first Pir-o-Murshid are divided into two factions, or what is more characteristic, two legal entities both with claims. I do not know what legal entities have to do with God-Realization, or as you have put it, “Final Integration.” Thus there is no room for Grace.

I am here going lightly over your other books. You may have some suggestions and they will be welcomed.

I guess I am the first person in history to have been validated as Master or Teacher in Zen, Sufism and Yoga. But I also have backgrounds, intellectual and mystical in the other faiths, including even Confucianism.

All of these are secondary to Iskh, Ilm, Shahud. I have the complete Ryazat or esotericism of Hazrat Inayat Khan plus a good collation of Ryazat from other sources. These are meant for the world, not for rival, confliction legal corporations which pose as “Sufis.” Later on it may be necessary to write on Shahud (Mushahida) for the Western world.

One is open to any sort of comments of suggestions.

Love and blessings.

Sufi Ahmed Murad-Chisti

Great Books of the Western World

Los Angeles, California

December 1, 1969

Dear Mr. Lewis,

I feel that you will remember me, and that it is, in a sense, in the cards, as it were, that you should. I met you at the Ashram in La Crescenta last year; and, of course, am the one who asked: “Who are You” in the library, after the service. Then I led the way to Mrs. Scherling—where you danced, imitated Krishna’s flute, and ingratiated everybody generally with your happiness and friendliness.

I have been at the University in Santa Barbara quite a bit of late, and have found a great and crying need among earnest, and, in some cases, desperate young people. I have invariably suggested they contact you, if they are from the San Francisco area.

There is great interest among them, but an appalling lack of well-founded guidance.

I was overwhelmed by the breadth and depth of your intellect, as manifested in the Oracle articles. Still, I need not have been; for—on retrospect—I recall your speaking more profoundly of the Kabbalah than anyone I have ever heard.

I, of course, have an undeniable inner link with Ramakrishna; yet we cannot hope to find all that expresses our own outer needs or interests in any one path, as externally defined. All must be a combination inspired by and united from within; and, of course, Art is to me perhaps the highest path, and the truly great artists and composers the truly chosen vessels whereby more consciousness is transmitted to more men than by any other means.

I feel drawn to you by the combined force of, possibly, many interests, two of the not the least of which are the Kabbalah, of which I suspect you to have unique understanding; and of Sufism—the poetic expression of Divine Wisdom of which I hold the most beautiful means conceivable.

If ever in the San Francisco area I shall assuredly make it a point to visit you and your community—if I have your permission to do so. In fact, I might even make a trip in the relatively not too distant future for the express purpose of doing so. Let us see then how soon and naturally this eventuality shall arise.

Would you convey my greetings to Miss Hallie Goodman, if you know of the whereabouts of that peripatetic young lady; and assure her that I shall yet get to look into the matter of the record she has not been able to get?

Meanwhile, what can I say but that I hope you continue your Divine Dance into the hearts and minds of what I hope will be a receptive humanity; and one that needs every bit of real Truth available to it. Since I suspect you to hate a considerable amount of that precious commodity, I hope that your enterprise succeeds in a big way.

I hope that your work with hippies is proving fruitful. I think this generation has a mixed viewpoint much of which is inspired by an escapism they will not recognize, but which has been forced on them by the insubstantiality likewise forced upon them by the bomb; and conscientious objection inspired by inverse subconscious reaction to a war I can’t blame them for waiting to avoid. They are mixed up, sweet, but I am afraid circumstances are making them sweet and soft, which is not the way to go, unless you are a Ramakrishna, and can avoid the sordidness of life, in this respect.

Why don’t I stop lecturing; after all, it would be more appropriate to learn from you. You have, thus, been fairly forewarned as to what you would have to expect from me.

Sincerely yours,

William Arlock

410 Precita Ave.,

San Francisco, Calif. 94110

December 6, 1969

William Arlock

9021 Melrose Ave.,

Los Angeles, Calif. 90069

Suite 302

Beloved One of God:

It is very interesting to have your fine letter with the address “Great Books of the Western World” which you have so nicely balance with your own adoration of Sri Ramakrishna. I used to say that the two greatest living philosophers were Bertrand Russell and Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan who were both selected by the actual philosophers as being among the great thinkers of the age, and both of whom, at least, have managed to stay on in their bodies even though they do not get so many newspaper headliners any more.

The address I have for Hallie Goodman is 17 Menetta St., New York, but no zone number.

There was a time when I regularly visited Santa Barbara. My closest friend of that period is now living in Marin County. Others have died or moved. I did visit the University Campus and rather admired what they were planning but my “Santa Clausism” has been transferred to the Berkeley campus. We used to have a lot of snobbish intellectuals in Berkeley but they are being replaced by Americans who have lived in Asia and studied under Asians. This included even the mystical and esoteric side of things and there are now several courses in what used to be “esoterics,” some for credit, some not, but this is enabling the public to get an unbiased insight which was not possible in previous generating.

On the whole there is not much difference between Sufic and Vedantic mysticism. The “arguments” I give here are necessarily one-sided:

1. In our work there are no distinctions of class, creed, race or even sex, on this last point we do not accept the “monkery” of certain groups.

2. Withdrawal from society is not necessary for spiritual advancement.

3. Our “mantrams” are in Arabic rather than Sanskrit.

But these are not to be argued, for it would be no avail.

One has had to study books, meditate and ponder deeply and also sat before great ones. There has been a “hero” in your parts who wrote “At the Feat of the Master” and who has becoming famous or infamous denying that there are any masters (excepting himself, of course, and that by innuendo). He left a vacuum and all kinds of persons, enlightened and not, have rushed in. Perhaps this is proper for “not all wood is proper to be used for a statue of Hermes.”

While the politicians and diplomats (with occasional assists from the press) sit and deliberate ad nauseam, we are planning a joint mooting of Sufism and Hebrew mystics this coming week, based on Love! The Palestine’s will go on and hatred, and we love each other!

I do not encourage interest in Kabbalah. This was a secret and sacred transmission among the Hebrew peoples. It was handled down basically in silence. What is known as Kabbalah today is a very limited and non-Jewish complex of psychism and occultism with almost no relation to the Sepher Ha Zohar and very little~ with the Sepher Yatziwah . Besides their inner sciences began and ended with the Sacred Name of God.

Once I was teaching a group. They wanted to learn Dervish dances. I said, “Repeat ‘Allah.” “We can’t.” “Why?” “We are Jewish.” “I know that. All right repeat the Name of God given by Moses.” “Oh, we can’t possibly do that.” “I knew that before I began, and that is why I have asked you to repeat ‘Allah.’ I am trying to respect not insult you.” They repeated “Allah.” So the Great Name of God remains a mystery because pseudo-devotees who claim their religion is The Religion also claim they are such sinners that they can’t do this and that. I accept no idea of sin; we have too much of it. I stress, “Be ye perfect” and try to follow Christ and Mohammed and Krishna but no nonsense, and it works, people in the end accept realities, verities.

You should stick to one thing. We can help you in that.

As to the Dancing. It is increasing in quality and quantity and has spread into the realms of chanting and choral singing. It is surely and truly, attracting the young. But we are aware that others are also attracting the young and bringing them into experiences of the Grand Consciousness. This is our work. So we are on good terms with groups who are on good terms with each other.

Now you have written and also you see to have a vague connection with Great Books. Is it too much to ask if you can do something for The Oracle? The next issue is in January but all signs are to coordination and a better system for getting it out in the future. Perhaps it will become, as it says, the organ of the spiritual revolution.

We can send you introductory papers on Sufism or suggest your studies either in devotion or mysticism, but no compulsion—just suggestions.

With all love and blessings,

Samuel L. Lewis

Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti

Great Books of the Western World

Los Angeles, California

December 31, 1969

Dear Master Samuel Lewis,

I want to thank you for your kind and gracious letter; and I want you to know that I immediately drafted a reply in long-hand. However, to be able to sit quietly and type this out has been another matter.

I have been appointed Educational Director for our Division, which takes in Southern California, Arizona and Nevada. So I have been busy finalizing my training program, like which there is nothing so comprehensive in sales, generally, I think, let alone the educational sales field. And I have just moved into my beautiful office, which I would like you to see, if and when you get into town again.

The more I think of it, the more I feel inclined to take a trip to San Francisco, first chance I can get away. I feel drawn to you in a manner you will, possibly, understand more than I. You are certainly the most learned person I have ever met, and I am sure your Wisdom is not merely of this world.

With respect to your inquiry regarding anything I might be able to do for the Oracle, I regret that we have nothing to do with the publishing, but only with the sale of our publication. However, anything I could ever do to help you in any way, you know that I would.

What you say of Dancing is of particular interest to me, in that there is a young lady in whom I am much interested, who is a dancer, and teaches youngsters to dance also. I feel, with her qualities, she can do great good to the world. I find her gifted with uncommon understanding, although she has not, evidently, been exposed to Spiritual Teachings as such. I have told her the spiritual people would call her a “very old soul”; and, with respect to qualities, she is the personification of Compassion, Motherhood and the like.

I have been helping her vocally- which is my field of particular interest; however, though I am a Judo instructor, and know something of the spiritual implications of motion, therefore, I expressed to her the wish that there should be someone to specifically enlighten her with respect to the true spiritual expressive possibilities in her field; and the regarding of it as another path to God.

Needless to say, I have told her all about you—that is, as much as I know myself (all of which is good) —and, in fact, sent her a copy of page two of your letter. May she have the good fortune to make your acquaintance, and—someday—sit at your feet and learn.

With respect to sitting at the feet and learning, you mention “At the feet of the Master.” I must clarify my position at once. I have had dear friends who were Theosophists. But, frankly, I think they are lacking perspective beyond a certain point. They get to a certain spiritual level, then all becomes speculative in the extreme. I am, therefore, little attracted to their teachings. However, I shall again review the book you mentioned; though I have been exposed to it before. I hope you yourself are not a Theosophist; on the other hand, that would seem impossible : for you are so happy, healthy, and evenly balanced.

I am especially interested in what you tell me of the Sacred Name of God, and am eager to learn this, if possible. With respect to sin, right and wrong and the like, I no longer expect anything of myself in this regard, so am relatively free from the affliction of morality you name. I would think that group to have been very foolish not to have taken advantage of the possibility of receiving what—then—could be the most precious possession possible to man.

My own studies and research in Voice—I shall be frank with you—have gone beyond anything either done or conceived as yet, so that further progress is entirely a matter of spiritual rather than vocal progress. The whole method, ultimately, is reducible to the interrelationship of the centers, with respect to the vowel and consonant content and motion capacities inherent in the letters themselves. The final solution is the coordination of Fire and Light, and their centers, which—as Hermes Trismegistus remarked of the Spiritual—are the “roots (also) of this (vocal) arts.

Therefore, I am at a loss for any help outside myself—in that I have never met anyone, generally, in the Spiritual life who could, who was capable of helping me with respect to the many things that have happened to me. It has been up to me to dig out and piece together their meaning through the years. Therefore, it has been such a pleasure to have met someone I could truly, respect—even from the little I have seen—as really knowing something. So, I say, I shall be eager to meet with you again personally first chance; and most grateful for any specific assistance you can render “the cause of me and what I am attempting”—in terms of either Mantram Yoga as such; the sacred Science of vowel sounds of the West; or whatever the Sufis identify their incursion into this hallowed, all-significant field as being.

In reading the truly exquisite poetry of some of the leading Sufis, I had a very distinct feeling that this was “for me”; and—in fact—I have suggested to Susan the young lady that we both break from the traditional past, and try this together. It is so beautiful. Of course, I have specific inner links, not of my own volitional forging, with Ramakrishna Who is capable of lighting the Holy Flame by the power of His Name, for example. I have also had manifestations that the teachings of the western occultists, known as the Brothers, or Philosophers, are valid, and functionally verifiable to me. However, in adding another jewel, we need not renounce our crown of Life forged to date.

With kindest wishes and reverence…. Do write again, meanwhile,

William Arlock

410 Precita Ave.,

San Francisco, Calif. 94110

January 6, 1970

William Arlock

Great Books of the Western World

9021 Melrose Ave., #302

Los Angeles, Calif. 90069

Beloved One of God:

Your letter of December 31^st has arrived at what may be a most auspicious time. There are many suggestions which would encourage a personal meeting. I had expected to be invited to visit the Los Angeles-Hollywood area at this time to meet Pir Vilayat Khan, elder son and successor to my first spiritual teacher, Hazrat Inayat Khan but the staff tells me the meeting is not necessary. This has been a great boon to me personally enabling me to travel later at leisure.

Yet I must request you to write to

Mrs. Suzanne D’Mitrieff

6904 Radford Ave.,

North Hollywood, Calif. 91605

and ask her where you can purchase at least “The Mysticism of Sound” which appears in Volume II of “The Sufi Message of Inayat Khan.” If this is impractical you might order it through

Books in Review,

3010 Wilshire Boulevard,

Los Angeles 90005

and charge it to my account. I know them very well and a visit to them at an early date is imperative for a number of quite private reasons.

You have kindly offered to help and here I must give some background to be a platform from which to work. I began the study of Oriental literature early in life and was already reading, at least, the Upanishads in 1916. In 1919 I met one Murshida Rabia Martin, the senior disciple of the above-mentioned Hazrat Inayat Khan who introduced me to much great literature both of the East and West, including the Divine Comedy, the Sepher Ha-Zohar, the Bhagavad Gita, etc. In 1923 when I met Hazrat Inayat Khan in person he directed me to study all great books which has been done, no doubt to a very great extent but such is the nature of the world that both his so-called followers and others refused to accept this and I have been in the most peculiar situation of being accepted at the top by the very top people and utterly rejected—not even permitted to speak by those of lower echelons in the western part of the world, but not generally in Asia, excepting by those who claim to have “world-outlooks.” Nothing doing with them until recently when apologies began coming in!

I was left in a strange position when “Great Books” came out because I had read the complete “Ramayana” and Mahabharata” in English; the whole Tipitaka, and masses of books from all over Asia without neglecting the West. Thus when a few years back “the” seven great living philosophers were selected I had read almost everything of Lord Russell and Dr. Radhakrishnan.

During the Hitler period, the “compassion” of many Americans lead to an influx of “experts” on Asia, well schooled in the academies of Europe. A person like myself who had known the early parts of the lives of Isadora and Raymond Duncan, Harold Lamb, Nilla Cramcook from this region; and the translations of Prof. Ryder at the University of California in Berkeley did not have a chance. Nevertheless I stuck to the instructions and injunctions of Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan.

The second work he directed me into outside of “Great Books” was on the mysticism, especially in the direction of “The Mysticism of Sound” above cited. In 1911 this Sufi and his family travelled with the celebrated Miss Ruth St. Denis whom I was to meet oft-times and from here I also heard “how to read the Akashic records.” I am no longer concerned with rejections, especially in the rejections of the “cultists” and “world organizations.”

At holy places in Asia I found myself enacting the unseen dramas and to me the “Akashic records” or the Akasha, or the Alaya-Vijnana of the Mahayana Buddhists are actualities which can be used and are being used here. There has been some question as to how far these are to be confined to “esotericism” and on this point I shall accept the rulings of Pir Vilayat Khan who seems also to have a remarkable real world-view based on both inner and outer experiences.

Toward the end of her life I found myself following “Miss Ruth” all over. I have recently purchased copies of her biography by Walter Terry and have written to her friend, Dr. Alma Hawkins of UCLA for a meeting at her convenience. When this can be determined upon I also could call on you at your convenience.

But while all this is written my real introduction into outer mysticism came through Sound, not through meetings. I shall tell one experience: I was lecturing at the Theosophical Society in Oakland when I was explaining a certain combination of fire and earth and gave out the sound of what I called a war-chant. A man standing near jumped way up into the air and said: “Who did that? For goodness sake stop!” “Why?” “That is the Zulu war-chant; where did you learn it?”

I have never been invited by those people since, you can be sure, but very gradually we hope to bring out into the open esoterics, though as mentioned above; I hope to follow the policies of Pir Inayat Khan.

I also note with interest your being a Judo teacher. I was a long time friend of the Zen Master, the late Nyogen Senzaki. Perhaps it was my “satori” at Kamakura, perhaps otherwise, but I have a mass of his original writings and some of his paraphernalia, etc. When there was a test to determine who is most advanced in Mahayana given by the Grand Master of Korea, this “Sufi” surpassed all the various Buddhist leaders (most of whom are not on speaking terms with each other!).

Following the advice of Hazrat Inayat Khan on balance, I have also done some at least desultory studies in Phonetics and Linguistics, etc. But the impetus of Pir Vilayat Khan in the field of music has been grand and glorious and immanently practical here, especially with the young.

I shall let you know further when a trip South is impossible and shall be glad to hear from you at any time.

    Faithfully,

    Samuel L. Lewis

Great Books of the Western World

Los Angeles, California

January 7, 1970

Dear Master Samuel Lewis,

Why you should be, or have been, so concerned about being accepted or rejected I know not. You know that a Light is not lit to be kept under a bushel and also that, in the fullness of time all things shall surely be accomplished.

Now let me answer your letter directly.

When you know you are coming, be sure and let me know. Phone in my office 272- 5965; office phone 271-6275.

I shall contact the lady you mention. She lives on the same street in North Hollywood as a very dear friend of mine, in fact.

This same book was recommended to me by Hallie Goodman—in fact, I have her slip before me now. If you hear from or of that excellent young lady, be sure to let me know, if you will. So, it would seem that book is definitely on the agenda.

I want to inquire; are the Khans you mention also the musical Khans— for example, the teacher or of the family of the teacher of Ravi Shankar. I am a little disoriented in this regard.

I too knew Miss St. Denis somewhat well, to the extent that she once read much of her poetry to me privately one evening. I think it was great poetry and, in fact should be published. Quite beautiful—I never forgot it. I did not realize she was qualified to teach such things as the reading of the Akashic records, as you suggest.

I believe that use of the psychic faculties is a necessity to anyone in whom they are at all awakened; so that no morality or rule—it seems to me—could be set up; since we are here dealing with a matter of personal necessity. I should, however, then like to meet Pir Vilayat Khan when you come to meet him, if so.

When you speak of the impetus of Pir Vilayat Than here in music, I am completely befuddled; are we here dealing with spiritual teachers, musicians, or both.

I think what is needful is a good chat. I shall study your letter, to try to comprehend what is implied therein. Meanwhile I shall let this acknowledgement of receipt of your letter suffice for tonight—not having gotten any sleep at all last night—in order to get something finished there was something of a deadline on.

Meanwhile, thank you for corresponding with me.

Continue your gallant work gallantly. There is that within me which urges me to address this to you. It will “pay off.”

Cordially and gratefully for your interest,

Bill Arlock

January 12, 1970

Mr. William Arlock

Great Books of the Western World

9021 Melrose Ave. Suite 302

Los Angeles, Calif. 90069

Dear Bill:

I greatly appreciate your letter of the 7^th. Usually one has a very busy life, but last week, even more so. Let me say to begin with, Hallie is one of us. We had a surprising visit from Pir Vilayat Khan last week and he said, “You have not only commenced the new year right, you have commenced the new decade right.” He is coming again this week, but my visit to your area has been delayed, and I shall be glad to let you know ahead of time when a few or several of us may be coming.

Last week letters were received also from Miss Julie Medlock of Pondicherry and Shamcher Bryn Beorse of Keyport, Washington. These persons, and other whom I could name, foresaw the events which have brought us so much dismal history—Vietnam, India-Pakistan conflict, the Near East, Ghana, and even Congo. I have had to read letters—sometimes be there myself—sometimes had verbatim reports, before each and every historical tragedy. It is not easy to take. It is easy for one who has not endured the direct or vicarious suffering to verbalize. It is not that one has been, let us say, a “Jude the Obscure,” it is that God, so to speak, has always warned mankind, usually through mankind, of coming tragedies. I think the new age is going to stop this nonsense, I think the new age is going to accept that Brahm is in the peasant warner just as much as in the wild elephant.

Of course the last statement may be unfair. You are qualified in a sense, as an authority on “Great Books of the Western World.” Living under the shadow of Nilla Cramcook, Prof. Ryder, Harold Lamb, etc., as well as local Chinese civilization, I became interested in Great Books of the neglected Asian continent. We are only beginning to recognize the literature of Asia, and in the latest copy of Asian Student just received, a serious movement is under way to bring this vast knowledge to human kind.

I should not say that the literature of Asia is superior to that of the West, but I do say that inasmuch as we have made ourselves involved in the affairs of Vietnam, South Asia, the Near East, etc., etc., it might be advisable to know just a little about the numerous cultures of the vastest of continents. But the days of griping are over. The new professors educated in America under Americans are much more objective and concerned with the cultures (with or without wisdom) of the vast Orient. In fact as Pir Vilayat Khan supra said you have begun the new decade right. I now have so many invitations and projects that these are utterly bewildering.

The recent biography of Ruth St. Denis leaves out much of what is most important on the cosmic scale. There is a story behind the story on almost every page. I early observed that she was drawing dances out of the akasha and I learned therefrom and thereby, but my first demonstrations brought down an avalanche of opposition and perhaps envy. I had to stop for years. But as I saw her work, and as she communicated to me, verbally and non-verbally, I realized the nearness of the akasha and/or the Alaya-Vijnana.

Pir Vilayat has asked me to write up my dances. The spirit is willing but as yet the secretaries are not, and that is our next project. What we hope to do is either visit you in person, or send you some literary brochure, although much would be incomprehensible without the actual performance. In fact Pir Vilayat and I are quite in agreement of making public many things which have been hush-hushed by meta-physicians and pseudo-occultists.

Pir Vilayat does belong to a family of musicians. Actually there are many Khans in this general field. All are not spiritual in the highest sense. This is not a criticism; being an artist does not necessarily imply being a mystic, nor being a mystic being an artist. But in this case there are so many over-lappings any statement will have some exceptions.

Real spiritual disciplines awaken higher than psychic faculties. They awaken the deep insight and the cosmic points of view.

As to meeting Pir Vilayat, you must communicate with his secretary, Mrs. Suzanne D’Mitrieff in North Hollywood.

At this writing the dance program has been immanently successful, almost bewilderingly so. As a culture, we are not only drawing dance and music but even poetry and painting, from the cosmos. I enclose a copy of “The Rejected Avatar.” Much of this material was actually presented in the home of Malcolm Schloss years ago when he conducted poetry seminars in Hollywood. Both Miss Ruth and I were frequent attendants at those meetings. But one reason it is being sent is because the disciple who drew the pictures did so freely under inspiration without any verbal contact and saw extremely clearly the same pictures, the same forces, the same powers and attributes so to speak, as did this “poet.”

I am keeping your letter on my immediate file so that if any one of us (including myself) visits Hollywood in the near future we shall contact you in accordance with your letter. Thank you and God bless you,

Samuel L. Lewis

Great Books of the Western World

Los Angeles, California

January 19, 1970

Dear Master Samuel,

You are one hell of a poet!

I haven’t had time to fully savor the beauty of your lines-but one glance—here and there—tells me all I need to know!

Is there no end to your talents—man of God?

Bewildered Bill

PS 1—How can I get a full set of your wonderful Oracle articles? Where are they located anyway?

PS 2—My kindest regards to the highly impressionistic “Daniel”—who will, alas, probably open this letter first. Nonetheless, I look forward to chatting with him.

On the other hand, I find his interpretation of typography rather fascinating, from an abstract standpoint.

PS 3—I love everything about you.

February 2, 1970

Bill Arlock

9021 Melrose Ave.

Los Angeles, Ca. 90069

Beloved One of God.

This is in reply of yours of the 19th of January. It has been a policy of many groping groups to behave as if they were growing groups and tell outsiders that they had a vast amount of work, etc. Here we are not groping, but we are growing, and at a rate which taxes the few of us to the utmost.

I have talked to Phillip Davenport, editor of the dormant The Oracle, and he has left copies of it with me. These shall be checked, and if they contain the full “Toward Spiritual Brotherhood” I shall send them, otherwise I say send you some of my own materials, and others.

If our work is over pressing and expanding, it is also over jolly. We are now being visited by Baba Ram Dass. I understand he is going back and forth between the Los Angeles area and here. Not only he, but others, are intensely interested in getting our work in spiritual music and dancing better known. It seems especially under pressure when there is a moment’s time a new dance comes. In fact I may be forced to take some time off and visit Southern California. At the present time I have to wait for the recovery of my only brother, or the unfortunate alternative, before taking a move.

Perhaps the great concern is the popularization of real great literature. We certainly do not wish to downgrade anything that has been publicized, but we wish to upgrade much that has been ignored. There are more members of Sufi Orders than of all other alternative mystical and occult organizations on the earth, but they have been shut out from our culture. The school with which I am most amalgamated has always used music and dancing.

Last Thursday, I presented a method of crooning for young mothers and permitted the advanced disciples and some expectant mothers also to attend. I hope to have these methods presented more fully this summer at Lama Foundation in New Mexico. No doubt we do not have a monopoly on the use of sound, music, and dancing, but we certainly are more inclusive than other groups, and intend to keep it so.

Faithfully

Samuel L. Lewis

Great Books of the Western World

Los Angeles, California

April 2, 1970

Dear Master Samuel,

Please forgive, if you will, my indefensible delay in acknowledging receipt of your wonderfully thoughtful gift of second copies of your entire series from the Oracle. I have been so submerged with work in connection with this job that I am, in fact, withdrawing from management responsibility. I shall work merely as a salesman, so that I may have time, at last, to do justice to Voice, and the spiritual and physical life generally.

I had thought I could do both, and automate the procedure; but I find the human element admits of no such automation; so I am withdrawing from what must, therefore be a half-hearted attempt, therefore, ultimately, for the good of all.

(Please forgive these lamentable typing results. I am using an IBM electric, and not very well, I fear. But please accept the above, as written, in spite of this, if you will.)

I shall try to be a better, more appreciative correspondent in future, if you will do me the honor of continuing to write. Since I will not be in the office so much, perhaps you better address any correspondence to my home: 2561 Ivan hoe Drive, L.A. 90011, that is, if you will write.

I would like very much to see you again, and perhaps, now, will have time for such things.

Meanwhile, my very best to you and the progress of your work.

Most sincerely and gratefully,

William Arlock

May 12, 1970

Mr. William Arlock

2261 Ivanhoe Dr.

Los Angeles, Ca. 90011

Dear William:

I have before me your letter of April 2. At the time you write it, secretary Mansur and I were attending a conference of the world’s religions. It was held in Geneva, Switzerland. It was not covered by our press. A great deal was accomplished. The real religious leaders of the real world, met, conferred, prayed together, and showed remarkable mutual respect. The Hebrew Rabbis, who were rather obstreperous the year before, showed remarkable calmness, wisdom, and sagacity. The Muslims got along fine—with non-Muslims. The Buddhists got alone fine—with everybody else. But we have no right to expect perfections in others. Although I was an unknown to the representatives of the western religions, secretary Mansur and I were very successful in our respective missions. He represented the young.

The chief barriers to success have been the now recognition of the role youth is playing in the world today, and the even greater laxity toward Negro cultures. This last was fortunately recognized.

As to youth, my conscious or unconscious effort to play a role of Pied Piper operated on my usual whimsy remark, “I failed miserably—only the young showed up.” But they did. Indeed, we hope to re-visit England in 1972 with an entourage or troops of dancers; and secretary Mansur and I are already planning to re-visit Boston and perhaps a larger portion of the eastern seaboard this fall, Inshallah.

My program is very full at the moment. I am scheduled to go to Lama Foundation in New Mexico at the end of that month: Full summer school with closed enrollment; arrangements to teach Sufism and organic gardening; mutual efforts to promote a commune so to speak, on spiritual principles, with complete human recognition. It will be impossible to stop off in Los Angeles prior to the first of duly. I cannot tell at this time whether we may go that way on our return.

I am turning your letter over to my financial secretary Daniel who is also a teacher in Sufism. He is coming to Los Angeles sometime in the near future as my representative. He has full right to act in my behalf.

The events in Geneva; the rather successful meetings with the young in diverse parts of the world, have left me at this time without a clear schedule, and I am not trying to probe into the future, but must wait until present obligations are fulfilled. In my absence, my esoteric secretary Wali Ali Meyer takes over duties and obligations. He is quite capable both of fulfilling these duties, answering questions, or acting as a host in many capacities to visitors. I appreciate your writing, and shall have certainly much to report after the summer school at Lama Foundation in New Mexico.

Love and Blessings,

Samuel L. Lewis

15 Jan. 1960

Dear Gavin:

I am enclosing copy of letter to Hugo. The experiences written therein are to be followed by others first here and then in other parts of the United States.

I feel very much like Alice at the end of, “The Looking Glass” turning around on many and saying, “You are nothing but a pack of cards.”

I am no longer concerned with any personal success because the factors which have stood in the way have stood in the way of others who have tried to be honest and fair-minded. The man that will not grant an interview, or meet somebody else on equal terms, has something to hide. It does not matter who he is, he has something to hide.

The dream of an Oriental Academy here has “been busted twice” and for the same reasons. A few years will go on and there will be another attempt here or elsewhere but now there is another generation of persons who are objective. Why does the Professor at California permit me to submit evidence or credentials that I might be a Yogi and others—and there have been a lot of others, rule out a priori? Because they are ignoramuses. They may be nice gentlemen, they may know a lot on other subjects but at this point they reveal they are ignoramuses, not just ignorant. An honest ignorant man has an open mind; it is when there is a closed mind the ignoramus steps forth.

Now the Asians are striking back and we can expect more. They don’t like travesties on their teachings and they don’t like our “morality.”

Sam

[Enclosed in a letter to Gavin Arthur]

772 Clementina St.,

San Francisco, Calif.

January 15, 1960

My dear Hugo:

As Gavin may have to go to Los Angeles soon I was going to give him a message but I hear he has to travel by the Valley and will therefore probably not be able to call on you.

This year has become climactic, or anti-climactic. When I was a boy “The Count of Monte Cristo” was among my favorites. Later on I read that the type of revenge or nemesis in it was childish, not worthy of an adult. It took me a long time to agree but it is better now because daily I am getting more and more in the position of Edmond Dantes.

Yesterday I visited Saratoga. I talked to Jane and we have a happy bond enriched by the fact that I seem to stand in my career about half way between her father and her father-in-law so that any facet interests her and I shall probably have extensive reports to send. I did receive a brochure from a Prime Minister which is going to help in this. I have found it becomes easier and easier to reach Prime Ministers and Ambassadors and I have been going with the wrong crowds and that is that.

Jean especially asked after you. She sounded more stable than I have ever known her, but I did not have time to go over there although my hostess lives within a stone’s throw. However I may also write to her from time to time.

I shall also probably see Fred and Corinne when I stop off at San Fernando or Los Angeles. My check for fare has not arrived and I am not rushing it because a little delay here will settle things.

Excepting for timing, and even that can be accounted for, your predictions for me are coming true and almost in the manner foreseen. The slight differentiation was not erroneous but due to the probability I may live a little longer on earth than when you made predictions. That is to say, if you said that when I was two-thirds the way through these things were to happen or were bound to have happened; so that a ten years’ miscalculation can be accounted for. At the moment the prospectus for remaining long on earth are bright. And I am even taking up dancing and Yogic gymnastics with the Baptists in San Francisco both to condition the body and find out sources of irritation or difficulty.

My main visit to Saratoga was to a Mrs. Ramsdell. The reason for the visit is definitive. She had gone to the Orient and had found out a lot of things of which she had been told differently and this kept on going and going. What is more important, she found acceptance where her (mis)informers had not and that made her hesitate as she is already to give public lectures. So we had to compare notes and it took well over a full day to do that, without interruption, too.

Harriet had originally been drawn to the Academy through Judith Tyberg. She stayed on in all sincerity studying with Watts, Spiegelberg and Chaudhuri, as well as others. She did not find the India foretold by either Spiegelberg or Chaudhuri and she found herself in all sorts of places as a lone American—where she was accepted. I gave her an introduction to my “Mr. India” and proved itself even to the degree that she is studying real Yoga with a real teacher and no flim-flam, nonsense and noise-words. But this has disenchanted her with the nice intellectuals who have poise, savoir faire, charm and what not. She did find that the Ramakrishna people are superb and also not like their confreres here. She found a tremendous negative note at the Aurobindo Ashram and that is one reason for wanting to see me as she is a friend of Judith and it would be her word against Chaudhuri and Spiegelberg, who have been widely accepted. One can understand why Spiegelberg would be permitted to speak in churches—she charms without informing so there is little danger of people wanting to change their views. Spiegelberg is a fine man but you cannot put Aurobindo, Ananamaya, Tillich (especially) and Jung into the vat of supermen and say they rest of us are inferior.

The same was found in Japan. Two students of Alan Watts are there and learning the hard way. They are discovering that “Zen” is nothing like what they had been told before. I am sorry for Alan who has lost many followers. He lost some of them because they went over to Subud and they went to Subud because Alan gave lectures and not techniques. But there is no question the karmic law operates. Alan was a prime source in rumor mongering. There are a tremendous number of antagonistic rumors going on concerning him which are 90% lies, but unfortunately the 10% has a fragment of truth and this fragment is strong because he himself indulged in rumors.

There is now a flurry of literature by Japanese and Chinese to the effect that Watts, Benoit and Humphreys don’t know what they are talking about when they write on Zen. But Humphreys agreed and asked for advice. So I sent him advice and he accepted the advice. I don’t ask for people to accept my advice; I ask to be heard. Watts was a champion at not letting me be heard but many of the Academicians were not too far behind. If I am heard, and then my stuff is rejected, all right. But the point, Hugo, is that when it is heard it is generally accepted. There were other profs. at the Academy who let me submit papers and they accepted them.

Now the University of California is filled with profs. of similar points of view. When I went to one man the other day he said: “I suppose you are a Yogi.” “Yes.” “Well, my pupil here is a Yogi, too.” I extended my arms and said I could hold them indefinitely. The Hindu student said: “Pranayama.” “Of course.” So we had a valid conversation on the real stuff—something that seldom goes on here but it has gone on at last. Indeed I was surprised to find general acceptance all over the campus, but was I? The secretary of the South Asian department knows me and with that one person on “my side” the rest was easy. To hell with the metaphysicians from now on. Being nice is one thing, being honest and informed is another.

But the whole tenor of things is the same. Monday I am to have my third long interview with the new cultural attaché at the Indian Consulate. And so on.

One thing I am not interested in is to remove people from their jobs. What I want is to have papers submitted. When the prof. refuses I know he must be insecure inwardly, or outwardly. He may be a very nice man. The joke on poor Spiegelberg is in this incident. He was called to speak on Rocks in Landscaping and was given a grand send off—the Orientalist, the explorer, the Tibetan Scholar, etc., etc. So he talked and then the teacher spoke highly in favor of the lecture. Up piped one small voice:

“But papa was wrong. He was wrong on ocean pebbles because…. He was wrong on river pebbles because…. He was wrong on granite stones because…. In fact papa was wrong in everything he said.”

Kerplunk. The prof. can do no wrong. If you don’t like this you have a choice of flunking the course or quitting. But when it is his child that makes this remark what is to be done? Why can’t we be honest and objective to be with? We can’t; this is our failing. The TV exposé is just part of whole thing. (And incidentally Corinne has been fighting a long, lone war on this.)

Anyhow this is 1960. Everything looks bright. I think I’ll make the grade. I am not afraid of names or persons any more. The Sufis have made me their international representative (I mean the Oriental ones—the Americans Europeans are tough just like their fellows.) And if I don’t feel like I am sitting on top of the world, at least I don’t feel like the world is sitting on top of me.

Cheerio,

Postcard

Mar 7, 1960

Dear Gavin,

Write a long letter on train which will be mailed later. Fred & Corinne too busy  and did not have the address so I stayed with Uncle and Aunt.

I told everything: Vocha Fiske vs cousin Germane to Renies mother! First warm day in Apple Valley and it was warm until I reached Kansas and not so cold there or in Chicago where this is written. Arrived Cleveland about 8 pm.

Sam

(cc: Gavin Arthur)

March 30, 1960

My dear Jack:

It is not my intention to write to you or anybody in particular, but when one has direct experience, then I send letters to people whom I consider will be most interested.

At the present time this district is endangered by floods. A very long snow season was followed by a most rapid rise in temperature and the continuance of high humidity. No doubt the papers in California reported the damage done in Florida. But now the Missouri Valley is in difficulty and it seems that the danger may spread rather than otherwise.

Under such circumstances the Institute was held on “Giants of Asia” confined almost entirely to China and Russia. The chief speakers on China had recently been there and report, confirming what I have said, that the greatest problem of China remains flood control and water distribution. This was overlooked in the final report. But the first speaker left after his opening talk and his extreme anti-Communist attitude was not held by anybody else, and this was not “extreme” in the Knowland sense. Indeed some of the most “reactionary” people present do not accept our present Chinese policy.

The general attitude was that we need realism and not moralism. And with all differences common to American points of view the evident hostility toward Trujillo and South Africa was so great that Nixon is going to lose out unless he adopts some universal standard and applies it all around. In other words, the conservative people are reacting against reaction and the liberals are against it anyhow.

An added factor is that there is little news in the papers. The press here looks like elongated district press sheets. “The Toledo Blade” has far more news in it that you can get here. The TV stations are just the three chain networks with moronical materiel. The radio commentators are like Fulton Lewis Jr. minus brains and whatever happens is blamed on Khrushchev, whether it be a revolt in Bolivia or South Africa or at a lunch counter in Alabama. The result is that there is a smouldering threatening to break out first in an open war between the Networks and the Press; and what is much more important here a tremendous enrollment in the colleges and universities where one can obtain news and whose representatives dominated the Institute.

Unless the speakers were dishonest, one came upon a series of conclusions very different from the usual stuff. One speaker was long Charges d’Affaires in Peiping. According to his report Russia did not denude the factories in Manchuria. I never could see how they could have transported heavy materiel along with their vast army on the Siberian Railroad. There is no evidence that they did. What they seemed to have done is to send engineers and technicians to study the Japan heavy industry. And these men are now well equipped to operate the giant factories and are so doing. Neither did Russia over-invest in China. Instead they have offered much technical aid. This gives Russians jobs, insures good-will and does not involve financial liabilities. There is nothing to show in the reports that Russia will lose regardless of the future of China. Indeed their financial offers in the Southeast run contrary to China policy.

The two black marks on China seem to have been (a) the flood damage, always great, but coming at a critical time; (b) this critical time was due to an enforced reorganization due to government policy, abolishing as much as possible both privately owned and cooperative farms to institute giant collectives. This policy in turn arose out of the Old Army control and is a sort of militarism, in the name of communism. In other words it is cadre-ism. Soldier-heroes are rewarded with jobs of agricultural and even industrial direction and this has brought about uprooting and with this neglect of agricultural processes during the growing season. Both of these resulted in a lowering of harvests at a time when population has been increasing, and so less food available all around. And some of the program has involved sending out surpluses abroad as raw materials and has not been successful. This may explain the retreats in regard to both Burma and Nepal—which does not necessarily mean a retreat before Nehru.

In turn the vast army has been demilitarized in order to provide harvest hands. There does not seem to be much danger of China going overboard to arm itself to conquests when it cannot feed its people. The Russians here seem to know thoroughly what it is all about and there has been no sign of them flooding China to help the food supplies.

Most speakers and the audience felt this had nothing to do with recognition. One recognized because one recognized. You cannot abolish the atlas. But some went so far as to suggest that we place some of our farm surpluses at the disposal of China whether directly or in a roundabout fashion because there is evident need here. Socializing need does not abolish it.

The best change in China has been in the steel industry. But here one makes the mistake of percentage increased as a final instead of plotting the curves. I would not be surprised if the percentage increase in the Philippines was not much greater, but nobody foresees that land as a great steel producer. Indeed we have all kinds of alloys today for various purposes. The Chinese increase is largely in traction and railway steels and will no doubt continue high for a long time. It will not impress the world market but will impress all kinds of emotional people, particularly the press while the Japanese will continue to gain the world markets.

The worst thing in China is the inability to settle on any policy with regard to internal criticism. One day the howl will be against criticism and the next against waste, corruption and inefficiency which have been allowed to continue. And this in turn has been larger due to the giving the top Civil Service jobs to the old veterans of the Retreat Army. As younger people graduate from college, they are going to protest, and in the traditional manner demand a strict examination system.

Another difficulty is in regard to a National language. The government shilly-shallied on Romanization and at a time when criticism was frowned upon some wit wrote a long punnish letter and asked the officials to put it in Latin or Russian script. This showed two follies—the follies of a simplified Script in the European manner (the Japanese methods have been ignored), and the refusal to take sincere criticisms seriously.

Meanwhile the increase in popular education stressed more local pronunciations instead of less, causing confusions in conversation, multiplied by the transference of populace to fit the farm and industrial programs. Communications and orders have had to be in writing. All of this has decreased efficiency.

I have also learned that there have been greater military difficulties in Turkestan than in Tibet. These difficulties are more complex because while to begin with one has the presence of another nationality and economy, part of that economy has been basically feudal, and despite Islamic teachings, of a very low moral order. The masses have been suppressed in that part of the world to a degree we can hardly grasp. It became a choice there, too, between communism and despotism. But the Muslims have been receiving some outside help and encouragement and one cannot dismiss lightly the charges against the Catholic priests of espionage. My sources of information would indicate some strong evidence of espionage in general, without any in particular cases.

The reports on India showed much more unanimity. The universities here stand very strong against the commentators who see every independent act as a wile of Khrushchev. The main speaker asked for heavy financial aid and in general it was felt that the help going to Korea, Taiwan and S.W. Vietnam should be transferred to India and other lands which offer evidence of development.

The percentage increases in India are small but determinate. The population increase is much less than in China and so is the steel increase. The food-harvest/population ratio is more encouraging than in China but not in an over-all picture; but from my point of view there is too much assumption that this world has been in a continual prosperity broken by occasional wars and disasters whereas as I know it prosperity has been sporadic and occasional until recently—all over.

There was too much stress on education without explaining what one meant by it. There is also the difficulty of explaining what “socialism” and “capitalism” really mean. But the audience was almost unanimous pro-Indian; there were a number of Hindus on the panels, they were given carte blanche to speak and were quite informed. In this way I made an appointment already for the Embassy and a friendship with one Prof. Saha from Calcutta.

I went to Ann Arbor to see my friend Prof. Richard Park but he was away. However the event proved very fruitful. I have been getting some outside help, in the way of lecturing and research jobs here and have my eye on funds available for Asian Studies. Not only has Michigan University a valid school for Asian Studies at both undergraduate and graduate levels, but I know where moneys are available. I tried for years to report on this but was spurned by all kinds of people, none born in the U.S. It is their loss, not mine.

I also received a long report from Jonathan Garst. He is the brother of the Iowa farmer who was Khrushchev’s host. Evidently the grape-vine is now working in my favor, too, from the remarks in his letter. This plan will give me prestige (the doors are already open).

A combination of circumstances, too long to relate, may enable me to collect data to enlarge the Strawberry industry in India. This is only one of several projects. I have to go to Wooster and Columbus during April and have already some lectures lined up in Columbus. I am supposed to leave here on the 25th and fortunately, too, my most important arrangements for Washington are already settled. I shall be very busy there.

Under-currently there is going to be a big smash soon between the Universities on the one side and the Press on the other. “Underpaid” teachers will ask for more opportunities to address the public and will get it and will give out objective facts and information and not so much deplorable commentary.

There is comparatively little interest here in the Khrushchev-De Gaulle talks. There is much on South Africa and Dixie. This is the most integrated city in the country, it is said, and believable. Hundreds of thousands of Negroes are both American and educated; an almost equal number of Whites are either refugees or second generation from Europe, not so Americanized nor so integrated and educated. That is where a conservative like Lausche gets is votes. If Khrushchev came here today he would be welcomed not because he is admired, but because of the antipathy toward all differentiations.

Behind all this in turn is a marked tendency toward factualism, and a fatigue at too much emotional strain caused by headlines. Ever the papers seem to think that the Administration ought to meet Russia on disarmament, increased by protests against unnecessary high taxes.

The Institute overlooked the basic facts that Japan and Germany are winning world market. If Germany is not an armed camp, it is anti industrial camp. That country is putting out the best motor cars and a lot of other heavy equipment. We are almost back in the 1910-4 era with potential trade wars—and here Russia is having a tough time and knows it. In our financial support to Germany we may be undermining both Russia and ourselves. I find the World Almanac almost useless today, for though it mentions facts it does not tabulate them when the tabulations are unfavorable. The leadership of Germany does stand out, and its demilitarization places a large labor supply available in needed industries, at home and abroad. The “Giants of Asia” have still a long way to go.

Sam

May 3, 1960

My dear Gavin:

I am in New York and in the midst of uncertainties. What is peculiar is that what one would expect to find uncertain has brought few questions or problems; and where one has a quest, one would expect to find refusals and blocks. It is the other way around.

There is a strike going on against the ship on which I am supposed to sail. That should not be for five weeks. But my travel agent is coming here so I can do nothing now but sit until he arrives and I am even delaying my trip to Boston. My cousins have disappeared, and all I have left is one lone address (no phone) and no assurance of answer. Legally this might necessitate a new will although at the moment I am in the pink, my health—and especially the last few days—has been tops. Then I am caught between some problem in negotiations between the banks which handle my moneys, have to sign papers and can’t because the bank of the second part has not reported. Everything was running smoothly before and I don’t understand it (no problem about dollars, however).

As for my interviews. Last night my Japanese colleague took me to dinner. He is very prosperous today. I told him I had visited at least twelve embassies and not a problem or difficulty—quite the contrary. It was only among the Americans that there were impasses. You can see it in the article in Satevepost on the Near East situation. We have something, which we call “diplomacy” which works fine in front of everybody’s faces and horribly behind their backs.

Thus there is Islamic culture. In this country it has been largely in the hands of Europeans who, being neither Americans nor Muslims, have brought nothing but offence to the Islamic Nations. This is something you can’t discuss in the State Department—they won’t believe you; and don’t have to discuss with the Muslims—they know it better than you do. In this particular correction the bull’s eye came and hit me and I could be having a fine job if I remained in this country.

My American colleagues are Robert Minor of the American Friends of the Middle East, Roland Gammon of the World Congress of Faiths, and William Hughes of The Friends of the World. I met Gammon yesterday and he also understands the Islamic, as well as the other situations. This habit of haling non-Asia, non-Americans get into the fields of Oriental studies has produced little more than fog, smog and confusion. “Brand names” are highly regarded in some parts and the same “brand names” are loathed elsewhere. What is wrong is not the regard or the loathing but the highly metaphysical assumption that “brand names” communicate learning. That is to say, the American attitude is basically wrong, not the pseudo-famous people. This attitude has to change. We don’t learn the sciences by signing up with some favorite minister.

Gammon had reached the same conclusion as the leading Muslims which means that I have to go to Harvard with a quizzical eye on their plans for a new school for religious study. There Gibb has the money and has interviewed Landau. This pleases (??) the Afro-Asian bloc no end (“no end” makes it impossible to stick a period there).

Actually the low points are few, outside the personal confusion with which I have been tested. I ran into one of my oldest friends in Washington in a strange manner. The interviews at all Embassies were excellent. I am sorry I cannot supply details (matter of time, not of secrecy). I did have troubles with Blondes—Puckian type. The blonde in the Sudan office did not know what a dervish was; in the Persian office never heard of Sufis or poetry; in the Afghanistan office had never heard of Khaibar Pass and Peshawar. I did ball out a blonde in the State Department who would not furnish me with information, which I finally got by a threat and it took me five minutes at the Near East desk to put over my ideas, almost unnecessary for the diplomat who had been in the field knew what was what at least as well as I did.

In New York I have twice run into a wandering Islamic preacher who is highly amused and somewhat delighted at my efforts. I have been offered a farm in Egypt and another in India. Dr. Baker’s introductions are going to prove most valuable, but the main problem at the moment is I can’t carry on the writing on all subjects. I do not know when I shall be leaving here either in case you should come.

I can safely-look back now on all and sundry persons who have been operating in the Oriental field—all persons and all branches—and see that it is useless to go around preaching morality and rejecting anybody. Who has any right to reject? This is horrible.

The other day a man looked over my shoulders on the sub—I took the wrong one “by accident.” I found he was Prof. Namiar from Mysore. He wants to start an international Whitman Society to bring India and America closer together. We had discussions on high levels—discussions which would have opened the eyes of some people who intransigently refused to admit the possibility thereof—and passing through philosophy and real Yoga came at last to the food problem and he also offered me a farm. I therefore have to write to Wooster and San Francisco.

As I look back now at the last few years the last rejections in San Francisco came almost unanimously from non-San Franciscans and the city itself both recognized and commissioned me before I left. My meeting tomorrow with my colleague, Wm. Hughes, at the U.N. may establish the program and regimen. I feel fairly certain and my main problem next is a literary agent.

Faithfully,

SAM

May 13, 1960

My dear Hugo:

I am writing to you hoping this finds you among the living but to be assured am sending a copy to Gavin. For if anything this will support some of your earlier predictions about me. And I should say that on the whole everything is going well.

In the first place, though I sometimes forget it, a certain deference has been paid to my age and experience. As a rule this deference is greater among the scientists and the higher on the scale the scientists, the greater has been the deference. Among the metaphysical people it is the exact opposite and the higher on the metaphysical scale, the more opposition one might encounter. Only it is today that I run into opposition against “brand names” and “celebrities” who are widely touted in California and as widely hooted elsewhere. This seems to be the general trend.

I have been most fortunate in my contacts with scientists. This was partly due to the introductions received from Dr. Blanche Baker of San Francisco. But the ability to carry on intelligent conversations and the proof, actual proof of long years experience, carried weight. Metaphysical people often blindly pooh-pooh such possibilities off hand, close their ears and minds and think they are going somewhere. And actually I have run into more metaphysical people in New York than good devotees of Zen, Vedanta and Sufism. The good devotees are very good indeed.

The Zen people here are not only adept at meditation; they are still more antagonistic toward “famous” book writers who are confusing the public. Years ago there was an article called “Zowie” in the “New Yorker” written in an asylum, by a professor who dunked into Orientalia without a teacher. This madness is somewhat prevalent and it is much easier to make a New Yorker mad than wisely sane. But now there are books against the “brand names” by other people who are successful because the “brand names” are well known and by mentioning them, they get an audience. As the “brand names” have caused much confusion and have multitudes of enemies outside of California this is successful business though where it leads I do not know.

