January 5, 1969
Gandalf’s Garden
1 Dartrey Terrace
World’s End, King’s Road,
London, S.W. 10
Dear Friends:
New Years started off most propitiously here. My own followers were joined by Dr. Rev.
Neville Warwick and his disciple. They gave us a most inspiring cosmic fire ceremony based on Vajrayana Buddhism. It was so totally different from the claptrap, personalisms, and dialectic superficialities that have been passed off to as oriental wisdom, we want to have it again. Perhaps we shall use it also on Buddha’s parinirvana day, which many so-called Buddhists do not celebrate.
I am writing for quite a different reason however. The Temple of Understanding whose headquarters are in Washington, D.C. has been arranging a convocation of all the world’s religions (they have held such meetings before). It had originally been called for Istanbul. Their reports, collaborated by our own experiences here indicate that the present regime in Turkey is very reactionary in all respects so the convocation is expected to meet in Geneva.
The dates are uncertain, but I have already talked to my travel agent who tells me we may stop At London, either en route or afterwards. This matter will have to be discussed also with the officials of The Temple of Understanding.
In any event I have been most anxious to return to your region, especially to visit my dear friend
Rev. Jack Austin
100 Roundwood Way
Banstead, Surrey
I am also sending him a copy of this. He has been an earnest leader in real Buddhist studies, and has tried to rise, with not much success, above the sectarianisms, personalities, and superficial dialectics, which have been substituted for the dharma.
I notice with some satisfaction that you have a representative in the city of Berkeley not far from here (Shambala). We may also try to get your publication on the market both in San Francisco and Los Angeles. This would come in the natural and normal order of our own private business.
I notice with considerable inner satisfaction that there is a common element in your art work, what “we” are doing here, and the posters received from the new communes in the state of New Mexico. I expect to visit that state after my return from Europe and would be glad to report to you on what is going on.
The chief influences are the philosophy department of the University of New Mexico at Albuquerque and the work of former Professor Richard Alpert of Harvard now filling and fulfilling the role of Swami Ram Dass. I have had only good reports about him, but those are as yet too desultory for an article.
Love and Blessings,
Sam
6 February 1969
Gandalf’s Garden
1 Dartrey Terrace, World’s End
Chelsea, London, S.W. 10 FLA 6156
Beloved ones of God:
I was exceeding delighted to be given copies of your apparently new publication. This from two entirely different points of view:
1) There is now a publication in this vicinity called The Oracle. I believe their general approach, their general policies and general philosophical and social outlooks are very similar to your own. I am therefore turning these copies over to them, hoping there will be mutual exchange etc.
This does not mean I shall not subscribe. What I would like to know is what an annual subscription would be:
A. one copy regularly airmail
B. copies
C. mail
This would be in addition to any exchanges which would not involve money.
2) The article on Jelal-ed-din Rumi immediately struck the heart target, There is a vast difference between the Sufism of the Sufis and intellectual articles of linguists and book reviews (bolstered by university degrees and titles).
I find your Alex Lowsiewkce a kindred soul. For your information I have long since been elevated to the grade of murshid and have been trained in the disciplines and practices of numerous tariks. Also, I am perhaps the first man In history to have passed spiritual and mystical tests in real Zen Buddhism etc. This history has been almost uniformly rejected by the “proper” people and authorities and almost unanimously accepted by the young.
My campaign “Joy without Drugs” is one of emphasis on the joy, not of opposition to the drug. I have begun teaching dervish dances, a synthesis of those of the Mevlevis, Bedauwis and Rifa’is, plus psychic applications of the Names of God (Allah). These have been most successful in increasing not only the capacity for joy and love, but also in effecting the corresponding awakening.
With all love and blessing,
Samuel L. Lewis
410 Precita Avenue
San Francisco 94110
February 25, 1969
Gerry Snelling
Gandalf’s Garden
1 Dartrey Terrace
Chelsea S.W. 10
Dear Gerry:
Never mind your typing, your letter of February the 14th is delightful. First as regard to subscription. I am enclosing my personal check for $10 here, and ask that you seen copy to:
The Khankah (Garden of Inayat)
910 Railroad Avenue
Novato, Calif. 94947.
