[May 1963]
My dear Sam,
Thank you for letter. Salt water conversion in desert interiors nave not yet been solved satisfactorily—meaning not cheap enough. Even at the Sea Coast feasibility depends on certain natural conditions—temperature difference between surface and deep water—and slope of bottom.
It is a sad reflection on the human race that, rather than undertaking these simple measurements to determine whether in each case cheap water can be had from the sea we go into expensive and temporary projects.
I have written to Vilayat about your great spiritual knowledge and achievements and commented upon your built-in defense against over-popularity, thus against waste of time receiving delegations and fans. You appear egotistical or superficial—and a worthy percentage stays away. You don’t care. Those who go by the book will then not bother you. Very nice.
How sad about Aramdarya,
Shamcher
15 May [1963?]
My dear S.A.M.
You are absolutely right, or, in other words, you are right in the absolute. Your superb divinatory perception will know what I mean and more.
Therefore, I shall become your disciple on the one and only condition on which I may learn anything from you and you anything from me: That you become, at the same time, my disciple. So, if you agree, you are my Murshid now and I am your disciple and you are my disciple and I am your Murshid.
And so perfect and correct shall this relationship be that I shall never ask you to teach me specific things but you shall choose and teach me what you think I should be taught by you, and you may do this by any method you choose, through the air, through the ether and through that lowly medium, typing ink. And so I shall work on you and teach you all and nothing more than what I feel you should be taught by me—just as with Jelladine Rumi and Shamstabriz, who was visited by the other’s son who said “my father says to come and learn at your feet since you are the greatest, compared to whom my father is the dust under your feet.”
“That I am” replied, Shamstabriz, “The Greatest!” and your father Jelladine? To him I am as the dust under his feet.”
What you say is true but it cannot be said for when said it is not true.
And as to the men to whom you gave my lowly name, that is not in vain, and someday they may react as they should, knowing that if a man has no offer he will accept that which is still no offer, but when he has a son, and a daughter who needs to be raised in the ways of the world and he has an offer, then he must first accept and fulfill that offer until he can and should accept a no-offer. In the East and in the West too there is much loose talk and little substantiation.
Evelyn is at Stockton State Hospital. I knew before I wanted to know. It is better to know only and just when you want to know, I am trying to get her back to De Sablo by remote control.
Love,
Shamcher
[undated]
My dear Ahmed Murad Chisti
Yes, I know Reiser, talked with him in his sky-scraper university, rising to the Heavens like his mind.
Salt water conversion: Many nice but only one practical method for cheap water conversion—and this one not universally applicable. Depends on 1) temperature difference between surface and 1500 feet deep waters and 2) distance at which 1500 feet can be reached (Less than our miles from shore).
Consumer economics Yes: See Jerry. For general economics, including consumer ecs, no better book ever written than Future Is Ours (Chester or you or Peter must have at least four of them between you. If not, write to publisher, Meador, 325 Newberry street, Boston, send me bill, be sure to tear off cover (Jacket), an awful publisher-idea.
Every bit of so-called Western philosophy is based on philosophies developed first in the East. So where, what, whoy “integration?”
Give me five-line definition of Subud (a very bad-sounding word) or let someone else do it.
Sub is sub and ud is a bird so Subud means a sub-bird not quite up to bird scratch, not up to any scratch in fact.
Love,
Shamcher
August 1, 1958
Dear Sam
(But I ought to have noted your Sufi name including Mullah, the enlightened one.)
It was delightful to read you again as the French say) and hear of your continued interest in water. Yes, you are so right, while the foreigner’s interest in the Middle East (most Europeans and to some extent Americans) is oil, their own interest is water and also simple plain friendship as a former school teacher in Iraq said here. But we often act as the raw recruit who asked an oncoming person three times quickly “Friend or Foe” and then shot, not waiting even for an answer.
Of course, a wise man never asks are you friend or foe but he makes friends, even of the foes, and in the waiting time, before they know they are friends, he forgives and sees the future must, “for they Know not what they do.”
The specific approach to sea water conversion I am concerned with (and which is the only cheap way so far) is only applicable under certain natural conditions including: Tropical enough to have 15-20 centigrade temp. diff. between surface and 500-1000 meter depth and steep enough bottom slope to reach depth required not more than five miles from shore. Pakistan would most probably meet these requirements. But though after our meetings with Pak. Officials in SF. I made the whole Pakistan embassy in Paris meet my French friends in Paris last year, and though the commercial attaché at the embassy was both enthused and insistent on alerting his government—no measurements to make this point sure has as yet been made.
As to Egypt, most coast lines have very faint slope so I am suspicious the method may not apply there but again, no measurement has been made to make sure but for this reason the Aswan dam may be right for Egypt and I believe we should have helped finance it in spite of all. We are running around guessing who are our friends instead of making them so—making not meaning simply giving or financing dams of course, but above all feeling and knowing that they are friends, actual or potential.
When you wrote I had been thinking about you for a long time, thinking whether to write you and ask whether you would come here help establish or rather expand the Sufi cause which has gone slowly, but I thought that perhaps SF was more important and your natural hunting ground. Have you caused Peter to establish and run a center yet? He has all the necessary qualities including stamina, silence and punctuality. SF is a natural center, national, nationally unique. Seattle is a much tougher spot, with loads of unsound spiritualism, racial bigotry—therefore Sufism much needed but also in difficulty finding suitable people and getting a hearing and a setting. Please marry the Karachi fiancé and get things going.
Apropos Peter: We have sent him letters and things, no reply, so I thought he had gone to Paris or perhaps we know not right address? Please contact for us.
All here greets you warmly
Shamcher
Bryn Beorse
4205 Beach Drive
Seattle 16, Washington
November 21, 1958
My Dear Sam:
Yes, indeed, it’s about time Nasser had some expert advice on water. However, it may be the only place in the Middle East where specifically the thermal difference will be a cinch is at the Dead Sea. This is bordered jointly by Israel and—is it Jordan? Is any of the Dead Sea on Nasser’s property? If so we can do business. But anyway, there should be a grand survey of his whole area in regard to water. So let’s get in touch with Dr. Schawarbi or whoever may be the best link. Though as the world’s leading expert on certain types of Sea Water conversion I could command the highest fees, I would have no such thought with Nasser but would go just on expenses paid and so that the family can live in their modest way—either going along (best) or staying here. But it shouldn’t wait much longer.
Whoever he now has as advisers, of whatever nation, there is none who can advise him so accurately on these matters, except professor Howe, Mr. Beau of France or myself.
You should perhaps write Nasser directly, in addition to whatever his envoys may accomplish with us.
Israel has not, as you think, a good method for sea water conversion but a certain Zarkin, a sincere but impractical fanatic, has inveigled them to try a freezing process. On the other hand, Mr. Beau has talked to them about a Dead Sea plant on thermal difference principle which would be excellent if they accept.
Very interesting to hear about your writings and experiences. Prevail upon Peter to go start build the temple.
Family greets you fondly,
Shamcher
January 26, [1963 or 1964]
My dear Murshid Sam,
I have waited, after your last letter, for word from you or your Pakistani spiritual brother, the major, since I am ready to go to Pakistan or wherever useful work appear a-coming on conditions I, with my family, can meet.
When you go a-travelling next you might see Vilayat about your writing for his mag and Andre de la Porte about Sufi papers. She writes me you said you did not need any.
Best of all,
Your humble mureed and Murshid,
Shamcher
January 29, [1963 or 1964]
My dear Sam,
From a friend of Gavin in New York I received a letter about “The late Chester Arthur III” and when, promptly, I wrote Gavin asking how late he was I had no answer.
Would you please explain?
On the other hand, on your trips through the world did you find any place suitable where such as you and I, with modest incomes (you through Family, I through social security) could live rather well? I found too many, that is the trouble and can hardly decide. The Himalayas where we have an invitation, Majorca, Portugal, Taiwan—my biggest consideration is the children’s school condition. Daphne can learn and enjoy any foreign language but Bryn hates foreign languages.
Let me hear
Shamcher
BB Box 142 Keyport Wash
February 7, [1963 or 1964]
My dear Sam,
Thank you. Abbottabad sounds good, looks good on map, North-East corner of West Pakistan, must be somewhat like Mysore in India, not as wild as Joshimath. Did not find Kalul on map. Which direction? Further North-East?
Were you ever in Abbottabad or Kalul? How is nature and weather and availability of housing, food and schools, including what corresponds to American High Schools and or even university? It is fairly close to Rawalpindi which, I assume, has a university. Lahore certainly has one, with which I have been in touch. If you know some there I’d be grateful for contact—Sufis.
One does not need a visa, I believe?
Gavin—so he is still alive and rocking, despite the friend in NY? Of course in the course of human advance many vain paths have to be elegantly investigated and if people with Gavin’s intelligence and honesty are willing to take that chance and prolong their time in earth forms, why complain? But as you so rightly state, for those who know, it is a cul-de-sac. I was just discussing it in Washington DC, also in Cleveland of course. To me Gavin said, “It took me one a half years of meditation to reach a stage I now reach in an hour by certain chemical products.” My reply: “You, Gavin, and folks like you have all the right in the world to try.” But I am less tranquil about idiots who persuade Harvard young students to embark upon this short-cut to what may for many of them be disaster.
I also consider the alternative of living in the US if a place can be found where about $200 is all one pays for self and two kids , setting aside perhaps $50 for paying a relative to keep Evelyn. In other words $150 for self and kids. It should be possible and one might even live well. In some outskirts of a town on beach or in desert. I am entitled to my last years entirely devoted to study and spirituality and will not have job much longer, cannot. Other services, consulting etc will be accepted if offered but I shall not put two sticks together to get it. It does not even help. What comes is fate, what one toils for with incredible and often vain efforts is not worthwhile.
I greatly admire your efforts with universities and people in power or position. As for me, they can come to me if they like, and in that case I shall waste the necessary time on them but God in me does not go begging.
Best of all,
Shamcher
I have become a bit entangled in correspondence with Musheraff Khan who wrote me a letter about “so-called Pir Zade Vilayat Khan” and other snootiness. Without replying to that, I went into my time with Pir-o-Murshid and his words about East and West and his son Vilayat and the future of the movement. Maybe it will shake him a bit I arranged many concerts for him and Maheboob and Ali you know, so he cannot very well ignore me.
April 6, 1963
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Sam,
So long have I waited writing to thank you for gorgeous dinner and inspiring session, in hopes that Vilayat would answer my letter about your plans for Sufi center and to receive Gathas (and not Githas). But we have an answered agreement, Vilayat and I, that when he does not answer it is because he is in perfect agreement, and so he has really said that: Yes, by all means, and I am grateful that you, Sam, go ahead with a Sufi group, under that name and I shall do my darndest to see you get the Gathas and Gathekas. And to be quite sure, I would also, in your case, write the Dutch center for distribution, Duchess Madame Andre de la Porte, 49 Hermelijn Laan, Hilversum, Holland. Tell her to send the bill (if any) to me.
Now let me moderate and speculate on Vilayat’s lack of answering letters. It isn’t total. Last fall he wrote me a long and hearty one. And I have no criticism whatever of his lack of writing, but try to explain it. 1) He is always busy with direct contact with mureeds and other people. 2) He often must go into retirement for reasons of health. 3) He is sole custodian, repairman etc. of his father’s house. 4) He is somewhat advanced in distant communication and can often, perhaps always, feel what his communicator is saying, feeling and so often tending to conclude that a letter is either not required, or, in any case, would be insufficient, or he waits until a solution has developed.
Vilayat, like yourself, is very well versed in historic as well as presently existing Sufi activities, personalities and processes. No doubt you two are the best informed on this in the West, perhaps in the world. I trace in your exuberance over your spiritual and intellectual successes, a slight wonder, if not irritator, over the lack of response to your teachings and advice among the general public. One reason is the very name Sufi, or Islam, which, both, are identified in our encyclopedias as rather narrow religious idiocy (as if idiocy wasn’t always narrow!) Then there are the more enlightened who say, all that with Sam is very well, but what do I need other than God? And so they go into bull sessions of meditation and hear ticklings in the ears which they interpret as the eternal Oom, Aumm, the creative sound, the voice of God. And, they say, what can be higher than God? The Sufis scramble somewhere near it, but I, Sophistambulus the Great, already have it! So you see, there are diversions on low and on rather high. But you will still have your pupils, who will teach you more that you teach them (as Hazrat Inayat put it).
Love and all the Heavens
Shamcher
May 8 [1963]
My dear Sam:
Thank you for letter, but why do you indicate writing to Sacramento? I just asked if you have seen Evelyn in San Francisco. I have all information I want from Sacramento. My friend there has done all he can. He is 88 years old. So please don’t upset him with a letter, or with a visit from Veronica (the Sufi lady you knew in Sacramento). But of course if you want to write her I can have no objection, though I don’t see even what purpose that would have. Whatever you do, be sure she does not visit the doctors home. Evelyn is not there. She hasn’t been seen since April 26. You don’t tell me whether you have seen her.
As to Pakistan and me: I was expecting news about the school there. I cannot go to a place where I have not before been and just look around. I have offer of a free house in Naina Tal, a half-way offer of an UN assignment in Tunisia, a half offer of a US assignment in Egypt. If before or after I go to those assignments I receive words that I am welcome to that university in Pakistan (for which my Tunisian and Egyptian assignments would increase my qualifications) then, instead of coming back to USA I could go on to Pakistan. If I have no definite information I shall come back here or go somewhere else.
If I had lots of money I could of course go to Pakistan and just look. I have not lots of money. I will go where I am welcome in advance, by letter stating what I will have for my labors and what I must add of my own fortune (Social security). What you have told me so far from Pakistan indicates I could get stuck with higher living expenses that I could manage. In India, for example, that is not the case. I have already offer of completely free housing, by friends whom I know.
Best of all, your holiness, (and this I mean very seriously and complimentary)
Shamcher
Please ask Gavin and Lloyd also if they have seen Evelyn.
772 Clementina St.,
San Francisco 3, Calif.
March 30, 1964
My dear Bryn:
I am moving back this week to an apartment which I once occupied before and which Gavin Arthur had occupied before I did. The circumstances are very story-like but as other more important things are going on I shall not relate them here.
Shams-ud-din Ahmed is a civil service in Lahore, Pakistan. His brother-in-law is a Sufi Murshid in the Naqshibandi school, and a very good friend of mine. Shams-ud-din studied a little Sufism under a man whom he says was Khalif to both our own Pir-o-Murshid and also Rabia Martin. This man and all his mureeds are dead but Shams-ud-din who has not regarded himself specially as a Mureed.
I sent a long letter (among others) to prepare him for Bayat and imagine my surprise today to receive word from him that he is making plans to see if he can get the government of Pakistan to hire you. We have discussed many technical problems and he feels that between your engineering background and your place in Sufism you are the right man to be given a position of important in his government. One does not wish to conclude that his proposals are going to be taken too seriously.
Pakistan has been cursed with an awful civil service. After they ridded themselves of bribe-mongers they got into another fix with having over-religious zealots take over who had the idea that they could easily hire persons to do the dirty work. But there are not enough Muslims for skilled jobs, or also they find bettor words and will not work under bigoted ignoramuses. However I pass the word along is you, and will also keep my eyes and ears open.
When you were here, the Consul-General Shafi had an assistant, Abdal Sattar. This man and I have remained good friends and now he is in Karachi, secretary to the Minister of External Affairs.
My own position is rapidly changing. I was in an office recently and a stranger walked in, looked at me and said, “Ah, a dervish. I can see by your face and expression you are a dervish.” I then gave him my Sufi name. “Of course. You look just like the Sufis in my home town, Teheran and they look just-like you.”
His name is Malik and he fits in perfectly with my “How California Can Help Asia.” He has been doing research for Standard Oil and its subsidiary, the Americas Bitumen Co. This research has been turned over the University of Cal. He has perfected a new type of clay-mud-adobe hut using petroleum wastage for binder instead of dung. This has resulted in a structure which will not collapse from rain or earthquake. He sold the idea to the Shah of Iran and has left for that country. But he told me where to get the information and in turn I have gives him introduction to the National Research Center in Cairo.
Hugo Seelig is very pessimistic. He is troubled by cataracts and is afraid of an operation because of his leukemia. But our friend, Ed Hunt, is taking over. My colleague, Major Sadiq, the spiritual healer, may not arrived until June but is very anxious to have a number of cases to treat free, so I am hoping Hugo can hold on.
The chances are 50-50, and maybe better than the Major will succeed in business operations for a large American corporation but the final details have not yet been worked out. Soon after that he will be coming here. But it seems now that more and more people need help.
Gavin walks with a cane. While he is getting more attention for his work in Astrology and in other directions, he seems almost failing apart. Did you ever meet Mischa? Mischa is a sort of Hugo #2 with a positive accent—that is a “Jew” who does not believer in Judaism but a combination so to speak of mysticism and Vedanta and has really gotten there.
Our art studies reveal that one of the contemporary best artists, Graves, attributes his success to Mischa.
Heard now from Vocha who lives in Lancaster, very slowly recovering. I can’t go South or anywhere until word is received from the Major above and while I hear about him, it is certain he is constantly travelling. He is also in close touch with all the big-wigs in Pakistan.
For the first time there is interest in Sufism here. Both Pir-o-Murshid’s works and The Sufis by Sheikh Idries Shah are selling well. Robert Graves the poet-scientist wrote the forward. The Sheikh has had the same difficulty I had, meeting opposition from all the Oxford and Cambridge “experts.”
Vilayat has written his sister that he is coming here this year so we shall probably cross-trail. I think this is enough now.
Cordially,
Samuel L. Lewis
Bryn Beorse
Box 142
Keyport, WA
April 15, 1964
My dear SAM
Thank you for March 30 letter. I should be delighted to go to Pakistan and of course I am fit to fill almost any kind of job after a career of ditch-digging, sheep herding, economic adviser, bank manager and even engineer and water desalination expert (in this I am tops, not able to do everything in the field, nobody is, but knowing who can do what where). I am beginning to get bids from Norway, New York, Tunisia and the time for realization may be near. I would not be surprised if the Pakistan thing materializes, as facts collect on my mind’s horizon. So please write the man and say fine, I am ready and grateful.
What you say about the Dervish and the Duce and the Bechtel and the Buddhist and the pent is very true and amusing.
Best of all to you all a time,
Shamcher
PS. My stethoscope says you may put a ray of your mind on groceries and shelter and get it easier, and a better type. Now, I am not as good as I should be in this matter myself, but still I have to tell you a thing or two. You may be specific or just spasmodic, whatever your style and preference, but go out there and do.
July 30, 1964
My dear S.A.M.
Thank you very much for copy of letter to Vilayat, also for an earlier letter from the East.
Was the letter to Vilayat in response to one of his? What, in that case, was the general contents of that letter, latest news from over there?
I enclose an invitation to a Sufi summer camp in the Swiss Alps, not remembering whether I already sent you one.
Best of all, Inshallah
Shamcher
PS. Peter van de Linde at 1337 Mission Ave, Carmichael (near Sacramento Calif.) lets out strange puffs. How is with him?
August 25, 1964
My dear Sam,
Your experiences with newsmen versus real scientists etc, reminds me of old Hugo Selig, the dune poet, who said about your pen pal (Peace be on his soul) Luther Whitemen, “His great achievement was that he was the only man I ever knew who always remained stagnant and made no progress whatever, of any kind. He lived with his mind on the stage of the raging teenager with adolescent love affairs and worries over them, while his body, getting old, was groaningly protesting. His great misfortune was he did not become a newspaper man. As such, he would have had his place—the typical truth-avoiding; and never growing-up American newspaper man!”
Thank you for answering Peter Van De Linde for me. His question is encouraging in all its adolescence for it shows he has still some interest in Sufism. He tried to “give” me some wooden candle holders (we have already glass ones). I said his duty was to keep them until he had collected enough equipment for his own services, and not trying to appear generous to his own delusive mind by giving them away and thus have one more excuse for not building up a service function. He is now studying vedantism with the Ramakrishna people which I lauded but I told him a time will come upon having guzzled the ancient wisdom that he would like to act and talk in behalf of the great trust once given him, the new message of the old truth, and the more so the more impossible were we others such as Vilayat, you, and I. Next, he switched some sendings from Sufi headquarters to my address, and even placed on me the burden of signing for them. This made me wonder if he had forsaken the Sufis altogether. His question to you indicates he hasn’t. He has always thrived by meddling in other people’s business, mercilessly criticizing Vilayat, Mary, you, me—thereby trying to hide his self-criticism to himself.
I am looking forward to the fruition of your actions,
best of all (How is Gavin?)
Shamcher
October 12, [1963 or 1964]
My dear Sam,
Your welcome letter came just as I was trying to find where Evelyn had hidden your former letter with your address. I was going to write you that your great success and following will be with other intellectuals than those with whom you now have battle, though the battle serves the purpose of attracting attention. I see from your letter that you received my message through the air as Sufis should. Apart from that you have other messages for me which you have not written.
In some respects you are the greatest living Sufi (and in other respects I am) but just for that reason it seems, as you say, unwise to a dorm yourself with a title such as Murshid, here in America, for it will repel more than it attracts. A few will see in you more than that and the more the less ostentatious you are—yet, in a society such as ours a certain ostentation is required to have working chance.
While I had lengthy correspondence with Indian government, now Portugal seems to become the first to try out some of my special sea water conversion methods—and what irony, India will come to learn at the feet of Portuguese! Not directly and knowingly perhaps, but actually, technically.
But is just a small part of my life as Horticulture is with you.
Back to titles again: I agree with Vilayat when he does not call himself nor wishes anyone else to call himself even Murshid, far less Pir-o-Murshid—in reverence to great Inayat Khan. When Ali Khan called himself Pir-o-Murshid that was between God and himself, and not my concern but I deeply prefer Vilayat’s words, although in some respects Vilayat is greater that his father or, should I say, more appropriate for delivering the message in the Western World—all of which was according to Inayat’s wishes.
Do not worry about how the established Sufis will receive you or us. They have no duty to receive anybody nor do we have any duty or wish to be received. We live among us and act and take what reaction comes and often I have felt new and hitherto unheard of souls will carry the burden onwards. Even at an early stage many old Sufis who had considered Inayat their personal pet, left in disgust when there was talk of a world message and a world teaching. Others left when Maheboob and Ali took over—for Vilayat (which was even better, the free and large side of the Sufi movement) or for private practice as Van Tuyll, or for no more Sufis at all.
I am going to Cleveland 25th, then on to New York. Tell me all about these centers. In New York I do not know a single remaining Sufi anymore. Are there any?
Shamcher
June 15, 1965
My dear Sam,
In 1963 my wife Evelyn spent three months in the Stockton State hospital and came out better than at any time during past 15 years and stayed well for 15-16 months. Now she is pretty bad again and the same hospital would be the ideal place but she has to live in California, near Stockton (SF would be all right} for that, and I plan someday soon to come down and locate her in SF and hope you and Gavin and/or Loyd etc. would provide her some company until, naturally, someone, authority or friend, will find it propitious to have her committed. If by your great healing power as a Murshid you can do it yourself, without the hospital, so much the better of course. In order to earn money for her stay I have go me back very soon. And all expenses plus time spent will of course be paid. (I pay her room and board direct of course, but some of you may take her to dinner or show or something.)
As to our latest correspondence, my sharing the invitation to Sureness pilgrimage does not main I want you to go there, nor that I go there and, apart from that one goes not to another place to “find God” but to bring God.
Hope to hear from you on above.
Blessings,
Shamcher
August 29, 1965
My dear S.A.M
It was good seeing you again San Francisco and you looked well. I thought we were to meet downstairs in the Federal building again at 2.30 or was it 3.30? I did not recall the time now but I had a clear concept of it then. When you did not arrive downstairs I thought you might upstairs in your friend’s office. I briefly saw him, just saw, end he looked very busy and said we would wait for you to come. I went downstairs again, but after some more wait had to go to reach my other appointments.
Well, all this does not matter, better luck next time and hoping for you success both with you private matters and in your spiritual career,
Yours devoted,
Shamcher
[1965?]
My dear Sam,
Your idea of dancing is excellent. Remember, though it must be done without any notion (to her) that she needs any therapy. She yet does not understand that she needs it. Just art exercise or fun, or reducing.
Do you know of a room, decent, cheap, she could have in San Fran? On the order of—well, you know, taking care of the kids and keeping her there, no unnecessary expense sought. In the hospital, on the other hand, my insurance takes care of it, if it be considered a cure, three months or so, not a detention.
Thanks again, best of all,
Shamcher
Of course no binding room hire, just tentative, since I can never know when or if I can get her to go.
April 21, [1966?]
My dear SAM,
Thank you for letters. It is always interesting to read you and your worries. You know more about Sufi history and status than most, and a lot of other movements. The consequence of such knowledge has often been, apart from the blessings—a great dependence on these scripts and persons. Even Rumi was liable. He also went into complains, about the lack of people’s attention to his cries in the wilderness and such. All the prophets have had such weaknesses, though of different shades. Hazrat Inayat was one of the greatest, freest, to whom the title of Pir-o-Murshid was a deep understatement, simply funny.
You know that, however funny or entertaining criticism of others may be meant, and may seem it always detracts from your spiritual affluence. Hazrat Inayat was often listening to complaints about his disciples—Fatha Engle and others. He smiled, distantly, patiently explained to the complainer that Fatha and the others were children of God, they “acted according to their nature,” what more could one expect? The same, of course, is true of Allan Watts and all your other detractors. Your up and fight-em is against Jesus advice “rests not evil.” It is that simple. But Jesus did not always live according to it.
An enlightened man is not really enlightened. The world is a funny, sometimes cruel play. Do you expect anything from or of the world? Don’t. Do you look up to special people? Look up to all, but not so that you blind yourself to the challenge that you (and I) must do better than all of them. “Master” is a disciple’s word. To us it does not exist.
You ask what is the connection between Vilayat and Musheraff. Do you want to know? You are asking the right person. I alone wrote to Ali Khan one year before Vilayat made his claim and broke—that it was up to him, Ali, to embrace Vilayat before this happened. Ali answered arrogantly, ignorantly that “It is not for the mureeds to talk about Hazrat Inayat’s family.” I then went to Geneva and faced Ali directly, told him a few things that impressed him, but the schisms continued—as it must. But to really tell you the “connection” requires at least face-to-face talk with you. Not for writing. By all means continue your elegant acquisition of knowledge about religious and mystical men—but be not too impressed with any of them. Know that you (and I) can do better. Must do better. Be glad for what the world offers, but expect nothing.
Salam aleikhum,
Shamcher
July 10, 1966
My dear Sam,
Your letter to Pir Zade Vilayat about Hazrat Inayat and the Buddhist going into meditation was very good even though I know the story and of course the rest of your correspondence was interesting from many paints of view.
As you know from my various admonitions, Vilayat meditates upon the sender of a letter and delivers his thanks, and answer, but some of the letter writers, poor souls, do not accept the message through the air and blames him for no-communication, but of course you receive his massages all right, and so you know his communication to you about Wilfred Rosenberg. Your criticism of Musheraff Khan has earned you the right and duty to educate (since he is still educable) Mr. Wilfred, who talks glibly abut Sufism, first quite well, then gradually revealing his ignorance by placing Sufism apart and in a corner, separate from all the other bad countries and religions such as India and Yoga, the latter a cult that makes its adherents crazy, India described in four points obviously invented by some Christian missionaries. Now, I invited Mr. and Mrs. Rosenberg to the most expensive restaurant in this area just to have a chance to explain to him under pleasant circumstances that he better lay off subjects he did not master. But he simply said in his sweeping way that he had deep and profound intentions with all his sayings (as a madzub might claim though he is no madzub). So now we leave him to you. His address is PO Box 6404 San Antonio, Texas. Whether you prefer correspondence or telepathy or the absolute presence is up to you. You understand he represents the Musheraff group. He has not even seen Vilayat and they may not even aware of each other. But Wilfred does a lot a travelling on behalf of Sufis and, according to his own words, encouraged to do so by Musheraff. Some of the Sufis in this area say they heard him claim to be the Sufi in charge of all America. This I have not heard from him.
Of course, instead of spending a fortune at the Hearthstone restaurant, I should perhaps have sent that money to you. But I understand you are doing well now, better than I am, with young children and all, and, by the way, what about Gavin? I know where he lives but not his address. And whenever I concentrate upon your mind to read his address I don’t find it there, amid all the junk. So write it, please.
Love,
Shamcher the Great
What happened to Gavin? What happened to Gavin!
August 8, 1966
My dear Sam S.A.M.
Yes, in my present financial condition I could finance three of the books you mention and I was planning to send a check alone with this letter but more fair would be to just wait for your bill which may be slightly higher due to taxes and postage etc. At first I had imagined you wished to sell me superfluous used Sufi books which I would have welcomed, but now we may achieve the same by you loaning me the books you buy with my assistance when you have finished with them temporarily. At such time I could have them for two-three months, but we should agree first which books would be so disposed, since I already have a few.
Musheraff Khan, while here, laid open many movement points by statements to my wife or myself which have provided welcome opportunities for me to exchange letters with him about the Hazrat Inayat message in relation to the more ancient traditions of the East, Ali Khan and some of his idiosyncrasies, and Vilayat and his special mission, all of which must have caused considerable headache for good Musheraff but he had it coming and his answers have been rather desperate. Truth is, the senseless quarrels initiated by Ali Khan have kept highly important parts of Hazrat Inayat’s message frozen and unknown and now Musheraff, who is rather an innocent in these matters, has the beautiful but urgent chance of repairing Ali’s mistakes by embracing Vilayat—the best of their crew but not enough in himself. Well, we’ll see.
A new Mureed here is Mr. Taylor recently of Alberta who confirmed my impression that Eberhart and Manning, Alberta social Creditors, good, honest and astute men who had carried to great success, against tremendous odds, the weak but basically true ideas of social credit. Douglas, its “investor” and champion was not very clear or wise, and his “equations” were never accepted in Alberta, luckily, nor was he ever willing to go to Alberta and see the only practical application of his theories, though he was invited while I was in London with him.
Best of all, blessings granted and accepted
Shamcher
August 12, 1966
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad,
It now develops that Mrs. Arthur Raney of Bremerton has 40% deduction in book prices from that Nashville bookstore (Hazrat Inayat’s books) because she has promised Rosenberg, of all people, to start a center here (which she believes she can because I am here) and so, if you do not have 40%, you could tell us which three books you prefer, and be could get them though Mrs. Ramey who would grant us the entire 40% of course.
One of the urgent aspects of Hazrat Inayat’s message that he wishes realized at this point is education of babies and children at the earliest age, 0-8 years. In the second book is his illustrious book on education. The reason for the shortcomings of so many university graduates and the reason why so few reach any decree of maturity at that age is just the lacks at the early stages. Practically nothing is done in this direction by the present Sufi movement. But it must come. If you haven’t got this book, I recommend it.
I will be forced to write even more letters to Musheraff Khan, prompted and challenged by remarks he has made to Sufis around here, more of which come to life every day. It is painful, but it will do him good in the end.
Love and blessings, dispensed and accepted.
Shamcher
Tell Gavin my letter etc, was just a probing to find if the address was right. No more until I hear.
August 21, 1966
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad,
What was a good letter you wrote Wilfred and from your letter it somehow appears you know him already or at least have heard of him. Now, of course, your letter will open his mind to you and yours so you may go on putting things into it or if you prefer, just explore and suggest.
You are right that the college youth is ripe and receptive and not the least, strange to say, students at typically religiously sponsored schools of either Catholic or Protestant background. They are desperately watching their old faith first punctured then dissolving, trying to stop the process for reasons imposed by a dying older generation and will grab, with entrustment, the way of the mystic. Many scientists too, not the least physicists, for example Sir Arthur Eddington, who frankly discusses the mystic path, so comparable to the modem physics, in The Nature of the Physical world. He sees that the mystic, just like the scientist, perceives only illusions, at least at the first stages. But then, he goes on, the modern scientists’ illusion, expressed in mathematical symbols, is so symbolic only symbols can live in it, while in the mystic’s illusion real live men can live—and who knows, he goes in, if illusion is not necessary to bring about a reality? The first stages of a mystic could not be better expressed. I believe he met Hazrat Inayat. He at first makes clear that he is only discussing that part of religion that can be defined as mysticism. The orthodox religion, feeling on beliefs, confessions cannot, he says, be discussed or even conceived by a mind bent on science.
Blessings dispatched and accepted, love
Shamcher
Yes I’ll buy Sufi books. Which ones? How much?
September 14, 1966
Dear Sufi Ahmed Murad,
Referring to my last letter, it looks now more like I am coming south in the not too distant future—than you coming north. A few things appear to mature, after many long years of preparation. And also Sitara Dolphin does not quite feel up to playing hostess any more. She has done so much, in addition to her Sufi work and her demeaning business and now she feel she has to slow down a little bit.
You, being so highly cognizant of Zen, may have stumbled onto the very close symbology and method—so close that many feel Zen is the Sufi intrusion into Buddhism, or, rather than saying intrusion, say fusion. Sufis had already penetrated India and China at the time of Gautama Buddha and may have been some of his finest disciples. Contrary to the debased concept that Sufism originated with the Moslems, an independent observer such as Clarke, the British Diplomat of a hundred years ago, who became a Sufi, thus described its history “Seeded with Adam, sprouted with Abraham, grew with Moses, matured with Jesus and gave refreshing wine with Muhammad….”
Now, with Hazrat Inayat it breaks out of its boundaries to embrace humanity, while before it has just nearly burst out of its secret frontiers. And yet, we around Inayat Khan proposed or suggested we should skip the Sufi name, any name, to be and express simply The Message.
Blessings come and go
Shamcher
October 4, 1966
Thank you for that beautiful test! Every or almost so—teacher tests their man by saying or writing what should rightly upset him. Now as for me, I have lost the upset-met, but let me try to respond: All titles that can be expressed in words are shams, but by shams we learn and shams we shall have. I often had to laugh seeing how Hazrat Inayat, a great soul, shammed his Pir-o title and those of his four angels who had received the glorious title of Murshidas. I visited the Grand Murshid of the Mevlevis in Aleppo and saw a humble fellow in the court yard who of course had no title for he was a teacher. These call themselves by all names or no names.
The fana-fi-lillah or fana-fi-Allah state is often held by people who have no claim to even interest in learning or teaching. George Washington, Ben Franklin, James Madison, Thomas Jefferson and Abe Lincoln were all fana-fi-Allahs though they may never have heard that word.
In the Sufi communities there have been many teachers titled up to Pir-o-Murshid who were just for the local stage, and in that religious community (Qutubs) then others had a wider range, could accept anybody on this earth, at least, and others again, accepted and held pupils far beyond their own passing into the next world, and from there, accepted new pupils living here and led them successfully toward their goal. Now as for you, glory be that you are taking upon yourself the almost impossible yoke of teaching, constantly, accepted mureeds. Bravo. We need you desperately. As for me, no such path at all. I am the man in the desert. Whomever I meet he will receive my shelter and food for so long as he stays and when he returns, and my answers to his questions, differing as he develops. But essentially he and I walk alone, our different paths. Most people today can only act this way and it is a safe and quite good way.