My old Sufi “colleagues” will not accept what happened in Cleveland where I revived Sufism. The old order is divided into at least three mutual antagonistic branches which oppose each other and all ignore me. I not only hold the balance of power legally, but was officially appointed by the Dervish Brotherhoods as their representative early in the year. And to my amazements, without knowing this, the head Muslims in this country have given me, independently, the same appointment. This in the face of “brand name” professors, non-American, non-Asian and often quite popular and, to say the least, ignorant.

On the West Coast you can not even get an interview with a “professor.” Here in New York a cultural attaché had me spend an evening going over two papers by ”brand name” professors, non-American, non-Asian, who have been commissioned to write two “vital” papers on Oriental philosophy. Here they may give out Ph.D. degrees; in Asia they could hardly qualify for freshman class.

I visited the Ramakrishna Center near here. They are doing very well; people prefer the metaphysicians and “brand names.” I have meditated at both the Zen Center and a Yoga Center by one Majumdar. The latter is near these rooms and he teaches Patanjali Yoga, that old “out warn” system which is never practiced because somebody has a better one—which never succeeds. In both places there was a strong anti-California atmosphere but California brand names must go on and many people on the Coast will accept the personalities thinking they have arrived somewhere.

Although I do not know how to get along with Asians (consult any brand name in California), I have been to a multitude of Embassies and my first application for a Visa was granted without cost as a Courtesy Visa. This will come as a shock to the professors of Orientalia in certain parts. But Hugo, between 40 years of study and practice, I have accumulated more knowledge, if not downright wisdom, in this field than I have in the sciences; though the scientists have everywhere accepted me as one of them.

There is one argument I do carry with me which is most effective, and that is I do not age with the calendar. I notice that this was also true of some of the Zen people in California and also is true of Mrs. Farkas, the Zen leader here. I do not know what the condition is, but when people challenge me about Yoga I pull out my passport and they can see my birth date. This is something even the “brand names” cannot confute.

I have in the offing a literary, an artistic, a horticultural and a philosophical mission. I should say that 90-95% of the interviews have been very good. The others were due to the fact that the organizations visited were not as opulent as their advertisements suggest; or else in the State Department where a ready acceptance would be subject to suspicion. However all meetings with Congressmen or their staffs were wonderful. I had only one long interview with a Congressman, which was Judge Saund of Riverside, because of his Indian birth.

I do not know when I shall leave, how long I shall be, or what is coming out of it but feel I shall be in the top brackets of cultural exchange when I return. It is one thing to say “knowledge is power” and another to have it demonstrated in life. However some of my suggestions are very very simple, and just overlooked. I do mingle with all people, all races, all classes, all religions—something often heard in lecture halls but not demonstrated.

I wrote once to Jane and Vince about my Ohio experiences—which were tops. Only I am doing something. Won’t try to convince Americans, least of all metaphysical ones—they would not understand. Farmers would understand off hand and do. Asians understand only too well.

Regards,

Sam

June 1, 1960

My dear Gavin:

I have just come back from Massachusetts and may return there for unforeseen reasons; I have failed to get confirmation of my sailing date despite all precautions and heavy over-payments to my travel agent. There have been series of strikes on the water front here which has thrown everything out of kilter.

I undoubtedly had the best good-natured “trick” played on me in my whole life. My cousins are now in the nursery business; I met Adolph in Cambridge a said: “I have done something unusual; instead of bringing a present I have brought my work-clothes.” They have an operative nursery and were and are badly in need of help: So I am just staying in New York long enough to find out what my travel agent has done for and about me and then expect to return to Massachusetts and work!

You also have plans like Sam and Bryn which might land you anywhere. Fortunately my own plans are much better laid that most people around S.F. have considered and although I have had many refusals, I know what I am about. I did get my magazine project accepted by the largest distributors in the country, one Mr. Robert Kenyon. It took him 5 minutes to accept plans which have been rejected mostly a priori. It means two years further leg work—which will be easy. I have all my basic groundwork laid and was able to come up with all the answers to all the questions.

The same irony follows me everywhere. All Asians have accepted all proposals on all subjects. I have still to get a single refusal from a single Asian whom I have met. In Cleveland two did refuse meetings but elsewhere it has been a cinch and is getting easier. From 75-90% Europeans engaged in Asiatica I get opposition. Fortunately the librarian who was in the department on 5th Avenue has been removed and there are now several Asians working in the Oriental Department and a single Jew. I am all for Jews in the Jewish department but there should be some Asians in the Asian section, and today there are. Result: fast, efficient and cooperative service.

In Gloucester I met a considerable number of Jews and realize I am far away from my people. Many of these are in-laws of my relatives: My own people seem like re-incarnated Hindus. I spoke to a distant cousin whose father (an in-law) introduced the Vedanta into this country. I shall probably be their guest on my return. Adolph, my closest relative spiritually, wants to study Zen. I left Mrs. Sasaki’s books with him and there are several people in that region who are interested.

The Jewish Bostonians seem to be strongly Zionist, but in religion they were not so inclined to the synagogue. Opposed to Nasser, they are not opposed to Mohammed!

I rather upset them by a curious incident. A beautiful blonde came in and all the men made a play for her. I paid little attention as I am not drawn to young blondes. But it seems she had been in an auto accident and was completely paralyzed. She has recovered but still cannot smell or taste: The accident provoked a complete revolution and now all she is interested in are Yoga, Mysticism and Nursing. This threw all the men out of the conversation and we had a wonderful dialogue.

After she had gone I turned to my relatives and said: “Why she would make a perfect companion for my protégé Norman. Only he is a mulatto.” “Oh, that is all right; her room-mate is a mulatto and they are nearly always together.” (What am I do to now?)

My plans for India are very well laid and will probably keep me in that land a long time. I am seeing Myra tomorrow. She says that Saturn will dominate my 1961 and off-hand that might mean my staying in the Orient. I shall know more about it, but am not worrying.

Well you have your private revolution. We all do that. Naturally one does not know what to suggest in these things. However it looks as if you should take the boat—you are limited by plane. In Hong Kong you should call on Jimmy Chen for Oriental-tropical clothing. In Japan the Kimono serves well in hot weather unless you also prepare.

I have not yet heard from Blanche. I have extra funds due me and intend to buy certain books here on Indian medicine, etc. If you get to India you will not have trouble purchasing their “erotica.” I dislike this word on account of connotations and implications. The sexual attitudes of Hindus and Japanese are far from each other and from their own and none of them, nor those of New Guinea fit into “our” molds. If you publish your book and travel you are going to get new ideas, both from observation and study. In India you are going to be stuck because there often the sex life and the astrological life are combined. The horoscope may determine suitability, especially for marriage. In the bookstore I found a tome on the Mandeans whose astrology is combined with their religion—an ancient heritage.

Your Neptune trine Mercury is good for mobility, whether in travel or in writing.

My cousin does some painting and his outlook is at the moment actually somewhere between those of Verde and Gordon. With few exceptions he does not go before the Impressionists and he is actually a Jungian in his outlook. He spent years studying dreams and this is reflected in his art. He accepts the idea of “spaces” rather than space. And he is also interested in both Zen and Vedanta. But he wants to remain in Massachusetts. It is his son who has dreams of travel, especially with relatives on both sides in California.

I have not been moved by so-called “world events” which don’t get anywhere. Walt Lippman’s remarks on India, published of course, are pitiable. All the press keeps on mealy-mouthing that the world is starving. The world has always been so and so. Most people—and we can’t accept it—most people are not thinking in terms we say and insist upon saying they are thinking. The rise of the Afro-Asian bloc is imminent. We give in one step to Israeli against the UAR and first 6, then 12, now over 20 nations turn against us. We do not see any handwriting because we won’t look at any wall. These nations are turning against all white leadership.

In Massachusetts there is a pro-Kennedy sentiment something like the former pro Al-Smith sentiment, The difference is that Smith never discovered the U.S. much less the world. And he did have all Catholics with him which Kennedy has not. The college students are coming out for Stevenson but older people are not so impressed. It is a revolt, not of the masses but of professional Protestants. This means that political bosses are opposed to it. The press and TV seem to be boosting Johnson, or even suggesting a Johnson-Kennedy hook-up.

On the whole I see this struggle between the professors and the press. They don’t understand each other, One labor leader has said, “We got rid of the egg­heads and put up the meat-heads….” Mrs. Roosevelt conducted one forum and I don’t think it will be reported. The outlooks are simple and real and universal with a leaning on facts. There was another TV program by a Prof. Parkinson who has become very famous and he wrote making Singapore the world center. Those who want to make Berlin the center could not understand him and opposed him. But Parkinson is right and the world is made up of other than blondish Caucasians. We accept the statement but not the implication. “Africa for the Africans” is a good slogan but a bad happening.

Rockefeller has come out again foe a good-neighbor policy with Latin America. But our refusal to have a Catholic for President has stirred up more opposition than our earthquake relief. Latin America is Catholic and will join the Afro-Asian bloc if Nixon is the next President. So we are going to vote ourselves out of power in the U.N.

I just missed being called in to the U.N. as an expert. I was away when the meeting took place. Of course I am not going to be an expert in the U.S. yet; At Harvard the Near East studies are in the hands of an American who is admired by Orientals and Buddhists; and a Japanese who is a very advanced scholar in actual Oriental philosophies and linguistics. The Near East is in the hands of an Englishman and Hungarian exile who is Jewish. Why can’t we have the same basis? So the Far East will applaud and the Near East will scowl and one of these days there is going to be an outbreak among the Afro-Asian bloc on this point. I know what I am talking about, getting it out of the horse’s mouth. But then I knew all about Pearl Harbor before it happened and it does not do any good.

Professor Sorokin remains my ideal more than ever after seeing him. He is a Universal Man, a beloved man—even an excellent flower grower. The world he lives in is the world, not a mental projection which is called “the world” and excludes most everybody and their ideas. His books are being translated into all languages. We agree that there must be a grander advertising of the old Master of Harvard, and of the poets of New England.

I could write endlessly but have much to do. I would like to know you schedule more than your plans because we just might meet in some far off land. After that you could see for yourself and then realize that my protests against the metaphysical people were and are valid. Even your Humanists fail to take humanity as it is, into account.

Faithfully,

SAM

P.S. Dorothy & Rick are supposed to have arrived. I got contradictory reports from the hotel. Have seen the Stices and they look fine, but have no phone.

Gavin: This may interest you. Sam.

Gloucester, Mass.

June 20, 1960

My dear Mr. Miller:

In re: “The Air Conditioned Nightmare.”

This is a long delayed letter set off by a series of explosions which have no causal connection. Neither is the order in which they are stated logical.

The other night I met my young cousin Amy Mats who proceeded to tell me that Walt Whitman and Henry Miller were the two greatest forces in American literature. I have met quite a few young people lately and they all hold that Walt Whitman and Henry Miller are the greatest forces in American literature. I have met a few Orientals who are quite willing to concur that Walt Whitman and Henry Miller are the greatest forces in American literature, but nobody in Washington will believe it, is going to believe it or even admit the possibility until a few more USIS libraries are burned or otherwise demolished. Then when we ask the Asians the absolutely verboten question: “What books do you want us to send you, there won’t be enough copies of Walt Whitman and Henry Miller around. But we aren’t going to ask that “infamous” question yet.

I was walking through Boston the other day and I saw a sign on a building of an organization for the guardianship of public morals. In Japan a young girl must be faithful—to her father. In India, to her horoscope. In Thailand, to her children.

I agreed with these, O sir, in thy esthetics, but not in thy psychology. But I was unable to joust because I have had enemies—never mind who, never mind why, never mind where. My enemies all had one thing in common—they held that Henry Miller was the representative of his satanic majesty on earth. These people are all “nice” which means they served daggers carved out of sugar. They were very much afraid that I might fall under your influence, although I am conceited enough to hope you might even fall under mine!

The last of these people—who still holds you are the devil or something, gossiped about me because I like Allen Ginsberg. Allen and I have little in common except some presumable Semitic ancestry, and love for something we call poetry. But I try to write epics and think they may be published some day. I felt Allen is groping and I do not feel I am groping.

But you have cut the cord of division by your opinion of Sri Ramakrishna. Sir, I am not a devotee of Billy Graham or Billy Sunday or spy-­in-the-sky. The opposite. In the struggle between the Yogi, and the commissar I am the Yogi. People who do not like me—and they have that right—admit I do not age. So I either have the devil or God with me (I actually have both, but nobody wants to admit Iblis and Allah can be in the same camp—they once were, you knew.)

The greatest poetry in the world was written by mystics. I heard representatives of six different Nations quote Rumi in public meetings in San Francisco and among the elite, the savants, the commissars of the press, the well dressed, the “hard working,” I was the only one present who knew Rumi.

Two Persian kings once want to war. The victorious said: “Give me 10,000,000 dinars or your ten best poets.” He got the dinars. Unthinkable. But there is a vast difference between the Asian Oriental and the “Asian” we read all about in the papers.

So one major reason for writing is that your book is prophetic. Whether you wanted it or not, it is so. I am sure Golfing Ike never read any of your things. So he was briefed on “Asians” and not on Whitman and Miller, and he is only allowed to visit countries with “good Christian” governments whether the majority of the citizens are Christian (and corrupt) or non-Christian, with only corrupt governments on top.

I am a sort of ugly American (not like the look) who has learned that there are tourists, diplomats and bums who travel in Asia and only the bums succeed. But we can’t send bums. We can’t accept what you write. We just can’t.

The Ambassador from India said: “What we want from you Americans is more Whitmans.” Then the Ambassadors from Iraq, Ceylon, Burma, Pakistan, Indonesia, etc., etc. said the same. Now you are coupled with Whitman, which means you are out-protocoled.

I met a Hindu in the subway in New York. He read the paper over my shoulder. This is a privilege I grant to young girls and to Hindus of all ages. He has returned to start a Whitman Society in his country—it can’t happen here. Maybe you may be included before it is all over. Especially as you quote Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda. The Hindus will like you—lots much than they will like golf.

I am supposed to meet one Charles Olson here. I suspect he admires you. I am going to find out.

I am going to Asia with a whole book of clippings on America poets who are not read, mostly any more. The new ones will be handled differently. Asians like poetry and I think they will like a lot of New England poetry, both the 1840-1850 variety and the 1950-1960 variety. Anyhow I have a bunch of invitations to speak at Universities all over the Orient.

I have, of course, done the unforgivable. The mob roused by communists when I spoke turned on them. I am not a diplomat. I am not a reporter; I get there and have no formula. But I am a specially privileged bum with very special degrees which give me the right to beg and enter holy places and a lot of things. I talked with Dr. Radhakrishnan and with Harijans and enjoyed them all.

And despite this address, I am a born Californian and have lived much of my life in that State and some day may return. Tokyo is a long way off, but betcha I’ll do better than Mr. Haggerty who does not know the real facts about real life.

Keep up your prophesying. Maybe the young are correct.

Sincerely,

Samuel L. Lewis

August 28, 1960

Dear Gavin:

This is my diary note. This morning I woke up after some complicated dreams in which you were the chief character. I arrived back in S.F. to find you in a very strange state of mind. You told me you were in a horrible fix as Dr. Baker had just died and you could not get any more horoscopes, but through the series of episodes, in one after another, you had no time to sit down with me as you had a sudden appointment to go out and arrange a chart. So you were in and out constantly and I could make no head or tail of your affairs because it appeared you were earning more money than ever.

I was not to stay in San Francisco so I paid a month’s rent on a place to put my baggage and furniture in it, and had to go away, presumably to Southern California for I took only two pieces with me. I was not going to stay a full month and said you could use the place. But when I got back everything was clean and in order and it seemed you had not been using the place much excepting the first few days after I had gone.

You were not happy but your astrology work was taking you further afield. You not only had more clients but they were spread out and evidently informing others. So, with the disappearance of Blanche you were not only on your own but making good.

I could learn nothing more in the dreams from you either about yourself or anybody. You looked somewhat better than when I had last seen you but carried a look of dismay.

We did have some differences in other fields. I called to your attention that not only had I been rather successful but successful in just those things about which there had been dark forebodings and not always so successful where it was presumed I would succeed.

There was the need for substantial real thinking both in regard to Asia and on other matters. The disappearance of the American Academy made the way open for honest, objective teachings on Asia, but if I said anything, all you said was, ”yes, yes” or “I have to go“ and you really did.

Turning to Bertrand Russell today I am strengthening myself in just those matters of logic and thinking upon which doors were closed in California and opened on the East Coast. What that means at the moment I do not know, but I am carrying Oliver Reiser and Pitirim Sorokin around and may be introducing them into the Orient.

I have three complete avenues in Egypt: The American University, the mixed ones and those which are obviously Arabic. I am planning first to call at the American University at Beirut. Most on board want to go to the Holy Land—there will not be much time, but they will go so I may be the only passenger the last few days. We passed near Tunis today, and the other night through Gibraltar—we could see the lights. Tonight I am getting only French and Arabic music and one U.S.A. station but tomorrow should be near Sicily. I like Spanish music most and far prefer Italian to French.

September 8:

I am in Cairo. While my putative hosts are away, God has been most kind in that there are several University of California men around and they have been extremely cooperative. I expect to be a guest of the Agricultural Department of the Central Government shortly: I have much to read of materials placed in my hands.

My present war of “the professor versus the commentator” is a sort of variant of my “Real Asia versus phant-Asia.” Evidently there are sections of the Federal government which agree. For the best work by the United States is not only given no publicity, but turns out no folders or circulars and no advertising or public reports. It is as if we had gone underground.

So far I have not seen the slightest, indication of any Russian influence here. Private enterprise is running all over and there is a strong and growing banking system. True, religion tends to make people feel satisfied and in this sense they are conservative. But the whole policy of the State is to raise the peasants’ status.

There is no way for me to compare things here with Israel, but they are certainly much better than in Pakistan or India, and I suspect very much better than in Jordan, Iraq or Iran. The press seems to take the attitude that if the people of Jordan or Iran believe in the Declaration of Independence, there is something wrong with Nasser. I am pretty sure he is busy trying to benefit his own nation which is more than I can accept from certain other governments.

Excepting in Japan I saw nothing to compare with the whole countryside from Alexandria to here and this without rainfall which is copious in Japan. I am reading as much as I can and have a few conferences each day, in the morning.

By the end of the week I shall be making out reports for possible publication. The general policy here is one basically American, our old 40 acres and a mule varied. Generally a cow or buffalo is offered because they can still be draft animals and afford milk. But I am going to learn more before I speak much.

When I do return to California I shall probably visit Claremont, not that I expect objectivity to be accepted there yet, but at least one door has opened. Another book recently published attacking Sufism has been itself strongly criticized by the reviewer who holds that before Sufism is attacked it should at least be given an opportunity to explain and even defend itself. No such honesty around San Francisco, but then look at what has happened to the karma-mongers. Rom Landau is still writing books and making reviews, which are not generally admired but the people at home don’t know that.

I have had my trials and tribulations and also comedies. The chief of which was at Beirut when a barber, constantly harassing me, heard me say: “I am Ahmed Murad and a Darveesh.” He dropped his jaws, his tools aid his knees sagged. “I am Ahmed Murad and a Darveesh; come, I give you free haircut!” And I did not think it possible to beard a Lebanese.

Anyhow I got along fine in Beirut by asking about the Phoenicians: That’s what they like: to be called Phoenicians and I played it up. “Go thou and do likewise” if you ever came this may. But the American University was having its summer session and I shall have to return depending on other things.

But Gavin, I have a problem. My last letter to Jack was returned and I have had no mail from Clementina St. and so no banking reports and don’t know what has happened. I wrote to Evelyn just before I left New York but no answer and no letter from New York either. It is going to take a while to straighten this out.

Sam

Things are getting better and better for me here.

October 20, 1960

My dear Gavin:

With the copy of letter enclosed a certain phase of my life is over. Undoubtedly there were factors which we night call karmic or occult or astrological, which brought about a sudden up-turn on a certain day, pushing me forward, but this has been at a rapid rate, at time at such a rapid rate that complete self-control has been difficult.

The difference between the scientist and metaphysician is obvious. The first is concerned with facts, the second with opinions. We have to have facts but facts alone will not accomplish everything, for there must be a cementing and harmonization and congealing in order to build a structure.

It is a long way from the Socratic and I repeat Socratic situation in which I was placed in San Francisco. The most ridiculous of the factors was the attack on me at the same time by Rom Landau and Rom Landau’s worst enemies; by Alan Watts and his worst enemies. The enemies concerned were women and I did not mention their names. Suffice to say they were all connected with the square of Neptune-Moon in my planet which set my mother against me and in turn some older woman who invited me to some large city and then turned against me. This was true of San Francisco, Los Angeles, Detroit, Washington, Berkeley and other places; the “plot” was the same in every instance and after Dr. Baker and I worked this out this “old woman” complex disappeared. A few of the persons you know or know about.

So far as the men are concerned it has been, in my opinion 90% insecurity on their part. The insecure man attacks, the secure man does not. He listens and if you are wrong he gives you plenty of rope. Excepting Northrup at Yale and Moore at Harvard all the men were foreign born and these two, while Americans, are hopelessly insecure. They both pride themselves as being the Suez Canal between the East and West and are despised all over the Orient.

You can understand that the McArthur Legend led to a Hagerty’s being mobbed. We insist that McArthur is popular in Japan and there has been nothing worse than in sending the nephew as Ambassador. But you do not understand that there are equally legends about other persons being popular in the Orient and we, without investigating, tend to accept these legends. For instance, Arthur Auberry, Landau’s teacher. But I don’t want to go into it any more. So long as we keep our Moores, our Northrups, Germans, Frenchmen, Englishmen and Hungarians as the “authorities” on Asian subjects, we will not get the respect of the world. I am in favor of Germans, Frenchmen, Englishmen and Hungarians being authorities on European culture and even science.

Fortunately today I have tremendous forces and even personalities with me. The Socratic story is over.

I hope your book gets out and sells. This, of course, is cut of my field.

Sam

Cairo, UAR

December 11, 1960

My dear Gavin:

The fact that I have not heard from you indicates that your affairs are none too good. There is in man the faculty of insight and foresight; we all have it and we all ignore it, excepting a few. In Asia as a whole this is not so. Insight and foresight are regarded with respect.

Today the rate of change in my position and effectiveness is about all I can take. The ridiculousness of Koestler’s latest book comes out. Carl Jung whom you and Frederick Spiegelberg adore, is sponsoring Koestler. Koestler says that certain persons are humbugs or worse whom Fred has been parading as great saints or prophets. Both of them cannot be right in their attitude toward certain Asians and if Jung is right then Fred is wrong end as Fred thinks Jung is wonderful, where is the sanity?

Actually it is about time to look at Asian peoples directly, even look at them cock-eyed and stop listening to fairy-tales of various Germans, Hungarians, Englishmen and Russians. We would not respect a Persian authority on Hungary or a Burmese authority on German culture. Where do we get these crazy ideas that because somebody has been to Leiden or Oxford or Heidelberg or Berlin he knows more about Yoga or Zen or Sufism? Gavin, as a whole we are crazy. We are mad and until we become sane we cannot win any cold war.

The dervishes here are unanimously anti-communist. But we either deny their existence or say they are fanatics or parasites. I could introduce a few dervishes into polite society and if anybody could keep up with them in biology or physics I would give him a free dinner, anywhere, any price. There are millions and millions and millions of dervishes, all over, from Prime Ministers to paupers.

I went to the reception of Ambassador Hussein from India (he used to be in S.F. Uncle Louis knows him, Fred knows him). I was introduced as an American dervish and was soon surrounded by all kinds of people. The other day when I went to the Indonesian Embassy the Arab attendants said I could not meet anybody, but as soon as one door opened and an Indonesian stepped out, I was given a most friendly welcome. And don’t think I am going to take this lightly or permit anybody else to take it lightly. I say to hell with all European misinformers about Asia and to hell with men like Northrup of Yale whose Ph.D. in Physics permits him to be an authority on Asia and he is the best friend of communist propaganda we have with his array of ignorant insults and refusal to face even simple facts.

The fact is that I am in here and in thick. By the end of this month I shall probably have addressed more people than Billy Graham. I am introduced as “The American.” I don’t speak Arabic and your friend Burdick would not last two minutes with me in objective debate. And, thank God, I have convinced some Americans—the whole Embassy here from bottom to top to bottom. They have seen me at work. I am in the news. And praise be to Allah, no more of those idiotic, egocentric, a priori rejections. Everybody has a right to rejects but only phonies reject a priori.

That is why people don’t understand your attitude toward the Pope. I certainly would not expect the Pope or the corner parish priest to accept what I have to offer, but I can bet that before they reject they would listen and that is much more than your “tolerant friends” do. I am Whitman’s “answerer” and I don’t give a whoop whether you accept it or not. I shall probably die being known as such. I don’t mind opposition, criticism, even animosity, but I do mind this a priori smug negativity of your friends whom I shall not name here. And especially the inhuman humanists who don’t understand human nature at all.

Every single project that I have proposed has been accepted, and some are in operation. The Ministry of Agriculture has thanked me. The American Consul-General has admitted that I have proved every one of my points. I even went so far as to resurrect my plan for Palestine which I placed twice before UN officials and they both said it was the most sensible thing they ever heard of. I have been compelled to be timid because of opposition, frustration, inhibition and most a priori “no.”

The dervishes have long since accepted me as one of themselves and there is probably more coming.

The reactions on my poetry are terrific. My chief consultant proved to be an expert in the world’s greatest literature and he gave the highest commendation of all. It all but stunned me but I know the source of my inspiration and my faculties. Someday I may get an editor to answer me.

Anyhow today I did get a reply from one of the country’s top commentator—in fact he may be the very No. 1 commentator for what he has been doing this year. Whether he is or not, I can now write knowing that my reports will not be pigeonholed. The rise of Cubas is not so shocking but disgusting. One can see that we really don’t know how to practice the golden rule or the declaration of independence.

Kennedy’s victory has been received with cheers all over Asia; and I must presume Latin-America. The world is not made up of Protestants but the worst government outside of Russia is.

And Russia is not leading us in very much. I have access to records, and I am tired being snubbed by metaphysical poseurs who can’t tell one science from another. Yet despite my strong language here I do not bear ill-will. I would never say “no” to these people who say “no” a priori to me. If I were chairman, I would give them the floor; if I were teacher I would let them report in class or by paper and not shut the door beforehand.

Anyhow the foundations are always laid for a good welcome in San Francisco, from two opposite sources. One is from newcomers who don’t know anything about this a priori top-foolery or European experts on Asia. The other is from old time San Franciscans; I must not lose my head that is all. I am even more serious in my plans for Pakistan, which are gradually receiving attention. I face the world, not my private ideas and call them “the world.”

Indeed there are no persons so naive as the sophisticates. They are the easiest to fool-sex, food and drink excepted. You see lots of them here, especially among the French. They really never communicate with the Arabs and they are easily preyed upon.

I get letters occasionally from Jim Pike. He understands now what I fought against at the Academy and elsewhere. Academy freedom means the right, especially in graduate schools, for individual research. I suppose someday I shall land in the courts, or at least before the Income Tax Bureau of all this nonsense of tax-exemptions for movements that are nothing like what they claim to be. We can’t win the good-will or the world until we love them and we shall never love them until we look at them face-to-face, mind-to-mind and heart-to-heart. This is the only Whitmannian position. I hope you will appreciate it someday. And I still mingle with the hoi polloi, and how.”

Sam

December 24, 1960

My dear Gavin:

I have your letter telling of the departure of Blanche Baker. I note your personal remarks but they seem to be reflected in the chart: There was a progressed Saturn conjunct Natal Sun and this shows the completion of a cycle. This was whacked by an unfavorable Moon, the Moon being unfavorable because of attitude. I think her great mistake was in not accepting Bill’s virtues.

My own idea is that when people are married or in any partnership and they have unfortunate or unfavorable aspects, they should resign for the while to the other or others. When this is not done something drastic happens and I know of several other cases, more women than men, who left this world under just the same sort of circumstances.

The transiting Mars was just past the Port of Fortune too and this would accentuate matters of health or life. The Sun (transit) was trine to Natal Mars and this would have brought great strength for an impending cycle. I feel, however, these things are more relative in a person in partnership than one living singly.

I am sorry I am unable to give more thought to it. It seems as if I am going into another cycle. All my dismay circumstances are gone. All those pseudo-Orientalists will have to become honest from now on, the conditions are so unpredictable and most of the people who criticized me were so far out of line, that some of them at least will have to discipline themselves or be disciplined when I return. I am not fooling.

When I presented my outline of “Oriental Philosophy and Modern Science” to the National Research Centre” it was taken up at once. I was passed to the top Botanist whom I had already met and to the top Physicist. Now I am meeting the top scientists in profusion. The remains of what Bryn left have been taken up and I have made all sorts of contacts. He ought to be in that Research Centre but God knows where he is. I have spoken to so many people on Salt-Water conversion. Saudi Arabia is also interested now and I gave excellent contact there. But I am a man and not an institution,

I have seen every one of my projects brought to light in every field of mutual understanding—horticultural exchange, seed exchange, progress of U.A.R. along several lines and better cultural understanding. Then I have met piles of Sufis and it looks as if I hall meet many more, despite Landau, Spiegelberg, Chaudhuri, Uncle Louis, the Near East Department of U.C. and sundry colleges in Southern California. They might outnumber me but I have the Embassy, Intelligence, and of course about everyone in the U.A.R. for me here.

I became more confident and trotted out my original plan for Palestine. The UN officials liked it. Now I am timidly talking it over with both Arabs and Americans and so far not one difficulty. So I took another step forward. A. trotted out four different scientific ideas which Lloyd would never permit me to discuss, and which Don Hayakawa waste-basketed. What a difference between meeting scientists and metaphysicians. Totally, absolute. You discuss the subject, not the personalities involved. There has been a whole parade of acceptance of ideas in every field. My Socrates days are over, long past. I am very popular here without seeking popularity; I am news here without trying to be the news. I am welcome everywhere—dervishes, scientists and socially, it is all I can take, but my poetry is coming up. That has been praised in highest terms and by big people.

I don’t want to be over-confident, I can’t handle all before me, but this trip was certain been a psychological prophylactic. Anyhow the San Rafael paper wants my story and so has Chet Huntley and I think others will follow. I have little time for rest but won’t leave here until the middle of February.

I hope 1961 will be better for you. I would advise that sometimes you put your thoughts down and follow them. Failure always follows when we say one thing and do something else. A house divided against itself cannot stand.

Faithfully,

Sam

December 31, 1960

My dear Gavin:

I am closing the book of the year. It has been a successful year. It has been a year in which not only have my detractors proven to be wrong and perhaps wrong on every county, but the events also demonstrate and demonstrate clearly that the law of karma is inexorable without being ultimate and final; that is there is at least one way beyond karma, but that is not self-determined or self-determining. I am putting your address in my book. It is a return by you to conditions which you verbally avoided but did not karmically avoid.

The death of Blanche has not made me wish to return to San Francisco. I shall probably return. It will be a different return or no return—that is, if it be not a different return, it will be no return at all. Life teaches me, it does not teach everybody. I see the same mistakes made. I have never asked to avoid mistakes but I have said that if I repeat the same mistakes I ought to be punished. Dr. Baker and I worked out my two basically detrimental karmic patterns. One was a pattern which was “inherited”—the pattern of the dominating woman which was in my Neptune Square Moon. After that I saw it was imperative not to have an older women dominant me. Of course there were not many older women. My mother is in a sad state. I was going to write to Gladys Phelps whose birthday it is and decided against. Her mother did the same thing, returning nothing but evil for good.

But the big villain in my life was never mentioned; the woman who tried to destroy me did everything humanly possible and accused me on top of that. Someday you will come upon her name. If you even allude to this fact to some people they will mention her. She had a position of influence and she smashed my peace élan, caused me to lose my job and home and accused me of all kinds of villainy. Then a strange thing happened—my mother who wanted to get rid of me also refused to join her. They worked independently and at the climactic moment fought each other just long enough to enable me to escape. I got out of the clutches of that woman but not from my mother. But today the very associates of that other woman are not respecting and even cooperating with me and it is possible—I am no Addison Brown—that any peace plans I have, if trotted out, may find their way into the U.N. As time goes on more and more people associated with that body are known to me and by me, tough this itself is not determinant.

Even from my own point of view I am out of my depth. I have passed from meeting the chief men in horticulture to the chief in physics and other sciences and recently the top Entomologist and I have been requested now to meet the top Sociologists and other social scientists. There is nothing keeping me back but me.

I look back on a year in which several different detractors, playing smaller poles than the above, have come to no good end. Detractors do not work with each other, they detract. People who hold small views of others hold small views. Posers get by for a while, and so do popular mad men. California is full of them, people who could not stand up ten minutes in a debate. Alan Watts stood up five minutes; Haridas Chaudhuri and Fred Spiegelberg did not stand up at all although the former at least cried. Rom Landau gets by and that is all. He has nice reviews in Great Britain but not here. And the Arab is not like the Arab of texts and we are a mad people who insist on reading books by Europeans about Asians and think we can get along by Asians thereby.

The American colony here is made up of splendid people but I believe, with a few exceptions, I have met more Arabs than the whole bunch combined. Sometimes they get 300-400 people together, if they are most fortunate. Usually it is about 50-60. While I often meet that many in a single day, and more. You don’t have to believe it. I am not out to convince people who do not wish to be convinced.

You have chosen your path or no path. Giving up morality is or is not reprehensible. But when one gives up morality and chooses maximisms instead, what is that? Instead of quoting the Bible, one quotes from everything and everybody and thinks there is a standing. At least I have standards and now as the year is over they have seized my position socially, psychologically and otherwise.

Today I have two conferences, one to close the year in a sense; the other at the Pakistani Embassy to open the coming year, in a sense. I am not troubled about either. It is others who are troubled now. I tried to contact Al Azhar and they refused to see me. I sent reports to the government and warned that in a short time there could be Zionist money behind Islamic missions in competition with Al Azhar. It is true. I happened three days of after I wrote the letter and Al Azhar is crying all over, but not doing anything. Islamic teachings will get out, they will probably be heterodox or phony but who is giving out the true teachings?

The Sufis are different. They recognize both God in the supreme and facts as they are. They are not speculative and speculating metaphysicians. They are not ego-maniacs. Place 20 Sufis in a room and ask them to present their innermost philosophies and they will be in substantial or absolute agreement, inner experience does not contradict inner experience—this is something neither European intellectuals nor American metaphysical people can understand. You have tried a different path, and it might have brought you to the same truth. Sufis claim no monopolies on truths or paths, but they are superior because they do recognize the others and the others do not recognize them. Carl Jung is not neutral, he has chosen Koestler and that about finished him. There is no Nehru, there is no Prasad, there is no Radhakrishnan and there was no Ramakrishna. Boloney marches on and I don’t know whether Fred Spiegelberg is on his own side or Jung’s or the Harvard theologians who are not recognized at Harvard.

When we look at Asians, when we look at Africans, there may be world peace. I just read in Harpers an article on Cuba in which the writer shows that the United States as a whole never saw Cuba. I can see that. We certainly don’t see other nations, either. It is not a question of right or wrong, we are looking inside our minds and thinking we are thinking about an outside world.

I am no longer bothered. I challenged you at the time of utter rejection. I am not challenging because there is almost universal acceptance. There are ways of looking at people’s minds; there are ways of communing with and communicating with people’s hearts. The Sufis are human beings more than they are lecture-material. There are more disciples in Sufism than there are inhabitants of Great Britain—wanna bet? They may or may not do something at this time of real or fancied crisis. I expect to meet some of the great teachers here soon, I have met some already. I have met some elsewhere. Generally I know what I am doing; mistakes yes, shortcomings yes, but nonsense, no.

You are back on Sixth St. It is a symbol. You might have been in Paris; I knew you would not get to Kyoto, Kyoto is not written in your akashic records. You do not see these things. Both Myra and you were for Nixon. I was neutral and the vote rather bore out my neutrality. Bowles and Stevenson are near where I wanted them, the rest I do not care for or about.

I do not know how much the local disturbances disturb the U.S. At the moment the U.S. seems to be in a recession and China and Russia in partial famine, at least. There is a campaign on to get people living in Israel to return or go to East Germany which has a dearth of skilled labor, while Pope Juive is telling the world that all Jews must return or help or they don’t believe in God or god. (I am not sure which and I don’t know which he identifies his insignificant self with.)

At least here there is progress; it is not a question of progress but whether the progress is controlled or uncontrolled. It looks both but it is real. When I return I shall be challenged all over no doubt, or may be ignored. If the former I am ready; if the latter I shall settle in Ohio State and that is that; I am not bothered.

I am writing to the University of California on a higher level too. I don’t want justice or revenge but if people want amends I shall accept. And what do I call amends? Not apologies, not reconciliations, not compromises, but merely the opportunity to present my own views, that is all, and then if people want to cut me to pieces, they are at liberty to do so. But the karma works, for any and all, there is no difference—what we sow determines what we reap. Brand names are not exceptions, but less than exceptions. I hope you can learn something of this for 1961.

God bless you.

Postcard:

Sept. 1, 1962

Postcard

Sep. 1 1962

Dear Gavin:

I hope this finds you. I have tried all kinds of ways and was given this number but when I called there were two drunks and they would give me no information but barred the way and I had the choice of calling the police or getting, so I went.

I am probably moving shortly with Norman’s help to 1088 Fulton. Visited Jim Pike and now he is up here. Have seen Yvonne; Fred & Corinne in Hollywood; Emily in Mill Valley but am constantly flitting. First book: “How California Can Help Asia.” Everybody favorable and this includes a lot of the lot. Never better in my life. Hugo supposed to have recovered. Will visit SLO later. Also have some family problems which is natural. Well I have been to “Shangrila,” which is at the base of the Himalayas, etc. You can write to either Fulton or Clementina.

Sam

November 15, 1962

Dear Gavin:

Nathaniel Hawthorne has delineated the American character in his “The Great Stone Face.” The hero is always somebody else, hip, hip hurrah. We seldom recognize the genius in our midst. Oakland is importing a man from afar to direct its educational policy and Sacramento the same, etc.

You have lectured on “The Song of the Answerer.” What song? What answerer? In 1946 there was a conference of the Methodist Church and an impasse over biblical interpretation. I sneaked in through the back door and that ended the controversy. Not a murmur, then I sneaked out.

Recently a conference of Zen Buddhists and complete acceptance except from a bunch of schmuck PhDs who had to keep away—aren’t they such wonderful men? No doubt they are wonderful because they can charm audiences into believing they are learning something about Zen Buddhism.

The top Sufis accept my interpretations of Sufism, the top Vedantists of Vedantists and the really real Yogis who don’t sit like cranes, snakes, fig trees or weeping willows accept my interpretation of Yoga. There is a secret highly esoteric group of Jews here and their mentor is a close friend of mine and I feed him and he feeds them and they feed the rabbis and the rabbis feed the congregation and we shall have more lectures on “The Song of the Answerer,” ho hum and a PhD from Europe knows so much more about Asia than a PhD from America and this is called sanity.

Now I have been to Sacramento. One day was spent at Davis, top-level scientists and the Soils men greeted me as a Soils man and the Pomologists as an apple-polisher and the Plant Nutrition men as one of them and here we go round the mulberry bush. Then yesterday I called at the Capitol and was not there five minutes when the telephones began ringing and I began skidding and skimming—a repetition of my 1956 experiences in Indian Central Government offices, but now nearer to home thank God. And the Irrigation Engineers thought I was one of them and the Agricultural Advisers one of them and I had top-level talks on salt Water Conversion and Fruit Marketing and a lot of things outside my immediate profession until I excused myself—to be a biologist, engineer, chemist, botanist and what not in a short time is psychically wearing, and now you may have another lecture on “The Song of the Answerer” but don’t forget “The Great Stone Face.”

The rest of the time was spent with Vera Van Voris who made incursions and excursions into esoteric astrology. She says she knows you and I say I know her.

In the meanwhile I began to get all the contacts that Bryn would like to have (Bryn has lived in Vera’s home when she had a boarding house) and I think I am anticipating Senator Engel. Anyhow I dropped the name of Tom Kuchel ever so lightly and if the fun hadn’t begun then it would have.

As soon as a man really starts to do something—when the gods arrive, the half gods go. I am forced to pull punches. I can see clearly and someday we Californians are coming out of our shells and show what we have. I am not going to start any real school for real Asian studies to be bush-whacked by pretenders when I get nothing but open-armed welcomes from real men in real places and then some.

I have taken defeat after defeat in trying to bring in what I know rather than whom I know. If some of the people who being very modest and humble (?) had said “Yes” instead of “No,” no doubt I would have reached superficial goals sooner but they would have accomplished their aims in life. I am slowly playing my whom I know as my what I know is accepted. My “The authorities on Asia are European professors and American newspaper men and never, never may they be American professors and European newspaper men.” Now the American professors want to be heard and a lot of them have been to Asia and lived in Asia and worked with Asians on a far greater scale than any European professors whomsoever, whatsoever, and wheresover. So I may be leading a caravan.

Prior to that I visited the Berkeley campus. I know what my next visit will be. Why did Dr. Radhakrishnan invite me to his home when I entered India when he was too busy for other appointments? Ho hum and back to work.

The visit to Vera Van Voris gives me the spiritual liberty and opportunity to open my mouth. “Buddha never said a word” and Kerouac is an authority on “Dharma.” Well this guy is going to teach now and when people have less suffering, less misery, more happiness and more insight I shall say “kamerad.”

I had one series of arguments: to deflate analysis at all levels. I had one series of successes: using the Integrative Method. I have already written Dr. Reiser. But this thing works and the PhDs look up to me as one of them or even over them. How do you like that?

I once met a PhD; he was then one of the biggest intellects in this region. There was no philosophical conference without him. He spoke splendid English and splendid other languages too. He was the brain.

At the same time he worked at most humble tasks: cook, valet, butler, railroad yard laborer. There was no connection.

In 1926 he gave up all this both the humble work and the PhD consultations. When he died it was discovered he was the Patriarch of the Age. His name was Nyogen Senzaki. Now let us hear more about “The Song of the Answerer” and God bless you.

Sam

December 6, 1962

My dear Gavin:

Bessie Fuller Turner has invited me to come speak at her house. I don’t know whether she plans an open evening or a tête-a-tête, but if an open meeting, you will be invited. You will certainly be free to mingle and if you can get any horoscopes there, that will be up to you.

I have also been invited to Fritzi’s. It will be quite another talk although in both incidents I shall present that comic consciousness does not depend upon peyote or mushrooms or a new drug or an old drug or any college degrees whatsoever.

Yesterday I had to use a combination of blackmail and browbeating to get an article accepted but fortunately all the girls in the departments visited are for me. At the very simplest level, being Cal. graduates, they do not look too kindly upon honors being given to “foreigners,” i.e. graduates of other states as well as other Nations. This is always true of articles on Asia; the further the writer has come, the more likely his views are to be received.

But I found among both the American students of Asiatic and Asians on the campus a beautiful wide open heart acceptance of actualities.

You have probably forgotten the dinners to Dr. Radhakrishnan and Chester Bowles. That is your right.

I had to use the “back door” to get the acceptance I wanted in Berkeley but it is coming. The intellectuals are divided between the “What do you know” and “who are you” people and it seems in the end the whatknows are going to lick the whoknows to death. Wait and see.

With three gigantic projects going on I have neither time nor energy for anybody else no matter what the need or occasion. After all, I have been now to Ph.D. gatherings in Egypt, India—and America all based on “what do you know?” and I think more are coming.

Time out. Just spoke to Thea. I am not mad at anybody, just tired. Have reached the end of mental, but neither psychic nor physical endurance. Have now to write some very heavy letter, and no nonsense.

Sam

December 8, 1962

My dear Gavin:

I am writing this to have it on record. I wrote yesterday and tore the letter up. What you are liable to witness now is the “Fall of the House of Ussher.”

Yesterday afternoon when I walked into “Asia Foundation” they did not exactly salaam me, but I was treated like I have been in the Orient and was recently in Sacramento. “Asia Foundation” is the only one which “only in America” confines its employment only to Californians and Asians. This inconceivable, unthinkable, irrational policy operates, as yet, in very few places indeed. Not even on the campus of the University.

The idea that the local person might just know something about Asia—well I was amazed to find that all my letters and reports were circulated throughout the staff, and had become not exactly a “must” reading but something close. The day when “Only America reporters and European professors are ‘experts’ on Asia and never, never American professors and European reporters.” You may think this is a joke. It is one of the most horrible travesties in existence.

All the staffs in the University are for me. Here is one of the richest institutions in the world. In Physics, Chemistry and Agriculture, they take No. 1 place in the whole world and they permit their graduates to carry on unlimited research. But in Social Science and Asiatics! The grass is still greener on the other side and some of the grads who put in yeas and money don’t exactly like it that the doors are always open to those in Physics, Chemistry, Agriculture and Medicine and all of a sudden the full stop here. Some of them want those top jobs. They get them at Asia Foundation. And they are going to get them on the campus, Inshallah, after what I have just gone through.

I had to use a combination of blackmail and suasion. The scientists at Davis all want my stuff—the non-scientists, ho-hum and tooty-fruitee. I won’t tell you what the blackmail is because it can result in a mighty big-stink.

The Indian Consulate is all for me, as they have always been but never more than now. I am giving it to everybody and you had better take it: I walked into India this year and was greeted by the Chief of Protocol and President (when they weren’t giving interviews) and by the chief Indian Spiritual Leader and the chief Sufi. I was soon greeted by the chief Economists and the chief scientists and the chief Holy Men. Now go back to your “humble” expects and tell them. Who do you think is being fooled?

Well there was an anti-climax. There is one other “Sam Lewis” here, I mean a fellow San Franciscan who has the keys to Asia and. Period. End of subject. He asked me if I knew anybody who could teach Islamic and Comparative Religion. Now, Mr. Answerer of Walt Whitman, I have taught and I mean taught in the councils of five of the worlds’ religions and I did not get this knowledge from Cambridge, Leiden, Oxford and Heidelberg, or Upsala or Pavia either. You might even see this not humble person in the public teaching what he knows and which people all over Asia know he knows and now Asia Foundation people know he knows.

Krishnabai who is the most humble person I have ever met (she was with Swami Ramdas) says: “Pride is to be avoided but the proudest of all are those who pretend to be humble. Humility is usually the worst form of pride.” This is going to hurt some “humble” people who with all their humility never accept anything Sam Lewis says and never reject anything Krishnabai says. Ouch!

In scientific research honesty, fists, data, events are needed and the operator is no more important than his equipment. But in other research, ego, meeny, miney mo. That day is over. I heard or saw Channel 9 last night. Now Wittgenstein is the expert on Oriental philosophy. What’s the difference between summoning a mathematician who has never been to Asia or having a man who speaks Thai lecture on Persia just because he “has been to Asia.”

When one reaches the stage of laughter and ridicule the next steps are assured. Not one “expert” showed up at the Zen conference. Not one “expert” has been called in by the Indian Consulate. Not one “expert” is on standing record with the American Friends of the Middle East, and on the staff of the latter was a world famous (elsewhere) Californian who never had a chance here—I mean Harold Lamb. Nor did Nicol Smith, who is still alive and whose statements on Tibet ran afoul of the experts, but whose predictions!

I don’t care anymore if I am rejected, because I am having fun. But the chief rejecter of the University of California was discovered and demoted in a grand drama. He had been rejecting other Californians and we are tired of it. He was not a Californian and if I mention his name it will come pretty close to an early portion of your own life.

Sometime I wish you could go around with me. Dr. Baker did and did she get a surprise!

SAM

December 25, 1962

Dear Gavin:

Enclosed is copy of letter to Fritzi. I am indifferent to public lectures but neither am I permitted to refuse an offer. The return to my orbit of several friends from the past impels me to move out of a silence although I know right well that the skepticism of acquaintances is usually egotism.

Thea pierced a piece of my armor with a gift which would hardly be understood in this part of the world, and would be openly accepted in Asia. Very gradually the Consulate, the Asia Foundation and others are perceiving—from experiences with which I have no connection—the difference between honest, objective reports and the symbolism of persons as conveyors.

Actually these pseudo-conveyors are found all over—“only in America.” The disintegration of Alan Watts is a direct karmic function. People lead who have never known how to follow, and the Sufi teaching, “lender is he who is leader of himself, ruler is he who is ruler of himself” holds regardless. Persons have the right to faults, short-comings, even evil-committing, but not the right to remain as symbols of truth during such short-coming behaviorisms.

When I find an Englishmen, a European, or an American who is accepted by Asians as interpreters of their teachings, I also accept him. But every Englishman, European and American has a perfect right to enunciate his own beliefs or philosophy if he is straightforward enough to announce it as his own. Nobody objects to a Nietzsche who produced his own, and his short-comings are unimportant. There can be no battle for “truth” for there is nothing universally accepted or acceptable as “truth,” but there can be a battle for honesty, for there is a standard there, “to thine own self be true.”

Leon Levy told me he believed that if Blanche had lived ten years more, she would have found the “truth.” Blanche is the only person here who ever to follow me and gave up in three days. Now after a long time some few people are trying to find out something, absolutely obvious, but which they always try to connect with remote persons, and so fail.

Paul Brunton pointed out three ways to cosmic consciousness: breath, heart and “the eye.” I have never heard of any other ways and I have never heard of anybody not using one of them who got “it.” This I shall bring forth. When Swami Ramdas was here nobody, meaning nobody could touch him. That was it.

Happy New Year,

SAM

cc: Gavin Arthur

December 25, 1962

My dear Fritzi:

On this Holy Day I am sending you greetings with a sort of apology. A number of weeks ago I put in an order for copies of a picture to be placed on Christmas Greeting cards and the order was pigeon-holed. This picture is rather necessary as a prelude to any lectures I may give, publicly or otherwise. I am leaving in a few days and must be back on January 7^th, remaining here indefinitely. I am writing some data so you can determine whether there are to be public or private sessions.

Since my return I have had a number of sessions with a life-long friend, Ted Reich. We are two of a group of “Young Theosophists” of many years ago. I did not have to tell Ted much about my adventures. By a combination of simple logic and intuition he knew pretty well, and has even “psyched” or clairvoyanced some of the more important facets of the trip.