I am doing this so we can get a copy as early as possible after publication.
I have already spoken to my disciple and colleague, Phillip Davenport, of the Oracle. They are having a meeting at this writing and, among other matters, hope to arrange an exchange with you. Within the next two days, I shall have reasons for conferences with Phil and other staff members of Oracle, so it is possible there will be a postscript.
I am at the present time writing up incidents of my meetings with real Sufi teachers, either from memory or extracts from my diaries. There is no reason why I cannot do this equally with Zen material, although in this case there are a number of incidents no longer on record, because my earlier diaries were destroyed by fire. In an case I have asked the disciples who are extracting Sufi stories to begin the same with Zen stories—very real, very much in the here-now, easily substantiated, and none written in enigmatic translations of enigmatic stories of exotic peoples of another age.
In fact, my chief secretary and I have just returned from a mission connected with Korean Zen, and we have another matter to take up with the Vietnamese Ch’an Buddhists. All very much in the here-now.
However, I may also send some materials extracted from the works of the late Nyogen Senzaki of this region. My life motto is: “Reality, not realism.” Incidentally, this motto and its intended mission is making rapid headway in the far-famed Haight-Ashbury district, where publications such as Gandalf’s Garden have a huge market … this will be followed either by a postscript or by suitable enclosures.
Namaste, metta, Allah Mubarak,
Samuel L. Lewis
910 Railroad Ave.
Novato, Calif.
18th April, 1969
Gandalf’s Garden
1 Dartrey Terrace
World’s End, King’s Road
London, S.W. 10
Dear ones:
I have the impertinence to review your Issue 4 and to make some remarks, more for the sake of communicating “news” than all else. You look like a little of California transplanted. I’m an old hand in this field, and have seen generations come and go and have also the impertinence to live on in good health and vitality to the dismay of elders who are adept at criticizing but never listening, and the delight of the young who are clustering around me more and more every week. And if “visions” are correct there will be more of this.
On the negative side there has been a delay in the appearance of The Oracle, due go accidents to the press. This is not only a set-back personally but I believe there are so many hidden values both in this publication as a joint effort and I the individuals who are taking part in these efforts that the sooner their work becomes public the greater the benefit to everybody. One man’s view of course, but maybe more than one man’s view.
I began occult studies early and then Aleister Crowley was presented as an incarnation of Mephisto. Years later I read him and found him too profound—and I mean profound and not just complex—to come to any conclusion. If there is any “conclusion” it may be that certain contenders are correct from their several partial views.
As to Edgar Cayce that is different. I have lived at Virginia Beach. It is time we record pluses and minuses of predictions of certain people and not just set them up as psychics or seers without any regard for efficiency. I am a veteran both of the San Francisco earthquake of 1906 and Santa Barbara earthquake of 1926 and have gone through similar but lesser occurrences especially in Japan and Pakistan. I not only do not see any such catastrophe but deplore the rejection of the existence of God and the protection which may be coming as if from heaven by real Masters who are implements and incarnations of mercy, compassion and wisdom.
I felt World War I in 1910 very definitely and World War II in 1936 very definitely. The “psychic” impressions seem to be in full accord with those of the later Winston Churchill. But my “prophetic” utterances came earlier and the percentage of accuracy is so far beyond that of any of the named personalities that it is almost tragically humorous. One does not try to see fame, much less notoriety in this field.
Another bit of folk-lore or “old wives’ tales” that passes for “occultism” is concerning the Great Pyramid of Giza. I studied under a person who knew the French Sahure and was amazed to find in Egypt a pyramid which not only fulfilled his descriptions but was identical to what I had “seen” in vision or cosmic memory. This view was shared by all the initiates I conversed within that land. And I happen also to have been one of the few initiated disciples of Paul Brunton (author of Search in Secret Egypt).