Many happy years with great triumphs
Shamcher
Thursday October 6, 1966
Dear Sam,
This will be just a brief note to say that you would have been most welcome to visit us here recently when you had a few days’ vacation but “housing,” as you call it, was the problem. In order to always maintain residence adjacent to the sea or a tributary thereof we sometimes find it necessary to take a very modest dwelling and my son, Bryn, has been sleeping on the davenport ever since we moved here. We have two bedrooms but the cost of a larger place would be prohibitive and since you say you are poor right now we meditated to suggest a motel in Bremerton. However, we hope to have a bigger place when you find time available next time.
Shamcher is most distressed that you insist upon addressing him Pir-o-Murshid as he feels Pir-Zade Vilayat Khan should be the only inheritor of this title.
Pir-o-Murshid Ali Khan was the only one I ever came in contact with who was able to really heal almost at once. He healed me upon two occasions. However, my sympathy goes out to the friends you have who are ill and especially the one who is in constant pain. Of course I know that the Sufi Principles forbid one mentioning the name but it only attracts the vibrations of that disease closer, but a famous nutritionist by the name of Adelle Davis, who spent as long a time studying nutrition as most doctors spend studying to be a doctor, has written a book entitled Let’s Get Well in which she gives some sure-fire methods of curing not only arthritis but mentions one case where cancer was cured in a few months by large administrations of vitamin A, Vitamin C and Supplementing the diet with brewer’s yeast, other vitamins, Wheat germ and getting large quantities of yeast. Would suggest that you have your friends either purchase the book (it was published by Harcourt, Bruce and World, N.Y.) or obtain it from the library. Miracles are being accomplished by way of nutrition. Most people who treat diseases of the kidneys are from twenty to forty years behind on their knowledge of the nutritional research which has been done on the disease. As a matter of fact, many people who have been blind have suddenly found themselves again able to see after large quantities of well-balanced vitamins and minerals and a diet containing much yeast and wheat germ. Adelle Davis also wrote Lets eat right to keep fit which is a very commendable book but in Let’s Get well” you find references to the doctors who carried on the research and you can by this means send for the entire information and results of the research.
I also recommend the book entitled The Sufis by Idries Shah. Mrs. Dolphin said he couldn’t understand it but I am sure you would!
Please give my best to Gavin when you see him. By the way, whom is his “Chelah”?
I am most anxious to change my Sufi name form “Dawlatt” (Pronounced “Dohlat” to something else. Do you know the Arabic word for servant of God which is of course what I wish to be more than anything.
Cordially,
Evelyn
Abu Baker Cheleby, Descendant from Rumi and head of the Mevlevis, Whirling dervishes, is head and organizer but certainly not the most enlightened men of his order. Vilayat is far more than for his order, but not, either, necessarily the most enlightened. The great thing with Vilayat is that he does not claim to be, in fact claims nothing.
October 19, 1966
My dear, dear Sufi Ahmed Murad
Evelyn always reads your letters and mostly enjoy them very much except your last two letters to me and one letter directly to her which seemed to be in answer to some letter I guess she must have written to you. You know her.
Now, Why were these three letters enjoyable to her? Because, like Moses and Jesus and most Pirs and Rumi and others, once in a while you forget God and are yourself. And I was the reason this last time. My slip of word that Vilayat “alone” represented his father’s group was not meant in regard to the mass of pupils and specially not in regard to you. It was simply that as titular head he was chosen and anointed by his father (not as channel to us others. He is great by never claiming such channel ship). Simply in the humble manner of organizer. In the same vein, Ali Khan and later rather innocent: Musheraff Khan usurped this position.
Maheboob khan was indirectly appointed by Hazrat Inayat to “reign for Vilayat” until Vilayat would be of age. Nobody accepted Rabia Martin.
This does not mean that you may not be further advanced, at least in certain respects, but nobody in the whole world is going to know that except God and all wise men will leave this knowledge to God and not speak it, but to whoever it be revealed, it is revealed and that is more than sufficient.
The other thing that irked you was that, in order to counter your demand that anyone being taught by you must have the traditional Sufi attitude of a pupil to a master ala fana-fi-Sheikh or at least fana-fi-Rassoul, I had to humbly (no really I am not humble at all, see later) tell you it was physiologically impossible for me (as for so many others) to take any other stand than fana-fi-Allah or fana-fi-lillah, which is not (all Sufi lore to the contrary notwithstanding) a gradual and natural development entitling you to titles, but simply a matter of temperament. And one of the things I always say is that the scientist type, who can never adopt a fana-fi-Sheikh or even a fana-fi-Rassoul attitude, is not therefore excluded from Sufism or any other line of training, and the fana-fi-Allah or Fana-fi-lillah stage is not at all a sign of Pir-o-Murshid-ship as you say, though of course a Pir-o-Murshid also is on that stage, but for a Murshid his teaching urge in the special Sufi lore is the first condition, the a lot more…. Also, dear Sam, never say a person is “not a Sufi.” Every person really is, and Hal and Makam are terms that, as you know, changes not merely with different Sufis schools, but for the same person as grows or diminishes, and they are unsuitable for public use. But for me Sufism is not so central as for you. You are a great specialist. I am an absolutely nothing, disappearing behind the mask of God, know nothing at all, and as such have a great demand on me that should not be disturbed. I have no respect whatever for the world etc. I was with Temple of Understanding for so many years. Vilayat and I are both ashamed of not having achieved what it has.
Love
Shamcher
We two can’t afford to be at loggerheads. Rumi sent his stubborn son to Shamstabriz, saying “S is 1000 times greater Sufi than I. Learn from him.” “Just one thousand exactly” asked mocking son. “No, sorry I should have said 1008.” Son lived in wild desert with S, who just nodded when told what Rumi had said, but when son’s desert time was up Shamstabriz said “Go home to your father Rumi who is 1016 times greater Sufi that I.” Such is the mathematics of the Sufi. My concern are mainly with people who are nothing. Not Sufi, not Christian nor anything.
October 31, 1966
My dear Sam,
What is this!! You say some Sufis have rejected you? Naughty and stupid. Send those rejecters to me. I will teach them never to reject anybody, certainly not a Sufi, and certainly double not such a great Sufi as you are!
But Who who, Who have rejected you? Come to think of it I never heard of any do so. Your great energy and ability in acquiring untold Sufi and other accomplishments are pretty generally recognized. But not all have eyes to see. Why bother about them?
You are sitting with Hazrat Inayat and others, along with many of us, and must know that you are accepted. That is enough.
But here in one of your letters you said a lot of things about pupils of Hazrat Inayat (of whom you happen to be one) and you said the same thing 6 times down one page. You said they had rejected Inayat Khan’s teachings. If this is so one would expect of such a Sufi as you some details, helpful details, that would illustrate what you meant. This would fill the space better than repeating six times what was vague and nevertheless insulting and inflammatory. I have pointed out to Vilayat and Musheraff Khan the most urgent of the things Inayat gave us and which we have not taken up, namely children and youth education, for that is the age at which foundations really may be laid—and the dynamic masonry as against the present static masonry, which, by the way was also originated with the Sufis. Is this what you are referring to? God bless you them.
Allah never flings out accusations, never judges, so be Allah, rather than claim in him. See Allah in others, in all others, not merely in yourself and a few cronies. And before Allah there are no titles, no degrees—but you know that.
Understand well that there is no slightest wish or effort on my part to subtract an iota but rather add to your stature and worth. And as my 16 year old is free to make me aware of obvious mistakes so I must be so free with you and you with me so that when an accomplished Sufi like you waste your time, my time and the pupils’ time and even sanity by repeating six times vague accusations. I must remind you that the most useless of all human efforts is to nail down other peoples present status by mentioning it, and even generally. Another awful thing is to try to “evaluate” a man, which also nails him down, not just to what he is now (and won’t be in two minutes) but even nails him down to what another human thinks he is now.
Musheraff is along with you on titles and many Sufis, but the surfacing of Inayat’s mission, which for the first time brings Sufism to the masses, as a religion but better than any, titles in this typical section, represented by such a Vilayat and others, will be out. But that does not matter much.
Inayat Khan never evaluated, never nailed any one down. Of his mureeds, Vilayat, Baron Van Tuyll, you and I were among the few who could go East. None of us tried to “exclusivise” Inayat’s movement, on the very very contrary. Vilayat even embraced the yogis and others also. Baron Van Tuyll looked all over for connecting links. All said to him “We never heard of Hazrat Inayat” not so for Vilayat, you or me. Cheer up.
Shamcher
(Judith Hollister’s a “housewife?” Ha, she is the most sophisticated Madison Avenue expert and more than any of them! The Sufis weren’t so trained. You, the oldest Cherag (you are older than 1922, when another was init?) are the first to be blamed for not doing, then I. And Hollister temple does not even begin to look like Inayat’s plan, but it is much much better than nothing. All mureeds worked as hard as they could for the temple. When they did not succeed it was, first, your fault, next my fault.)
(You, Sam, are one of the most honest persons I know. Honesty is Sufism. Whatever we seem to disagree on does not matter. Our discussions sharpen our wits.)
November 5, 1966
My dear Pir-o-Murshid Sam,
Your recent letters indicate a blessed wish to serve the Hazrat Inayat’s movement and mureeds and I would very much like you to become—and will do what little I can to that effect—the National Representative for the Musheraff Khan group. I then could work with you, send all who wanted a personal living teacher to you, and together we could wed the two groups into one, as it should be.
If you wish I will write to Musheraff about this, except that he would probably act against any advice of mine. When he came here this spring he had great hopes from me, that I would join him and thus move Vilayat to join him. I said I had never left, neither had Vilayat but Vilayat’s views and position were due the same respect as his. This silenced him. I probably have no good with him anymore. But if you would look up Munira Nawn in New York and her blessing (she is presently Musheraff’s National representative and dying) that may help. Nobody seems to know where Munira stays now—an institution of some kind. Please ask Sitara, at 318 SW 102 Str. Seattle. Or go to Musheraff in person or write him. I will write too if you wish. You might thus prevent those idiots from appointing Rosenberg, who may be ripe for it after 30 years of training. You may of course try Vilayat’s group. I have written Vilayat six months ago proposing that I be retired to give room for a younger soul (I was 70 then). He does not seem to wish to change, I was named Nat Rep without my knowledge, answered that I was not well suited but would stay until he found some better. You know I knew Vilayat since he was 10 , in 1925 and wrote Ali Khan in 1955 about Vilayat’s right to succession. Ali answered insolently so I went right to Geneva and told him to his face what he should have known. “I must be firm as a rock” answered Ali. “A rock does not spit” replied I. With such effort Vilayat’s wish to see me represent him in the USA was natural.
But we have different, though similar views on hierarchy. He has not written me for years. We correspond more directly. I am angry with him for assuming that also others so correspond. He should write to others. He doesn’t.
Blessed are you that you are willing to take the yoke. I need your teaching too, but cannot see my way to go until something turns up.
Shamcher
November 22, 1966
My dear Pir-o-Murshid Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti
Your question whether we had a copy of your letter to Pir-o-Murshid Sufi Barkat Ali of Salarwala was given immediate attention. We have your copy of letter to him of November 17th but none earlier, none of October. We have copies of letters to Shamsuddin (very interesting) Reiser(fine) Art Hoppe, Vocha Fiske and others but none other than the last one for Sufi Barkat Ali. I probably did not receive that. I give my letters from you to Dawlat (Evelyn) and of course there is no absolute certainty of finding everything. Papers and books have began to float in our dizzie home.
Yes, as you say, it is not only permissible but important that experiences be reported, registered and understood. The idea that experiences should never be related is pure mischievous and envious nonsense. Of course a person is free to with-hold his experiences at his own discretion. But he who volunteers his experiences does a great service to struggling and bubbling humanity.
We have the same story of lone struggle in life. To me it has been so evident from my 8th year or so that I have only pity on men (and some women) for their lack of insight and am enthusiastically surprised when I find exceptions (such as Hazrat Inayat and others) and I really find no foundation for scolding the poor blokes but perhaps I should, to wake them up. The world, today, is quite a miserable concoction of concepts and confusion. The thing is to find the best or at least not the worst key to sound development for the future. That’s why I want the children and the young, before they have rotted,
Love
Shamcher
November 26, 1966
My Dear Pir-Murshid Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti El Lewis
You have more than one reason to refer so often to Al Ghazali. First he was a Sufi as a child, an orphan brought up by Sufis, a proof of my contention that let the small children come to us, for such belong in the Kingdom of God.
Al Ghazali combined the hostile world of Sufis, Moslems and Christians into one by his heart and intellect and was a Professor and loved authority at a very early age, so you cannot refer to a better authority.
But then, the sharp man may ask: What you quote of Ghazali, was it while he was an intuitive child, or a learned Professor, or was it after he had torn himself loose to walk in the desert in contempt of all his own writings as a Professor? Or was it after he went to that church and heard himself be praised in awe (by a Hodja who didn’t know what a celebrity he had in his audience) or was it after he returned to a quiet life, deprived of all, as when Murshid told me “Now Murshid has no more interest.”
But at that time he did not write.
So, you see, what is the “authority” of the great Al Ghazali, the greatest authority of all? Or what of Jesus? Or Moses?
When you speak, you speak at Sufi Ahmed Cheleby Murad and not as Ghazali, nor even as Allah. When Allah talks to you, You have not really the right, as Moses and Jesus reportedly did, to transfer these words to man as coming from Allah—not today. You may say that you feel you did speak to Allah, and you may say that, as far you are able to sense and feel, you hope that you convey his message as it deserves to be conveyed.
Now all this is for your fine assignments. The assignment is not great or exciting but the fulfillment of it, then may so become if you keep a strict hold on your mind and heart in the performing.
Tell me more,
Blessings to and from
Shamcher
December 28, 1966
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Cheleby Baker Sam Lewis,
Thank you very much for letter. Yes, I know Cecil Gibbings, he must be 84 by now and still going strong. He is first to be highly commended for being a rector, a priest, a vicar in the English Church and a Sufi much appreciated and initiated in Murshid’s rank by Hazrat Inayat.
What I am now going to say must not be repeated: As with so many, these initiations and his strenuous life and fine intentions have gone to his head so he has found time to denounce and damn a lot of innocents such as both Maheboob, Ali Khan, Musheraff and Vilayat, who all, whatever they have done or not done, benefit nobody by becoming victims of damnations. Many apparent prophets have indulged in damnations. The best that can be said about it is that it is superfluous, a waste of sound, a waste of thought forms, a waste of breath. Also, he concocted on his own a sort of agenda for a “Sufi order” in which Mrs. Duce’s Meher Baba outfit was the only USA Sufi group worth mentioning in his view. I wrote him nicely and bleakly telling him about US Sufis without even mentioning Mrs. Duce or Meher Baba. We both know these two persons well, the dragon, and the dragon’s innocent victim. You should have seen me with Meher Baba! His four mighty bodyguards were ready to devour me. But Meher retained his composure. That is one thing at which he is good.
Yes, I am writing the White House regularly about Vietnam and Red China. Those who have the solution mostly say nothing. I talk for them, always beginning by praising the President and his utterings for they deserve praise. But here in the US we have the most exquisite men to do the job that needs be done—except that these men are not used. But I write again and again, more patient, more sweet each time, now pretending that some of these men may have been sent already (since they have disappeared from their homes) etc. etc. These are men who personally know the great figures—Mao Tze Tung. Lin Piao, Liu Shao Chi, Ho Chih Minh. There is no communication, none whatever, except through already trusted friends—at this point. Officialdom is nonsense.
Social Credit--not a good name now. John F. Kennedy was rising from ignorance to a good grasp of the main principles, until he uttered “The myth of the Federal Budget.” So true, but I asked Seymour Harris, his tutor and senior advisor to the Treasury if it wasn’t too blunt. “No no, just right! It had to be said.” US economists now are social creditors in the right sense as those Canadians (simple) in Alberta were years ago, but you do not now have to go to Canada to learn about what is now more developed here at home. Douglas, the creator of Social Credit was much of a Babbitt, too, fond of simple mathematical formulae which did not at all fit the complex economic structure (more advanced math may be used discernedly) and refused to go to Canada to see what was really then better than him, afraid he would be embarrassed. I still have a better overall view of economics of any country but less knowledge of details, than most. But if I am appointed anywhere I can collect, digest and use the details toward solution. It is a complicated instrument, not to be played with.
Shamcher
January 11, 1967
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti,
Zanetti, whom you mention in your last letter, was an altogether exciting, commendable person whose mind and heart were known to me, every nook and cranny there-of, and I will be pleased to communicate further on him: should you so wish.
Meanwhile, I would be grateful if you will write to Cecil Gibbings (Petersborough, England) and ask whether he met Musheraff Khan just before the latter passed away, according to his, Gibbings’, plans and meditations and what came of the meeting—or if he came after the passing away, and then met whom, and which came to what, or if he did not go at all, and whatever happened through correspondence.
It is not possible for myself to correspond meaningfully with Cecil on these things but it is possible for you, at the present time. Please let him feel an urgency to tell you.
As you know, you need not worry about the various Sufis and movements springing from the life of Hazrat Inayat. You have your course mapped out for you independent of them. So have I, nevertheless, I have to worry just a little bit about these things, trying to save what can be saved, and Cecil knows this and is slightly afraid that I may persuade him to do what is right but against his wish. With you it is different, he will talk more “freely” (though Heaven knows he could talk freely to me, too, if he dared to) but he remembers as a youth with burning eyes at Inayat’s summer schools, eyes that frightened him less they should call him to account. And they may! And he is a key point in the Hazrat equipment for restoring some sense.
Bless and so be,
Shamcher
January 14, 1967
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad,
Thank you very much for card and for copies of letters to Erica and Gibbings. I see from these you plan to help Bill and me and for that I will be grateful if it means help pay my travel to wherever you cause me to go, as you mention the Middle East—travels that later should be repaid by other agencies if all goes well and such, in general that we establish a mutual aid society to achieve the goals, for I may drop into royalty money someday—we will see.
When you go to see old Gibbings I hope you both will go into the virtue or non-virtue of taking your fellowmen to task. Even such powerful (physically powerful) people as presidents or chairmen of nations need not be considered spittoons by spiritual people. You will find that the three masters who came to you did not condemn, they leave that to others. But even religious scriptures are spoiled by stupid condemnations upon which generations of religious idiots feed and fester.
Gibbings and you have too great a task to perform, to spoil it by vain repitions. He has spat on Vilayat, as-Ali Khan did and to whose face I told him he did, and then he wept, realizing he had been idiotic. You wrote to Shamseddin of Pakistan that “all Inayat sufis had…,” oh, I don’t even remember any more but all, you know, includes you and me and” why were you bearing false witness against yourself and me? And what enlightenment was that to bring poor Shamseddin? and if Shamseddin was not his name, it is now, for I have so pronounced, and it conveys a meaning.
You have such a great task to perform that—stop gibbering
and thanks for your greatness—when it shows!
Blessings and love
Shamcher, the enormous
January 22, 1967
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad
Thank you for note 19 January. The poetry I know nothing about. Sure, I produce poetry, the best, the finest, but it does not go on typewriter. Evelyn probably.
You mention desalting. Quite true, larger than now scale could be produced but the US Government is already doing very much in this sense, as much as taxpayers will allow, among which plant in Saudi Arabia, in Israel, in Tunisia (my and UN proposal).
Nevertheless, anyone may propose anything but in this matter, give no names, such as Bryn Beorse or Lyndon Johnson, for it matters only who gives the money and if it is USA, then the Office of Saline Waters arranges everything. They are a good office with lots of science, continuous supply of new and fine engineers. I am working with & fighting certain things in that office and not now interested in competing with the fine young engineers doing the bidding but rather improving from within, recommending new research, new approaches. Any practical plant now cannot utilize our latest scientific advances with which I am concerned. Only after years of testing here will they be good.
Finances, economy: Somewhat the same: who gives the money? If the US, then all advice and recommendations must come from US sent advisors, not from a genius nut like myself. Only if some country should have the guts, courage and wisdom to want to streamline their economy all on their own, without money help from uncle Sam of step-monster Russia or Confucius China—then yes, then only could I be advisor.
The trip to LA will be for meeting certain scientists on certain type desalting, to give advice, and I hope, also outside those certain types, and pour them full of God and gods and Allah’s at the same time.
Best of all,
Shamcher
January 25, 1967
My Dear Sufi Ahmed Murad
Between now and February 4th (I don’t yet know exact date) I will be touching SF on way to or from LA and if you are then still at 772 we may meet I hope and if you are at that time with Gibbings, Godspeed and God Bless and will see you some other time.
Yes, granted that Vilayat does not answer letters—neither mine nor yours except that every three years or so he sends a long charming one, apologizing—but that is not my business what he or any other soul does. I am not really interested in defending anyone against attack, just in telling my very closest friends that attack is waste of breath except in very, very rare cases when you are prepared to put a world of force behind your words and it is worth it. I tell this, not for the sake of the person being attacked but for the sake of the attacker, his growth, his time, wasted or used.
Gibbings might have been a leviathan but for his gibbering criticism and attacks without sense, which weakens his whole mind and heart, as it did many great prophets of old.
Blessed be from
Shamcher
You’re quite right that some scientists today are the closest to mystics and that esoterics are mainly far off. But Sufis talk to whoever want to listen. That is their/our duty. You would have talked to the Es also if they had listened. There are few who even do listen. Many scientists are so far on the path of mysticism they hardly need assistance. But they enjoy talking.
February 2, [1967?]
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti,
You have a prominent place in a book that will catapult this civilization; you are compared with Dag Hammarskjöld, a mystic who kept so secret about his mysticism out of a modesty that was pride-colored while you make mysticism common heritage by crying from the housetops, out of a selflessness that needs neither pride nor humility. And when that book appears you will become desperate because you will be flooded with pupils, newsmen, requests, some proper, some dumb, but that’s the way the ball bounces.
Nothing is mentioned about your nagging jeremiads when the talk is about you, but in another chapter the wailing, the infirmities of so many mystics is mentioned and put in its place and the extremely few who have freed themselves of this hampering widdledebiddle are mentioned. Perhaps, some day, you will be of those. You know, don’t you, that it is extremely untrue to talk of yourself as not recognized. You are recognized by all who matter—but many of these are also concerned about this very shortcoming with you; why bother? There is in this physical world no justice. There couldn’t be. Sooner or later all masters know. That they do not bother you with it doesn’t mean they don’t know. Also when you speak of the many brotherhoods as a fake—the opposite is true. The many show that many care. Only, you need not and should not join, but you should and must be gracious, encouraging, for these, like the sects, is all some have and if you take that away from them before they are ready they will go to worse hell—and, for a while, so will you. As to the “family,” leave me worry about that. You have detached yourself and any mention of them reflects only on you, as unreliable. And why should you pretend to be unreliable? For you aren’t—and yes, that incident with Inayat visiting: He also said “He (Sam) needs it (his visits) and deserves it” and while he said in words should not write you, he winked his eyes that I should.
Your statement that Reps can teach and not be taught I take as a sign that you can be both teaching and taught and thank god for that.
Blessing from the unfathomable, all-pervading
Shamcher
February 27, 1967
My dear Sufi Ahmed Chisti Murad Cheleby Samuel Lewis,
Typing? No, any reasonable office has a copy machine through which your Githas may be copied, one second each. Your lawyer’s office—that’s the least he can do for you, after bilging you for so much. My office? No, that Navy and some super duper watch us all the time.
Breakdown? Try these vitamins, all of them to be taken on one morning. If you like them, I will order a supply from my LA friends. If you don’t like them and want some different ones, order them at my expense (within a reasonable amount) and when tables are turned, you rich, I poor, we reverse.
God in you peeping out,
Shamcher
March 5, 1967
My Dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti Cheleby Samuel Lewis
Thank you very much for school papers on Shamseddin of Tabriz and primitive religion. The first seems to be your soul connection with the Shams-Tabriz telling the real story for in the books Shatabriz leaves this world by order of the emperor whose son he has healed from a deadly disease, however, by applying what the greedy courts men call blasphemy: He first called out: In the name of the Prophet: Rise! No rise. Then: In the name of Allah Rise! No no, no rise. Then in utter exaltation: “IIII command you, rise!!! Then the son rose and was well, to the chagrin of the priesthood who implored the little stupid emperor to have him killed because he had been blasphemous—and he was killed in manner so apparently cruel I will not dwell on it.
That is how people reward Truth and Achievement.
Now, if you don’t take on your physical deterioration and reverse it and cure yourself immediately, you will have an accident, shocking you into healing yourself.
Shamcher, the immeasurable.
March 10, 1967
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti,
We go well together and fill out each other in that you have more knowledge of the Sufi lore, the adepts, the practices, for which I thank you very much and I am a funk of humanity only visiting the mystics and regions but destined to educate and warn—warn even of mistakes made by the prophets and not one of them is unblamable though Hazrat Inayat is perhaps the least blameable of all.
You have as your great examples, Hazrat Inayat and not the least Radhakrishnan, possible one of the very greatest men now living.
Thus, in your great power and majesty you are requested to remember what you don’t know. For example, you do not in the least the fate, disposition and role of Vilayat. It is not that you could not know. You could if you really wished. But you prefer, in this case, to wallow in ignorance. You hear flapping rumor he called you an egotist. If he did, it was silly. That is all you need consider, then stop and don’t get entangled in trivia. Instead you write letters about it—about a flap by a rumor monger. Neither is it true that Hazrat Inayat in any way predicted defeats or difficulties in the life of Vilayat, neither has he in any way acted against his father’s wishes. All this you could have known had you put your heart to the matter. Or, you could have ignored it and kept your mind out of the matter, which would have been all right too. Instead, you fiddled with it. Sam! I am surprised at you!
You don’t know a person at all except when you feel like completely covering his faults even to your own vision and bringing him forward by encouraging thoughts.
It is my hope when you and worthy Rev. Gibbings come together you will discover your common crime of mixing in things you do not know and evidently do not care to know, and keep to essentials.
That some boys prefer you to Vilayat should foster your humility rather than pride. Taste and preference is individual, proof of nothing.
All this is said for my love for you not for the sake of Vilayat or anybody else. Go deeply into Hazrat Inayat and you will find out. Vilayat as you say is not his father and he knows that better than you do. Vilayat is Vilayat. Even his home life you talk about though you know absolutely nothing about it. Again, this all emanates from my love for you, my knowledge of your great potentiality, which still awaits development further.
Love,
Shamcher
March 15, 1967
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti Cheleby Samuel Lewis & Brother
Among many other things, your communication of March 13 indicate you are willing to sacrifice yourself into serving the Sufi movement in collaboration with Vilayat and the most humble and brutally proud undersigned and in this line any and all posts of confidence are open to you at your choice. The head of the Brotherhood? It is yours. The head of any other activity? It is yours. It is I who determine those things. Have I ever given the impression of not fully acknowledging and appreciating you? If so tell me when and where so that I may repent and strew ashes over my dinner jacket. (I have no dinner packet but my suit may do.)
I was catapulted into my incongruous position without my knowledge and now has this enormous power which, also, I shall surrender to you if Vilayat so chooseth. Actually I was appointed by Allah, God, the Unfathomable at the age of 8 to revolutionize the religious temper of the world and I hoped to do it on my own terms, that is, God’s terms. I have temporarily lent a hand to the Sufis because they are less errant than many other groups. They are not perfect, not one of them, not the greatest or smallest of their masters and I proposed to Hazrat Inayat we might drop the Sufi name. And one day, if no accident interferes, I shall again cut loose and set the world aflame. Posterity will dig up my past and all influences and say I was this and that. Actually only God exists. The man in a black bag who attended the student meetings in Corvallis, Oregon had the right idea. The black robes of the Universal Worship is basically the same idea. We are all black bags if we only knew. Therefore I am not as moved as I should be by all your negative experiences. What do you expect? What did friend Jesus expect? To be tortured to death. Well, he actually survived and was brought to India by yogis. He took in the entire yoga lore in addition to, previously, the Sufi lore. Now he is a good teacher to those who tune in.
Love
Shamcher
March 27, 1967
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti Cheleby Samuel Lewis & Brother
Your six interviews were very interesting. Have you sent copy to Vilayat? If so, you need not read further. If you have not, I would like to make a copy and send him. I would like to send from No II on now, and said the introduction and I later. The latter is more personal. From II one it hits every Sufi and particularly Vilayat.
If you should by any chance be willing to do the following revisions, I may send it all without comment. If you wish to make no revisions, I would have to disentangle myself from certain parts of your story. These parts are:
Fourth Paragraph on Page 5, the first four lines. These are not the facts.
Page 6, second paragraph: Every Murshid and also Vilayat have constantly given such commentaries. Murshida Goodenough, “The Silsillan Sufi,” the Sufi link, did excellently and so, often did Vilayat. I suggest you strike this out, or I will have to dissociate myself from it when I submit the documents. Also the last part of this paragraph is poorly edited. Vilayat is on the very best with some of the men you specifically mention. You might strike this whole paragraph. But don’t rewrite the rest, for I have already copied it and I am much too lazy to copy anything twice.
Page 7, fourth paragraph: The first “successor” was Hazrat Inayat’s brother Maheboob. He was not “selected” exactly but the council expressed the belief that Hazrat had wished him to function until Vilayat would be of age. Before his death Maheboob “appointed” Ali, the cousin, to act temporarily until Vilayat would be more of age. Vilayat reluctantly agreed, under pressure, to this arrangement. Later assumed leadership and I intervened as you know and scared everybody except Vilayat. It was Maheboob who was “Sheikh-ul-Masheik.” Ali became Khalif-Murshid-Pir-o-Murshid by some mysterious action of I don’t quite know who. You might substitute you own version of my above words for the first four lines of said paragraph, and retain the rest.
Murshida Goodenough, the advanced one among the Murshids and Murshidas, made it known repeatedly that Hazrat Inayat’s wish was for Vilayat to lead the order as soon as he would be of age. It was not stipulated whether he himself or others should determine when he would be of age. Even Murshida Martin’s succession was to go on only until such time. I met Murshida Martin in 1939. If you care, I shall write you what she was then.
Allah and I are watching you and quite often embodying you, throwing out Samuel, so only Allah is there.
Shamcher
March 31, 1967
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti Baker Cheleby Samuel Brother Lewis
Yes, yes, make one order, that will be just what we are after and yes, yes, you are entitled to all the Sangathas and Gathas and Githas and Sangithas and Githekas. I do not have them but if you wish, shall write for them. If you are in Southern California see if you can wrest all these papers from Bhakti Engle of Mission Drive, Camarillo, who amassed papers in brutally from Cleveland mureeds before she left. I asked her as kindly as I could if she would please return to them at least a copy, I paying for the copying and transportation. She answered insolently that the Cleveland people weren’t “ripe” for these papers. Then Vilayat was in the South and I asked him to look her up. She finally promised him to send the papers to him in Suresnes. She never did. If you see her, no use referring to me, just try to take these papers away from her since she makes no use of them and has no basis for sitting on them.
Someday I may tell you about the strange manner in which I came into possession of the Githas I sent you and which I had neither seen before.
Personally I liked the Gathas very much when I first and them. Then came a time when I felt no need or wish for papers, but if you tell me I shall try obtain. More.
The Irfan was basically correct. A few places were dictated by submission to local and timely superstition. Most mystic works are and must be, particularly when they reach some degree of publicity.
Thank you and Allah alone exists, not
Shamcher
Yes you are so right contacting police and FBI, both to protect you against the biased ones who want your skin because you help the hippies, and to be clear with the police and FBI in advance. I called on the FBI in Los Angeles for other though similar reasons anti the Chief agent in LA became extremely interested in Sufism, may be a secret member. He indicated we were the only religious group not falling for the phony pacifists. This of course would get him in bad with many groups so it is not public matter. I had a University Professor from the Midwest write my wife that she should ask the FBI about a murder of Countess Estergehazi in Flatbush, in Brooklyn in 1937—I was singled out as the murderer As you know I arrived first time in USA 1939. By reporting to his U. could have caused the gentleman regret. I did not.
April 9, [1967]
My Dear Sam,
Thanks for letters. Sitara enjoyed having you and told me you even helped her label her eye drops bottles: And we were all enthused to have you and I enjoyed your Murshid embrace and had wanted it when you left too, but that will be for next time.
You know that the present leader in Cleveland is Ann Nichols, a beautifully colored lady, so why write to her or them about exclusion from Sufi? What is this? Rumors? Well, if anything of that has happened anywhere, let’s have the persons who have instigated them, and we shall take them to task and throw them out to where there is weeping and the gnashing of teeth. But No word about this loose rumor to dear Ann, yet, one of the persons I deeply love, which I confess to her in all of my letters!
The same with the racial question you mentioned in another connection: Attack the sinners, remain mute to others!
Love and blessing,
Shamcher
April 26, [1967]
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti Ho Akbar,
I just had a most splendid letter from Vilayat, one of those he writes every three years.
You know that one of my present tasks is to bring some organizational efficiency in the Sufi groups emanating from Hazrat Inayat—and with present personnel already in, viz: Vilayat working with Fazal which Fazal now want but no longer Vilayat, although they were bosom friend two years ago but Fazal’s later acts do not appeal to Vilayat, and morally he is right, organizationally, worldly, he is not right at all, so your tale about the disciple who had to bow to the horses hoofs of the peasant may be what he should hear so send him than—from you, not me, for I have written him to the limit of what he can bear already, so just give that hint however you want.
When those two work together then some of us others can come in too,
Blessings, love,
Shamcher
May 8, 1967
My dear Sam, Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti, brother,
You too? Like me? In Hospital? Hydrogen poisoning? But over now? Out again? All well?
Please, isn’t there anything I could do? Vitamins? Money?
You know, accidents„ like poisoning, is not always in destiny, comes by unfortunate chance, someone in your environment made a mistake.
I use your practices with great interest. You have a message, must see to it that you keep well, for another 200 years at least, but of course you are not obliged to tarry as long as Methuselah, 969 years, or even as Noah, 565 years.
They probably needed that long, for their development.
I have persuaded Latif to give the church talk next time. They will soon do excellently without me.
Now, please remember to tell me what we can do for you,
Love and Bliss,
Shamcher
PS. Are you well enough to tell me in two lines about your Vietnam plan? How to solve?
May 25, [1967?]
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti,
Maybe you or others (and others) might go to the alps in Switzerland and show Vilayat and his crowd that a 100 year old can climb mountains a bit better than an 18 year-old. So I send you these two sheets for your distribution. I will be in Los Angeles over the memorial weekend but without chance for seeing any one or stopping over anywhere from some of your letters I have the impression you may temporary need some money but I know not how much. Any time five or ten dollars might help, write. More than that I am not able to spare just now.
Best,
Shamcher
June 20, 1967
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti SAM,
Thank you for good letter that touched me. It just appeared to me you might become a revered teacher at the free universities springing up in San Francisco. Here in Seattle a recent sample teaches “oriental philosophy” (sic!) Buddhism, the Essences and revised Christendom etc, etc.—right up your alley. Here in Seattle only native Seattles are eligible but San Francisco where the trend is older and better rooted you are the natural.
Shamcher
July 20, 1967
Dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti Samuel L. Lewis,
This just to congratulate you with your new palace of Allah. It was amazing how even the old one had acquired patina and spiritual worth. Your new one, my vision tells me, is more subtle, sweet fragranced and towering than the Queen of Sheba’s hanging gardens and Solomon’s best. The omitted third letter is true to your own script. On your card it was also missing, for some deep mystic reason I am told.
Full of flailing curiosity I shall be there someday to see, and meanwhile—blessed be thou among men and Gods for it is said….