Then I met Leon Levy, another life-long friend, at a party. He wants to know when I shall lecture and said he would come and challenge, which will be very foolish. When I was about to enter India, I told the Customs Officials that I knew all the answers.” All the answers? “Yes, all the answers?”  They challenged me and this Yogi gave them an answer so fast that they let me in immediately without further ado.

Then I saw the President, the Chief of Protocol, the Chief Vedantist, the Chief Sufi and went on to Poona to see the top scientists and to Bombay to see the top economists.  This sort of thing will no doubt be challenged by a lot of people who used to know me but it is a laughing matter around Asia Foundation, a somewhat important organization which hires only Americans and Orientals and has no “experts”!  They are laughing with me and laughing hard too.

“Experts” don’t tell us anything and Justice William Douglas who was there has just told the American public that they know practically nothing, which is true.  Anyhow I can clear up a number of mysteries:

What happened to Paul Brunton?

Who is the successor of Rama Maharshi?

Who was Upasni Maharaj, the teaching of Meher Baba, and where does or did he stand?

Where did Gurdjieff go for instruction and what did he really learn?

These, of course, are side issues.

My general thematic material is “Beyond Paul Brunton,” for like him I visited Egypt and India, now split into two countries.  Like him I contacted people at many levels of “eccentricity.” Unlike him I contacted the top political and the bottom social figures; mingling with both that anybody who is not a disciple of Walt Whitman might readily understand. Jesus Christ said: “I am the first and the last” and unlike a lot of other people I have been permitted to socialize with both the “first” and the “last” and in no case was a college degree of any consequence whatsoever.

I think I have purposely hurt some of our local “experts.” When I knew the late Zen Monk, Nyogen Senzaki, he was a great scholar, a Ph.D., a linguist, the top authority on Goethe and that general period of German literature and poetry, and could read most of the “Sacred Books of the East” in the original and did his own translation—which almost always differed from Suzuki.

When he opened the Zendo in San Francisco in 1926 he threw everything overboard; began speaking in pigeon English, disclaimed any intellectual knowledge and opened his teaching to anybody, high or low, without regard to any college degrees.  Actually in Japan it has been found that college degrees worked against one about 15-1, in spiritual advancement.

This is said because so far as I know (one could be mistaken) the majority of your audience are not university graduates and no doubt believe or would welcome that “esotericism” has nothing to do with these outside things— and it has not.

At the time my picture referred to was taken, I was in the midst of a vast assemble of Dervishes (and promoted over all of them, too), and they contained top retired army men and university professors, peasants and farmers, business men and a very large sprinkling of professional people, civil servants and jurists—roughly, perhaps not too different from your audiences.

Unfortunately we have a split between the “spiritualists” who are often of low scholasticism and the “experts” who have college degrees and know how to mislead and then some; the truth would integrate these but not necessarily make either type or any type leaders.  The one teaching of Jesus Christ that I temporarily despair of enforcing is “a little child shall lead them.”  This will be interpreted symbolically and esoterically.

I may or may not contact you before going South and wish you a

Happy New Year,

A.  M.

Sufi Ahmed Murad

Samuel L. Lewis

December 31, 1962

Dear Gavin,

I left San Francisco feeling rather heavy because of no news, or rather only grapevine news of Bryn; and my last visit to Mill Valley was exceedingly disappointing so far as the Wingates are concerned. I had hoped to take these and other matters up with the Reinholds and made every effort to do this. But Corinne started out by inviting some friends (of mine too), and then acting as if I were not present, and paid no attention to Fred at all. Both of them proceeded to get drunk and I nearly lost not only a night but much more. This has made it necessary to write them separate letters and if I can’t explain all in the mail I must do so when I return.

Hugo was not at Pismo, but has moved to Shell Beach which is nearer to S.L.O. We could not retrace our steps. At S.B. I found Edward Connaughton now withdrawn and preparing for his last days. He has sent me a Tibetan painting to be marketed in S.F. but as I am away I shall have to write to the post office to see it is properly received.

Jim looked better than I have ever seen him and I am hoping to arrive in S.B. by Friday night. Tuesday or Wednesday I shall go to my Uncle Harry (you met him once) in San Clemente unless I hear to the contrary. My aunt has been very Ill but my foster-sister gave me an encouraging report.

Then Gina was ill too. But at the last moment, today, things began to change as if there was a favorable aspect these last hours of the year. I found the friend of Thea after a search and that was good. Then I visited Judith Tyberg, stayed about an hour with a fine meditation. There I met the grandson of Hazrat Inayat Khan, my first spiritual teacher. He is a charming boy and is making friends rapidly. Judith has been given charge over his education. His mother came in but that did not interpret our conversation.

Judith, of course, was originally responsible for the AAAS and Uncle Louie gave her the coup de grace, etc. This, to me, was the biggest mistake and I have felt badly ever since by the way we ignore our own people who know the Orient for those surrounded by glamour. Judith won first place in intercollegiate examinations in this country and was one of the first four students sent abroad therefor. But in her absence there was a complete change of policy all over the country, utterly inexplicable to me which upgrades Europeans and downgrades Americans in Asian studies. This is true all over the country with very few exceptions. The Asia Foundation is now reversing this policy.

For reasons that are hard to describe Corinne downgrades my occult reports and for quite other reasons Gina has upgraded them. The result is first that I am going to a party shortly as a sort of stand-in for Gina—spiritualists, psychics and occultists, which I should prefer to another party by friends of the Reinholds which I am told would be wild. Actually I don’t like the heavy stuff and I do like wine excepting when there are fruit punches. I can generally drink wine up to kidney capacity, and with intellectual discussions can tolerate far more.

Just before I left S.F. I received a fine letter from Hugh Lynn Cayce. We have come to absolute agreement. I have been indirectly concerned because the University of Islamabad which I temporarily represent wishes to have psychic and occult exchanges with the U.S. Besides this I have found that there is not a very complete interchange. Mrs. Garrett has faculties but she keeps them to a closed circle end previously refused absolutely to have anything to do with the Orient. I made it clear to Judith that the original land of the Vedas, which was the very country I have been staying in in Pakistan is surcharged with psychic electricity and brings out psychometric faculties in man because of this, etc. Judith understood and my job is to get others to understand.

Now this evening Gina has kept the telephone humming and given me leads, which will require writing after I return and a visit to you. The nature of the visit will depend in part on what happens tonight, and perhaps other aftermaths. I shall try again to reach the Reinholds. I don’t know if I can shake Fred out of it but with John Wingate’s condition I feel both uncomfortable and sad. There are forms of inner love I find almost incommunicable when they ought to be clear. But Emily sidesteps on Fred and Corinne does when she gets “under the weather.”

Gina says she has your book but on account of illness has not paid much attention to it. My visits to the Vedanta Ashram very good. This is a much better institution than that of S.F. The basic difference between Vedanta and Sufism in practice (not in theory) comes in the attitude of sex. Both position the Universal Consciousness etc. but Vedanta sets this up in opposition to the limited consciousness with the evils of money and love while Sufism sets it up against egotism or egocentricity rather than against any particulars.

I shall be interested in Fritzi’s reactions. She may make any arrangements she pleases, any terms, any time and I’ll just do the rest. On Tuesday, January 8, I give my first talk on the inter-relations of the Arts at the Rudolph Schaeffer School. Have not answered Bessie Turner but will take that up on return. There are also some private persons—old S.F. friends, cooperating with me in other matters. I think the deck is entirely clear of frustrations. I do not regard Alan Watts as an obstacle but as an example of pity (a cover for something else). I am only hoping he can submit to some kind of real self-discipline before he buckles under. Now the new legislature is tackling the subject of drugs, peyote, etc. While I am not in favor of it the medical people are no doubt going to push it through.

More will undoubtedly happen between now and my time of leaving here but all I can do is wish you a

Happy new Year,

Sam

February 5, 1963

My dear Gavin:

I should like to arrange that we each get our books back—your copy of the work on telepathy and mine on the lesser Upanishads.

I have had several letters recently from persons who tell me they have not heard from you and have been wondering why. One of these came from somebody who has met Charlotte. Charlotte is now in California and has made an inquiry about you.

Faithfully,

Sam

Indio

June 7, 1963

Dear Gavin:

Old soldiers do not have a monopoly on fading away.

The whole of life is changing and the doors are all open for a nice disappearance to distant parts where one can live in grandeur and even luxury doing such things as some persons say is impossible for me especially those who won’t look under any circumstances.

Anyhow I came to Indio on one mission and it has been a grand success. Have been to Los Angeles on another which was even more successful because it was in a series of surprises and this will be completed tomorrow. Then to my uncle’s and thence to Santa Barbara but for somewhat different reasons than in the past.

Then after collecting mail and laundry up to Mendocino County. But not “Ah! Wilderness.”

The background of my life is today full of increasingly favorable stories so these are being written down either for a future biography or with suggested plots for a fiction writer and one hardly cares.

One man had the temerity to ask me if I would show him, let us say, a Yogi technique—which a lot of people are sure I don’t possess. Anyhow though it was one man against a multitude it has opened doors for both of us and this is only an unessential in a dramatic if not successful career.

I don’t know what the stars say. The climaxes seem to come and go independently of the heavens but this may be due to mis-readings.

Once Sabro Hasegawa said: “The Hindus think, the Chinese say, the Japanese do.” Well I am more or less with the Japanese although some people may never find this out. My missions to Santa Barbara this time are of a totally different order, “making history.”

Faithfully,

Sam

August 15, 1963

My dear Gavin:

I have just received a letter from Vocha who has seen Hugo Seelig in San Luis Obispo. Hugo is again facing a climax and thinks the next moon cycle may determine whether he leaves soon or will be revivified.

He has asked us to find out if any of his old friends have copy of his dune poetry. I presume Vocha will look over Whitie’s things which she has down at the Desert. I shall look over my things while I am moving—the next week by pieces.

If don’t know if you have any copy or if you could be willing to release it to Hugo. If so, his address is Hotel Obispo on Court St., S.L.O.

I may see Ed Hunt shortly and will probably see John Wingate Sunday.

We have had orders to vacate this house—very indefinite—but I found a place even without looking. Norman remains here with some friends.

Faithfully,

Sam

May 29, 1964

Dear Gavin:

I am sorry to have missed you and now I am preparing to go away for a while.

The whole picture of life is radically changing. The complete acceptance of my efforts by leading scientists, the gradual infiltration of Americans into chairs of Oriental studies hitherto occupied by Europeans, and the responses abroad have all come at the same time, giving me at least the opportunities I have long sought.

It is an enigma that Misha has not restored your vitality. Either he lacks some techniques or some factors have been overlooked.

It is curious that both Bryn and I, who have had real Oriental training from real Oriental Masters display vigor and vitality not yet general. It is also of importance to us, if the world, that our plans in both the scientific and spiritual endeavor are not being accepted and if not here then elsewhere to the full capacity of our persons.

It will be interesting to check the calculations against the events of the future. However you have done exactly what I wished.

Faithfully,

Faithfully,

Sam

Tuesday, November 30, 1964

Dear Gavin:

Thank you for the invitation to Lottie’s talk. We got together very quickly and next time I make the trip South will no doubt meet her colleagues at UCLA.

This is a very interesting campus to me. For some time ago when I went there to correct some serious mistakes in writing about the Orient, I was not only welcomed but sent to Mr. X, one of those mysterious but very real persons who function in two or three different manners.

Outwardly he is bland, very acceptable socially, suave and discrete. Inwardly he is very powerful both politically and spiritually and knows the real controllers of this world, and perhaps the next. Between us also is a recognition of the functions of faculties somewhat beyond telepathy and the psychisms of either Rhine or Cayce.

One could not but accept Lottie’s claims. I have two teachers in Anthropology who are strong advocates of reincarnation and one at least, of “initiation” as well. My position in the classes has changed. It began, of course, in the scientific classrooms. When the teacher would mention a tree, for instance, I would describe the tree and nobody objected. This is scientific procedure—experience counts, personality does not count.

But the Anthropology classes are toddy the same—if you have been to Asia and met Asians and had experiences with Asians that matter, and all the personality and suavity and decors do not make up for ignorance.

Once in these rooms a friend and I “conspired” to get a petition signed by all the Prime Ministers of Asia in order to get a State Department or newspaper interview here. It was not nonsense. He died of a broken heart because of the universal rejection of his warnings about Vietnam. Some of his closest associates are here and can support this.

Now he has been given ample space in the Encyclopedia of Buddhism and at least two foundations have already been established in his name and soon you will probably see statues of him and people will ask who he was. He is one of an innumerable group of real “Ugly Americans” who are not recognized, come hell, come high water and particularly come war.

Whether it is the politics, i.e. history, or the esoterics, one finds tragic sarcasms. Now my memories are demanded, not asked but demanded by two Asian nations and one here goes around with the same rejections.

I asked Lottie about other psychics and got the answers I wished—they are none of them scientific; they do not recognize each other and most of the so- called “experts” are afraid of reports from Asia. Having met so many Adepts myself one can quickly understand Lottie’s seeing “pink’ in the undeveloped here and the absence of White, Silver and Gold which she said are the highest colors. I know she has White or Silver or both because I could see them. But ordinarily I do not see auras. When people oppose me I can see their psychic bodies and when they are friendly or indifferent I cannot. But I have met too may clairvoyants and some far higher developed than anybody contacted in America that one leaves this—at least until I go to UCLA again.

Witch Sybil Leek is still to come to try to unite scientists and occultists and there is some evidence she will succeed if the metaphysicians can be kept out or at least silenced. At school they readily accept my memory of past lives. The metaphysicians and theosophists do not and it does not matter. Now I hope to have Lottie meet Sybil but Lottie usually seems to get along better with men.

Anyhow, thanks, it was a very nice evening, even with Jack’s “ghost.”

Sam

December 18, 1964

My dear Gavin:

I hope you will not confuse my remarks about Alan Watts. When I first met him I urged he continue to keep his office open for psychological and psychiatric work. Instead he gradually got into the Academy.

I have a perfect right to challenge his integrity when he not only refused to accept it that I had studied with Nyogen Senzaki and Sokei An Sasaki but made public issues of it so I could not reply. Furthermore his “Buddhism” was entirely subjective and personal and had nothing to do with living institutions.

As for his private live and public career outside the above it is outside the realm of my right to criticize or comment. I have not had even a slight interest in psychedelic drugs and phenomena.

He has a perfect right to offer any kind of personal philosophy with any views whatsoever and to charge whatever he desires.

Unfortunately or karmically he has opened the doors to a number of rivals who also act publicly as personal enemies and critics. I have nothing to do with them. The Intelligence Services of the United States Government have complete dossiers on him for his permitting it to be assumed that he was a communicator of Oriental philosophies—again this is his karma, not mine.

I have been sent for to act on a panel next year discussing the real philosophies and religions of the real Orient, so there is no time to turn backward.
Faithfully,

Sam

Postcard:

Aug 20, 1966

Dear Gavin,

The same dire aspects which sent me on this trip seem to be pretty general. My dear friend, Mrs. Barrenberg, of Hollywood, went through a series of accidents after which I asked you about the Uranus-Pluto aspect.

Just before leaving San Francisco Prynce Hopkins advised me he had gone through the same. Then yesterday when I asked to meet Linus Pauling, the same.

These two men are close friends but neither knew of the others’ affliction. And while I may go to the Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions again before leaving, the main thing is a session with P.H. scheduled for Tuesday morning. I tendered him your greetings.

The Connaughtons do not look too bad considering their age. I heard a lot of “the other Jim Pike” yesterday. He is supposed to be here but is not. Our “Jim” has changed his job again. Having parties being given, tonight here and Monday night in Ojai. After seeing P.H. on to Hollywood.

Sam

April 1, 1967

My dear Gavin:

Some time ago I sent a letter, wrongly addressed, with a check (now enclosed) to make a lunary or what you will. I am particularly concerned with movements, both in travel and with housing arrangements here.

The last period has been marked with two sorts of events. Some time ago I had three decks of solitaire cards and within three days the Ace of Spades fell out of each one. “Death!” And Death followed—three of my own close friends died and many others were ill. But I found this all around me too. The illness of others has worked to my benefit. Complete reconciliation with brother and he has released me from all obligation to go away even though he may not live the year out. On the other hand he may keep on going.

This same period—and you saw it—was marked with illness of so many friends that it was very awkward.

On the other hand there have been events which are very droll for me. Every time I am criticized another Asian Master shows up. The last one from Vietnam refused to meet anybody here excepting “Asia Foundation.” Now this is one organization with whom I have been on excellent terms and which has accepted my objective experiences in the real Orient which “cawn’t” be true because they do not jibe with others’ dreams and vanities.

Most important of all has been my summoning to England. There is going to be an international meeting call, by Asians and one representative of each Occidental country. The requirements are that these Occidentals shall have studied one or more Oriental philosophies with Orientals and then been rejected by their own culture. There are a lot of us; even in San Francisco quite a few. I won’t know what this means until I reach London but off we go next month.

At the same time I have been given a library by a lady who was looking for somebody here also who had studied Oriental philosophies with Orientals. I have divided the books into about three sections (one minor one, too): (a) General culture which I am giving to Asia Foundation; (b) Theosophy and Asian teachings—which I shall keep intact; (c) Astrology which I intend to sell, money to go to Rev. Iru Price for Buddhist orphans. (People lecture on “Ha-ha-Compassion.” I have no time for such nonsense.)

Indeed I am getting ready for some big projects on world food problems and have no time to argue with selfish persons who attach values to names and not to truths. I shall visit Kew to get technical answers on important problems.

1703 Buchanan St.

S.F. 15

(Phone 346-2878)

27 Apr. 67

Sam,

Sorry this has taken so long. I am sending you an up to date copy of your chart with the progressions for this year on the middle circle and the transits of the slower moving planets on the inner circle. Have you got the Ephemeris for 1968? I am sending for the 1968 and I’ll get one for you also.

I don’t like that Mars retrograding back to Pluto. Notice the Moon all of 1967 in the money house.

Get well as soon as you can. I will come to see you as soon as the pressure lets up (yesterday I had to read 2 horoscopes and go to Berkeley to talk to a mysticism class on Astrology).

The transits around the inner circle are from May l through Dec.31, 1967.

As ever,

Gavin

Postcard:

1968, date unknown

Dear Gavin,

Will be leaving Seattle in the morning. Had a long visit with Bryn Liddy. He lives way up the Sound. Most of my business concerned Asian Affairs and persons. Saw Robert Sarfras who studied with Alan. He has been to Indonesia and teaches Ethno musicology. Called at the Tibetan Center and we discussed Roerich and his art. Expect to come home again in June.

Tomorrow with my uncle Harry Rosenthal who now lives in Vancouver BC, returning Monday evening.

Regards,

Sam

Postcard:

Mar 1968

Dear Gavin,

Hope you had a nice party. Left on 22nd after equinox on one errand and engaged in something quite different. Due to Bryn. Bryn is like our “experts,”  accepts the real adventures of real people in real Asia. He is in confidence of one of the President’s top advisers. We simply have to have human Asian (nor editorial) friendships. Missed my Vietnamese friend but have a Vietnamese mission when I return.

Expect to see Robert Sarfras the musician today. he has broken the barrier with music. He once studied with Alan etc. at the AAAS.

Allen Ginsberg has been in Apple Valley campaigning against that sort of Carthyism [?] movement weak. Here too cold. Return about Tuesday.

Sam

Feb. 20, 1969

My Dear Gavin:

While working hard in the most inspired fashion, the inspiration extended to your field, and I am writing to you, in a certain sense as a chela of Edward Carpenter.

I believe that the uncovering of the distant planets also brought with them the awakening of the corresponding psychic and scientific faculties in man. Thus Uranus and the piano, and which it the growing sensitivity to seven octaves and more, in our awakened consciousness. We do not realize that many primitive peoples do not comprehend automatically all these notes.

The discovery of Neptune was accompanied or followed in the musical field by the invention of a number of new instruments and vast improvements in old ones. Thus Berlioz, Wagner, etc.

I am not an authority on the Aquarian Age. I have every belief that the psychic and super-constituent rays of Uranus and Neptune are now being felt in the lives of men. In other words Uranus and Neptune are growing up. People may call this the “Aquarian Age” or they may not. Therefore I am not contradicting any of your contentions. I am not imposing or proposing any Aquarian age but I am definitely presenting that the subtle factors of both Uranus and Neptune are now part of the Mise-en-scene.

Another aspect of this can be seen in the rise of the homophile and even on a pseudo-transvestite performance of last night. I find so many of the young people act as Uranians not in any particular sense but in many senses. They may even establish their own norms and these norms may expand.

This is not written with any degree of insistence but it may give you ideas or may support ideas which you already have.

By analogy perhaps Plutonic influences may penetrate into human behavior patterns with about the same time lapse as Uranian and Neptunian have.

Faithfully,

Sam

3/19/ 69

Dear Sam,

I have your most interesting letter here, for which I thank you. Only a lack of discipline has kept me so long in answering—and the realization that we may, in fact, find ourselves fellow students again—if not in the same class, at least in the same institution. Though I am not quite firm in my decision at the moment.

I do want you to know that I appreciate your invitation for Sunday—a celebration of birthdays, you say, which amused me since it is also the day on which I am celebrating mine. Or, that is, my family is preparing for me. Perhaps we can exchange toasts in absentio, or whatever the appropriate term is.

I will be brief, since I do want you to get this before the weekend. Many thanks and

greetings,

Gavin

August 26, 1969

My dear Gavin:

One is in a state of utter bewilderment. Before leaving for New Mexico, God­daughter Saadia Khawar Khan gave a Pakistani dinner here and during the dinner there was one phone call that a dear friend was dying; another that one’s brother was going in for a capital operation; and then Nancy took sick. And the dinner had to go on. This was one occasion.

I do not recall any official invitation for dinner, and am always overworked. At the Novato residence all the men are out working; one woman has left; another is about to become a mother, leaving a single lady to carry on. And the replacements have left also. This means in going there one is even busier than here and our Sunday attendance has been slowly but steadily mounting.

The New Mexico visit was entirely successful and one will have his own Summer School next year—everything provided, meaning everything.

One wishes to visit Bryn in Seattle and has been invited, but one cannot have a vacation until God-daughter Saadia leaves. On Saturday, September 6, while the Precita Fair is on, Saadia will cook another Pakistani dinner and we shall have Open House. We also have accepted invitation to join with our dances. And on Sunday, again open house but Sam will cook whatever is needed, etc, and the doors will be open.

Hope you like your new place.

Cordially,

Sam

16 Nov. 1969

Sorry that you did not make my reception for Swami Vishnudevananda. He flew in from Montreal for the Peace March. He also has an ashram in Nassau.

I don’t know how I got this stationary. But it brought you to main.

With Love

And love to all your chelas

Gavin

Nov. 24, 1969

My dear Gavin,

Appreciate very much your last letter but one thing has to be made clear, and that is I have a continual full program all the time. Appointments can be made even though this means cancellation of routine affairs, but for this notice has to be given.

On Moratorium Day this house was suddenly visited by a real Vietnamese—there are such people; he was also what corresponds to a Zen Master, in his country. Vietnamese Buddhism, which is the religion of the majority, remains a totally unknown subject in this land. It would seem that the majority of Americans, quite anxious to get at each other’s threats, are alike unconcerned with the religions or ideals of the Vietnamese, or for that matter most Asians.

Not only will Rev. Dr. An return here sometime, perhaps in December, but in January I am joining in an effort to raise funds for the Vietnamese Buddhists who are alike ignored and despised by hawk Christians and dove unbelievers. You can also understand my cynical attitude toward many American problems because we only seem to have “solutions” for the problems of others, while our own surmount.

Within a short period of two weeks I had most loving meetings with a Jewish mystic, a Vietnamese Master, a teacher of Indian spiritual dancing, and a recently arrived real Zen, real Roshi. The latter happens to be a disciple and associate of the late Phra Sumangalo, my very dear friend, who lived only 15 years in Vietnam. His history and tragedy were the saddest and most painful of all episodes of my past.

I received from a very strange source some prayers of Meher Baba, and when I wrote his followers that we would have them published, it infuriated them. This is their exemplification of “universal love.” But we are going to publish these prayers of Meher Baba and face the consequences, any consequences.

We are now teaching “esoteric” astrological walks and dances as rapidly as these can be assimilated by the students. I now have two good classes with almost as many enrollees as one could possibly look after. This is very encouraging but it is more serious than encouraging. The young want their own experiences, not the opinions of others. Especially of others who have not been there.

Appreciating your kind invitation, and assuring you this is not all of my present day life that would interest you.

Sincerely,

Sam

Dec. 28, 1969

My dear Gavin,

I wish to express my appreciation here for the charts you so kindly made on Hazrat Inayat Khan and his son Pir Vilayat Khan. I do not wish to discuss the former for it may (or may not) have particular bearings on what is going on now, and what may be going on in the near or not so near future.

I have been rather struck by the potential harmonies between Pir Vilayat and my ego-personality.

Our suns are practically trine. Our Mercuries also are practically trine. Our venues are practically trine. Our Saturns are practically trine; our conjunctions of Saturn and Venus show remarkable similarities.

While I think this ought to be enough for basic harmonization, there are still enough differences to produce I hope effective co-operation. He has sun conjunct Pluto and I have Mercury trine Pluto, indicating as I may interpret it, work on a vast plane instead of with “small” things. His Mercury is trine to Moon and Uranus which are more or less conjunct. I should say this means his leaving details to others, while himself concerned with “grand views.” Despite the square of Mercury and Mars, he has a weak sextile between Mars and Pluto, which again means effectiveness on a large scale. His Mars quincunx his Moon has been demonstrated in life by his relations with his mother. His Saturn conjunct Venus in his relations with his wife and perhaps in another sense with his relations with women in general. I am inclined to accept the chart as being basically correct and that arguments for divergences in behavior will not be favorably effective unless there is a complete acceptance of spiritual guidance. To me his Mercury trine Uranus (involving the Moon) shows infinite capacity for intuition and originality, and there are many signs that this is so.

Pir Vilayat should be here soon, but he has not indicated to as whether he wishes to address large audiences, small audiences, or to confer with individuals. He has indicated that our mutual affairs should be discussed in North Hollywood whither I expect to go on the dates he indicates, and have so prepared myself.

With love and blessings and wishing you a happy New Year,

Sam

January 22, 1970

Mr. Gavin Arthur,

1575 Octavia St.,

San Francisco, Calif. 94109

My dear Gavin:

Not only has it been advisable to write but today’s “Chronicle Horoscope” for Virgo reads:

“Although you may feel that others are imposing on you, you find that it is this feeling that makes you rise above the mold now. Show that you have what it takes. Be courteous with everyone though rushed.”

It is remarkable that these horoscopes correspond so remarkably and closely with my actual life. I don’t know who is responsible.

When Pir Vilayat Khan was here we performed “The Whirling of the Spheres.” There is a cartoon in the current issue of Playboy showing a little old man entering a room and the doorkeeper saying, “You are just in time to take the part of Neptune.” This may be a cartoon, but that is what we have accomplished and we hope to convince anybody not an “occultist” that we can do just that, There is a lot more and I said to one friend, someday we’ll do that for Fritzi Armstrong and it will strangle her. “ After all it is only strangers that know anything anyhow. All the doors shut to me here are open elsewhere. One’s main credential is one’s geography.

But now I have another credential: The credential. My brother has repeated almost exactly what my father did. He thinks he is dying and has summoned me and re-instated me in his Will. If he does that I shall be in such a comfortable position. But we have already agreed on what the money will be used for. He is not gone but I am sending a copy of this inter alia to Herb Caen who knows Gavin Arthur and Elliott M. Lewis.

You see the meeting with Azam was uniformly and remarkably harmonious and cordial. We both have access to the same facts which it is impossible for the press and literati to accept. Anybody but an eye-witness may express his views with perfect “freedom.” The scientists, of course, are different but they do not control the vehicles of communication. Let us have more “Biafras” but eye­witnesses are upstarts, believe me.

There will be no repetition to Vietnam. This time we are going to bring some human beings together and will permit outsiders only by unanimous agreement. Azam, of course, is impossible. He is an Israeli citizen who has also been an Islamic Haji. He knows Mecca and he knows Jerusalem; he knows Hebrew and Arabic and English—what worse platform can you find? Of course he has had to see mayhem and murder while diplomats wrangle.

What is even more against him, he is a Sufi. We just cawn’t permit any Sufi to speak on Sufism, yet. Too many experts!

Saturdays are at the feet of Prof. Richard Kozicki of the University of California. He is also “impossible” (French pronunciation). He only lived in Asia with Asians. What worse platform can you have? I found that he had already listed all the literature for a potential “How California Can Help Asia” upon which I have been working for years; rejected, of course, by all the “experts” and literati and accepted by all the scientists!

He is the man who accepted—how odd!—my paper on “Vietnamese Buddhism.” Then I gave my golden anniversary gift to him, and perhaps more is to follow. The idea of giving credence to the little or big people who have been there was impossible a little while back; now it is the only thing the young will have. We will let Reston and Agnew write interminably about peoples with whom they have never mingled, but this old “American way” is going out and rapidly.

Next Tuesday Baba Ram Dass. Despite his excellent credentials (a la Americaine) he had the audacity to live with Asians and learn from them. Now the young want him and he wants them. He is a sort of spiritual Leary. My latest secretary has been his secretary and will introduce us although we have often cross-trailed. When we met years ago he was an aristocrat and I a paysant. I think things will be different.

This Saturday I shall be welcomed at the Indian Independence Day program held in Berkeley by the Indian students themselves. No “experts” on the program and I certainly know the two chief speakers, friend Lal of the Examiner and Swami Swahananda. I believe I have met Prof. Stout, the other chief speaker. But he is out—so far as the press and “experts” are concerned, a scientist who has lived with the peasant-farmers of India!

There are a lot of things also going on of quite a different nature. Our “commune” has been so successful it is kept out of the news. But we are having more and more people from New Mexico coming to our doors.

Private problems about which you know have been solved, for all practical purposes. So it would appear I can concentrate on attending the next all-religion conference where the speakers will be “religionists” and not “experts.” This is a tremendous undertaking by itself. It is notable it is held outside the United States. Since 1893 we have not permitted any international religious conference where the speakers are the direct representatives of the groups concerned but I think sooner or later well have to return to that. You should meet our new type of university professor! What a difference.

cc- Herb Caen

cc- Art Hoppe

cc- B. Beorse

From “The California Monthly”—current issue Feb. 1970

Sent to me from Sam Lewis—(Gavin)

The Convergence of Science and Religion

By Charles H Townes

The ever-increasing success of science has posed many challenges and conflicts for religion—conflicts which are resolved in individual lives in a variety of ways. Some accept both religion and science as dealing with quite different matters by different methods, and thus separate them so widely in their thinking that no direct confrontation is possible. Some repair rather completely to the camp of science or of religion and regard the other as ultimately of little importance, if not down-right harmful. To me science and religion are both universal, and basically very similar. In fact, to make the argument clear, I should like to adept the rather extreme point of view that their differences are largely superficial, and that the two become almost indistinguishable if we look at the real nature of each. It is perhaps science whose real nature is the less obvious, because of its blinding superficial successes. To explain this, and to give perspective to the non-scientists, we must consider a bit of the history and development of science.

The march of science during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries produced enormous confidence in its success and generality. One field after another fell before the objective inquiry, experimental approach, and the logic of science. Scientific laws appeared to take on an absolute quality, and it was very easy to be convinced that science in time would explain everything. This was the time when Laplace could say that if he knew the position and velocity of every particle in the universe, and could calculate sufficiently well, he would then predict the entire future. Laplace was only expressing the evident experience of his time, that the success and provision of scientific laws had changed determinism from a speculative argument to one which seemed inescapable. This was the time when the devout Pasteur, asked how he as a scientist could be religious, simply replied that his laboratory was one realm, and that his home and religion were a completely different one. There are today many vestiges of this nineteenth-century scientific absolution in our thinking and attitudes. It has given Communism, based on Marx’s nineteenth-century background, some of its sense of the inexorable course of history and of “scientific” planning of society.

Towards the end of the nineteenth century, many physical scientists viewed there work as almost complete and needing only some extension and more detailed refinement. But soon after, deep problems began to appear. The world seems relatively unaware of how deep these problems really were, and of the extent to which some of the most fundamental scientific ideas have been overturned by them. Perhaps this unawareness is because science has been vigorous in changing itself and continuing to press on, and has also diverted attention by ever more successes in solving the practical problems of life.

Many of the philosophical and conceptual bases of science have in fact been disturbed and revolutionized. The poignancy of these changes can be grasped only through sampling them. For example, the question whether light consists of small particles shot out by light sources, or wave disturbance originated by them, had been debated for some time by the great figures of science. The question was finally settled in the early nineteenth century by brilliant experimentation which could be thoroughly interpreted by theory. The experiments told scientists of the time that light was unequivocally a wave and not particles. But about 1900, other experiments turned up which showed just as unequivocally that light is a stream of particles rather than waves. Thus physicists were presented with a deeply disturbing paradox. Its solution took several decades, and was only accomplished in the mid-1920s by the development of a new set of ideas known as quantum mechanics.

The trouble was that scientists were thinking in terms of their common everyday experiment and that experience encompassed the behavior of large objects, but not yet many atomic phenomena. Examination of light or atoms in detail brings us into a realm of very small quantities with which we have had no previous experience, and where our intuitions could well be untrustworthy. Ad now in retrospect, it is not at all surprising that the study of matter on the atomic scale has taught us new things, and that some of these were inconsistent with ideas which previously had seemed so clear.

Physicists today believe that light is neither precisely a wave nor a particle, but both, and we were mistaken in even asking the question, “Is light a particle or is it a wave?” It can display both properties. So can all matter, including baseballs and locomotives. We don’t ordinarily observe this duality in large objects because they do not show wave properties prominently. But in principle we believe they are there.

We have come to believe other strange phenomena as well. Suppose an electron is put in a long box where it may travel book and forth. Physical theory new tells us that, under certain conditions, the electron will be sometimes found towards one end of the box and sometimes towards the other, but never in the middle. This statement clashes absurdly with ideas of an electron moving back and forth and yet most physicists today are quite convinced of its validity, and can demonstrate its essential truth in the laboratory.

Another strange aspect of the new quantum mechanics is called the uncertainty principle. This principle shows that if we try to say exactly where a particle (or object) is, we cannot say exactly how fast it is going and in what direction, all at the same time; or, if we determine its velocity, we can never say exactly what its position is. And so, according to this theory, Laplace was wrong from the beginning. If he were alive today, he would probably understand along with other contemporary physicists that it is fundamentally impossible to obtain the information necessary for his precise predictions, even if he were dealing with only one single particle, rather than the entire universe.

The modern laws of science seem, then, to have turned our thinking away from complete determination and towards a world where chance plays a major role. It is chance on an atomic scale, but there are situations and times when the random change in position of one atom or one electron can materially affect the large-scale affairs of life and in fact our entire society. A striking example involves Queen Victoria who, through one such event on an atomic seals, became a mutant and passed on to certain male descendents in Europe’s royal families the trait of hemophilia. Thus one unpredictable event on an atomic seals had its effect on both the Spanish royal family and, through and afflicted czarevitch, on the stability of the Russian throne.

The new view of a world which is not predictable from physical laws was not at all easy for physicists of the elder tradition to accept. Even Einstein, one of the architects of quantum mechanics, never completely accepted the indeterminism of chance which it implies. This is the origin of his intuitive response, “Herr Gott würfelt nicht”—the Lord God doesn’t throw dice! It is interesting to note also that Russian Communism, with its roots in nineteenth-century determination, for a long time tock a strong doctrinaire position against the new physics of quantum mechanics.

When scientists pressed on to examine still other realms outside our common experience, further surprises were found. For objects of such higher velocities than we ordinarily experience, relativity shows that very strange things happen. First, objects can never go faster than a certain speed, regardless of how hard they are pushed. Their absolute maximum speed is that of light—186,000 miles per second. Further, when objects are going fast, they become shorter and more passive—they change shape and also weigh more. Even time moves at a different rate; if we send a clock off at a high velocity, it runs slower. This peculiar behavior of time is the origin of the famous cat-kitten conceptual experiment. Take a litter of six kittens and divide them into two groups. Keep three of them on earth, send the other three off in a rocket at a speed nearly as fast as light, and after one year
bring them back. The earth kittens will obviously have become cats, but the ones sent into space will have remained kittens. This theory has not been tested with kittens, but it has been checked experimentally with the aging of inanimate objects and seems to be quite correct. Today the vast majority of scientists believe it true. How wrong, oh how wrong, were many ideas which physicists felt were so obvious at the turn of the century!

Scientists have now become a good deal more cautious and modest about extending scientific ideas into realms where they have not yet been thoroughly tested. Of course, an important part of the game of science is in fact the development of general laws that can be extended into new realms. These laws are often remarkably successful in telling us new things or in predicting things which we have not yet directly observed. And yet we must always be aware that such extensions may be wrong, and wrong in very fundamental ways. In spite of all the changes in our views, it is reassuring to note that the laws of nineteenth-century science were not so far wrong in the realm in which they were initially applied—that of ordinary velocities and of objects larger than the point of a pin. In this realm they were essentially right, and we still teach the laws of Maxwell, because in their own important sphere they are valid and useful.

We know today that the most sophisticated present scientific theories, including modern quantum mechanics, are still incomplete. We use them because in certain areas they are so amazingly right. Yet they lead us at times into inconsistencies which we do not understand, and where we must recognize that we have missed some crucial idea. We simply admit and accept the paradoxes and hope that sometime in the future they will be resolved by a more complete understanding. In fact, by recognizing these paradoxes clearly and studying them, we can perhaps best understand the limitations in our thinking and correct them.

With this background on the real state of scientific understanding, we come now to the similarity and near identity of science and religion. The goal of science is to discover the order in the universe, and to understand through it the things we sense around us, and even man himself. This order we express as scientific principles or laws, striving to state them in the simplest and yet most inclusive ways. The goal of religion may be stated, I believe, as an understanding (and hence acceptance) of the purpose and meaning of our universe and how we fit into it. Most religions see a unifying and inclusive origin of meaning, and this supreme purposeful force we call God.

Understanding the order in the universe and understanding the purpose in the universe are not identical, but they are also not very far apart. It is interesting that the Japanese word for physics is butsuri, which translated means simply the reasons for things. Thus we readily are inevitably link closely together the nature and the purpose of our universe.

What are the aspects of religion and science which often make them seem almost diametrically opposite? Many of them come, I believe, out of differences in language used for historical reasons, and many from quantitative differences which are large enough that unconsciously we assume they are qualitative ones. Let us consider some of these aspects where sciences and religion may superficially look very different.

The essential role of faith in religion is so well known that it is usually taken as characteristics of religion, and as distinguishing religion from sciences. But faith is essential to science too, although we do not so generally recognize the basic need and nature of faith in science.

Faith is necessary for the scientist to even get started, and deep faith necessary for him to carry out his tougher tasks. Why? Because he must be personally committed to the belief that there is order in the universe and that the human mind—in fact his own mind—has a good chance of understanding this order. Without this belief, there would be little point in intense effort to try to understand a presumably disorderly or incomprehensible world. Such a world would take us back to the days of superstition, when man thought capricious forces manipulated his universe. In fact, it is just this faith in an orderly universe, understandable to man, which allowed the basic change from an age of superstition to an age of science, and has made possible our scientific progress.

Another aspect of the scientist’s faith is the assumption of an objective and unique reality which is shared by everyone. This reality is of course mediated by our senses and there may be differences in individual interpretation of it. However, Berkeley’s idea that the world springs entirely from the mind, or the possible existence of two or more valid but discordant views of the world, are both quite foreign to scientific thinking. To put it more simply, the scientist assumes, and his experiences affirms, that truth exists.

The necessity of faith in science is reminiscent of the description of religious faith attributed to Constantine: “I believe so that I may know.” But such faith is now so deeply rested in the scientist that most of us never step to think that it is there at all.

Einstein affords a rather explicit example of faith in order, and many of his contributions come from intuitive devotion to a particularly appealing type of order. One of his famous remarks is inscribed in German in Fine Hall at Princeton: “God is very subtle, but he is not malicious.” That is, the world which God has constructed may be very intricate and difficult for us to understand, but it is not arbitrary and illogical. Einstein spent the last half of his life looking for a unity between gravitational and electromagnetic fields. Many physicists feel that he was on the wrong track, and no one yet knows whether he made any substantial progress. But he had faith in a great vision of unity and order, and he worked intensively at it for 30 years or more. Einstein had to have the kind of dogged conviction that could have allowed him to say with Job, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust him.”

For lesser scientists, or lesser projects, there are frequent occasions when things just don’t make sense and making order and understanding out of one’s work seems almost hopeless. But still the scientist has faith that there is order to be found, and that either he or his colleagues will someday find it.

Another common idea about the difference between science and religion is based on their methods of discovery. Religion’s discoveries often come by great revelations. Scientific knowledge, in the popular mind, comes by logical deduction, or by the accumulation of data which is analyzed by established methods in order to draw generalizations called laws. But such a description of scientific discovery is a travesty on the real thing. Most of the important scientific discoveries come about very differently and are much more closely akin to revelation. The term itself is generally not used for scientific discovery, since we are in the habit of reserving revelation for the religious realm. In scientific circles one speaks of intuition, accidental discovery, or says simply that “he had a wonderful idea.”

If we compare how great scientific ideas arrive, they look remarkably like religious revelation viewed in a non-mystical way. Think of Moses, in the desert, long troubled and wondering about the problem of saving the children of Israel, when suddenly he had a revelation by the burning bush. A similar pattern is seen in many of the revelations of the old and new testaments. Think of Gautama the Buddha who traveled and inquired for years in an effort to understand what was good, and then one day sat down quietly under a Bo tree where his ideas were revealed. Similarly, the scientist, after hard work and much emotional and intellectual commitment to a troubling problem, sometimes suddenly sees the answer. Such ideas much more often come during off-moments than while confronting data. A striking and well-known example is the discovery of the benzene ring by Kekulé, who while musing at his fireside, was led to the idea by the vision of a snake-like molecule taking its tail in its mouth. We cannot yet describe the human process which leads to the creation of an important and substantially new scientific insight. But it is clear that the great scientific discoveries, the real leaps, do not usually come from the so-called “scientific method,” but rather more as did Kekulé’s—with perhaps less picturesque imagery, but by revelations which are just as real.

Another popular view of the difference between science and religion is based on the notion that religious ideas depend only on faith and revelation while science succeeds in actually proving its points. In this view, proofs give to scientific ideas a certain kind of absolutism and universalism which religious ideas have only in the claims of their proponents. But the actual nature of scientific “proof” is rather different from what is approach so simply assumes.

Mathematical or logical proof involves choice of some set of postulates, which hopefully are consistent with one another and which apply to the world around us. Next, on the basis of agreed-on laws of login, which must also be assumed, one can derive or “prove” the consequences of these postulates. How can we be sure the postulates are satisfactory? The mathematician Gödel has shown that in the most generally used mathematics, it is fundamentally impossible to know whether or not the set of postulates chosen are even self-consistent. Only by constructing and using a new set of master postulates can we test the consistency of the first set. But these in turn may be logically inconsistent without the possibility of our knowing it. Thus we never have a real base from which we can reason with surety. Gödel doubled our surprises by showing that, in this same mathematical realm, there are always mathematical truths which fundamentally cannot be proved by the approach of normal logic. His important proofs came only about three decades ago, and have profoundly affected our perspective on human logic.

There is another way by which we become convinced that a scientific idea or postulate is valid. In the natural sciences, we “prove” it by making some kind of test of the postulate against experience. We devise experiments to test our working hypotheses, and believe those laws or hypotheses are correct which seem to agree with our experience. Such tests can disprove a hypothesis, or can give us useful confidence in its applicability and correctness, but can never give proof in my absolute sense.

Can religious beliefs also be viewed as working hypotheses, tested and validated by experience? To some this may seem a secular and even an aberrant view. In any case, it discards absolutism in religion. But I see no reason why acceptance of religion on this basis should be objectionable. The validity of religious ideas must be and has been tested and judged through the ages by societies and by individual experience. Is there any great need for them to be more absolute than the law of gravity? The latter is a working hypothesis whose basis and permanency we do not know. But on our belief in it, as well as on many other complex scientific hypotheses, we risk our lives daily.

Science usually deals with problems which are so much simpler and situations which are so much more easily controllable than does religion that the quantitative difference in directness with which we can test hypothesis generally hides the logical similarities which are there. The controlled experiment on religious ideas is perhaps not possible at all, and we rely for evidence primarily on human history and personal experience and observation in testing hypotheses instead of only easily reproducible experiments.

Suppose now that we were to accept completely the position that science and religion are essentially similar. Where does this leave us and where does it lead us? Religion can, I believe, profit from the experience of science where the hard facts of nature and tangibility of evidence have beaten into our thinking some ideas which mankind has often resisted.

First, we must recognize the tentative nature of knowledge. Our present understanding of science or of religion is likely, if it agrees with experience, to continue to have an important degree of validity just as does the mechanics of Newton. But there may be many deeper things which we do not yet know and which, when discovered, may modify our thinking in very basic ways.

We must also expect paradoxes, and not be surprised nor unduly troubled by them. We know of paradoxes in physics, such as that concerning the nature of light, which have been resolved by deeper understanding. We know of some which are still unresolved. In the realm of religion, we are troubled by the suffering around us and its apparent inconsistency with a God of love. Such paradoxes confronting science do not usually destroy our faith in science. They simply remind us of a limited understanding, and at times provide a key to learning more.

Perhaps there will be in the realm of religion cases of the uncertainty principle, which we now know is such a characteristic phenomenon of physics. If it is fundamentally impossible to determine accurately both the position and velocity of a particle, it should not surprise us if similar limitations occur in other aspects of our experience. This opposition in the precise determination of two quantities is also referred to as complementarity, position and velocity represent complementary aspects of a particle, only one of which can be measured precisely at any one time. Nils Bohr has already suggested that perception of man, or any living organism as a whole, and of his physical constitution represent this kind of complementarity. That is, the precise and close examination of the atomic makeup of man may of necessity blur our view of him as a living and spiritual being. In any case, there seems to be no justification for the dogmatic position taken by some that the remarkable phenomenon of individual human personality can be expressed completely in terms of the presently known laws of behavior of atoms and molecules. Justice and love may be another example of complementarity. A completely loving approach and the simultaneous meting out of exact justice hardly seem consistent. These examples could be only somewhat fuzzy analogies of complementarity as it is known in science, or they may indeed be valid though still poorly defined occurrences of the uncertainly principle. But in any case, we should expect such occurrences and be forewarned by science that there will be fundamental limitations to our knowing everything at once with precision and consistency.

Finally, if science and religion are so broadly similar and not arbitrarily limited in their domains, they should at some time clearly converge. I believe this confluence is inevitable. For they both represent man’s efforts to understand his universe and must ultimately be dealing with the same substance. As we understand more in each realm, the two must grow together. Perhaps by the time this convergence occurs, science will have been through a number of revaluations as striking as those which have occurred in the last century, and taken on a character not readily recognizable by scientists of today. Perhaps our religious understanding will have seen progress and change. But converge they must, and through this should come new strength for both.

In the meantime, even today, with only tentative understanding and in the face of uncertainty and change, how can we live gloriously and act decisively? It is this problem, I suspect, which has so often tempted man to insist that he has final and ultimate truth locked in some particular phraseology or symbolism, even when the phraseology may mean a hundred different things to a hundred different people. How well we can commit our lives, effort and devotion to ideas which we recognize in principle as only tentative represents a real test of mind and emotions.

Galileo espoused the cause of Copernicus’ theory of the solar system, and at great personal cost because of the Church’s opposition. We know today that the question on which Galileo took his stand, the correctness of the idea that the earth rotates around the sun rather than the sun around the earth, is largely an unnecessary question. The two descriptions are equivalent, according to general relativity, although the first is simpler. And yet we honor Galileo for his pioneering courage and determination in deciding what he really thought was right and speaking out. This was important to his own integrity and to the development of the scientific and religious views of the time, out of which has grown our present better understanding of the problems he faced.

The authority of religion seemed more crucial in Galileo’s Italy than it usually does today, and science more fresh and simple. We tend to think of ourselves as now more sophisticated, and science and religion as both more complicated so that our position can be less clear out. Yet if we accept the assumption of either one, that truth exists, surely each of us should undertake the same kind of task as did Galileo, or long before him, Gautama. For ourselves and for mankind, we must use our best wisdom and instincts, the evidence of history and wisdom of the ages, the experience and revelations of our friends, saints, and heroes in order to get as close as possible to truth and meaning. Furthermore, we must be willing to live and act on our conclusions.

The author, Charles H. Townes, won the 1964 Model Prize for Physics for his role in the development of the maser and laser. A UC Professor-at-large based at Berkeley, he teaches at a number of campuses and is currently doing research in astrophysics.

Article taken from the February 1970 issue of California Monthly. Originally published in 1966 in IBM’s think magazine.

910 Railroad Ave.

Novato, Calif. 94947

February 6, 1970

Tentative Plans for Spring Festival.

This seems to be a group undertaking. One has passed through the stages of 6 disciples to 30, and 30 to 60. One is now progressing to the next stage of 60 to 100 disciples not counting followers. Many of the new disciples have not been hippies, or if they have, they now show no signs of it. But this does not matter. Both my homes have been overgrown, and a system of annexes seems to be on the way.

Plans have already been set afoot to put on a spring festival near Lake Nicasio in the center of Marin County. Two thrones will be set up, one for you and one for Basira, the young lady seeres who was enceinte last year. She has since given birth to a beautiful boy named, and I hope aptly, Samuel Vilayat. If you cannot possibly be present, “your” throne will be occupied by disciple David Hoffmeister who has a physical deformation. There is here one very humorous element, and that is the addition to our ranks of persons born on March 21st and the two preceding days.

There are signs now that this may become a publicized event. Plans are afoot to have cameras and even sound equipment. This is not in my hands; this is in the hands of some very fine and faithful disciples.

When Vilayat Khan was here, we put on the whirls of the seven planets and then added Uranus. Since that time I have presented the walks of combinations of Saturn and Jupiter, and then Saturn mercury and Jupiter, the last indeed is full of potential mastery and self fulfillment.