One result of my Egyptian sojourn is that I am now teaching, and rather successfully, Joy through sacred dances, beginning with a rather modernized version of Dervish dancing, by synthesizing those of several schools and embellishing them with sacred phrases of the Islamic faith. From this point I have gone ahead with Mantric dances and am now working on ceremonies and yoga dancing.
On the first Sunday in May we hope to have a Maypole and are combining a Wesak ceremony with dances of Sun, Moon and Wheel. Dr. Neville Warwick, a leader in Tantric Buddhism, has promised to lead in the Buddhist ceremonies of which he is adept but I also have my own Swastika ceremony synthesizing Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana.
We are now having a seminar on mystical experiences under the auspices of the University of California. It has been annoying to some when I told them I could name a hundred living mystics right off hand. Hard facts are the hardest things to put over. Too many believe what they want to believe.
I am very much interested in Glastonbury. I wish someone would give us the Arthurian tales with the English interpretation of the names.
Incidentally, who discovered tin? How was it used? What is behind it? I do not accept “accidents.”
I have nothing to say about Atlantis but when I told the New York Geographical Society some years back that their maps were all wrong, instead of kicking me out (which is what Lord Snow’s “other culture” does regularly) they invited me in. I have seen land rise an inch a year and one creek mouth move a mile. I report, do not interpret.
The May celebration is also an effort to restore real old folk customs and I have another idea for “All Saints Day.” Others may suggest. My following has slowly but steadily increased every week this year, praise to God.
Faithfully,
Samuel L. Lewis
August 1969
The Garden of Inayat
910 Railroad Ave.
Novato, Calif. 94947
Gandalf’s Garden,
1 Dartrey Terrace,
World’s End, King’s Road,
Chelsea, London, S.W. 10
I have recently returned to this spiritual home after a short visit to the State of New Mexico. Most time was spent at
Lama foundation, Box 444,
San Cristobal, New Mexico, 87564
I am giving this address because I wish you would send copies of Gandalf’s Garden to them, if possible making it retroactive to the beginning of this year. I am sure that many of the people connected with Lama and also some of their better neighbors would appreciate your publication. But let’s make this a start.
I have been particularly interested in the discussions concerning Meher Baba. In this life I have been variously a disciple of Paul Brunton (the real thing) and a devotee of Meher Baba. But I have found that the other devotees of Baba care not at all for any moral law and think that if they only lean on some personality that will take them on a flight through the heavens. There is no serious effort to follow the moral teachings of Christ or Buddha or Mohammed, and I think the present day world would be shocked if serious studies were required of the moral teachings of these and other Divine Messengers. I will require some convincing that any “Avatar” would dare to repudiate the words of Jesus Christ:
“Whatsoever ye do to the least of these, my creatures, ye do it unto me.” And so far as the Hadith of Rassoul Mohammed are concerned, enthusiasts put the burdens elsewhere.
Lord Buddha directly initiated four hundred thousand (400,000) devotees to awakening mostly by his glance (Darshan). Jesus and Mohammed both functioned in bodies of Light, Pure Light. And those close to them both felt and saw.
It is pretty hard to see the cosmic virtue of one who would play lightly in the affairs of men by making predictions which did not come true. But with the present American adulation of Jean Dixon and Edgar Cayce, certainly if adulation is to be paid to those who do not pierce through the veil of time, Meher Baba was much nearer to perfection.
Having met so many qualified Masters in this life and also seen the beautiful disciples of a number of them, if “by their works ye shall know them” something more has to be manifest than enthusiasm and arguments.
The first business to attend to on my return was to visit the offices of The Oracle. And in five minutes I learned of another “Avatar” and also one “Messiah.” They both suggested that as a living Guru or Sad guru was needed and as this was the teaching of Baba himself who is no longer in the flesh, their own claims were not so vain, although neither seems to have proclaimed that one must have a flesh-guru.
It is rather awkward to appeal to honesty and sincerity since generally the followers of the various “Messiahs,” “Avatars,” “Maharanis” make no such appeal, but look to personality. Yet in all honesty and sincerity I have recently met devotees of Meher Baba who actually think his work included fulfilling the moral teachings of Buddha, Christ, Mohammed and others; and also to have a universal, not a personal outlook verbalized as “universal,” when it is so obvious it is not.