Shamcher
September 11, 1967
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti
There, between the desert and the town, between the slums and the snobs,
between poor and the rich, you established yourself, with a park outside,
though a humble one where the humble
frolick or at least draw a breath.
You and your pupils (soon to be teachers) were the destiny and purpose of my coming and in addition there was the great destiny of my meeting Hunt that great saint who hunt the sick and the feeble, not to do good but because he desperately loves them.
Your two pupils have radiant eyes and for different reasons, one full of love and enlightenment and curiosity and surprise-ecstasy, the other burning with a sense of justice and scientific discovery and you calmly in the middle claiming nothing (now).
And thank you for a good salad and meal
Shamcher
September 11, 1967
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti Samuel L. Lewis,
One point in your recent letters I want particularly to congratulate you on: Perfection is God’s point of view, criticism is the point of the yet-imperfect. Therefore you are quite right in ignoring the criticism of certain English Sufis—criticism of other Sufis. They know no better so, Father, forgive them but that is all one can say about that.
And in the same letter: The silent listeners are closer to God than the sputtering, talkaton on the rostrum. I used this as a dramatic finishing touch last Sunday. Everybody looked up gleaming fun in their eyes, thus remembering the other things said too.
Yes, Blessings to and fro
Shamcher
September 26, [1967?]
My Dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti,
Here is Cecil Gibbings’ reply to us and it shows him up and down as I know him. He is writing from the view he had in the beginning (reading) your letter, hiding from himself (and us he thinks) what he knew at the end. Well, each to his comfort.
Whatever your publisher thinks, I am very eager to have the backers you talk of reading the book I have the script Ancient Tales and this Cybernetic Age in which, among other things, he would, they would know even more about your part and what the world and the subtler worlds are all about. And will it sell! For this the sort of stuff no regular publisher dares touch.
Love,
Shamcher
PS Vilayat: I haven’t heard from him either, not a word, and will not, for three years. That the way with him, hard to understand. But this time he has at least written Sitara. Us, he thinks, we can communicate without words. But why not words also? He wants but he cannot.
October 9, [1967?]
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Sam,
As you well know, while you do rightly take upon yourself a title, my whole being and fate is the opposite; No title, no “degree” of any kind and your little jokes writing to people I have advanced claims were lust such things as playful, Sufis play upon one another to make inroads in pride and things—but now we have to stop that, among other things because now after 70 I am to go forth into the world, one of my great strengths being having absolutely no title or rank (something Hazrat Inayat respected and fostered) so I have to write to all to whom you have so written and laughingly call the joke. I know of Gavin and Vilayat. There also seems to be some friend of yours in Pakistan. Please give his name and address—or, if you prefer to write him yourself, you may better and more correctly explain—that it was a joke to tease me for my great reluctance against all sort of titles which and of which I have none. Send me copies, please. Also you can write to Gavin and Vilayat if you please.
As you well know, all titles are fakes, in civil world as in religion, but even we who know sometimes play with them for a purpose or for fun. It has however been my fate to see and associate with titled persons in Sufism and similar groups who were so grotesque that any such title to me looks like a soiled robe. I know that Hazrat Inayat so regarded his Pir-o-Murshid title but nevertheless stuck with it with tremendous self-sacrifice, and that Vilayat has consistently refused to bear any title is one of many proofs that he and he alone represents his father’s movement. He is also the only one who in dexterity and sensitivity of heart and mind reminds you of Hazrat Inayat. His so-called failures at certain meetings or lectures you talk about means of course nothing at all, nothing, nothing. Earthly success is nothing at all. Jesus was jailed and tortured.
So, amid you many great and busy duties, attend to my defrocking as soon as convenient so my fate may be played.
Thank you,
Shamcher
October 14, 1967
My dear He Kwang
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti,
Thank you for letter of October 12. When we last met you suggested I would hear you quoting the factual Vietnam Buddhist peace proposal and general status. Indeed I would very much like to, and leave out no detail. Indeed, it is almost imminently important since I am in this field, a great though mainly unknown spirit.
Also your comment on it.
He Kwang, in my book, means a spirit having soared through so many useful stages to above stages where the sky is pure and wide and God has become completely formless in his all-forms and the whole thing forms a neat complement to the Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti, whose meaning I shall convey to you at another occasion. And the two blend in modesty and Samuel L. Lewis.
Blessings to and fro
Shamcher
PS Did Hunt write the Conreys at 532 Rustic Rd. Santa Monica California about vitamins and eye trouble, and have a reply? I have written the Conrey and no reply so I conclude they must now be traveling.
October 25, 1967
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti,
Quite true that Vietnam war like all wars should be resolved in the heart. This general remark standing alone is true, though not in the plane that will achieve results among policy makers for they may and will reply that they too, are meditating all night but, they will ask, what practical step did you come up with in your deep contemplation?
Therefore, to couple this general advice with criticism of steps so far taken is doubly inefficient for then the policy makers will just shrug, get slightly angry because there is an innuendo that they have not so meditated (which to their ability they have) and even less good comes from the advice than if it had stood alone.
So, dig up the resulting physical steps and don’t forget we are in the war, not by order of Johnson but by past commitments.
Kindly write so, also give names. Nobody has per se a duty to be specific, but when you criticize, you have burdened yourself with such duty.
Shamcher
November 6, [1967]
Dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti
Congratulations for having located Ryazat by the KICK of God. We are operating parallelly, except that you have your own forum, I appear on command in someone else’s—very elegant now, by the way, and you may devote your entire time while I slave for the Navy—well, I attend to the Navy flock too, though they don’t know it.
What Inayat Khan had in advance of Rumi, Jesus and most of them was his command of mind. He knew a mind was not made to criticize or complain, not even to appreciate or pose, just to smooth as soul commands. So, for example, mureeds complained to him bitterly about Fatha Engle. First Inayat just lowered his head and mumbled to them “Fatha acts as nature and God directs.” Not hearing, they continued their criticism unabashed (except I of course) then Inayat gracefully closed the communication, went on to another word and was incommunicado until the stupidity of criticism had stopped. In this he was greater.
Incidentally, Vilayat has not rejected you or anybody else. This is one thing he learned from his father. He cannot reject, or accept. He never writes to me or anyone else. If you want to call this a fault, go ahead, what is that word anyway? Thousands come to me and says “Vilayat does not care. He does not write.”
Do I write? Yes. I am not Vilayat. He is not I. How can I expect or even hope another to be me? But that is what you do when you “criticize.” It is simply ignorance of mind function. “A Sufi is one who holds two points of view: his own and that of the other.”
Blessings
Shamcher
But please, be sure to retain one copy of the Ryazats for Vilayat or, if you prefer, for third person for transmittance to Vilayat. Hazrat Inayat saw to it that Vilayat had one copy of all papers. This was his wish. Musheraff will not give it to him, resents Inayat’s wish.
My dear Pir-o-Murshid Sufi Ahmed Murad,
Thank you for your letter. Now the least I could do was write a letter for you to Musheraff myself, and I still will if you ask me to and tell me what to write, but as things stand it would seem the right things come to me I didn’t ask for and never things coming to me I did ask for, I must be a supreme advisor, so here is my proposal in outline for your letter to Mush. I have know him intimately since 1924, when we stayed in the same places, slept in same room, I managing and introducing them for concert, parties. You will of course have to scare him stiff in one line, charm and flatter him in the next:
“My dear Pir-o-Murshid Musheraff Khan (24 Banstraat, The Hague, Holland)
“When we met in San Francisco in April this year, in the sacred Sufi Embrace, I felt your soul, in our common at-one-ness with your blessed brother Hazrat Inayat. I have long wondered what to do with the dictations of his Ryazats which he gave me the last months of his life and then again under circumstances I must tell you of in person one day. I know what I have to do. I have to give these papers to you. But in view of the sacredness of these things I must first have your word that you personally will receive them and submit them to the care they deserve.
“Forgive me for being anxious. So much has happened in the Sufi movement. For example, recently a gentleman from Texas visited centers all over the Western United States. He purported to come on your orders and on your behalf. He summarily condemned India; from where blessed Hazrat Inayat hails, and Muinuddin Chisti and Radhakrishnan the great saint of Sufism and other holy traditions and president of India, and the great Murshid of Ayub Khan, President of Pakistan. (Yes, Pakistan was included in his ugly words.) (You understand: He condemned India from where these persons hailed. He didn’t particularly condemn these persons.)
He brazenly condemned yoga, the blessed half-brother of the Sufis. You will understand what uncertainty, what desperation in regard to our blessed movement, such goings-on evoke. While I cannot believe you are responsible for this, I feel nevertheless that I cannot mail these Ryazats without some sort of guarantee about who is going to lead our movement here. I tried to see blessed Munira Nawn when I last was in New York, knowing her usual address, but was now unable to reach her: Just mentioning one example! In Bremerton, Washington State, where you all were treated to a delightful trip by Mr. And Mrs. Raney, this person from Texas came and gave such a talk to 8 persons carefully selected by Mrs. Raney that not one of the 8 has been heard from since and won’t have anything to do with Sufism. The entire talk was a bull-headed propaganda for the person himself. Mrs. Raney repeatedly asked him to come to the Message. No result.
“I know of course all the old Mureeds here, of whom, but for Munira Nawn, I am the oldest, and I believe you can write to any of them to have more information about my person; in fact, it is one of these old Mureeds who suggested I write you. I have been asked to go back to Pakistan where so many of my close Sufi associates are. But if I could be of service here in America, the country of my birth, and my first responsibility, I would stay. And I would follow the call I felt when we met and embraced in San Francisco in April this year.” Love and Devotion….”
Love,
Shamcher
November 10, 1967
Dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti
Yes, a) Reps need a letter such as yours, if he is not to burst open at the seams.
b. Yes, thank you, Fikar Practice for leaving even though I may one day tell you a secret.
c. Yes, thank you, Sangithas II
d. Yes, thank you, Ryazat.
You are to be blessed for taking care of this. As to the five centers: Inayat’s methods play around a theme with artistic abandon, leaving the individual to divine the story as it applies to him—rather than the more rigid yoga instruction in so many disciplines of this latter.
Inayat also suffered tremendously by submitting to some degree of rigidity in hierarchical and Bayat matters. He realized that many or indeed most of the people he were to meet here already were initiates of hundreds of years ago and for whom any Bayat of any degree was just a rather funny repetition. Nevertheless, many of these accepted with a straight face the play, the game of Bayat as a welcome repetition. Others were repulsed. It is wise not to talk of the hierarchy. It is unacceptable to the American and any otherworldly constitution. It is also limited in its scope. The great universal creating spirit does not need it, though he smilingly accept its contribution like you do a student council or fraternity of alumni. From the Absolute’s point of view the hierarchical titles mean nothing. Worldly acceptance or rejection mean, of course, even less. And isn’t even worth a word or a thought or a feeling.
Bless you-all!
Shamcher
November 12, 1967
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad,
You being one of the glowing lights in Dharma, the study and realization of God, also called religion, it is my privilege to make you aware of the few specks of dross still somewhat (but not too much) delaying and hampering you.
Nobody speaks about angels. Inayat Khan was as typical a Bodhisattva as has ever walked earth and it was his example I held before you. Hardly any of the “great masters” of the past realized the uselessness of criticism, the fakery of criticism. When you speak of Rabia you are so right I can hardly blame you. When you speak of Vilayat you are simply up in nonsense. I happen to know him by remote control and know he has tremendous “faults” in human parlance—none of which you have even touched and all you say about him is ignorance. By the way, he is as far from “angelic” as possible. But he has surprisingly and ably taken up what he, particularly can do in the Sufi path and he has the humility of the perfect wise. About others—well, I simply haven’t time—and you, above all people, should not have time either, to bother with even one single word about those so called critical remarks which so often are not merely “critical” but entirely off. You don’t have to be an angel to be able not to burden your mind and other minds with what is not your business, what you don’t know, what is God’s business and nobody else!
What I repeat is: Inayat Khan, the Bodhisattva of all time, knew the economy of mind, of thought, of feelings evoked, and taught all his pupils (and how few of us have even begun to learn) to use our minds for the spreading of the message, not for the spreading of dross, uncalled for jabber, also called criticism. Of course, I haven’t learned it completely myself yet. If I had, I couldn’t teach any longer. I would be gone to next world.
Bless
Shamcher
November 17, 1967
My dear Reverend He Kwang,
Your message, received after my previous letter to you—in which you say you are ready to initiate Vilayat a Pir any time he asks for it, is to your credit, contrasts your talk about his pitiable fate on the “Day of Judgment” (watch your language! As you well know there is no “Day of Judgment” but quite a number of seconds of judgment, namely all of your life’s. And even they are often circumvented by the Grace.)
However, Vilayat has one deep principle: Nobody is Pir after his father. That is, for him, a holy title and he has a certain feeling toward anybody who so proclaims himself in this order. He has vowed he will never covet it. And that brings us to his often remarks when his cousins and uncles say he has violated his father’s wishes “Do those people ever think of the possibility that my father (also) talks direct to his son?”
And in this he is darn right for his father talks much more directly to and with Vilayat than with any of his brothers and cousins and there is more to that story yet.
So, while it would in a sense be elegant of Vilayat to come to you and ask your blessing and initiation, there is less chance of that now that you have indicated you have a Pir-title in store for him. And it is not his god-inspired duty, to come to you as I have come to you, but God would not mind, would in fact like if he did. But do not expect that.
Now, as to me, any and all titles in and out of hierarchy is a joke of the kind I rather stay away from. Nevertheless, you are welcome to bestow upon me anything you want. But remember, what you so often say “The Sufi has two points of view, his own and that of the other.” That even applies to Vilayat.
Bless
Shamcher
No, the Cleveland mureeds did not evade Vilayat. They had not been told about him coming there, were most surprised and desperate hearing him over the TV, asked him a thousand questions by phone in order to identify him. Perhaps there was a mix-up. He might have thought they knew.
December 6, 1967
My Dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti Samuel L. Lewis,
This just to thank you so much for sending me Sangatha and other documents. Some of the Sangithas confirmed what I already wrote to Headquarters after Musheraff Khan’s passing, which opens up new vistas for either good or worse Haag administration and liaison with Sufis (Inayat’s disciples).
You are so absolutely right in pointing to God, Allah, Brahma, Ishwara, Dieu, Gott—rather than persons. Of course, not all are yet at that stage, but even so, it should be kept in mind, and heart, even at the initial states and besides, all are really on all stages all the time though with a different emphasis. It is also quite true that “families” are unfortunately made to intrude between God and man but some, within these families, show so much promise that you hide their faults even to your own sight because you see their great potentialities, and you foster them by stressing them instead of the temporary faults. Others, within same families, are so far astray that you don’t care to foster anything, you rather try to keep them off your mind.
Rumi, that great poet and mystic, quite often fell to unnecessary criticism and wailing over the state of the world and most prophets did. We, at this unique age, could rise above that and thus come even closer to God and ze Allah and sauce around in this splendid atmosphere until we, also, become outlived as useful and give room for others. The young, as you say, which of course does not mean young in earthly years but in spirit, outlook. I am the youngest, almost too young. You come next.
Bless and blessings
Shamcher
What you say about Idries Shah is interesting and true. I am greatly freshened by his keen outlook. He borders on the mystic but still has enough fire of the mind to be most interesting and slightly less mystical. Like all men he is true and a bit false, great and a bit small. Even most Sufis are, except perhaps Al Ghazali and, to some extent, Inayat Khan. They seem close to perfection. But even in the Sangithas traces of imperfection speak in.
December 8, 1967
My dear Sufi….
Somebody gave me $5 as s Sufi so I give it to you and you do whatever you want with it.
My regular salary, as long as it lasts, keep me and family in groceries. I feel it ought to do more but we don’t seem able to, but when outside sources like this come in we can send it on to a real Sufi, and please forgive the modesty of the sum, but may be it will be like a spark that light a fire,
Love,
Shamcher
December 27, [1967?]
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti,
Yes, the avatar business rums so parallel in our minds as so many other things. At the camp of the Dalai Lama in Muscogee in the Himalayas there was a picture of Meher Baba, and the Indian police man in charge of the Dalai Lama explained to me that a lady representing Meher Baba had put it up (the lady was not received by the Dalai Lama) and asked me if “felt” anything because, he said, “one is supposed to feel it when one is near an Avatar,” so, by a succession of short statements and answers we came very close and at last to the fact that “This age is not the age of Avatars.”
And so, dear Sam, with most things, we think and feel along kindred lines, so please do not ever jump into an antagonism for it is always due to either lack of clarity on my part or on yours. You wrote me under title “Murshid,” for the second time and I have to wiggle out of any such accusation. You have all the right to use any title on yourself and I acknowledge them all with pleasure. But just as you usually call yourself Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti, which is your proper name, inscribed in heaven—so I am called Shamcher and nothing else, and just as you usually do not call yourself Murshid so you must give me that same right not to called that or any other title.
No no, I did not say you were shaking the world, neither that I was “trying” or not trying. I am not trying anything. I am just shaking it for that is so written, and by shaking it, ripe plums, among other things, drop into your lap, and there are many other consequences. The one who shakes the world does not try or do anything of his own purpose. It was told me long ago and I forgot it—until it happens, but how does it happen? Of course I do not know. But don’t worry about that, just respectful and never, never give me any title, just as I am respectful of you and give you only the titles you put in my mouth to use.
Incidentally, in your later letters there has been some indications that you know what a Murshid is—most people under this title do not know. This, again, does not matter. But remember that everything and everything that you do and think is dearly recorded and can be read, so do not write or talk about not being recognized. You are, by any and all who can read. The others matter no more than the silent rocks. Never try to disappoint me, for I know before you write—know truth, and all the spirits know you, whether in Asia or in Europe or America, in fact there is no Asia, Europe or America.
There is also something else about this age: It needs no howling and wailing as Mohammed and Rumi and many others did at another age. It does not become this age.
Shamcher
January 26, 1968
My dear Shamcher:
This letter is, in some ways, perhaps unfair because it is being written before my God-daughter and her husband come. They have been successful not only materially but on that plane of self-realization which would entitle Nancy at least, to be accepted by the elect. When one presented one’s Pakistani Goddaughter to the Sufis they said, “No women” and when they met her they all fell in love with her and relented.
The idea of some sort of spiritual brotherhood among the Initiates was first broached by Pir-o-Murshid himself. Whether in his instructions or in his inspirations. The rejection of the “Six Interviews with Hazrat Inayat Khan” places unwanted authority in these hands. For it is also true that one was sent from the Arab world to the Pakistani on the same errand and from the Pakistani to the Indian Sufis. And this was also accepted by the previous Indian Consul General here, beyond national boundaries and political differences.
This subject may be presented on February 10 when one tells the reasons for one’s long vitality. The fist paper and succeeding papers were sent to Geneva, Sureness and at least twice to Holland. One wonders what these people will say before God! Last night one went into it a little in presenting “Six Letters of a Sufi Teacher,” an old theosophical publication. The same teachings are there. And one will next present the story of Prince Dara Shikoh.
One wonders now with all the various “universal botherhoods” springing up what the next step is.
The initiatory service says, “God alone was the Founder of Sufism” and the Sufi Abu Said ibn Abi’l-Khayr question the use of the term “Sufi” because a “Sufism” might well be other than a “God-ism.” And indeed that seems to be the case now. What are the God-realized souls going to do when they cannot enter “Sufi” Movements?
One declares that there are three main streams of spiritual awakening, the same as in Pir-o-Murshid’s writings because one has met such persons, and perhaps, because one has been initiated into all three. One does not give out mere book leaning. But in meeting Indians who come here—and this place is being constantly invaded by “gurus,” “Maharshi” and what not, we get along fine until Samuel asked them to go to Dr. Chaudhuri’s with him and that always ends the session. The Indians will accept Samuel, they will not accept Dr. Chaudhuri, Sri Aurobindo’s disciple. This shows that the Indians are unable to establish the universal brotherhood.
It is even more evident among the Zen Buddhists. The Soto School is established there. They denounce the Rinzai people and in turn the Rinzai people have denounced them, and perhaps with excellent cause.
A very interesting climax took place in the university the other day when the teacher asked a most simple question and not a student could answer it. We have had two “world famous English Zen Buddhists” (who always got into public fights with each other), we have a multitude of churches, temples and Sanghas here and not a student in a large class could answer a very simple question! Only my colleagues present any of the teachings of Lord Buddha, and for that part, any of the scriptures, etc., etc. Churchianity reigns supreme, even more so outside the Christian ranks.
Now I await my “young ones” because there is a need both to organize and to present the Message of God on a proper foundation. Sufis, who are called Sufis, follow the words of Khatum. It is not a game, and certainly even less a far distant petition. It is a reality before our very being. When Samuel was ill, God spoke to him (‘Sufi” movements don’t stop God from talking to Whomsoever He pleases) and said it was necessary for him to remain here to lead the Hippy movement. It seemed ridiculous the Hippy leaders had a very select committee who were to call the spiritual Leaders of the Orient together, with a nice censoring bureau to do the selecting. There have been several Masters here since and they all ignored this committee!
When the Vietnamese Master was here Samuel could not get into his own living room, and since then he has an invitation to join another Vietnamese representative to present various forms of living Buddhism to students and perhaps even to the “Peace Corps.” This is old hat—the Asians accept and the non-Asians it is always a question.
Last night there was even a larger gathering, quite different people—mureeds, candidates and young who want to be candidates. I have stopped trying to count them. They are won by the presentation of Lord Buddha’s Yoga, which is practiced by no one here although it is in Holy Scriptures—which are studied in just one place! It is very effective.
Paul Reps has been urging the Mauna Yoga which he published. We have long been working on that which is also effective. And we give three meetings to the Sufi esotericism, mostly of Inayat Khan but also of other Pirs. And the young people are finding these methods of effective. Many have given up LSD and grass and those who find the spiritual practices far more excellent than any chemical or vegetable are bringing their friends and acquaintances.
The original idea of Hazrat Inayat Khan was that Samuel would lead in the exoteric work contacting the intellectuals. Those who most unfortunately (God save their souls) pray: To Thee do we give willing surrender—and never surrender, are in a dangerous spiritual position. One sees, and one can say “yes” or “no” in argument but the Soul sees, and the Sufi sees and what he sees is real and what he or others think is not so real.
On Wednesday and Sunday nights we have the Love-breath, the Joy-breath and the Peace-breath from Lord Buddha, and on Mondays, Saturdays and Thursday nights we have the corresponding practices from Hazrat Inayat Khan. Nargis I think, in Between the Desert and the Sown gave the initiations of earth, water, fire and air and said the Etheric initiation was “secret.” This only meant she did not have it. In presenting now “The Mysticism of Sound” and later “Metaphysics,” published books, it is necessary to know the nature of Ether to understand the contents. Therefore one began training mureeds at an earlier time; besides, as one has not been given the Githas one does not feel bound and will give out the basis Science upon which the Githas were based And the world will know in the future now different people took each their own liberties with the sacred papers.
In a short while my God-daughter and then mureeds who see the need of a secretariat. And then one will be released to write the commentaries. This was a provision of the esoteric constitution; ergo let’s change the Esoteric Constitution but Pir-o-Murshid also spent some time with me in 1923. There is no use writing it from memory or from record because it will only be another mark for those who verbalize “willing surrender” and surrender not at all.
This period is not only characterized by an increase in disciples and audience but also by a rapid inner development. This is especially true of the man who has the Sufi Symbol in his forehead. The next generation will see that and then what are others going to say? He has just had another inner initiation and soon I may have to put him in charge for the requests are now coning to spread activities—on a full program. I think God has something to say of His Message.
As Mrs. Hagood in Hollywood said, if one presented the Love and Joy the young would come. One does and they do. As Jesus said, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, I would gather you as a mother-hen does her chicks.” This is an excellent path to follow.
Having met so many Sufi Sheikhs and Pirs and Saints one knows even outwardly the path toward actual brotherhood—but then one has many many other saints, too. Paul Reps is urging me to buy more books with more Ryazat. If I do Pir-o-Murshid’s things will never get out. They mean nothing to those who have not had the inner development.
I remain the representative of Eastern Sufis and have said nothing about leadership over Western organizations. But no organization can stop God and God-realization and the manifestation of faculties and insight that some from this realization.
God bless you,
Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti
Sam
January 26, 1968
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti,
True, the Sufis have all the “ancient mysteries” and a few newer ones, and not only deeply hidden in its initiates but right in the open, in the morning prayer, for example) “beloved Lord”—ah, this is no ordinary prayer but a recognition of the beloved coursing through your every atom from the toes up, you every mind atom, your every heart atom, your Being—and then comes the switch “Almightily Cod”—so, it is he again is it? Yes sir, the very same, you are it, it alone is “in the rays of the sun” the solar system heh? But also the lowly earth “The waves of the air” yeah, but also the bigger whole “through the all-pervading life in space” well well, not merely the old man of Israel in Nazareth, huh! but all of it, the Whole!
One guy, who is far advanced in these matters, gained such insight through it he foreswore to be ever upset about families, about Mushmusharaffaraff, about Vilayat, said he was not going to harbor a spite or utter a word anymore and right after that came a letter stating to a far-off friend that Vilayat had no initiations. Then a being from space entered my heart and said “Shamcher, do you think I could have anything to do about Vilayat’s initiations?” and I flushed on behalf of us all and said “IK Dear, why don’t you go tell the party involved? You visit him more frequently than you do me?”
“I tell you Shamcher, I do ‘cause he needs it. But in this matter he dinna give me no audience! Couldn’t get in! He was busy assuring he would no more talk about Vilayat then turning around and talk loud—not only about him, but even about initiations about which you never talk, ‘cause they, initiations, change and take place in moments and what isn’t now is after 1/100 seconds, so how come people who should know better talk more?”
“Should I write to the party involved IK?”
“Not on your life Shamcher! He’ll be insulted, flapperty-gasted, ornery; besides, he’ll catch on all by hiss little self, I’ll get through to him, you see if I don’t!!!!”
So of course I disobeyed as usual.
The only Shamcher
Shamcher
February 20, [1968?]
My Dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti
Your letter to Dickinson was a dilly-dally, just what they need, whatever later may transpire. The letter to Sitara was good too. Yes, you are right, the things that have happened was in the Heavens long ago, indeed from eternity and Hazrat Inayat and I discussed it while he was still on this plane and I was charged with watching and amending, which requires carefulness, never to give general condemnation, above all to distinguish between the better and the best, the worser and the worst, and now, for instance a group is forming in Holland (first) around the people who want to admit all and any, and Vilayat is now as he always was among them, thus rising far above his uncles—who are now regretting in heaven, where they are finally in remote touch with Hazrat Inayat.
Fazal, Hidayat’s son, has been appointed head of the general (Musheraff) movement, as distinguished from Mahmoud, son of Maheboob, whom Ali Khan had appointed, so there is already quarrel between the dead uncles, out Fazal used to be close to Vilayat so something nicer may now develop. You are permitted to be free and outside it all but you are not permitted (under danger of unpleasant penalties) to criticize any of them, except when asked to, and least of all you are not permitted to mowl them all in one bowl and talk of “Lookit the family gamblers.” The family, for one thing, is still better than Witteveen, the former Dutch vice president.
A center here in your image with all religions included would be excellent and I shall lend my free hand as consultant and behind the scenes available-jones.
Wait a bit until eventually both here answer you. Sitara will invite you to stay here, she told me. The Dickinson I have not asked, will not until they may or may not consult me. I am sure they will be tickled to see you. I don’t know whether they dare request it lest it might be against their leaders (whom they don’t even know). They are afraid.
All the people talked about above have good intentions. Their trouble is just limitations.
The supreme creator-sustainer sends you his special and appreciative blessing, he informs me,
Shamcher
PS. Vilayat never answers letters, even to me whom he calls his best friend. This is bad enough but must not be confused with “rejection” or such.
Yes, Vilayat has written to “small ones” whom he thinks cannot catch his meditations, though even that so rarely that he has admitted to me his reluctance to write is a terrible mistake, his worst handicap. Your view of the various family members is correct as far as it goes but insufficient and irrelevant. Your tremendous power and light in your relation to your pupils is shadowed, somewhat, by your digressions into judgments. This earthly life, for teachers and saints, is not for judgments. But the “greatest” prophets have sinned here.
March 2, 1968
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti,
Sitara Dolphin seemed to deduct from your letter that you did not want to stay with her at all but in a hotel in Town.
I did not read your letter to her that way, but that you very much did want to stay with her over the weekend at least, and that, out of modesty, you would then go to a hotel. Please confirm, Sitara wants you to know, she will be very happy to have you over the weekend—and longer. It will be good for her in her present stage. It will be even better for you. You walk from her house half a mile to a bus that takes you to town (25 cents) in half an hour, or you take a taxi to town for 2.90.
Being a red-blooded American boy you know how to help and boost a 73 year old grand woman—do work for her, relieve her of her constant housekeeping a little bit, wash up after a meal, wash dishes with her or alone. This is exactly what Maheboob-Ali-Musheraff never did. They came to Vilayat’s overtired mother, sat by in arm chairs while she ran up and down to the basement lugging heavy coal boxes. This was young impressive Vilayat’s first impression of his conceited “Uncles.” They did not even have decent living habits, far less spirituality.
One of these science of mind groups has asked Sitara if you’d give them a talk. Why not? I do not know them. Get in touch with Sitara and find out and give her or them directly your answer. We will meet at Sitara and for the rest, phone me at Myrtle-2-2997. If you come out here I shall meet you with car at Bremerton where the ferry lands. Sitara has no car, does not drive.
Blessings from all
Shamcher
April 26, [1968?]
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad,
Thank you for letter. If we are to “make” Pakistan it is necessary that we both write. Do you want to come along later, if I go? Anyway, since you kindly has been toting this case, see what you can write to Shams in support of my letter and the information it supplies. I like better to be supported in style by government provided housing and transportation than having a “salary” that would only create the envy of all under it, contempt from all above it. It is the damned “civil service” system, the most idiotic invention, praised by all the idiots, fostering unemployment and waste.
In 1956 I worked, as the first with two others at UCLA on the osmosis system that Glenn Haver seems to claim as his “Inventions.” If there are any inventors in the scheme it is Dr. Gelarl Hassler of UCLA, Professor McCutchan and Loeb of UCLA and that Indian engineer. The spotty additions of Havers may or may not prove of value. The figures he quotes were already realized by UCLA. Aerojet has branched off into another version of it and is building a 1000 gallon per day plant. But nothing is yet set for large scale production of this type of plant. It is not ready even for practical discussion. A more premising method is Capillary Electro-Osmosis.
Your letter to Kuchel is very good and interesting, notwithstanding above orientation.
Thanks and blessings,
Shamcher
PS. Tunisia, Norway, Burns and Roe in New York, Philip E. Day in Los Angeles are crowding me and some of these took a year to finally come up with at least a suggestion. How long will Pakistan take? Can it possibly come before I have to make up my mind about any of the other offers? Pakistan is the only place where one could have free sailing with a Sufi philosophy and contribute to the explosive contribution—cultural, spiritual contribution, of a great nation.
May 8, 1968
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti El Ghazali Samuel Lewis,
You are quite right, as you surmise in one of your letter copies, that the immediate sending of Asia-minded people came to naught, temporarily, with the peace negotiations, and when we replied that now it was more necessary than ever, in order to make these talks real peace talks—well who’d expect the desired reaction to that? Only pumpkins.
But now another matter: You know there is an old guard. You are commandeered to join, not because we need you but because you need us and the privilege. The old guard, you know, is a select group of Hazrat Inayat Initiates who never debase themselves to any position (and although you have some position, you are selected anyway) and who have tried to educate all the pretenders, telling them they are less than dust but together they may achieve a little bit—well now we have thoroughly shaken up Vilayat and Fazal and brought to the surface their boiling. (Incidentally I talked to Fazal for many years on Sunday and initiated him, though I never do that with anybody and initiated him, though I never do that with anybody and, for that matter he does not know it.) (Ah, and yes: Fazal is a wonderful youngster, his gramp Hazrat Inayat overshadowed him before & during birth—what the ignorant peasants term stupidly “reincarnation.”) But they are not going to see each other so now the old guard may finally come forward and take a hand and leave all the others holding hand and holding on to our pants:
We are (and I don’t yet know how many) forming a loosely knit group with no president, no hierarchy, no order-giving persons, naming it “A twentieth century message” or “The Message” or something like that and all and every person who wants to is ours and is in and can never be let out. Vilayat with his flock, Fazal with his flock, Idries Shah with his bold warriors, The Emperor of Japan and Radnan Krishna, all are in our fold whether they know it or want it or not, and the great past saints. The only “official” will be a mail dispenser and typist Madame Madlon Andre De La Porte in Hilversum, Holland, who recently was asked a question by Vilayat and answered this question—according to the above. We will make no claim to be Sufis or any other determination (for Sufi has now become a denomination as you say also) we are Buddhists, Zens, Hindus, Christians and we are non-Buddhists, non-Zens, non-Christians, non-Muslims. We are all and we are none. And Fazal and Vilayat made this last fine move possible and necessary by their wonderful, stubborn little minds, bless them all. (And your brother Reps, if he is there. Of course, he’ll have no say. An old guard can say all he wants but he never expects to be heard, paid attention to, or that his advice will be followed. Words are junk. He is above them.) And remember that, as Sufi you may blaze the Sufi hierarchy but as an old guard pro you may not, not not. Hallelujah, and love.
Shamcher
PS. When writing me letters use Shamcher, not “beloved one of God” for I already do love myself, and besides, then I have to go back searching your mind (and there is such a mess in there) finding whom you mean.
PS 2. Don’t give away your money you blooming hypocrite, save it for publication of papers in your keep.
May 13, 1968
My dear Shamcher:
Your letter of 8th arrived and has me roaring all over the place. I am not giving money away. There are disciples, growing in number and prowess. Two are establishing a print shop. They want to do just what you say without it costing this person a cent.
Paul Reps wants to establish a “School.” I don’t know what he means because “schools” are being a established and they seek Sam, not he them. And this morning the chief disciple of Lama Govinda who is also a Sufi in the Mevlevi School asked Sam to take the leadership. Last night a very wealthy man was here some of whose followers are disciples and some applicants. I don’t know that to do and certainly can accept, even follow advise.
Now cultural adviser of three distinct Asian summit gatherings one also has to prepare a disciple to go to Asia. One does not exclude anybody here. On the 26th Wesak Day is to be celebrated and Sam will not be on the platform. Sam was initiated in the top rank by the Grand Master of Korea and may on this occasion wear a robe but one prefers usually the anonymity of the late Nyogen Senzaki.
We are teaching mystical and occult sciences here as fast as possible—the way of the Eye, the way of Breath, the Way of Heart. We use both Silence and the mysticism of sound. Love is an all-enveloping enclosure.
Reps is a master of non-words. Sam uses words or non-words, either, neither or both according to the impressions on the audience. There seems to be a way to solve all the problems of the young. The techniques of Inayat Khan are marvelous. Of course one does not know who else has them but they work; before God they work and if we don’t want God they work.
What I had hoped for was the teaching as Hazrat Inayat Khan gave, but now that I have his Ryazat one doesn’t need the papers. They will go into to Universal School and also to my God-daughter. I may write a letter to Fazal. One hopes someday “humility” will go and curiosity will come. This will be a great day for humanity.
Faithfully,
Sam
May 20, [1968?]