The next lesson will include the dance of Sun and Moon together and Venus and Mars together. While all these walks and dances are based on the science of breath, the Venus-Mars dance is the only one which is absolutely and essentially a woman-man affair. We shall also go over the Sun ritual; the moon ritual; the wheel dance and others, some partly presented and some not yet offered. One of those partially presented is the Bacchus dance which will have some European elements in it, and vines and garlands if possible. Otherwise we may make something of wire or other materials.

The Sufic dervish dances have increased in number, quality and style. One is beginning to attract professors of universities in this vicinity. Very different from the past when not even interviews were granted. Now the professors themselves are seeking us out.

We have gone far ahead also in our mantric and yoga dances, and no doubt may have some mudras integrated. I am unable always to choreograph, direct and perform. But sometimes with the type of young people now surrounding me, it is only necessary to present and have them take over. I have two or three quite capable.

I may send copies of this to certain people that think they are occultists—maybe they are, maybe they are not. I find it is almost without question that the walks and dances of people are predictable from their horoscopes, excepting in a few cases. There will be two aspects to this—the fulfillment of the ego self which is what I am trying to do; the awakening of the non-ego which comes in spiritual acting and mime, which is outside my field of endeavor.

Both of these may be presented in summer schools. Vilayat is planning for young people 18 to 28. My program will be quite separate geographically and will include persons over 28 and parents who wish their little children to be with them.

Elements of all the above will be presented at the Spring Festival this year. I now have some very simple mixers which will draw in everybody. At the other end, besides the rituals above, there are at least two Krishna dances performed by myself and, I think, one dance of Shiva on the way. The two dancing classes are now over-filled and one is thinking of another one at least. On top of that is the visit of Baba Ram Dass, formerly known as Dr. Richard Alpert. He has been drawing immense crowds and oodles of money from the “poor hippies.” He is planning a book based on the actual spiritual practices of the actual mystics of the world of today. This is quite different from the dialectic subjectivities of the past; it is based on observances and performances and not doctrines.

Life has pressures plus and minus. My presumable program includes invitations from three parts of the world as well as calls to the vicinity of Los Angeles. But at this writing my reconciled brother is in the hospital where he has been for many days and the uncertainties are not over. In addition to that I have not only no free days whatsoever, but am lucky to get a few hours off now and then.

But before you weep, we are closely connected with the expanding New Age Food distribution plans and the possibility also of putting more time into vegetable growing—very successful so far. So there is no need for tears because of life’s sorrows and complications. More later.

Faithfully,

some carbons

Samuel L. Lewis

910 Railroad Ave.

Novato Calif. 94947

March 4, 1970

Ferry Building

San Francisco

Jeremy Eta Hokin

My Dear Jeremy: (cc Gavin Arthur)

Sometime ago I was sent for by the Consul General of Indonesia, and on leaving, passed by a door with your name on it. I did not wish to intrude, but a few days later met Sheila, whom I rarely see, and she chided me for not dropping in. Nevertheless I do not intend to intrude unless you yourself invite me.

We are now preparing to leave this vicinity primarily to attend a conference of the world’s faiths which will be held in Geneva. It will be one of those rare occasions, very rare indeed so far as this nation is concerned, when the religions of the world will be represented for the most part by their own devotees and not by carefully selected orators (as is usually the case) who do not represent tae exotics, the fanatics, the ignorant of faiths which are strange to us, whomsoever we may be.

The main subject matter is going to be “Peace through Religion.” I have worked 40 years in this field and then threw up any hands. Not even the people who begged me to use my funds, to use my mind (insofar as I have a mind), or to use my social entries. Someday, no doubt, my autobiography or biography will be written. It will either be called “I More Than Accuse” or “When Man Bites Dog it Absolutely Mustn’t Be News.”

I am not going over old sores and I am not going to permit new ones. You have seen the flop of Olompali and Morningstar. You have not seen the successes of New Ago cooperative methods based on love, humanity, and wisdom, wisdom which is innate in all of us but interferes with our ambitions and prestige. We much prefer war, and are kidding ourselves when we say we do not—just kidding ourselves. Jut the young are different, and I am hoping later in the year to call a meeting of real Israeli peasants and real Arab peasants both of whom belong to the silenced majority.

But the prestige will largely depend upon the effectiveness of my person and my remarks in Geneva.

In the meanwhile we have planned a spring festival which is a blending of the celebration of Gavin Arthur’s birthday and my farewell for the nonce. We are going to demonstrate and I mean demonstrate and nothing but demonstrate a number of dances and ceremonials which, when they become public, will do much to breakdown the differences and distinctions which divide men.

A number of yours back, 1967 to be exact, I was planning to visit England to make some studies in problems of pollution and ecology before these words fell into the hands of the philistines. If there is one thing worse than Stuart Chase’s Tyranny of Words, it is tyranny of names, and boy what a tyranny. Indeed it was as much a comfort to be balled out at a top-level convention of scientists for not speaking, as it would be for being permitted to speak at any other kind of convention. It just isn’t done.

Years ago I made my only appearance before the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. There were traffic problems. We have never solved these traffic problems. I told them what was being done in Brooklyn, in Boston, in Washington, etc. and then I mentioned Los Angeles. I was summarily dismissed—immediately.

Well Jeremy, I have seen where real pollution has been cleaned up. I have had ample opportunities to study the disposition of sewage. I had all the introductions and then became sick, landing in the hospital. I took that as a sign not to be involved in such matters. Inasmuch as the philistines have taken over, one does not expect to be heard any more on these subjects than on international affairs where one has been strangely involved.

But now the young people are listening to me. You can hardly be unaware of the career of Thomas Alva Edison. I read his entire autobiographical record. He has something to say, and I understand he is being resuscitated. Jeremy, do not know a single problem that has not be already solved. We do not permit even educated laymen to say anything about the diseases of the flesh. But we do permit the most uneducated personality connected with the professions of writing and politics to say almost anything on the problems of the day, and by so doing, polluting the mental atmosphere. So to me the tyranny of personalities is worse than the tyranny of words.

This applies to this letter also, and if I do not put into action everything inferred here I am no better than anybody else. But now the doors are being opened. I am leaving on March 26th, and would certainly welcome you to attend the spring festival for Gavin which will be held near Lake Nicasio in the center of Marin County, beginning at 11 o’clock on March the 21st. We are assuming here that high noon will be the exact moment of the equinox, or if this is to be corrected we will rearrange our program accordingly.

Sincerely,

Geneva Switzerland

March 31st, 1970

My dear Mr. Mrs. With: (cc Gavin Arthur)

This letter may come as a great surprise to you, but then it might not. Your erstwhile gardener is attending a conference of the world’s faiths gathered in this city under the auspices of the Temple of Understanding. In one sense this conference is loaded—and in my favor. The respective heads of the Islamic, Hindu, and Buddhist faiths are all personal friends. In fact we have an appointment with her serene Highness Princess Poon Diskul Pismai to take place when this letter is completed.

Perhaps there was the hand of wisdom in that I am listed without credentials along with those persons considered as top advisors. Actually, the world is very different now. The old type of ersatz expert, British and European professors of Oriental philosophy is disappearing from the scene. Yes, there are now fine German confessors of Oriental philosophy who have studied with Asians and with whom it is possible to communicate and commune. It seems very strange indeed for a person who was never been permitted to address audiences in San Francisco to be welcomed in a far-off land as “uncle Sam.”

But this is a new day. On March 21^st we had a very successful spring Festival at Lake Nicasio in the center of Marin County. Some two hundred young people participated, not including a small audience of non-participants and about a dozen technicians who have made tapes pictures, and records for a possible later TV showing. It would seem that the campaign “Joy without Drugs” is attracting the young and will continue to attract the young so long as the press scoffs at such matters.

I shall be gone one month—more or less—because of the airfield strike. We go to London from here and then must visit Boston. When I return my secretary Mansur will probably show his autograph album both to Asia foundation and to the proper department of the University of California at Berkeley first and then at other campuses later. We also hope to do something, not just mere talky-talk about the Near East. There is complete faith in Mrs. Dickerman Hollister, Mr. Finley Dunne and other leaders of The Temple of Understanding and mutual love and reverence.

I hope to continue and increase my interest in the Art and Garden Center and other similar activities after my return. We should be visiting Kew Gardens and later the Arnold Arboretum in Boston.

Cordially,

Samuel L. Lewis

Chester Alan Arthur III 

1565 Octavia Street, Apartment Five

San Francisco, California 94109

Telephone: (415) 346-2878

7 April 1970

Dear Sam,

My sympathy on your brother’s death.

I don’t know what your plan for Palestine is, so I am bewildered what you said to Bryn. But rest assured that I would never go against you in any important matter. You should know this—being enlightened.

I have written several enthusiastic letters to the East and Europe about my birthday and the Rites of Spring. Drew Langsmur gave me several fine pictures of you and me and I have them on my wall when I work.

Here is Vilayat’s horoscope—Ali says you want it.

Under separate cover I am sending you my horoscope of Nixon—published in Scanlan’s magazine. I am supposed to get $500 for it—but they are tardy. It is the first time my colored charts have been published in an international magazine—which goes to India, Africa and all over.

Let me know when you get home and I’ll throw a party for you. Dom Aelred Graham will be at Nell’s this summer.

Love,

Gavin

April 11, 1970

410 Precita

San Francisco 94110

Dear Gavin:

I held out slightly before acknowledging your letter sent here because of newspaper forenotices of an article which has now appeared and which we enclose. However, we shall go through the papers very carefully to see if there is something else before it is mailed. There are some excellent articles on the Huxley family, but I am not going to cut them out.

Last night we supped with Muz Murray, the director of Gandalf’s Garden. We are to go there once more before we leave to give an initial demonstration of our walks and dances and will be leaving immediately after that, Thursday morning, for Boston. We shall probably telephone from Boston to determine our return date to San Francisco. There has been some confusion. The hospital assured me my brother was doing well and within a few hours he died. They had a cable sent asking for my permission to have a post mortem examination. They went ahead without my permission and with the strenuous opposition of the resident cousin who is presumably Elliot’s chief. Presumably, the funeral has taken place. Nobody wanted to interfere with my work.

Last night I read what the people of Gandalf’s Garden thought of the late Meher Baba. It was mostly a rehash of Baba vs. Brunton and said very little. It is certain that Baba has not taken, because his followers have convinced the public rightly or wrongly that devotion to Baba is superior to morality and consideration. On the other hand, Pir Vilayat has made good here as he did in Geneva. He is having a real inter-faith seminar soon. The people begged me to stay, but if Pir Vilayat and I are not together we can simultaneously be reaching different audiences which is what we both want.

We have left the chart with Muz and it should be delivered by the end of next week. I must say that the aspects have certainly been borne out by what has been happening to my colleague; even if some items are not exact, they certainly have been substantiated by hard but simple facts which is the best criterion.

Much of our work here is to follow up the advice and introductions of Dr. Seyyed Hossein Nasr, who is regarded as the world’s leading intellectual authority on Sufism. This will consume about half of our remaining time. We have been to Kew Gardens and will go again. And today await a telephonic call from my dearest Buddhist friend here.

The weather has been almost but not quite miserable: cool but not cold; always partly cloudy, touching rapidly rain hail snow sunshine gloom brightness and Seattle temperature.

Of course life will never be the same and I knew it would never be the same. On the one hand, acceptance at top levels, and on the other the presumably increased and increasing sources of income will make one re-evaluate and rearrange all his affairs.

Cordially,

Samuel L. Lewis

May 26, 1970

Dear Gavin,

This is a sort of hasty farewell letter. I am going off to conduct a summer school, everything arranged for me: enrollment, funds, program, everything. No doubt at least indirectly this has been possible through the efforts of Richard Alpert, known as Baba Ram Dass, But it is also quite evident that one has the good will at least of a number of prominent Asian philosophers and holy men, and I mean Asian philosophers and holy men and nothing but Asian philosophers and holy men.

When the cards had to be placed on the table before the real spiritual leaders one was not shut out a priori. Indeed one took every advantage of the differences to work for peace and good will pragmatically, not just verbally.

But I am writing this because yesterday there was a preview of film. Most of the scenes were either of myself or my most active disciple. But some were of spiritual colleagues, especially your neighbor Dr. Warwick and Rev Shlomo of Jerusalem. The very impact of the past month is forcing open doors of the lofty, the proud, the conceited, who have habits of refusing interviews or giving others an opportunity to speak before lambasting them with criticisms. And while the worst of these no doubt has been Dr. Hayakawa, there are enough of them, and I think all of them will pass out of the picture.

One thing I do which the lofty, the proud, the conceited, do not do, and that is give free rein youth, free rein in everything. Youth is recognizing this.

In my absence youth will have another “Holy Man’s Jamboree” where actual or self-styled spiritual personnel will gather before the young, the frustrated, the heart-hungry. Pir Vilayat will no doubt represent Sufism, but if be does not there are now available a number of young people who can do this. When the Gods arrive, the half-Gods go.

But I am writing this because you appeared in the film. There is no explanation, but the picture of you is excellent. Now we have to have explanation, only at this time the producer has gone to New York, both to try to arrange funds and to contact some of the most important people in this field. I am leaving it to them, the young. I am satisfied they will know how to carry on.

As to others, let the dead bury their dead.

We had our last birthday party here, excepting the one on July 5 to commemorate the birthday of Hazrat Inayat Khan who brought Sufism to this country. We are doing this out of protest for we all feel the present administration is entirely wrong in their attitude toward the living people of Asia.

Love and Blessings,

Lama Foundation

Box 444, San Cristobal

New Mexico, 8756.

June 16, 1970

My dear Gavin:

We are about to leave for Santa Fe again; last week we put on some serious astrology dances. The response was great. You might not believe it but now I am known over the whole Rio Grande valley from the Colorado border to Albuquerque. This region may be sparsely settled but a goodly section of this last population consists of near hippies; there are roughly speaking two kinds: the Morning Star type and the karma yogis who work. The Morning Star type gets the publicity. “The others strive on and in not a few cases have been most successful.

Up to now they have received little news coverage, but now I am almost in a jam. An enterprising disciple thought he would film my work; he also filmed the work of some spiritual teachers who are my very good friends. Then Ralph Silver got a hold of him; he included in the project both real spiritual teachers who are most certainly not my friends and others who are not spiritual teachers. Ralph got money; everybody else lost.

Now, other personalities and some with very good connections want to film several projects including my own. If they do this may knock out entirely the other efforts, for I have not received a cent and would have willingly foregone pay but not the inclusion of enemies or promotion schemes with verbal but very unreal ideals. In fact, we may have to make some very quick decisions on this matter.

I think I ought to have a new nickname, “Timon of San Francisco.” In Shakespeare’s play Timon began as a rich man and then found his so-called friends were fraud; my career is exactly the opposite. I have a goodly income from the family estate to begin with, another fair income from my dancing classes, and promises for further emoluments both for my creative efforts and scientific research. I refuse to be ignored and door-matted. I see a lot of problems on which I have done research and in some of those fields find nothing but confusion and more confusion.

By making sarcastic remarks at the whole pseudo culture I win the applause of more and more young people. Time does not permit me to go into any but two of these problems: the ecological and that of the Near East. My secretary Mansur realizes now not only my backgrounds but the great successes we have made in making contacts With some of the finest people in the world, especially Orientals, the very top Orientalists, and some scientists and philosophers.

Evidentially God Allah approves of my work; the increase in money, in audiences, and in response is being followed by a visit of Dane Rudhyar. His wife has a home in the very next valley and he expects to visit this place shortly. We will have both our astrological walks and dances on the one hand and our new age music on the other to present to him.

The lesson today was the sun and. These are not only exercises, these are not only disciplines, these are awakenings in the consciousness. I am even-minded to submit a paper to the Clanceys or some other group that might pay for them.

Having found that negative tenderness neither got me anywhere nor solved problems I am becoming quite tough. At least Lloyd Morain is beginning to realize that I shall no longer supinely let others use me for a doormat. Neither the humanists nor the semanticists have done anything to solve any of the big problems of the day, although in my opinion they have the keys. But they are thoroughly establishment and their attitude that problems can only be solved by the proper people.

I have piles of stuff on pollution, land reclamation, water resources, etc. I am keeping quiet on them, but I am making alliances with some of the finest men in existence and I am gaining more and more good will with more and more professors with more and more universities.

Faithfully,

July 23, 1970

My dear Gavin:

Haven’t had a day, sometimes hardly an hour since my return from Lama. My experiences at Lama and indeed all over the Rio Grande Valley are exactly the opposite from the articles written by Margaret Meade and published. But who is a “peasant” against a “god.” We have our “democratic society” in which the “peasants” are permitted to listen—and shut up. But I think that day is over. Everywhere the young—who will be the voters of the future, are listening and more and more and more.

I was amazed to receive four long distant calls from different parts of the country regarding “holy men’s jamborees” and “peace gatherings.” Simply do not have the time. We have the “atrocious” “inconceivable” idea of taking pictures of Israeli and Arab girls together. That is only the beginning. While all the “democratic,” “humanitarian” groups shut me out, I not only received a response from one of the secretaries of the “intolerant” Pope Paul (the “tolerant, democratic” never reply), I received letters from two friends of the late Thomas Merton, whom I never met, asking what I was doing for the Near East.

Well the best idea is the way San Francisco society treated Sir Zafrullah Khan of the World Court, so adulating him that they were afraid to speak to “his majesty.” And at Geneva he became small potatoes and in the end all the “intolerant,” “anti-democratic” real leaders of real humanity accepted me. And while the great “experts” on Asia snubbed me my secretary and I were honorably received at the Royal Asiatic Society, etc.

Since then the young have been seeking me out, and after clearing up some misunderstandings with Ralph Silver we are both going ahead full speed. Within three days Baba Ram Dass (Richard Alpert), Vilayat Khan and Paul Reps (a life-long acquaintance) said that they considered “Timon of San Francisco” most capable, but you must “know,” like all (?) San Franciscans do (!) I am impossible and so unworthy of interviews. But you should see my correspondence and have to answer the telephone at both my homes.

Our culture is coming to an end. In the law-courts, eye-witnesses, but in other matters !Crazeee! We are going to destroy San Francisco Bay rather than let competent scientists handle it.

Meanwhile efforts for peace in Palestine will go on. Having the real contacts with the real human beings in many parts of the world, I am now being sought. Why one rabbi even permitted an interview—and, of course, I got apologies. This is going on. For years I have been writing this Nation is dedicated absolutely and unequivocally to the last chapters of A Connecticut Yankee at King Arthur’s Court, our super-bible for Vietnam and Palestine. We have money for anything but actual workable plans.

There is another “exposé” of Astrology in a recent issue of an important magazine. It is “in the name of science” and by a cleric, of all peoples. It is remarkable how people write “in the name of science.”

Ever since I wrote letters about pollution and had the scientists answer (always) and the non-scientists (practically never) I can sit back and feel assured that Lord Snow is correct. This will not convince the parlor-scientists who know “everything” in the name of science. So we shall destroy San Francisco Bay as was Lake Erie, etc. while “in the name of science” self-important people get their articles published.

I am no longer disturbed. It is tragically laughable. The emotionalists have given us the Kellogg-Briand Pact and the UN and anti-genocide resolutions while mass murders continue. And it is apparently illegal for the Russians to send arms to anybody while we spend hundreds of millions for Francos of Spain and South America.

But now the young listen. And also more and more university professors and now many of these non-scientists. Until recently it was only the laboratory-scientists who listened or talked. I was their equal, but never the sociologists! not a chance!

Eye-witnesses in the law-courts, but in foreign affairs! Stupid, irrational, and unthinkable. It requires ivory-towered comfortably seated “experts” to tell us all about people with whom they have never mingled, indeed can’t mingle.

Faithfully,

Samuel L. Lewis

July 25, 1970

My dear Gavin:

The impending death of Ed Hunt suggests I write to you. I have had absolutely no time or anything since returning from New Mexico. It is true that the “crazy” young of the day have accepted everything I am doing, not only in the dance but in everything else. It is a “screwy” new ages which pays no attention to the “experts’ of the past.

The death of my brothers followed by complications and the rise of the real New Age industries has promoted the financial situation not only of myself but of many close to me. True my chief lieutenant (Khalif) has been ill for some time. This has caused real loving disciples to see the seriousness of my position.

My Summer School in New Mexico vas entirely successful. The coeval camp of Pir Vilayat Khan was also successful. We may not have a permanent summer camp. But one thing is clear, a rather wealthy American has been in search for Sufis which all the prominent European experts know don’t exist. True I have met many—but I don’t count. I did not graduate from Heidelberg or Glasgow or Cambridge, nor even Harvard.

At Geneva I was asked why didn’t I appear at the gathering of the religious leaders right here in California. “Oh, I was vetoed by Prof. Von Plotz, and he could not possibly be wrong.” But the days of Professors Von Plotz and Schmercase and let us say, Landau, is over, absolutely over. And near liars of self-self­-important men are passing away. The young want truth and objectivity.

My secretary could not but contrast the welcome we received at the Royal Asiatic Society with the non-welcome here in California and especially in this Bay Area. But that is past. Some damned fools let me speak, listen to me and are convinced both of my philosophical backgrounds and of the spiritual dancing I have to offer. Fame is transient and popularity which is based on externals will not last.

Independently three men, Pir Vilayat Khan, Paul Reps and Baba Ram Dass planning to go to Asia said they are leaving the spiritual future of the U.S. in my hands. Of course this is contrary to those very nice European professors of Oriental (?) philosophies. But that was only the beginning. I have been getting long distance phone calls and what has stopped it is that Ralph Silver is going in person and he has been most successful in raising funds for films which will show the real Oriental philosophies of real Orientals to the American public, including our spiritual dances which have gotten beyond our control. Not seeking fame like “les fameux,” this is most welcome.

In other lines they are now letting me speak before blasting me, which was a habit of the previous generation. It is so easy to blast, it is so hard to listen.

Not only have the initial stages of getting Israelis and Arab s together succeeded but I have been receiving inquiries from Roman Catholics asking what I have been doing. It seems that only the “narrow-minded” listen before they condemn.

But now there is a wealthy editor who is both a Sufi disciple and devotee (along with his wife) of Gilbert and Sullivan! One of the first articles I expect to submit is “General Semantics and the non-solution of scientific problems.” Then I shall be writing either on Sufi mysticism or the story of my life, which interests only the narrow-minded who have some curiosity and not the “tolerant” who have shut doors in my face. But that is over.

In September I have called for a very private meeting of astrologers, to demonstrate walks and dances. Those who have denied my prowess are not invited. There will be no charge but the audience is to be limited to practicing astrologers.

There are at least two underground efforts to organize occultists and align them with scientists. Dane Sybil Leake tried that , veddy exclusive, and of course, mystics could not join. I am very glad today. I have given Gina the works for talking about the “ethics” of occultism. The day of pretense is gone. I work seven days a week but hope to have a day off next week for reasons of health.

In New Mexico about 200 young people found me in the midst of the woods. Now I am not in the midst of the woods and more and more people are seeking me out. All excepting the “fair-minded,” “tolerant” experts who are hold-overs from the ages of darkness.

Everything else is of the same genre, the same tenor. We are moving and at a rapid rate. I have so many classes, I can’t keep track of them but have the most wonderful followers and disciples! We are in absolute alliance with Pir Vilayat Khan and films and tape recordings from many many lands and apparently more to come. When God is with you, or you are with God, not the whole world can impede progress.

Love,

Aug. 13, 1970

Mr. Gavin Arthur

San Francisco, Calif.

My dear Gavin:

I am going to give you a lot of not-news which will be history. Future generations will look askance on a culture which demands eye-witnesses in law courts but practically forbids them in international discussions. I am also sending a copy of this to Herb Caen. I do not care in the least. I just heard that the wealthy editor, who wants my writing and even my biography, will be returning the first week of September.

The first thing I am going to send him for publication is a letter last written to Rabbi Alvin Fine, a champion at receiving peace awards and otherwise a perfect example of the “Judeo-Christian ethic.” I intend to publish from now on all letters written to all people and organizations representing the “liberty, humanity, democracy, and peasant shut up” outlooks. I am impossible because my philosophy cannot be fitted into the way Frenchman sat in an assemblage after their revolution of 1789. People who do not fit into that construction are regarded, not as mad, but as non-existent.

You may read in the papers about Mr. Gunnar, the Swedish UN official operating to bring at least an armistice in the Near East. When we met he told me that my plan for the Near East was the most sensible thing he had ever heard. The State Department, the American Friends of the Middle East, the groups competing with the American Friends of the Middle East, the Carnegie Peace Foundation, add the World Church Peace Union dissented. The aftermath was that at Geneva when I met the heads of many religions I received countless apologies.

I have never been successful in getting any people in the San Francisco area even to consider what Gunnar thought was the best plan he had ever heard for the Palestine complications, excepting a luncheon sector of the Commonwealth Club dealing with Mediterranean problems. All other peoples: the great editors, the small editors, the commentators, the communists, the New Left, the old anti-left, etc., etc., etc., are all united for “liberty, humanity, democracy, and peasant shut up.”

The aftermath of the meeting of the great religions of the world at Geneva was that I am as respected elsewhere as not at home. My heritage from Ruth St.-Denis, which the “proper people” choose to ignore, is drawing larger and larger audiences and that great virtue more funds. This after family dramas have given me a good income to begin with, the greatest of American virtues. Indeed the cards are set for me to become a speaker in the city of Washington at such places as most people would think it would be impossible for me to appear.

Now my naughty disciples are arranging “impossible” meetings between the Arabs and Israelis, Jews and Muslims and Christians. When Hitler appeared many Jews, and all people friendly to them, supported the theme of Boccaccio’s “The Three Rings,” and its sequel Lessing’s “Nathan the Wise.”

Now my disciples have met and are organizing to bring Jew and Gentile, Muslim and Kaffir, and especially us non-existing Sufis together. This group of young people, who prefer Jesus Christ’s “Love ye one another” to the dominant respectabilities are not only succeeding in all their initial efforts, but also in their fund-raising campaign. We are hoping to invite a few Christians—that just may be.

Yesterday I met Alan Watts rather surprisingly. This has given me some excellent inspirations. No doubt someday the real scientists and the real sciences will be able to reach the public. The horrible things done by the actual drug industry are so terrible that leading scientists, seldom moved otherwise, have been appalled. All those drugs which I have always called drugs have been investigated by scientific scientists and found wanting. But of course the media, which depend upon revenue from advertising, can’t say anything.

My difference from Alan is very simple. I simply believe that the highest psychedelic properties will be found in the higher plants. We both agree that the hard-liquor people must be stopped both in their efforts to reach more consumers and in their efforts futile efforts to stop the young from finding out the hidden values in plants.

This morning I had a beautiful interview with Ralph Silver. We had long agreed that I was to be a policy man and he a money man. He is going to Asia along with several of my disciples to take pictures of “non-existent Sufis” etc. The day is coming when this country will have to be willing to learn some Asian philosophies from some Asians. They are planning to take films, etc., and to give us a little more reality add a little less “realism.” Meeting real people, which our culture denies exists.

All my classes are being better attended than ever. I have been invited by the Philosophy departments of U.C. Berkeley and USC to speak on the real philosophies of real Asians.

My main talk last night was in the coining of a word “Gappists.” Practically every faction in this country is a gappist. They emphasize differences. The great sin of the young is that they want to worship together, regardless of whether it is a church, mosque, synagogue, or Indian teepee. They may lose arguments but they are going to win, because they are going to live. They are going to outlast their elders, the gappists, watch and see.

Faithfully,

August 15, 1970

My dear Gavin:

I want to thank you for the meeting last night. When we got down stairs I roared with laughter and my young friends understood me. The last time I did that was at the psychedelic conference years ago. I was sitting next to a very beautiful psychiatrist. She asked me why I lost my temper. “Feel my pulse; take my heart beat; measure my temperature. And my breath.” She did so, and all the measurements were exactly the opposite of what she had expected. Actually it was a trick. She was a beautiful psychiatrist. I have been enough of a Beetle fan to know about “I’d like to hold your hand.” So when things are not expected of me, I do them. If you come to my house you will see on the altar a picture of the late Roshi Furukawa. He was my predecessor as Fudo. But a Fudo does not run around following rules others lay down for him; not at all; it is nothing like that.

That woman was acting exactly like her contemporaries acted toward me before. If you read the newspapers you will find that a man named Gunnar is in charge of the peace negotiations. He is a UN official. He does not believe in “liberty, democracy, humanity, and peasant shut up.” We spent hours together and he told me I had the best plan for the Near East he had ever encountered. Actually my plan was based for the most part on accomplishments of University of California alumni. You won’t read about them in the paper. Indeed, only a small publication of the State Department paid any attention to the greatest accomplishments of these people. We have a new culture which judges by facts not by the importance of personalities stating those “facts.” I am not going into that here.

In the same room where you will find the picture of Roshi Furukawa there have been embraces to and from Zen Masters, Rabbi Shlomo, Sufis, and Hindu spiritual leaders. I am not interested in trying to convince other people that they took place. I don’t have to today. I think I have been embraced and embraced by more people than anybody else in the whole world. Someone might ask, “So What?” and my answer would also be “So What.”

I saw Alan Watts the other day. Today our difference is technical, not philosophical. I simply believe that higher plants have greater psychedelic potentials than “science” has discovered. When I was working with Whitey he told me about the psychic virtues of Tequila. I found out later that my tolerance for Tequila is at least 4 times as great as my tolerance for any other alcoholic beverage. I cannot prove it. It simply is. Someday we will become open enough to study Asian wisdoms. This is a long story into which I do not wish to go. Alan gave me inspirations. I shall soon be talking on psychedelics and the greater and lesser mysteries. I am no longer concerned with the a priori rejections of the “important people.”

My editor returns early in September and we are going to put a lot of “important” people in their places unless they realize what is happening. The greatest of my sins, having been introduced to Alfred Korzybski by my own teacher Cassius Keyser, is going to be made public, and not all the “Generals” can stop that. The day of “Generals” is over. They had better learn it.

Every letter I have written to a scientist, I mean a laboratory-scientist, on pollution has been acknowledged. Not a single letter to a literary expert has been acknowledged. Scientists are today afraid that the “universal experts” are going to destroy our culture, are destroying it. I agree. That’s why last night I mentioned Frank Lloyd Wright.

I consider all people as Bodhisattvas, but sometimes like that woman, people act as asuras and rakshasas. I have no objection to the remarks about President Nixon. I knew Chet Huntley very long ago and we were very good friends until he went East.

On September 11 I believe there will be a meeting for astrologers where I shall present my astrological walks and breaths. But I understand there is already a book coming out on the subject.

Now the universities, one after another, are sending for me. I do not know how to handle the invitations, but I guess it will work out. I now have disciples travelling far and wide. I now have young people trying to raise funds for me. Ralph Silver in effect has become almost like a flesh and blood son. He is going to have a chance to meet a lot of important people elsewhere whom leaders in our present culture deny I know. All right, let it be that way.

So much love has been demonstrated to me followed by expressions of what I call pragmatic intelligence, ability to do things, and doing them, when no experts can block their paths.

Love and Blessings,

410 Precita Ave,

San Francisco, Calif.

August 18, 1970

Gavin Arthur,

1565 Octavia St.,

San Francisco, Calif. 94109

My dear Gavin: “Liberty, Democracy, Humanity and peasants, shut up.”

In a short while I expect to go to the University of California to help establishment a “Peace Scholarship” for the department of near East languages. It is a long story and I am undoubtedly the “wrong person.” Until recently only one man believed I had the formula that would bring peace in the near East. The “experts,” the press and of course, all the European professors of “Asia” cultures were against.

As fate or fortune increased my income I felt it proper to work for peace, but not that “liberty, peace and justice” phrase which any Hitler could commend. It was a question as to whether to work for peace in the Near East or in SE Asia. As Americans replaced the “great” English, Hungarian and Carman “experts” I found myself with new friends; you don’t read about them in the press of course. And in his line I again met Dr. Carrol Parrish who is a dean at UCLA and who was my very first secretary and friend of Vocha Fiske. He is not an expert; he was a top G II man. Otherwise my paper on “Vietnamese Buddhism” was rejected and rejected and rejected. Democracy and humanity, hurrah!

Then I began to meet more and more Vietnamese with whom communication was simple and easy. I moved to Novato and found myself living near one Lt. Edward Lansdale Jr. I contacted him and found he was the son of Lieutenant-General Edward Lansdale, my war hero. I could not have known him, of course, every European “expert” on Asia and every newsman knows better. But I wrote him and we agreed that it would be best for me to stand by him. We are both friends and so is Carrol of her Serene highness Princes Poon whom I again met at Geneva this year. So I turned my attention to the Near East.

At Geneva I told people I was the “incarnation of Nathan the Wise.” In a short time the real leaders of the real religions of the real world were either apologetic or cordial Boy, did I get apologies, and kisses. There were no newsman there from the US. Next time we may invite communists and then the press will appear.

At Geneva Asian-Asians wondered why I had not been to certain world-religion conferences, especially in California. “Oh, Professor Von Schnitzelbaum saw to that.” The Asian-Asians are still unable to understand why I am blacklisted and especially at the University of Hawaii (controlled by associates of the Duce-­Generalissimos of Semantics friends).

When we left Geneva we had “impossible” receptions at the Royal Asiatic Society and World Congress of Faiths in London, etc. This simply could not be so I spare details.

After all there was just one man who believed I had some good ideas on the Near East, excepting Admiral Evenson here. That man … Gunnar Jarring! He said that I had the most sensible plan for the Near East he had ever heard of, but after all the “experts” and the “good people” and the “nice” people especially the winners of “peace awards” know better.

When “Silent Spring” was published I was a professional spray operator. When I tried to speak, all the “liberty, democracy and humanity plus peasants shut up” put me in my place, all excepting the entomologists. They thought I knew what I was talking about but they were a hopeless minority. And so when I have been thinking I had a plan for the Near East! Only now there is a growing group of young that think (?) not, what you do know but who has rejected you? and that is making me a superhero.

So I began to call some young people together an presented my ideas and experiences which only a Gunnar Jarring would even listen to (excepting Admiral Evenson and his friends) and they are going ahead with the “inconceivable,” “impossible” and Verboten. If Jew and Arab shared pornography: world news. If they shared marijuana: world news. But if they eat together and pray together. This simply can’t because, because, because.

Now I am looking better simply because the young listen to me and accept facts while their elders would not listen to me or accept facts. As Russ Joyner says, “Don’t let facts confuse the issues.” But between assumedly knowing and being rejected and ejected, what is happening! My audiences increases, my incomes increase and we are getting prosperity from many sources.

Already my uncontrollable young disciples have arranged a dinner given by Jews for Muslims and another to be given by Arabs for Jews. This ain’t news, darling, this mustn’t be news. Wrong persons involved. Of course, of course.

But … in the meanwhile a millionaire publisher has discovered this person and actually believes what is in his diaries. He will be home soon. We don’t care if the press believes or not. The “great” men who have received peace awards never answer letters but now my letters to them may be published. We are getting Muslims to say the “Sema” and Jews to say the “Kalama” which mustn’t, mustn’t and cawn’t be … wrong people. But some have votes and we are getting more and more money and often by honest work and sometimes by inheritance.

I am going to the department of Near East languages, the University of California. Once I wrote a paper, based on Paul Brunton and all “experts” who followed one another at the American Academy of Asian studies turned me down. They said it was ridiculous. Then I went to the department of Near East languages in Berkeley and they offered me a PhD Degree on the spot! Asians have such queer ideas about Asia. I never forget.

As we can’t avoid death and taxes and as death left me in sole charge of my father’s estate, plus the fact that I continue to work and work hard, what to do? Well we are establishing a peace scholarship.

One team of disciples is busy now here contacting sources of funds and doing everything possible to bring the “peasants” together and rather succeeding. Another team plus Ralph Silver is getting funds to take pictures and tapes of my spiritual colleagues in real Asia, of whom there are many despite all the “experts” and press and radio-TV. And now I tell the young who have turned me down and they are making me a hero, not on knowledge but on naming who has turned me down.

My next “adventure” will be Washington. Oh, I have contacts, and not just General Lansdale above. And my dear disciples and friends are working so hard and so successfully. It may be as I said before the young at the family dog: “Youth of the world unite, you have nothing to lose.”

Anyhow I am so busy getting addressed for Phillip Davenport and Ralph Silver and also writing letters to Asian-Asians that there is not a dull moment. I even have two Jerusalem rabbis with them. But not the nice bourgeois who sermonize to the comfortable in our synagogues. After all don’t the synagogues and mosques tell their congregations that the Deity has special real estate for them in the hereafter, so they are assured they can even hate the others. “God” is with them. The Christians also agree, etc.

As I told you, a secretary of the “intolerable” Pope has answered one of my letters and I think I shall have the Jesuits on my side when I get to New York. But now the “experts” and after a while the press may conclude that occasionally if only rarely, reality may be more important that “realism.” After all doesn’t the press agree with the communists on the values of “realism” and ethnocide for Buddhist orphans!?

I am in a peculiar position. I agree not at all with the regents of the University of California, nor the new left, nor the old left, and least with the press and radio-TV. I agree with the president of the Alumni Association in making public the positive accomplishments which anybody not a newsman, or a revolutionary or a regent might comprehend and accept. Wonderful wonders, but not news. I can give endless lists of these “not-news” accomplishments but now we are doing, damn it doing.

Our jury trials demand eye-witness. Someday, perhaps in the international field, we may permit the peasants eye-witnesses to express along with the opinions of the high and mighty who were not there. “Liberty, democracy, humanity and peasants, shut up” is going to its natural or unnatural death.

Faithfully,

Sam

cc- Herb Caen

cc- Art Hoppe

August 28, 1970

My dear Gavin:

I am writing with two regrets: one is that you are confined at least part time. This, combined with the illness of Ed Hunt and of my chief disciple, Moineddin Jablonski is of some concern especially as I have now not only no days off but am lucky to get a free hour or two.

The other concerns the little boy, Nathan Johnson. You reed his horoscope terrifically correctly. All kinds of things unforeseen at the time have happened, are happening. His father, Mansur, is no longer my secretary. The dances, inspired by Ruth St. Denis whom “good” people know I could not have known, are spreading like wild-fire. They have been filmed and recorded and now this has become a world project with Mansur Johnson acting as local technician, a full time paid job.

Already a team has left for Asia to meet the Asians and Sufis of God and Rand­-McNally, quite different from those of the American Academy of Asian Studies, the California Academy of Asian Studies, the World Affairs Council, etc., etc. Ralph Silver is with them and I had to spend hours getting out addresses of people that I could not possibly have met, of course, of course, but who at least read my things before criticizing and then they did not criticize. Quite the contrary.

Another secretary is in Arizona teaching the Asian philosophies of Asians with considerable success. People have gotten tired of Gurdjieff and Subud and want realities, and they are getting them. He is also working for a very wealthy publisher who wants my things and said he would publish them.

The third secretary in San Francisco is with a number of other people carrying out principles of my plan for peace in the Near East. The first dinner, absolutely impossible and inconceivable was a total success. Arabs and Israelis dined and prayer together and embraced. There was no news reporter there although I have been writing to Herb Caen.

You see, Gavin, only four men ever listened to me abroad and one here. The one here is a retired admiral who listened and agrees thoroughly and absolutely. The second was a professor from the University of California who has accomplished wonders—not news; only Russian plans are news, American accomplishments are never news.

Then there were three other men, two gave me two hours and the third four hours. This man who had the effrontery to listen to me for four hours was Gunnar Jarring and he told me in person that my plans were the most sensible and beautiful he had ever encountered but every “expert,” clergyman, religionists, news man, humanist and sociologist knows better.

In the meanwhile I am trying to arrange a Peace scholarship. I have at thousand dollars to spare for the coming year but the complexities are in the opposite direction, not obstacles. I shall not bother about these. It is remarkable how few people not born in California have accepted that I might know some Californians, but why argue.

The next step is the plan to go East. I have a new secretary of sorts, the sweetheart of my chief secretary and she has a car in New York so we hope to go there and travel. But you should see our invitations?

Emerson said that if one invented a better mousetrap and lived in the midst of the woods, people would find him. About 200 people found me at Lama, and since returning only l’impossible is happening. The phones at both houses continually ringing and many long distance calls.

At Geneva it was declared I looked and acted like Walt Whitman. This was the conclusion of others.

For the Ladies who want super-equality I read not-existing literature (if you accept the “experts”), of the hymns of the early Buddhist nuns and referred to Edna St. Vincent Millay’s “Renascence.” I realize no “good” Buddhist would have anything to do with such literature so that gives me a nice monopoly. Anyhow the young accepted it.

Actually this is to blow off steam between tasks. But there are nice signs of growth and expansion, and I have such a wonderful “following,” growing in size and even the universities are beginning to open doors. We shall see. Get well.

Love,

Sam

cc Alan Watts

Novato,

September 2, 1970

My dear Gavin:

At this moment I am in utter confusion due to the amount of work, but other than the illnesses, including your own, there is nothing wrong. So many of the disciples are now working for New Age and Ralph and Phillip Davenport are abroad with utterly “impossible” news, real news concerning real people in the real world. And I am not in the least concerned because an Arizona publisher will now accept this and make easy scoops simply because the news media won’t accept unless it pleases them.

As I told you before every letter written on “pollution” to scientists has been accepted and many of my own laboratory-technician-scientists say I was one of the best students they ever turned out. This is their opinions, not mine and it is very different from the “opinions” of important people who verbally attack “value-judgments” and are champions of it.

The reason for writing at his moment is that a letter has been received from Santa Barbara. Alan Watts asked a favor and it as granted but I regret to infer you that Prince Hopkins died two weeks ago. This “scundrel” gave Luther Whiteman and myself page after page of recommendation while the “good people” of California either attacked or ignored us. I did not “play” upon him but it was comforting to find somebody who would listen to you before dumping “vague-judgments” upon you. That day is done now, but I shall always remember him as a great humanitarian and a champion of what should called “free speech,” actually, without regard to the personalities involved.

I do not expect to convince any “Buddhist” or “New Age-Hindu” of the actual truth of Karma, I mean the operation, not the words. The preachers of “Karma” think they are satisfying the universe by their talking, and they are the worst.

True Gunner Jarring gave me hours and said that my plan for the Near East was the best he had ever encountered. But although the official he was a hopeless minority. I am however, not alone in the boat. My friend, Paul Keim of the University of California has accomplished more than any other American abroad. You don’t read about him. It just is not done. If the Russians try something it is news; if the Americans accomplish it is not news. So doors are opening for me at the University of California.

Even in the Philosophy Department and we are going to end once and for all this terrible anti-scientific cult by very important people, the Generals of Semantics. They may relent but I no longer care. My efforts to get “in” at Columbia follow the real Law of Real Karma, not the superficial lectures of “experts.” I have already been invited and will resume the follow up on Cassius Keyser whom I shared with Alfred Korzybski as having had as teacher in Philosophy, for which I have neither been recognized or forgiven. But Vocha knows all.

The real conference of the leaders of the real religions of the real world was not “news,” but when Ralph reached Switzerland he was given a wonderful welcome by the cleric who acted as host, and also introductions. And it is quite evident that the real leaders of real India don’t agree with local “experts” at all. I understand that permission has been given for filming and recording the ceremonies of the “non-existent Sufis.” All letters from India are wonderful and the Indians of the Consulate and Travel Bureau will be pleased although they differ from the “official-experts.”

The receipt of a fine letter from a top Rabbi of Jerusalem was followed immediately by a long distance call that my personal representative, Phillip Davenport, was openly and joyously welcomed by another Rabbi. That can’t be, I mean it jest ain’t news but it is going to be history, you can bet.

I was the only outsider when Papa Tara Singh met Pundit Nehru. Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs embracing and kissing each other just can’t be news, It ain’t done. Bu now we are doing it. It is a new age, and the efforts to bring Jews, even Israelis and Arabs together has been overwhelming and I think I can get some persons at Washington to accept that. Why even the “intolerant” Roman Catholics are interested and you can bet that I will receive a much better greeting if I visit Saint Ignatius than if I try to reach any of our “experts” or “peace” groups.

The “great” Sir Zafrullah Khan, whom “everybody” idolizes was challenged at Geneva if he had anything more than oratory and emotions and he sat down. Why even this person was told he was the Walt Whitman of the convention—that was the impression upon real leaders of the real world. So one need not be too surprised if Phillip and Ralph, and soon others are being greeted and if my foreign mail alone has snowballed.

This coming week I may be speaking at a closed conference to Astrologers. I am not making the arrangement sand have not heard but it was scheduled. After all anybody can speak on “Yoga” but an “arrived one.” But my walks and dances are moving at a tremendous rate and while all the “nice” people won’t accept my relations with the late Ruth St. Denis, there are now so many not-so-nice people, so many, many.

So as soon as possible I should be going East. I am not crying for bakshish but maybe some will come. I have now a new helper who will go over all the research on the Near East and the University of California is interested. Maybe We Shall Overcome. With centers in Novato, San Anselmo, Corte Madera, Larkspur and Mill Valley, this week we “invade” Sausalito—invitations. No time for more.

Love,

Published by Shafayat, P.O. Box 7168, Seattle, Washington, 98133         September 1970

Sufis Speak

Dedicated to:

Those who have held aloft the light of truth through the darkness of human ignorance.

This newsletter is sent out once a month to those who request it. News of the Sufi world is appreciated and will be printed as sent as we use a stencil printer. A signed permission slip must come with material (to publish). We will appreciate all help toward continued publication of this newsletter.

Please use standard sized paper. We use as much as we are able of the news sent to us. Thank you for sending us the news we print. It is your letters and help that make this newsletter possible.

Ecstasy

Masti: A word used by Sufis for their ecstasy. Sufis have been always interested in ecstasy, more than any other sect of philosophers. There are different causes which produce ecstasy. Every cause has its peculiar effect and that is why the ecstasy produced by any cause cannot necessarily be called the ecstasy of the perfect Sufi.

Ecstasy cannot be called happiness nor could it be called the joy or peace because these are common expressions which are experiences of everybody. But the real Sufic ecstasy is quite different from the ecstasy that is commonly experienced by everybody.

If you consider why people have the habit of taking liquors and drugs, even knowing themselves that it is utterly injurious, you will come to an understanding that they enjoy such a state where they lose their senses. Loss of sense takes place owing to the increased activities of senses. At the same time passion as well as the intense joy and sorrow also can produce the ecstasy. This common ecstasy could not be called the Sufi ecstasy. This is experienced by every living creature on the earth consciously or unconsciously so how could it be a particular state of spirituality?

If Sufi ecstasy could be attained by merely these sources then there would be no importance to the Sufic ecstasy in the line of spirituality. Really speaking, Sufi ecstasy is incomparably and vastly different from the above described ecstasies. A Sufi advances by his spiritual practices to see, to know and to appreciate the nature’s beauty in all the names, forms and figures, to love in all the visible and invisible planes of the Absolute. And the more perfection he achieves in it, the more love in his heart grows and illumines his body, mind and soul with the spiritual light.

During his progress towards perfection he realizes five kinds of ecstasies: one which he feels in his body, another he feels in his intellect, the third in his heart, the fourth in his soul, and the fifth when he loses himself absolutely.

Sufism is called the religion of love, and as a person evolved in love he experiences the ecstasy by degrees. The physical beauty, also the beauty of thoughts, ideas, merits, arts like music and poetry appeal to him intense in proportion to his advancement. In appreciating beauty his perfection grows so that he at last arrives at such a state that he all the time sees all over beauty and nothing else.

He first loves one Beloved and then he sees the same Beloved in all forms and figures and the manifestation becomes for him his Beloved in various aspects. He then resigns himself to the Beloved’s will and rejoices himself all the time with the Beloved Who is found all over in the time and space. This keeps him in a real state of ecstasy which is the holiest, purest and most divine condition of joy and peace.

He sometimes feels it more intense and sometimes less according to nature’s mood. Every little thing makes him feel emotional and devotional because he is full of life and energy, more lively than others because this is the real life. All others are dead in comparison with him who is not subject to miseries, decay or death.

He who has arrived to this perfection is called by the Sufis sahib-i-hal. People in the East have such regard for this ecstatic state of Sufis. They never ridicule him but get his best wishes because that is the time when his will is the Universal Will, in other words God’s Will, and in that mood whatever he wishes is fulfilled as this manifestation has been nothing but the Will of God.

The miracles performed by the prophets and saints were in the state of ecstasy, and they were successful in proportion to the degree of the force of their ecstasy. It has many times happened in the East that Sufis separated their souls from the bondage of the body and passed off from this world by their own will and command during this condition of ecstasy.

This state is also the only means of perceiving right inspiration. The prophets, saints that have been receiving any inspiration, is the outcome of, their ecstatic condition. When Mohammed was receiving the Divine Message, also Moses and Jesus used to have communion with the Supreme Being. They used to have it after the intensity of their ecstasy.

Sufis experience this condition as the greatest joy, especially by their spiritual advancement by the invocation of Allah’s Name. The admiration of Mohammed, the devotion of Murshid, the verses of Qur’an, the nice perfume, the beauty of nature, the discourses on truth, the poetry of love and the music can help a great deal in producing the ecstasy. The most emotional and devotional Sufis are the Chistis who are very ecstatic and devotional. They are leading today in the East for their most charming personality, wisdom and spirituality.

After a Sufi acquires perfect control on ecstasy, he has the control on death and decay. He becomes as pure as the water of the Ganges, and his heart of self becomes the Kaaba. His brain becomes illuminated with the divine light. Then his actions become the actions of Jesus and his words become the words of Moses, and his expression becomes the expression of Mohammed. At last he unites with Allah and becomes one with Him.

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The Sufi Order and the Sufi Movement:

Readers wonder...

We have been submerged in comments from all over the world regarding our report on page 3 of our previous issue about “The Day of Urs in India when “Pir Vilayat and Fazal stood at the head of the tomb….”

Readers ask: Aren’t Pir Vilayat and Fazal heads of two irreconcilable factions, the Sufi Order and the Sufi Movement?

This matter will be thoroughly explained and documented in subsequent issues of Sufis Speak. In the time of Hazrat Inayat Khan the Sufi Movement was a vehicle and servant of the Sufi Order. Sometime after Hazrat Inayat’s passing a few of his relatives doubted the wisdom of some of Hazrat Inayat’s dispositions for the future of the Order and the Movement—which they had a perfect right to do. They took it upon themselves to run the Movement according to their own ideas. Through certain legal actions they believed they had acquired ownership. The Order, on the other hand, could not be touched or acquired by any legal effort. It still functions as Hazrat Inayat Khan wished and planned.