Now there is another matter, and perhaps I should address myself to John Howkins,
34 Belwell Land, Oaks, Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire. He says—on what authority—I do not know, that Sufism is not mysticism. Having no idea as to what he means by “Sufism” and what he means by “mysticism.” The term tasawwuf can be anglicized, and has been anglicized as metaphysics, occultism, theosophy, etc. I should say none of these terms are wrong. They were presented as the English equivalent of teachings or persons actually met. Real experiences of real persons and have nothing whatsoever to do with any underground, etc. or imaginings of others.
The late president of India was a well-known disciple in tasawwuf and there are many in high places in Islamic countries also. No matter what historians and non-communicating intellectuals may say or argue, all the basic teachings of tasawwuf are found in the sayings of Mohammed, especially the moral injunctions so by-passed by enthusiasts.
` No Sufi would ever say to anybody, “Go out and practice it.” The Sufi becomes a Sufi by offering his personality, his body and mind to Allah in loving and willing self-surrender, and by his achievement of emptiness makes accommodation for the Divine Light and Life. And for this usually a practicing attained Teacher is needed. I advise Howkins Sahib to throw away his “humility” and just accept a little from Prof. Links or others, graduates in Western intellectualism and also in directly experienced mysticism. Facts, substantiable, not enthuisiams limited to ego-self.
God bless you,
Sam
910 Railroad Ave.
Novato, Calif. 94947
17th December, 1969
Gandalf’s Garden,
1 Dartrey Terrace,
World’s End, King’s Road,
London, S.W. 10
Dear Friends:
Your Issue 6 has just arrived and it is so Californienna or so “New Age” I am both amazed and delighted. My colleague, Dr. Oliver Reiser, had already sent me copy of Message to the Galaxy to my San Francisco address. In this case I am too prejudiced, or too much in agreement to say much. For the life is in two definite parts which correspond almost exactly to Project: Krishna and Project: Prometheus. Although my next immediate project shows a sort of overlapping:
I am digging up all the Ginger-root here, cutting it to supply the New Age food stores with “organically grown” Ginger which they say is the finest tasting. The first year of a rather desultory organic garden has been really marvelous in every respect, This is too long to write about now but a philosophical report has been sent to Organic Gardening of Emmaus, Pennsylvania.
The article by Muz Murray strikes a resounding note. The success and failure of the last visit to India was on the theme. “Pan-guruism” which was cordially accepted by the Sufis and followers of Papa Ramdas, but did not resound with the various—and there are many of them—”world movements” each with its own particular “Messiah,” “Avatar,” etc. I am, however, sending personal cheque for Ten Dollars for your Garden Ashram Fund.
I am not at all sure of the cosmic symbols in the next article but a local Indian dance teacher has promised to teach at least one of my groups the Mudras and variations of these symbols also are used in the Om Namo Shivaja Dance…. Incidentally, “Dances of Universal Peace” offered in turn to so many of the “world (?)-movements” have been shunned by them, each with their particular “world-saviours.” And there has been nothing but success in their response from the young.
I am, of course, acquainted with the “Krishna Commune” but my “Krishna-consciousness” is much more extensive and inclusive. I shall also check to see if you have copy of my The Rejected Avatar. am very busy on cosmic epic poetry among other endeavors.
Well we celebrated Ramadan, Hanukkah and are ready for a Santa Claus-less (he is out with us) Christmas. I am glad to have your “The Cosmic Circuit” and will also call at Shambala in Berkeley at the earliest convenience.
As-salaam aleikhum; Merry Christmas: and Hare Krishna!
Sam
Feb. 28, 1970
Gandalf’s Garden
1 Dartrey Terrace
Worlds End, Kings Road,
London S.W. 10
Beloved Ones of God:
It is with great joy that one acknowledges your letter of 24th January. At this writing we are planning to leave here between 28th and 30th March en route to Geneva, and have placed booking for the Green Park Hotel for April 5 or 6th. I stopped at the Hotel when in London a number of years back, and their treatment was courteous. I feel in honor bound to go there again. Actually the main center of attraction is Gandalf’s Garden. We are now gaining the good will of an ever-growing number of young Americans, offering spiritual teachings mostly thru dance and song, so much so that we no longer have any free days, and the weekends are filled with engagements.
