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 31st 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 7th. 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