The fact that Pir Vilayat and Fazal stood together at the head of the tomb argues well for the future. Fazal, appointed head of the “Movement” by Musharaff Khan, before the latter’s passing, never shared the ideas of his predecessors. For a while, however, he acted as if he apparently did. At a very young age he faced great problems. It appears that he may master them. The Order and Movement may again be one; or, if certain members prefer to uphold the ideas to which they have become accustomed and will maintain separate organizations for some time to come, the two groups may at least acknowledge and respect each other.

The Occultist, the Mystic….

Looking beneath him, the occultist sees millions of rungs on a ladder he has climbed. He may feel proud. Looking ahead and up, he sees more millions of rungs, yet unclimbed. Is there no end then, no relief, no completion, ever? No final and complete truth?

At this stage he may wonder: Could there be an escape? An easy way out, cheating Fate, as it were?

He finds that there is. But what is the price? The cost? The price is himself; his ambition, his achievement: His whole personality then? Yes, his own concept of his personality; but not his personality as others see it! Is it worth all that?

He may turn away in fear, in disgust, and continue his weary climb. This is his right. That way he may even gain knowledge he would not otherwise have acquired. He continues an occultist. At the same time he may be a scientist, a publisher, an editor. He is sure of his standards and can’t be quite as tolerant to people below it as he knows he ought to be. And those above? He isn’t there and doesn’t understand them, sometimes dismissing them as being beneath him, sometimes as being irrelevant and irritating.

Then again there are those who face the choice and make the change. They have begun to see that the million rungs in the ladders, real enough to the climbers, are as elusive as the phantom of a separate self. They see not a lone individual but a chain of creation starting from the first beginnings; reaching through the present toward all future. So they give up the illusion of the separate self since they no more believe in it. To them there is no one below them, hardly a soul above them, but they themselves encompass all. There is no question of being tolerant or even “understanding” for who needs be tolerant to himself and who doesn’t understand himself? All that he thought he “knew” dissolves into an ocean of thrilling possibilities. Such words as clairvoyance, reincarnation, astral, projection are dropped as inaccurate approaches. Instead of words, he begins to see, hear, feel. His ambition is no longer to change nature’s procedures into what some call miracles, but to see and grasp the miracle of nature as it is.

Nicos Kazantzakis in his book Report to Greco tells us about a mountain trip where, from the majesty of the wilderness he suddenly sees the lights of a village. He shakes his fist at it, shouting, “retched creatures, I’ll slaughter you.” Embarrassed, he explains to his shocked companion that these were not his words but those of a distant ancestor, with whom he suddenly became one. In other parts of the book he projects himself into future man, also part of himself. He dreams man’s future: He is a mystic. Not all Sufis are mystics, but among Sufis the mystic is understood and encouraged.

Answers to your questions to the editor

Pir Vilayat’s youth camps.

We regret to tell all of you who have written to ask about these camps that they are just that—Youth Camps. The attendance is limited to those who are between the ages of 18 and 28. Perhaps we may one day prevail upon Pir Vilayat to have something for those of us who cannot qualify agewise.

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Back Issues

Again we regret that we cannot send out back issues. We print a limited number. In the case of the last issue we had so many requests we reran that number again. As we are dependant entirely upon your generosity our means are tightly limited. Those of you who have Not Written in and requested being place upon our permanent mailing list Must do this or you will be dropped. We cannot send to those who are not interested.

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No News about your Center or Activities??

You, the reader who has something to say or tell must send us these things you want published. It should be typewritten it must be neat and ready to stencil. If your material comes in handwritten and has great news value we will print it but just as you send it. If you wish your work signed with your name you must send it in in that manner. In any case permission to print must be sent with each pager for publication.

Send in the time and place of your Universal Worship if you desire it published. Send in time and place and date that you are to have important speakers. If you wish to swell attendance be sure that copy is send in time to reach us by the 25th.

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Please don’t write in and tell us we haven’t mentioned your group unless you have sent your material in time to be timely and of interest to others. We might be Sufis, but even then we need your permission to print.

Monthly Universal Worship Service each fourth Wednesday each month 8 P.M. in the Chapel of Light, Unity By the Sea, Santa Monica, California.

 Monthly Universal Worship Service each first Sunday each Month 2 P.M. Chapel of the Downtown Unity Church Seattle Washington.

Gratitude is expressed to the Ministers and Members of Unity for the privilege of worshipping in such Blessed surroundings

Summer School At Lama, New Mexico,  June 1970

Samuel L. Lewis, Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti, went with seven of his disciples, which included three women with five children, two single men, and one couple with three children, to Lama, New Mexico, where he conducted a summer school in the month of June, 1970.

Lama is located high in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, over 8,000 feet, and overlooks the Rio Grande River valley. Standing in the huge octagonal shaped window in the domed adobe dance hall where Sufi Sam or Murshid, as he was called, put on his spiritual dances two or three times a day, it was possible to look out 25 or 30 miles across the valley to the snow-capped peaks on the horizon.

Lama is a New Age community with a universal outlook. They have a group meditation every morning and a different member of the Community acts as pujari, the pueblo word for ritual-leader, and presents a chant or song of his choice in addition to the regular program which included an Essene prayer and meditation and a Buddhist chant.

The people at Lama maintain excellent relations with the Indians in the pueblo at nearby Taos. There was a group effort for one week, where practically the whole community, male and female, went to the pueblo to make adobe bricks for the Indian family that three years before, when Lama was first established, taught them the native technology which was used in the construction of the main building. There is not only the dome mentioned above, but also a library, a bath and an all-purpose room called “the only room,” from the time when it alone was the only finished room in the whole building. Surrounding the central complex are A-frames and domes and tents for sleeping.

There is also a large octagonal kitchen-dining room, two stories tall. The kitchen is downstairs and the dining room which seats 22 people comfortably is upstairs. There were nearly 40 of us in June and, consequently, the children frequently ate separately. The dining room was entered by a staircase set on the outside of the building.

Besides offering the group his spiritual dances, where movements are secondary and chanting the Name of God in either Arabic or Sanskrit is primary, Sufi Sam had a class every night which included readings from and commentaries on “The Sufi Message” of Hazrat Inayat Khan. He also took the community through a series of Buddhist practices which overcame the differences of the various Buddhist sects and his musical director developed themes from “The mysticism of Sound.” Inevitably the devotees demanded more dancing and this usually closed the meetings.

Sufi Sam also made contact with groups of young people living on a commune north of Lama and visited weekly other such groups in Santa Fe and Albuquerque. We departed from New Mexico after a huge festival of dancing and singing in Yale Park on the campus of the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque and arrived home by July 5th for a grand reunion with Murshid Sam’s San Francisco disciples and the celebration of Inayat Khan’s birthday.

Mansur

In our last issue we told you of the workshop Pir Vilayat conducted at Pacific Palisades, California. As a direct result of this through the attendance of some Unity ministers, Pir Vilayat will conduct a three day course in Meditation at Lee’s Summit. We will give you the date and more details in the next issue.

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Again our thanks to L. Hayat Bowman who writes:

“We await the arrival of Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan who is to conduct the Urs of Khwaja Moin-ud-din Chisthi September 3rd. in Ajmer. I look forward to it very much; it is an indescribable experience, but I shall try to describe it a little for Sufis Speak. On September 6 we hope to have a Universal Worship there in the courtyard of Muzaffar Hussain Khan. We hope to have the service in Urdal with Fir Vilayat conducting. I return on the 9th. On the 13th. Pir Vilayat will give a public lecture here (New Delhi) on The Life and Message of Hazrat Inayat Khan. It being 60 years ago that Murshid left India. I hope he will be here a few more days and I am giving a reception for him here at the centre.”

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It is our aim to give those of you who are a distance from a center a tie with important Sufi events in all parts of the world. We hope that those of you who find pleasure in the things that others send in, will be moved to send things it too or at least write in and tell us what you like or don’t like for that matter.

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The reports we had hoped for from Summer School have not yet arrived but there was little time. We can hope for this next month.

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from Words of Earth by Cerdic Wright, sent in by Daphne Beorse

From within the sounds and

banners of the vast horizon,

without words, into an inner

silence, can:

“Remember well this magnitude

lift your eyes,

That the great meanings shall not

flow by unheeded.”

See

Suddenly one becomes awake, one lives

in an eternity,

and hears strange footsteps

ascending ancient trodden pathways.

From the unknown,

from the immense and infinite,

weaving into consciousness

like long fingers of fog

through coastal canyons,

comes a far-off singing

Out of the sea, in vast currents

a mystic essence arises

Essence of the infinite godliness

which creates worlds.

The craving of the soul for truth becomes a driving force only when other things have become secondary.

* * * * * * * * * * *

To most the truth is far away but to some it is no more than a thought.

*****

Sept. 15, 1970

Mr. Gavin Arthur

1565 Octavia

San Francisco, Ca. 94109

My dear Gavin,

The way affairs are today it is utterly impossible for me to visit you if you are in the hospital or to attend your lectures, or anybody else’s. With a completely full program, and with a hard hard fact that a number of my disciples have been successful in having joint Israeli-Arab-Christian dinners, and performing my dances! The whole was stimulated by the fact that the world is now paying respect to one Gunnar Jarring, one of the three men in the world who listened to my proposals for peace in the Near East.

I am leaving for the East Coast shortly. The number of my disciples has increased tremendously. The real news of real events in the real world, from the very real Phillip Davenport, Fred Cohn, and Ralph Silver, is tremendously favorable. All the “good” people such as the press, the peace organizations, and the vast majority of the Judeo-Christian ethical clergymen, have refused even to give an interview, let alone examine what I have to say.

Evidently the real leaders of the real religions of the real world are slightly unbalanced, for they declared that I looked like and acted like Walt Whitman while I was parading myself as an incarnation of Lessing’s “Nathan the Wise.” I think the future generations may accept this a little.

In this land of “peace, freedom, liberty, democracy,” “peasant shut up,” and European professors of Oriental philosophy, apparently the only way to get attention is to have a marijuana festival. I have given notice that if our work continues to be ignored I shall put on an advertised marijuana festival when I return. By “ignored” I mean ignored, I do not mean derided. I have had such loving letters from both Rabbis and Muslims, and such tremendously favorable reports from Christians and Hindus as to be “unbelievable,” but entirely in accord with the real teachings, the actual writings, of Walt Whitman.

Added to this is the very good fact that my revenues are increasing so that it is possible to have new paid secretaries. My former secretaries have remunerative jobs in connection with the efforts to bring peace in the Near East, have real cultural exchange with real Asians, and to teach spiritual philosophies of the world. Indeed, almost the first man I shall meet in New York City will be one of your “intolerant” Jesuits. He has been quite willing to listen to the program which I presented to Gunnar Jarring, and which the churches, peace organizations, world affairs council, and humanists, derided, Amen.

Let the dead bury their dead. Indeed I am going all the way with Alan Watts excepting on one point; I believe the higher plants will have higher psychedelic properties. This is still to be discovered and uncovered. I am not an expert; I am a horticulturist.

Love,

September 25, 1970

My dear Arthur:

This is written in great hurry. One never has a day off and one’s life is proceeding exactly as the real spiritual and real moral laws of the real universe proclaim—any resemblance to metaphysics being strictly incidentally. I do not have days off and have had little sleep for a month. We are wedded to war, war, war and make a shambles out of spiritual traditions—the best or worst. I am not in the politics.

My “Dances of Universal peace,” shunned by all the “good people” and especially by the “peace” organizations (any camp) are winning among the young. I had to lead a whole thousand yesterday in Golden Gate Park, and then teach a class of spiritual women and then put on a public session in Sausalito and then have to pack, leaving for Ithaca and should be in New York City an Monday.

I have no time for either patience or oppositions. Gunnar Jarring said my plan was the best he ever heard of Bang! bang ! But I have hung on and wish to have a place for His Holiness in the Holy Land. I have to see a colleague in your City as soon as possible, Father John Haughey of “America.” This is a long story. Whatever knowledge or sincerity, shunned by all the “good” people and metaphysical groups (all types), is now rising to the surface. Not only the young but the universities and I have a disciple authorized to teach “my” spiritual dancing at the University of California in Berkeley. And Cornell and Columbia will at least hear me, and depart from the good old American Judeo-Christian ethic of a priori rejection. Ministers and Rabbis all over the world are apologizing and I have at least partly “converted” the nearby Franciscan Fathers. Rabbis in Jerusalem, yes; here????

We have put on very successful Israeli-Christian-Arab dinners and expect more, and more. One TV station has cognized and we hope to have a radio station—you soon find out how “liberal” the liberals are. But I am not troubled. My disciples and colleagues have been exceedingly successful in their ventures far and wide, and excellent news from Palestine, Iran and India, at least. And slowly from and in this country.

My New York address will be c/o Lonnie Less, 27 West 71st St. Programs have been laid out for me in the New York and Boston areas and partly laid out in the Washington area. Young people have very successfully launched a “Three Ring” corporation based on Boccaccio which was followed by Lessing in his “Nathan the Wise.”

The only time I was ever permitted locally to a peak on Palestine was by the “intolerant” Jesuit Fathers and when I finished the chair declared the meeting over, that all problems were solved. There were no pacifists or “peace” people there.

No time to rest. My chief disciple very ill and the garden flourishing so well we hardly have time to pick the crops. Ten times as many grapes on our vine as last year. And this covers all other activities. Not thinking of the morrow but hope you can communicate with me.

Faithfully,

27 West 71st St.,

New York, N. Y.

c/o Lonnie Less

October 8, 1970

Gavin Arthur

1565 Octavia St.

San Francisco, Calif. 94109

My dear Gavin:

Have not heard from or about you for some time and the last news was not too good. I came East totally tired but not otherwise harmed and good rests have enabled one to do things.

Last night I heard Vilayat Khan. He spoke to the audience as if this were the Aquarian Age and he supported his theme so well that almost everybody agreed with him. I see no more reason for science and religion having to be one than for biology and architecture to be one, or for mathematics and lawn tennis to be one.

He called attention to the different way the Aquarians are acting. It is very simple. They do not have chairmen or speakers endowed with “revelations” so that the audience must be in awe of them. Peasants also are permitted to express their views. Character assassinations are not permitted in public meetings nor is anyone refused the right to express himself if it be on the subject matter. All these and other signs demonstrate humanity is in a New Age.

While his talk centered on Meditation I find myself in such total agreement with him that I have even joined the “old ladies” who are so profusely laudatory. Besides that he has done things. He has done more to build real cultural exchange between real Asians and real Americans than any man I know, and especially far more than the passing English and Europe an “experts” on Asia (whatever that means). Have not heard from Ralph but the other news is so favorable one does not feel he has lived in vain.

Before leaving I have found that the University of California has not only accepted my Peace Scholarship but has a course presenting the Sufism of the Sufis—not of the grand lecturers who give us literary gems and no substance. Lead a thousand young in spiritual dancing proving the heritage from Ruth St. Denis rejected by Pisceans (of course) and accepted by Aquarians (of course). Evidence is evidence regardless and this proves the New Age.

I have however, joined occultism, spirituality and astrology. This was originally a challenge from Pir Vilayat. Now we have it. I may present it to Norman whom I have seen. Am not in the least interested in the negative reactions of Piscean astrologers. We even have Pluto down pat—which the Aquarians will at least examine and the Pisceans spurn.

Pir Vilayat will be back later in the month and we expect to get together. The Aquarians in Boston are anxious to see me. The Aquarian girls all want kisses! This never happened among the Pisceans. But there is something more involved, and when we get the superficial people out of the way we can, indeed we do demonstrate.

Was received gloriously at Columbia and have full approval of efforts to and understanding between Arabs and Israelis. I happen to know the “right people” despite our acquaintances in S.F. who are so sure I do not, or that it is “bragging,” which does not get me permission to talk either. Now one does not care.

Tomorrow we meet with a local leader in the efforts to bring Israelis and Arabs together. Why even one of the papers is publishing our accomplishments, not our plans but our deeds. Those young people who went to the Summer School of Pir Vilayat Khan may be the leaders of the New Age, in reality. Everything points to that, in the West and here and perhaps elsewhere.

Presumably meeting with the “spiritual leaders” of the New Age next week. We shall see. Something doing every day and night.

Love,

November 1, 1970

Wali All Meyer

410 Precita

San Francisco,

My Dear Wall Ali:

This letter is really to Gavin Arthur. I do not know if he is well at all. I would like to write him, and you may send him this if you wish or telephone him. I don’t know if he can understand what is going on. The sessions I have had with an AP representative and also CBS representative show that there are members of the fourth estate who are quite open, who let a person speak before they damn them. Why they even listen! On these two instances if they stopped listening it was because we were in such substantial agreement it was hardly necessary to talk at all.

From a private point of view, it is wonderful to have anybody listen to hard facts. I know so many people who have been victimized, not for wrong views, but simply because they were aware events were reported to be happening. When they have spoken the truth they have found audiences and even publications against them. And it is wonderful to get confessions from members of the fourth estate who know that most reporting as published conveys not so much actual news of events, but emotional reactions which are supposed to interest or excite readers. We are about ready to leave for Washington and have met with nothing but goodwill from persons concerned with the making of news, with representatives of universities connected with our present efforts, and with multitudes of young.

Personally I am absolutely through with the non-violence which permitted people of self-importance and social prestige but often very ignorant to take it out on personalities. There is no agreement among such people excepting in their negative attitudes toward those who annoy them.

In Washington I expect to see an old friend of mine, a retired general, who is devoting himself to clearing up so much confusion about Vietnam—I mean the Vietnam of the Vietnamese people, not the Vientiane of the Vice President and his dishonorable super-encyclopedic critics; both sides know nothing and both sides make themselves appear as if they were the experts. The people do not count.

This was fine in days when masses were uneducated. It no longer works.

We expect to call on several embassies in Washington, and in the short while remaining also on their UN representatives. I am no longer going to permit people who attack my person when there should be sober discussions on issues. I had the audacity last week to criticize a rabbi openly, and before we got through he apologized to me. The day is over when persons of so-called self-importance can lie, cheat, and mislead and get away with it. Incidentally, in the end I won the goodwill of the vast majority of people present when the rabbi exhibited all those faults which are thrown at Jewish people but which really exist among only a small portion of them. Unfortunately this small portion includes a large percentage of their so-called leaders.

My return home is going to present me with a new set of enigmas; there are just so many hours in the week. My own dances and philosophy are now being presented at the University of California for credit. This is a long way from Rom Landau who had me blackballed by most of the universities and colleges in central California. While an old friend of his did the same in the South.

One has no difficulty whatsoever in communicating to the young or in having them communicate with him.

One thing I am not going to have on my return, and that is time. There has been considerable advance on all my efforts: organic gardening, spiritual dancing, Oriental philosophies, poetry, and creative writing. There is even an editor demanding my things, so they will be published as fast as I can write to him.

I expect to be home on November 9, and programs and schedules have already worked out for me. We have been most successful so far in bringing a lot of Arabs and Israelis closer together. I am going to ring up Norman McGhee and tell him I approve of the Black Panthers’ program for the Near East. Have not seen very much of him because I am over occupied and he has not been very well. Will not have time to call on people much anymore. I will not permit anymore self-important persons balling me out in public no matter what the occasion.

Faithfully,

Samuel L. Lewis

Nov. 17, 1970

My dear Gavin,

I do not know whether one can shoot in the dark at a target which isn’t there and hit it. I have proposed many times for a convocation of astrologers and had series of excuses why they couldn’t meet. So recently I wrote that if they couldn’t meet, we would call a convention at this house or some other place. As neither the time nor the place has been designated, it would be very difficult to send out invitations.

Besides, the telephone book is not very informatory. It is not like the New York telephone book which lists Astrology. So if I don’t hear in a few weeks we may take the bull by the horns and also the lamb and the twins and all the other constellations, and do it ourselves. Naturally you would be invited.

I cannot even tell you what the program will be. I want to present the astrological walks for the professionals, not for the public. Then other things. Then I have two disciples who wish to become professional astrologers. They will have something to present. One of them is working with the constellations, one is working on Pluto, and I am working on the planetary walks.

Apart from this, I am preparing a semi-mystical “Dance of the Hours.” It is easy enough to be an Apollo. It is simple enough to have horas varying in number. But I wish to choreograph a “Dance of the Hours” which will be astrological, with a different person depicting each sign of the Zodiac.

Outside the astrological work, I am presenting occult and mystical dances and walks based on knowledges of the sciences of the elements. These are unknown to most of the world and are part of the material of Sufi esotericism. They are only slowly being divulged because too many proper persons have refused to accept that this person is a valid Sufi teacher. One doesn’t care what others think, but as long as such views prevail, one does not have to reveal anything.

Anyhow, I am training a number of persons in the sciences of the elements and perhaps in what might be called ancient wisdom, and perhaps otherwise. But all these knowledges will be integrated in the “Dance of the Hours” and it is even possible that a version will be presented in Sausalito on Sunday, December 20, when there will be a bazaar for the benefit both of myself and my colleagues.

We had to leave New York because of total success of disciples and myself in series of endeavors for which one has had bundles of a priori rejections in this vicinity. I believe there is something in a name, and I have long foreseen that part of my career would resemble that of Samuel Morse, and you can bet your life I am going to name persons and organizations that gave me a priori rejections. I don’t mean those who opposed me, either validly or invalidity. I mean those who would never let me speak and who either wastebasketed my articles or spurned me otherwise. They are going to be named in writing, and soon. And the sooner we get rid of the “humble” fameuses or fameux, the better it is going to be for the world. Indeed I get no greater applause from the young than when I name those who have given me the a priori rejection in the name of liberty, democracy, and humanity. Amen.

We will let you know further when there will be a convention.

Love and Blessings,

December 8, 1970

Dear Gavin:

We almost had a riot here Sunday. Late in the p.m. Bill Hathaway phoned and I found he was munching a sandwich. I told him to come at once as we had an open house on Sunday night. Actually I had some fried chicken and Vermouth. I always have the last in case he ever shows up.

When he arrived I took him into the kitchen where there is a chief domo and four beautiful girls and they had to line up and kiss him. Then we went downstairs and there was a mob scene. I don’t know who was the most anxious, Bill or the girls. But the fellows also got in line and Bill had a hard time keeping decorum and nobody cared. It is a New Age here and anything reassembling older pattern behaviorism simply isn’t. Bill stayed and met my old friend Ted Reich and also the grand psychic Freda who is a marvel.

Everything else is different. The Asian-Asian are all for me. I have to join them Friday night in San Rafael. And today two different missions at the University of California. They are letting me speak. They are very different from the “experts” who know all about my character but nothing about whatever my knowledge happens to be. Not only am I speaking but the Alumni Association is interred in my Peace Program—newspapers, diplomats and “experts” keep out!

We are stacked for the Christmas season. On the 20th a big benefit in Sausalito and then birthday parties. Disciple Phil Davenport is back from his tour of Asian-Asia. We have films which will produce a better understanding between Asian-Asia and the U.S. No experts.

My closest relatives invited me to a big party at the old family home on 9th Avenue. This was always verboten. My parents never let me have parties, only my brother and I was kicked out so many times, every time my brother committed a crime I was expelled. And the younger have found this out. Besides my chief cousin happens to be a democrat and a politician.

Big programs to the end of the year. Then Vilayat Khan will be here. Then I must go to Arizona where an editor-publisher wants my stuff. He not only is not giving me the a priori “Christian-Jewish ethic,” he is already publishing some of my things without asking permission. And this at a time when more and more people want to come to my dances and some folks are finding my primal inspiration was the late Ruth St. Denis. It could not be, of course, but it was and is.

So we won’t have an astrological gathering until February 15 and that strictly invitational. My first Sufi teacher had been an occultist. But as the “good” people would not accept that I know any occultist I have waited and now the young are ready and others will not be excluded but before slam-banging at me they will have to learn what I have. This is the New Age, when sometimes people listen before they condemn.

Love,

December 12, 1970

My dear Gavin:

Have just received a letter from Selandia and she is wandering why you are not writing. One has to assume you are busy but I know your activity includes travel. I shall no doubt write to her after this. But of course she is going to meet disciples of Sufism and the young—not their elders who know better, will find there are multitudes of disciples of Sufism in many lands. They are not necessarily “better” than others but they are certainly more tolerant.

Vocha has recently told Lloyd and others that Sam is one of the best informed men on earth. It may be her opinion but I notice that this is also being held in greater and greater degree at both Columbia and Cal. not to mention others. The universities are becoming a little different from the “tolerant” and “broad-minded” in that they listen before they condemn. And no they are not commending. Indeed everything is most beautiful in all relations with the University of California and my own teachings are being presented, and for credit. Maybe somebody made a mistake but there it is. They are not “broad­minded” and “universal” and, of course, extremely exclusive which is the “right” of the “tolerant.’

There are now seven absolutely world organizations (excepting the Baha’is) that I know of, all ignoring each other and the top bananas all Englishmen, Americans and Hindus! God apparently did not make the Jews and Chinese. Every time a new “savior” appears, they tack my name and organization along with them without asking permission. The hard and simple fact that there are over 40,000,000 disciples in Sufism is well known to God and Rand-McNally but not to “world saviors” and European professors of “Oriental Philosophy” including men like Lama Govinda. These people know “everything” and therefore are superiorly superior. I am not equipped to write on “Oriental Philosophy.” I have not the “credentials,” being a drunkard and lecher. I like drunkards and lechers but have never found what that has to do with Asian-Asian philosophies. Anyhow the books sell well, but “only in America.”

We have tentatively set down February 15 for a meeting of Astrologers. Absolutely private. Nobody is permitted to bring somebody with them unless that other person pays $25—I mean twenty-five dollars and no nonsense. Otherwise I simply will not talk. The professionals free.

We are doing the planetary walks and soon will be working on “The Dance of the Hours” with twelve girls as the constellations. As Sam Lewis is the inventor, choreographer and teacher I am sure some very “humble” local astrologers may not wish to come. Besides they are adepts at character analysis. We don’t analyze, we transmute. But our alchemy is derived from ancient Egypt via the Sufis and not from marvelous Germans and Chinese and dream-worlds. That is a different alchemy.

On Sunday the 20th a great bazaar in Sausalito. The press has finally I discovered that this person has met real Asian Masters in real Asia without consulting local “experts.” The young are coming to me more and more and they think they are learning and maybe they are.

Love,

December 12, 1970

My dear Elizabeth, (cc: Gavin Arthur)

I was very glad to hear from you and to learn what you are doing but we are simply not in a position to grant your request to furnish names. Sam has hardly a moment off day or night and while things are going well, often too well, it has taken almost a revolution to make others understand how overworked and undermanned we are.

There are now over a hundred disciples in this region and many applicants. We have three general public meetings and attendance though still small has been steadily increasing. We have six dancing classes besides. One secretary is making a good living in Arizona and another in Novato. Excepting Melvin Wali Ali have not had proper replacements. A hundred disciples means an increased number of interviews and more esoteric classes.

Next Sunday we are having a bazaar. The original idea as to raise money for Murshid and also for our “Three Ring” peace plan, derived from Boccaccio and “Nathan the Wise.” But we also feel we must help the East Pakistanis.

There are now so many “peace movements” all headed by super-meta-supermen, so moved by compassion and consideration they have no time to be sidetracked by any suffering of East Pakistanis or others. That is “their karma.” So say the avatars and messiahs and mahahahahasadgurus. Even now I have people coming here and asking for travel information. It is not rudeness; I am simply overworked. But if you write me after you have reached Kabul I may be able to get some material for you.

I am supposed to have a class this afternoon and it is already over an hour ahead and a lot of people have imposed on hospitality. I have to choose always between rudeness and no rest. But it is also the time for the repassing of real Sufism.

We have been most fortunate in getting the finest books but books are just indicators. If you meet more Masters of Islam tell them about an American who is Master in hal and makam.

We go as often as possible to the Khyber Pass Restaurant here which is owned and operated by Afghans, who are our best friends and we all find their meals most delightful.

Love and Blessings,

Gavin Arthur     

Astrological Counselor :1565 Octavia Street : San Francisco 94109 : Apartment 5 : Top Floor

Phone: (415) 346-2878     

2 May 1971

Dear Wali Ali,

Please excuse my seeming negligence. I was quite ill the day of your wedding—too ill to go anywhere what with a bad heart and dreadful arthritis. In fact I go hardly anywhere now, but stay home desperately trying to finish my books before I go to a better world.

But of course I wish you both every happiness and soul-growth, and I still want to do both your horoscopes as a wedding present, but you do not give the time of birth in either case, so I don’t know whether the Sun was rising or setting.

Love to you both,

Gavin

P.S. I have left you all of Sam’s letters—two fat loose-leaf binders full—in my will. Be sure to claim them if you read of my death.

S. F. Sunday Examiner & Chronicle, April 30, 1972

G.C. Arthur, a Man of Quality, Mourned

By Don Branning.

Gavin Chester Arthur, who was always correctly identified in the first paragraph of any newspaper story about him as “the grand-son of President Chester A. Arthur,” had a special quality which reporters everywhere needed for the creation of a true eccentric.

He had social tone. In addition to being a nationally famous astrologer and a President’s grandson, it was true, as the Associated Press noted in its lead on his obituary out of San Francisco last night, that he was “a latter day bohemian who named Greta Garbo, Winston Churchill and Eleanor Roosevelt among his friends.”

Helped Jackie

He had once served as secretary of the California Democratic Party. During the administration of her late husband, he helped Jacqueline Kennedy locate art objects stored and for­gotten by former Presidents. With that kind of class, Ga­vin Chester Arthur was a natural to make the papers when he committed some oddity. Such as, a number of years ago, selling newspa­pers on San Francisco street corners.

What happens between the last feature in the file on a valuable, public eccentric—say, something done two years ago—and his death, is real life.

Thus, those who mourned him yesterday at his colorful astrological fricassee of an apartment at 1565 Octavia St. were those commonly called hippies. It was not surprising.

Hippies love astrology. And Arthur, who had no small ego, had found a following among them. He held weekly astrology seminars, heavily attended by long hairs. Arthur died, of a heart ailment, Friday night at Fort Miley Veterans Hos­pital, at the age of 71.

Cast of Characters

There was at Arthur’s apartment, Marge “The Barge” Piaggio, astrologer, former secretary to Arthur, touched with the glamor of a thousand and one nights as a one time resident of Ken Kesey’s place at Laguna Honda. She made Tom Wolfe’s book, “The Electric Kool Aid Acid Test.”

‘There was “Cappy,” known to his mother as Roy Inquist, who was poignant, at 44, for more than one reason, one of them being that he is a period piece. He seems to be dashing cease­lessly into the past, trying to catch up with “On the Road,” so that Jack kerouac can put him into it. But Kerouac is dead and will never put Cappy in “On the Road.”

Also there were all the tranquilizer pills that Cappy was popping like cough drops yesterday to still his grief. He really needed and loved Gavin Chester Arthur, who had apparently been an ebullient, c1ever, childlike man, who also could be quite irascible, even cruel—from what they told of him. Cappy’s eyes looked like Mayan ruins that have not yet been restored by the government authorities.

Strange Void

And Murray, a stout, calm girl, who seemed the most realistic. And Lorenz Tro­net, a young man from the Midwest, the latest in a long line of secretaries to Arthur. The astrologer called them cheltas; and some of them thought of him as a guru.

They talked into that strange void, like a still day, a sentence left for them to finish, that the death of someone leaves.

Cappy was down and out six years ago when he moved in with Arthur. He’d started out from Duluth, Minn., with a close friend named Harold, in a secondhand Buick. The Buick wouldn’t back up. “Harold never studied dynamics,” Cappy said, “You can’t go all the way to San Francisco without backing up.” The car was abandoned in Mon­tana, and after a bad time, Cappy stumbled to Gavin Arthur’s doorstep in San Francisco.

“Man’s Way”

“I loved him,” Cappy said. “He saved my life. We grooved together and we had so much fun. He made a new life for me and he got me out of jail. I used to steal food.

“He was a wonderful cook. He used to shout, “You people be quiet, I’m cooking!” he would throw a half pound of butter in and it would throw off smoke. “This is a man’s way of cooking,” he would say to me. “You cook like a sissy, Cappy.”

He was part John Barrymore and part W. C. Fields.”

“That’s a good line, Cap­py,” said Marge “The Barge” Piaggio. “That’s just what he was like,” Marge added, “He was incredibly dynamic and extremely intelligent. He was a sort of a patriarch in a way, a strange sort of a man. There was a lot of the child in him.

“Once he said, “I’m so furious with Cappy. He’s fall­en down the stairs and incapacitated himself.” Marge said, “Cappy is a large elf, a pixie.”

“Oh my,” said Cappy,” popping another tranquilizer pill, without water, “all my friends are dying.”

Magical Quality

Murray, the stout girl wanted to say privately, in another room, what she thought. “I was attracted to his household because it had a magical, enchanted quality. He felt that he and Cap­py had been through a million incarnations.

“His negative side was that he could be hyper­critical, and capable of cruelty. Cappy was the person he was closest to, although Cappy was very irreverent about astrology.

Marge “The Barge” Piaggio said there will be “one hell of a wake” today for Arthur at the Lyman country estate near St. Helena. His ashes will be circled by watermelons and roses, she said, and there will be reading of some of Walt Whitman’s thoughts on death.

The Asia Foundation

38, The Mall - P.O. Box 378

Lahore, Pakistan.

June 21, 1961

Mr. Samuel L. Lewis,

K-482 Kunj St.

Abbottabad

Dear Mr. Lewis:

Thank you for your letter of June 11 which I read with great interest. I am, as you say, very much in favour of Americans and Asians sitting down and talking together as human beings.

In your next to last paragraph you refer to a Foundation conference in Abbottabad. I believe you have in mind the Summer Seminars which we had expected would take place in Abbottabad this year. These seminars are participated in by Pakistani college teachers in cooperation with some of the senior professors at Pakistan’s universities, and American visitors. When I mentioned this to you when we met in Lahore, the plan was to have some of the seminars at the Public School in Abbottabad. Since sufficient accommodations were not available there, it has been necessary to hold them in Peshawar instead.

I hope to see you, however, if I do get a chance to cane to Abbottabad. Please likewise drop in to see me if you happen to be in Lahore.

Sincerely yours,

William S. Metz

The Asia Foundation

550 Kearny Street, San Francisco 8, California

Mailing address: P. O. Box 3223, San Francisco 19, California

November 18, 1963

Mr. Samuel L. Lewis

58 Harriet Street

San Francisco 3, California

Dear Mr. Lewis:

As Bill Eilers is traveling on Foundation business, I would like to reply to your letter of November 9.

Regarding Professor Khawar Khan’s plan for obtaining a doctorate in Islamic Studies, I believe she could select from a number of excellent institutions. Near and Middle East Institute, Columbia University; Institute of Islamic Studies, McGill University, Montreal; Department of Oriental Studies, University of Pennsylvania; and several others would certainly serve her need well. Should she wish to correspond regarding specialized advice on different departments in this country, I suggest she address the Middle East Institute, 1761 N Street, N.W. Washington 25, D.C., which, though not a teaching institution, is in close contact with all matters in this field.

With best wishes.

Sincerely yours,

James H. Noyes

The Asia Foundation

550 Kearny Street, San Francisco 8, California

Mailing address: P. O. Box 3223, San Francisco 19, California

Office of the President

September 2, 1966

Mr. Samuel L. Lewis

772 Clementina Street

San Francisco 3, California

Dear Sam:

This will acknowledge your letter of August 29, enclosing a copy of a letter to President Johnson.

In accordance with your request for an interview on the subject of cultural exchange, I would suggest that you call Dr. Mary Gray of our Program Services Division, who is directly in charge of all of our exchange programs with Asia and is an expert on the subject of cultural exchange.

Sincerely yours,

William J. Sheppard

The Asia Foundation

550 Kearny Street, San Francisco, California

Office of the President

November 1, 1966

Mr. Samuel L. Lewis

772 Clementina Street

San Francisco 3, California

Dear Mr. Lewis:

Many thanks for sharing with us the copy of your letter to Mr. Art Hoppe of the Chronicle. It is always a pleasure to hear from you.

Sincerely yours,

William J. Sheppard

The Asia Foundation

550 Kearny Street, San Francisco, California

Office of the President

June 6, 1967

Mr. Samuel L. Lewis

772 Clementina Street

San Francisco 3, California

Dear Mr. Lewis:

Your letter of May 14 has reached me for reply, and in the name of The Asia Foundation I would like to thank you for your kind words about the Foundation “as the great light … of what Americans can and should do….” We are pleased to have your letter as one of the many we have recently received complimenting the Foundation on its efforts in Asia and with Asians.

I have shared your letter with Mr. Smith and know he will read it with interest. We were pleased to see that you will be mentioning UCLA in your will and hope that you will do likewise for The Asia Foundation, which as you know, welcomes such bequests.

With best wishes for the continuation of your own good work.

Sincerely yours,

Mrs. Norman Coliver

Books for Asian Students

451 Sixth Street, San Francisco, California 94103

July 5, 1967

Mr. Samuel L. Lewis

772 Clementina Street

San Francisco, California 91103

Dear Mr. Lewis:

Your fine collection of journals will be of primary interest and usefulness to teachers and students in Asia. We greatly appreciate your kind interest and help in our program.

A copy of the quarterly report which describes the activities and progress of Books for Asian Students is enclosed.

With renewed thanks and every good wish.

Sincerely yours,

Carlton Lowenberg

Enclosure

The Asia Foundation

550 Kearny Street, San Francisco, California

October 12, 1967

Mr. Samuel L. Lewis

410 Precita Avenue

San Francisco, California 94110

Dear Mr. Lewis:

Please accept my apologies for not having answered your letter of August 3rd sooner. Although The Asia Foundation was unable to send a representative to attend the formal opening of your new home, I trust the evening was a success.

With regard to your god-daughter, Miss Khawar Khan, since she does have a Ford Foundation scholarship for study at Oklahoma State University, it would probably be best for her to remain at Oklahoma State until she completes whatever provisions are in her grant from the Ford Foundation. If, at the time she fulfills the provisions of the grant, she still feels she wants to come to California to study Home Economics, I suggest that she write the Office of Education of the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. They publish a list of institutions which offer home-economics training entitled “Home Economics in Institutions Granting Bachelors’ or Higher Degrees, 1961-1962.”

I hope this will be of some help to you, and, again, please forgive me for having been so late in answering.

Sincerely,

Dr. Mary F. Gray

Samuel L. Lewis

410 Precita Avenue, San Francisco, Calif. 94110

April 25, 1968

Asia Foundation

550 Kearny St.,

San Francisco, Calif. 94111

My dear Friends:

Our Two Cultures and Peace in Asia.

I hope to release now a letter written originally at the suggestion of Senator Percy of Illinois and addressed to the two Senators from California and the two Congressmen from San Francisco. It is an odd thing that we claim to be fighting in Vietnam to introduce, or impose an electoral democracy and at the same time a citizen who has been a participant in the actual events involved is given no more consideration than anybody else who has—one vote, but it happens that soon this person will have a large number of votes, not that he is seeking any particular prestige, but the young, who are in protest prefer the direct experiences of a nobody to all the directors and dialectical sermons from the some bodies—who were never there.

And it is most unfortunate that to maintain the present anti-communist dialectics on which the press, the Foreign Office and most of the “experts” from the dialectical anti-democratic “far right” to and through “far left” are equally unwilling to comprise their subjective philosophies for hard facts. Hard facts are unwelcome and unwanted.

Agriculture in Asia This subject was discussed in “Asian Surveys” published by the University of California and details reports from a convention of social scientists and economists who accepted without question the official reports of God knows who. The report, mislabeled (who cares anyhow?), did not cover Asia but Thailand, India and Pakistan which happen to be the three countries I have lived in and where I made a firsthand study of agriculture in situ.

These reports have been discussed with the agronomists and other scientists on at least five campuses, touched lightly on one other, and one only met colleagues who have been given exactly the same treatment. Those who are in charge of channels of communication, on or off campuses, are interested in policies, and those who have garnered fasts have little to say about the establishment of policies.

Prof. Hyder was for years the Department of Asian Studies on the Berkeley campus. If I received a free meal from Armenians, I received as abject apology in India from savants. I challenged their whole educational system on the point of their ignorance of their own folk-lore and offered them every cent I had if they could point out a single problem of the day which did not have its solution in “Pancha Tantra” or correlative literature. And I regret to say— although it is natural—that there are instructors on the Berkeley campus that know very little of their predecessors, and so there is not always a continuum where such continuum would be very valuable.

This is mentioned because I have failed to find even in the greatest of enthusiasts a full appreciation of achievements first of the Berkeley Campus and then of the whole Multiversity structure and this may give you some ideas for your broadcast. This becomes more important to some of us because the University has been brought into the wrong arenas of public discussion—discussion yes, but the arenas should be selected, as in dueling by the challenged!

Asian Affairs. It is mentioned above that I have been a guest of honor here, there and there. The list is as long as it has been unheralded. When a book on “History of Thailand” was published, the official historian was Prof. David Wilson of UCLA and he included a chapter on “Problems.” I wrote him that every problem mentioned in the book had been met, even solved by colleagues on other campuses. He sent for me, I named the people and place and this has led into a great complex which concerns both international affairs and my own will, leaving manuscripts to UCLA which are even now of great value (only recently the possibilities of their being published).

Personal Affairs have improved greatly and give signs of improving more. Publishers have accepted these manuscripts, largely of great real Zen and Ch’an Masters, etc., etc. Only there has been no secretariat. I am glad to say his has now been provided.

Food Problems of Asia. Lord Snow’s The Two Cultures seem to hold and I have long advocated the “grill system” where professors of dinner subjects covering the same area meet occasionally and exchange knowledge.

There was a great conference on this subject at UCSF a few years back and I was appalled at the lack of knowledge by some of the Multiversity’s greatest representatives of achievements of lesser lights on the various campuses. But nobody is to be blamed. It takes six months to two years to get out brochures and the only “solution” would be to have more inter-campus exchanges.

One can hardly expect human cultural exchanges with professors who do not respect their own colleagues in the same field. Both the accomplishments and researches of the University of Colleague staff in trying to solve food problems (the real ones) is far beyond the ken of social scientists and the press.

For example the report on Pakistan totally ignores the completion of Mangla Dam by a local corporation (Guy Atkinson) and the resulting effects on agriculture and industry.

All the reports ignore the accomplishments of Rockefeller Foundation. My own conclusions were so in accord with the accomplishments of this Foundation, but in another area of Asia that there is nothing more to be added. Nor need it be added for Pakistan has accepted the efforts of Rockefeller Foundation, but the press and “social scientists” who can deduct so much about the unfinished Assouan Dam ignore both Rockefeller and Guy Atkinson.

The oddity is that we are presumably fighting the encroachment of communism and at the same time selling our own industrial accomplishments short.

The Temple of Understanding. While we are fencing to see where a “peace” conference can be held anent Vietnam, the real religious leaders of the real world are planning an international conference under American auspices, to be held this year. There Asians and Americans will sit down together as they do at Asia Foundation meetings, commune and communicate and endeavor to effect results.

This sort of accomplishments—to contrast with subject editorials can, and I believe will, save the world from anarchy.

Making Friends with Asians. A friend of mine, close to a high official of the United States Government recently asked if I could name Americans who might act as emissaries in Asian lands because of established good-will with actual Asians.

I do not know what will come of it. A citizen cannot make factual reports to the Foreign Office, no matter the nature; he is always treated as an underling. Everybody, reads. “The Ugly American” and “Sarkhan” but there is no change of policy.

One of the men suggested is Rev. Iru Price who is a real Buddhist who has had considerable real Buddhist training and is returning from a visit to Lama Anagarika Govinda. The Lama is expected to come in September and Rev. Price will act as his manager. I hope to arrange a visit to Asia Foundation’s offices at that time.

Prof. Huston Smith Arrives in August to present a course on “Living Religions and Philosophies of Asia.” I have been in touch with this man for some time and wish to encourage attendance at his lectures. This could do much to bridge the unfortunate and unnecessary cultural gap.

Faithfully,

Samuel L. Lewis

cc: Burton

cc: Milliard

410 Precita

San Francisco, Calif. 94110

November 14, 1968

Asia Foundation

550 Kearney Street

San Francisco, Calif. 94110

My Dear Friends:

I am writing you now for several reasons. The most immediate being a request for an appointment some time on Friday, November 22nd, the exact hour to be confirmed by telephonic call etc. The reason is that our good friend, Dr. Thick Thien An, instructor in Vietnamese Culture and Buddhism, expects to arrive in this city on the previous night. I think especially in view of the many compilations involving his country, a Vietnamese should occasionally be given some consideration. My whole antipathy to our Asian policies is that we grant objective existence to powerful count rims and persons with whom we do not agree—often extremely antipathetic to—while we disregard the civilizations and persons of small, but often important, lands.

It is most unfortunate that under the guise of “realism,” we have almost totally disregarded also the contributions of our own citizens toward a better understanding of Asia. The most flagrant example of this is our bypassing, locally and otherwise, the completion of Mangalore Dam in Pakistan by one of our own corporations, while giving undue publicity to potential efforts—and I mean efforts—of inimical nations.

Along with the works of Guy Atkinson, and other American engineering firms, I must report now that an average American housewife, Mrs. Dickerson Hollister of Greenwich, CO has gone a long way toward promoting better Asian and also world understanding with The Temple of Understanding. I shall be glad to furnish you with details when received, if you do not get them otherwise.

Perhaps equally important in actual world affairs is the progress being made at Auroville, near Pondicherry in India, under the aegis of another American lady, Miss Julie Medlock. It is most unfortunate that the public on the whole has almost no information of successes by Americans in far, and especially, Asian parts.

Of another order, on visits here parallel to that of Dr. Thich Thien An above. My lifelong friend, Mr. Paul Reps, long-time Asian traveler and author of many books, has just been here, and again will appear in Sausalito, on Saturday, November 23rd. I saw Mr. Reps recently immediately after a visit with Swami Swahananda, who is now officiating at the local Vedanta temple. This visit looked like a verse out of Kipling which I shall not quote here.

Swamiji informs me that his Principal, Swami Ranganathananda, President of the Ramakrishna Vedanta Order, will be here in January. I consider this holy man one of the greatest living authorities and both mystical experience and Asian literature. If I may, I suggest your contacting him sometime; perhaps some of your staff knows him already.

I am also expecting, either in person or by news, our good friend, Master Seo Kyung Bo of Korea, although it is possible also that I may be visiting him in Philadelphia next year.

Of further interest perhaps, is the fact that my God-daughter, Miss Saadia Khawar Khan is now matriculating at Cornell University. She is a Professor of Punjabi University in Lahore and has met several of your staff members abroad. I consider her presence in the United States will be very helpful toward promoting both religious and cultural understanding.

My own efforts in the campaign “Joy without Drugs” have resulted in a constantly increasing following among the young. The presentation of mystical and esoteric knowledge through dances, dervish, yoga, and ceremonial, are much more effective than the dualistic verbal methods of platform orators.

Along with this has been a rather edifying private life, including the establishment of a Sufi Khankah, perhaps the first in the United States, in the city of Novato in Marin County. One cannot cover all of Asia, but personal and private relations with living Asians representing every part of the whole continent have brought nothing but satisfactory results this year.

My poem “The Rejected Avatar” has been published and at least one complimentary copy will be presented to you shortly. Now that a secretariat has been established here a great deal more may follow on subject matters which have been reported before. I am totally interested in all efforts of my fellow Americans to promote better understanding and real cultural exchange with all Asians outside those smothered by subjective dialectics.

Sincerely and Cordially,

Samuel L. Lewis Sufi Ahmed Chisti

410 Precita

San Francisco, Calif. 94110

Sept. 30, 1969

Asia Foundation

550 Kearney Street

San Francisco, Calif. 94110

Dear Friends:

I sometimes regret that I am not cooperating more with you. I am enclosing a carbon of a letter to American Society for Eastern Arts which gives some of the news of events in my private life. I mention there my Pakistani God-daughter who is now at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. She is a remarkable character, a graduate of the American University at Beirut, a Haji, and was for a while the youngest woman University professor on the whole continent of Asia. She is in this country with a permit to stay until she obtains her PhD degree in textiles and home arts, and there is every possibility that this will occur, God willing.

I am now being recognized in distant places and also locally for my researches and the accompanying knowledges of the religions of Asia. The big thing of course will be the international conference in Istanbul next year.

I am intensely interested in your undertakings and regard Asian Student as the very best publication in the field.

If there is anything I can do for you in going to Turkey I should be glad to cooperate; and if you wish any reports, I shall be glad to send them on. I am not only a representative of the Sufis, but also on excellent terms with the top mystics in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism, to say the least. There will also be a minuscule gathering in this region in a few days, and attempt to bring the various spiritual leaders to the public. Of course one does not know the result beforehand but it cannot help but to increase better understanding between Americans and Asians.

Cordially,

Samuel L. Lewis

Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti

cc. the Russell Smiths

The Asia Foundation

550 Kearny Street, San Francisco, California

October 9, 1969

San Francisco, CA 94119

Mr. Samuel L. Lewis

410 Precita Avenue

San Francisco, California 94110

Dear Mr. Lewis:

You were nice to offer to do something on our behalf while in Turkey. Since our own staff travel from time to time, it is possible for them to take care of whatever assignments we might have in countries where The Asia Foundation is not represented.

I will pass on your kind comments about The Asian Student to its editor. With best wishes for a good trip,

Sincerely,

Mrs. Norman Coliver

January 4, 1970

The Asian Student

c/o The Asia Foundation

550 Kearny St.,

San Francisco, Calif.

Dear Friends:

I cannot over-praise you for the publications of the picture of Mangla Dam which appear on page 4 of the issue of December 27.

My whole life—not very successful as yet—has been dedicated to an unnecessary war between reality and “realism.” The example I have used the most, and to no avail, has been the successful construction of this Mangla Dam, and the new hush-hushed reports of Aswan Dam. To me there is such a vast difference between American accomplishments and communist programs that it is impossible to arrive at any satisfactory logical conclusions. But logical conclusions and fasts are not wanted. I find myself in total agreement with Lord Show that there are two cultures—the scientific and the literary humanist—the latter including practically all our editors and commentators.