I am very glad you have some Sufis meeting with you. There is no compulsion in Sufism, and every effort is made to extend the scopes of love and harmony and beauty.
I shall be going to Switzerland wearing at the same time a Sufi robe and a Korean Buddhist robe. The reason for two robes can be seen in the number 5 Tarot card called The Hierophant, which is my present line of life. But the robes also signify, as the Qur’an teaches, “The Light is neither of the West nor the East.”
There will be a few other groups to visit in London, chiefly the headquarters of “Studies in Comparative Religion”; also the Royal Asiatic Society, etc. But I also wish to visit again my old haunt—Kew Gardens. I am given to understand you are not so far from that place, but I have no map of London at this writing.
Your words and sentiments are greatly appreciated, and they also truly reflect our own feelings.
With all love and blessings,
Sam
March 6, 1970
Gandalf’s Garden
1 Dartrey Terrace
London S.W. 10
Beloved Ones of God:
With two homes, each with complete programs, it is a little hard at times to keep up with correspondence properly. We are now booked to leave San Francisco on the 28th and must stay in Geneva 6 days. There have been slight changes in the hour of departure for London, and also for the hotel booking. We will advise you, in any case. On the surface, the Geneva convention will make history, but to us, our coming to London will affect humanity much more.
Personally I am far more against useless resolutions, than against so-called “evil.” We are not having peace in this world. We are certainly having a growing number of so-called world movements, organized and dominated by elders, in the name of youth of course. Personally, I intend to give Mansur, my secretary, full scope for expression and not waste any time myself chittering and chattering about the “youth” to whom I am superior in age. End of superiority.
Things are happening very very rapidly in this state:
growth and interest in organic farming
great profit in health food at a time of so-called depression
the first films taken of our Dervish and spiritual dances. This was only a try-out but the producers expressed very great satisfaction.
we intend to present some of these dances to you. I cannot do my best work in the Sri Krishna dances without a Radha, and so far this has not been easy. But when one does find a Radha, it is superb. (Incidentally, Dr. Milton Singer of Chicago U. has sent me a gift copy of Krishna: Myth, Rites, and Attitudes)
I am assuming we shall be available on April 6, and want to be with you as many hours as mutually convenient, until our departure for this land.
Copying from a recent letter from Vice-President Giri of India: “Let the words from Ishopanishad ring in our ears: ‘He who sees all creatures in himself and himself in all creatures—such a one does not dislike or hate anybody.’” There is nothing to add to that is there?
Love,
S.A.M.
March 13, 1970
Gandalf’s Garden
1 Dartrey Terrace
World’s End
King’s Road, London S.W. 10
England
Beloved Ones of God:
Your aerogram (undated) has been received and it pleases us no end. Our ticket requires to remain abroad two weeks. And six day of the two weeks must be spent in Switzerland, so at this writing it would appear we must remain in London at least 8 days.
The situation is complicated by the crisis in the family life, with dying brother. Relatives have been informed that this must not interfere with the forthcoming journey. You know Jesus Christ has said, let the dead bury their dead, and both my secretary Mansur and I are most anxious to meet you. Indeed, we wish to arrange our program in London to vouchsafe full cooperation. I have sent for a map of the city and have been told you are not very far from Kew Gardens. Actually, these are the only places I am interested in. I shall keep you informed from Switzerland, and also let you know what hour we are arriving. I do not know the details of the program offered by my travel agent, but this of itself may not be of supreme importance.
The robes are being worn for ritualistic and credential purposes. Yes, I shall also wear them of course in visiting any Pakistani restaurant, etc. It is not necessary to promote Dancing, and it is also wise to introduce it, but the same applies to chanting, which does not require such a large space, to lectures and teachings, etc., and much will depend upon the weather, and also your relations with the Sufi group. This letter in a way suggests the carrying of additional robes which from your point of view will be in order.