My dear S.A. Murshid Chisti
Thank you for your letter. Any day now I may fly, so please give me the address of the sheik in Tunisia and, if possible, write and tell him I will be with the UN in Tunisia (they have an address in the capital Tunis), probably in June, certainly in July.
I am going to Egypt after that.
And provide any other instruction you may fancy,
Alaiekum Salaam, oh Great One,
Yes, I know Reiser, saw him in Pittsburg, enormously interesting. Glad to hear about Oppenheimer.
Shamcher
PS. It may not be possible for me, a UN neutral, to contact any religious or worldly leader, but they can contact me.
27 May 1968
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti,
Sitara may come to SF to meet a doctor Sanders from Mississippi, our greatest herbal expert, who may wish to produce her eye drops. She would like very much to stay with you during the 2-3 days she is there. This would, apart from renewed acquaintance with Sitara, also acquaint you with this exquisite Southern Doctor and him with you. Who knows, he may take spiritual values to our Deep South from that or those meetings. Also for Sitara it would be a great thing to witness your disciples and meetings. You have a bedroom haven’t you? Perhaps even one for Dr. Sanders? Or , if not, perhaps one of your disciples or friends could take it on? In that case, Sitara is ready to pay for room and board. In any case, a private arrangement like that is a thousand times more profitable, in resulting friendships, business and spiritual values.
It is not quite settled yet whether the meeting between Sanders and Sitara will be in San Francisco or Seattle.
But let us hear from you at your early convenience,
Love and blessings,
Shamcher
11 June 1968
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti Samuel GhaZaliCabala,
The arrival of the huckleberry tea lady appears to have been somewhat delayed by Dr. Sanders claiming his busiest time of the year is just now so he pleads for a bit of postponement. Vilayat schedule is: Arrive here 5 July, talks that same evening and wouldn’t be surprised if he plans to visit you just before that (after my many urgent appeals, saying it would be good for you as well as he, and it would!) for he suddenly postponed arrival here from 29 June to 5 July.
Yes, the young are fine. In L.A. I had the whole 11000 students at the UCLA as disciples, they filled the largest halls when I spoke and Indian students, particularly, came up and said they had never, even in India, heard such exquisite representations of Sufism as by me and more: Not a “forcing” word or term but I managed, they said, to describe all the finesses in the simplest English terms. Here in Silverdale I have gone a step younger and concentrated on the High School kids, and soon a group of them will direct an appeal to the Ford Foundation for an experimental school with all the services of spiritual awakening and the curriculum being largely chosen by the young themselves—each one for his own line. My name is as deeply hidden as it should be.
But my dear Sufi Ghazali: Don’t knock the old in years, you blimpering idiot: I know of a 72 year old man in San Francisco who is no failure, almost as good as yourself: Yes, come to think of it, is yourself, not to speak of the great geniuses in the Seattle areas … so, be ready to see Vilayat any time between June 17 (his last lecture in the South) and July 3.
Blessings and Love
Shamcher
PS. You write about self-realization—old man Yogananda. Have you ever heard his mantras You should! I played them for high school kids here and Bryn and Daphne. They listened hushed then said: He; Yogananda, had it straight what the Beatles and Rolling Stones and iron butterfly have mixed up with non-essentials. Yes, Yogananda in his words (who cares for words!) has superstitions like all of us, but his mantras shows that no has something end that’s all you should care about.
June 17, 1968
My dear Ahmed Murad Chisti’O Cheleby
Yes, the idea was that you might stay on in SF through 5th, and after that come or go wherever spirit moves, for if Vilayat comes it would be between now and then.
As to Seattle, Vilayat has been invited to stay at Sitara’s 5-7 and if you come within that time Sitara won’t have room but any time after. However if Vilayat does not stop in SF and you wish to see him you could do so by coming to Seattle 5th. I don’t know yet if he’ll stay until 7th or go to Cleveland the 6th.
Welcome,
Shamcher
July 3, 1968
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti Samuel,
Your letters about Vilayat visits and your oven reaction please me no end. The success of Vilayat with your crowd, you own superior removing yourself into the background, as do all the great when the time comes for the shows. Actually, of course, as a man grows he has fewer who can keep pace until he is virtually alone and he looks with mild smiles at his strivings and great “successes” of the past, and hurries to provide successes for others ready in line. So Murshid (Pir Inayat) said to me when he left for India and the passing over in 1926: “Shamcher, now Murshid has no more interest.” And I see more and more and more in those few strange words. But the earth might still benefit if you stay on till you are 119.
Blessings,
Shamcher
July 30, 1968
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti
Your position is unique and expanding and most important. In the school you are the king pin. Beyond the area assigned to you for initial convenience your influence spread through the nation and the world. And as far as the Seattle area is concerned, start anything you want, at any time, just write and tell me. Vilayat talked to me about positions, sublime initiations, which he said I had anyway and that is right enough but my particular mission and life patterns make is necessary for me at this time to accept no position. I am just a consultant and a performer and trainer in any Sufi activity except initiations, which I do not perform. Vilayat seemed a bit taken aback at that but I think I managed to convey to him my great respect for him and his mission, which is, like yours, to perform initiations and accept titles.
You two, Vilayat and you, are destined to work together, without ever speculating who is highest or wisest but realize that each one is wisest in his ways.
When we meet we may talk about hierarchies—in different organizations and traditions. It is a subtle matter.
My deep and humble aleikhum salaams to a great soul and God’s worker in the vineyard, and my apologies that I am just what I am, and not even that for tomorrow I am not that but something else, and so on for moments but no more
Shamcher
August 12, 1968
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti,
Ah yes, it is good and natural that Sam should love with all the love that dormes in the beloved and more—did not Krishna love and even seduce the 16000 milkmaids? (This is suggestive of more: during his million yes years of a reincarnating soul (but beware now) he drew these souls to him through love and seduction) and did not Buddha respond to the street girl who shouted that she loved him so and would he not come to her embrace—he responded that yes, in good time. And his disciples were horrified, but later when this girl was sick and repulsive and about to die Buddha came and embraced her, unafraid of her diseases, and so Jesus entered into loving conservation with a girl shouting after him, when his disciples warned him to get rid of her.
Yes, I also fall in love, many times a day, and this love is greater now, in maturity when free of the young’s urge and feel of duty to go farther than one should. The love lives in the heart and grows without physical deterioration.
Love,
Shamcher
Thank you for Vilayat’s Ryazat. Good.
September 11, 1968
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti,
That letter to Cecil Gibbings was a lulu. Have you sent a copy to Vilayat? If not I’ll send him mine. Also, I am going to coax old Cecil to take your letter into his magazine, tell him that is the style now, it is wonderful for reader-identification, he’ll have a big leap up in circulation and we all would love to see him do such a generous thing and he can always come back with the last word and I’ll send him a little contribution with the request which should get him over the last hurdle,
Love
Shamcher
September 19, 1968
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti,
A slight impatience on your part was noticed over our so much attention to
your letter to
Gibbings, but it is inspirational and most important for the possible freeing
of some of the captives in the movement and as you know, there is more joy in
Heaven over one sinner turned upward than a hundred who don’t need it.
So, please, if you have another copy of that letter let me have it to show it to Dickinson and Steve Hall, two pillars of the Fazal society—on Sitar’s recommendation, she too was enthused about your letter.
I have sent my copy to Vilayat with comments. Also I have written a villainous letter to Gibbings, first half lauding him for his great work (and including a contribution) last half telling him of the great publicity your letter will have here in the US (not telling him this will be due to my efforts) so if he wishes to remain ahead he better immediately take the letter in his own magazine, with whatever comments he wishes, otherwise it will come to him from the outside, and hart. Also mentioning this is now the style in the US and, very successful.
Love
The only and magnificent
Shamcher
September 25, 1968
Bryn Beorse
Box 142
Keyport Washington 98345
My dear brother:
Ancient Tales and This Cybernetic Age
It is Wednesday afternoon. Within 2 hours we shall be in Marin County. Sam will show your letter and a carbon of this to 2 different disciples.
One has had a small print shop in Bolinas in Marin County; he is now moving along with others to Novato, in another part of Marin County. I understand he has been successful in obtaining a loan from relatives to establish a suitable print shop. I do not know its capacity, but will show him your letter, The name of this disciple is Hassan Herz.
Another disciple is Philip Davenport. He is now on the Board of Directors of a much expanded Oracle Publishing Co. I do not know its capacity, but I do know Philip and am very certain he would be most interested in knowing about you, your dramatic history, and your various spiritual, economic, historical and other exploits. The very situations of the moment impel taking up your inquiry immediately. I shall report again as soon as possible.
Two mureeds have left for India to attend the conference of the real spiritual and religious leaders of the real world. This will take place in Darjeeling in India in a few weeks.
The disciples were delighted to meet Sheikha Bhakti and also, she was delighted with them.
With all love and blessings,
Sam
410 Precita
San Francisco, Calif. 94110
September 28, 1968
My Dear Shamcher:
Evidentially God wishes me to give full cooperation in your efforts to get manuscripts published. I have just received a very beautiful letter from Prof. K.T. Merchant. His guru, so to speak, has been the nonagenarian, A.P. Wadia, whom I have long considered to be India’s greatest economist. Besides his work in this field, Wadia has been one of the greatest philosophers of his day—he is somewhat older than the famous Dr. Radhakrishnan.
If we go into details, there are many similarities between the outlooks and experiences of Professors Merchant and Wadia on the one hand, and yourself on the other. So taking this as a sign, I have written to my disciple, Ruth Wintheil c/o Auger, 71 Washington Place, N.Y., N.Y. and enclose carbon herewith.
You will also find enclosed carbon to a longtime friend here in San Francisco. I think these materials will give you the gist of the news.
Love and Blessings,
Sam
September 29, 1968
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti Samuel L. Lewis,
Thank you so very much for your prompt contact with your two publishers. The printer, Hassan, obviously could print for the publisher, Phillip. Under present circumstances Phillip would be the one to contact first from my part, for although he has “programs” so has every publisher and, like every publishers, such programs adapt, or even change, adapt to a great work appearing, even sometimes changes because of it.
Great work? How could I be capable of that who have only produced 8 books so far, published, and only two of them sold well….
Yes, great because this one was not of me, just by me. Yogis, Sufis and nondescriptives entered my little mind, small as it is and gave advice for the centuries, and lucky the publisher who gets it, for translating and publishing in 69 languages(first, later more) and “two copies in every home” as Roosevelt so pungently put it.
And of course, your Phillip must see the whole thing, not a sample chapter, that is flip-flap nonsense that some publishers ascend to.
So now only one thing remains: Phillip’s full name and address. This is important. The publishing house’s address, perhaps rather (Oracle?) with “Attention: Phillip “ There is too much to risk by not sending the MS registered, insured, to the deciding publisher. I once sent an MG to “Determined Productions” a publisher in San Francisco, who simply wrote he never receive it. 10 months later he found it in his heap. It isn’t I’ll will, just that so many people are involved in a publishing reading. That story I sent “Kumbha Mela” is now with an enthusiastic New York Agent and may some may also become a piece of Oracle if we find each other, though the agent tells me of keen interest in various places. Incidentally, if you have any information on Oracle’s past volumes and history, please tell, but don’t ask Phillip now for any publisher resents an author’s questions about his House. Just please send me the full address (with zip code) of both Oracle, Phillip and Hassan.
Your fine letter of Gibbings I’d like to comment on later.
Blessings, love
Shamcher
October 1, 1968
My dear Shamcher Bryn Beorse:
I am answering your letter of the 29th became it is in the stream. Sam is fortunate enough to find time to sleep—nothing wrong but too, too much going on. Two weddings in the next two weeks on top of a very fully program—these are the least.
The disciples are moving from Bolinas to
910 Railroad Ave., Novato, Calif.
which will be the Khankah. This does not give the area code. Hassan is one of those getting married, too.
Phillip Davenport has no particularly mailing address. His registered address!
Regal Ark, Boardwalk, Larkspur, Calif.
I do not have the zip code either.
He comes to this house at least twice a week and I go to Larkspur at least once a week so we see a great deal of each other. He also works on projects at San Francisco State College. And without notification he has arranged a big meeting for me for Thursday night, the subject being “Sufi Philosophy.”
It is interesting that it should be on this campus which is the home-office for Dr. Hayakawa who has rejected every paper I have ever written for him, including those he requested. He has made a multitude of enemies including all the principals and associates of Phillip and they are anxious also to present a much purer “Semantics,” one allied to life and science and not to private cultism.
In addition Phillip has already arranged that the next issue of “The Oracle” will be devoted more fully to Sufism. Last issue had the Invocation and “The Purity of Life.” The reactions must have been good to warrant such a procedure. Or as Hazrat Inayat Khan said, “The Message is in the sphere. If I had not brought it somebody else would have.” This is becoming objectively true.
My disciples are also off now for the big session at Darjeeling where they have been instructed to work with Vilayat and Prof. Nasr.
Hassan has published Sam’s “The Rejected Avatar.” I hope to meet his parents at the wedding and they may be convinced to joining in his efforts to expand his facilities. Everything going on resulting in a too rapidly written letter.
Love and blessings,
Sam
October 1, 1968
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti Samuel,
Thank you very much for your introduction to Ruth who is publisher- connected. Now that I am introduced please give me her address so I can search my mind and find what to write her. She will expect that if I know her right.
Also thank you for telling me Phillip or Hassan are not ready, so I may not write them or later might write a note that might introduce some of my sensational gists for later contact.
Ruth sounds very good, at this point.
Here is another letter from Gibbings. Why, that man is getting nervous now, feeling no doubt that after all, it is Sam who has the goods, and maybe is reachable through Sam’s Aaron, Shamcher.
And this brings me to another matter: As a consultant on the lowly matter on public relations of which I know nothing, really, your six interviews were not great because they were six (for some had 150) but because they were a mystic’s talk to another mystic, after the first mystic had spent almost a life time becoming frustrated by his own organization: But how can you explain that to the bums? Don’t even try!
Love and all
Shamcher
October 14, 1968
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti Samuel,
You may be the most important link both in the message transmitted by Hazrat Inayat and in the general spiritual state on this globe and that is hinted delicately in my Ancient Tales and this Cybernetic Age that now has gone to Phillip Davenport. Also, this book is intended to help those many who cannot, for various reasons, have a teacher close at hand at all times. These will increase tremendously in the years to come when “Millions” (in the words of Hazrat Ina Inayat to me when he left me in 1926, in September) will be joined.
Since I have also other books, some of which told you about, already with my agent in NY I would like to have the address of your friend Ruth whom you mentioned was associated with or acquainted with many publishers, and possibly a list of her vitae etc.
Love
Shamcher
And please tell when you change address to Novato and what it will be there (street No, Zip) and when that new address will be in effect.
By the way, the title may be discussed. If you have any proposal, shoot.
410 Precita Ave.,
San Francisco, Calif.
November 3, 1968
Mr. Shamcher B. Beorse
Box 142
Keyport, Wash. 98345
My dear Shamcher:
This looks very simple but it is most difficult to write. Among the papers seized by Mrs. Duce were the papers on “Zavaliat” which she thought Hazrat Inayat Khan wrote (while she returned to me the highest Ryazat assuming the opposite!) It is based on the teaching that sooner or later we receive the rewards or punishments for our deeds, in the “autumn of our lives” so to speak.
It is very difficult to get some people to understand what is happening when one enters mystical states of consciousness (hal singular; ahwal, plural) and yesterday a letter was received from Mrs. Suzanne D’Mitrieff, the general secretary for the United States, while one was teaching the class on spiritual dancing.
The work yesterday consisted of The Fire Walk; the receipt of blessings from the Murshid in the Dervish dance; the Whirl; the Dance of Love and Brotherhood, very mystical though it may appear otherwise; and certain miscellany. We ended by programming the pageant of The Sufi Symbol, the second lesson, with four men as wings, three women as hearts and a man and woman—who happen to be husband and wife, as star and crescent. It became clear that the men, as wings would make up-and-down therefore Jelal movements; while the women, as Heart, would probably walk in a circle or curvilinear, therefore Jemal movements.
At night it was revealed why God-Allah wishes Sam both in the capacity of Guru and Murshid to dance sometimes exclusively with the men, and sometimes exclusively with the women in Jelal and Jamal movements; and when they join in Kemal, Murshid-Guru dances alone. This incidentally produces a higher ecstasy.
“The Rejected Avatar” is now out on sale for $1.25. It is a commercial enterprise, the profits going to the Khankah. It gives the teachings of the Three Bodies (vide “The Soul Whence and Whither.”) All of these are used in the dances and must be effective because of the extreme gratitude shown by men and women mureeds alike. They are now experiencing “Joy without Drugs” and many positively and emphatically refuse to go back on drugs at any level.
One met this gratitude with a certain amount of shame. Pir-o-Murshid would have done anything to have this wonderful group of young people. The only way to repay debts and for his sufferings is to “offer” them to Pir Vilayat. As he is planning a camp for young people, and as even the majority of disciples here are between 22 and 28 it will be very easy to cooperate on any and all levels.
In the first interview in 1923 it became evident that Samuel would probably outlive any and all the then living mureeds. That is why he was kept at least three times as long as anybody else. The result was jealousy and envy and an inability to report excepting to the than living Khalifa. This interview was almost entirely on the need to present mysticism to the intellectuals. It was rejected all over.
Vilayat spoke on “Dance of the Spheres” in the Mevlevi School. We did a preliminary at the Khankah for Gavin Arthur. But now it is clear we must go ahead and even accept some contributions from Gavin for Neptune and Uranus have been added to the “whirls” which belong to the pageant thereof. I have no time to argue about personalities and no time even to intellectualize on what they say. Inspirations are adopted and the worlds of heart are above all intellection.
Vilayat is expected early in the year and what is before me is not to get an audience, but does he want a mob! Paul Reps comes next week and we are going to overwhelm him. We had 200 people on his last appearance and there will be nothing do it, as he is speaking in Sausalito and therefore just between the San Francisco and Marin County groups. I do not know how far we shall present anything for Sam is in no position to take analytical criticisms. And there will undoubtedly be public lectures and appearances soon, too.
Sheyla and Dara from the Ranch at Novato are now with Vilayat. Sam has been very firm that they are to take suggestions from nobody else excepting to go to Anandashram in South India which was first recommended by Reps and which I think Vilayat also approves. There is so much seriousness behind the facade of love, joy and bliss now manifested.
But I am telling you all this because it brings together all the items of the 1923 long interview (rejected by the “good” people). It is quite obvious that the New Age will have the group manifesting as an individual entity. This is seen in Biology and I have suggested that Phil do saw biological studies with me. This also came out in the 1926 lectures by Hazrat Inayat Khan, now published where Sam was as amanuensis.
Also there is the need to go over the Dervish and Yoga dances with regarding the sciences of Electricity and Magnetism both in the Static and Dynamic forms. We establish poles and then whirl them. What are we doing? Therefore if you wish we shall send you drawing outlines.
Jack, the man who has planned to organize my effort and who is also a saltwater conversion engineer should be here by Wednesday. We may go over that. This semanticizes the whole subject of “Music of the Spheres.” One dare not look. This brings the transformatory experiences.
There is now a potential staff, needed so badly. Melvin is working on the poetry, absolutely prophetic and one can say with assurance that in the future generations Sam will rank far beyond any Nostradamus or Edgar Cayce, etc. I may have copies of the poetry sent to you, especially after “Saladin” is copied. Everybody proceeds wonderfully but much for a single person. This is much better than having the load and things not coming right.
Two meetings today.
Love and blessings,
Sam
The Garden of Inayat
910 Railroad Avenue
Novato, Calif. 94947
November 6, 1968
Mr. Shamcher B. Beorse
Box 142
Keyport, Washington 98345
Beloved One of God:
This is the first letter being dictated at the new Khankah. For some time Sam will have 2 homes and offices, both flanked by 2 wonderful male secretaries. It is, however, possible that the finance of one of my very beautiful women mureeds will arrive shortly; one of the purposes of this visit will be to systematize Sam’s efforts. It is only now after many years that some of the young people quite willingly examine Sam’s dharma, so to speak, which consists of considerably more items than older people can, or would, accept. “Let the dead bury the dead.”
The most important factor is the Invocation, “United with all the illuminated Souls, who form the embodiment of the Master, the spirit of Guidance.” There are 2 important items in the news from Vilayat: A. what he is doing; B. his immediate future plans.
It is quite evident that the spirit of his Blessed Father—and beyond that the Divine Spirit Itself is inspiring this much abused and underrated man. Among the leaders he is proving to be a leader. He has been successful in presenting the universal worship at top levels before top audiences—and I definitely mean top- not a simile or metaphor, but actuality.
We have not asked Vilayat his plans, but he intends to be in Novato at the turn of the year. There are 2 places here which can offer him asylum. We assume he knows what he is doing. Reports from all the seers seem to cooperate this. In any event we are furnishing the room reserved for worship or meditation until he gets here. This means we are very open to anything he might suggest. If I hear anything more, I shall try to keep you informed.
Sam is now receiving multitudes of dances, dance-forms, rituals, and pageants, faster than they can be recorded. However, the difference between a divine and ego-inspiration is that the divine inspiration or vision acts as if it were crystallized in the akasha. It does not change; it remains as if solid in vision.
We may perform a few of these items next Sunday night when we meet Mr. Paul Raps. But we do not intend either to interfere or impinge on his program. I find it very easy now to convince the young that there is a Living God (Ya Hayy). Indeed it is astonishingly easy—dissociate from religion and many can be won to the God Ideal without any effort whatsoever. I think this is one of the fundamental teachings of The Message.
There is a new issue of “Oracle.” There is a fine review of “The Rejected Avatar.” This publication also continues to use “Toward the One” etc. It is also probable that Sam will be given new opportunities in the near future, Inshallah.
The magnetic and other outcomes of these dances is to invigorate first Murshid (Sam), then the participants, and then the onlookers. At last one sees Hazrat Inayat Khan’s efforts of 1911 in objective form.
This letter will be mailed from Novato, and if there is more news will write later from San Francisco. Please keep your blessed family informed.
Love and Blessings,
Sam
Beorse
November 8, 1968
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti Samuel the Magnificent,
Yes, you are right, it is in your style and majesty not to accept or even know about collections, but your pupils and associates may collect to their hearts desire except that in their request (if any) for collections they must consent to your directions and not spout out about money as does Billy Graham.
Behind your back, the association may flourish with millions, but you personally must be so far away and above it that, should you choose to take steps that may not be approved by the association, you jauntily sail your own way and starve as did that great saint in India Inayat Khan told us about, who decided to worship Kali and all his pupils except one left him.
Have written to Davenport that first days of December I’d be pleased to have a decision for a third publisher would like to see book then. But I believe he will find an outlet. When you pass away there will be many well-suited teachers among your pupils but it must be realized none of them has the right to claim leadership of the association or you will have the same nonsense as with Inayat Khan’s movement. That is why in my book I prepare your crowd and any crowd to permit everyone to go his own way, teach himself, if he so wishes, and God has, at this age, made that possible, and in many instances preferable. Therefore warn against those who make claims to leadership and insight, as you do. You don’t make claims. You show reality. I encourage self-teaching in view of what will happen in the future. Inayat books, your books, my books, will be the guidance and Paul Rep’s books.
And I am bowing to a great saint and teacher, Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti,
Shamcher
November 13, 1968
My dear Shamcher:
S.A.M. greatly appreciates your letter of the 8th. Such letters have been received on rare occasions: two from women who were partly in love and rejected Sam spiritually and now have changed; the others from the very top Masters of the living world, whose very existence knocks the props out of all those metaphysical lecturers who talk in glib generalities about masters and saints and seers without naming them.
The other day before meeting Paul Reps Sam had two very delightful experiences. One was the manifestation of the love and affection between the mureeds for each other. It is not only that Murshid has now such love and affection (others have had that) but there has been success in promoting and manifesting “Love ye one another.” This bond is tremendous.
There are still some terrible clouds. The increase in the number of disciples and applicants, the need to give them more time, the slowness in getting work done, etc. has been vastly complicated. There was one disciple who took everything in her hands and constantly proclaimed. “All the problems have been solved. All is cared for.” This reduced the voluntary workers and while time went by the increase in duties with nothing looked after almost led to a breaking point.
The same has been repeated in Sam having received a series of long distance calls from a man this time who said he was prepared to become a disciple (he may marry a mureed shortly) and organize the work, etc. There have been plenty of long distance calls, plenty of flurry and the Murshid drawn deeply into unnecessary material affairs and the work-load increasing.
It is now a matter of health that one may have to withdraw; fortunately there are good mureeds. Take Phil Davenport, for example, with whom you have corresponded. Nothing wrong with him. But he is about to become a father and he has been caught pell-mell in all the dramas on the San Francisco State Campus, caught in the middle and unable to do anything amid warring factions. This is the real life which metaphysicians and Pollyannas refuse to look at. And Phil’s predicaments have necessarily involved others and we cannot help it. This is the scene of many upheavals and dramas.
The second delightful event was meeting Swami Swahananda. It is like two lovers. The nearest before was in going to Japan in meeting Roshi Furukawa, a tartar if there ever was one and yet our reunion, which simply could not be because all the Bigs said it could not, was of this nature. The people who lecture on Samadhi and never had had it simply confuse themselves and others. There are not “two” in the divine experience, and when this is translated down, there are not two either.
I am sending Paul Reps a copy of this for on top of everything we have to greet three very real “kings” of Orient, each coming here and expecting much from Sam and rightly. The first is the Grand Master of Korea. He regards Sam as a sort of Khalifa, and perhaps rightly.
The second is Vilayat and we simply cannot let Vilayat down. There is something here on the human level. Paul Reps has found neither love nor peace for one series of facts and reasons; Vilayat has not for quite a different series, he being in a sense a sainted martyr although he might object to this terminology, and Vilayat sees the Universe and Paul Reps writes, “Ask a Potato?”
The third is the President of the Ramakrishna Mission, Swami Ranganathananda Maharaj. I shall not relate stories here. I thrilled his disciple, the aforesaid Swami with living stories of a tremendous living human being. He must receive a treatment in my city as I received from him in New Delhi many times. “When two strong men are face to face though they come from the ends of the earth.”
It is this Love which Paul Reps has not found and which oozes verom everything Pir-o-Murshid Hazrat Inayat Khan gave. We have taken up the first few steps on The Ryazat of Hazrat Inayat Khan. But I am amazed at what is going on inside and to be able to put the Gathas into ritual, dance and present form, only Series I, what is going to happen when we come to series II and III? and some of the items in the literature?
By putting the Gathas into the dance it is possible to reach both teen-agers and children. The real Joy (Ananda) is generated and this more and more. Murshid Sam shows more vitality than even the strongest physical disciples when he gets into the hal, the mystical state.
Another big thing left to Vilayat is the official appointment of teachers here. I wish him to have as full leeway as he wants so it may be possible to travel, but this travelling will only be on projects with which he is acquainted unless my engineering friend comes to and does what he said over the phone. In that case you will be fully informed. There are too many editorials, too little acting.
Lord Snow has a very pessimistic report today. He does not mingle with the young. One disciples is now typing the cosmic poetry and himself is drawn into the mystical state. The one who would help with the scientific research is caught in his own complexities.
The great thing coming to actuality is that Love of which Sufis speak. We are having a party at Khyber Pass Restaurant Saturday. This is owned, and I think I have told you, by a man son of a Sufi and we meet brethren there occasionally. Even this party is a joint birthday, celebration of two of the finest disciples. It will be followed by a work party at the Khankah on Sunday. Now we have caught on with the young, more and more. And they know that it is necessary to have a Teacher or Guru or Murshid for advancement. Others offer words, words, words, plenty of them. These do not awaken the Heart which encloses the throne of God.
Love and blessings to everybody,
Sam
November 18, 1968
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti
Sitara is in the West Seattle Hospital (phone West 7 3200 ext. 104) for heart trouble, asked me to tell you all she can now remember are the prayers you gave her for passing over, and a prayer Vilayat gave her. She is very happy you phoned her (actually I think this idea came to her because I phoned, giving name Shamcher which nurse translated into Sam!)
Love
Shamcher
November 22, [1968?]
My dear SAM Murshid,
As you know, when I came through San Francisco June 17 and sought you, you were away but had Sufi-like anticipated my coming, and the hour of it, and had told your landlady to tell me to use your room for the night, in which I slept in the net of the Sufis and read your books and told Vilayat about your writings upon which he asked me to have some for his magazine. Absentmindedly perhaps, he asked me to ask you to send me some material which I would then forward, but why should you not send it directly?
I met several Sufis in Tunisia. They have a pretty bad time since anti-religious movement plus anti-mystic religion combine to attack them. But they survive. Al Alawi was a great memory. He is long or the subtler planes.
Greetings and devotions
Shamcher
November 26, [1968]
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti
Thank you for practice for Sitara. I have sent it her, seems clear enough, but asked her to write you if in doubt. Also sent her your splendid Saladin which I read with great pleasure and since it is not printed I think she should send it back to you so it may be printed, in oracle for example. From an ancient epic you wind into our modern world in a beautiful prophetic manner.
I have also sent $1.40 to Phillip Davenport for sending me your Rejected Avatar and have subscribed to Oracle which I found exciting and with splendid artwork.
Love
Shamcher
November 29, 1968
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti,
Promise to accept this news not as an added burden to your time and worry but as a relief; reprieve, holy gift, what have you: Shamcher, with most of his family is driving south, will be in SF 17th or 18th, evenings and Evelyn may type for you a day or two while Daphne and I go to Novato and see the place and then we are proceeding further south and coming back again to another 2 days in SF before moving North. (Dec 24-31)
We are not demanding guests for whom an akacia and an audience must be arranged. If the audience is there we may open our mouths to its tremendous advantage and if the audience is not there we shall talk to the birds who always listen, and the straying dogs who then stray no more, and the little children, and the oldsters who none more heed.
As you were prepared, when Sitara was expected, to house her, can your highly developed associates house us for a while, so we could pay with checks on our Silverdale state bank where so much of our loot is stashed? We like to pay for a profit to the hosts, as the hotels do, but feel so much better paying it to friends in spirit who accept our checks without murmur:
Hoping hear, love
Shamcher
910, Railroad live
Novato, Calif. 94947
November 30, 1968
My dear Shamcher:
This is a sort of, progress report. The basic there is “Neither can I be broken nor God, but the one who would break me, he is broken.”
There is no need to argue over this. It is coming true. The truth of God is Truth. The words of man may or may not be true, and these do not matter here. We gave special thanks to God (Saum) on Thanksgiving. We have a lot to be thankful for. The message of God is spreading far and wide. Man cannot stop it, nor have we any time for the foolish.
Several disciples are now working on your material. They regard you as “uncle.” But besides that, they are in intrinsic agreement with what you have written. It actually thrills those who have seen your manuscript. Sam is not going into either the business or intellectual facets of it, only to say that each and all are interested end went to help.
With the apparent rapid growth of “The Oracle,” backed by the slow but steady growth of the spreading of the message in all directions, we certainly have much to thankful for.
The continued growing interest in the dervish dances has been followed by a constant stream of new inspirations in the yoga dances. The heritages of Hazrat Inayat Khan and Ruth St. Dennis are now evident.
There is of course a deeper side to this. This comes out in the practices of Tasawwuri. These in term manifest in walks. While the Dance affects the group, the walk affects the individual, but the two go together.
I am pleased to report that Paul Reps is now cooperating and coalescing. Our next step is to integrate all these and other efforts for the return of Pir Vilayat Khan. Praise to Allah I can assure you progress is being made in every direction.
Love and Blessings
Sam
December 12, 1968
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti,
Thank you very much for your letter of 9th December with phone numbers and dance material promises for Daphne. We hope very much to see a dance too. Will there be any Monday? We may be reaching SF Sunday evening or possibly not before Monday forenoon and shall report when we arrive.
Yes, Evelyn is a Mureed and thus may be trusted with any material. In her present state she may later (not in the typing, which is always good) in her talk integrate a warbled version of whatever she has written. This is never understandable to the minds of the innocent so it does not matter.
Looking forward to seeing you-all
Shamcher
[December 1968]
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti
You know, man comes around, he is a professor of Hypertension, a PhD of
sniffles, or a Murshid. The latter of course may be much wiser and less limited
but nevertheless, to the unwary citizen, it is a limitation upwards, downwards
and at both sides. He (The citizen, not the Murshid) feels uncomfortable, or
hilariously comfortable (thinking he’s made it) is out of his kilter and
uninterruptable.
You yourself call yourself Sufi Ahmed Murad. Even so, I know it is meant as a compliment from your side (calling me M) and thank you for that, but please never repeat, for my air, especially to the unwary, shall always be that of the limitless. I am nothing, absolutely nothing except of course, Allah, God which is all there is but even that name is suspect to some, so: Nothing. Haven’t I suffered for 50 years being an engineer? Shamcher is all right for the time being, for the few, for it signifies a function, not a “rank,” not an accomplishment. I have never and will never have any rank, any accomplishment. I am shaking the world. You cannot shake the world if you have a title.
It is a privilege to watch your progress with the young of the great City. Now that you also have Sheikha Bhakti under your wing you may obtain a copy of all her many papers—not for me but for your collection at your place, which is a very, very important collection point and which I hope you will fill to the assigned limit. Thereby dear Sheikha Bhakti will make amends for her sins in Cleveland and after. And I know you have the skill and cunning to get it from her, by appealing to her compassion for the young of San Fran—and that your own high discrimination will see to it nothing unfrozen reaches whomever shall not have it (this what she has been so afraid of and of course where she is so wrong. Secrecy takes care of itself. “Those who are not supposed to know will not know even if they stare at that “secret paper” all forenoon and the rest of the night)
And a happy Christmas to you, like all other happy days and you are one, thank God, who does not need a Christmas card!!
Bless bless, son and father of God
Shamcher
December 24, 1968
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti Samuel L. Lewis
My visit with you-all confirmed and illuminated further your wonderful work and the unique relationship between you-all, all being teachers and pupils and friends at the same time, the age-old pattern of true mystics. I would so much have liked to stop over on my way North and watch more of your dancing, the dervish variety, but this time it was not granted, since a father lives for his children and Bryn had to get right up for some paid work he had promised to do. We arrived safely after a hazardous snow fighting, being just a step ahead of a storm that would have delayed us long and perhaps torn us apart if we had dallied.
I suggested to the people of the Kanaka to gun for the ranch in a general mystic way, gradually endearing and introducing and in living themselves, and if some of the present ranch residents may resent such intrusion and the way of life following it, and quit, no bother, for they may not deserve such a fine physical house, a peach, lasting, of substantial materials, rather fire-proof and with beautiful surroundings.
Love to all,
Shamcher
Garden of Inayat
910 Railroad Ave.
Novato, Cal. 94947
January 9, 1969
My Dear Shamcher,
I feel so encouraged today, a report is in order. On the purely personal side, I was ready to put my foot down, and hard. Apparently this was not necessary. A sort of climax was reached when at the Vilayat meeting—totally unadvertised—over eighty people showed up. There was not only no collection, but not a single disciple tried to stop total strangers from invading private potions of the house and eating my food. Last night the first serious attempt at collecting was more than amply rewarded. I am not demanding from disciples but when they can spend money elsewhere (a.) and do not defend their Murshid’s possessions something has to be changed. The mere attempt to be firm has been successful.
Vilayat’s whirlwind visit has been followed by what I should call most interesting reactions. there is a flurry here in Novato at the place he hopes to make his headquarters. I have no details and perhaps it does not matter.