What I deplore, and continue to deplore, is the lack of consideration given to some of our local engineering corporations, in this case Guy Atkinson of South San-Francisco. I am in no way connected with this corporation or any similar institution anywhere. But I have seen with my own eyes, or came very close the seeing with my own eyes, great constructions by American engineers and technicians in many lands.

I am not engaged in any crusades against communism. I am personally against any from, against all forms of dialectics. And perhaps my American background makes me sympathetic to pragmatic outlooks. But I believe these pragmatic outlooks and their successful adaptations to the problems of the day can and should make all of us optimistic.

I believe the same holds true with the efforts of some of the great Foundations, especially in the fields of agriculture and exposition.

The Asian Student stands out to me as one bright light in the whole field of Oriental relations and Asian accomplishment. I hope the time comes when more of the press, when more of the radio and television stations, will stress more about accomplished fasts then about policies, ideas, and programs of anybody whatsoever, whomsoever.

Wishing you a happy New Year.

Sincerely,

Samuel L. Lewis

410 Precita Ave.

San Francisco, Calif. 94110

May 15, 1970

Asia Foundation

550 Kearny St.

San Francisco, Calif. 94111

Dear Sirs:

I cannot over praise your recent essay contest and even more what might be considered the skill and fairness of the judges. I have seen no better article than “A Balanced Approach Needed” by Tran Thanh Dang. And perhaps he also has benefited from the type of “mind training” which is either received or is inherent in certain types of Buddhist culture as reflected in the article of Chul Hong Park, the second prize winner.

For a long time “The Asian Student” has stood to me almost alone in what I call the endless battle of “reality versus realism.” I still do not know what “realism” is but I do know that the world is suffering from endless conflicts between various camps and schools of “realism.” Even now while there is bloodshed at home or abroad, practically nose of the emotionalists involved have shown the slightest concern for the cultures of Vietnam or Cambodia making one almost doubt if they are inhabited by “human beings.” Or bringing about a conclusion that these people are between human and non-human as were the slaves of the South in other days.

But to carp does not help. I have returned recently from a real summit meeting of the leaders of the real religions of this world. It was held at Geneva add ignored almost unanimously if not unanimously by the “realistic” press of this land. (My picture was taken innumerable times and appeared in some European publications.) To find that the personal representative of His Holiness Pope Paul; the leaders of both the synagogues and mosques; Her Serene Hughes, Princess Peon Diskul, President of the World Buddhist Federation were there, mingled and intermingled on terms of amity and high morality—in a conference almost dominated by Swami Ranganathananda Maharaj of the Ramakrishna Vedanta Order, and nobly seconded by Prof. Nasr representing the real Sufis of this world—was a wonder. We are back to a renewal of the Parliament of Religions at the Chicago Fair of 1893, with Swamiji repeating the role of Vivekananda.

The real leaders of the real religions cooperated for world peace, not the empty verbalisms that we delight in, but in its potential reality. One was forced to throw all one’s eggs in the basket of peace for the Near East or S.E. Asia and chose the former.

One’s program is very close to the philosophy of Tran Thanh Dang. One is concerned with Ecology in the older sense and not in what this writer calls the attitude of “experts” (his term, to which one assents).

No doubt you can obtain record of the proceedings of the Geneva conference and I shall certainly try to assist in this.

One has piles of material—actual facts, data, evidence, to support the thesis of Tran Thanh Dong. But one has equal evidence and data for the Near East. One is making some efforts to ascertain if rabbis and other clerics will actually grant interviews. And in this one has an over-all program for the scientific-ecological restoration—whether this has any relation for the term “ecology” as used by sociologists and the press, I do not know.

A Peace program for the Near East requires attention to water problems and desert reclamation. For S.E. Asia to water problems of another sort, plus multi cropping.

One is optimistic enough to believe that practically all the problems of Asia have been solved—at least by scientists and technicians, but it is at most impossible to get recognition from the press, TV organizations of foreign offices, so to speak.

Asians can speak for Asia.

After leaving Switzerland we were guests of the World Congress of Faiths and Royal Asiatic Society and also met some of the top Orientalists privately. Now I have to leave San Francisco again to teach the young the Oriental philosophies and techniques learned from Asian-Asians and also present “Dances of Universal Peace,” heritage from the late Ruth St. Denis.

Faithfully,

Samuel L. Lewis

cc- Russell G. Smith        

cc- KQED

Rockwell, Fulkerson & Wilson

Attorneys At Law

1434 Fifth Avenue

San Rafael, California Glenwood 3-0360

October 31, 1960

Mr. S. M. Lewis

16 Sharina Kemal ed din Salah

Kasr el Doubara

Cairo, U.A.R.

Dear Sam:

Just a note to let you know that I very greatly appreciate the stamps that you have been sending to me. Not only am I getting all those you have sent directly to me and enclose in the letters to John, but I am also swiping his covers, as well.

The only reason this letter wasn’t written about two weeks ago is that the Postal Department over there is so thorough that they keep running their cancellation completely across the top of the envelope and I had a heck of a time trying to figure out the address on the last two envelopes. I have now given it up and told Syd to use her best efforts to decipher the most legible return address we have.

Sincerely yours,

Hal Fulkerson

Rockwell, Fulkerson & Wilson

Attorneys At Law

1434 Fifth Avenue

San Rafael, California Glenwood 3-0360

December 10, 1964

Mr. Samuel L. Lewis

772 Clementina Street

San Francisco, California

Dear Sam:

Best wishes for the holiday season. From your letters it sounds as though your destiny in bringing the message of the Far East and Near East is beginning to unfold.

Sincerely yours,

John L Rockwell

Rockwell, Fulkerson & Wilson

Attorneys At Law

1434 Fifth Avenue

San Rafael, California Glenwood 3-0360

June 1, 1965

Mr. Samuel L. Lewis

772 Clementina Street

San Francisco, California

Dear Sam:

From your letters, I believe you are presently in the South visiting your aunt and uncle and making certain contacts with the University of California at Los Angeles. On your return, will you please call me and I will arrange an appointment with the specialist who handles Will contest cases.

Very truly yours,

John Rockwell

Rockwell, Fulkerson & Wilson

Attorneys At Law

1434 Fifth Avenue

San Rafael, California Glenwood 3-0360

June 24, 1965

Mr. Samuel L. Lewis

772 Clementina Street

San Francisco 3, California

Dear Sam:

I have been in correspondence with your uncle, Harry Rosenthal. He has advised me that he will send me Elliott’s letters, but he would appreciate it if you would give him written assurance that in the event you are successful in overturning your mother’s Will, which would then permit you to participate in the estate, that you would pay him the $1,000.00 bequest contained in that Will.

Very truly yours,

John Rockwell

Rockwell, Fulkerson & Wilson

Attorneys At Law

1434 Fifth Avenue

San Rafael, California Glenwood 3-0360

August 20, 1965

Mr. Samuel L. Lewis

772 Clementina Street

San Francisco, California

Dear Sam:

I have arranged an appointment with Vincent Cullinan, the specialist in Will contests. Will you please arrange to meet me in the lobby of the Shell Oil Building, 100 Bush Street, San Francisco, at 9:20 a.m. Wednesday, August 25, 1965.

I received all of the letters from your uncle and am in the process of reviewing them. I would recommend a minimum of correspondence or conversation with your brother Elliott.

Very truly yours,

John Rockwell

Lachelt and Watts

Attorneys At Law

Whitcomb Legal Center, Suite 22

1231 Market Street

San Francisco, California 94103

November 8, 1965

Mr. Samuel L. Lewis

772 Clementina Street

San Francisco 3, California

Dear Mr. Lewis:

Although we haven’t met personally, Mr. Lewis, I trust that Mr. John Rockwell, your attorney in San Rafael, has advised you that our firm is associated with him in contesting the Will of your Mother, Harriet Lewis, admitted to Probate in San Francisco on May 21, 1965.

Since I do not find you listed in the telephone directory, Mr. Lewis, I take this opportunity to reach you by letter, and request that you call me at your earliest convenience so that we might set up an appointment to discuss various aspects of this case.

By the time we meet I will have read a considerable number of letters written from you to your Uncle, and others, which definitely assist me in understanding your family situation.

Mr. Rockwell advises me that you possess certain letters written by your Mother in which she speaks of you with considerable endearment. I would appreciate it very much, Mr. Lewis, if you would bend every effort in acquiring or locating these letters so that we might peruse them.

I look forward to hearing from you shortly.

Very truly yours,

Ted Lachelt

Rockwell, Fulkerson & Wilson

Attorneys At Law

1434 Fifth Avenue

San Rafael, California Glenwood 3-0360

January 25, 1966

Mr. Samuel L. Lewis

772 Clementina Street

San Francisco 3, California

Dear Sam:

From time to time some most attractive stamps have found their way into my collection by way of one Samuel L. Lewis.

This is just to insure you know I am most appreciative of your continuing thoughtfulness in this regard.

Thanks again.

Very truly yours,

Harold H. Fulkerson

Theodore C. Lachelt

Attorney at Law

1029 Fourth Street, Suite 19

San Rafael, California 94901

January 3, 1967

Mr. Sam Lewis

772 Clementina Street

San Francisco, California

Dear Sam:

I am enclosing herewith for your reference a copy of a letter I received from Elliott this weekend, as well as of the reply I sent him. I trust the sentiments expressed are shared by yourself.

It certainly would be of great assistance to you, Sam, if we were able to raise the income to you under your father’s Will, and every effort should be expended to achieve that end.

I have written Mr. Flahos in an effort to secure Elliott’s check in the amount of $854.00, and expect to have his reply shortly. It is quite possible that Elliott had to sell some stock, which takes from four to five days in order to secure the funds.

I suggested a meeting with Elliott prior to any conference with the attorney handling your father’s trust estate, so that we might plan the best approach.

How is your physical condition, Sam? Are you in need of any medical treatment whatsoever?

I shall contact you instantly when I have received Elliott’s check, so that we can close that matter.

Very truly yours,

Theodore C. Lachelt

1/3—Just received your letter. I understand your feeling and will act accordingly. We will talk together before seeing Elliott.—T

Theodore C. Lachelt

Attorney at Law

1029 Fourth Street, Suite 19

San Rafael, California 94901

January 3, 1967

Mr. Elliott M. Lewis

567 Ninth Avenue

San Francisco, California 94118

Dear Elliott:

I really appreciated your letter of December 26, 1966, outlining the possibility of increasing the allowance from your father’s trust to yourself and Sam.

I was also very gratified that we were able to reach an amicable settlement of the differences between you and Sam concerning your mother’s estate, so that we might move ahead in a co-operative manner in the future.

I have spoken to Sam regarding increasing the allowance, and he is wholeheartedly in favor of doing anything which may achieve this. Although he does receive the income you mentioned, he is quite pressed for funds, since he does a great deal of traveling in connection with his work, and would be able to do more if he had an increased income.

Before meeting with Willard Ellis, the attorney who apparently is handling your father’s trust, we should sit down and discuss the matter at some length to plan the submission of our request for increased income. Do you have a copy of the instrument which set up the trust? I assume that this trust was set up in your father’s Will.

Please feel free to contact me by letter or by telephone at any time, since we are no longer adversaries, but have joined in a common enterprise:

Best wishes for increased prosperity and good health in 1967:

Very truly yours,

Theodore C. Lachelt

Theodore C. Lachelt

Attorney at Law

1029 Fourth Street, Suite 19

San Rafael, California 94901

January 30, 1967

Mr. Samuel Lewis

772 Clementina Street

San Francisco, California

Dear Sam:

I appreciated your letter of January 26, 1967, in which you outline various discussions you have had with Elliott concerning an increase in your income from the trust estate, and believe that your best interests will be served by Elliott, his attorney, yourself, and I all meeting to discuss a, common plan for attack on the Wells Fargo trustee.

You mentioned that a letter was coming to you from Elliott in which he had further comments to make about suggested claims to be presented to the trustee. It is my opinion that little will be achieved until the four of us sit down in one room and iron out our different views about the whole transaction, and present a united front to the trustee.

I think it would be in your best interests, Sam, to pay an attorney, either myself or John Rockwell, a fixed hourly sum to negotiate this matter with your brother and his attorney, and with the understanding that if an award of a substantial sum of money retroactively was secured, that a percentage of that go to your attorney. If no such retroactive award was made, then your only liability would be for the hourly legal fees entailed in securing a raised income for you. I mentioned your present situation to John Rockwell when he was in the office the other day, and he agreed that a fixed hourly rate for attorney’s fees would seem to be the most equitable arrangement under all circumstances.

Theodore C. Lachelt

Attorney at Law

1029 Fourth Street, Suite 19

San Rafael, California 94901

March 27, 1967

Mr. Samuel L. Lewis

772 Clementina Street

San Francisco, California

Dear Sam:

I really appreciated your recent letters advising me that everything is working out well for you in every respect. I was very pleased that the bank has raised your income to an adequate level, and look forward to meeting with you and Elliott as soon as your brother’s health improves. I was sorry to hear that he is confined to bed.

My son continues to enjoy and file the foreign stamps you have been kind enough to send him, and wishes me to extend his thanks to you.

Please call me at your convenience so that we might have a visit.

Very truly yours,

Theodore C. Lachelt

Theodore C. Lachelt

Attorney at Law

1029 Fourth Street, Suite 19

San Rafael, California 94901

July 24, 1967

Mr. Sam Lewis

410 Precita Avenue

San Francisco, California 94110

Dear Sam:

I have been extremely pleased to receive your letters which have not only advised me of your fine recovery, but have also included some exotic stamps for my son, Gene. He has been at camp recently, and I have been accumulating your very thoughtful additions to his album. I am sure that he will be extremely pleased.

You mention in a letter of July 16th that you will be occupied all during August, but wish to see me in September regarding legal matters. Feel free to call me at any time. Sam, and I will either meet you in San Francisco, or look forward to meeting you here in San Rafael.

I am very pleased that everything has been working out so satisfactorily since we resolved your matter with Elliott.

Very truly yours,

Theodore C. Lachelt

Theodore C. Lachelt

Attorney at Law

1029 Fourth Street, Suite 19

San Rafael, California 94901

January 8, 1968

Mr. Samuel L. Lewis

410 Precita Avenue

San Francisco, California 94110

Dear Sam:

Thank you very much for your letter of December 21, 1967 which indicated everything was coming up roses for you.

I was sorry to miss your visit at the office, but was advised that you were very happy and optimistic for 1968 when I discussed your visit with the secretary.

If you are in this area again soon, Sam, please do call me in advance so that we can set up an appointment and discuss how things are going for you.

Until I see you again, best wishes for a great New Year!

Very truly yours,

Theodore C. Lachalt

410 Precita Ave.,

San Francisco, Calif.

February 23, 1968

Theodore C. Lachelt,

1029 Fourth St.,

San Rafael, Calif. 94901

Dear Ted:

Hope this finds you well. Do not get to Marin County much but this is by agreement with my God-daughter who is away, and prospering. At the moment everything looks propitious and there are at least four writing or teaching possibilities.

But I do not wish to go ahead without legal advice, for the family estate matter has come up. They sent in a long report, showing a large increment of the capital. I feel that this should be divided in part between Elliott and myself. He asked for joint action and then went ahead independently, on account of the house. He cannot pay for the repairs thereon and is mad at the attorneys, Ellis Levy. But he cannot have his cake and eat it. He was also angry because my expenses were large and does not listen. I have to speak three times, at least, to get a point over and then an apology.

I see no reason to go off the handle. All I want is the money, not ego-satisfaction. According to Wells Fargo interpretation they would give us larger amounts in case of illness or emergency. I had the illness last year and do not know whether the increase covers it because it was necessary to get secretarial and other help to make up for lost time.

I also feel that there should be consideration of our ages, not our particular financial problems.

There are now four possible writing assignments which could bring in funds and possibly lecture and teaching ones, too. It is too early but it may require a corporation, either a corporation sole, or one to provide for teaching real Oriental philosophies (can give all details and credentials).

There has been considerable success in getting Hippies off of drugs and “grass” to the goals which they verbally claim they are seeking. All lectures are now very well attended—by the young. Everything at the university fine, too.

Biggest expense last year, huge Income Tax anticipation, only to find that the Estate pays most of this and it should be returned.

Faithfully,

Samuel L. Lewis

Lachelt and Watts

Attorney at Law

1029 Fourth Street, Suite 19

San Rafael, California 94901

February 26, 1968

Mr. Samuel L. Lewis

410 Precita Avenue

San Francisco, California

Dear Sam:

I certainly appreciated your recent letters which are so full of good news concerning your work among the Hippies, and your success in removing their dependence on drugs, etc.

I was pleased also to learn that your father’s estate had profited considerably as manifested by the last accounting, and share your views that the increment of assets should be utilized as much as possible for the benefit of yourself and Elliot.

Should you actually desire any action by myself in regard to this matter, please feel free to call me at any time, and we can meet in San Francisco to discuss the matter, or I can contact the attorneys for your father’s estate directly.

John Rockwell joins me in wishing you continued success.

Very truly yours,

Theodore C. Lachelt

Samuel L. Lewis

410 Precita Avenue

San Francisco, Calif. 94110

March 13, 1968

James B. Garner, Testamentary Trust Dept.

Wells Fargo Bank,

San Francisco 94120

Refer 3-13207

Dear Mr. Garner:

Below is a rough draft estimate subject to revision, as to my current expenses and needs:

Rent and Utilities                                    $2500   Can be verified

Education and Books                  1000     “          “          “

Medical Needs                            500       Last year, extraordinary but dental estimate mor

Clothing                                      300       Estimate

Typewriter, Repairs & Stationary           350       Needed two new machines

Long Distant Travel                    400

Local Travel                                200

Radio, Music, Entertainment      400       Own No TV

Food                                           1500     Estimate

Contributions, Dues, Etc.                        350      (Artistic, scientific and religious only

Postage and Sundry                    150       Can be verified

Taxes                                           200                                          

                                                    $7850

Does not include gifts, Christmas expenses, repairs, tools, legal and other fees

410 Precita Ave.

San Francisco, Calif. 911110

March 19, 1968

James B. Garner

Testamentary Trust Dept. Wells Fargo Bank,

San Francisco, Calif. 914120

Refer 3-13207

Dear Mr. Garner:           

Confirming your recent conversation this is a rough draft covering actual or estimated expenses for a year:

Rent and Utilities                                                $2500   Verifiable

Education and Books                              1000     “

Medical Needs                                        500       Dental estimate more but less by medicare

Clothing                                                  300       Estimate

Typewriter, Repairs and Stationary        350       Needed to purchase a new machine

Long Distant Travel                                400       Do not own motor car

Local Travel                                            200

Radio , Music, Entertainment                 1100     Do not own TV

Food                                                       1500     Estimate

Contributions, Dues , Etc                                    500      (Artistic, scientific, religious and charity)

Postage and Laundry                              150       Verifiable

Taxes, Insurance, Other Fees                  250

Repairs, Tools, Legal Fees                      200

Gifts, Christmas, Misc.                            200

                                                                $8,550

Faithfully,

Samuel L. Lewis

410 Precita,

San Francisco, Calif.

July 6, 1968

Theodore C. Lachelt

Attorney-at-Law

1029 Fourth St.

San Rafael, Calif. 94901

My dear Ted:

My Marin peregrinations have been excellent and there are tremendous potentials at the periphery. It is too early to see you about financial or legal matters but you are geographically excellently placed.

I have sold the people in Novato of the advantage of making a trip to Asia and I had hoped to introduce them to the Diners Club, but this matter is way up in the air.

I am enclosing copy of letter just written to them and am also taking copy to the Retail Credit Association. If they put my name on the “list” we are in excellent position to bring some kind of counter-action whether they bring suit or not for a hypothetical amount due them.

No letter, no phone call, even retooled copies have been given proper attention. I do not know how many persons have communicated with me and on each phone call (which they paid for) when I proved my point they switched me to another department and they let the matter hang. My word has never been taken nor has the material evidence.

Why they even dunned me ones for an unpaid bill when they had not sent me the bill! I do not know ether I have kept all the records. And right now at least two offices in the Southland and one in New York are after me and no matter what I write or say, that does not satisfy the other offices!

I am going to write to Mr. Bloomingdale, President of the Diners’ Club and may be able—I do not know—to find the letter he wrote as some time back. But as many are finding out the machine-booting system and many of the IBM operations are rapid, efficient and idiotic. You cannot argue with a machine. I am tired of all this and await your advice.

Faithfully,

Samuel L. Lewis

cc—Diners Club

cc—Retail Credit Ass.

November 21st, 1968

Dear Sam

Attached in a first draft of a letter to the disciples which outlines the recommendations for the organization of your work—and requests the information from them you have asked for. Please pass it along the routing listed below, and to any others you see fit. When all comments and suggestions have been received Mel can prepare the final version for mailing.

I believe that the letter itself incorporates almost all of the recommendations I have to make as to the present situation of your work. It has been more difficult than I had anticipated to achieve a synthesis of the many factors involved which would not violate the principles upon which your life is based—as far as I grasp them.

A few more points which need not be circulated to the group as a whole follow:

1. Budget

The numbers below are a very rough estimate, I am sure that Daniel can come up with more exact figures—but this should serve as a preliminary guide:

Fixed Obligations:

Rent plus Utilities—$160 + $40                                        $200 (See note 3 below as regards this)

Food (Assuming and average of 5 people per meal—    $210

three will love in your household full time—

you will be there approximately one-half time—

and , allowing for guests, I do not think this excessive.)

Periodicals                                                                      $10

Contributions                                                                  $50?

Housekeeper direct salary (plus room and board)         $25

Daniel direct salary (plus room and board)                    $45

Mel direct salary (plus room and board)                                    $00

David (no direct salary while working only part time—

he will contribute to partially offset room and board)               $60

Theatre Rent (Thingmaker?)                                           $75

Various contributions to the Khankah                            $200?

                                                                                        $815

                                                                                        $60       $60

Net fixed obligations per month (estimate)                    $755

Discretionary Fund:

I recommend that all income exceeding the amount necessary for the fixed obligations be placed in a discretionary fund under your control alone. It is contemplated that the amounts in this fund are intended to over such items as: Clothes, Restaurant dinners, Gifts

Of course, any further fixed obligations undertaken, such as for loans for the remodeling if necessary should be added to the Fixed Obligation section so that the proper amount can be transferred to this account each month.

2. Record keeping

It is recommended that Daniel keep a simple but complete set of records concerning all of your expenses (except those directly personal as paid from the discretionary fund). Your income tax return should be prepared by a qualified person, with Daniel’s help. You will be allowed, for instance, to offset at least half of the expense of maintaining your house—as well as the entire cost, I believe of the housekeepers, and Mel’s and David’s food, against the contributions you will receive.

I should be very surprised if it were necessary for you to pay any income tax at all if even minimal records are kept. If you have not properly accounted for your expenses in the past it is conceivable that you may even eligible for a rebate.

It is recommended that you set up two independent checking accounts—this will be the easiest way to prove, if ever necessary, the separation of funds acquired. One account, that one intended for the fixed obligations, should have two signatures required—yours and your financial secretary’s. In that way he can prepare the checks completely for your approval, and signature—and you will not be tempted to use money earmarked for specific obligations on the spur of the moment.

The other account should be for the Discretionary fund and need not be maintained by anyone other than yourself. Out of this fund you would pay all the directly, personal expenses listed, etc. and things like credit card accounts.

It is recommended that all income received be deposited first in the fixed Obligation account, and that a check be issued to you personally each month for that amount in excess of the sum required for the fixed obligations.

3. House

It is recommended that you either;

Make an otter to purchase the house contingent on satisfactory arrangement of your legacy payments in February, and contingent on a long-term lease if the sale does not go through.

Or

Ask for a long term lease with the terms reduced in proportion to the improvements you intend (garage and rear bedroom, etc.)

I am either case an agreement should be made with the landlord before you do any remodeling so that you do not lose your investment.

4. Mr. Hunt

I am ready, as I have assured you, to talk with Mr. Hunt and to get a definite commitment from him as to his moving out. In return I think I should be authorized to offer the services of some of the disciples to aid him in finding a place to live and in doing the moving.

The details above will present no great difficulty for an essentially uninvolved person such as myself. However, I believe, there is one other short but painful step that only you can perform—in keeping with the principles you teach. That is, I think you should inform him that, although the circumstances are such that he must move, that you personally love him as a loyal friend.

5. Housekeeper

This not yet been resolved.

Regards,

John

December 9, 1968

My dear John:

This letter is being written especially in case you do not come up because there is one appointment after another on a crowded calendar, mostly with persons of some importance in my public or private life visiting these parts. I do not even know whether they have arranged this among themselves and it is not hurting anything but time processes.

Some leeway has to be given to the cats whether they remain here or are taken away and any arrangement is satisfying to me.

I do not think psychiatric problems are abnormalities. Certainly not so much as headaches, particularly Excedrin headaches. The first suggestion—it is so simple and apparently elementary it may seem hard to digest, is simply to watch the breath and after you are sure of that to see it is in rhythm. There are many ways to get the breath in rhythm, especially to walk in a march time, or to sit listening to more or less classical music because it has in general, a single rhythm to attune to. It is the rhythm here rather than the melody which may be important to you.

As your assuredness of breath increases you will be less disturbed by negative reactions of others. This is one of the most difficult and most important lessons of life—to be able to stand firm.

Sam is now called upon to do this here and is making breaks with those who should be his friends. Oriental Philosophy is not a matter of business and social prestige. I am all for selling things which should be on the market. But when we render unto Ceasar the things that should be God’s we are leading ourselves and others astray.

In some sense my female counterpart is Miss Julie Medlock who operates at Auroville, near Pondicherry. She has tremendous vision and ambition. Her quondam associates are using her efforts to build up organizations (you might call them rackets) for themselves. They have never promised and I am now acceding to her request that moneys given to them should be given to her.

There is a whole field of [?] industrial cooperation for new projects abroad. The metaphysical method is simple:  have emotional campaigns, collect money and build up a subsidiary. Period. Thus the main project never gets off the ground. It is easy to get industrial support and there are all kinds of ways of getting through customs both ends, but the “big people” all have big egos and frozen ears. This covers so many subjects I do not wish to discuss. But certainly if you intend to go abroad on any mission I should wish to go into detail with you.

From Daniels reports things are well here and I intend to give him every leeway unless some principle is involved to the contrary. This is to help him to grow and it also removes my mind from certain concerns.

Mr. Hunt is nearly all moved out. This room, the former dining room, will make a better office but we may also use it for an emergency dining room if required.

After you get the breath in some kind of control I shall give you introductions to Meditation and Concentration, but not until you have nerves under control.

Not only Marcia but another young lady wishes to learn the new dances. I shall take this up with Daniel so we can properly choreography. This seems a big field with all kinds of opportunities and so far excellent response. But I must inform you that it is a minor project on my list, especially with the forthcoming visitors.

I shall probably stop school after tomorrow until January 26th. Do not know whether this will involve a trip of any kind but this will be determined when Vilayat Khan comes here.

Gave Marcia especial attention at the dancing class and have to do this with others here tonight. And will resume with her Thursday, or even Wednesday, her birthday. Shall not have too much time for you if you do come up.

Blessings,

Sam

February 11, 1969

Theodore C. Lachelt

1029 C St.

San Rafael, Calif.

My dear Ted:

I had intended, to write to you, and then telephone, and now two separate matters have come up which makes it important that you hear from me, and maybe even be involved.

1. The Wells Fargo Trust annual report shows a very large increment. I still do not know whether there is a principle innate in personal wills that the heirs are the real inheritors or financial beneficiaries or have some other status. It is certain that the trustees have the right to allot what they feel is sufficient for the needs of Elliott and myself.

I have felt that we should be entitled to 50% of this increment which would still leave a very large amount for the trustees, etc. If we received this amount it would be considerably more than what we are now getting and still leave the original capital not only untouched but receiving a regularly increasing addition.

Elliott had told me that with his present expenses he is just making ends meet. I have been taking the stand that moral issues are not important—I have been beaten every time on this—it was simply a question of getting as much as possible, so if he gained I, Samuel would gain.

But without my consent or knowledge he telephoned Mr. Slosberg of Wells Fargo and inferred or more than inferred he was acting in my name—which he was not. He has no right to act in my name especially since his burdens are due to his inability to pay the expenses for the old family residence on Ninth Ave. in San Francisco from which he eased me out entirely, and which if there were morale I should be joint owner. I am not. I am out. I cannot both be out and in and my name being used to support his claim on the house is very questionable. But again, it is not to me whether it is questionable, but how I am, Samuel L. Lewis going to benefit in an imbroglio between Wells Fargo and Elliott M. Lewis.

When my father died the representatives of Wells Fargo supported every statement and every lie of Elliott, cutting me out of all the heir-looms I wished, and should have had. So my policy has been to stand off and stand off entirely.

I would have been entirely with and for Elliott but the use of my name without my consent is a doubtful procedure.

I may follow this up with a phone call Friday.

II.

This is an entirely different matter. Playboy magazine for March will be out in a few days (price $1). It has a long article about the “cults” of California with considerable attention to one “Sam Lewis.” The article shows that it is based on actual verbal reporting of somebody in the audience.

This publication was a surprise to me and it starts out with a false statement—not a false premise, but a false statement about this house. Followed by a quasi-false statement that this person does not know how to breathe and was “wheezing” which is an assumption of medical knowledge on the part of the writer. And it is sarcastic because the subject was “Breathing” and he openly states that “Sam Lewis” shows he did not know how to breathe himself.

Ted. I don’t recall in my whole life any occasion wherein I wheezed. Even my medical history—there are not many records because on the whole my health has been excellent—shows no such indication. All bronchial and other examinations by the Federal authorities, etc. show that at least my chest has been always in excellent condition and the way I climbed the adjacent hill just before I read the article would bring forth a lot of witnesses. Also the article states I had shown a prize-fighter how to climb Nob Hill without losing his breath, which I have and he would testify in my behalf.

I had to contact a colleague on another matter (concerning Oracle magazine) and he told me he had been a professional in this field of publication-legality and wants to do something. My copy of Playboy is in Corte Madera and I should be picking it up Wednesday night.

But what I am afraid of—and I am—is that in pursuing any public action it would involved the whole foreign policy of the United States and especially the present Iraqi imbroglio. I know exactly what I am talking about. It means that I am following this with a letter to the State Department which always in the past ignores, and then the trouble follows. It is not my career that is involved only but the lives of many persons, what with the intense emotional attitudes in both the Israeli and Arab world.

Samuel L. Lewis

910 Railroad Avenue

Novato, Calif. 94947

February 15, 1969

Theodore C. Lachelt

1299 4th Street

San Rafael 949401

My dear Ted:

Confirming our conversation of yesterday, I am leaving with you a copy of the March 1969 issue of Playboy. There is an article called “Cultsville, U.S.A.” by one C. Robert Jennings. I cannot complain with its general theme. One of the reasons which brought Mr. Jennings to my house in San Francisco was that he was writing in the field of which it can be said I am a retired veteran. In fact, he came to my house because of this. He did not come for the personal interview which we had agreed on, but quite evidentially was at one of my public meetings. Too many of the words and items are exactly correct but not others. I am practically the first person mentioned. Although there is nothing illegal about it, the first paragraph reads:

In the scruffy Mission area, south of Market Street, an old Jew named Samuel Lewis sits under a portrait emitted “blessings from Ruth St. Denis,” the disciples of mystical Islamic Sufism spread round about him. “I’m applying Sufi to the solution of the hippie problem,” explains Sam, the self-acknowledged Sufi sheik of San Francisco. “They know there are states of consciousness other than the physical. I teach them meditation and love.”

You will note in this first paragraph the term “Sufism” is used. The inference from much of this article is that because I am a Californian I am automatically a cultist, the movement being exotic. Our whole culture seems quite unaware that there are far more disciples of Sufism than there are perhaps of all other mystical movements combined. Some of these movements such as Zen and Vedanta, which are also given some space, are somewhat known in this country, some are not. The tragedy is that non-Sufis have been able to exclude this teaching from curricula and conferences. In making this allegation I can name the persona and give full details.

Even worse, the presidents of India and Pakistan are each in his own way my spiritual brothers through their connections with valid Sufi Orders. At the moment it is even more delicate because of the complexities of Iraq. The chief Sufi shrines are in Bagdad. The “experts” place Sufism elsewhere. People who have read Gertrude Bell know that the first government of Iraq, upon its being established, succeeded because of the cooperation of Sufis. Many of its cabinets have had disciples of Sufism in their membership.

I am listed as a Jew in such a way as to propose an inference. No corresponding inference appears in later names. This is only important because copies falling into the hands of highly emotional political quasi-religious groups can lead to riots and disorders. I had to eye-witness one of these myself.

After quoting me quite correctly on breath, Mr. Jennings, the author, says concerning me, “wheezing as if he could use a little more of it himself.” This is not only a falsehood, it assumes that the writer has a capacity in medical diagnosis. I am ready to swear on oath that I do not recall having wheezed once since very early childhood, if even then. I do not recall having lost my breath more than 6 times in my whole life.

Mr. Jennings says, “Sam tries to show a prize-fighter how to walk up Nob Hill at full speed without losing breath.” This is true. My disciple James Simmons will testify on it. Not only will many of those who have been in my audiences swear on oath that they have never heard ma wheeze, but Saturday afternoon last I walked up Vernal Hill full speed to catch up with Mr. Simmons and about a dozen persons saw it..

Mr. Jennings adds, “Sam Lewis turns to a young female acidhead.” I do not know how a glib reporter could obtain such knowledge. That anybody was an acidhead. Nevertheless the rest of the paragraph shows that he either took down my notes in shorthand or had a remarkable memory.

He ends this paragraph with “Allah’ha, Allah’ha.” I never use such a phrase, Sufis never use such a phrase. It does appear as a part of certain formulae, but alone one either uses the term Allah or Allahu. There is nothing illegal in it, but knowing how easy it is to flare up ignorant mobs, it could very easily start something. And I am not talking nonsense. Our “realism” is far from Reality and especially with regard to Asian cultures.

I must say later on, on page 157, Mr. Jennings does exempt Zen, Sufism, Baha’i and Vedanta, both from stigma and from cultus abstractus californicus, contradicting his previous inferences.

I am a member of a number of Sufi Orders whose combined membership has been estimated roughly at 40 million, (forty 000,000). I am taking up with my colleagues whether we want a corrective letter, or-take stringent action or de nothing at all. The publication of this in this particular magazine will no doubt makes me a hero among many of the young. I leave everything at this point.

Faithfully,

Samuel L. Lewis

410 Precita Ave.,

San Francisco, Calif.

March 8, 1969

Mr. Theodore C. Lachelt

1299 Fourth St.,

San Rafael, Calif.

My dear Ted:

In further pursuance of some interpretations of my father’s (Jacob B. Lewis) last will and testament. I have not the original will here but do not believe there has been any important verbal or other changes in the reports and petitions of the trustee, Wells Fargo Bank. The present confusion or dispute is one of Interpretation.

The petitions of the trustee constant a section:

“Under the provisions of the Decree of Final Distribution of the estate of decedent above names, petitioner, as trustee, is directed, during the joint lives of Samuel L. Lewis and Elliott M. Lewis, the sons of the decedent above names, to pay the entire net income to said Samuel L. Lewis and Elliott M. Lewis in equal shares. Upon the death of either said Samuel L. Lewis and Elliott M. Lewis, the entire net income of the trust is directed to be paid to the survivor of them. Said Degree of Final Distribution further provides that in the event that the payments of income of the trust to which either Samuel L. Lewis or Elliott M. Lewis is entitled shall, in the judgment of the trustee, be insufficient to provide for the reasonable support, care and comfort of said Samuel L. Lewis or Elliott M. Lewis, the trustee may pay to such beneficiary or aptly for his benefit, so much of the principal of the trust estate as the trustee may deem proper or necessary for that purpose.”

It is this last phrase which has been the cause of some dispute. When I asked for an interpretation I was told that to have any larger amount distributed the residual legatees would have to assent and also a diminution of the capital would mean ultimately smaller income. What happened was that at least one of the residual legatees is no longer in existence and that the capital has increased so considerably that both my brother, Elliott M. Lewis and I, Samuel L. Lewis, not only get a considerable larger allotment than we had under the original in perpetration, but that the capital has increased very considerably.

In the projected dispute between my brother, Elliott M. Lewis, and the trustees, Wells Fargo Bank, it must be said on the one hand that the trustee seems to have handled all financial matters very well indeed. But in the question of interpretation there are two points in doubt:

Is the common interoperation of wills and testaments that the money is to be used in such a way that the legatees benefit; or are the heirs in effect the wards of the estate? When I first went and asked for additional funds because of illness I was turned down on the ground that any such distribution would diminish the capital and lead to a decrease of allotment later on. I had to pay for the illness and found later the statement was palpably untrue, that the capital had gone up so considerably, that this would and could easily have been done.

It was also used to refuse to help my brother, Elliott M. Lewis, but when we joined together jointly, I found they then distributed an amount considerably over what I had expected because the money was there.

In dealing with a corporation and at the same time with a single individual behind a desk, a person is at a disadvantage. In this case the person who had been behind the desk and had refused to consider my petition was later removed and the present person involved did give me proper consideration.

In any event my brother, Elliott M. Lewis, finds himself in a partially justified position that interpretations by the trustee do not always seem to be the same. Then, as the capital has increased somewhat, both of us over 70, he feels we are entitled to such amounts in distribution which could and would leave the original capital residue intact.

What I am concerned here also is whether, if Elliott should predecease me, whether I would obtain our common allotments, now seven hundred $700.00) dollars a month each, or whether I would and could be cut down to the income only of the estate, a considerably less amount, leaving the capital to increase indefinitely for the final beneficiaries who are institutions, not blood relatives.

The attorneys involved are “Ellis & Levy” 44 Montgomery St., San Francisco, 94104.

At the moment I am not on such questionable personal terms with either the attorneys so named or with the trustees as is Elliott but I find softness is often a cause for not always justifiable action and that a firm stand usually gets a better result. However I am awaiting first, to see if the present “tempest” is real or noise.

Faithfully,

Samuel L. Lewis

March 16, 1969

Theodore C. Lachelt

1299 Fourth St.,

San Rafael, Calif.

My dear Ted,

It is Sunday morning and no different from any other for Sam. It has been a glorious week in some directions:

The private war started on me years ago by Dr. S. I. Hayakawa came to a head. He has absolutely and adamantly refused to accept anything coming from any part of Asia as a contribution to knowledge despite his ancestry. And he has been very successful in “sadism” not only against Sam but against a lot of others. Now threatening with a part of Asian philosophy he cannot ignore— i.e. “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” he has sent up a white flag. There is much more to this, far more than a letter can convey.

There are now signs that the publication The Oracle published in Larkspur is entirely in the hands of my disciples and they are going to publish some of my things, slowly at first. But the possibility of an open war on Hayakawa would only lead to his demise without necessarily accomplishing anything positive, or with the accomplishment of lots of things positive.

The same day news that the controversial Olompali Ranch above Novato may fell entirely into the hands of my friends with untold possibilities . This followed the themes in the earlier “Glory Roads” by Luther Whiteman and myself.

There are now dangling two more possible lecture contracts.

All of this comes at a time when the Estate says they will increase my allotment end asked for a budget. I am not able to meet my needs on the present budget but am, of curse by outside efforts. And besides there is the question of other allotment from Social Security, less than the above but still possible.

Now the Estate has asked me to submit a budget and Elliott is demanding I send it to him first. If I did that I would not have a foot to stand on. The Wells Fargo Co. was “all right” when they stood behind him and his phony inventory, made exclusively by himself and excluding me from a lot of things I wanted. I had to fight even to get my own library out of the house. He got and even gave away or sold all the family heirlooms. I never got one thing out of them.

He got the house by questionable means which I see no need to challenge but I certainly cannot support his demand that the Estate stand the expenses involved in his personal doings.

Now he is furious that I may submit my person budget to Wells Fargo without consulting him and I may even do that without consulting you. It is bad enough to be involved in fraud, it is bad enough to be dishonest but it is hopeless when you become a party to defraud yourself.

I have temporarily demurred by writing my uncle Harry a letter about my present affairs. No relative of mine ever paid the slightest attention excepting the two younger second cousins in Queens. Harry started cut in life as a “madventurer” and he is utterly amazed that Sam whom he did influence, did some of the same “crazy” things.

I cannot submit my budget to Elliott because I know what he will use it for. If he offered me the family heirlooms I might do that but I shall make no such dicker. I need $800 a month, and the allotment was raised to $775, close enough with my outside endeavors. But there has been no proper provision for medical assistance or housekeeper.

What I needed most is a clear interpretation and I believe I could talk over with Mr. Salsberg or anybody else today. I am much firmer and aware of a lot of things.

There are also some changes in wording or interpretation from the original Will which I could talk over with Wells Fargo if Elliott were not present. But the reason for writing is this:

Elliott’s health is bad. He acts like any hostile action would provoke a stroke and a stroke could be indeed damaging. I realize that a slight bit of “realism” could even end his sojourn on earth. He has no reserve. I am not seeking any “justice” but it is time he give his brother a little consideration. It has been a one way street for nearly all our lives.

Faithfully,

Samuel L. Lewis

P.S. Next Sunday open house at 910 Railroad Ave , Novato, curry dinner and Dervish dancing.

March 16, 1969

Theodore C. Lachelt

1299 Fourth St.

San Rafael, Calif.

My dear Ted:

This is a sort of an ad interim emergency letter. My brother Elliott continues to be in a coma between life and death. Of course if he recovers there may be nothing important at the moment, but my cousin Mary Lou Foster, a grand-daughter of Harry Rosenthal, believes he has given up the battle.

I saw Mr. james Garner, the trust officer of the will at Wells Fargo. At this writing it appears fairly favorable that there will be an increase in my allotment directly covering cost of living and old age benefits. But if Elliott has requested a much larger allotment due to his medical expenses and bad health, I would also benefit therefrom.

Mr. garner assures me that in case Elliott passes on I would get the full benefit of both our incomes, and this would be at the very least way over fifteen hundred dollars ($1500 a month). This would make it imperative to have a valid legal will; and if Elliott does leave the world, no matter how crowded my program, I should have to see you on this matter.

Other affairs are very suspicious. My dancing programs have gone over quite well with a slow but steady increase of attendance in both san Francisco and Marin counties. On Saturday, March 21 we expect to put on our Spring Festival, weather permitting. This will be held on a peninsula surrounded on three sides by lake Nicassio, just opposite the highway maintenance station. It is partially to honor the astrologer Gavin Arthur, whose grandfather was a president of the United States; for several birthdays of my own disciples, and to usher in the calendar Spring. There will be no charge of course, but people are asked to bring their picnic lunches. We have permission to use the grounds.

I am now preparing to attend a world peace conference at Geneva, Switzerland, and feel very optimistic. Besides that, I have excellent contacts today in London and Boston—others, which I cannot possible fulfill—but everything looks wonderful.

There is also a summer school waiting for me in the northers part of the state of New Mexico and other invitations and possibilities on the horizon. Health has been maintained at a standard not often found among people of my age. I expect to bring with me two of my secretaries for a short conference of the status quo is maintained, and a much longer one if Elliott leaves this world. He has changed his mind so many times, one cannot even be sure whether he swill die testate or not.

I am keeping Mr. garner informed of what I know, and if what he told me today is correct, may not even need your direct intervention, whcih would not in any way affect making my own will and testament.

Cordially,

Samuel L. Lewis

410 Precita Ave

San Francisco, CA 94110

March 19, 1969

Theodore C. Lachelt

1299 Fourth St.,

San Rafael, Calif.

My dear Ted:

Things are happening so fast in my life, I am making a report because it is barely possible I may not even have time to see you:

The matter of exact monthly allotments is not yet finally settled. Wells Fargo wrote me that I would get an increase, but they are already behind in the monthly allotment, somewhat embarrassing at the moment.

Elliot is sick in bed. No attendant. He wants me to submit my budget to him which I certainly shall not do. He has been acting entirely on his own. The delicate point is: that any kind of opposition may cause a stroke. He is utterly blind in fury at the executors. He has often been in trouble and, no doubt, is now, but that cannot be my concern.

What is my concern is that in the case he pre-decease me, there is a definite interpretation of certain enigmatic clauses in the will. This could mean a difference of as much as 4 or 500 dollars per month. My own feeling has been that there should be a provision of about $200 each for housekeepers. This would not mean necessarily an increase of $200, but a clear provision as to doctor, medicine and household assistance in our old age. This might even be settled amicably; I simply do not know.

This Sunday we are having a huge shindig at 1010 Railroad in Novato, work party, dancing and curry dinner. Sam will do the cooking and later will emcee. “Everybody is invited.”

My Pakistani God-daughter who is now at Cornell University has invited me to be a guest at both Cornell and Harvard, expanses paid. This in the next few weeks, making appointment with you rather difficult until this matter is cleared one way or the other. Actual present opportunities go far beyond this. Excepting a momentary cold, affairs are in excellent shape.

Cordially,

Samuel L. Lewis

April 4, 1970

Geneva, Suisse

Mr. Theodore C. Lachelt

1299 Fourth St.

San Rafael, Calif.

Dear Ted:

I am not so sure of your address and did not take a book along. But as first things are first I have assumed that your growing son might be interested in other than “autographs” so I begin there. No doubt I shall buy more stamps but the hotel does not have a large collection.

Well, Ted, a summit meeting is summit meeting and I am near the sum of summit. It will never be the same. Here I have been working on peace and peace problems for years, have contacts all over the world and been almost universally snubbed. The apologies came first from the Rabbis. I told them that not a single one of their colleagues had answered a single letter since the phony program began of sitting down with the Arabs. After the first few days I think I got along better with them than with the Muslims.

You can guess some of the situations of the Near East. Muslims were too busy criticizing other Muslims to have any united front. Some were distinctly not anti-Jewish or even anti-Israel and the worst behaved of all delegates were Orthodox Muslims. Of course the Rabbis took every advantage of this dissent and I think all the rest of us concurred. Even the best Muslim (who was incidentally sitting next to me) did not escape opposition from his religious fellows. He is a pacifist an opposed to all war.

I became known as the man (later “the Sage”) who wrote the longest letters and made the shortest speeches. The result was that everybody listened to me—a shape contrast to the San Francisco behavior where I have been barred not only from the floor but from meetings and conferences. It was not all noble, for I acted my part of “sheep in wolf’s clothing” and introduced myself Guru of the Hippies. And during the sessions won the good will of the few young. Usual crocodile tears over the young and no further attention until the end. But it is the young, not the illustrious, who did something.

I met few of the world’s characters whom I already knew, and then those which whom I have been corresponding and then a lot of celebrities of all lands. Indeed it does not look that I shall be a total stranger any more.

My picture was taken many times and at least one good long interview. It is not easy to evaluate one’s successes. There were certainly no failures on my part, or at least, no negative reactions. I had at least the supreme advantage of knowing at least one person from every delegation. It was soon discovered that I was attached with all religions, all cultures and all history. The men with whom I attached myself became the most illustrious of all the representatives. My plan for Palestine received as much commendation as it has received rebuffs in the past. I do not know how much will be accomplished, but one becomes very much encouraged.

One of the best notes was being approached by a film producer who also has at least one home in California and is in some way connected with MGM. He has at least one home in California and says he will contact us. He is very much in favor of the spiritual training of the young via the dance. We did do one small aspect of dance before a Japanese delegation, headed by one of their leading noblemen. It was also soon discovered that I may be able to lead the young toward this or some other real international peace movement. We have still appointments with the leaders tomorrow, then leave for England on Monday. I do not know my schedule upon return, nor have we had any word on the possible solution of the airfield strike.

I like Geneva, but excepting a visit to a cathedral, we have had no time for diversion. There is both radio and TV in this room, the TV being very far superior to our own, but the radio I should say inferior. On the very first day we made friends with the papal representatives and leading family of India, which is strongly behind this peace project, both financially and sentimentally. One feels very encouraged.

I do not know either whether the San Rafael Journal Independent or the Novato Advance will pay any attention to this effort. The San Rafael paper has utterly snubbed me. The Novato paper has been more cordial but always tells me I am calling on the wrong day, no matter what day it is. But having been criticized by a staff writer of the Chronicle, I made good every effort in reaction to his attitude. This does not include Art Hoppe to whom I shall send a letter or something shortly. My mind is about worn out.

Cordially,

Samuel L. Lewis

[Early March 1960]

Colony Motor Hotel

3250 Euclid Ave

Cleveland 15, Ohio

Dear Jack;

In one sense I have no time to write but this is such a crazy city that I cannot withhold sending impressions. I do not mean to say it is really “crazy” excepting that it does not follow patterns, and at the same time it is utterly a slave to patterns. If your brother were here he would probably accept immortality because such a place has no room in his private philosophy or in the private philosophies of a lot of other people who have different private philosophies.

The top of the social scale reminds me of Hollywood in the Chaplin period with the very wealthy and even the very eddies strong for Soviet Russia. I was shown recently USSR with copies of articles concerning the longshoremen of S.F. whom I have met personally. The difference is that here it is the capitalists who are for Russia and who read the magazine.

At the opposite end we find refugees from Hungary, Slovakia, etc. etc. who are fairly strict Catholics and severely strict anti-Russians and who work in the steel and other mills. You might understand how this State could send a Lausche to the Senate on the Democratic ticket and the head of the Republican Party is the highest paid labor lobbyist.

As this city sprawls, running East-West you have to go long but linear distances from here to there. I am slightly on the East Side. Off the main thorough fares you find nothing but colored people. I never heard much about this in Cleveland. I knew all about the Middle-East Europeans, but this city seems to have far, far more refugees from Dixie than either New York or Detroit. In Detroit there is an area, say 5 miles square (not 5 square miles) and beyond that the Balkan people on one side and the Poles on the other. But here you can go and go and the only Whites I ran into spoke Yiddish, and it was not a New York Yiddish either.

Of course you can better understand in this maze or miasma of unsanity that the Adenauer-Ben Gurion meeting would be almost impossible in New York and almost un-impossible here—it would be a typical Cleveland-like gesture. But the hostilities here are not against Russia or Germany but against the South. This is a fairly well integrated city and the college students are pretty unanimous against the South. This may even react against Lausche who is timid in such matters—the young here are not timid. They might welcome both a Adenauer and Khrushchev but if anybody came from South Africa, it would be impossible to prevent rioting.