At this writing I am having “excitement,” perhaps too much of it: a dying brother; the filming of all my activities; music; dancing; spiritual teaching; ordinary everyday life; extraordinary everyday life; in fact every aspect of existence. And in addition, the laying out of programs for the next few months with travel complications which would not be complications whence the family dis-equilibrium terminates, one way or another.
On the whole we wish to accommodate ourselves to your program. We should be arriving in London April 6 or 7; will let you know.
Love and Blessings,
Sam
March 28, 1970
Miss Joyce Best
70 Boldmore Road
Eastcote, Pinner
Middlesex, England
Beloved One of God:
The writer is one of the last living direct disciples of Hazrat Inayat Khan. I do not recall whether a letter was written to you in 1967 when I was preparing to visit Great Britain, but Allah ruled it otherwise, for one had an attack of ptomaine compelling one to be in the hospital for some time, and afterwards something like a miracle occurred in that one’s efforts to spread the Message of God, which had previously always failed, now suddenly began a career of success.
I do not know what your aged father would say about this. I understand he is devoted to the late Meher Baba, which is of course his own right, but it may also be that this has not prevented him from remaining true to the spirit of Hazrat Inayat Khan as he saw it.
This successful program soon involved and enveloped the work of Pir Vilayat Khan. There was an immediate coalescence, and a determination on our parts to cooperate fully with the eldest son of the late Pir-o-Murshid, not because he was the son of the Pir-o-Murshid, but because he was giving every evidence of his own spiritual prowess. This cooperation and the fruits thereof are now growing into a magnificent structure.
When we surrender to the will of God, miracles happen. Pir Vilayat happening on our large and growing organization, asked for the establishment of a drama group, and before we could even consider it, the drama group manifested of and by itself so to speak, and much is happening of the same type because evidently it is the Will of God Himself that the Message of Sufism is to spread far and wide, is spreading far and wide.
My secretary Mansur and I are preparing to leave this vicinity now, to attend a conference of all the religions of the world. Pir Vilayat himself will not be able to attend. He rather successfully introduced a program based on the unity of Religious Ideals last year, and has deputized me to continue in the same general direction this year, which will be done, God so willing. But I am not so involved in this as in a further program to present the divine Message to the young of your vicinity. The Geneva conference ends on 6th of April I understand and we shall go straight ways to London to appear at Gandalf’s Garden on such occasions as they shall have programmed us. We expect to remain a week or ten days, inshallah.
I understand that already a group of Sufis is cooperating with us. We certainly shall be happy if you could attend any such gatherings. If you are in contact with your father please give him my best wishes and tell him that despite so-called age, the one who is enveloped in the Divine Sifat may continue on in the body in full control of mental and physical qualities.
Love and blessings,
Samuel L. Lewis
May 11, 1970
Gandalf’s Garden
1 Dartrey Terrace
Worlds End, Kings Road
London S.W. 10
Dear Muz and Beloved Ones of God:
Mansur and Murshid are home after a rather successful stopover in Boston, Massachusetts. Indeed, our welcome there was so warm and rewarding, both socially and financially, that we hope to re-visit it later in the year. This visit might cover the whole northeastern portion of the United States.
I am not yet sure of the extent of increase in income, but if the general trend continues as of now the possibility of a troop or entourage coming to London in 1972 is very great. We feel a strong kinship with you. I long felt that Gandalf’s Garden was a sort of misplaced California in London. But our visit to Boston and Cambridge, Mass., followed by the events of the day, show a whole spiritual revolution, rather leaderless at the moment.
One reason I am writing is because of the consideration now being given to multigraphing, mimeographing, or otherwise reproducing some of my dance and walk forms. Here I must say that today I am being supported by a growing number of intelligent and capable young men, almost unanimously they are of the New Age outlook. If this project goes on, or rather when it goes on, we shall see that you get copies.