The poll in the audience of who wanted to join Vilayat in his mountain climbing plans for next June showed that the majority of those in attendance wished that. Our first step will be to get one of our station wagons ready for six or more people. The fact that several of the disciples are already engaged in mountain climbing, that several of these have shown prowess in both the Dance and Walks makes it very easy to cooperate in this as well as in other plans of Vilayat.
Mansur, the esoteric secretary, tape recorded the remarks of the other night. These remarks are already being shared and I have requested a copy for you at such a time as it may be available. But Mansur has already left for Los Angeles with his tape recorder and intends to stay long enough to use it at several of Vilayat’s gatherings. He will be joined by several of my Mureeds. This means of course that you would also be furnished with a copy when it is available.
But Samuel is most delighted in the way Vilayat is putting his cards on the table. Last night’s lesson was arranged so we can coordinate our efforts.
Steps were also taken to welcome Swami Ranganathananda Maharaj. The Indian students of Indian philosophy have been far more cordial than the various German, English and American “experts” on this subject. I think much more will happen and favorably happen in this year, God willing.
Evidently Vilayat may not be going your way. I am sorry for Sitara’s sake. Dickinson is making a flurry all over the world with his money. It is the same old Kurukshetra, but thank God we have Sri Krishna.
Love and Blessings,
Samuel
Thank you for your good letter of 17 January and the query which please find enclosed, filled in. The questions are wisely formulated and well composed.
I’m sure you see the difference between registering already experienced phenomena and working out a program in a laboratory, as you hint at the end. It will probably be done and can’t be avoided, but entails such side-effects as nervous and distorted efforts by people who feel obliged to produce, therefore produce less genuine and less “normal” patterns. Also all kinds of physical and mental defects may follow, even deadly ones. Personally I would not be liable to all this, I would just be hamstrung by a feeling that you don’t go out of your body just for the sake of going out, showing “that it can be done.” You go out when you have a valid purpose. Isn’t scientific research a valid purpose? To some it would probably seem so and by all means let them try! To others it would seem that the general mood is not yet right. Too much vain curiosity, too little serious intent.
In a sense, when a person thinks about a distant scene, he is there. He is out of his body, or part of him is. In the scene I describes a much more essential part is going out. There are all kinds of degree in this game. To me it seems a serious game, even more serious than present day lab research (and of that I have done say bit at the UC). Somehow I would like to be part of running such a show, to help avoid mistakes. I would not like to be one of the guinea pigs this is too easy—for me and at the same time to difficult. I wouldn’t play.
Greetings,
Bryn Beorse
February 9, [1969?]
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti,
This is the day after Hazrat Inayat’s passing anniversary. Thank you for letters about your activity, most interesting. A research foundation is secretly delving into “going out of your body” phenomena and I told them about a long-ago experience when my life was saved that way. They responded with a fifteen page long questionnaire, which I filled in accompanied by the enclosed warning letter. I am sure you agree.
Love
Shamcher
Bryn Jr. is angry with McCoy’s people for having carelessly caused a fire that became the cause of the Novato fire chief’s death. Daphne takes the opposite stand that it is not the fault of the McCoy hippies. Channels McCoy’s energy and cabbage to useful purposes anyway?
February 14, 1969
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti
When I read about Playboy interviewing you, I sent Daphne to buy a copy (with an request to the drug store to let her buy it, though a miner, because her father wanted it). The man or woman who writes is confused even about his (her) on stand, quotes you rather correctly at times so valuable things come out in spite of all and the writer, as well as most readers, while trying to laugh derisively, do this with a nervous twitch “Hum, maybe this is the thing anyhow, maybe I am just a hell-bound idiot, maybe I should go there, become part if it.”
So, if this article had been about you only, with a picture of you, it might have been quite a good thing. Now it is in an awful mix or devil worshipers and witches, but even so, well, you never can tell. But wait until my book sweeps the world—it has been much changed thanks to silent communications from many of your chelas and yourself during my Christmas visit. Now it is ten times better.
Love
Shamcher
910 Railroad Ave.
Novato, Calif. 94947
February 14, 1969
My dear Shamcher:
Playboy March 1969 is now on the stands. There is an article in it called “Cultsville U.S.A. Sam is mentioned and how! Indeed there is some question whether we should praise them, sue them or ask for publication of a partial corrective?
Although some of the remarks about Sam and his audience are definitely slanderous, this is not true of the general report or of all the tenor of the article. What is missed and missed entirely is that Sufism is neither a cult nor a California movement. Its connections in other lands are for the reader and for this particular writer non-existent. It ignores international connections or international importance.
I am much more concerned with the implications. If a copy of this should get into Iraq, there might not only be more outbreaks against Jews but oven against the American embassy. I have been through all this before. I do not know, with the new administration, where there will be any change in the psychological policy of ignoring reports and information from citizens. This attitude is well- known almost everywhere else in the world.
This article comes at a time when our work is expanding. We are about ready to leave for the Haight-Ashbury district. The first meeting went over very well. It is the young who form the audience, not Sam, who desire more meetings. They feel that Sam is honest and direct, not necessarily right, but honest and direct. That is what they want.
Today I shall introduce some techniques. The basic techniques are found in scriptures—and ignored. However, in presenting them, I shall modify them with some Sufic changes. The young want participation. The young want to be shown, not told. This is a new age.
Love and Blessings,
Sam
February 17, 1969, night
My dear Shamcher:
Thank you for yours of the 14th. I am not taking any action yet, depending on advice from my colleague, Rev. Dr. Neville Warwick who is an old hand here. But you are right about confusion.
I am not going to laugh the thing off but take every advantage that Sufism is mentioned and I am slowly but definitely putting it into two men who are allies of each other, each a sort of intellectual Fuehrer.
One is Dr. Hayakawa involved in the San Francisco State controversy. He has turned down every paper Sam has ever sent him including those requested by himself and by his close associates. Now I find chiefly in Buddhist but also in Sufi sources plenty on the subject that “words are not things.” I am equally certain if I get such materials together they will now be accepted by the University of California.
There is no objection to Dr. Kaplan being a Jew (being of similar ancestry). But he has taken advantage of his position in Hawaii to have the East-West conference almost entirely dominated by Jews, regardless of the constitution of mankind. And with the delicate situations on all over this solves nothing.
Of course there is silent communication. We are now in touch with Phillip Kapleau. When his teacher, Roshi Yasutani was here, conversation was not needed at all.
As you can see in the letter to Finley Dunne I am busy all the time and no way out. But is this necessary? Rapid progress on my commentary on “The Inner Life” and I am also sending Dunne copies of two of my poems which were rejected. Tomorrow complete reading of one of them. I know what is going to happen. He is concerned with the “generation gap”; I am concerned with the between “realism” and Reality.
Yes, we shall wait for your book and also have a store in which to see it.
Love and blessings,
Sam
February 18, 1969
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti,
Brilliant! Phenomenal! Your idea of suing Playboy. You’d have 8-% of the American people behind you—this million-dollasr magazine erected on the ruins of women’s busts and now trying to appear literate! It is high time it is “busted” and its millions used for good purpose, so sue for “in view of the great international and domestic misunderstandings, even violence, killing that might well occur, as a humble dedication to this—the sum of ten million in damage—to be paid to Sufis and Hebrews and Christians around the world and to Sam….
There is first the total insult to Sufis, from whom stem the Hebrews, Christians and Moslem religion—actually all of these have been mortally insulted. And damaged. Then there is the term “Sam, an old Jew.” Now, the only sense in which Jew may scientifically be used is in regard to the Hebrew religion, a beautiful tolerant religion, father of the Christian religion that in its present expressions happens to be less tolerant, less wise than the Jewish one. But you were not at the time practicing the Hebrew tradition but the still older one, the Sufi tradition, the father of the Jewish, the grandfather of the Christian. So, the unlucky author must have used “Jew” in another sense, the Hitler and Nazi sense of a race in which sense it is an insult not only to the few individuals but to the millions who died in World War II for the cause of freeing man for outrageous idiocy. This, alone, is worth the five million of the suit.
Get some checks from people abroad, small ones, token ones, in addition to my initial one, then write Huston Smith at MIT, quote my letter if you wish, then with letter in hand from Huston Smith you approach the head of the legal department of the University of California and also get together with any scientist there of the same trend and subject as Huston Smith and consult from there. First of all discuss this in your group. You may have ten million to work out your plans with! Philip and Mansur should be in on this and not the least Marsha and her energetic and practical boyfriend.
Love
Shamcher
Before Dawn,
February 21, 1969
Mr. Shamcher Bryn Beorse
Box 142
Keyport, Washington 98345
My dear Shamcher:
The Spiritual Hierarchy, War and Sufi Ahmed Murad
I have again been aroused from sleep and “commanded” to write this to you and copies will be sent to Pir Vilayat, Vocha Fiske, Saladin Reps, Dr. Huston Smith and perhaps others. My esoteric secretary, Mansur Otis Johnson will be here sometime today and will make also suitable copies.
One must thank you for your contribution, and this long letter may be an “excuse” for not going into certain details. The possibilities of a dualistic approach to Playboy are still here but on talks with colleagues, for the moment the empty fact that Sufism is recognized at all is marvelous. One has been snubbed by the various British and German “experts” ???? on Sufism and prevented by them from even attending conferences and the pattern by an American who unfortunately is of Jewish ancestry becomes, in a sense, more important than any personality squabble. There is a great issue at stake about Divine Love, all- encompassing love.
There is no nonsense about Paulian “I die daily.” Every day brings adventure, often great adventure. I just had my first free day since Thanksgiving and do not know when I shall have one again. And again the strange elevation taking one beyond sleep. Besides there is going to be a seminar on mystical experience in April at the University of California. I am having Mansur Otis bring and also copy, “Real Mysticism vs. Pseudo-Mysticism.” There are among the unknown professors of the University of California at least two who accept the possibilities of valid mystical experience and not just book-wallahs or linguists who because they know a certain Asian language become ipso facto the ᾀ?experts” on all things connected with that culture. Bill Hathaway translates Russian scientific articles into English; this has made him neither an expert on Russian or any science. Prof. “Von Plotz” knows a little Sanskrit and Hindi; he becomes an “expert” on all things Asian! And he (an archetype not a man) prevents the true mystics from attending conferences. This is our “moral and spiritual” outlook??
The other day for the first time Sam heard an American of worth, Dr. Nottingham of Long Island U. speak on Vietnam from the Vietnamese point of view. When Sam said that Americans were unable to listen to Vietnamese several in the class said Americans have become unable to listen. This is certainly true of the local campus outbreaks—everything, everything but facts.
Ordinarily one might have let this go, but in a few hours a phone call from Prof. An The of the government school of languages asking Sam to come to Monterey to speak on “Zen” and the finding of a picture of General Edward Lansdale. One must explain.
In 1931 I was in Cleveland reading Efleki in French and was amazed that one’s own mystical experiences, practically rejected by this culture, were all in line with the Mevlevis. This did no good at the time but the reverse, the almost absolute acceptance by Asians of all kinds has placed one in a strange position. On arriving in Japan we took a taxi and stopped at Tsurumi monastery between Yokohama and Tokyo (Sojiji). My friend Okudo-san asked me how I felt. “Very strange.” “That is not strange. You are in a strange country.” “Oh, that is not the reason I feel strange. I feel strange because I do not feel strange. I feel strange because nothing is strange. I know everything that is going on. I know these trees, the ceremonies, the teachings, everything, everything but the language.”
About six weeks later we called at the monastery and had an interview with the Roshi. There were a number of notables, several translating. It was not necessary. As one stayed a while, one became aware of all seven planes of existence at once, the only time I have ever been so multiple-conscious. The longer together the easier the communication, and then he took me to a secret shrine (not the only secret or sacred shrine Sam has been brought to) and tried to explain the Universal Buddhism which I already knew and accepted. Let us call it the Supreme Dharma. I could not in previous years dare give it out but will refer to it shortly.
When Phillip Kapleau’s Pillars of Zen came out I got up and danced in utter joyous ecstasy. Mansur Otis is now corresponding with Kapleau. This strange “only in America” expertism which makes a personality important and experience unacceptable is going to come to an end. And I am also preparing today to “invade” Haight-Ashbury with further talks on “Real Mysticism versus Pseudo- Mysticism.”
Universal Buddhism. I am hopelessly bogged. When Grand Master Seo Kyung Bo came to the Soto Temple here (which has rejected absolutely and in toto my depth-experiences), I was the only one to greet him correctly. When he gave a number of us examinations in Mahayana, Sam came out #1 and has never been forgiven by the important people. I am now going to try to get the Grand Master some kind of affiliation with the University of California, Inshallah.
Later Dr. Thich Thien An came here and also Sam was the only one who knew the Universal Buddhism. And it was his associate, An The, who wants Sam to speak. Incidentally my colleague Eugene Wagner and I went out and saluted Lord Buddha in celebration of Parinirvana Day and having the writings of Nyogen Senzaki, we may have reason to do this again. But one cannot do everything, be everything.
In this city one has had almost the same kind of greeting from Master Seo, Dr. An, Princess Poon Diskul, Swami Ranganathananda Maharaj, Sidi El-Alawi and Rabbi Schlomo! All the same story, over and over and over.
General Edward Lansdale. During the War I did some pseudo-research for Colonel Harris of GII. He tested me and I passed and he, with his subaltern, Edward Lansdale had a laugh on me. But two years later when I wanted a release I had to go to Col. Harris and showed him my esoteric notebook with the precise predictions. Most of these notebooks were destroyed in a fire but a few poems, and some of the most important, are here. All predictions came through with a precision not found in any Edgar Cayce or Eileen Garrett or Nostradamus or Blake! And permission to read them has been refused and every attempt to have them published rejected. (Moral and spiritual!) But now I have just completed reading “What Christ! What Peace!” to about thirty young people, most not disciples.
When Col. Harris saw my notes and my explanations of the Sufi Hierarchy he accepted my position. The only other person was the then Captain Edward Lansdale. This man is now Lieutenant General of the U.S. Army and has been one of the tops in Vietnam. My letters to him were returned. But Allah is great, no doubt about it. I saw a “Lieutenant Edward Lansdale” living in Novato, where the Khankah is, and mentioned this to Mansur Otis. Then we found the picture which Lansdale gave me … he was my one war hero. So I am again going to find him and see whether an American who can get along with Vietnamese, etc. may help bring understanding.
One’s aeonic experiences were accepted by Pir-o-Murshid Hasan Sani Nizami, Swami Satchidananda in South India, Yusuf Wali in Cairo and by a number of Pirs of Sufi Orders in Pakistan.
I am nearly through writing the commentary on “The Inner Life” and will direct my secretaries to send them on. My secretaries for the most part get no pay so your small contribution helps. All office expenses are mine, but one secretary gets collections. The next job is
Shagaliat. There are a number of the greater Sufi sciences about which we do not have much material. The papers on Amaliat are written in such a way that the unworthy getting hold of them would not see their connection with the Amal practices. But I have a lot of Shagal material and they were to be incorporated into “The Complete Ryazat of Hazrat Inayat Khan.”
However before I could take the first step two disciples have had the Great Awakening. One of them is referred to in the article in Playboy. He happens to be the prizefighter whom I taught to walk up a steep hill full speed and he is an adept at it. But he has had the Awakening again and again and copy of this goes to Vilayat because I have at least two disciples worthy now to be Khalifs—one you have met, Moineddin.
When I was saying goodbye to Hasan Sani Nizami in 1956, he showed me where the Khankah of Nizam-ed-din Auliya was and where the Saint had practiced Shagal. I went and did likewise and my whole future opened up, especially about my trips to the Orient. As on my return, without practicing Shagal, I had even more awakenings in his presence (once a brother was with us too); I shall not go into details here excepting at the moment I am wearing the Robe, so often foreseen and later bestowed on Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti. Hard facts are the last thing the “experts” and metaphysical dabblers want to hear about. But even if I wished, long details of mystical experiences would be utterly time consuming. Only now the strange coincidents of Shagal and events; the strange coincidents of Vietnam complexes coming together make it physically impossible to carry on any controversy. I have hardly begun the work laid out by Hazrat Inayat Khan.
Walk and Dance. Here again it has been impossible to get a secretary. All the proposals of Vilayat are now objective fact. A disciple of Gavin came here this week—we had met several times—and wished instructions. I saw at once he is fit to learn the Astrological walks and Dervish twirls. The Meher Baba people were criticizing Sam for this work, then their “Master” died and they are all in an emotional tether. Everything their local leader did was in opposition to the teachings in “The Inner Life.” (Moral and Spiritual.)
I do not wish to come to a conclusion about Playboy. My brother is again threatening the Estate. The value of the principal has gone way out and we do not benefit much. If I join him the chances are of getting a further emolument, and with the above, I simply cannot do everything. There are now several fine applicants and it is also necessary to give Darshan, something nobody else seems capable of doing.
I am also disengaging from all claim-organizations who verbalize “Universal Religion,” etc. and exclude Sam. It is enough to work with Clive-Ross, the editor of “Studies in Comparative Religion.” He is my British counterpart and no nonsense. The work of his principals, Burckhardt, Schuon, Pallis, etc. is marvelous. They cross the boundaries between faith and faith in the cosmic experience.
Another time-consuming thing is that one is becoming a sort of “meta-psychiatrist.” More time in consultations and I find people simply do not know how to breathe.
Next I am having multigraphed a quotation from “The Awakening of Faith in Mahayana.” This proclaims that words are not the things they represent and is one of the many papers rejected by Dr. Hayakawa who is in the public eye now. He is a marvelous pretender. He rejected all my stuff on Zen too—he with a Japanese father—and accepted Huxley and Watts. Then he rejected them because they took psychedelics, on which he is a self-established “expert.”
I was placed on this study, “The Awakening of Faith” by the joint efforts of Dr. Kirby and Murshida Martin who were good friends (vide Senzaki and I.K.) That was the last thing Kirby did before he went away, later to become famous through Dr. Malalasekera. This is almost my favorite scripture and even now every re-reading produces more profound impressions.
I am also now giving Lord Buddha’s Jhanas in public with some Sufi additions. Vilayat has done that and I thoroughly approve. Besides, these work, and how, just as Lord Buddha taught. But not “Buddhists,” goodness no! We have bunches of them and they have nothing in common but the title, nothing. And they don’t recognize each other.
Sunday night, finding it impossible to give a Buddha Walk (only the meditative pose), out of it in deep meditation came the Avalokita walk and then the Kwan Yin walk—part of this already done with the Chinese. And yesterday the first elements of the Fudo walk. Although Fudo is said to be a Japanese rendition of Lord Shiva, so far my Shiva efforts to walk all end in dancing. The cosmic dance. I have enough followers now to bring out the shallowness of movements and cults that simply exclude me. And being unable to be with them as an equal, I shall have to do what I did with Dilip Koomar Roy, meet him as his superior! We have since been wonderful friends.
The folks here are reading Marie Corelli’s Romance of Two Worlds and see before them a man working on these two levels simultaneously. But at the Khankah one must work on all three places at once, actually. I shall see you get a copy of this material for it is down your line.
You can understand that Sam is always, always busy and it is now just about six o’clock, when the day begins.
Love and blessings,
Sufi Ahmed Murad-Chisti
February 28, 1969
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti
Thank you for comments on Inner Life. They are true, genuine, showing that you have the Inner Life. I shall show it to Sitars end perhaps others, perhaps Dickinson?
Love
Shamcher
March 3, 1969
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti,
Two things: 1) You remember Sitara was to meet a doc in SF for taking over her business. Didn’t work out, nor someone else, though a few years ago (when she didn’t want to sell) everybody wanted to take over, buy in. Usual. Anyway, here is a unique product that has saved eyes and skin from the most serious diseases (and this you are not permitted by the Food and Drug administration to say) and I was wondering if you have among your acquaintances someone appropriate. He should preferably be a doc or medic student or druggist or chemist with faith and some business acumen.
2) I showed Sitara article in Playboy. She said she would never have become a Sufi had she read that article first. She was greatly upset, agreed thoroughly with me you should sue. Now Sam, the current idea is: News media, the third estate, is sacrosanct! Never touch them! And that is why this third or this fourth estate has developed into an intolerable dictatorship and needs to be cut down to size. But it requires a tough guy to do it. And you are a tough guy! And you were presented with a good case on a silver platter. It is more than that: Deep religion, the deepest and most valuable man has—has been soiled and crushed and swung around in a nauseating dance offending, not merely California, not merely Americans—but Indians, Arabs, Jews, Chinese—are you going to stand for that, you who are now the gate through which these things were permitted to happen?
How long are we going to let mischievous, ignorant bastards play havoc with our greatest values? Forget your own feeling, irritation, shyness and think of the billions insulted, thrown out in the dark, deceived, confused and tortured!
And the Playboy? Just the sheet to hit! The worst of them all, and a prototype so many others now try to copy. Hit it, and hit it hard before it becomes a powerful prototype!
Such is the word from the incomparable, eternal, phenomenal
Shamcher
March 10, 1969
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti
It seems Sitara has dug out an old Sufi in Seattle who might do the eye drops if meanwhile you haven’t found someone better there.
In Belgium during World War II I was charged with some work and a messy-looking group of hungry nose-dripping civilians, growing from 200 to 1000 volunteered to serve, noses dripping, worn frizzled clothing hanging.
We established thought transference, as you know so much better. I hardly needed talking. A gesture with an arm put the mind reading to work. Soon I was free and without any work. The volunteers had taken over—everything!
When you write reps that “someone has urged suit but how we would I have time?”
My great friend, you don’t need a second, nor a worry. The only condition is that you feel there should be. Then, lackadaisically, you bring up the matter every time you meet with anyone. No one responds? Well, try again an and again and if still no response, forget. It wasn’t God’s will. But if one responds give the whole works to him! Delegate! That’s all. Wipe it out of your brain, your heart, your care. You know! Use my two letters to introduce it all to him. Nothing else required.
Love
Shamcher
March 14, 1969
My dear Shamcher:
I think a letter was received from you before left San Francisco. One has not been too well complicated, or caused by constant attention to many little details which prevent one from getting into the grand rhythms of accomplishment. The paper on the new spiritual-social outlook was not correctly mailed and now the few people who have seen it want it published.
I have not been too enthusiastic about “apocalyptic visions” because in part they come true and in part they produce enemies, even among friends. It is remarkable how metaphysical people are emotionalized and they will accept the dire predictions of strangers even if these do not come true and if they do not they merely change from one stranger to another.
Next to constant attention to details, there have been numerous battles. If one ascribes them to envy, jealousy, rivalry but at the same time many critics have a certain logic on their side, too. The hardest people to reach are those that verbalize “moral and spiritual” reform and who sermonize endlessly on karma. This week has seen the practical demise of a folk-hero from this region who, being outlandish, received much publicity. Sooner or later there has bound to be a private or public hassle between him and Vilayat. But the important people never take Allah into account; they do not even take karma into account.
Very gradually this man’s former followers are coming to Sam, a fact not necessarily gratifying but there is not room any more at my meetings. In Marin county one gets 70-80 persons without trying. And I understand in going back to San Francisco today there will be some effort to get the important “Straight Theater” for my meetings, especially dance teachings. The Dervish dances have gone ahead and I am assimilating items from Dervishes whom I could not possibly have met because the “experts” say so. But these “experts” are fast disappearing from the scene.
I expect to meet some of them next week when we celebrate five birthdates in four days, including Gavin. We are planning a big affair in Novato. Sam will cook and then M.C. the dance programs. Having now the position of strength I may even “madzub” some of these veddy important persons who are gradually receding.
I the midst of this the white flag went up from the associate of the very controversial Dr. S. I. Hayakawa. There is no use going into the past, but a good shove is all that is needed. As he has rejected Asian cultures in toto (despite his ancestry) he is learning the hard way, that “the enemy of my enemy is my friend.” I can assure you the enmity has all been on one side. And I am holding up for a few weeks the materiel which I have intended should go all around the Rand-McNally world which would not be confused with the social-newspaper “world.”
One of my young girl disciples has friends and relatives in the publishing business and I am taking up with her the possibility of marketing the writings both of Vocha Fiske and yourself. For the moment I cannot fulfill requests. And besides the once famous publication The Oracle is now entirely in the hands of disciples and friends. They want to publish several of my minor things which to them seem “exciting” enough. Sam’s predictions have come true with a much greater regularity than those of the emotional psychics or Edgar Cayce, etc.
Another thing that will interest you is the use of the Sufi symbol as an art form by my immediate disciples. Many of them are artists in some way or another.
There will be no problem of getting an entourage to join Vilayat this summer in Colorado. The money has been assured.
It is now Spring after a very, very wet “winter.” We expect to do a lot of planting next week and there are visions on the horizon of much more. Much more, Inshallah.
Love and blessings.
Sam
Novato
March 20, 1969
My dear Shamcher:
I know you have been a very good friend and that everything you say, do and plan is for the general good and also for my personal good. But I have to make some reports here so you can know what is going on. No matter how much is written the greater part is unwritten.
I do not know what is in a name. But I do know my name and character resemble, for better or worse that of Samuel Morse, the investor of the electrical telegraph. Derided, sneered at, impugned, etc. in the latter part of his life he brought law-suits against his detractors and won every one of them. I do not wish to bring law-suits, but if so, there are many others besides Playboy, and a bird in the hand is sometimes worth a flock in the bush.
Family Estate. While everything that I have written has been going on, the litigation about my father’s estate has continued, all the time without surcease. Of coulee Sam is a goat. Sam has always been a goat; it is not only a family institution it became a San Francisco institution and one should not be surprised that the same pattern find in the family took place in society at large. I am therefore writing a letter to you and copy is going to Lloyd Morain, about which more later.
My sticking to my last, more difficult in any case, but with all the dramas going on my income from the estate has doubled from $4500 to $9000 a year, without so far a single legal expense; and evidently I am not through. There is still a question, whether when my brother leaves, if he predeceases me, that I am either fairly well off, or from my point of view actually rich. I lost every single time from early manhood, everry single time by leaving things to “Allah,” or “fate,” or “goodness.” My batting average was zero. And when I went out and fought my batting average has been very high indeed. But this takes time and energy and it has not been convincing to those, friends and otherwise, who see the importance, or non-importance of missions.
My God-Children. This has been one of the most rewarding aspects of life. Of course the riders and sneezers will not even accept their existence, but my godson may come to Gavin Authur’s party tomorrow night. He will be around. He will meet his local “god-sister.” Nothing but blessings from this source.
But it is my Pakistani god-daughter who is most important. She won an international philosophical contact, first prize and became famous. The paper was written by this very ineligible person; I cannot even submit papers (until very recently), no-credentials! Now she has invited me to Harvard and Cornell, expenses to be paid, if there is time. Oh yes, same game only this time Sam is to be on the podium. In Asia on the podium, here, no credentials! (“only in America” style).
Hayakawa. If it were not for some telephone calls from Russell Joyner, an associate of Don Hayakawa and Lloyd Morain I would now be in a position to do some international blasting. Asians are simply not equals and this is one of the reasons—hidden by the press—of a certain group of student’s revolting.
The extreme unforgivable sin of having studied with Cassius Keyser and having been introduced by him to Count Korzybski still hangs over my head. Absolutely unforgivable. Unless now, under pressure Lloyd and Don I see a way out by jumping from “realism” to Reality! Every paper submitted has been rejected, over a long period of years. Every effort to speak has been met by value judgments and taunts. Never a solid, serious debate on any subject. It is long and horrible. And even the hard, hard fact that the University of Islamabad with which I am connected has put aside a sum for a chair on Semantics—I may have on file the copy of letter to Hayakawa, but hard, hard facts like this are no good. Privates simply cannot approach “Generals.”
The latest is that I began to uncover materials, on what AK calls the “unspeakable” in Buddhist literature. Nothing doing, the General says so. Than I have an excellent article on Buddhist logic from the Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society. And in going over their publication I found that not a single local “expert” on Asian culture, any kind is an FRS. Only this miserable peasant. And I have seen in Buddhist and other forms of Non-A Logics ways by which some problems may be solved.
As I told you before but the “Generals” refused absolutely and adamantly to consider, I had no trouble studying Einstein. Much more has come of this and I won’t repeat excepting that since a certain event on the Berkeley campus the doors are wide, wide open. And this is now true at New Mexico and Oregon. These people are amazed at the a priori rejections given in regard to the unknown values in certain kinds of Oriental culture.
This is Hayakawa’s Premise:
Everything value out of Asia is associated with religion.
Everything associated with religion is useless or passé.
Buddhist logic comes from Asia, it is associated with religion. Therefore it is useless.
He dared not contradict this. He cannot But on the other hand, looking at the multitude of his foes, I find little empathy. Nevertheless I must say that some of his foes and critics at least let one speak, he does not, has not and red not deny this.
I have now “ins” at both Temple and Penn in Philadelphia and have been considering visiting them and also Columbia. My visits at Columbia have been excellent, marred only by change of tenure and personnel. But my later contacts through Dr. Oliver Reiser show we are going to have real East-West cultural relations. I was placed in this field in 1923 and have been working incessantly.
Now the young come, every week more in my total audiences. I am planning a curry dinner for at least a hundred. We have five joint birthdays, including Gavin Arthur’s. This morning Mansur and others of my “family” are at the meeting of “The Oracle,” a local publication now in my hands. They should accept anything I write and especially on what used to be called “semantics” before it became, as it is now, a personality cult.
Besides this I have articles coming for two publications, one in this country for my meeting real Sufis; and another in England for my meetings with real Zen teachers, etc. I am no longer going to try to impress those who determine everything by personalism and personality. Hard facts will avail in the non-sciences as well as in the sciences. This is also one of the factors in the so- called “campus revolts.”
The use of the dance has expanded. As the “good” people deny any relations with the late Ruth St. Denis—”goodness” is a matter of prestige and nothing else—sooner or later other things than derogatory Playboy articles will come out. At least Playboy has accepted my existence which is something. Others so not. This is “realism.”
I now have to write an article (or more) on Pakistan. The hard, hard fact that I have lived in that land and associated with those close to those now in public limelight means nothing to the “important” people. I know what to do and to do next. If you want copies of such letters, please let me know. The local universities are now accepting what the “generals” will not even look at. I am hoping this can be changed. We need something like semantics, “general” or not, based on impersonality predictabilities, etc., etc. There is lots more going on.
This may not be good defense or explanation but it must do for the moment.
Love and Blessings,
Sam
March 20, 1969
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti,
Mansur sent me a precious and very well typed script of your making and wrote he hoped it would be published. I immediately saw many ways in which this could be done in many publications for instance Oracle, by picking separate items and mentioning them separately, one or a few in each issue. And then we come to the rule that words of a mystic must never be changed—yes, true in the sense that somewhere the original must be, un-tampered with, but there should be full permission to make any use in any connection.
Love
Shamcher
San Francisco, Calif.
410 Precita Ave.,
March 25, 1969
My dear Shamcher:
We had a glorious Sunday, celebrations of five joint birthdays and a work party in Novato. The weather was wonderful and an enormous amount of work accomplished. Sam cooked dinner for a hundred people and about a hundred showed up. We kept well within the time limits.
Gavin was King and a girl named Gypsy was Queen. We had some dedications and a number of my dances. Twice small delegations came from Sonoma State College and both said they have never witnessed such joy and beauty. Maybe so, and some day I hope to convince a “realist” but it is like Shaw saying that he doubted if he could convince a banker’s clerk about the value of socialism.
It was not only the success of the day but the implications. We are not only introducing Asian philosophies from real Asia we are next going to have “mystery” rituals and dances and I am going to let all the “realists” pooh-pooh. The young are coming, slowly but surely more every week and slowly but surely a slighter longer distance do people come (excepting “realists”).
The Oracle comes out the first of April. The way things stand although none of us had anything to do with it, it is like the joint mouthpiece of Gavin Arthur, Paul Reps, Bryn Shamcher Beorse and Sam Lewis. It will gradually publish both poetry and prose rejected in the past, and also no doubt some articles.
Legally I had to let Playboy go while there was consideration and some success in the family “affair.” I now have enough money to stand on my feet and the next thing is to see I am properly protected in case my bother predeceases me. I have been fooled and hood-winked too-many times in the past. And now with the great American-virtue ($$$$) I may go on one or more missions.
All of these missions will effect most unfavorably Lloyd Morain and S.I. Hayakawa, the “generals” of semantics. Lloyd, who should have been at least open-minded, has for years followed a Sadist-masochist policy toward me and while I overlooked his last totally untoward bawling out in public, the involvement of Don Hayakawa in the present educational controversies shows the immediate danger of setting up vocabulary-snatchers as “leaders,” and I doubt very seriously whether either Lloyd or Don could pass an examination in “Science and Sanity” (the whole book) given by an impartial group.
It is only that one of their associates has sent for me and just before an invitation to Harvard—which I may or may not accept. But if I do not I shall certainly visit Columbia and Penn later on and put cards on the table and I mean just that for neither of these worthies has the manhood to face me as a Man on equal footing anywhere.
My background in American-American philosophy came through Cassius Keyser, the friend and mental of Alfred Korzybski and practically denied by them. If was the Keyser background which helped so much in establishing a real friendship with Vocha Fiske, and these two “generals” have denied it, rejected all my papers on the subject, etc. etc., and a whole lot of Etc’s.
But the operation of the moral laws—which they pooh-pooh, will came. The Oracle is taking the first steps in its efforts to restore American-American philosophies (I had nothing to do with that idea). I am hoping to see a Humanism which will be humanistic and not based on the practice that some men are more equal than others. It is unfortunate for there are so many common backgrounds I presumably share with Lloyd and Don and this is treated as presumption by them, in practice.
One of my secretaries, going over my diaries to get real Asian stories about real Asians found copies of letters to Don Hayakawa, none ever answered by him. Thus “Humanism”?????
My secretary, Mansur, will arrive after this is mailed. I’ll show him your letter. I should like peace with Don Hayakawa but unless he changes very much end admits such things as that Zen Buddhism is not a modern invention of Englishmen whom he once admired (but no longer does) I see no hope. This has been turned into a personality-controversy by Lloyd, most unfortunately. Even now I am preparing to welcome back a Korean Zen Master (who does exist and teaches in one of our leading universities, despite the “realists.”
My “thing” should come on April 12 when there will be a special seminar at the University of California and this time I shall not be excluded from the floor, or permitted only to speak because the personality is involved.
Now one of my applicants has told me he wishes to become a teacher of Semantics. He has the background. When I explained the local scene that all my papers have been rejected and that I may have to visit Columbia again to pick up the pieces he told me of an anti-Hayakawa Semantic movement which he has already jointed. This was news to me.
I see no problems which cannot be solved by the devices of Keyser, Korzybski and Oliver Reiser. I may send Mansur on a trip to one of O.R.’s colleagues, and this can have important results. This idiotic pattern of deciding problems by the personalities involved instead of by standards or knowledge or standards of knowledge, is going to be changed.
Everything looks fine excepting little chance for rest.
Faithfully,
Sam
April 21, 1969
Dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti,
On the proud Bothell hills just North-East of Seattle stands the proudest palace, hewn in rock, nestling around a tower that is unifying without commanding. The master of this other-world dream palace is Mrs. Charlotte Brautlacht, of Sufi name Hamidan, a fountain of energy, courage, wisdom and independence, financially completely independent. At her side, Jerry Weigh, who has healed her son. I met them May 8 last year at the Dickinson, who have I known for twenty years.