The newspapers are amalgamated and blow both hot and cold and neither hot nor cold at the same time. Today’s paper has articles proving we are far ahead of Soviet Russia in science and we are far behind them, too. This is possible because the papers, amalgamated, are very, very long; and the writers, neither of them scientists of course, do not give a single objective example of anything scientific in either country. This means the rousing of ignorant emotions, but I doubt whether the papers have the influence here that they might have in New York City. There they must be hot or cold or else.

It has been fluctuating between 0 and 30, not too cold for me, but the snow does not melt and so one cannot size up districts too much. There does not seem to be much poverty but on the other hand the general standard of living does not seem so high. The down town is restricted and there are resemblances to Los Angeles and Tokyo and not to San Francisco or Philadelphia or even Detroit in this. Shopping centers are scattered.

I have not yet been able to contact the cultured groups. My own contacts run roughly 2/1 White and all Americans—no refugee types yet, not even from the South, the colored peoples having long established themselves here. They are rather pro-Gana and pro-Guinea but here, too, the Whites are not opposed to this outlook and have rather a benevolent attitude toward the rising African States. There was a big meeting on this 1st night but I could not go as I was with old (and very true) friend. I shall, however, check on this as soon as possible. But even in serious discussions the White people hope that it will be possible to improve the soils of West and Tropical Africa, and this interest is unusual. California looks to Asia, New York to Europe and I suppose if I sent a report of this to “The Nile” on Grant Avenue they would eat it up. Men like Gunther are very popular in the circles I have contacted, but again these are restricted circles. I have not yet met any Roman Catholics here.

I have not had much time for research but find my way entirely clear. I expect to visit Michigan University soon as my friend, Dr. Park is there, who is an expert on the village life in South Asia generally. I want to reach the World Affairs Council here before I make that trip.

Both the news and magazine reports indicate a tremendous rise in Japan and West Germany, both far outstripping either Russia or the US. in certain fields. Japan’s greatest increase is in shipping and in a week they will be opening a shipping line here! And there are very few of them here. There is a small Chinese section which I have not visited, practically no Asians of any type—just a few scattered individuals. And even some anti-Asian feelings due to presumable aid to certain corrupt governments in that part of the world.

The Finch Case got plenty of publicity here; what is going on in the world does not get in the news. Editorials would be good but editors often give opinions and fairly fine opinions on events which they have failed to report! I think this is typically American and pretty awful.

I am not starting any diary but will when I visit the universities. Most important, will be going to Columbus (Ohio State) next month. It is curious that this university and our own Cal. which do so much in the biological sciences are in the headlines—because of their basket ball teams. Against that, surprisingly, there are efforts being made in Cleveland to encourage students to go to school to learn something! We beat Russia in basketball and hockey but not in much else.

Cordially,

Sam

1088 Fulton St.

San Francisco 17, Calif.

17^th April, 1963

My dear Jack:

On: The Buddhist Encyclopedia and other matters.

Last week I went to the village of Mendocino about 300 miles to the North and spent four lovely days with friends and artists who have established a colony there, yet unspoiled. The previous artist, now arts colony is to the South of here and Mendocino is to the north. At the former place you can hear a lechers adulterer lecture on Zen or Buddhism or Cosmic consciousness; or one of your fellow countrymen by birth tell us what drug produces what samadhi. The respectable people go and go now in large numbers because there is no question that in this region the prevailing religions are on the downgrade.

The surprising good time contrasting with years of difficulty caused me to change a method of living. Now the interpretation I have of the crucifixion is that it means the full an-atta life. I therefore resumed a practice I learned from Sokei-an Sasaki of anatta in everyday life, and the abandonment of effort and especially the aiming at success.

The first thing that happened was in going into Fields book store—where you can buy an assorted number of books on Zen and Buddhism written by people from almost every country in Europe and a few Americans. Up to this time there was none by any Russian and I saw one by a Russian, which I purchased immediately: Buddhist Logic by T. Stcherbatsky, perhaps the one man on the whole continent I really respect.

Sometimes I feel like establishing on Arya Dharma Society devoted to anatta, anicca and dukha. It is certain that as mushroom organizations and anti-social speakers are offering all kinds of things called “Buddhism,” the contemporary discoveries in physics and cosmology are sustaining this Arya Dharma no end, just as the previous work in Genetics, Biology, etc. did. And later on I hope to review the Buddhist Logic for you, for I feel it will apply to contemporary physics and psychology, and Psychology, and equally will not apply to much which is offered as “Buddhism.”

I next received a report from Paul Reps who is now in Honolulu, which is enclosed. The receipt of this activated prajna—and I suddenly changed plans and went to the meeting of the combined Bhinest Buddhists, excepting the Fung group. It was well I did.

Wesak Day. In my absence the Soto Zen group took over the celebration of Buddhists birthday according to the Japanese calendar. I am told it was the largest gathering ever in this vicinity, which confirms my statement that the prevailing religions are going down and people are seeking. Sensei Suzuki is going to Japan, and I’ll find out more later.

It is very curious that while Paul Fung is the vice-president of the International Buddhist Congress, all the other Buddhist groups have united to some extent here and have joint meetings of all kinds. Leslie Lowe of Los Angeles died in my absence—I have known him for a long time, but not too well. Iru Price has taken his place and here I am more fortunate than you, for the mehta which existed between Phra Sumangalo and myself continues now in this Sangha, so to speak and I have the same feeling both without reason and without ego to Price, Wagner and Goode here.

There is compromise Wesak festival to be celebrated here in San Francisco on May 5, and it is hoped even vice-president Fung may attend. All the other Buddhist groups—Chinese, Japanese and Caucasian, are reuniting, and I think this is remarkable and the dream of Dwight Goddard, so to speak, has come true. I have volunteered to help and was put on the program.

This is amusing to me because again I have been given the brush-off by the Americans and the professors. But now my relations with all the Chinese Buddhist groups is excellent and they recognize me as the representative of Phra Sumangalo, as the agent for “The Western Buddhist” and my own right.

Next week the program will be in the hands of the Neo Dhamma Society which is trying to revive a Sangha-less Tipitaka Buddhism, with a combination of morality (badly needed), contemporary culture, and, alas dialectics. Americans simply cannot face anatta, anicca, and dukha and they want to be Buddhists and I want to face anatta, anicca, and dukha regardless of any appellation.

In the course of the service Iru held up the first fascicule of the Encyclopedia of Buddhism. Well, I have waited forty years, and “Je l’ai, or “Eureka” or whatever you want.

One looks over the Advisory Board and the Board of Honorary Editors with some (not too much) satisfaction. Humphreys is there and Daisetz Suzuki is not. Edimann is not there and there are more articles by one H.G.A. van Zeyst than anybody else. He appears to be a linguist and a dialectician, so business is back at the old stand.

In the section on the “Absolute” Brother Van Zeyst has abstracted Buddha right out from India and made him a good nineteenth century German. However he has fairly successfully handled the whole thing from an an-atta point of view. This is followed by a longer and finer historical article by one Yoshiro Tamaru who tells us all about Buddhism and then plunks right back to Hegel. No more Samadhi, no more meditation and of course, no Prajna!

Finally there is another article on the “Absolute” by one Andres Bareau, translated into English. He puts the Absolute of Buddhism back where it belongs, not to Hegel, nor to reviewers abstractions from a lot of nonsense, but to the four noble truths and the Udana and he quotes the Udana and after reading a mass of speculation, you have it in clear language, in language also that I believe is accepted by all true followers of Arya Dharma: “There is, O monks, a non-born, non-arisen, a non-made, a non-compound, for if there were no non-born, no non-arisen, no non-made, no non-arisen, what is made, what is composed.”

The article by Bareau is much shorter, more succinct and more apt.

I may give a partial letter review of this fascicule. But h t I am concerned with, is have you either this or the Buddhist Logic is above?

Sunday I go the Universal Church. They are announcing themselves as the “Pristine Dharma” and at the same time using the Diamond Sutra and the Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch which, whatever else may be said, are anything but “pristine.” Fortunately on May 5 somebody is giving the main Sermon on “The Life of the Buddha.” We have had 5-11 speakers—probably more on “Zen,” “Buddhism,” “Cosmic consciousness,” and nobody has spoken in English on the Buddha.

Theologically I don’t care but psychologically I do and here there is a growing amount of delinquency, promiscuity and vileness, for which the churches have no answer. At the same time there is growing interest in the practice of meditation. The “Yogis” are too concerned with postures and the Soto people so far are too “Orthodox”—i.e. they do not take into consideration the difficulty facing Americans who cannot do lotus-posture.

Incidentally I now have so much material on the lotus that I shall have to cut down rather than otherwise in my book. The people in Mendocino wish to print part of it as re-view material.

This is good surprise.

Faithfully,

Samuel L. Lewis

50 Harriet St.

San Francisco 3, Calif. 8

October 8, 1963

My dear Jack:

You will mind enclosed an article which appeared in yesterday’s paper, in re: Pual Fung. I am writing to you for write different reasons, however, as you shall see.

a. Mme. Nhu is preparing to come here and the communists and follow-travelers are preparing to take over the demonstration. There are, at the moment, an increasing number of people attending Buddhist meetings and they certainly have in common reprehension of what is taking places in South Vietnam, and elsewhere. I am preparing to see James Wagner soon and will be guided by the wisdom. But I shall also contract other Buddhist leaders.

b. “China World,” the editor of which is a very good friend of mine, has been taking “queezy” view of the Fungs and would like to get them out in the open. It is peculiar situation. Paul Fung is Vice-President of the World Buddhist Federation and is not recognized as such by our officials, government or institutions. And on the other hand there are three loose federations of Buddhists here. One is the Fungs, another is the Japanese group that includes previously but not now, all the Japanese; the third is the loose federation of those who followed, in a sense, Phra Sumangalo or Dwight Goddard, or both, etc. Both of the latter have held religious meeting. Their relations are nebulous: the Nichirens, partly in protest no doubt, have cooperated with the federation now headed by Harold Priebe, in which Iru Price has been active. The Vietnam situation may bring them all together, “China World” hopes so, but I have not seen Paul Fung in conferences.

c. There is often a complete lack of “The Three Jewels” at some of the American meetings. But here is no use to protest unless one translates the Jewels into actualities. Therefore, in view of vows, I am inclined to go along with Jimmy, and will report later. As Buddhists have a tendency to meet on Tuesday night when I go Mudra class I cannot work with them much, and on Wednesday night I go to school. So I often debate on Sundays.

d. There was suddenly a large gathering at Master Too Lun last Thursday and I suspect these came from the Federation. All of them showed interest in both lecture and mediation. But Sunday an entirely different group showed up—they looked like the “Beatnik Zens” and only one stayed to the end.

e. The translation work of Too Lun simply substantiates what we have been holding: the phony Bodhisattvas: Watts, Humphries, and Suzuki, stand in the way of proper understanding of the Dharma. The Chinese do not tend to accept the Japanese anyhow, and Christian’s work has gotten mighty shellacing, as we way and I could not help smile for you in absentia. But this is in the interest of both honest scholasticism and true Dharma and not just against egos, excepting—against we both have held—that Buddhism is not a product of egos, no matter how famous, and that éclat stands in the way of enlightenment.

f. I am at the moment in a strange position. For the second time a Sufi Teacher has affirmed what are substantially Buddhist vows. One must write there is only one truth and the Eka-yana of the Buddhists is not different from the Tauhid of the Sufis which ends in ji-ji-mu-ge. This has compelled me to take some outer beatings, but it also does not regard these outer beatings as of the slightest import. The only one in question is that of the man who has been spreading ugly rumors about me, and who attends all the Dharma and Dhamma meetings which are concerned with letting off steam and not discussing Dharma. I am now occasionally taking with me my written credentials, but even if it is duplication I am going to have more pictures made of myself on Mount Takeo—you have the one with friends and self before the stupa of Lord Buddha. This was a grand adventure which might be dramatized. It was a real Holy Grail and no symbolism, and all symbolism together.

g. The above leads to the crux of the problem which seems to irk you about the Fungss. They are always speaking about Diamond Sutra. If so, what is Anagamin? Is it concept? Then they are talking nonsense. Is it percept? Then either Paul is Anagamin or they must point out Anagamin or the whole thing is nonsense, utter nonsense and we are back where Alan Watts was.

Now Anagamin is not one who is coming only “once more” but Anagamin is one who is coming “once more” under Karma. But the Bodhisattva may come many times and coming many times how can he ever have been Anagamin? For one does think, as Diamond Sutra says, Anagamin thinks yet if one says the vow as above is an Anagamin vow, not a Bodhisattva vow, it looks like a logical enigma; and it is a logical enigma, but not an enigma at all.

h. In the translation given by Master Too Lun yesterday which is so very different from Christmas Humphrey, “I” should say that not only Master Too Lun but even his similar disciples have a better view of true Dharma—and I say this is both simplicity and sincerity than the learned and worthy or unworthy C.H. Indeed it bore out your contentious more than all you words. The whole spirit is lost in the translation of Wei Leng (Eno) to very marked degree indeed. And here even the Fungs—and I guess all Chinese depart from both “Masters” C.H. and Daisetz-san.

i. Against back to the Sangha then. Mrs. Siguliev is the Oldest Buddhist Upasaka and she was thrilled by the Master. On account of “her” both Mrs. Lottie Fernandez and Sam go to meetings, but we are like one person. We are all old describes of Nyogen Senzaki and we all have objections to the three non-authorities on Dharma, or rather on those who laud “Buddhism” but omit mention of Dharma.

After the meeting Lottie told me of personality-worship that permeates so such “Buddhism” here and her meeting with Suzuki-san and Asahina in New York. Her report on Asahina was wonderful and so was old Nyogen in her last meeting.

j. There are several things to report about master Too Lun. To begin with those people who are protesting against Mme. Nhu quite overlook that Buddhists are often getting the same treatment in mainland China or in Vietnam, but they are not concerned.

The repercussions on his book—which I have not sent, causes me to smile. For, as I have said, he breaks all the rules laid down by meta-physicians and dilettantes. But in going to his meditation hall I definitely feel: Peace, Power, Bliss—this is in the Hall whether he is there or not. And I am hoping others feel.

But he is also against “Zen.” Now, Jack you hold a synthetic-integrative view about Buddhist school and methods and that is exactly the Master’s outlook. He keeps telling us that meditation is the method, not the goal and keeps on saying there are other methods. He believes for himself and for some others that meditation is the best way, but he recognizes the other methods as integral parts of Buddhism. Of course this may be a destination without a difference and better leave it there.

Will inform you concerning Mme Nhu and anything else.

Faithfully if not respectfully,

S. A. M.

October 3, 1964

My dear Jack:

This is written as if from Bodhisattva to Bodhisattva. If there are tinges of dualism in it, they are not to be taken too seriously. I was initiated into the path of Fudo in Japan, a matter taken most lightly here, though not quite so lightly as the Sutras which are not taken lightly as the Vinayas which are now on the index expurgate of a whole lot of movements in this country, each and all rivaling each other and each claiming to be presenting the Dharma. But before taking up the position of Fudo, or while taking up the position of Fudo, it is better to give some news and go into the most serious matter of Maitreya Buddha.

Last week we had the ceremony of acceptance of a Buddha statue from Thailand in Iru’s “Home of the Dharma.” There was a very satisfying address by Brother Eugene. There were also present a Korean monk about whom I may write at a later date and Dr. Neville Warwick who has been invested by both the Red Hats and the Soto Zen monks. And I could see now, regardless of all my wishes and desires that Iru has been pushed into somewhat independent efforts by facts, factors and circumstances which have nothing to do with spirituality.

I have tentatively proposed speaking on “Buddhist Masters I have met in San Francisco,” and I split the communication between the Maitreya them and that. I have presented Sensei Suzuki the Chinese version of the Prajna Paramita Sutra which you have reviewed; it has at least four fundamental differences from the version used in Sokiji Temple here. I am to see Rev. Suzuki this week but I now go with extreme indifference. I am presenting him with the Fung Translation of the “Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch.”

The establishment of Buddhist circles with the complete omission of the vast body both of literature and wisdom presents to me nothing but more circumstances in which karma will act and it will act exactly as it is set forth in the Sutra of Forty Two Chapters. According to the Dharma of Nyogen Senzaki, Buddha Maitreya was not so much a person (now our anatta disciples in Buddhism love personalities!) as the supreme state to which mankind might attain, living in this world either according to the Four fold Bodhisattvic Oath or Eighteen fold vow of Samantabhadra.

It is most fortunate that Brother Rickei has come forth with a real not stinking verbal non-dualism which is being accepted by the universities and which shall soon displace all the tripe of a lot of brand names whom you must not criticize before audiences which consider the Sutras secondary and the Vinaya as little better, if even so good as pornographic literature! This is not sarcasm. This is the way of life in a part of the world where “students in Buddhism” real “The Dharma Bums” and Henry Miller, but are all but frightened to read the Tripitaka.

Brother Neville has had ordination and training in both the Red Hat and Soto Schools (maybe more). According to the training from both Senzaki and the negative one of the Roerich School, he represents to me the “coming of Lord Maitreya.” He may be very far from Lord Maitreya but if so, it is according to the matrix of the Sutra of Forty-Two Chapters and not from any positive of negative ego value judgments.

The difference between the metaphysical and scientific people can be summed, in that the latter have ears and the former have not. If a stranger comes and offers teaching, we should listen to it. People who would not dare criticize their chemistry teachers, who have had experiences they have not had, criticize anybody coming from the Orient who have had valid experiences they do not have. And according to whatever I have gained, the Dalai Lama or anybody connected with him represent an incipient Lord Maitreya. And if the person is not the Lord, not withstanding, by the right receptive attitude one may himself advance to that grade of understanding or wisdom, following the vows mentioned above, by which he may and can save humanity.

There are so many Sanghas here, and I guess all over, who have few members who have studied Buddhist literature at all.  I have half of my acquaintances irked because of my devotion to the settling of food problems which is my fulfilling of the teaching of Jesus Christ—which has nothing whatever to do with the Christian religion. Not only that in all my scientific work, be it in programs, in literature or in laboratory research there is one thing outstanding, and that is the cyclic laws encountered are exactly the same as in the Sutras and Vinayas, long discarded. The principles of causation are most certainly found in the Nitrogen and Carbon cycles, ignored by the peoples of India, who are getting their own karma out of karma because they don’t understand karma at all.

And the solution of some of the problems of India is very simple—it is nothing but the adaption of a widened program of the Dharma as verbalized by Lord Buddha in his time, applied to other fields than that of anatta human personality.

Now you have always upheld the dharma transmissions in the forms they reached Tibet, and I am compelled both from reason and experience (outer rather than inner) to support you position. My “sixteen” fold dharma transmission, which may have a relation to the Eightfold Path, is based on the historical, hierarchal, and literary evidence if several forms of expression of Dharma, theoretically or actually given first to the advanced disciples of the Lord.

As the law of karma operates, all those intellectuals and pretenders who have given us ego or false versions of dharma are being removed from the scenes. The universities cannot stand for nonsense. The weakness of the universities is in the opposite direction, their adherences to literature and scriptures. At the moment I am being welcomed more and more by the universities which for wise or ignoble reasons wish to relate religions to the scriptures thereof.

I am shortly going to Berkeley, site of the University of California, to see the new instructor in Indian cultures, as a sort of advisor. All that nonsense of professors and “experts” refusing to accept any real reports from me either on my outer experiences (meeting Masters) or my inner experiences (awareness of worlds or universes beyond “this”) is now reaping the simple natural moral results. And if our experts refused even the simplest reports, they have gone now only contrary to karmic righteousness, they are now being displaced and removed.

Taking Dr. Pandey to dinner last Friday week I found he was a devotee of Ramana Maharshi into which school I have been initiated—a fact rejected by and all “experts” who preach about morality (!). To my amazement Tuesday I received two copies of a new magazine they are publishing. I placed these in brother Neville’s hands because first there is an article by the Dalai Lama; and second, because I found this article extremely tenable. The Dalai Lama is in total opposition to the universal Buddhists who flock all over and reject each other. He has presented a positively valid, cosmic Universal Buddhism, and I can see—though I shall lose the and perhaps friendships, because I object to narrow sectarian people calling themselves, and deluding themselves that they are universal. One can have far more respect for the Nichiren-shu who make no pretense at being universal.

We have in this state a peculiar type of persons Home pseudo-spiritualis californius. They listen to delight of stories of the burning of sutras or Buddha-statues to make a fire. But breathe one word against (and I name them) Manly Hall, Yoga Yogananda and Jiddu Krishnamurti and you are out! But this magazine not only names them, it calls them to account and calls Gurdjieff even more to account for veiling the public against any sight of spiritual awakening. It has accepted—and no nonsense or pretense about it—all spiritual schools which have provided myself in the religious field as well as in the scientific field with sound allies and brothers.

A very humorous series of incidents had led to my credentials being accepted in another university in the southern part of the State where they are going to have a parliament of religions next year. As the World Congress of Faiths has become provincial, there are now three quasi-independent movements toward the actual study of religions, one in India; one in this country by historians and another by scientists. Nobody is going to get away any more with the empty phrases of “non-dualism,” “spiritual knowledge,” “satori,” etc., with some evidence of realities.

I understand more clearly every week why they told me at Kamakura I was two grades above Brother Daisetz. There is a lot more to it than that but I prefer to refer to L. Adams Beck. When I was young and we did not have Watts, Humphreys, Herrigel, Benoit, etc., etc. we did have L. Adams, Beatrice Lane and Alexandra David Neel (also Mrs. Rhys-Davids, the “expert”). The former three women evidenced Samadhi and the work respected them. No doubt we had to have “the cloud-men of non-Yamato” come and befog us so the sunrise would not be too terrific. But today the clouds are being dispelled.

I have proposed, half humorously, the game of “Bodhisattvic Musical Chairs” especially for those people who think that by rubbing bricks you can gain enlightenment—the common attitude today. At the Zendo when somebody mentioned Sokei-An I gave a cat’s yawn! Now in New York, to have done this would have been to be graciously received, but here when they study (?????) mondos and repeat this “Prajna” Paramita Sutra, not a single person reacted! So out with the koans and what have you?

Both as Fudo and Sam Lewis I don’t want to see Brother Warwick go the ways of Phra Sumangalo and Dwight Goddard; I want to see him live. It has taken years before I could present to Eugene a portion of the Dharma transmission from Nyogen Senzaki. To him, Brian, Iru, the few disciples of the original Zendo and now to Dr. Warwick I may present any dharma transmission as if they were brothers (or sisters) in Sangha, without any obligation. I think I can “unload” on Eugene and he will then understand the Prajna-Paramita Sutras more clearly.

What is called “enlightenment” today does not coincide with either the Buddhist art transmission or my own experiences or a large portion of the now discarded Vinaya. Churches are being established in which orthodoxies are being fixed. Rituals are being substituted for the dharma transmission. The Triratna and Pancha Sila are very heterodox and the vows practically unknown. Even Rev. Tobase gave the vows.

But the worry is no longer in my hands. I am pleased to see that Brother Neville has seen Bodhisattva Erdmann and has made the same conclusions I had years ago. My next step will be to take him some time to “the other Sam” who is in hiding and will not associate with “dharma-Bums,” who has very, very dim views of popular book writers’ and very high views of those who understand dharma. He too had to retire while the world, especially homo pseudo-spiritualis californicus, applaud book readers.

Brother Warwick’s main beef is against the low respect for Pancha Sila while mine is against the low respect for Triratna, which is the same thing. We are having extracts passed off as Buddhism—you know all the groups I have reported to you about, and these ease their consciousness by adopting the term universal.

With all its merits Sokiji Temple is so universal you cannot even bring up Sokiji! So how can you bring in Rinzai! And they are now giving out—and this has nothing to do with doctrine or upaya, a totally false history of Zen in America. The outcome can only be a fierce and very unnecessary rivalry between Rinzai and Soto. I reject that mere sitting in a certain posture produces a higher elevation of enlightenment. Many people become enlightened merely by coming into the presence of Lord Buddha. I could write books on “Samma Drishthi” but will not.

Besides the intellectuals, now at a very rapid rate, both at home and abroad, there is a gradual acceptance of this personality as a spiritual teacher. This will not be among friends and acquaintances, though I am now tacking a fierce social problem.

I do not get “Diamond Sangha” but these remarks harmonize with their conclusions, but remember this, is only the Fudo view. The Samantabhadra view is still to be given. At the moment I am no more assured of converting Buddhists (?) to Buddhist literature than Shaw was of converting banker’s clerks to socialism. But the younger people are more honest, so why bother.

Faithfully,

Samuel L. Lewis

October 22, 1964

My dear Jack:

This is a letter of the parting of the ways. In 1926 Nyogen Senzaki suddenly gave up everything and started a career of a homeless monk. Now your country has selected C.P. Snow to be the Ministry of Culture. There is a vast difference between those who experience and those who speculate, between those who know ant those who believe. Religion has been invariably based on “Believe and thou shalt be saved.” I do not know from what but as one looks over the world there is nothing but turmoil, dissatisfaction, distress in one direction and in another direction children play together, scientists meet together and during all the troubles in the Near East the Arab Cultural Center has not lost a meeting.

I have here two totally different sorts of experiences. When I went to the Forestry Division of the United States Department of Agriculture, they cancelled all appointments for me and I have still to see somebody in the Departments of Social Sciences and International Affairs at the University of California Berkeley. It does not matter because the corresponding departments at Los Angeles have already accepted my reports.

In a similar way I walked out on all the Buddhist groups. One does not mind sectarianism, one does not find over-emphasis, but excepting the Nichirens who admittedly are sectarian there is an over growing movement toward narrowness coupled with an even greatly zeal to call oneself “universal,” and all alike ignoring the laws of karma.

A resolution to walk out on society had an immediate reaction that suddenly I find myself a spiritual teacher with a small following not of “metaphysical old ladies” but aspiring young men. And three calls for “help”—honest, genuine calls for help—and they will get help, the nature of only one of them need concern this correspondence.

The strange behavior pattern that knowing the late Nyogen Senzaki as far back as 1920, excepting a few of his older disciples, nobody has ever come to me in doing any thesis on him and some persons were ever warned to keep away: and the refusal of even Zen friends to listen to any experience, or enlightenment not only of Kamakura, but even of Tsurumi, makes one question these totally separative Zen movements, one now preparing to call itself “Universal.”

I have joined two movements of cultural people, one for the historical study and the other for the scientific study of religions. In line with these I was able to go to Rev Eugene Wagner’s home and to a small group of five people—some of them heard for the first time in their lives the words of Lord Buddha! This is not nonsense. This is the world of 1964 when both the world and the WBF is caught in the clutches of samsara and taking to get out of samsaras by samsaric methods. I see this in each and all the religions, although in the wider domain of Hinduism there is a peculiar “out”—one which I do not wish to take.

The replacement of Europeans by Americans at some of our Universities in the Oriental Departments have led to induction of more Orientals and in the case of Indian Studies they want Indian Studies and not masses of German speculations of whomsoever. Not only that the leading professor today believes the experiences of moksha, mukti, enlightenment are possible and continuing—and he is right.

If one were to place an acorn and a young oak sprig near each other, would you say they are the same or different? If you have an acorn and the tree-shoot and finally the oak with many acorns. Are they the same or different? This shows that we do not understand the Vijnana or Integrative languages. The mathematician and engineers express their findings in terms of the Integral Calculus, the biologists have not, the psychologists certainly do not.

Jesus said, “ I am the vine and ye are the branches thereof.” Abdul Baba said,” People of the world you are as the branches of the tree and leaves of the branches.” This is the Integrative or Vijnana language. It has its own place, its own logic. Bertrand Russell disclaimed Aristotle and Korzybski followed him. “A thing cannot both be and not be” is silly. According to the analytical-Aristotelian knowledge we have a “truth” and when we come to the Integration it does not mean anything. St. Paul constantly used the Integrative language: the term “Catholic”—to which term we react—means the same thing. We translate it also “universal.”

People who talk liberty and freedom and self all were subject to the same hurricanes. In the face of danger we recognize the Vijnana, but in face of property we do not.

Dr. Suzuki—who was considered my inferior at Kamakura and is considered by the world as my superior—sets up Vijnana against Prajna. And by discarding Vijnana he lands back into analysis and thing-ness and personalisms and gets far away from prajna.

At the opposite extreme you heard on Sri Aurobindo and the Indian philosophy, and most certainly followers go to the opposite direction. They place Vijnana above analysis—in which they are correct. They are correct also both according to the actual teachings of the actual Upanishads—which I doubt you have ever heard despite all the courses at the American Academy of Asian studies—and they are in accord with modern sciences. But they are not in accord with Patajali or Buddha for they omit all reference to Samadhi, or Samyak, and of course to Satori.

It is very difficult to convince the world about the position of Vijnanavada which came to its fruition in Buddhism in Patriarch Vasubandhu and the Yogacara School, but here again, one is confronted by a lot of names—Watts, Saxton, Burns locally; and Aldous Hurley, Blofeld, Ames, Holmes, etc. whose words are accepted, whose writings are read and there is no recognition of the Yogacara teachings or anything but the self-of-Vasubandhu as a Patriarch, without even knowing what a Patriarch is.

Or we might come to Prajna and with Prajna, “ji-ji-mu-ge” Which is the tail of the dog, but not the dog. The history of Nyogen Senzaki deserting Kegon for Zen illustrates this.

But if spiritual strives studies some of the latest advances in sciences (not “science”), or scientists looked into Dharma they would see endless wonders even in “ji-ji-mu-ge” and Kegon, which, to me, is quite superior to Vijnanavada either of Vasubandhu or Aurobindo.

For it is now demonstrated in the laboratory under exact test conditions that all complex organisms—bodies of plants, animals and man, have potentially or actually all chemical elements. And it may even come to be—and we can do it even now, that there are measurements of the traditional Iron, Copper, Silver and Gold in the bodies and it may be found that Gold-assimilation is in proportion to spiritual development! This could be, you know; nobody has bothered about it.

Or again, we might even now measure electrical and light vibrations. Every body (two words) has some Potassium in it, but ordinary people and the press entirely ignore that Potassium gives out radioactive vibrations. And with the discovery of trace-elements in bodies, including the much discussed “Radioactive Strontium” we may be measuring these and other vibrations and may find significances in them.

This shows we must lay aside traditional logics. But despite the acceptance of the “wavicle” we do not accept the Buddhist logic of Dignana. We sometimes accept Daisetz’ attacks on Vijnana or Dr. Chaudhuri’s elevation of Vijnana while the above applications of Vijnana are ignored by both. And we thus are stuck with “names.”

If we study the flow of blood in the flesh we find that not only does the blood touch all organisms and makes no distinctions, there is even a supplementary blood system which stimulates the veins and arteries themselves. This brings us closer to ji-ji-mu-ge. And if we meditated on breath and breathing we could see that all sentient beings, not just human beings, partake of the same ocean-of-life. This is the external, but it is certainly real, much more real than common sense, or logic, or even Vijnana.

This book, Anthology of Zen combines Rinzai people with intellectuals. I do not know if any of the Japanese are disciples in Soto. But all my Roshis in Rinzai did not announce one most fundamental teaching from Kato’s Roshi at Tsurumi. You have heard me talk of my visits to some Zen monasteries—small audiences, but the external-transmission I have been unable to give out, silenced by the audience and the world and certainly not by Roshis.

It has only been after many years that I was able to give a portion of Senzaki’s teachings to a single person who was not one of his Sanghas. I studied with him for years and nobody even let me report. It does not matter, for the list of his teachings are in Anthology of Zen so far as words can be considered. And here we reach an impasse.

The Upanishads, which we do not study, set forth a universe of many grades, and planes and steps in evolution. We verbally mix them up. No mathematicians would confuse terms like +, -, Integral, differential, approach as a limit, transfinite, etc. They are all words but they don’t belong together. Each has its plane, its level. In the Upanishads there are more levels than human-analytical, Vijnana and Prajna, but all fit into either One Cosmos or what appears to be Duo-Cosmos. Even Plato knew that.

For purposes of communication we can call these Maya (measurable) and Paramita (immeasurable). What have they in common? Prajna!

Now we are still using words, and this does not mean the experience of grades and processes from one plane to another. But in Anthology of Zen there are the verbal skeletons of actual Dharma-transmission “from” actual Roshis by this “person,” accepting that he is a different person and ignoring for the while either “I am the vine and ye are the branches thereof” or ji-ji-mu-ge. Unless we get them all together we have not the Dharma.

As this fusion generally comes “in the hour ye think least the son of man cometh,” Zen is called “The Sudden School.” You can climb through all the grades and planes of Maya and yet get turned on the wheel. Although in the Upanishads (which we do not study) there is one outline of getting from Maya to Paramita, even as I showed you there is the “Primary of Breath,” and we look at the “Primacy of Breath” as a philosophical dictum and not as a medium or method which is certainly posited by the great Zen Schools, and also by other schools of transcendental mystical development.

You will be reading in the papers about an attempt toward “immortality” by freezing. You will not consider the possibilities or even the “truth” of immortality through and in the breath.

In writing “The Lotus and the Universe” I shall restrict myself to the actual training from actual Roshis and not with speculations of any. But this will include the Soto-transmission. Actually the step Soto-transmission is already in this paper to this point but it is not indicated as such.

I have shown Sensei the Chinese-Sanskrit version of Prajna-Paramita Sutra. It is the super-logical outcome of the Benares Sermon. If you can follow the stages in logistics from analytical, through integrational to Prajna, logically also you come to this sutra. The same Sanskrit terms are there almost as in a Paramita-syllogism if that were possible. But there are two differences between the form I received from Nyogen Senzaki and the form in which it is used at the temple. Both of these have been discovered by Dr. Warwick, definitely analytically and perhaps functionally, also. There are two functional differences, and in this sense I find the Rinzai superior to the Soto, but this is a bad use of the word “superior.”

There are terms which you find in scriptures common to Buddhism and Hinduism such as “Mantram,” “Dharani,” and even “Moksha.” They remain as terms. You get no idea of their levels, and whether they are static, dynamic, or transcendental words. And if you go deeper, you will find that all differences had with all persons in re Buddhism or Dharma has been because they both ignored those words and the possesses involved. And when Dr. Robinson came and took the opposite view, there was entire concordance.

I commend all the words of the Rinzai Masters in this book. Where there are “differences” with Soto, I commend the Rinzai teachings to the Soto, but also the Soto to the Rinzai, There is only one Dharma.

Samuel L. Lewis

May 8, 1966

My dear Jack,

In the name of the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha. This is a very serious letter and it leaves you ample room for some decisions before I send out certain materials. I have a friend, Ted Reich, whose favorite cartoon is a monk stretching his arm to the ceiling and the caption is "Zen monks do not perform miracles." And what this letter is, is in a sense that miracles do perform Zen monks, if you wish to call me.

I had asked a teacher is she wanted some material on the German explorer Kempfer who was in Japan in the 17th century. A few days later two copies of "The Cat's Yawn" arrived and there was plenty of material, so much so that the book has been borrowed, which is what I wanted.

But the mere placing this book in my hands brought back to memory two of Sokei An's early lectures (I have reported this to you, don't you remember?). One of these was on the Ten Stages of Consciousness. It is on this point I find myself at variance with nearly all the groups calling themselves "Buddhists" and also one man has accepted the Truth here which is enough, but that is about all at the moment.

There is being arranged here a conference on LSD drugs and I wrote on this and one other subject (Vedic rituals). It is tiresome to be turned down constantly by ignorant people who will not admit that other people know much. So I pulled strings, but the director of the conference himself is a Buddhist. And today I received my card of admission (you have no idea how many times I have been turned down).

Last Sunday, at the end of the Wesak in Golden Gate Park I was surprised to learn that the late Nyogen Senzaki had left some lectures to be published and only three or four of us had permission to act as intermediaries. Five of these lectures should be combined with my autobiography ("Dharma Transmission").

As to the rest, when there is time I shall send you a list. But this brings up another subject which is very delicate and almost 100% nonsense. In class the other day when there was a discussion of "Buddhism versus Science" I said, "The subject of 'Buddhism versus Science' is valid but the subject 'Buddha versus Science' is not, for the spirit of Buddha was, among other things, also scientific." This was followed by illustrations.

"Buddhists," while advocating anatta do not recognize each other and scientists, while not claiming anatta, do. Buddha taught salvation through experience ("Work out thy salvation with diligence") and scientists demand experience. But you can get into a Sangha today without even accepting Triratna.

You can see why one has to go to the scientists and scholars with "The Ten Stages of Consciousness" and why I should prefer your decision if you wish this paper before it is submitted. There are today too many great scholars who claim to be "Buddhists" and some do not even accept Triratna.

In another class I was permitted to speak on "Esoteric Buddhism" to clarify some serious complications introduced by the late Karl Jung who was not an initiate. Here again one finds the scientists in agreement, because one had the experience; and large segments of "Buddhists" along with the metaphysical and Cloud-nine folks taking the way to confusion. Jung has left room for everything but anatta.

Tomorrow I am joining in Iru's presentation of "Wesak Day." But today I have inherited so many Dharmas—Shaku Soyen, Sokei-An, Nyogen Senzaki, the experiences with the Japanese and Vietnamese, etc., etc. And I personally consider both the Enlightenment and Parinirvana more important than the birth. This emphasis on the baby Buddha throws us back into the atwa-doctrine and one cannot get away from it. Scientists encourage those who know to talk and inform. Devotees discourage saying that those who know never tell. This is utter nonsense based on the very ignorance which Tathagata taught.

The other lecture which comes back to me is Sokei An's explanation of Tathagata, and now also this one on Dharmakaya. Having the Alya experience raised one before the sages and lowers one before the public.

The Sufi leader, Musheraff Khan was here recently. He drew the old. There will be many elderly people at the meeting tomorrow night. But this one is drawing young, the inquirers, people who wish experience and not speculations.

To sum up, I shall continue to send copies of my autobiography, having Phra Sumangalo to complete and then "Buddha Hridaya" concerning Nyogen Senzaki; the lectures which he wanted published, and finally those which have for the moment been turned over to me. There may be others later, but quantitatively there is more than enough.

His last lecture will be mailed in the next enclosure.

Faithfully,

Samuel L. Lewis

May 9, 1966

My dear Jack,

Last night was the celebration of Wesak Day and program is enclosed. The sermon of Rev. James Burkey was very good. But neither the selection from Dhammapada nor his contention that Buddhism is scientific is going to catch on as it should.

During the week in class study on Ceylon I stated, “Buddhism is not scientific but Buddha was a scientist.” The teacher replied: “Yes, that is true and I wish more people knew that.” For science demands anatta, scientists accept the experience, the experiments, the conclusions of other scientists. And religionists do not accept the experiences, the experiments, the conclusions of others.

Here we are stuck for Buddhists not only align themselves with their enemies, the other religionists, but proclaim anatta also. If they did not proclaim anatta this might not be so bad.

Here I have to prepare few social events. First a leading philosopher is coming and he will present the same teachings as Samuel does and people will accept it. But if one were to go into his part of the country and I presented the same teaching people would accept it and would not from him. This strange behavior pattern may be part of our mores but when Buddhists follow it, proclaiming anatta, they destroy their own principle.

We had about ten groups represented. This excluded the Fungs, the Nichiren and a few others. The representation was broader than those aligned with Harold Priebe and there is one notable ting, that there is no American Sangha. Eugene memorialized Nyogen Senzaki as well as Phra Sumangalo and Leslie Lowe. It is only now that one finds the omission of Dwight Goddard, and the truth is that I would have done the same thing—it is only hours later one realizes this for Goddard reached the minds but not the hearts of people. Goddard was a stickler for anatta and demanded from people and so contradicted anatta.

The second event will be an LSD conference. (I have always humorized that by saying that LSD used to refer to the British monetary system but no more.) A strange series of events, almost miraculous, brought the material from both Sokei-An and Nyogen Senzaki. With “The Cat’s Yawn” in my possession, the quickening of consciousness brought about the Alaya stage and several of Sokei-An’s early lectures came back into consciousness.

Here is where the anatta-Buddhists and the scientists part company. The anatta-Buddhists will accept the papers from these Monks and the scientists will accept a lecture from Samuel L. Lewis backed by his own experiences. The anatta-Buddhists will reject Sam Lewis and the scientists will reject Sokei-An and Senzaki-san. It will be the same subject but the scientists want living evidence and the anatta-Buddhists will want some grand-name of the past.

You can understand now Nyogen’s last sermon and already I have started the “breathing with the feet” which will be open to any and all who know as the Lord said, “They will know the truth and untruth in untruth.”

In the outer world when Rev. Neville was challenging Rev. Iru, irreverent Sam called out, "Where is compassion?" But in the Alaya review Rev. Neville called out, "Where is Fudo?" There is no nonsense in the Alaya and no abiding ego-self but there is the alarming verbal acceptance of this with utter psychological rejection. And in the Alaya one has to face the whole accumulation of his life-stream of consciousness and no nonsense; and also be in the presence of powers and personalities when we may regard as unseen but who nevertheless are. It is something like going into the Judgment Hall of Osiris.

Lama Govinda has selected from time to time no less than five persons 'to represent him. It can well me that the appointments of some have run out either because of the passing of time or failure of function. The latest seems to be that regardless of this the Lama has tied himself down to various monetary-centered promotion corporations; and various monetary-centered cultural groups without any regard to the Dharma or customs of holy men in regard to financial contracts. Phra Sumangalo was very careful here and avoided the terrible history of Master Tai Hsu.

The so-called "Maharshi" who was here and whom Iru accepted and respected, has now repudiated himself. Actually he had no spiritual message at all. He was decried by Robert and adored by Iru and this is something very queer for a Sangha-leader ad boy, if that story gets out, and it will, it puts Iru in a very strange position, to go contrary to his own initiator. But this is not the only incident and I am keeping my "secret weapon" until I face the Lama and ask him some solid questions which could verily effect the whole history of the Dharma here and no nonsense, no nonsense at all.

Having partaken of the melodramas of the Roerich Museum and later life of Dwight Goddard I refuse to make the same mistakes or to partake in a repetition of them. In good faith the Lama has initiated some persons but I do not accept streams of transmission which cut themselves off from other streams of trans¬mission. I shall hold to Ekyana.

I have therefore asked for an audience with Lama Angarika Govinda but not alone. If he has selected individuals to act qua re their being what they are he himself has gone contrary to the Triratna. I don't believe he has but I reserve the right to skepticism because at least one of his really initiated disciples has been hurt. No one has any right to participate in the hurting of their disciples. I made this clear Sunday after a non-disciple had challenged a disciple. I refuse to judge; either my disciple is correct or I am out of it. And either the disciple of the Lama in question is right in which case by the principles of initiation, Hierarchy and Dharma trans¬mission must support him; or the disciple is not so right and the Lama must blame himself. Otherwise the whole anatta principle flops and with it claims. We are no longer in that day.

I am busy increasing the scope of Jhana instruction and it looks as if it may come out into the open and on many sides. There are also signs of a vast financial or personal support; I shall not count on it until it comes but the signs are tremendous. Look, here I am one of the top cultural advisers for the Temple of Understanding and little people will not even admit me as equal. This is the "moral standard" of some and boy, what a karma is coming. I wish to save them from their own dire karma but I wish even more to stand by my oaths of initiation and Fudo ordination too. So you may see a marvelous drama as witness. You are not involved but I shall keep you informed.

Mehta,

Sam

772 Clementina St.

San Francisco 3, Calif.

October 13, 1966

My dear Brother-in-the-Dharma:

I am always glad to hear from you and so long as you adhere to Shaku Soyen’s “Think this Oneness.” I am with you and for you and am you. And I am going to ask you a favor and you can decide: Who is your Vietnamese contact? I wish to try to raise funds for the Vietnamese Buddhists but I shall only do it through you or an assign. Otherwise I shall continue to try to raise money for Iru, only I want to see “Kwan Yin” institutions all over.

It is quite evident from the latest WBF’s publications that there is only one Dharma and all this division into “Mahayana” and “Hinayana” is nothing but the operation of the manasic limitation in man. I shall make no effort to “prove” to Buddhists that Lord Buddha was a Hindu and not a Chinese, or what is more fashionable now in California, an Englishman. You ought to be proud, you are the only Englishman who teaches the Dharma who is not an “expert.”

The deaths of Suzuki and Blythe will do much to clarify the atmosphere and make the Dharma scientific (which was intended) and not personal, which it is very much so.

I was down in Ojai where “there is no god but Krishnamurti and everybody is his prophet,” and facing a certain lady told her: “You must choose between Krishnamurti and Sam and there is no way out.” Actually there is a big way out and she chose that: The Bodhisattvic Oath. This is something our dualistic friends and especially our “anatta Buddhists” do not understand at all. They deny the ego and assert themselves.

This lady by that simple method knocked me out, and I have seldom been knocked out. Anyhow the Kingdom of God has come and to Avichi with all those self-centered people who say that those who know never speak. So I shall not address myself to the “anatta Buddhists” who ignore each other.

My theme: “Science is greater than Buddhism because scientists accept other scientists and Buddhists reject other Buddhists is coming to a head on a vast scale. After getting knocked all over the place for daring to be present when history is being made, I received beautiful letters in turn from Dr. Radhakrishnan and Master Seo.

There is now a definite movement to bring mystics and scientists together without the (dis)grace of metaphysical organizers and it is now possible to explain the Dharma in scientific terms and science in Dharmic terms without any intermediaries to “explain” what they have not experienced.

Sam got a good comeuppance last Saturday. He found himself facing a teacher in Oriental philosophy accepting the spiritual experience to begin with, and going on from there.

Thus cometh to an end my long dictum: “The experts on Asia are European professors and American newsmen and never, never may they be American professors and European newsman.” Of course Rickie is in our common doghouse but this winter the members of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religions have acceded to Wisconsin and Chicago and no more the four horsemen of the Un-apocalypse, Heard, Humphreys, Huxley and Watts, And my epithet still remains:

“Hail to thee, Blythe spirit,

Buddh” thou never wert.”

So I have already written my Kamakura ventures which was utterly impossible (French pronunciation) until that nasty Phillip Kapleau betrayed the whole academy of super intellectuals by telling his experience. Anyhow I am in contrition because Annette Marx of Agoura in Southern California wrote “Meet Master Yasutani and have enlightenment.” And by ye gods and Bodhisattvas she was right! So cometh forth my perennial theme, “Buddhism is not scientific but Lord Buddha was a scientist and we shall see the experience of us little nobodies counting more than the gigantic dialectics of Big Names, especially important in a region of “anatta.”

Of course the most classic example was Princess Poon Diskul herself, shunned her for ‘steen reason and now declaring what is true. Her (and Dr. Malalasekera’s) denunciation of the artificial divisions between Hinayana and Theravada will come to light. When one performs even a single Jhana successfully he is transformed. And Her Serene Highness has come out for Parami=Paramita which nearly all our “anatta-Buddhist” friends reject. They want a “simple religion” not based on profound experience and each one has “a poor thing but my own.”

Indeed my ventures into Ojai and surroundings have been marked with the same talk by people who don’t look at other people: “Love, Compassion, Consideration and Devotion” … also “shut up! and don’t disturb me.” And when you count these Love, Compassion, Consideration and Devotion and add them together and ask what are they doing for the poor orphans either in Vietnam or Hong Kong, and look at their total contribution to these orphans,…

The Love, Compassion and Devotion wallahs have no time to consider the poor orphans. “Tonight I am doing this, tomorrow I am doing that.” But let Manley Hall or J. Krishnamurti show up and these same Love, Compassion and Devotion-wallahs will break all their engagements.

I found a carbon of a letter written to the Diamond Sangha I was going to see to Master Seo but I enclose it to you. You can see that these people, who have much wisdom and insight, have not inherited the “mantle of Shaku Soyen.” If they did they would not have any doubt.

I owe it to you and it is one of the few cases one can say, “eternal debt” for help with regards Vajrayana and Tibetan teachings. If one practiced the Mahamudra there would not be any doubt. Well I did practice the Mahamudra with Dr. Radhakrishnan but he is not one of those “anatta-Buddhists” who deny wisdom and prowess to others. I am now using a “Dew-drop melts into the shiny sea” Yoga with great success, but the answers might not satisfy those who adhere either to Southern Buddhism or Nagarjuna literally. The fact that it works stimulated the letter to the Diamond Sangha.

I am now faced with the university possibility of being permitted to bring my experiences on all planes out into the open. The outer ones follow a pattern: Years ago one Baird Spaulding came here end lectured on “The Masters of the Far East” and great crowds came to hear him. Later I went to his sponsor and said: “I have been to the Far East and met the Masters.” “Get out, I never want to see you again.” And there are still a lot of people living who heard Baird Spaulding and they refuse to little to Sam Lewis—always an excuse. Thus they understand Karma. With the “anatta-Buddhists” it is always the person that counts, not the Truth. So I may now in the university go and tell of the different Masters coming here and greeting me, but not greeting any of those persons who delighted in Baird Spaulding—and rush to Manly Hall or J. Krishnamurti.

I must repeat—and this will shock all the “anatta-Buddhists”—my first Satori which as to go on record—I may gave written it before. This was the “union-with-the-seashore and sea” which took place before 1923. I am not so concerned with the event as that last year, in reading “The Cat’s Yawn,” I realized that this took place exactly where Master Shaku Soyen used to walk. And this event will impress the scientists but so far has made little headway among the “anatta Buddhists.”

Someone has asked, “Why do you operate in that way?” I answer you operate in the way you do because that is your ego and I operate in the way I do because of the initiation as Fudo-Bosatsu, so your excellent way is your way and my foolish way is the Dharma.” And of course those who object contribute plenty of nothing to the poor war orphans in Vietnam or Hong Kong. This is Compassion!

I have told the people in Ojai that I would charge for my lectures; the money all for the war orphans.

The WBF has asserted—following Shinran Shonin (horrors!) that simple people without ordination may experience higher Bhumis than veterans in shaved heads and yellow robes. As there is nobody to try to top-wallahs for heresy maybe this is, so. Anyhow it will enable old Fudo to speak about Buddhism and Buddhist experiences in the same way he speaks about raising trees. So I am going forth Saturday to lay the cards on the table in a university,

As the vast majority of “Buddhists” do not study any scripture, have dispensed with the Triratna and the meditative prowess, they do not know that many scriptures begin “Thus have I heard.” To be a Buddhist, you have to put on a robe and then not listen to anybody, you expect them to listen to you. This the way “anatta” operates.

If a few so-called Buddhists would listen to each other, and did nothing more than that; if they showed consideration to each other and did nothing more than that, the first stone would be laid to the corner-stone of a temple of Peace. Actually there is a Temple of Understanding going up in Washington, where people of all faiths may worship together. The local Bishop Hanayama is one of the first persons in this undertaking. This follower of Shinran believes that anybody can have Enlightenment and it does not depend on robes, ordinations and initiations.

If a few people stopped talking “Love, Compassion, Consideration” and would open their ears—never mind their minds—to others, that would be a big step toward Peace in Vietnam. If they opened their minds; more if they opened their hearts. But we are not going to have Peace that easy. We are going to have a lot of people verbalize Love, Compassion and Consideration and go on their merry way.

The spirit of Phra Sumangalo continues—in hell. There is a lady who has lived in Laos and Cambodia and has been trying to tell what happened there. You can guess what is happening to her. It is Robert all over again and I have to stand by and suffer, but if she is snuffed out I may give up everything and go around with a “J’accuse.” Robert died, Prof. Burdick after his “Sarkhan” which is not read; and now my friend. How long, O Lord, how long!

At the same time the Ananda increases. Shortly I shall be seventy years of age, full of vigor and vitality and upsetting all those people who go around with nice formulae and never learn and listen from anybody,

I hope you go over the WBF bulletins carefully.

Faithfully,

Sam

October 16, 1966

Dear Jack:

One of my nastiest prophecies has come out and there is no ego-satisfaction in it: it is that the difference between Science and Buddhism is that scientists accept other scientists and that “Buddhists” accept only themselves.

I have therefore written to Rev. Price knowing that if he gives up his ego we may having Peace tomorrow. Having gone to one lecture after another, all proclaiming Peace, Good-Will, Brotherhood and Love and all told not contributing a sou to the unfortunates of Vietnam, I know what will happen.

The acceptance of my Kamkura-staori camel as I knew it would within the universities and not from any particular “Buddhist” group. But I was in for a surprise.

Prof. Kelley who teaches the course on “The Philosophy of Religion” was a friend of the late Dwight Goddard with whom he studied the Dharma. He can readily understand why Dwight
Goddard died of a broken heart, and then Phra Sumangalo, and now a lady of whom I have affirmed and referred to who had the audacity to have lived and worked in Laos and Cambodia and therefore who knows from direct experience.

In “Buddhism” it is egotism if you know from direct experience and in the sciences it is exactly the opposite. I did not wish to challenge the Diamond Sutra on its tributes to Blythe and Daisetz. But so long as name and form are more important than the Bhumis and Paramis, the Jhanas and Upayas, we might as well face it, we are going to have a continuum of Samsara.

There is a great meeting being held in Chicago by the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion. Friends of Rickie are now in charge. I see hope for the world.

Faithfully,

Sam

May 29, 1967

Dear Jack,

Last night we celebrated Wesak Day here. It is not the way I should have celebrated it. This "compromise" wherein Mahayanists accept the Theravadin holiday, and then restrict it almost entirely to the Birth, de-emphasizes so much of what may be called the Dharma. Besides, I have gone through a pretty general study of "Ritual versus Vision" in religion and it seems that most of the celebrants have become attached to ritual; while the speaker was on the side of Vision.

I see little value in going from one set of ritual and symbols to another. They all have values, but even with the passage from Dhammapada and a song called "Nirvana" it seems that religion becomes a mixture of guessing and wishing.

When U Thant called for a "Moral and Spiritual Revolution" amid thunderous applause I could see nothing but horror. His was mitigated somewhat when Dr. Malalasekera said it was for each of us to work out our own cleansing there was a ray of hope, but it remains a dim ray.

The Bodhisattvic illness, with the deep empathy between the suffering of Vietnam and in this body, was understood by Rev. Dr. Warwick and it is even worse or better because everything is in Mahayana Scriptures which are not studied. People are kept in the superficial studies—and may not be ready for anything more. Some of this gripe is worked out in the letter, copy enclosed. You can see why I do not wish to be called a "Buddhist." True, one has gone through the experience easily of Philip Kapleau and still more easily of Tim Leary, but also one has realized practically everything in Surangama Sutra and Diamond Sutra is supposed to seal the lips and minds of Srotapannas.

When Dr. Doug Burns who is an "expert" here (I am not) told the people here there are no Arhats, ergo there are no Arhats. I don’t care whether there are Arhats or not but I am sick of something calling itself "Buddhism" or "Dharma" which leaves no room for Srotapannas and Sakrodagamins and all the stations and states of people beyond Savarkas. Those of us who have experienced Bhumis and Paramitas have no place at all and since the receipt of another documentary acceptance—this time from Roshi Soen Nakagawa, I wonder how many documentaries one must have to be given a pulpit. I do not wish it and will have one myself when I can move.

I am still too weak. Dr. Fung gave me blood and other tests today, the result of which will be known next week. After eating I fell into a terrifically deep sleep from which I rose mentally alive, recovering all my faculties but adding those of caution and patience. I have paid for a bundle of twelve copies of "Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch" which should be shipped shortly.

 Of these I am asking you to present one to the Royal Asiatic Society and one to the World Congress of faiths. One will be for your good self and the other nine (9) should be sold around £1, 10 shillings—you can fix the price—and this will give you a little leeway.

My affairs are in a terrible mess and I have had trouble even getting help (including putting in a new ribbon). I cannot move until I am better.

The irony of the world situation with its "tyranny of words" come out in the Near East complex. I myself worked out a program by which the Arabs would work with and even recognize Israel. Such a program is not welcome to our foreign office or the "peace" societies or the press. We reap our karma. As I have written before, it is easy to see the future—all you have to do is understand karma and be honest and the last price we do not wish to pay.

I am not going to predict. There is a social-spiritual revolution going on in this city. I may become part of its and may not and do not care.

In a sense you were with us last night—all of your friends together and your name was mentioned. I am glad you also are finding cooperation.

Faithfully,

Sam

June 10, 1967

My dear Jack,

The other day working in the greenhouse I found my vigor has returned to a remarkable degree. I did not overdo, in fact worked only 2 1/2 hours, but found lifting very, very easy.

There is no doubt some gain from the Healing Practice Dr. Warwick tried for there is now remarkable internal and external coordination.

Illness took me from the frying pan of Vietnam to the fire of the Near East. Much of the Vietnam complex came from Phra Sumangalo, "I" covering the peripheral nations. In the Near East I was in the Center—not that it matters. You get it from all sides. Nobody wants peace, everybody wants peace with justice which is like adding a triple infinite into a small number. In mathematics it means nothing, in oratory it means everything but in life again it means nothing.

Suppose one went to a "Buddhist" meeting and talked samskaras. You know the answer. I must confess to having learned a good deal about samskaras from Meher Baba, but his followers make such distinctions between samskaras and impressions that such knowledge becomes worse than useless. And to these I shall be adding "semantic reactions" or SRs which have gotten into our culture, but have no significance. Almost all the proposals for the semanticists are Buddhistic but don't tell them that!

Next week I am going to see if I can get the furniture of a dear friend who recently died and the find a place for it. One is not only not overdoing, but following Dr. Fung. Some of my acquaintances are delighted, not with my recovery, but with my being on a vegetarian diet. I have lived on not meat once permitted fish, the other times cheeses but these are off now, especially the latter on account of its high salt.

The most horrible experience has been to listen to the UN. The amount of dishonesty in high places is terrible. Now I hear the Israelis will not return to their old borders. I have sent out a lot of letters, but us eye-witnesses don’t count and I see more and more bloodshed and more and more dishonesty.

God has made some serious mistakes. He created more Chinese than Hebrews. I don’t think the Israelis will ever forgive Him. Anyhow, you have Israel without God, no temple, lots of superstitions and folk-lore and customs and for this the world is supposed to sacrifice itself and die.

Everything happened as predicted but this time no Prajna. I was there; I have had long conferences with UN officials. I know both sides in every respect excepting those emanating from our Madison Ave culture. The Hippies accept. they are different and therefore "awful."

We do not realize the existence and practicality of Prajna. the Universal Wisdom which is not only in all of us, but which is essentially us, but we can't accept it. Lord Buddha said, " I see all sentient beings have perfect enlightenment but they do not know it."

Last night I was recognized by a visiting Indian. Under pressure from him and another Indian I have written at length to President Hussain. This letter will be copied and sent to proper persons. One feels very much like what Mark Twain said about the weather, "Everybody discusses it but nobody does anything about it," only here one has world peace in view.

This week I went on a trip to Santa Clara County and came out all right. This was to purchase trees on which I shall do research. Actually I purchased them from a old schoolmate who is a Japanese Buddhist. We will pick them up later—have to bring a station wagon. It is through tree planting I hope to promote universal good-will.

I am glad you understand I cannot write often. This on account of Mrs. Lewis You remember I tried to contact some "Lewises" previously. I do not know whether you know these people. Nobody has heard from Harold recently and we do not know whether he is contrite or stunned. On Wesak it was openly stated that Iru Price was the spiritual successor to Leslie Lowe, the claim Harold has been making.

Love and Blessings,

Sam

May 1, 1969

My dear Jack:

This is a very beautiful day and the main activity is putting up a May Pole. Sunday we are combining a May Day celebration with Wesak. I have been working overtime on choreography and ceremonials. Rev. Neville Warwick was supposed to be here and take charge but I understand he is in Japan and may not be back. But his disciples and followers will be here.

James Eugene has also accepted the invitation. I am very glad of this because we have just added playground equipment which his younger sons should enjoy. We hope to have a lot of playground equipment by summer. For not only is this lot commodious—150’ x 100’ I understand, but the adjacent corner lot has been loaned to us for vegetable planting. Thus some time the exercise has been outside, all sorts of garden chores.

The all year weather is good and we are growing, or attempting a number of vegetables. We expect to add Maize, the Squash family and Legumes in quantity. We have strawberries and raspberries. Two old grape-vines are bearing and we may have more later on.

Saturday a few of us will visit the Buddha in Golden Gate Park to commemorate the old pilgrimages of Shaku Soyen and Nyogen Senzaki. Mrs. Vocha Fiske, one of Senzaki’s old disciples is here now. She has lived in Japan, chiefly with Zen Buddhists like here self.

I have turned two recent books on Chinese Buddhism over to Eugene and have written the author. It is very strange and awkward how little “Buddhist” so-called, pay no attention either to Buddha or to each other. And my resent conclusions that while Buddha said there was no ego and was indifferent about “God,” the Neo-Buddhists are very anti-God and totally different being pro-ego. Actually I think Lord Buddha was a greater deist than most religionists because he used realities and experiences and not concepts or thought-forms.

I am glad you found some peacefulness. We are not sure of our future policy here because there are many changes going on in this vicinity and one’s following and friends are steadily increasing on both quantity and quality. And I have been sent for to visit the State of New Mexico and there is a department in the university dedicated to Buddhist research.

It will be very dramatic when I become better known and tell of the droll situation on that so-called “Buddhists” who are supposed to be anti-ego, will not give up their egotisms even for money. I mention no names although Paul Reps is in this class, also. He always had money and is pouring out writings steadily as he can afford to do so.

We have a sort of spiritual commune and by forceful leadership each has come to realize his or her earthly responsibility. They are all wonderful spiritually and morally but there is some reality in lots of these young people. It is the age and belongs to cosmic evolution. As soon as they get their feet on the ground they are the most wonderful of all people.

So we dream both of printing and ceramics and if we go ahead with printing it may be we shall be forced to get out the real Buddhist literature ourselves. Boots by “experts” are so marketable but valid literature seems to interest only groups like the Royal Asiatic Society. Nevertheless the universities are changing in attitude all around.

I’ll let you know of “Gandalf’s Garden” later. It is in London and is so Californi-ish and no little British, it is surprising, or maybe that is the new norm.

Gassho,

Sam

May 14, 1969

My dear Bodhisattva Jack:

Today I was reading Agatha Christie and feeling strange, that I could be in England now, at least afford it and am tied down by all sorts of things, too many but the majority on the plus side.

I have often hoped to visit England to look up traditions and sometimes folk-dancing as well as Cathedrals. Then I had hoped to visit the brother of a friend of mine who is manager of a sewage disposal plant. This is a project in which I am interested and now the disciple who has been training to become my financial secretary has just received a place for training to become a manager in this profession. He was educated as an electrical engineer but dropped out and has gone through all the phases of the Hippy Life. But he is excellently educated.

We have been working on a project of chanting Om!, especially in the form Om Mani Padme Hum! It has become very effective. In addition to his other achievements Daniel knows some Sanskrit and recites the Prajna Paramita in Sanskrit and English while the “Zennists” chant in a bastard Japanese which they do not understand.

We attended the services for the late President Z. Hussain and also plan to show Indian films, both as a diversion and as part of a youth rehabilitation program. There are now no particular standards, and “dharma” has struck bottom and is coming up. It is certain that my total each week increases, but I am now in another project.

San Francisco State. College is now presided over by Dr. S. I. Hayakawa. He published articles by Alan Watts as being authentic Zen and authentic Buddhism. He has ignored his parental ancestry. When I protested I was given the coup de grace. Now his chief of the philosophy department regards Sam Lewis as the leader Bodhisattva of the region. And the belief was strengthened when they were having a discussion on the Bodhisattva and this person walked into the room.

So I am now attending a philosophy class on Monday morning at San Francisco State. And soon there will be a poetry seminar an “Poetry Writing as Influenced by Oriental Philosophy.” Gary Snyder will be the “expert” but Sam Lewis is one who has written poems, and perhaps more. And one by one all these things for which one was rejected in the past are now being accepted.

Although my chief work is Sufism, out of the Alaya one pulled a dance on the Nembutsu. Gene saw his original rendition but now it is completed into a real folk-dance with an mixture of American and Japanese elements.

Recently an excellent letter was received from General Lansdale, former chief of the ground forces in Vietnam. It begins “Dear Samuel…,” and this shows what kind of relation we had and may have. Then the aforesaid Daniel received both a fine letter and literature from Thich Tanh Thien, head of the Buddhist Social Federation. This indicates shape of things to come.

I am sorry about Kew. Of course. I shall be able to get in. There are many times I should like to be in London but larger audiences. Then there is New Mexico. Both my chief secretary and I have to make professional trips there and thus one or both should moot an American professor who is doing real research into real Buddhism. Bahm is his name.

Going over Anthology of Zen it is remarkable how little the various Englishmen and Europeans know of the real inside. New I am preferring Ch’an and there is a serious study of Scriptures under Venerable Too Lun. But his group is small. Brother Warwick’s group is larger and more vigorous and besides the class discussions have been on the relation of mountain climbing to mystical awakening. Only he is in Japan. When he returns doors should be open for him.

His disciples have a Natural Foods center which is prospering and we are also buying more of our supplies there. Even Brother Reps likes this thing—I am afraid he knows all about the “earth” and almost nothing about the transcendent, but that is his job.

We are having hopes here both for a printing establishment and a pottery-porcelain works. We have the space and will soon put in the gas-line connections. Anyhow one thing stands out, that Age is not a deterring factor at all and neither can I explain it.

I am working on a commentary an Inayat Khan’s “Cosmic Language” and it keeps on reminding me that there ought to be a commentary, on parts of Dhammapada. We have outgrown nothing.

Fortunately while much of the world is going down-hill, the New Age people are here, more and more of than all the time. My geography is lucky but then I picked my place of birth.

Faithfully,

Sam

410 Precita Ave.

San Francisco, Calif.

June 11, 1969

Rev. Jack Austin,

100 Roundwood Way,

Barnstead, Surrey England

Bodhisattva: Arya Dharma vs …

It has taken a little while to answer your letter and this is actually being written at 910 Railroad Ave., Novato, 97947 whither you addressed your last letter. I am actually spending most of the time here, out in the “country.” It was here that we celebrated Wesak and will hold further outdoor affairs.

Last night I was reading in the works of the Sufi, Inayat Khan, that spiritual awakening was the aim of life and that the means were not important. This is the stumbling block for the means are important. They don’t have to work. They divide mankind into fragments, and set person against person, group against group, and only “my” means are proper and “yours,” are useless. So the problems continue.

Not being a “Buddhist” I am free to use the means of Lord Buddha, only instead of taking “my” problem or the “world’s problems into consideration” I am using “you” as a base feeling such absolutely identity that our every joy and grief, even whim are my own. “Buddhists”—and I shall use the term without further diacritical marks are, like all religionists, concerned with means and are quite anti-Gautama, and I shall say anti-Buddha because like all other orthodox they have sanctified Upaya and not attainment. Indeed, stories come now of monks and devotees testing experience but cosmic experience is not need, just some nice, select “Upaya” and you are in, forever and ever—maybe.

At this writing there is so something like getting over humps, that the income has grown, the number of followers and devotees has grown, the combined incomes have grown and I am called to go to Hollywood to consider legal organization. And I am also faced with possibilities, although at the moment vague, which will put me into another outlook end even “social class.” And I cannot help thinking of you.

Besides, there are two editors here who are taking everything I am doing, pictures, remarks, etc. and a certain “fame” has gone abroad, requiring my visiting the State of New Mexico in August and possibly other trips. This is difficult because of the now large and growing following, made of young who want facts and experiences and not empty words accompanied by nothing in human experience. The increment of Joy, Love and Peace in their lives is so evident!

I think we share a common pain because of Phra Sumangalo. I am not over it and do not ask to be released from it, but the first step in spending has been to purchase copies of Encyclopedia of Buddhism as far as they are available. Practicing Prajna without advice of the monks, clerics, experts and what not, and finding it always works, these books were purchased without having available funds but within five days after James Eugene extended credit some “hidden angel” came to my rescue and when I return from Hollywood I shall see that he is not only properly reimbursed but more.

There is a story connected with each “gift” but I do not see myself as a giver nor the books as a gift, not being what I call an “anatta-Buddhist.” Unlike Brother Burns, who is “in” although I do not know what he is in, I do not use words apart from life and do not consider myself separate from other people as he does actually. But he has the tonsure and I believe rather in my Guru’s, “what we need are shaved minds.” I take the “shaved mind” and let my hair and bear grow.

“My” copy went to Daniel, my Sanskrit secretary. He has grown in every way and now financially also. He is in touch with Dr. Conze and if you have not the latter’s address will supply it. He is now regarded as a martyr and one can almost couple him with Robert Sumangalo.

The second copy went to Prof. Lozicki at the University of California, Southeast Asia Library. I found that this man has already accomplished what I have long sought, all the literature of the “Multiversity” of California on the theme: How California Can Help Asia. You hear about strikes, riots, etc. No one knows about accomplishments and they are terrific.

Prof. Lozicki will be in charge of the S.E. Asia seminar which starts shortly in San Francisco, University of California. I shall also place in his hands the Robert-Sumangalo material. But we have absolute understanding. Working with him is Dr. Nottingham, a lady professor who has been at Long Island University. She gave me an “A” in my last course and none of this non-ego rejection of somebody else because, because, because! Facts and experience to the fore and personality is being chased away—outside of “religious” circles.

The next copy has gone to Prof. Lancaster. Our meeting was strictly anti­-anatta. That is we recognized each other as parts of the same being and no nonsense. Not only is he now in charge of Buddhist studies, and I mean Buddhist studies, at the University of California, but he was a disciple of Nyogen Senzaki in his last days. And he will accept copies of the materiel of Tai Hsu, Shaku Soyen, etc which all the good anatta (?) Buddhists reject. One is no longer disturbed.

I shall soon purchase more copies for the University of California at Los Angeles. There the Dean of Studies is Dr. Carroll Parrish, my very first secretary (and his first job) who has been on friendly terms with Her Serene Highness, Princess Poon Diskul. I may bring another set of the Encyclopedic with Dr. Thich Thien An, who is also a friend of Lancaster as above. So I see the means of solid teaching here of Arya Dharma but from an integrational and universal point of view and no more ego-nonsense from “anatta-Buddhists” (who don’t talk to each other!).

Either James Eugene or I shall be writing to Ceylon, too. Now coming to the last issue of the WBF News Bulletin The first article is called “The Sources of Divine Power” and one of its first references is to theTriple Gem. But later in the magazine there are articles from some “good” Buddhist groups around here who most certainly do not use the Triple Gem and at my last meeting with the now “famous” Roshi Shinryu Suzuki, when I recited the Triratna he blushed. He has seen to it that his followers do no such thing. They are “good” Buddhists” and so exempt.

The next reference is to the Divine Beings. This person believes in the Divine Beings as well as in Triratna, but the anatta-Buddhist Douglas M. Burns does not. And when we met in public before he left this land, the “good” Iru Price and all the “good anatta-Buddhists” supported Douglas Burns in his opposition to Divine Beings and this person was put to shame???? Well, there is your Wisdom, Compassion and Morality.

The next item is the Karmic Effect and it is full of words. But when it comes to attainment, only ideas of important persons are valid and the attainments of non important persons area not valid!! The other day a Korean came to my place and I told him I had been initiated as Fudo Bosatsu. He said, “But Fudo is Buddha!” This was strange, no doubt, but “good anatta-Buddhists” are not going to accept that! We must stick to goal old samsara and if you don’t us my Upaya you are a heretic or worse.

The writer (or editor) continues and mentions “self-development” and then there are articles to the contrary. But although I seem to agree with the editorial this one is out and “good” people of opposing views get recognition because they are “good.”

Although I am using the WBF News Bulletin, the hard fact is that all religious publications are the same. All decry evil, all use the same words totally empty and all insists on very restricted Upaya. The Muslims divide worlds, Muslims are good and non-Muslims are evil. I don’t think the Jews are very different. The Christians infer that but I must quote Browning, that when he wrote only God and Browning knew what it meant and now only God knows!

The Hindus are different. The Jews, the Christians. Muslims and Buddhists are all “right” and everybody else is “wrong.” The Hindus are right because they do not condemn and therefore everybody else should contribute to them. They are doing wonderful things; nobody else is doing anything.

Now the “New Race” predicted by Lord Lytton as well as by Sri Aurobindo and by H. G. Well as well as by various Mahatma’s Super-sadgurus and Maharishis, is here. The young see universally and they chant Mantrams. They no longer accept this separative nonsense of their elders. They want spiritual liberation and they really want spiritual liberation and not some narrow Upaya with its attendant accusations of heresy. It is a new age, my brother, and now it would seem this person is near the crest of waves.

We are going to get rid of separativism. We are going to have those Upaya which are operative. Something very strange happened Saturday. I had three different engagements, morning, noon and night. To each affair a person came in with Alexandra David-Néel’s book on Tibet ! Not only was this striking but at my last home meeting a young girl came in from New York and said she wanted spiritual training through Mountain Climbing. Before the words were out of her mouth she was speaking with my spiritual colleague, Rimpoche Neville Warwick. And our two groups are working together in all phases of life … details too long to relate.

I am looking very coldly on appeals for funds. “Bishop” Pike has appealed for funds for psychic research and investigation into “cosmic consciousness.” I have yet to meet one of these groups which has accepted materials, excepting Prof. Stevenson of the University of Virginia. One Francis Story, who is a “good Buddhist,” says the is researching here. He gets the publicity and has rejected all the articles from both others and myself. We are not the “right” type for the “good” people. Story is great on “goodness, compassion, morals” and insulting others as not being equal. But he is a “good-Buddhist.” I refuse to be a “good Buddhist” or a “good Muslim” or a “good divider of mankind,” any kind.

I have met awakened souls of all faiths and no faiths and read Walt Whitman too. The young are coming, money seems to be coming, vigor is tremendous and I do not understand it. The young experience love, joy, exaltation and yet we are unorganized and not so much “non-sectarian” but super-sectarian. But I do not glow or glory until something also can be done for you, my “self” in another framework. You are always with me, you are a part of me like Robert Sumangalo, Eugene Wagner and Rimpoche Warwick. This is not “Buddhism,” of course but it is pretty good Arya Dharma.

All love and blessings,

Sam

410 Precita Avenue

San Francisco, Calif. 94110

July 7, 1969

Rev. Jack Austin

100 Roundwood Way

Banstead, Surrey

Bodhisattva;

I have received your letter of 27th June and also Spring 1969 copy of The Western Buddhist and am answering your letter backwards. Your last words are ”Any ideas about its distribution in U.S.A.?”

There is in this city a New Age food store controlled by the followers of Lama Anagarika Govinda. It is not only a New Age store. But it has the most beautiful customers. We not only patronize the place but one of my own disciples works there and to make it “thicker” he is also a printer and would have some information about potential distribution and sales of The Western Buddhist so I shall see him either today, or tomorrow at the latest.

We are having parallel successes in drawing many of the young people of the New Age. My most successful work is with spiritual dances and now this has broken out. Also my writings on “Toward Spiritual Brotherhood” and other things, all at the same time.

I have met Dom Aelred Graham who at least accepted my positions and attainments. Conversations were very easy and harmonious. This is in contract with Arthur Osborne and his “Self and Ego” with you know who in first place. But I think that time is over. My teachings are simple. “He is most humble who has the largest ears.”

Have to go over the rest of the articles with disciples the most important of whom just came in the door. So he will read this and also “The Western Buddhist” and we shall write again later.

Mehta,

Sam

410 Precita Ave.,

San Francisco, Calif.

1st August, 1969

Rev. Jack Austin,

100 Roundwood Way

Banstead, Surrey

Dear Jack;

Your note of 26th July is here and it will be shown both to the Buddhist Department of the University of California and then to Rahul at the New Age Health Food stores. This is strictly a New Age.

There is a realized Bodhisattva teaching at the University. This may be a shock to the various cults and experts who teach whatever personality dialectic they please and call it “Buddhism” without having any deep transformatory realization. But the day has passed when superlative egocentrics can go around any longer as champions of what they call the “Dharma” (or Dhamma).

There is a rising attendance in the schools and not a rising attendance at the separative cults and churches, etc. In fact I am going to New Mexico next Thursday and must visit Prof. Archie Bahm who is already my colleague in other matters. I am first going to the “Lama Foundation,” perhaps in the capacity of temporary “guru.” In any event they have sent for me and there are others in the general vicinity. This may be a “fly by night” visit but I hope to see them again later if I should be called on to visit the eastern part of the United States. Actually I have more university contacts than I can handle and since the acceptance of Kapleau there is now a demand for “realized souls” and no more clerics or dialectics who offer either ceremonies rituals or sermons.

The New Age Health Food adventure is prospering very much and it looks as if they will branch soon. We have not only been working with them closely bit offer them on consignment our surpluses. Our garden crops have yields far beyond expectations and the possibility is that soon this venture will receive national attention. I have been amazed by the results both with flowers and vegetables and at least two types of trees—Fig and Olive.

The New Age Health Food people are Vajrayanins and they have meditations right in their place of business. It is a real New Age venture in all respects and they wish to take the lead in cooperating with you. All for now.

Cordially,

Sam

410 Precita Avenue

San Francisco, Calif. 94110

October 8, 1969

Rev. Jack Austin

100 Roundwood Way

Banstead, Surrey

My dear Jack,

Vocha Fiske very suddenly turned up here and gave such an optimistic report. She has gone to Los Angeles and will be back next month, presumably to stay until Spring and the perhaps return to Asia.

I am not going to apologize. Working forever seven days a week forced a vacation. Besides, my secretary, Mr. mansur Johnson, had a severe trial in his private life. He is a pupil and close friend of Dr. Huston Smith of MIT. We went through the most beautiful parts of the Northwest and as far as Vancouver BC covering some 3300 miles and since returning not a day off.

I am at this moment enclosing Twenty Five ($25.00) Dollars. There is no secretary here for business matters and we are very short-handed at a time when my work is expanding in all directions.

Last night I went to get a report on my poem, “The Rejected Avatar.” The teacher is one Lou Welch who is regarded as the leading poem critic of the region. His closest associate is Gary Snyder who has lived in Zen monasteries. Not only was my poetry accepted by them and their associates—and perhaps Alan Watts with them—have gone from Zen into Vajrayana! They want Avalokitesvara and no more severity. It is more than symptomatic. It also means a serious revaluation of all my poetry which is epic and cosmic.

I have not even had time to go to Fields Book Store or the New Age where your work can be pushed. We have had both our motor cars in the hospital and I depend on outside help or tram transportation. But the Ideas of October are excellent.

Now I am working to attend the next conference of the Temple of Understanding. I have a personal representative in Bangkok who is expected to call on Alen and Her Serene Highness. I have written to Dr. Malalasekera and my “atonement” for the untimely death of Robert comes in the purchase of Encyclopedias of Buddhism as far as I can afford. And yet it is necessary to build up a travel fund to go to Istanbul next year.

 Today I am rapidly becoming the authority on Asian religions, culture and spirituality. last two weeks were spent on Zen and next week the floor is for Soto. But there is one argumentative young man and I found he is an initiate in Rinzai and this is a relief. I am ready to go first to represent Korean Zen which is integrative—not verbally “integrative” but actually. And I am coming out strong for the real experience of enlightenment and can challenge those who make the pratt or the solar plexus the center of consciousness. They have to prove that!

But I am also on the program for later dates and both Vajrayana and Dr. Warwick are on schedule, perhaps, but not so certain. Alan Watts. Also Krishnamurti, but I understand Krishnamurit-Saanen ≠ Krishnamuri-Ojai.

I am strong for Prajna where Dr. Radhakrishnan and the late Daisetz Suzuki meet. But my Prajna is experience and part, perhaps, of Samma Drishti. I am to have three men and one woman with me. One man and the woman already selected. There is a question whether another disciple will go with me and whether I am to cooperate financially to see if you can go to Istanbul next Spring. The program is tentatively set for about March 30 but I wish to find out the flights and costs. I am assuming charter flights. If it is within my means, or of others for you to go, perhaps that can be arranged. But I am not to travel alone anymore.

Tonight I am to lead the young at a large auditorium called The Family Dog. All the local spiritual leaders have been invited and no longer Prof. Von Plotz and Nice-face and Hoffmeyer-Hofbrand, the great scholars of great scholars. Most of the leaders are either Asians or young Americans who have had, or claim to have had spiritual experiences, and no nonsense. It is a new age.

We are semanticizing Ananda. It becomes real. It is becoming normal and easy. But also this week I hope to semanticize Buddha. The majority of so-called “Buddhist “ movements here accept neither the Three Jewels, nor Eightfold Path nor most of the Scriptures. All personality-leader hip. And this is one of the problems: Is there a Self? I can assure you that Rev. Superbombast, and Dr. Egoegoego will lead the arguments that there is no “self.” But the young are different today, very different and I shall try to keep you informed.

Mehta,

Samuel L. Lewis.

November 2, 1969

My dear Jack;

I am very sorry to get a letter from a hospital. True, I was in one a few years back. Something happened and since that time very slowly and very surely all affairs have improved. Indeed my immediate following and my total following are slowly, most imperceptibly but even more definitely increasing.

I am now busy six nights per week. The Saturday night dancing class was so well attended I shall make every effort to divide it. This place can comfortably hold 30 people. More bring in more money but less persons attention. Roughly the work is divided into Dervish dancing, Mantric dancing and Bodhisattvic walks.

I shall try to get into your hands the latest copy of The Oracle. This local underground publication has fallen almost entirely into my hands. The articles are either by my disciples or friends and many concern “me.” But the best are the anatta articles especially the one on the Bodhisattvic Oath by one of my close companions. To me it is superb.

Sunday night is now Dharma night here. I make no distinction an between religious differences, combining thy Prajna Paramita Sutra, the Jhana-meditation, the writings of Swami Ramdas and “Zen Flesh, Zen Bones.” For those who wish more prolonged meditations or lectures I send elsewhere. I find nobody using a Bodhisattvic technique just as there are no Jhana-instructions.

There is some interest in Zen which has gone “establishment” and a growing interest in Vajrayana, but unfortunately the egocentricity of the “Vajrayanist” is so great that there is not stability. I attend three university classes—poetry, philosophy, and sociology and the progress is excellent. The whole tenor is toward universality. The great question is who and what is going to take over. Among the Buddhists it is who, and this destroys the validity of pretenders in anatta. Fortunately the “New Age” Leaders are not in competition and my “Youth of the World Unite” is making headway.

I have often been troubled about you. Between the “Oracle” and our dormant print-shop they are nascent plans. But the print shop is dormant because two of my three chief men are now working for the New Age Food Store, the owners of which are Vajrayana Buddhists. This is rapidly becoming a center for merchandising, meditating, and corrections of diets. The young people are rushing to purchase natural foods and often at most reasonable costs.

Fred Rohe, the owner, is the man who is also interested in you and wants to help you, but we are both so busy we have little time to meet.

The class in philosophy has discussed Zen, Meher Baba, Subud and Krishnamurti and Gurdjieff on tap. I have scored one on the teacher by asking what evidence is there to prove Meher Baba and discountenance Bahaullah? This State and especially this City is full of Messiahs, avatars, world-deliverers, and protests on Vietnam, but never a Vietnamese speaker. We have one on schedule, I hope.

Yes, we still have trams, some on tracks and some on double trolleys. The situation is very complex on this hilly city with constant complications about tunnels (tubes) and what not.

Vocha may establish herself here. I have not had time to write her and she may come any time this month.

One is working toward universality and is becoming known here among the young, more and more, and ignored by the “superior” people who are so divided into their cliques, etc. At the class on philosophy my companion said, “They all have ideas, doctrines, but no techniques.” At least we have plenty of these.

I may have to learn about Mudras or Mudras may come out of me. The Bodhisattvic techniques came suddenly last night and were applied to my new students. And the Sufi Mushahida is the same as the Maha Mudra Meditation.

There is one side to this situation. I have not been entirely free from pain myself but find when I look into it some friend is always having a pain or difficulty in the very a same spot. The flesh keeps on functioning, the mind keeps on functioning and when I meditate on the pain it sets me into extreme empathy with someone near and dear.

Faithfully,

Sam

December 1, 1969

Rev. Jack Austin

100 Roundwood Way

Banstead, Surrey, England

Dear Jack:

This old renegade heretic is still at it. No doubt it is rather upsetting that the passage of years has not softened him. Last night we had the impudence and audacity to celebrate the enlightenment of Lord Buddha Sakyamuni. We even read from Pali Scriptures and from an American who was an authority on the Dharma until your fellow countrymen took over. Worse, we did some deep meditation as appears in the 118^th discourse, introduced into the Buddhist Bible by the late Dwight Goddard.

It is not to retrace one’s footsteps because the evangelist reverend Billy Graham has now come out for the moral teachings of the Tathagata.

We have visited Kennett Roshi and also heterodoxed one’s own standard by being entirely favorable in this case. Yes, even Sam is sometimes satisfied. Besides, I have come out wholeheartedly publicly and privately for an optimistic view of the world’s affairs.

I think you are right about the early copies of The Oracle; it is almost entirely in “my hands.” The idea that a group should operate as an individual, and that an ego-individual should not operated at all, is both rank hearsay and good dharma.

My emissary has not only visited the new Zendo but also the Tibetan center in Berkeley, which is east of San Francisco Bay. Our discussion next Friday will be largely on Tibetan Buddhism and the experience of illumination. Since the work of Roshi Phillip Kapleau has become public, it is now possible, not to say permissible, to proclaim satori and samadhi, because it has been one’s own experience. Indeed, we are going to bring this out into the open coming Friday; isn’t that grand.

I am never surprised about the “anatta” Theravadins. It is they, and not their critics, who have made themselves “Hinayanists.”

Last night we want into the profundities of the dharma, in, out, and with any school or line of transmission. I shall continue to encourage all valid schools of dharma transmission. The main lesson was in the relation between power and peace, that peace is the most fundamental and power follows. We also used this in connection with out Jhana practice.

I am now watching my affairs closely as I may be called to Turkey next year, and Spain somewhat later. I have also written Kennett Roshi that they may have Phra Sumangalo’s chair whenever they wish, or it will be willed to them. I have been holding this for Eugene, but I think he consents. We are also planning two Vietnamese the gatherings, and James Eugene has turned over to me his Vietnamese correspondence.

Mehta,

Sam

Jan. 18, 1970

Rev. Jack Austin

100, Round weed Way

Banstead, Surrey, England

Bodhisattva:

When the Sufi Pir Vilayat was here he said “You have not only started the new year right, you have started the new decade right.” There is also a point which you have brought up, and which occasionally a so-called Buddhist accepts, and that is the actual law of karma, taken impersonally. My main heart-throb at Christmas came from the Biblical words which begin the “Messiah”: “Every valley shall be exalted and every hill laid low. The crooked made straight.” Once in a while one actually meets somebody who accepts this. But this billikin, knocked dawn over and over again, cannot transfer his allegiance to anything else. The crocked places will be made straight, the hills laid low, and the valleys exalted.

Tonight we shall repeat the Prajna Paramita Sutra in English, and give some attention to Kennett Roshi. Her affairs have gotten at the same time complicated and progressive. The complications come out of mistakes or otherwise made by herself or the consular service. The progressions are toward the establishment of a Zendo near Mt. Shasta, which will be for the hoi-polloi and not for the privileged only. And I am very pleased to have lost a tête-a-tête with Kennett Roshi, who proved her prowess in adopting the witticisms of H.S. Gilbert to some of the common complications of the day.

A copy of Kennett Roshi’s material has been placed in the hands of Prof. Lancaster at the University of California, one of the late Nyogen Senzaki’s last pupils.

Yesterday the session on the problems of South-East Asia began under Prof. Kozicki. He has lived in Burma and Malaysia as well as in Hawaii. I do not know how well he may have been acquainted with Phra Sumangalo. But I must say, almost in delight, that we seem to be entirely in accord on everything, and this covers a multitude of a multitude of subjects. Prof. Kozicki and Prof. Lancaster were each given the fascicles of the Encyclopedia of Buddhism so far as they are available. I should like to purchase more, but have had no word about their appearance.

I am still under the opinion that the practice of the Jhanas produces alterations in personality and that if properly performed, one would automatically graduate from so-called Theravada-Hinayana to Mahayana.

I am not surprised about your report on the Tulku. I did not approve of the attitude of Tibetans here toward Dr. Warwick. I am also well aware of the vices and vicissitudes of Padmasambhava. We may ignore the differences between the Tibetan schools, but I do believe there is such a thing as constructive morality. I failed to get Dr. Warwick on the telephone. We would like him to perform his fire ceremony on parinirvana day.

Both Professors Lancaster and Kozicki are well aware of the “selfless” attitude of various Buddhists—all Buddhists are leaders; none of them are Bodhisattvas apparently toward each other.

At the present time all I know about my prospective trip is that the convention has been transferred from Istanbul to Geneva. There are more and more reasons for visiting London, and on the whole the material backgrounds of the life are much better. The New age Food Stores have been prospering marvelously. And directly and indirectly this seems to be helping financially. Originally the leaders were Buddhist, but they have transferred their allegiance elsewhere. This is too complicated a subject to write about further.

I am also receiving more and more invitations to visit the Eastern part of the United States.

Other aspects of the New Age are also progressing. We shall soon have here Baba Ram Dass (Former Prof. Richard Alpert) who is lecturing to audiences which will contribute to a campaign which will benefit me personally—I am not being permitted to address the same audiences for the usual because because because. It is certainly droll.

I could sarcastically say, why should I bother concerning the scuttlebutt of other movements, when I might well be tarnished with things going on right in my presence. These things delight the establishments. After all, isn’t genocide a crime when it kills people who are potentially converts to your particular faith? Apparently slaughtering of Buddhist orphans in Vietnam is all right, but threatening potential Sunday School Children in Biafra is a horrible crime. I feel like terminating the play in the middle of the second act, without waiting for its conclusion, but I know there will be more later.

Faithfully and cordially,

Sam

Feb. 23, 1970

Rev. Jack Austin

100 Roundwood Way

Banstead, Surrey, England

My dear Jack:

I feel at this writing I am addressing the ego to my friend, my sweetheart, and myself all in one. At least we are booked for the Green Park Hotel on or about April 6. I expect to have with me my personal secretary Mansur Johnson, who has been a pupil of, and is a friend of, the rather celebrated American Orientalist Dr. Huston Smith. We are scheduled to arrive at Geneva on March 30. I want to get out of there as quickly as possible and have in London several to me most interesting contacts—chief among them Gandalf’s Garden and Studies in Comparative Religion. I may also try to contact Dr. Richard Lewis at the University of London.

I can’t help being very sympathetic to your private problems. There has been practically no time off any day this year so far, with both my brother and closest friend hovering almost between life and death. Such things are to be expected, but they do keep one close to reality.

For purposes of historical records I must repeat here two conversations with Robert. On his last visit here he came into my rooms unexpected and exhausted. He threw down his luggage, “Sam, we ain’t got It.” Standing up I replied, “Grandphra We have got It.” The stage is set now for the manifestation or debunking of my remarks, at Geneva.

The other took place earlier, when I said, “Grandphra, you and I are nobodies; combined we cannot get even 30 people to listen to us but I do not think there is a King, Prime Minister, cabinet official, university professor, holy man, or peasant from one and of Asia to the other whom we either have not met or cannot meet, but who will believe us?” He replied, “Too true Samuel; how true.”

This rejection drama is the reason for the title of my poem, “The Rejected Avatar”; literally it applies to Sri Krishna, actually to Robert and myself.

But not all the Buddhists, Theosophists, and cultists can interfere with the operations of the wheel of the Law. That Wheel is turning, has turned. There are two separate but not independent movements on foot to both tape-record and televise my work. This may not be done finally until the return from Geneva. But everything else is going in the same direction, and that is something to say. All the complaints, all the belly-aches so to speak, of the past, are now proving that they had a basis. My friend Vocha Fiske who I expect to see this week; my friend Ted Reich who was here last night; and others, are living witnesses to this. Therefore I hope when I reach London to have something more to offer than empty or not empty words.

Last night I read from the forgotten American, Paul Carus, from his The Gospel of Buddha. The crap, the desecration of Dharma, egocentricities that have filled our bookshelves, our lecture halls, our confused minds the past two generations is both working out its own evil karma and its counter-karma. Whatever I have said in the past, the opposite can be said today, with a new type of American professor—honest, objective, and not writing books “At the Feet of the Master” but having sat at the feet of Masters, lots of them. I see now the manifestations of Senzaki’s constant prophecy that the future of the Dharma lay in this country.

Dr. Richard Alpert, former Harvard professor, has been here lecturing as Baba Ram Dass. He is raising money for a book on the spiritual and esoteric methods in vogue derived from Asia. Indirectly I may benefit from his efforts. He drew thousands of young people who supplied him with many thousands of dollars for his efforts. This at a time when churches are amalgamating, are falling down in their appeals for funds. It is grotesque, it is true. But evidently Dr. Alpert-Ram Dass has still to grow for his former colleagues have sent for me to become an operative top Guru, also director in spiritual communes and organic gardening all together. This is scheduled for the 1^st of June. In the meanwhile many most optimistic appointments on tap about which I hope to tell you more when we meet.

It is now possible if the Ides have it, to make a valid will and honestly support Professors, students, and departments of real Asian culture within the confines of the multiversity of California, finding heirs so to speak at the same time for Robert and Nyogen Senzaki.

Before I received your letter I wrote a very strong letter to the WBF. There is an article “The Religion of Analysis and The Spirit of Modern Science.” The first sentence reads, “It is apparent to all of us, of course, that neither Buddhism nor modern science has been able to move forward in a line consistent with its nature.” Inasmuch as I have studied both Buddhism and modern laboratory science, there is some difference here. Princess Poon and I have been like brother and sister but I am going to ask the Buddhists at Geneva; “Why is it that when Dr. Radhakrishnan, who is not a titular Buddhist, says something, you all run to cover; and if somebody else says it, you won’t even examine it?” You can now understand why I wish to refer to a certain language as Polly. I think that covers it.

Next week we have scheduled here my Vietnamese friend An-The. He may speak on Vietnamese Buddhism, a subject which has to be ignored because it interferes with all the top bananas who make grand differentiations between Hindu Mahayana and Chinese Mahayana. But the truth is coming out now: it is being uncovered that many of the Polly derivations from Sanskrit have been so mis-translated that the terms are totally out of recognition. There is another fact in the Buddhism of this century that even you have ignored: if it is in Sanskrit it must be rejected; if it is in English….

I think your mentioning of the Great Silence is most important. The talk I gave last night was of course totally illogical: instead of deriving the Prajna Paramita from the Scriptures, I derived the Scriptures from the Prajna Paramita. Can anything more heretical be possibly conceived? Of course when I was at Nara it was different. At Nara we understood each other perfectly. Besides, we found an old work of Daisetz Suzuki and have copied an item in a later edition which was not originally published. The grand Mahayana does not make any distinctions into the egocentric sectarianism of later ages.

Fortunately, as above, the Wheel of the Law operates, and not even all the excellencies, be robed or not can change that. There is an almost legendary manifestation here. Kennett Roshi has been planning a Zen retreat near Mt. Shasta in northern California. There have been all kinds of legends about that facility. And now just at the time when the Zendo is coming to manifestation the Chief Witch of that region has conveniently died, but not before her friends had contacted the Roshi, and offered every form of co-operation.

I cannot tell what the future program will be, with my brother hovering. If he lives I shall be touring some of the Eastern states. If he leaves this world there will be an independent visit. A Korean retreat is being established in the state of Virginia. To me both Vietnamese and Korean Buddhism are far preferable to the analytical Chinese and Japanese with their sectarianisms and schools. The only question is how far am I able to be involved, even where everything is favorable.

The attendance at my meetings slowly but steadily increases. I now have a following of about 100, practically all young people. But invitations increase, and potentialities are very very high. My main immediate objective is to integrate differentiations and to be able to hold the personality under control in meeting the leaders of the world’s faiths in Geneva at the end of March. But even as I write I seem much more anxious to see you again than to achieve fame or ignominy in a beautiful or futile attempt to do something more than pass resolutions.

As your letter indicates, heresy consists of using a black linen thread instead of a black cotton thread, etc. Yes, Robert ran into the first Popes in Japan years ago. When Huey Long was alive and wrote, “Every man a King,” I remarked, “And every Devotee a Pope.” You have already gotten the drift. With all best wishes,

Sam

March 10, 1970

Rev. Jack Austin

100 Roundwood Way

Banstead, Surrey, England

My dear Jack:

In several senses I feel very close to you at this writing. We seem to have rather parallel lives both inwardly and outwardly. My brother remains in a state of invalidness. This complicates our financial positions. It is possible that a re-interpretation of our father’s will could lead to a much better financial picture, but he is in no condition to make reports or sign papers. Nevertheless, we have before us an example of Lord Buddha’s teaching, and it is so evident as to be called remarkable.

Actually, although I am going to Geneva and may be meeting the presumably great ones of the world, I have far more personal interest in my visit to London to see you again; to contact “Studies in Comparative Religion” (copy of letter to them enclosed); and to become involved with the young people gathering around what is known as Gandalf’s Garden. To me, this is truly “exciting.”

I have been writing some rather sarcastic letters about Laos, partly plagiarized from, and partly shared with, James Eugene. If he were the only source of presumable information there might to some question. But I have never yet heard from him a single incident which was not corroborated from other sources, more than attesting to this man’s veracity. Sometimes I feel that we are going to rise out and above all the egocentricities masquerading as religion be it of one faith or another, or of no faith at all, i.e. the humanist outlook. Why, today if you read the most recent publications of Theravadin, they have footnotes from Nagarjuna, Padmasambhava, et al. I think you realize what this means. At the same time, one must be cautious in working for world peace, not to overstress the shortcomings of any parties or group, but to rejoice in all efforts and attainments which bring humanity together.

I am also involved in a philosophical controversy cum effort. One of the professors, a Nobel Prize winner in physics, has come out for a rapprochement between Science and Religion. As I have seen it, the discovery of radioactivity was a demonstration of the teachings of Lord Buddha. By analogy I presumed that the cell also might be functional, and not a thing. As you will know, I have been griping no end over the repetitions of the Prajna Paramita Sutra while bypassing its teachings. Well, our good friend Mrs. Vocha Fiske who arrives here shortly, placed in my hands two books supporting the functional—as against the thing—essence of the cell. It is too early to go into his research. With the WBF supporting a man who denies the reality of spirit, his article being published because he is a “Buddhist” and also the articles of another man affirming the reality of the spirits, because this writer also claims to be a Buddhist, you can see that even the top-level so-called Buddhists will have little dance to support any thesis of their superiority when all cards are put on the table. So I am back on my thesis accepted by the universities but not by the exclusive and excluding so-called sanghas, that Buddhism is not scientific, but Lord Buddha was a great scientist. I see no reason to change such a statement, and I foresee no difficulty in handling any remarks that my come from any sangha-wallahs of any schools of the Dharma or Dharma. I expect their behaviors to be exactly the same as those of religionists of any type whatever. But I also see that unless the clerics of all faiths assent to both the virtues and virtuosities of clerics of other faiths, the world is going to step out to universality.

We continue to practice the Jhanas. I have gone over many books on Theravadin Teachings; I think the Jhanas are It, but just as iron, exposed to the atmosphere, exposed to moisture, exposed to acid, becomes an iron-compound adding something to its presumable essence which was not there before, so a devotee performing a Jhana becomes altered by such practice or practices, and is no longer the same personality. This is Lord Buddha’s teaching. But it also means a greater reality or value in the Nirmanakaya than in the ego-personality, and I doubt very much whether this point has ever been properly pursued. Taking certain elements, taking certain aspects, out of the cosmic Dharma, we only have derivative differential religion as by a similar process we only have derivative differential functions in mathematics.

The opposite trend brings us into integration and ultimately the universality vouchsafed by Dharmakaya and the Prajna Paramita Sutras.

I shall also be bringing with me, if not mailed beforehand, a recent version of the Sutra of the 6^th Patriarch and the Diamond Sutra, and efforts originated by the late Dr. Evans-Wentz and completed by my lifelong friend Rev. Joseph Miller.

Despite the possible glamour, despite the possible opening of the doors to fame at Geneva (or their opposites), I am anticipating my visit to London with far more eagerness than anything else on the present agenda. I am sure Rev. Miller, James Eugene, and Vocha all join me in expressions of their very good will.

Samuel