I never talked to them until, a few days ago, she phoned me, told me about the closing minds and hearts in the Dickinson group said that all her power were for the message but was there no way expect through Fazal-Rosenberg-Dickinson? She had long realized, she said ,that I was the only Sufi she had ever met. (And Sitara.)
I have dedicated the place, made her the center and inspiration of the free
and true Sufis in
this entire area, and implored her to talk well of even such faltering Sufis
and Sufi efforts as the
Dickinson-Rosenbergs, for it is a great thing to recognize the message even if
you don’t recognize all of it (and who does?) and I have given her your
address and vita, and I have told her that until she may otherwise choose she
is of the surveillance and inspiration of Vilayat Khan selected by his father.
Such is the way of the spirit and meditation: Without physical digging
everything falls into your lap. Sitara, of course, is beautiful in on it. She
has also been out to the place. Hamidan will be submitted to attack and is
prepared for it, and for such emergency I have supplied her with a letter of
acceptance that will blow way like dust any “solid” claims ever presented
by the Fazal-Rosenberg-Dickinson clique. Fazal had his chance there but miffed
it, and it is better so for truth shall prevail.
By the way, Sitara has asked in her will that you have a memorial service for her when she passes over. And so will Hamidan.
Love
Shamcher
Mr. S. B. Beorse
Box 142, Keyport, Wash.
April 22, 1969
My dear Shamcher:
This is one of my early morning letters. I am not making a carbon for my files but am sending carbons to Paul Reps and The Temple of Understanding.
It is notable that Dr. Radhakrishnan places Prajna at the core of divine wisdom and Dr. Daisetz Suzuki said, “Zen is Prajna and nothing but Prajna.” We have in Sufism the same called “Kashf.” I am not going to argue the point and all the negations by all persons at any and all levels do not the least impede it.
I think it was two years ago, flat on my back in the hospital it came to me “I make you spiritual leader of the Hippies,” an incident which nearly all elders reject. Or as written to Art Hoppe here, my campaign to become a Pied Piper has failed miserably—only the young show up. This is absolutely true and now there is a break through. This breakthrough is exactly what is called in Sufism Shahud, which is something like Divine Vision and there is a science and art called Mushahida which has been preserved by Sufis and which is now being imparted to a single disciple here as a beginning. All rejections by all egocentrics at any and all levels mean absolutely nothing.
Hazrat Inayat Khan gave me detailed instructions about the Temple and these were not received, Then one became interested in The Temple of Understanding although one has not been entirely successful in making it clear that this was the Dream of Akbar. Flora Annie Steel and Tennyson knew that but our egocentric culture called “realism” does not accept what it does not understand. And working in this field came first Dance of Universal Peace during the lifetime of Ruth St. Denis and I have no intention of trying to convince metaphysical people and cultists and self-messiahs about this. It is unnecessary.
Now this Dance of Universal Peace has blossomed and bloomed and fruited. This once overcrowded now is again overcrowded. The group was split between the Marin County people to the North and the others and last week the Marin home was overcrowded and last night this house. But now two big places have been offered by churches and just in time for it is getting on. And not only the young but a few older people too.
The seminar on mystical experience brought some high notes. The instructor, a Dr. Needleman, accepted that one knows a multitude of real mystics in the real world who do not always resemble the “sages” and “saints” of metaphysical audiences. I can name them and recently another letter was written to President Hussein. This letter has been also necessary because a disciple is planning to go to India for a career of spiritual dancing.
Yesterday one visited the Berkeley campus and three departments accepted “The Rejected Avatar” and at least one library the works of Swami Ramdas. And there I saw already accomplished the literary basis of “How California Can Help Asia” a subject which practically all scientists accepted (exactly one did not) and very few nonscientists accepted. That professor is accomplishing a dream, covering literature on all subjects.
The need for the integral approach is becoming clearer and not the bastard use of the word “integration” and “integral” but every sort of promoter, for his own achievements, each ignoring the others.
One has despaired of ever convincing that metaphysicians and private “world organizations” can ever understand karma. Now it has struck. There have been several bastard attempts here to have institutions giving out “Asian Studies” and degrees and making MScs and PhDs. The authorities have caught up with them and they are reading them out.
Not only did these people persecute this person but when some attempts were made to get a few points clear on a few subjects one was called to task. Phony Zen, Phony Advaita and Sufism does not exist and they got degrees on “Asian Philosophy.” There is no use going over what real Asians say, they do not have votes. But the whole tribe of them has been wiped out.
I shall mention only one name, Alan Watts. I am terrified that the Temple of Understanding has called him in, a man of no faith, who does not believe in anything but his ego and who has publicly and privately flaunted four of the five moral principles of Pancha Sila. Not only that Her Serene Highness, Princess Poon Diskul, President of the World Buddhist Federation was downgraded by San Francisco society because of this “expert” in Asian (??) philosophies and I know what real Buddhists think of his. It is terrible and a letter has been written but I am afraid that karma and the moral law will catch up and there may be no Temple of Understanding. It is following, alas, in the footsteps of the Roerich Museum although there is a chance they will go from “realism” to Reality.
The Indian diplomats here are not in good standard because they hold that Sam Lewis knows more about India than any other American around. And I was appalled to find that not a single “Only in America” expert on Asia (???) in this region is a Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society (this one excepted).
I am now preparing also to send emissaries to other lands so we can have the real spiritual brotherhood. In Science Margaret Meads complains of the generation gap. I have never encountered it. I first learned, not from an “expert” on Asia but from the American Mark Twain how to attune to people of all ages and do. Besides we know so little of Indian cosmic metaphysics and being “humble” (of course) do not know how to learn.
Pir-o-Murshid wanted Sam to go to the universities and appeal to the intellectuals. Now this seams coming. What is being accomplished in the “halls of ivy” is marvelous and what is not being accomplished by Me and I, and Me-Me and I-I, forming cults, separative organizations, personal leadership, etc. is nothing but confusion and confusing.
Our Khankah is moving ahead and the May celebration will, in effect, be the reopening of the Mysteries to the public. In fact the dance class will now be sectioned into lesser mystery dances and greater mystery dances and no nonsense. I am now expecting 200 people. At least one must be ready. This is a far cry from the past. The doors are all opening, God be praised, after a long, long time.
Faithfully,
Sam
April 26, 1969
My dear Shamcher:
Your letter of the 21st struck deep. My immediate impression is to take everything to heart. I have been working hard in the Garden of Inayat, using both time—necessary for health—and money, which is now coming in some abundance from the first time in my life. And I am concluded that there will be a plaque both for Sitara and Hamidan and a small garden of some particular plant, either a shrub or flower be dedicated to each and also to do this as a policy.
Yesterday my chief secretary and Sam went to a Chinese restaurant and the fortune cookie said: “You will be invited on a long distance business trip.” When I reached this house there was an emergency letter from New Mexico asking Murshid to visit the place and give lectures on Asian Wisdom. Apparently the founders were disciples of Lama Govinda.
Now on May 4 we are planning a huge “picnic” at the Garden of Inayat. A Maypole is being put up this week and we shall have not only Dervish and Mantric dances but the introduction of rather ancient folk mystery dances and rituals. Today and next week we shall go over the latter. It means the restoration of the Ancient Mysteries. Lesser and Greater.
One is not concerned here with the reactions of anybody, which is ego. This person has been fully ordained and sanctified by many hold men and enough veils have been lifted. We opened the San Francisco Technological Seminary Wednesday night and there were twenty strangers. It is hard to impress what this means because there is now a waiting list for Bayat and I should not be surprised if 200 persons showed up. For there will be complete and complex Buddhist rituals for Wesak day under Rev. Warwick who had been a chela of Lama Govinda before he came to this country. The Govinda visit has been commercialized but there are enough of devotees to go on “the straight path.”
We ended our seminar on mystical experience and I have a number of people to write papers for and also to visit. Sam’s now on good terms with more professors than he might have dreamed of and all his real dreams are coming into manifestation, often through others it is true, but they are coming. And one after another the things that Hazrat Inayat Khan took up with me in 1926 are coming to objective realization.
The land which Vilayat dedicated is going through much turmoil and I know intuitively that I had to live proximate without knowing why. I should prefer that Vilayat do what he said than go further into it, but sometimes God speaks to man—in Khatum always but among western disciples seldom if ever!
I did succeed in having a second day off this year—do not know when there can be another one, and took the Khalif-designate to a number of places in Marin County which he had never seen and he was charmed. We are also building a children’s playground at the Garden of Inayat.
The Garden of Allah will be formally dedicated Tuesday night. And doors are opening here more and more.
Mansur, the secretary, has to visit New Mexico on a new mission, return and then join Vilayat. The car holds six people comfortably and we have five signed up. The New Age is integrative without using that world and brotherly without using that word. I have recently written to President Hussein of India to give an introduction to a disciple who wishes to take up Indian dancing professionally but I am being approached by more and more people who wish to be my representatives to different parts of the world, and why not?
One has now the nickname, “Sufi Sam.”
As to Hamidan and Karma. That is right. Truth will win in the end. We have started reading the Bowl of Saki each day at the Khankah. This with morning grace. Disciples copy Murshid’s words both for their own good and to have materials for applicants who cannot afford to pay for books.
If Fazal will ever come this way I can show him an original edition of one of his grandfather’s books—all the others I have are gone, destroyed or taken—but this will be enough to show how changes have been made deliberately or un-deliberately in the name of propaganda.
Persons are suppose to know the Ten Thoughts before becoming mureeds and those who have taken charge do not know them or if they know them, they ignore them. “Neither can I be broken nor God but the one who would break me, he is broken.”
Love and blessings,
Sam
PS. Vocha Fiske arrives shortly and we are preparing for her to come to Khankah. I shall take your letter to the Khankah, too, so that we shall be prepared at both ends for Sitara, and as said, we shall dedicate small plots for her and Hamidan and gradually for others.
April 27, 1969
My dear Shamcher;
There is something in the universe which compels one to write in an abbreviated form “Confessions.” At is quite evident that something is going on in the cosmos and there seems, on the surface, to be a little “reason” for upturns in events as there was in form time for being turned down and rejected at every point.
I had been teaching the Gospel of St. Thomas and when the recent seminar took place on “mystical experience” this was the first subject on the agenda and I am now writing a paper on it. It is going to the Philosophy Department of San Francisco State right under the nose of Dr. Hayakawa, the professional sadist who has a delight in turning others down. For a long time I thought I stood alone ad there is a strange negative popularity because this now well known person had used one, among a whole flock of others, as a one time scapegoat.
It is notable, too, that when polls took place he came out a very bad #8 as a potentially forthcoming political leader. And I now have many good friends right under his nose.
It has been necessary to turn against his close associate, Mr. Lloyd Morain, who is now appealing for funds to help his crusade to help the young. He has never mingled with the young, he knows little about them but he has the money and power to do whatever he wants. All one has to do to stop him is to let the young know he is an associate of Dr. Hayakawa and they will boycott him.
The increment of attendance had at my meetings has been overmatched for the moment by the increment of income. As written the first thing I doing is to enable my really a self-sacrificing disciples to join Vilayat this summer. I “see” more but have no time to relax into meditation.
I had already written to New Mexico about the possibilities of an early trip and hold off any journey north until the June climaxes came. It will be easy to hold off Fazal and Co. because I shall simply stress the God-reality. During the week there was anger; no sooner has Meher Baba gone than a campaign for another Avatar. And the complication here of the coming of Sai Baba who may, or may not be a really great sage.
It has been necessary to have disciples go over “Moral Culture” which was published to bring them into some realization. A society which has accepted as spokesmen for “Buddhism” famous people who have derided Buddha’s moral teaching, broken the Pancha Sila and then publicly sniffed and scoffed at “Hinayana” means peace is impossible. And I myself shall have to make it clear that the continent which has Arab and Israeli, Pakistani and Hindu, North & South Vietnamese, etc. can hardly be more peaceful, let us say, to Europe or America.
Everything can be summed up: truth in the end shall win.
Love and Blessings,
Sam
April 29, 1969
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti,
Grape wine has it the Dickinson-Rosenberg Fazal summer school will be in San Francisco this year, last part of June, in order to get at You. Whether they aim to buy you with sweet grapes or threaten you with hell’s thunder and lawyers I do not know, but laugh seeing their torn tatters when they have done with you!
And since Fazal will be here about June 20 I have here mureeds who would like to see Vilayat come before that time and announce his schedule to us now, so we may prepare. This if you get in touch with him.
Hamidan is anxious for charter. Have you any? In connection with Vilayat’s Sufi Order? Such a charter, feels Hamidan, may protect her when Dickinson starts his legal harassing. If he does.
Also Harridan is anxious to get Gathas from series II and up. I have supplied her with some very advanced ones. I happened to have Githas, and your comments, and Saladin. But she misses the middle part II and up. She can copy all and send originals back. What you can do will be appreciated.
Love
Shamcher
410 Precita Avenue
San Francisco, Cal. 94110
May 2, 1969
My Dear Shamcher,
Today I am in a perfect mood to handle your inquiry of the 29th. Early this morning I wrote the Temple of Understanding in Washington, copy enclosed.
I am making two carbons of this letter, one for our files here and one for Mansur, the esoteric secretary. Next week Jemila, Mansur’s wife, has to attend a special session on ancient Japanese pottery. As soon as she returns he will go to New Mexico and perhaps parts of Colorado. Vocha Fiske is here now, and both she and I are giving him introductions to Robert Heinlein. Robert has been living in Colorado Springs which is near both some of the places Mansur may visit, and also near the starting off point for Vilayat’s summer camp.
I myself have also been asked to visit New Mexico—spiritual commune—but have not yet had the dates confirmed. But because of Vilayat’s summer camp I had wished to be in San Francisco just about the time you say Vilayat will be visiting here.
This legal trouble had been foreseen by Pir Decal Shereef of Islamabad (Ayub Khan’s Pir-o-Murshid). He has authorized me to establish either Islamiyya Ruhuniyat Society or Khidri…. This would make it possible to have a Sufi Movement which would not use the word Sufi in order to be an American legal entity. But because of the actual growing attendance, the actual increment of my own income, and at this writing, the very bright prospects for a much larger income to the Garden of Inayat, it has become necessary to organize legally in order to protect us against income tax obligations.
I am very pleased to report that Daniel, my financial secretary, has so far been very helpful here. I had already contacted my attorney twice but he was away on court trials. It is possible that he may be present at our May Day-Wesak celebration Sunday, and if so I shall take some matters up with him, or at least make a suitable appointment.
You are quite right that if there were any public hearing Fazal and Dickenson could be easily worsted. They would have to prove that they really believe that “God is the only Being.” I have only one of Inayat Khan’s early books, perhaps his very first, called “A Sufi Message of Spiritual Liberty.” It is so evident that this has been tampered with and altered that it would make shambles with any persons trying to enforce unsubstantiated legal claims.
On my side unfortunately would be all the writings of Sheikh Idries Shah, who is recognized in some quarters as poor Fazal is not. Then there is the presumable authority of “The Encyclopedia of Islam.” This besides any direct or indirect evidence coming from this person.
I shall turn the Gatha inquiry over to Daniel or Mansur who can more properly handle it. If possible please have Hamidan let us know what Gathas she actually misses. We have plenty on hand.
As to Githas it is the opposite. Can you let us know exactly what Githas you have? I have been unable to get these papers either from Vilayat or Bhakti.
Hamidan will not have to do any copying.
In some respects this letter is incomplete and therefore not fully satisfactory. However, if our schedule is fulfilled my god-daughter, Miss Saadia Khawar Khan, will be here about the time Fazal and company arrives. She is in close touch with many of the real living authorities on Sufism, and also with those connected with the revision of “The Encyclopedia of Islam.”
We are very busy preparing for our Sunday festival and expect a large crowd, inshallah. Vocha joins as in sending love and blessings. She is very happy over both the quantity and the quality of the mureeds and general audience and also of the application of Walk and Dance to spiritual development. She had long been a friend of Ruth St. Denis and Ted Shawn.
Faithfully,
Sam
May 7, 1969
My dear Sufi Ahmed Muted Chisti Samuel
Thank you so much for letter. Reply to what Hamidan needs: All Gathas from series II on.
Reply to what I have: All Githas series II 1 through 10. These I can send you any time you may want to. It will be my last copies but Hamidan has one copy so I do not mind. I have also given Hamidan a lot of Githekas. Of these I have no copies. You may always ask Hamidan if you want a copy.
I have also Sangithas series II numbers 11 through 20. These I have not sent to anyone. I can send you numbers 14 through 20 if you be sure to make copies and send me a copy of all, or if you can make two copies I may send one to Hamidan. The numbers 11 through 13 I do not wish to send through the mail for various reasons. I could read them with you and tell why I do not want to send them through the mail.
Then I have a treatise on Ecstasy numbered “6” and I do not know what
kind of document
this is.
Love
Shamcher
May 10, 1969
My dear Shamcher:
You will please excuse me for I am on my last legs, with more and more to do and less and less help. It may be that some of the assistants will have paying outside jobs and can then contribute to a Movement organized or unorganized whish will make possible a paid secretary.
Yes I should like Series II Githas on Spirit Phenomena and Sadhana but not on other subjects now. No Sangithas; au contraire I shall be glad to send others to you when there is time and assistants. We shall copy these Githas and see you get copies back.
I shall see if one of the Esoteric Secretaries can send Gathas II to Hamidan or you.
Just received two letters from S. Ahmed, who was a disciple of Inayat Khan’s Indian Khalif and who later turned his allegiance to Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti. As you will surmise from the copy enclosed he has been approached by both Holland and Geneva. Daniel, who is here, said Vilayat was waiting for any legal emergency and is ready.
We are presuming and assuming Vilayat will come here after the Summer Camp but I am showing this to Mansur, the Esoteric Secretary who will be go between.
One of the time-consuming situations are the wonderful reports from so many disciples and the need to get out the proper material. Series I, Walk was just completed. Series II Walk will not be written for some time and is a combination of Esotericism and Walking, a very profound and complex subject.
Next I have the order for the papers on Spiritual Dancing. Although we have many Dervish Dancing I shall begin with Bismillah which will be officially taught in a few moments, Inshallah. The Heavens are entirely open while one is under tremendous pressure.
Received a beautiful letter from General Edward Lansdale, who has been chief of armed forces in Vietnam and who is a real pal. His son lives near us in Novato. And now Daniel Lomax has received both letter and materiel from Vietnam. I knew this was coming but was not believed, and no efforts at preparation and foresight helped.
Monday morning I must visit San Francisco State College, their invitation and then Asia Foundation. Vocha is around too but may not see her again immediately.
Not only Vocha but several other friends are in this vicinity and I am expected to squeeze in time, and there is no time, not even for sleep, but that is the trial of a Murshid. Fortunately whenever I do not sleep vision increases.
Last night an hour interview on the subject of how to divert the young from “drugs.”
Next Wednesday another editor wants an interview. This is now the day of open function.
I hope Vilayat will come soon after Colorado for I have two excellent Khalifa designates.
Love and blessings,
Sam
May 16, 1969
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti,
Thank you for your letter. And for your writings in Oracle, it was excellent and many others have said so too.
As you requested I am sending my Githas, these are all the Githas I have. I
find them excellent and should not have kept them so long, though I have long
ago given tem also to Sitara and
Hamidan.
As you do not request, I am nevertheless sending you my Sangithas, and instead of boring you with my reasons for not sending these to anyone, but you, I should like you to tell me what my reasons were and see if we think in unison upon these points. The later numbers, from 13 or 14 and on are all right, but 11 and 12 and specially 11 should, I think, not go anywhere outside you and myself. Why? You tell me now, and I shall reply and comment.
There is an interesting sidelight about these Githas and Sangithas. A year ago L did not have either. Then one day suddenly the Githas were there, in a pile. I sent them to Sitara who was delighted and made me copies. Then you wrote about some Githas or things. Then I had a new heap: The Sangithas. Never had them before. So therefore it is right to send them to you. And hear your opinion.
In 1923, in the Australian desert I was lunching with Charlie, my boss. We were digging wells. During the hard work I was meditating. I had a question in my mind. I thought, where can I find the answer here in the desert? Then my eyes were jerked upward and I saw, out on the sand plain, a leaf or something bopping along in the light breeze. It came closer. It jumped right up into my lap. It was a page out of book. It had been rounded and filed against the sand. There was just enough print left to explain exactly what I had been asking. And I thought: My poor invisible teacher, having to deal with such a thick-skulled pupil he had to bounce printed matter into his lap rather than sneaking it in though my mind. But the Githas and some of the Sangithas came into my mind before the heap materialized.
Love
Shamcher
May 20, 1969
My dear Shamcher:
With the receipt of a long letter from Vilayat it would seem a cycle is at an end. It comes while The Oracle is on sale, and indicates a movement into a wider dimension outwardly. This wider dimension has always functioned inwardly and it has taken some years, etc. to bring it out. And as everything followed exactly as Insight showed I do not wish even to question this trend.
The difficulty is no longer with opposition but with suggestions. One gets plenty of suggestions but not help. My two chief secretaries are now working outside which gives them more money. And we are organizing the Khankah also with a printing and ceramics establishment and if the Insight is correct, these will lead to better financial arrangements.
We had some trouble with regard to a kiln, built by one of my most beautiful and loyal mureeds. I asked the others to stand by her and they did it so wonderfully that not only was this matter straightened out but Murshid received a sudden wedding invitation from Olompali Ranch which he could not accept. One has no time off, excepting on rare occasions—plenty of suggestions but not help, and I guess that is what must be faced.
Tonight we are have a joint-family birthday party. It is the birthday of Fatima who is the household Begun. She has been doing the fine art-work for The Oracle. This will be held at Khyber Pass in Oakland, the owner of which is related to important Sufis of Afghanistan (not the imaginary Idries Shah ones but real people). After that we are going to see what must occur—two disciples to New Mexico, one to Ecuador, one being prepared for India and others to go away.
But the attendance last night jumped again and it is evident that Allah wishes the expansion of Sufism. The same happened in the welcome at San Francisco State, and this will go on at Berkeley on the U.C. Campus with Sacramento and Santa Barbara in the offing.
There are now a large compendium of dances and the choral responses, though few, have been very effective. I notice that the Supreme Court has released Leary on certain charges—he is guilty, guilty of being Timothy Leary. But the young are not taking nonsense, trouble on all campuses and now I am asked to speak on nufs which will be done. Everybody wants “excitement” few want peace and they do not know how to bestow it. Peace comes from listening, not proclaiming.
I enclose carbon of letter to Vilayat who will be here soon. I’ll take up other matters when I can.
Love and blessings,
Sam
P.S. Last night mystical music was introduced and already part of the poem “Saladin” has been accepted in high quarters. Next month the seminar on poetry. “Saladin” will live. God is helping us.
June 3, 1969
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti
Ann Nicholas, my Cleveland Love, hankers for a visit by one of us, but now it seems Vilayat will see her soon so there seems no strong reason for either of us to go, but I would like to transfer her wish to see you which she wrote me, along with a wish to see me, for she somehow feels you and have what she wants. Thus, she is breaking Vilayat’s wish to (as it appears) concentrate your great soul on the San Francisco front—as was also Harridan when, with a stroke of the electric bug she made a telephone connection with your busy soul and with that one stroke broke the bodderlines! Why, isn’t it wonderful?
Hamidan is in the bouncing, up-rip-roaring joy of getting out of Dickinson’s straitlace and feeling the freedom of the free Sufis and she will gradually telephone everybody, Sam, Vilayat and God himself and Allah in his heaven and Ishwara and Brahma and all the nine billion names of God, because she has now freedom, she has exuberance. But she needn’t have bothered with the Githas and Sangithas I sent you. I had the answers eons ago, directly from your thought factory end I respect your discretion, that you did not want to commit your thoughts on this matter to paper. It is better so.
We have the copy of the Sufi Order’s incorporation in California and suppose you have them too, or I can send you a copy.
Rise and shine in Love
Shamcher
Ann is a close friend of the Mayor of Cleveland and a remarkable soul.
410 Precita Ave.
San Francisco Calif.
June 10, 1969
My dear Shamcher,
One is aware of the prayers called “Dowa,” a certain aspect of which appear in English in “Gayan.” Actually Dowa (doa) is an old form of prayer for protection and guidance and in his earlier writings Pir-o-Murshid had much to say, but these records are now gone.
One cannot help feeling that one may be called upon to be used in games only now one is strong—which does not mean that one is not also tender and wise. Now Sam is working seven days a week and about six nights but having the strength from Allah he is able to carry on. This week one reads about himself in the new issues of the Oracle and Planet News and earlier in the week one was surprised to find that one’s letter to Playboy was published. Evidently Playboy can show respect. And today one has nothing but respects from the three professors on the Berkeley campus of the University of California and more is in sight.
Corporations are no doubt necessary for the cause of God but to join a corporation for the sake of joining a corporations is hardly in my line. Our first, and for a long while only work was “A Sufi Message of Spiritual Liberty” but spiritual liberty was hardly gained during the lifetime of Hazrat Inayat Khan or for a long time thereafter. It was Paul Brunton who made for me the first big breakthrough and, of course, when one went to Asia and met so many Masters the whole attitude everywhere was totally different from what one has received heretofore in this land.
My Bayat was taken (and given) before there was any corporation in Geneva. I do not wish to go over that history here but in 1926 Hazrat Inayat Khan told me of the tragedy of organization and also others. One hopes this tragedy will not be repeated.
There are three things which stand out for the Sufi:
a. God alone exists.
b. He sees from the view point of another as well as of himself.
c. His first moral is human consideration.
It is easy enough, and it has been done, for a group to call themselves “Sufis” and ignore all three. But on top of that, unlike other persons involved I was publicly ordained and initiated as a Sufi by Sufis. This is now recognized.
You will find enclosed copy of a letter to Ajmir. Vilayat has verbalized a connection with Ajmir. This Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti was initiated and named at Ajmir. One now has very good connections there, and elsewhere. After writing this letter one saw the Oracle with another article and the name “Sufi Sam” is now going about in this region. It has nothing to do with corporations. It has to do with Divine Realization and the ability to confer the Baraka to and on others. When the successor of Sidi Alawa (mentioned in A Saint of the Twentieth Century) was here he declared that this person had the Baraka. This offended the audience and their offense was welcome became there was hardly a person present who had any inkling of spiritual experience, let alone attainment.
It is really necessary to have some legal form or connection because of increased income and a larger and growing following. The Sidi Alawi experience has led me also to write to some colleagues in England. We have to face some peculiar situations especially because there are several Sufi movements not based on the premise that God alone exists; not based on the principle that a Sufi sees from the standpoint of another as well as of himself, and rejecting human consideration as the first moral.
The commentary on “Cosmic Language” is ready for you. The next big undertaking is on the Dance and there are innumerable small undertakings going on. Also much progress on the Vietnam situation. Saturday was at “The Frontiers of Science” conference and met a young woman who had lived in Vietnam and Laos. Her story was the same as that of my close friends. But now I have more and more contact with people who know from the inside, and who have spiritual outlooks. It is really wonderful.
Ekbal may be interested that on Saturday I was at three different meetings in three different places and at each one a person carrying Magic and Mystery in Tibet by Alexandrea Davida-Neel. And on Friday I did attend a Varayana ceremony.
Evidently I am to go to New Mexico in August and after that I should like to come north, inshallah, on several errands. We are in close touch with Prof. Conze.
I shall not attend the meeting here on Thursday night taught—some mureeds may go.
The Dancing is making so much progress and the interior visions continue unabated.
We hope to see Bhakti and her family soon.
Love and blessings
Sam
June 16, 1969
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti,
Your comments, Gathekas and Tasawwufs were safely received and have been read and submitted to Sitara for her submittal to Hamidan and Jerry who will read it in class. It is all well in style with the best Sufi punches and round out and goes a little further in some respects:
We are getting our teeth into the American soil; Sufi teeth, you and all yours, Mansur, Phil, Fatima, and as well all of your others, and Ann Nicholas and confreres in Cleveland, Sitara; Hamidan, Jerry and all the attendants here, and I am happy and glad to have you in SF. The two of us are in the kind of bind beyond mind. We agree, but even if we didn’t, it wouldn’t matter, our spirits would still agree or rather, in the spirit world thought forms cannot interfere and create disagreements.
The Sangithas I sent were not copied so if you are not going to have them copied please send them back and we shall have them copied here and if you wish we can send you a copy. The two first Sangithas are not according to Hazrat Inayat’s behavior and status. He saw immediately all aspects, past, present, and future of a pupil and did not have to go to the “tests” or “investigations” there described. If you have to go to those things, and lack an immediate awareness, you better not initiate at all. I wonder how that Sangitha happened into that series, the first I have ever seen that was incongruous. Well, send it all back please.
As to your charter talk: Of course, of course, I have even less interest in that than you have. The matter came up because Hamidan (Charlotte Brautlacht) knows Dickerson better than all of us and suspects he will cause trouble if she does not have fool-proof association papers. We have got the charter now directly from Vilayat.
Love my dear brother
Shamcher
410 Precita Ave.
San Francisco, Calif. 94110
June 18, 1969
My dear Shamcher:
We came in last might from a very pregnant and hopefully profitable trip South. The previous meeting with Vilayat in this house was short and profitable. We did some short phases of our dancing and chanting and Samuel performed the rhythms of the seven planets.
We visited Sheikha Bhakti twice. The relations are very loving and cordial and we expect to send disciples south regularly unless they also come north. I learned a good deal especially of the places of Fazal & Co. which have no basis in truth. At the business meeting Vilayat hinted that this new corporation alone will have the right to use the word “Sufi.” It this is actually so it will be most fortunate for Sam anon both Fazal and the Meherbarbarians.
We then called on Ramdas’ grandson and one beautiful meeting led to another right along the line too much to do all here. But we did get late at the business meeting. Nevertheless one had nothing to propose and much to support what has been proposed. And I welcome with utmost enthusiasm your selection and apparent acceptance of a place on the Board. I feel this is a new day with all New Day outlooks.
Financially there has been some improvement and after the Colorado Summer Camp we should be able to have an able and stable Sufi Movement in this land, Inshallah. But no sooner do we get to Novato when the car, now being repaired, will take several people in a caravan and in this is much hope.
The reports on the San Jacinto retreat—coming from different people –were all favorable. I myself like Vilayat’s independence from authority and orthodoxy and his complete and marvelous universal outlook. The possibilities here are stupendous. I myself as in a negative mood toward all pretense and ritualisms which have not produced the divine experience. Indeed a group of Burmese monks have gone into retreat to “eat” scientifically Lord Buddha’s methodology. We hear of all kinds of things but now a mystic can actually speak on his mystical experience.
With the acceptance of Kapleau’s articles here and with my how pleasant correspondence with both Harvard and M.I.T.I am going into a new phase. The professors out here are accepting my real Oriental real experiences, and pretended or real friends who are afraid of realities may have to change their attitudes.
I understand that Fazal and Dickinson come next month. One does not know whether to overwhelm them with love or a big stick, with a possible compromise of acting as a Madzub.
Love and blessings to everybody.
Sam
910 Railroad Ave.
Novato, Calif. 94947
July 3, 1969
Shamcher B. Beorse
Box 142
Keyport, Washington 98456
My dear brother in Allah:
It is with a mixture of humility and joy that this is being written. When Wm. Penn, the Younger, appeared in the House of Commons almost 2 centuries back, someone said, “He is a chip of the old block.” “No, he is not a chip of the old block. He is the old block itself.” This really tells you everything.
It may be impossible to explain to those people who were not disciples of Hazrat Inayat Khan but who claim to be “Sufis” what is written:
The Spirit Prophecy in the “Way of Illumination,” They have never studied it; they cannot have studied it. Before God Almighty, I say they cannot have studied it. They have rejected it. Before God Almighty I say they have rejected it.
The very first interpretation of The Spirit of Prophecy is that the son of the prophet returns and is rejected, excepting by the young and a very few. I quote: “The older ones, who are hardened in their ways, paid no heed, and the little ones were too young to understand; but the middle ones who harken to his word follow him quietly, won by his magnetism and charmed by his loving personality.” (The Way of Illumination.)
A little later on it says, “A bearer of the message of their father appeared again after a few years. He did not insist upon being the son of their father, but tried to guide then and help them toward the ideals set for them by their Father.”
I have not been successful in contacting an Indian disciple of Hazrat Inayat Khan, who is in San Francisco, but I am enclosing copy of a letter to another disciple now living in Pakistan who was also present during the last days of our Pir-o-Murshid Hazrat Inayat Khan. His eye-witness testimonials, which would naturally refute many false claimants would be ignored by pretenders, but before Allah they are not ignored.
I do not know whether there was a tape-recording of Vilayat’s speech last night or not. If I had been a secretary, I should have been too exalted to copy his words. Today I told him I felt like getting up and shouting and dancing, but did not wish to break up the meeting. Before God and in behalf of the illuminated souls who form the embodiment of the master, this man has been chosen by God and hierarchy to be a representative of the Divine Message, and not all the corporations on earth or otherwise are going to interfere with the divine Will.
We have here a spiritual brotherhood of love, harmony and beauty. The dream of The Garden of Inayat was given to me from the other side by Hazrat Inayat Khan himself. It is now in objective manifestation. “Neither can I be broken nor God, but the one who would break me, he is broken.” (Gayan)
It is not my intention to try and enlighten self-established personalities who call themselves Sufis, but if they ever dare to lay their hands on me again, or accuse me again without evidence, they will get it on both planes inner and outer and they shall have to face both the courts of law and spiritual judgment. The ignorant defiance of teachings in a “Sufi Message of Spiritual Liberty” was followed by a total bypassing of the teachings in “Moral Culture.” If anyone claiming to be a Sufi publically acts contrary to Hazrat Inayat Khan’s teachings I may not hold my peace next time; besides I have behind me both the spiritual teachers on earth whom I can name and the whole chain of the Sufi hierarchy and the Zen hierarchy—and perhaps more.
I have laid these all before Vilayat’s feet—in real humility—and not in a bastard term egotistically used. I am therefore sending a copy of this to Fazal.
I had the instructions from Hazrat Inayat Khan in the flesh to begin with. Also from both the Zen and Shingon Buddhists—and later the Tibetans. But the way Vilayat teaches shows he has absorbed all the magnificent mysteries of all faiths and all times.
The meeting Wednesday night had over 100 present when we last stopped counting. There were a number of older people there—many or all of whom came because of the efforts of Peter Vander Linden. I shall be very glad if he functions with all the senior citizens, or anybody, for that matter. I have now over 70 active disciples and am unable to keep up with my roster. Those who went to Colorado came back imbued with such spirit it cannot be measured.
One thing I am doing without Vilayat’s permission is to concentrate on his next summer’s simmer school which may be in the state of Arizona. I see no reason to delay this concentration, but mentioned it with the hope that Daphne may be able to attend. Even as I write I am still so high and have been for many days—practically no sleep, many inspirations, many ecstasies; nothing like this before. As the Hadiths of Prophet Mohammed say, “In that day will the sunrise in the West and all men seeing will believe.”
We are going to make a few changes here. The meditation room had been left unadorned until Vilayat’s coming, and we are now going to see that his suggestions are followed. There is nothing but enthusiasm and love. When one of my disciples asked, “Isn’t Sufism the religion of love?” Fazal said, “That question is better than both our speeches,” the disciple who said this was only in the first grade until she went to Colorado. Fazal should meet some or my more advanced disciples. If he could not face the least of them, what is going to happen with the others?
My house keeper, Zeynab, has gone to Los Angeles. She expects to meet Sheikha Engle and the Frayleys, Bibijon D’Mitrieff and Pir Vilayat. She also hopes to introduce my God-daughter Saadia Khawar Khan then to Vilayat. Saadia has been approved by many of the living Sufis of several countries. She has heard Fazal; she will meet Vilayat. Her friend Seyyed Hussein Nasr is now at Harvard and may come here. He also attended the world congress of faiths at Calcutta where Vilayat spoke. They know about each other, but I do not know if they have met. But within a short time, we can expect to see real Sufism in the universities and very gradually spurious spiritual movements will be ignored if not derided by scholars and the educational systems.
Still all these points are small when we face the “grandiverse” of love. It is so real—not only the love between the disciples and the teachers, but between each and all. Spiritual brotherhood is no longer a pious phrase, it is an actuality, and I think we are going to see more of it.
With all love and blessings.
Sam
July 26, 1969
My dear Shamcher:
I am on the last pages of the Commentary on “The Path of Initiation and Discipleship.” While this is labeled a “Commentary,” at the same time it puts on paper the synthesis of various initiations I have had in different mystical schools without in the least making it an auto-biographical undertaking. It is first foremost and last a commentary as Hazrat Inayat Khan would have it.
The work itself was an initiation. Much of the time there were struggles going on—all kinds of them. But the last week has been characterized both by more and more disciples coming to Murshid offering help, and more and more having mystical experiences of a considerably higher order than those that have occurred in previous years to anybody. One thing is certain about these experiences, that they belong to a cosmic harmony. One feels much more a guide than a teacher.
Classes have been started both in cosmic drama and in choral singing. I am not in the former at all. I am in the latter as a performer and not as a leader, and that more to encourage others. For at this writing I am not at all sure of my geography, at least till the end of September. What I am sure of is the general and particular advancement of an ever growing number of young people.
I have taken rather arbitrarily certain policies, and they being arbitrary are subject to change.
1. I wish to perform the meditations in the future to coordinate as nearly as possible those given by Pir Vilayat. He has established, at least verbally, The International School of Meditation. I believe this fulfills exactly the requirements of The Message.
2. We are coalescing with all the young people given bayat by Pir Vilayat. Here I have arbitrarily chosen to concentrate on his next summer school plans, although by age and qualification, I should not be there, and I also am absolutely in accord with all his procedures and qualifications so far as I know them.
Present prospects reveal an excellent prognosis. It is possible, Inshallah, that this really will become an international undertaking, held in this country under his present or future plan. At this writing the possibilities for radio television or cinema attention is considerable. I feel we should support Pir Vilayat, neither overriding nor suggesting but rather implementing. The way the Movement is growing time will be passing quite rapidly .
3. There are now in San Francisco at least 4 “cultural integration groups,” all mutually exclusive. Two rival ones, totally intellectual, have not only excluded this person and his efforts, but have had the audacity to give pseudo-lectures on Sufism—whatever that means. It is all the more ridiculous, because they are now both barred by our important universities and so called credentials will not be honored.
There are at least 3 other Indian movements not connected with these “cultural integration groups.” I am fortunately on good terms with the Vedanta Society, but they seek to appeal only to the elite. I am also on good terms with the Bhaktivedanta people who appeal to the non-elite. Thus these groups are practically mutually exclusive and not connected with the so-called “cultural integration groups.” Both of these have received attention from the daily press.
More attention has been given to the disciples of the late Swami Shivananda. From all appearance, this is a true yoga establishment. Their yoga consists in practicing the presence of God. My visit to their chief Swami was one of absolute harmony cordiality and unity. But I do not know how they stand with regard to the universities.
4. The Universities. On the one hand, two universities are holding conferences on “Asian philosophy,” credentials consisting mostly in having graduated from some European university. Asians in general are excluded. Sufis are absolutely excluded.
At the other extreme is the rapid acceptance of much of what we have tried to do in the past, at a rate so rapid I cannot now coordinate, but must praise God and witness the fruits of earlier efforts.
It was all right for an Asian, a Reps, or a Mrs. McAnnlis to go before the public as “collaborators” with the late Nyogen Senzaki, when all they did was to put up the money. Each became famous (!) by such means, and each has been horrified that Samuel Lewis who has possession of many of the ate Senzaki’s writings should even try to get them published.
This is actually amusing, because the actual Zen masters are all for it. They want Senzaki’s work to get better known. This person wanted to turn over any financial benefits therefrom to Senzaki’s successor, Roshi Soen Nakagawa, while the Roshi wanted to turn any financial benefits over to us! In any event, the University of California is now anxious to scholasticize all the various work done in this general field, both by Nyogen Senzaki and us. Shades of Alan Watts and Paul Reps—what is the world coming to?
5. As soon as the commentary on “The Path of Initiation and Discipleship”—and copy will be sent to you—attention must be paid to a paper on “The Organic Gardening of a Sufi Khankah,” and a long letter to the still living but ailing Dr. Radhakrishnan, giving a full report of many of our activities.
I should like to know when Atiya is coming as from now to the end of September my geography is rather uncertain. What is not so uncertain is the opening of many universities to our work, Allah Be Praised!
Love and Blessing,
Sam
August 14, 1969
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti Samuel
Received with thanks your fine story about the garden of Inayat which was read with much pleasure then submitted to Atiya who distributes and touches the multitude as a matter of course.
Since you put to me your question of going North instead of East, I would say that East seems most important from a Sufi point of view. You would give support and blessing to Ann Nicholas in addition to supplying us—me—with the latest news from Cleveland, which is a mystery planet.
I read your good story (written by yourself I mean) in Playboy, through which you have forever divested yourself of the right to sue. Along with your story I had to vomit with all the other muck. This sheet in which now writes Chief Justice Douglas and Sam L. Lewis)—has deteriorated from the simple exposure of human forms to suggestive, hoary pictures of the most passionate embraces which are all right in the privacy of a home, nauseating in the street, parks and playboy mucks. So I wished you had rather sued into which we could have put a lot.
I suddenly hear that the sisters Voute whom I knew from Sureness in Inayat Khans days, are coming to Seattle, arriving Saturday 16 at 12.23 at airport, going over to Hilton Inn from where I shall escort them to see mureeds. They are now neutral, adhere to none but respect (to some extent) all. They were recently Vilayat’s close friends. They are leaving again Sunday or Monday.
Love
Shamcher
410 Precita
August 25, 1969
My dear Shamcher:
I have returned from New Mexico—It was not a vacation. You will read the enclosures to Atiya and Vocha which will give you some small idea of what is going on. I am in the strange position today of sufficient funds but very insufficient assistance. The people at Lama and the visitors to the Khankah realize this, and when the disciples here at hand realize this, no doubt they will desist from their long hours of oversleeping. When this occurs the immediate problems will be solved.
Last night we had the most unusual “family meeting.” For the first time there was no financial problem. But one woman has left the Khankah with or without reason; her replacement left only to discover she had no real cause for that; her replacement in turn has not been well; the housemother will soon become a real mother; and we had to consider very seriously inviting non-disciples who are applicants and need homes to replace the unfortunate disciples too concerned with their problems, or oversleeping. Even at Lama they concluded this person has for more energy than people 30 or 40 years younger who want to learn.
At the same time my god-daughter and Khalifa is here and we are imparting very practical inner exercises which are most beneficial. These exercise and practices will be given to the world, but one would prefer, through the Sufi Order.
I now have most important letters to write to Pondicherry in India and to the Muslims students and to others. There is practically no time and every now and then I guess I get rather high or dictatorial because of the lack of energy among several who could be of great help. Add to this the need for more and more consolations on many levels. But this is far preferable to being left alone and ignored. It shows the vitality in Sufism, the vitality which comes from man’s ability to absorb the all-pervading power in space as is mentioned in our prayers.
In any event I hope to prepare to leave soon. The reason for this delay is that there are going to be two different celebrations in this immediate vicinity: a. one in the charge of Gavin Arthur; b. one in the charge of Ralph Silver, my local god-daughter’s husband. Fortunately too, Ralph, and Gavin are good friends. If it were not for these events I should be leaving almost immediately.
Love and blessing,
Sam
October 13, 1969
My dear Shamcher:
It is early morning and the death of Sonja Heine in the press reminded me of you. Since my return here I now not only do not have days off, I have a single- night off, and have practically no assistance. This is not, however, a “sad” story. Mansur works a good deal; Moineddin, house manager and Khalif, also has a part-time job and the main problem has been the uncertainty in homes.
When I left in 1956 I had ten sets of enemies. God, Who does answer and commune said, “Let your enemies fight your enemies.” This is exactly what happened. When I returned these were reduced to three: (a) my brother, who is new my friend; (b) Alan Watts, who has lost his eminence and is even going around saying “Allah,” and Mrs. Ivy Duce.
I have seen Vilayat’s schedule and the question is whether he can adjust to it himself, for things are happening all over the place. I expect shortly to visit The Family Dog, a huge Dance Hall out at the Ocean Beach. They have just had a conference of all the real and putative “holy men” and spiritual teachers of the region. Sufi Sam did not fare badly at all. At least he demonstrated both dances and chants and when you have hundreds, even well over a thousand young people chanting “Allah!” this is something no so-called “Muslim” has ever succeeded in doing in the West.
The dancing was limited by space and space only. And my campaign to become a local Pied Piper has been marred by the “Fact (!) that only the young show up. Indeed I am going to The Family Dog shortly to consider the teaching of Dervish Dances to the school children. They have the space, I shall also ascertain the reaction to my public effort, which turned out much better than most.
Sufism seemed to have escaped unscathed but Buddhism did not fare so well. Some person had the audacity to say that he alone presented and represented Tibetan Buddhism, that he was the only such person in this country. This interfered with my friend, Dr. Warwick, who otherwise did impress. But if you see Dr. Ekbal, please tell him, for there are opportunities for Vajrayana here. But socially the situation is al complicated as that of Sufism and there are no souls more adamant that the “willing surrender-wallahs” of all faiths.
Perhaps even more important is what is going on at what I call “Hayakawa State College.” There “Sufi Sam” has been invited to sit in as The Expert on both Asian cultures and mystic. This is quite a change from our previous sending for Englishmen and Europeans.
But the meeting comes this week when one Alan Cohen will speak on Baba. I understand he is quite an emotional person. “Only there are three distinct directives from Baba. (a) Sufism Reoriented; (b) Believing that believing in Baba wipes out all sins and sanskaras; (c) the universal religionists who believe he came to unite mankind. I do not know Cohen does not represent the last.
The situation is peculiar because people, and especially young men of “Jewish” antecedents have taken over many movements. Thus the Hari-Krishna people both locally and especially in New York. Also the Rinzai Zen representative in San Francisco who is a very fine fellow whom I pun as Ko-an Cohen.
The open work in Novato ends with a joint birthday celebration and more attention will then be paid to San Francisco. We will have a dancing class free next Saturday and a party here in Novato on Sunday. In general there is more love both to the Teacher and to can other than I have ever seen in this land. There is more insight; more beauty, and more wisdom.
I think I told you of a flock of apologies and retractions from various persons and groups always seeking financial disbursements and never answering letters or accepting suggestions and knowledge. I had to tell Lloyd that I am ready with “General Semantics versus Generals’ Semantics.” The great “sin” of having studied with Cassius Keyser, Korzybski’s teachers has never been forgiven and will become a matter of public record when Hayakawa is nominated, if indeed he is. But privately there are such black marks I will not mention them here. I think it shocked Lloyd.
So Mansur and “Sufi Sam” were invited to Humanist House to discuss communes last week It was an excellent meeting from every aspect. But it is Mansur Johnson who carries the “Whiteman-Lewis” torch. I think I told you Vocha was here and will be back in November.
One finds it easier to see from the point of view of others and my disciple Melvin (Wali Ali) who goes with me says I do give non-dualistic answers and this very method has become impressive. It is quite a thing to be an “expert” in a top educational institution after one was excluded so much by the European “experts” on Asia culture, so dominant in the past. Between the divine knowledge and knowledges of history and philosophy, not to say mystical experience, it is possible, Inshallah, that the coming period will be very different from the past. I shall write after the Baba incidents.
Love and blessings,
Sam
October 16, 1969
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti
Thank you for interesting letters which I am forwarding to Atiya. You mention Sonja Henie. Yes, I saw her once, in Hollywood, was impressed with her simplicity, no pride, no pomp, wrote big art to Norse papers. Then of course, forgot about her for 30 years. Suddenly a few weeks ago her name appeared during my morning meditation. I wondered why? So young(?) so healthy? But her name insisted. A week later I read in the paper she had suffered secretly and suddenly had a betterment, no pain, from the time I had picked her up in my meditation, then wandered happily to the next world.
Aleikhum Salaam
Shamcher
October 20, 1969
My dear Shamcher,
It is interesting to know that you also had a premonition about Sonya Heine. From my vantage point I am finding more and more persons responding to the divine voice which comes constantly from within. As Qur’an teaches this world always has guidance.
Yesterday there was a big party at The Garden of Inayat in celebration of my birthday. About 100 people showed up, all young, excepting Bill Hathaway, his lady friend, and one personal friend whose fathers name was also Samuel L. Lewis! I have never witnessed such love, such general good will, such profound and yet high feeling.
The high marks were without question the marvelous chorales base on Sufi sacred phrases. One impetus for this came from the work of Pir Vilayat at the summer camp. Another came from the dances which are increasing in number. Although I am changing the time of the danced class from afternoon until evening because of absentees due to employment, the attendance is quite large and growing. Our young Americans are responding to spiritual development thru music in all its facets.
Last week we listened to a representative of Meher Baba at the San Francisco state college. This week I have been called to comment. I shall take the opportunity to present some very very simple simple facts about which the American public has been kept in abject ignorance by the European professors of “Asian Culture” on the one hand and the pseudo-Sufis on the other. For instance I shall name Suleiman the Magnificent, Padisha Akbar, and the late Dr. Zukair Hussein.
One does not know whether the repression of history or the repression of mysticism has done most harm.
The very glib mannerism of Dr. Cohen, the putative representative Meher Baba and presumably Murshida Duce has done much to expose the cult methodologies of charlatans. The class at San Francisco State College is studying modern mystical and cult movements. Zen Buddhism has been given three sessions. Subud and Gurdjieff are to follow. No one is interested in the actualities of the mystical experience and it is wonderful that a mystic may be permitted to speak on mysticism.
While this is going on there have been more and more public meetings to which real or putative “Gurus” are invited. Some make farces; some are quite effective and why not.
Another high note came from the marvelous picture housekeeper Begum
Jablonski drew. It is as yet unfinished for we expect no later than tomorrow
Fatima will be in a delivery room. On
Saturday we had the Quan Yin dance of five mothers (accompanied by the fathers
who were present) within a year there will be a much larger number in the
processional.
I am sending a copy of this to Pir Vilayat; I have to leave the door open whether he wishes interviews or not, but all signs now point to large meetings, even if we do not advertise. I have felt that the end of the “family” days are over. I am sure it was God’s wish that Hazrat Inayat Khan wished me to carry on his exoteric work, to present mysticism to the intellectuals. This is now going on apace.
Love and blessings,
Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti
26 November, [1969?]
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti Samuel L. Lewis,
I am very grateful for your Sangithas. It is well that they are not too open. To talk about the human, angelic, animal and devil man is volatile, explosive, to those who are not familiar with the weight and unweight of words. Also, a fool may draw entirely wrong conclusions; he might go around classifying his friends, making a fool of both them and himself. It is good only to the sophists.
The same, incidentally, with hierarchy. And that is the point. We both know Pirs and Qutubs and Walis in the East and West. We know some of them are hardly children yet. We know others among them are pillars. We know some beyond and blessedly without any title ever bestowed on them are God’s very close associates. So, to speak about hierarchy to the crowd is inviting disaster. They accept it! Yes, only too willingly, and it confused their minds ad infinitude. I was in a council with Vilayat and his council. Some said a leader must be at least of such a such a rank. I said: The higher rank he has, the more foolish and ignorant he is—look at (so-and-so). They were of course shocked, and that was my purpose—all were shocked except Vilayat who kept a straight non-committal face to the others, winked at me. At least he knew this. There are other things he does not know. There are things even you don’t know. Yes, my friend, yes, yes, there are things even I, the imperturbable, do not yet know, but the knowledge is available when I stretch out my feeler. And so with you, except, sometimes, when you hurry too much. And you hurry because you have Humanity’s well on your heart. And that is good, though the hurrying is not always so.
Bless you, great soul,
Shamcher
November 28, 1969
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti,
Thank you for your letter with interesting news of Universities accepting the presentations of those who have experienced. Also, all you can do to make known the Buddhist cause in Vietnam and that this must be the concern of the Pentagon as well as the State Department—is important.
Thank you also for return of Githas—thank Wali Ali for that. What I mostly had in mind were some Sangithas that I sent you without having copies here; as you indicated you would have them copied at your place since at that time I had no copying equipment available. I think you must have these in your private files as I was engaged in a discussion with you about them. If you find them, please send them and we shall have them copied and send you a copy.
The print shop at your place is good news. Atiya as you know has a stencil machine, which is most useful thought it is not printing.
Love
Shamcher
December 1, 1969
B. Beorse
P. O. 142
Keyport, Wash. 98345
My dear Shamcher:
This will acknowledge your letter November 28. I think the Sangithas are in Novato and I shall try to get them in your hands so Vilayat also will know about them.
I also wrote that there is a sort of entente between Vilayat and myself that he should have full charge of legal complications. This enables me to be in reserve. It is notable at the same time one should be facing Fizzel on one hand and Madam Duce on the other, who seem to contend that a private ersatz corporation properly established legally has control over spiritual matters. The situation is becoming more ridiculous because these things are coming out into the open on college and university campuses. I am glad Pir Vilayat shall have access to the university of Washington. He will have automatic access to San Francisco State college, but if he wishes otherwise, e.g.—appearing at the University of California we can also arrange that. At the same time the spiritual dance are expanding, and he may wish to watch them—all within a limited space of time, but I am leaving that up to him. The state department has never recognized my work. They do not answer my letters. They balled me out for even attempting a sort of reconciliation between Pakistan and India. They have never accepted my work in Islamic countries, or for that matter anywhere, and I don’t care any longer. My congressmen the Hon. Philip Burton knows all about this. It may be thrown into the election campaign next year. It will also be thrown into the proceedings of The Temple of Understanding. I need somebody to speak for me, just as my best work will come in speaking for others. I remained outside the moratorium because I was hosting a real Vietnamese. I have two more Vietnamese dates on my agenda and now have the best possible private contacts in Washington, D.C. When God (Allah) is with you, there is nothing and nobody to fear.
Love and Blessings,
Sam
410 Precita Ave.,
San Francisco, Calif.
December 6, 1969
My dear Shamcher:
I am glad to send you the complete series of Sangithas II here in so far as they came into these hands. Although you made a request, the ensuing events, and the potentialities of a legal suit, now or later, makes it imperative that you have these papers.
No doubt there have been many changes in the ways Bayat are given. There was both a Four-School and a Four-Religion system at Hyderabad, and Hazrat Inayat Khan tried to introduce that. But I believe, although one cannot prove it, that he went though some profound mystical revelations after he left India, toward a more universal outlook. The establishment of “The Church of All” was but one small brick in their temple, a brick which has been emphasized all out of proportion to the intention, but a true brick just the same.
We then had a formal Bayat service, and this involved a number of items which appear in “A Sufi Message” and better in “The Way of Illumination.” What is written is both public and at the same time there is an esoteric intent, but the intent is closely bound up with the written words. Furthermore, many originally esoteric teachings have already been published and the practices are sometimes give, more hinted.
I am having disciples copy things from Dabistand, the first authentic book on comparative religion, coming from the work of Sufis at the Moghul courts. And again the deletion from “The Sufi Message of Spiritual Liberty” that Sufism is based on Kalama, Nimaz, Wazifa, Zikr, Fikr, Kasab, Shagal and Amal still stands. The fact that these words were not explained in the text only indicates that they belong to traditional Sufis and no corporation has any claim here.
But legally since Pir Vilayat has the authorized papers from Ajmir, the rest, to me, is nothing but fraud, and this and even harder words may have to be used to Dickinson & Co. But of course there are others. We are studying the modern esotericisms in the college and it is remarkable how many of them come to legalisms instead of real esotericisms. But there are a lot of lodges that do the same.
I am restricting forensics here. I have pledged to Vilayat acceptance of his legal leadership. I am also under a pledge from his wonderful father to defend the Sufi Movement and Sufi Order as they were originally planned and drafted at all costs, and this includes the Gita process of “doing nothing.”
Tandy, one of Vilayat’s disciples, has been here with the Indonesian dance troupe which we saw in a body, last night.
Love and Blessings,
Sam
410 Precita Ave.
San Francisco
December 8, 1969
Dear Shamcher,
I am having a copy of this letter sent both to Bibijan in North Hollywood and to Sureness. I am no longer concerned with the by-passing of the instructions given to me my Hazrat Inayat Khan, but intend to function in and with them fully, so far as they do not impede progress or cause needless confusion.
I suppose sometimes my stand here is in the opposite direction from that of Vilayat’s critics. I sincerely and seriously believe that some of his instructions and particularly those in the realms of esotericisms should be properly incorporated into the Sufis compendium. I believe they will persist as aspects of the manifestation of divine wisdom whether any legal entity accepts them or not. To me they utterly transcend legalisms and legalities, and it is puerile nonsense to challenge them.
Today while working on the commentaries on the Gathas, I came upon Pir-o-Murshid’s mentioning Jagadish Bose. During the ensuing years many of the contributions of this Indian scientist have been accepted, and most of all that of metallic fatigue. Science is mobile, dynamic, progressive, and I see no reason why the same cannot be applied to mystical and occult teachings. I once wrote an article on “Ceaseless Revelations,” and see no reason today to change the attitude. But I am not going to propose that Vilayat’s contributions be incorporated into esotericism without his permission. And if he persists in lecturing as he has, it will utterly destroy the nonsense statements about him from any and all members of the legal profession, anywhere and everywhere.
This fracas has stimulated me to have copied large sections of Dabistan, the first real book on comparative religions, collected or written by Sufis during the Moghul time. Anyone using this material would make a laughing stock of Dickinson, Iblis, and company if they introduced anything into the law courts. If you wish copies of this material we shall be glad to send it. Also, if you wish, I shall be glad to have my diaries perused to see if I preserved records of Jagadish Bose’s work.
I have before me a copy of the original of “Sufi Message of Spiritual Liberty.” This work was published in 1914, and we used it in classrooms before the issuance of any Gathas, along with lectures, public and private, given in England in 1916-7. I wish to call attention to two items in this work which do not appear in later editions. One page 16: ”He attracted many disciples and founded an order of Sufism for America, the headquarters being at San Francisco” … page 39: “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 to be the easiest, shortest, and most interesting for spiritual accomplishment.”
The subjects of Zikr, Fikr and Kasab are discussed in the Githas. Shagal, is also discussed in Githas and Sangithas—I do not have Series I Sangithas. But I do have a compendium of Hazrat Inayat Khan’s Original notes on Zikr, Fikr, and Shagal. As for Amal, I know about that from having read Inayat Khan’s letters to Rabia Martin, both originals and copies being in the hands of Mrs. Ivy Duce.
Besides this the contents of “A Sufi Message of Spiritual Liberty” and “The Way of Illumination” will, I believe, support in full the position of Vilayat, and also I believe he has a trump card which I shall only infer here, not to impede his own use of it to his own benefit if the time should come. I think that is enough now.
Faithfully,
Sam
December 16, 1969
My dear Shamcher:
One appreciates your enjoyment of the paper sent but of course, the amazing thing to me is the chapter largely devoted to this person. I have not been able to go over the manuscript carefully. The secretarial help is way down and the attendance is slowly but steadily increasing at all meetings; and I presume, the collections also. But I do not benefit from them, they go for help and refreshments and office supplies.
Perhaps what holds me back from reacting or analyzing is not only being busy, but the whole parade of new facts and factors which constantly goes on—never news, of course. The appearance here of the Indian dancing teacher had been held up due to the absence of the lead, a young woman who has taken over the lead in much of the work. But the constant inspirations of new dances, and the synthesis of the Western square and quadrille with the Dervish and mantric dances is going to open up a new door in history. It is always a question whether Hazrat Inayat Khan or Ruth St. Denis influences me most but of course they were originally partners.
The next thing on the horizon is the possibly coming here of a Sufi teacher who is a citizen of Israel: This of course—”c’est impossible main c’est vrai.” And while I am not yet sure I have been told he is on the way, all these diplomats, all these stupid noise-makers—”signifying nothing” and we Sufis celebrate Hanukah and Christmas and what not, and this! Not a single Rabbi has ever answered a single letter since the last Six Day war! And the Muslims are little better.
I had to digress, even attacking “Christian” U.S. for leaving any scope for Christ and the Christian holy places in Palestine. My original plan was accepted in 1928, but the people who accepted it are all dead and their successors will have none of it. It was the denationalizations of all holy cities excepting possibly Mecca and Lhasa for geographical, not political reasons. It would have helped prevent the holocaust in India-Pakistan, etc. After all one reason the opposition in San Francisco hates and hated me is for getting first prize in the Gandhi content by Vincent Sheehan—they could never forgive me for that! We prefer massacres.
Again my brother has approached me for any change of heart on his part, or his departure from this world would leave me in an enviable financial position. But my heir is still a chair!—the chair in which Robert Clifton sat—we prefer Vietnam, we prefer Palestine, we prefer Biafra, etc. but never prevention by knowledge or wisdom, not that—no votes and no money! But as the possibility of going to Istanbul increases, and the uncovering of lots of forgotten material in my diaries, I feel very, very strong.
Of course I am with you all the way, on everything. I wish to go over the notes carefully because a Christmas greeting came from General Lansdale—his family lives at Novato and he came originally from Marin County. We are also going to test some of the Vietnamese groups—but facts are unimportant without pressure groups. We are doing everything in Vietnam excepting finding out what Buddhism there really is.
The class at “Hayakawa State College” ended in a high note so far as Sam is concerned. I was amazed to find the professor coming to almost the same conclusions, and it was a little awkward to find Sam highly evaluated and “Ivy” not so. Hayakawa, of course, is away, starting riots against himself all over, some getting into the papers and some not.
I am hoping to visit the Berkeley Campus soon; things are coming “right” there and also may arrange for Vilayat—the thing is not getting the arrangement at either college, the thing is Vilayat’s short state here. We are also planning for a proper visit to Los Angeles then.
Yesterday got into a long discussion on water problems with complete agreement. I remain an optimist, and notice the scientists are now paying some attention to rain-making. If they put in a modicum of what has been spent for the moon on rain-making of salt-water conversion we might be finding Shangri-las on earth. Incidentally all news from Assouan supports my earlier conclusions based on keen surveys. I wish I had any kind of secretary for this work. There are no problems, only compounded ignorance’s, with selfish motives.
Love and blessings,
Sam
December 29, 1969
Dear Shamcher,
This morning I telephoned Washington in regard to the forthcoming meeting of the world religions and am very happy to find that the convocation has been transferred to Geneva. I am glad it has been transferred from Istanbul for our recent experiences show that the present Turkish regime is extremely narrow and reactionary. We need not go into details. I am even more happy because the movement to Geneva will play directly, no doubt, into Vilayat’s hands. And will show him to be a beloved one of God, and not just merely a man who can go around talking about his physical father. I don’t know anything that can be more wonderful than that.
We are purposely running a program of no-program so as to facilitate his visit here.
We are also enclosing some material recently received from Ceylon which may be significant.
All love and blessings,
Sam
January 1, 1970
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti Cheleby Al Ghazali Samuel Salamon
Thank you for your good letters and enclosures most of which have been forwarded to Atiya- Shafayat with greetings from you, where a great many treasures are kept with loving and discriminating care.
Since you sent me two of the enclosed I send one copy back for your mailing to others.
A coming years is previsioned for you with even more fruits harvested and seeds sown than ever before, so be thou blessed.
Incidentally my old friend Dr. John Philip Wernette of Ann Arbor, previously economics professor at Harvard, then New Mexico University (president there) his written me about the economic areas of the book I sent you. “I agree with almost everything you say. Particularly I liked what you said about training: Still good for training the mind and acquiring good working habits, less and less for learning methods” (because methods are now changing faster than school courses….). The “almost” in above sentence was qualified and I have accordingly changed three pages: 42,44, 159, completely agreeing with Wernette. I you should wish the revised pages, just scream. Generally they are not very noticeable. For sharp economists and diplomats like Wernette and myself (in my good moments) they are important enough to be revised.
Bless and be thou blessed
Shamcher
January 3, 1970
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti Cheleby Samuel Gazahly
Please what is Dr. Oliver Reiser’s correct name and address. He is with the University of Pennsylvania in Pittsburg, isn’t he? That’s where I met him so many years ago. Or is it the Pennsylvania State University? And what department?
He is one I wish to send my stenciled script to. I have quite enthusiastic comments from economists. I need other branches and first thought of Huston Smith who, however, is on a world travel until July 1970. Please tell me if you can of somebody else, scholars, politicians, in this country or in England or France. We three are a sort of literary ensemble with mutual influences (we three countries).
Indira Gandhi is surfacing into some great events in India. It seems that, deservedly or not, she will be the center in a stage of tremendous promise. One of my of old friends, Dr. Raghar Frisch of Oslo, Nobel prize winner for his original economics works, who took over my proposal in London for handling the Norse economy after world war II—when we arrived in Oslo and I returned to USA—was called to India by Nehru, fell sick, but Nehru came to his bedside every evening, discussed economies until the early morning hours—but specially I need philosophers, sociologists, mystics, clerics to read and tell me.
Incidentally if you have matters you want printed by Jerry he has time. I paid him 160 for 40 copies of my book of which 80 was for material, the rest for work. He first refused to take anything but that he cannot afford so I insisted on paying and what he needs is paid work. It’s still much cheaper than having it printed or stenciled with other firms.
Love
Shamcher
January 5, 1970
Bryn Beorse
Box 142
Keyport, Wash. 98345
My dear Shamcher,
Things have started off this year with more than a bang. Vilayat advises he will be here only one night. This gives me little time for preparation, and I do not know at the moment whether the meeting will be in my basement, in the seminary at San Anselmo, or at San Francisco State College.
To add to the “excitement” I enclose a copy of a letter written to my oldest disciple so to speak. I am looking for a policy, and I think Vilayat has laid out this policy in his proposed public talk here.
I do not know when he will arrive and what other time we shall have other than for his lecture but expect to telephone to North Hollywood this evening.
I am very satisfied with your work, the niceties and also their correction.
Another thing I must talk over with Vilayat is our program, whether the same or mutual or distinct, for the forthcoming convocation of the world’s religions, now scheduled for Geneva at an uncertain data in the Spring.
I was rather pleased to receive a letter from the head of “Great Books” in West Hollywood with a complete inquiry into my spiritual dancing. Of course at this writing I do not know how far Vilayat wants to go ahead with this program. In any event I am discontinuing my university studies. they are going to be restricted to an attendance at a class on Vietnam on Saturday morning, for which I shall enroll but not seek credit, due to questionable attendance.
May it be, inshallah, as you have predicted. Sometime ago one of my somewhat errant disciples became a professional numerologist. He predicted his own future, and that of several disciples all wrong; but his predictions for this Murshid were remarkably correct down to small details. He has returned to this region, and now seems to have opened a professional office.
Still there is something in foresight. I called practically all the plays in the football game between Penn State and the University of Missouri on New Years. This may not happen often, but the room was full of disciples who can testify. You will probably hear from me later also.
Love and blessing,
Sam
January 19, 1970
My dear Shamcher,
I think I have written that Pir Vilayat said, “You have not only started the new year right, you have started the decade right.” On his return, we had at least 150 people at a meeting in San Anselmo in Marin Country. All of them were young except perhaps five or six persons, and these were either old friends of mine or these who attended previous meeting. It was not only the size at an unadvertised affair, but the whole program was of a New Age typology. The chief difference perhaps to me was that here was no occasion to weep.
I don’t know what struck the Pir most—our singing of Mahbood Khan’s compositions, my own Azan, the general program, and his having complete liberty both for singing and talking. While it was a long affair, it was not drawn-out. And I believe it was perhaps the best Sufi Meeting ever to be held in this country.
We shall have occasion to send a few papers on healing to Atiya and ask if she can mimeograph them. The status of those papers may be in abeyance. They were dictated to me by a Pir-o-Murshid who was a member of at least two of the great Sufi orders.
Mr. Russell Smith to whom I have addressed the letter (carbon enclosed), was a one-time employer. He had been vice-president of the Bank of America, in charge of international affairs, and also served on the international monetary commission. Actually by intent, design, or similar outlooks, I am a member of a number of organizations in which either he or Mrs. Smith have been playing leading roles.
This will be mailed before we breakfast with Azam, the Arab from Israel, who is also a Sufi. I am assuming you will want to keep informed concerning our meetings and common projects.
I must say that all my audiences are slowly, quite slowly but even more steadily, increasing quantitatively. The quality of the people is also higher, and perhaps the age also. I have twice told Pir Vilayat he will have the people in the twenties, and I those in the thirties. He seems adamant about the age qualifications for his camp; this actually works to my benefit in every direction.
Our next visitor will be Baba Ram Dass who was Professor Richard Alpert of Harvard. I hardly have a free hour. My brother is in the hospital undergoing a capital operation, but we are thoroughly reconciled. I dare not think ahead, for his demise would leave me in most comfortable circumstances.
I can assure you, by the time there is any clearance either in my relation with Azam (the Arab) or with Baba Ram Dass a lot more new and exciting projects will be over the horizon, without taking into consideration the Temple of Understanding affair.
With love to everybody,
Sam
January 10, 1970
My dear Shamcher:
As-Salaam aleikhum. As Vilayat said, we are not starting a New Year, we are starting a fresh Decade and everything seems suspicious and propitious.
Dr. Oliver Reiser,
Department of Philosophy,
University of Pittsburgh,
Pittsburgh 15213
I absolutely and unconditionally recommend this man and this works and you can use my name or not as you will.
Thanks for Jerry. Have the Healing materials from Pir Dewwal Shereef of Pakistan enclosed which I would like copied and distributed with discretion. There is one bit of unfinished business with Vilayat and perhaps it may require a Jamiat. I have proposed the integration of his own creative work, and now this Healing, in our Ryazat. He seems to favor that but it is better that somebody else proposes it. We are in entire accord as to general future politics and policies.
I shall look up Professor Merchant’s address in Bombay. He came out with a form of the “New Economics.” He was a student and then collaborator with old A.P. Wadia, the famous Vedantist. I shall ask secretary Wali Ali to add his address to this. I am anxious that you both get together with each other.
I also have an unfinished mater with Darshan, an Indian publication with which Reiser is also connected. They not only did not acknowledge my letter and contribution, but even the cheque disappeared, it was never cashed and so lost evident.
As to future work by Jerry I may have some disciples contact him or vice versa, especially Mr. Hassan Herz at 910 Railroad Ave., Novato (the Khankah)
Also Prof. Jacob Needleman
887 Union St.,
San Francisco, Calif. 94133
He teaches at San Francisco State college
Also Prof. Archie J. Bahm
Department of philosophy,
University of New Mexico,
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106
This may do for a starter. Love and blessings,
Sam
January 19, 1970
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti
I send care of you an urgent letter to Vilayat of which I shall send you copy in 14 days if he does not protest this. I have heard he will touch your place in a few days. If this is not so please send on the letter to whatever secure address you may have. It is immediately urgent because of certain action taken by certain people here in Seattle.
Thanks a lot and love,
Shamcher
March 11, 1970
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti,
Thank you for letters. I had to make a journey into the far reaches and didn’t know there was anything wrong. Admittedly, though, I may have neglected the body a bit in my deplorable ignorance, during those trips and great souls around me are so cognizant and so lovingly concerned. But I was really a bit amazed at hearing from you that I was not well, and also deeply touched that any one should care. But actually, I am weller than most, so well I am afraid I have to tarry here beyond my wish to operate in that other world soon.
Your giving me Oliver Reiser’s address was a great service for he wrote me the most appreciative wonderful letter about President’s Vision and so did MD Professor of Psychiatry Jule Eisenbud, and I needed a professional psychiatrist’s commendations and economist John Philip Wermette, our greatest, and Karl Brandt, Stanford, former Presidential science advisor, “The way you develop your book I believe it will have greater impact on the readers than all my years as head of the Stanford University’s Food Research Institute.” So with these and other commendations the book will spread some time, and I do not care whether it be before or after my departure for other shores. As you know it broaches truths beyond what our universities teach in their different disciplines, often seemingly opposite, but several university men now realize this, or, as they said in England, “Where ten economist are gathered there will be eleven contrasting and bitterly fighting opinions, and all twelve of them are Mr. Keynes’s.”
And good luck to you on your far trip
Love
Shamcher
PS. Professor Merchant asked me to airmail my book to him. I did. Did he tell you he
had received it? Did he comment on it? Tell me, whatever it is. Anything will be interesting.
March 27, 1970
My dear Shamcher,
This is like a closing departure letter. The tides, so to speak, praise be to God, are very favorable. A surprised letter of apology came from Paul Reps. This is most wonderful. Another apology of sorts came from Lloyd Morain. One does not mind criticisms; one does not mind hostilities; but one has a certain right to resent personality criticisms when one has never been permitted to express oneself either in one’s own field of endeavor, or otherwise. But I am not going to sermonize here; I think it is marvelous that tides are changing.
Vocha Fiske is here, and she has her own direct experiences of evaluating the present type of disciples. Far superior to those of our day.
Evidently Vilayat must have an open heart and vision. He asked for a drama class. Samuel had nothing to do with the drama class. Its first work is absolutely astounding, and with a growing number of disciples, applicants and whatnot, it is possible, Inshallah, that the spiritual efflux of this region will spread far and wide. We have dedicated our kiln which was part of the methodology of attempting to spread the message. Everything looks beautiful and wonderful this eve of departure, praise to God.
Samuel
May 15, 1970
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti SAM
Atiya shared with me your letter to her about sharing different kinds of printing between you and her (Jerry’s) outfit. It is clear. Jerry’s is a stenciling outfit that can do all stenciling but no printing, your group should build not only a printing press but a whole independent publishing company, Praeger started with $700 and sold his outfit for 4 million the other year. You would build on the tremendous increase in public interest for mystical lore—which the houses existing hasn’t even begun to tap. Your poetry. My President’s vision, that now has 6 top experts (John H.G. Pierson, economist US and UN for thirty years researching Full Employment, writes me about this book Marvelous Karl Brandt, Presidential advisor “Will mean more than all my years of public work on Food resources….” It may seem vainglorious but I have eight manuscripts of which 4 could be million sellers. I see on the inner sphere my way of writing and the public’s way of reading are now coming together just as your mystic power, at first so alone, is now or has already clicked with the public. Your Hassan and Phil Davenport and many others are rare experts. Atiya some years ago had an offer to buy a used but usable printing press for $1000. In San Francisco many such opportunities are offered, Jerry paid over $2,000 just for his stenciling machine, which seems to me too much.
We need beautiful printing, and your group can do it. We may also need paperback printing. But to buy a printing outfit may not yet be the solution, but perhaps to make liaison with an existing plant and people.
Your people in the publishing office should have rights to change titles, pages, approaches.
Love,
Shamcher
May 14, 1970
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti Baker Cheleby Ghazali Sam,
Thank you for keeping me informed throw your travels. It has all gone on to
Atiya and
Shafayat. As to my report booklet on the Kennedy effort etc. it has been
revised, particularly pages 1-4, 21, 39-42, 159-161. If the book or these pages
are now circulating or of interest they should be replaced and you could either
mail me the script and I could mail you the revised on, or, if you or someone
has time and patience I could just mail the new pages and they could be
substituted and the old ones thrown away.
Or, if the booklet is not now active, let it just rest in peace in its drawer and we do not exert ourselves.
What is a bit new is the discovery through students and others that every economist who has gone deeply into, devoted much time to the Full Employment issue seems to have become convinced this is not only feasible but highly desirable and may be completed without any increased inflation but, on the contrary, may be so instituted that whatever inflation is present at the inception of such policy may be reduced, restrained, abolished. This in spite of the overwhelming scream in press and on TV about full employment equates inflation.
Love
Shamcher
June 20, 1970
My dear Shamcher:
We are preparing for a solstice festival end tonight there will be a drama presented at Lama, I believe on the subject of the guru. It means that outsiders will be coming, some staying overnight and tomorrow there should be an unusual number of visitors here. The program also has been changed because there are scattered groups along the Rio Grande with New Age outlooks.
Last Sunday there was a Holy Man’s Jamboree—no, two Sunday’s back now—at which a number of speakers were there including Pir Vilayat and it attracted a lot of young people. The spiritual dances also went over as they are doing here. One of the Gurus then came this way for another Holy Menlo Jamboree in which he was to have been joined but it is not a Holy Men’s Jamboree, it is his thing. It has not attracted the number he advertised or expected. But he has been successful in drawing money. It seems that in general the contemporary “Holy Men” are improving their financial lot and also going in for communes of one sort of other.
The Board Meeting has not been reported to me and this may affect the ways of working. There has to be some method. Nor have I the details of the present status around the San Francisco Bay area excepting to say there is every sign of the Message of God reaching far and wide.
The Camp in Arizona is now on and there is little doubt but that the Pir could easily get a camp in this State. There are a lot of so-called “spiritual communes” around, some have a universal outlook, some are uncertain and some are tied up with particular movements. But there is more success in them in general than either the “New Left” or the status quo would like to see. Even Lloyd Morain has been convinced by Vocha Fiske that I am not entirely a fraud and pretender.
While we are running around next week the film crew will arrive. There has been some misunderstanding or mistake. Outsiders have pressured the crew into taking films of groups which do not represent any “Message of God reach far and wide” and some even inimical to Murshid. Now, of course, there are explanations, but I have never countenanced being placed alongside of people who would never place me alongside of them when they held the reins and now they want Samuel’s bandwagon. Last night Pir-o-Murshid appeared and said, distinctly No! We have ideals and goals, but one of them is not to present the causes of our competitors or narrow sectarians of any line.
It would appear that Samuel (or a representative) will be invited here annually. It is so pleasant being with people who are cooperative, of spiritual outlooks and willing to do things rather than to suggest to others what to do.
There will be plenty to do when I return a specially in cooperation with Atiya.
Love and Blessings,
Samuel
PS. We are not only expecting to be filmed, Inshallah, but also Dane Rudyar is expected shortly. The choral master, Allaudin, Wm Matthieu has caught the whole spirit of Hazrat Inayat Khan, the new age, and the Message in general. We feel confident there will be some understanding with Dane Rudyar.
July 7, 1970
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti Sam,
Your representative Daniel Lomax did very well at the meetings in North Hollywood and we had some interesting talks.
I am writing specially to greet you from K.T. Merchant of Bombay. He wrote me a beautiful three-page letter, beginning with “I am simply amazed at your wide sweep. I not only enjoyed reading your book, I profited a lot.” He is a sort of dean of India’s economists now, isn’t he?
I hear from India that 5 February Vilayat and Fazal both performed during the ritual. But a venerable saint and Murshid warned Vilayat about certain persons. They have a new bigger apartment for the Sufi center in New Delhi, with two and half beds, Mureeds are invited. The head, Hathay Bouman, is a beautiful innocent who delightedly receives all colors.
Love
Shamcher
July 10, 1970
My dear Shamcher:
I am most happy about your contact with Prof. Merchant. I have always felt you are kindred souls.
Things are happening so rapidly here that I am dizzy. First, there was the adjustment from having lived at the 9,000 foot level to that of the seashore. Then, there was the piling up of work in my absence. Then, there was the revolution:
Evidentially the Arizona camp was a success. In any event it brought a lot of people here and some wish to study in this area. Whatever were their motives, Pir Vilayat Khan and Baba Ram Dass are both leaving the United States as if Sam were to become the guardian angel of this land, and he is accepting this. With so many causes to fight, especially of the shams that pretend to represent Divine Wisdom and of the intellectuals that try to obscure mysticism, Sam has gone to the other extreme with regard to Pir Vilayat and Baba Ram Dass and simply accepted everything they are doing.
The return here was complicated by emergency notes from the Zen Korean Master Seo Kyung-Bo and the Jewish mystic, Rabbi Schlomo. In fact, we had to visit both of them the same night. And as there is a movement on to have some business meeting without Murshid Sam one is seizing the rare opportunity to cooperate as fully as possible with these two holy men.
Last night we held our first Jamiat meeting, the first ever called for this country. Pir Vilayat has left a number of papers with me (copies will be sent to you as soon as available). Then there is the whole question of meditation, and I should prefer to accept the methods of Pir Vilayat and cooperate fully without any mental intervention. I guess he must feel that because there is intense harmony which is a great wonder.
Pir Vilayat intends to go to Ajmir later on and I have been writing to facilitate mutual bonds. But I am glad to get your note about New Delhi and will so advise the disciple from this region who will be accompanying Pir Vilayat. In any case I am glad to have the note about Ajmir.
In fact there are now several books being published by wealthy adherents of Fazal adding to confusion. But I expect to be writing another letter at the conclusion of this and will enclose carbon.
I am extremely busy but in marvelous mental and physical health considering age. Love and blessings,
Sam
August 4, 1970
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti Samuel L. Lewis,
You writing about lack of secretarial help I wonder if you would like to borrow Evelyn for a while. She is still an excellent typist and now I have some time she does not need to type for me. She is also in more and more excellent physical health, up with the crack of dawn, and who knows, it may be good for her too. No money to her of course, or rather shall pay you back whatever you find it propitious to pay her from time to time, but from childhood she is accustomed to Salvation Army store and a fiver now and then would all she would need and it would make her jump with joy.
If this appeals to you, send her, under same address as mine, an invitation. She is an excellent cook and scrubber and washer too, you know. Most of your people know her and it would be good for them, too, to learn to get along with such a one as Evelyn. It was certainly good for the children and myself.
Love,
Shamcher
What exactly is this with Finley Dunne and his “dajals”?
August 4, 1970
Mr. Shamcher Bryn Beorse
P.O. Box 142
Keyport, Wash. 98345
Dear Shamcher:
One of the most regrettable undertakings of my life is now before me. When the so-called American Academy of Asian Studies was established the founder declared that I was nothing but a pretender, not even a San Franciscan, but was trying to get by by promoting my ego, and there was nothing behind it at all. This unsubstantiated conclusion was accepted, and until the Universities because interested, I was never permitted to present any of my backgrounds. It therefore come as a shocker that a professor at San Francisco State (Hayakawa’s university) told me I was famous. And yesterday also when reading over a book on the history of California I found Luther Whiteman and I mentioned.
But what Whitey and I did which did not become so public was to investigate all the religions and cults here in California. This has now been discovered by new research writers who are of the same type as Whitey and I were; and also by University professors. It is become a question whether I should do the writing or support these personalities.
While this has been going on, I have been receiving more telephone calls and letters urging me to be present at “New age spiritual gatherings.” My real past has been uncovered. Those persons who believed in the gossips of the self-esteemed promoter of “Asian Studies,” and the various British and European “experts” on Oriental? Philosophies, will have to face their own laws of compensation.
Now both editors and publishers on the one hand and writers on the other are seeking to distinguish the real from the fanciful. They would delight in exposing frauds. They more than delight in exposing what they call cults. And the refusal of the now “universal,” “world,” “galaxy,” and “international,” groups even to admit the existence of Sufism is going to rebound on them and may have to rebound own on them. I never wanted it this way. I wanted to join in efforts toward world brotherhood. But now our prestige is increasing, our attendance is increasing, our actual wealth is increasing even more, and our honesty and sincerity is being accepted. I see no future in pretence. My last efforts in the field of Christian musician were so successful that the story is leaking out. The work or colleagues and friends in Jewish mysticism almost parallels this. As for this the rest, you can guess.
I don’t know and I no longer care whether “world,” “universal,” “integral,” “humanistic” groups will admit of our existence. I think we are going ahead full stem, Alhamdulillah!
Sam
August 6, 1970
My Dear Shamcher,
I have your very kind letter of the 4th of August. It would be an easy matter if I could answer this. It is not a tragedy, but a road-block. For example, secretary Daniel Lomax has moved to Tucson, Arizona to help establish a Sufi Center there and to work with Walter Bowart. Walter is a man of some means and a rather successful publisher. We have to get things for him, and much of this would have to be done here. In the meanwhile my other typewriter is for the moment in the hospital!
Our public lectures have been totally successful, praise to God, but the rough drafts here have to be edited and at this writing no one to do it. Secretaries Wall All and Mansur have to arrange complicated appointments in both San Francisco and Marin. They also both have to conduct classes. There is not a complete inventory and I dare not send out anything that would denude the files.
We are also getting more and more inquiries to spread the Message. Mansur has been invited to San Jose. Samuel has two independent invitations to Los Angeles. One is for the young, the rock-groups and holy men’s jamborees (please tell Daphne). The other is for the University of Southern California. And this came through San Francisco State College, etc. There are also several incomplete projects in connections with the Univ. of California at Berkeley.
This morning we had to visit my lawyer to incorporate the San Francisco Chapter of the Sufi Order. This was on Vilayat’s advice, but it is also quite in accord with the requests of the Sufi Orders in Asia. Our total attendance is increasing. We have been expecting to absorb all those to whom Vilayat has given Bayat. I have preferred to regard Vilayat in some way as a messenger of God, to keep my mind free from all dualisms, not to analyze anything he is doing, but just to accept it because he is a doer. The higher papers suggest that the doer is the best of all people.
Then we have the whole complex of filming and Vilayat’s future plans. These are inestimable, but they do involve disciples here and contacts in parts of Asia.
Commentaries on Gospel to the Corinthians. The lectures have been exceedingly well-attended and tape-recorded, but we have to do local editing. We also have to discuss this both with Walter as above, and with Atiya—I understand she may be coming here. This is a very complicated situation. All problems are quantitative, none, thanks to God, qualitative.
I understand Atiya may be coming and wish her to have all the non-esoteric materials we have from Hazrat Inayat Khan. This is another project. We are enclosing “Prayers before Lectures.” This is one of the papers I was able to copy from one of the two esoteric notebooks, material of personal dictations from Hazrat Inayat Khan to Rabia Martin. One of these notebooks disappeared entirely, but this does not matter anymore.
Sometimes I feel we must go ahead as Vilayat wishes. I have so much creative work to do that administration and organization are almost boring; they are time-consuming.
Then I continue to get dance visions, and have no dance secretary here. Once the dances are written out they could be sent elsewhere for re-copying. I have six sessions a week in which there are dances, three being entirely dance classes. But next week I must attend another, and hope to find a secretary. Problem here is: motherhood! Even now visions continue while I dictate.
I feel the blessings of God pouring to me and through me. Last night one combined the use of glance and interview. Also the performance of those dances which require at least forty persons. I could keep on dictating. But after we can have clear inventory we’ll accept any offer. Note this is different from before. It would seem, praise to God, we have risen above financial problems.
Love and blessings to you all,
Samuel
August 12, 1970
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti El Al Ghazali Samuel L.
Still with you from our memorable talk Monday, I am now answering your earlier question about publication of A President’s Vision, which, as you say, would show your prophetic glory to the world.
Yes, apart from the stenciled version of Jerry, Kristopher James C. Ingebretsen and others are contacting regular publishers some of whom have considered for ages and flim-flammed up and down and meanwhile I am wondering whether your new publisher-friend (in Arizona with Lomax) should not rather take this job with the substantial profit involved, for whereas Jerry Rubin earned about 200,000 (and his publishers five times that amount), his, Rubin’s book was in some respects good, in presenting his views but mixed up with extracurricular idiocies that irritates rather than amusing—while mine gives the whole entire picture with some asides though not so many and so rotten, but it is the first book in history to start the reader out on everything, from where he will know how to proceed, how to further read and think and do.
Between us, but not for publication, my book will net thirty millions just for the author on a regular contract and 150 million for the publisher (if he knows how to distribute) and why should not your man take that instead of Random House? If he needs help financially to publish and sell it, such is available. Of course I must know of his work so far and he must know of mine, first of all my experts who have commented already: Economists John Philip Wernette, Harvard’s finest “I agree with almost everything your write,” John H.G. Pierson Yale’s brightest, for thirty years working on full employment “Marvelous!” Leon Keyserling, Truman’s chairman of Economic Council “Thank you for your very interesting book” K.T. Merchant, dean of India’s economist “I am simply amazed at your wide sweep. Not only did I enjoy reading you, I profited a lot!”
Food Resources specialist, Presidential science advisor Karl Brandt “Your book, the way you develop it, will mean more than all my years with the Food Resources Institute….” Psychiatrist Jule Eisenbud of Colorado U, formerly Columbia “Too bad there aren’t more people like you in Washington DC” and Oliver Leslie Reiser “I read with a sense of nostalgia. Is this a renewal of a sense of mission, a call to action? I have no criticism, no disagreement.” Above all: young students. They phone me in the middle of the night. I have talked at their classes. One is basing his thesis on the book. (He is yet in his second year, thus not final, yet.)
Your publisher might do what others wouldn’t: Illustrate my book with appropriate shots, not non-sensical shots like Jerry Rubin’s. It would be book above all other books. That would catapult its publisher to forever fame. But don’t send him your present copy I sent you. Return that to me for inserting new and more exciting and poignant text. The chapter on mystics is much the same. Most other chapters are totally changed. Send it in for corrections in any case.
Love
Shamcher
August 16, 1970
Mr. Shamcher Bryn Beorse
P. O. Box 142
Keyport, Wash. 98345
My dear Shamcher:
I shall not answer all your letter of the 12th of August at this time. There will be another letter, perhaps today, after the new financial secretary arrives, concerning he matters with Jerry.
I am very much interested in your remarks about Jerry Rubin. I called on him when he was a math teacher on the Berkeley campus and was amazed not only of his total lack of knowledge of Vietnamese and Asians in general, but he knew nothing about Spangler and so little about Bertrand Russell that I was flabbergasted. I did not know that his writings would be so well received. It does not add to the luster of our culture.
I am sending a copy of this letter to Daniel Lomax who is now in Tucson. Walter Bowart, the publisher, will not return until early in September. I can more than recommend your work to him. I can recommend it even without the wonderful reactions of important persons. From what little I know, he would be more than cordial.
Regarding illustrations, I do not know whether you mean photographs or artistic drawings. Please explain.
We are returning your manuscript, assuming this is what you want. What we want most is to help you.
This has been a very trying period. Nothing bad, but so many things happening it is most difficult. I have had to get a new secretary as Mansur is leaving the Khankah and is working full time on some of our projects. I do not know how clear the letter to Senator Cooper is but action is today needed more than anything else. I am very happy over what the disciples are doing in everything. I am also going to make a couple of copies of this letter, specially to send to Daniel in Arizona. If my writings are not clear please advise.
Love and Blessing,
Samuel
August 31, 1970
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti Samuel Ghazali
I just sent my President’s Vision to Huston Smith and it would be appreciated if you sent him a note telling him about the chapter (the pages seventies-eighties) where you and the mystics are treated. In his excellent book on religions of the world Huston Smith does not touch mysticism, perhaps because he wants first to know a bit more about it.
And speaking of this book; I haven’t yet had the one returned from you; which does not really matter if it does not suddenly turn up as the valid one, while it should now be exchanged for the much better version. I will send you the whole new book version anyway as soon as Walter Bowart would want to see it, just make sure he does not see the old version and please, tell him the quotes from the various US and India experts. Tell me, please, to which address I shall send this new version.
Atiya tells me she just had a dear visit from one of your pupil-associates.
Allah Ho Akbar, aleikhum Salaam and love
Shamcher
PS. Should I copyright the script now? Atiya says I must. I thought I could wait until printing, let the publisher do.
September 8, 1970
Mr. Shamcher Bryn Beorse
P.O. Box 142
Keyport, Wash. 98345
Dear Shamcher:
This is a fill-in-time letter. I have roughly two hours, which is miracle, until the coming of the mail. No sign whatever of any day off. On the other hand if anyone wishes to make conclusions they come out of his own age. Indeed the history of the last two months may itself become a drama.
I expect to be going east by the end of the month and announced in my absence there may be a drama class here, because Vilayat wants it. Those who do not wish to partake in it can have the time off. I told them I did not care whether they put on Hazrat Inayat Khan’s plays or Vilayat’s. One is too busy to consider anything. Not only have there been no days off, but the nights are filled with visions and dreams of new dances. More and more and more and more.
The dancing classes are growing. The attendance here increases very slowly so that the newcomers can be assimilated, but more and more disciples wish to become dance teachers and will be given every opportunity. At least two other spiritual teachers wish to help with them. Whatever else can be said of them, their major premise is “God is Love.” It is really wonderful.
The local chapter of the representatives of the United Nations has asked for my program for the Near East. It is very notable that this has been turned down by practically every group that claims world outlook and human brotherhood. The only church which has ever permitted me to speak is the Roman Catholic. They once had a seminar on water-problems of the near East. After Sam Lewis spoke the chairman said there was no need for further discussions as “the problems had been solved.” That is what a Roman Catholic said; all the engineers I have met agree. Period.
Not a single “good” or “tolerant” or “peace” group has even let me speak. Now there is an unfortunate laugh. The contacts given to the group with Pir Vilayat have proven real and valuable. It is only local “tolerant” people who shut the door in my face, but I guess this is characteristics of the passing world. Our own real peace efforts have grown and progressed marvelously, really marvelously.
We now have the Sufi movement operating in every part of Marin County. There are signs we are going to other places nearby as well. I had a visit from Dr. Anderson from Los Angeles, who is also a friend of Vocha Fiske. When I mentioned the “good people” he named them. It is all the universal ones that show nothing intolerance and bigotry.
I am waiting the return of a disciple from New York who not only was successful with the Dervish Dances, but even has the Fazal people curious. I have met Fazal’s representative who is about as tolerant as the President of the United States. But I am sure God will tell me what to do should we meet again.
This has been a most trying period. Chief Khalif Moineddin Jablonski has long been ill, although at last he seems to be getting better. The old secretary Mansur has an outside job and has been separating financially. His first replacement has also been ill. The housekeeper here is in the hospital although we expect her home soon. We have not had time to arrange for our incorporation.
The gardens are doing marvelously. Our single fig tree and our single grape vine amaze us. Not only the garden of Allah and the Garden of Inayat are producing far more than we estimated, but this is also true of Lama Foundation. There is a 2-page picture of Lama in the National Geographic Magazine—this is our answer to all the “good people” who close the doors in one’s face, and who are sure that communes will always fail. Imagine: the National Geographic Magazine.
Our musical group is advancing so rapidly that I believe also their work will become renewed despite the “good” and “universal” people. The great defeat of the Americans is that they have no ears. If you can reach their ears you can easily reach their hearts.
My lectures on “The Three Body Constitution of Man according to the Christian religion” are being received with Joy and Love. It is being taped and typed and will go both to Washington and to editor Walter Bowart in Arizona. Sometimes I feel like Shaw, who said, “I think I can convince a banker of the truth of socialism, but a banker’s clerk, never.” I feel sooner or later that many doors will open, but not those of the “meta-physicians” and the “tolerant.” They are impossible. I shall have a very difficult time fulfilling the University invitations. I will close at this point, but add if there is something important in today’s mail.
Love and Blessings,
Samuel L Lewis
P.S. Plenty of important mail. The day is over when self-important “experts” on Asia can offer excuses why they would not let Sam speak at their meetings. It is going to be a beautiful story. Establishments name self-appointed authorities on Asia, and these ersatz wonders become authorities on character-analysis, and they can tell you more about your faults then they can about countries which it is assumed they know something about. It is an unbeautiful picture, but a true one, and a most unfortunate one.
The election in Chile proves that each country has a right to go mad in its own manner.
October 2, 1970
Shamcher Bryn Beorse
P.O. Box 142
Keyport, Washington 98345
My dear Shamcher:
It is probable that today real work beings. We are going to Columbia University this morning to see one of the deans who is an in-law to one of my hosts. Ten years ago I had a long conference with Professor Blau on the subject of what the professors of Columbia University could contribute toward world peace and understanding. It was the application of such a philosophy and approach backed by some scientific and technical research, backed by knowledge of history and religion that formed the basis of the program then presented to Gunnar Jarring. I am very happy to find now that Columbia University has opened its doors and it is probably, inshallah, that other institutions may do so. But I find that not many professors, or let alone students, of the day, know of their predecessors.
Am speaking Tuesday night. There is a rather full program interspaced by other affairs. There is a complex rather than a problem of getting involved in personalities and noble emotions rather than accomplishments. Today’s program involves contact with some high Roman Catholics and also with a new center which received a full page in a recent Time Magazine article studying consciousness. It was far more serious than anything ever en-countered.
One lives in a world where the immediate personality is always regarded as inferior to some absent one, especially book writers. The greatest of these book writers, such as Chardin and Merton and certainly Aldous Huxley have not accomplished, though they have given us wonderful literature. We are not going to have peace until we first have the transformation first into understanding, which in Sanskrit is called Vijnanavada and then beyond that to Anandavada and then beyond that to Cosmic awakening. I mean actuality—I’m not shoving personality names about. Or as Sufis say, “La Ilaha El Il Allah—There Is No God But God. Invariably you end up by stressing or having stressed the prowess of personalities.
I am not opposed to that, and the reason for writing is that I have found some people who laud Vilayat to the extreme. I am not sure they are wrong, and I certainly have had more satisfaction by hearing him praised, than in being involved, as I am now, with certain Indian spiritual leaders. These Indian spiritual leaders are, no doubt, much higher than the generality but they have been hopelessly divided and divided by themselves. Advertising does not produce cosmic oneness. I had already decided to wait until Vilayat’s coming before laying out my travel program. But today’s visit with the Roman Catholics and the foundation for the Study of Consciousness may fixate my approach.
I have felt that my immediate followers were far greater than those personalities who surrounded Hazrat Inayat Khan. Now I find that the audience awaiting Vilayat is far far superior to any large group I have ever encountered. I have one doubt, and that is, if any of the halls Vilayat has engaged will be sufficient. He is certainly far ahead of me in attracting older people, and I am quite willing to let it go at that. Besides, I am here mostly to promote peace and understanding.
The telephonic call to Mar. Hollister’s housekeeper shows I am held in high regard by many potential or actual leaders, which is most leaders, which is most encouraging. I have written a strong letter to Lloyd Morain and intend to go further and publicly expose those personalities and movements that justified character assassination as an excuse, not only for not programming one, but not even letting one have the floor when he knows something. The awkward thing is that the young love that; if they hear that some big shot or organization has absolutely turned you down a priori without any interview or anything, they think you are a hero, and that proves something. Maybe it does, but it is awkward.
Tomorrow will be spent in counseling. It will also be a test of one’s own attainment and abilities. There is a great deal of difference between a mystic and an analyst, no matter what you call him. I feel next week we shall be exceedingly busy. The young people in general are anti-war and when you get down to actual humanity, not to be confused with the verbal “grassroots” of the press, you find the desire for peace very very great, and willingness to make concessions very very strong. And as the New Age advances there will be more of this.
I hear there are many groups now wanting to see me, but I will not visit them unless they put up the funds. I am far more interested in accomplishing what Pir-o-Murshid wanted me to and today proves absolutely his appointment of me, almost unanimously rejected by all the “good people,” for being the intermediary between the intellectual and mystical world. And, as written before, I understand Walter Bowart will want articles and memoirs from me.
We shall probably telephone the West Coast tomorrow night or Sunday. I shall probably let you know more about Vilayat’s visit. So many hundreds of people actually waiting for him, etc.
Love and Blessings,
Sam
November 24, 1970
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisty Samuel Baker Cheleby
Thank you for precious letters from the great out-spaces (London-NY) all of
which have gone to editor and publisher Shafayat who has already used much of
it in Sufis Speak, his fertile original idea. Thank you particularly for
exuberant words about my booklet President’s Vision and it’s
prophesies, which have also had some hearting new comments from Senator Henry
M. Jackson (and that is generous for senators are mostly very cagey, especially
in associating themselves with such unorthodox ideas) and from Dr. John H.G.
Pierson, without a doubt our greatest economist, leader on the national as well
as well as international field, now retire, who wrote lengthily, first about
the very great merit and need for what I wrote about the economics, then “But
apart from all that, its wonder is the effect this wide ranging essay had on me
as a general reader.” A great friend, a widow, black (black widow?)
wrote me “This one is unique. All the Bibles, Vedas and Qur’ans rolled into
one and dipped and baptized in our modern cybernetics so thus making it
palatable to the most modern. I will sell 150 million at least—if it gets
past the editors and publishers who have the worst superstition and narrowness
of all, demand ‘unity’—meaning an narrow track of a limited subject (what
subject has limits anyway?) and here is where we black have a greater vision
for we have
suffered so and we are close to nature and to rhythm—I simply love it, every
facet of life weaving in and out as you read….”
And as a funny aside: What happened to Omen (Walter Bowart’s firm):
I sent a copy to Walter Boward and the day after (long before he could have
received it) got a letter and return of an old copy that Daniel Lomax must have
gotten hold of before. Lomax advises me to rewrite and make three books at
least and “achieve unity, which now there is not, not even within each
chapter,” and you can hear his repeating the writer’s schools and editors
manual and of course there is nothing else he can do and one must appreciate
his quick assimilation of editors’ manual which does not even know about the
“stream of consciousness” style and method which, when well done, attracts
by far the most buyers for the public, not satiated with oodles of boring
manuscripts, want that
freedom, at least 70 percent of them. But there is nothing one can say or reply
to lovable Daniel Lomax. I just hope Walter Bowart does not happen to mention
this to him, but, not knowing Daniel’s action, reads it and makes up his own
opinion—which of course may not be different. But after this I have
considered myself entitled to send the MS to commercial publishers and the
income from the 150 million sales will have to be spread more widely.
Incidentally, most publishers know that
nobody is an authority on writing or what will sell, so they dip into the pile
their editors rejected, from time to time, and quite often reverses the
rejection and comes up with a best-seller.
Aleikum Salaam Murshid Saam and in love
Shamcher
November 28, 1970
Mr. Shamcher Bryn Beorse
P.O. Box 142
Keyport, Wash, 98345
Beloved One of God:
This is in reply to your letter of the 24th. Part of life is very beautiful and part of life is most difficult, so difficult it is very hard to communicate at all. To put it briefly, I simply do not have time or assistance, and I have failed to communicate. Instead of helping me, I get a lot of enquiries about what others are doing. It is rude socially; it is wrong spiritually; and it is impossible in the short time open to me. There are five projects going on, every one having some success, none of them running into obstacles excepting the simple situation that there is less secretarial help available than ever. One secretary in Marin Country feels he should come only when he thinks I have money to pay him. His financial circumstances have improved. The appointment secretary never shows up excepting to telephone appointments, hit or miss. And in San Francisco the quantity of work is so great.
Then there are people using the word “Sufi” for all kinds of enterprises, even evil selfish ones, and raising funds for themselves. I am very careful but also adamant about it, for what I can read in the book of life, we are going to have inshallah, very large meetings for Pir Vilayat. The last news was that he will have five meetings here instead of three. It is not a question of my welcoming him; it is a question of what is happening, and believe me, things are happening.
I have two meetings on the Berkeley campus the coming two Tuesdays. There is a disciple there already presenting Sufism and Dervish Dancing for University credit. All efforts toward peace in the Near East show progress but one: I have warned, and I have failed in the warning, that the only thing standing in the way was goodness. This goodness is 90 percent vanity, when it is not 100 percent ego. Disciples who have no time to go to Gatha classes seem to be able to get around anywhere and everywhere and do anything and everything. True, there is a Bazaar scheduled for December 20, both for the peace efforts and for my own self. But the way things are going, certain disciples are becoming very enthusiastic about it, then just plain enthusiastic, and then have no time for Gatha classes, or spiritual practices. This is extremely dangerous.
There is one great value in giving Bayat to many people. We have to read the 10 Sufi Thoughts, and the three purposes of the Movement. Sometimes I think it might be well to have all the enthusiastic persons memorize these and then meditate on them. The worst is that emotional goodness adds neither to spirituality nor dollars, and ends in all kinds of self-justifications and sometimes squabbles.
I have had a very good long distance telephone conversation with Walter Bowart. As the Unseen seems to direct all efforts toward the Christmas season, the spiritual dances and the coming of Pir Vilayat, we have agreed it would be unwise and perhaps costly for Samuel to visit Arizona until the above matters are cleared.
In the meanwhile we are working on “Six Interviews with Hazrat Inayat Khan.” These are going to Walter. They require considerable attention because items are omitted, and then come back to me. Apart from this, I have been asked to report on the work of Murshida Martin. Her daughter became exceedingly antagonistic to me because I did not approve of the Sufi Movement purchasing properties belonging to her husband and his brother. I was never forgiven for this, nor was I ever forgiven for reporting that Pir-o-Murshid did not wish Rabia to be entangled with finances nor business. This is contrary to Sufi practice. It only resulted in my being demoted, and in the end to being despaired. Amen.
I have no objection to either Mrs. Mehdi (Rabia’s daughter) or Mrs. Duce writing about Rabia, but I am inclined to believe that any reports will be mingled with attacks on my person, about which I don’t care. Such attacks only increase the value of Hazrat Inayat Khan’s interviews with me. The total of these reports will undoubtedly support the contention of Vilayat, even though Inayat Khan told me and later told others that Rabia was his successor, but she broke the rules. She neither accepted my reports nor the teachings on the principles guiding the work of a Pir-o-Murshid as laid down in the Sangithas. More will be said in the reports. The two worst things without question were the failure of the collectors of funds for the Temple to account for it, and the selection of a Healer as a Murshid, absolutely contrary to everything else.
When I was in New York city I met Mr. Samuel Weiser and told him that if one wanted to learn Zen Buddhism all his books were useless. But I was not interested in having people learn Zen Buddhism, I was more interested in him having a good living. It was then I saw on the next shelf Sufi books which are not on sale elsewhere. A Jew selling Sufi books, which ought to put end to all this religious war nonsense. We now have the most excellent Sufi books.
You will remember that I told you that in economies and polities you were my Murshid. I have not seen at any time any reason to change this position. Your letter confirms it. Perhaps life confirms it. The reports about Mr. Merchant, Dr. Pierson and Sen. Jackson are most edifying. So is everything else. Please excuse me for not writing further.
Love and Blessings.
Samuel