We are exceedingly busy at the moment. Mansur and I have to leave shortly for the state of New Mexico where we have to work in combined projects: spiritual dances, Sufic teaching, organic gardening, building of a commune from the ground up both literally and symbolically.
Even more “exciting”—and I mean this word literally—are the efforts to make Pir Vilayat’s summer camp successful. The Living God, to Whom we send all our praise, seems to be favoring this project. All the initial steps and surveys have met with nothing but the most wonderful success and cooperation. Please tell this to our friends. It looks so wonderful now, and we are preparing to send a large caravan. But to write further means to take our attention away from this very project.
Faithfully,
Samuel
14th May, 1970
Gandalf’s Garden
Chelsea, London
Dear Muz and Beloved Ones of God:
The Metamorphosis has arrived. This is a hurried letter for it would seem, God willing, we are also going through a Metamorphosis but in entirely “favorable” directions. This trip put me some two thousand ($2,000) dollars in the hole, but the death of my brother will undoubtedly increase income. This seems to be a small portion of it.
We were so welcomed in Massachusetts we are planning to return in the Fall. And at tis writing Mansur and Murshid Sam are very busy preparing for our Summer session at Lama Foundation in the northern part of the State of New Mexico. We shall be spending the whole month of June there, and are fortunate that they have another program for July. Some of us will be leaving here very, very soon.
A larger number will then go to the short retreat of Pir Vilayat, and the staff here is much concerned with preparations therefore. It would seem that this is a Divine blessing for this undertaking—everything so far has been turning out like a miracle. Mansur and Murshid, of course, will not be there, but on the other hand we shall be with those who have not yet been initiated into Sufism. Many of these people, however, have received other initiations and this will be one of the subjects.
The Dance inspirations keep on coming and this also means typing, teaching a pilot group, then the dance class, then the general audiences. It means no days off but at least a most glorious, and apparently rewarding schedule.
The session with F. Clive-Ross in Middlesex suggested a visit again in 1972 with an entourage or dance troupe. We have found that there is a very reasonable fare for certain types of longer visits. This is complicated, but not marred, by other considerations: (a) some disciples may be going on a Mediterranean cruise late in 1971; the peace programs in which Mansur and Murshid are involved.
The blatant statement of both Jews and Arabs are simply untrue. Most of them will not meet with each other but desire rather another “Green Table” performance like that of the Americans and Viet Min. I am trying to force the issue even at the cost of hostile criticism. But having had always hostile criticism and the doors and floors barred by both sides, in this New Age we may be able to force a show-down.
The first efforts at Geneva are now bearing fruit. And it is remarkable that for the first time senior and sedate persons are accepting my efforts, backgrounds and person seriously. Clemenceau said: “War and peace are two things too serious to entrust to diplomats and generals.” What we have done is to entrust them to politicians and newsmen and special “experts.” None of these “experts” showed up at Geneva.
But we have been approached by others who want us to join in a massive athletic and peace festival in the Holy Land in 1972 and we may have to coalesce this with a visit to your country.
As I look now on your issues, they excite me; the very titles are exciting and I could use more of them. I shall receive word next week of my presumable income and ignore to some extent the paying off of debt. I could use all of these issues and more. Things are changing so rapidly—and in glorious directions both for Pir Vilayat and Murshid Sam.
We have had the same trouble with “The Oracle” but at our meeting this morning the skies look very bright that there is a possibility of “do it yourself.” It is too early and I am writing now some encouragement, which will be followed up as soon as possible with something more.
All love and blessing,
Samuel
410 Precita Ave.
San Francisco, Calif.
July 12th, 1970
Gandalf’s Garden
1 Dartrey Terrace,
World’s End, King’s Road
London S.W. 10
Dear Muz and Gardeners:
I have before me your letter of 15th June and for one day (only) was struck with a quandary. My affairs are financially much better but the expansion of our work has thrown things into a sort of turmoil—nothing evil, just too much. And we are needing several meetings to straighten things out.
Of my three chief secretaries, the one who has been looking after my finances may be leaving here to take over the spiritual work in the Southwestern States of Arizona and New Mexico. This includes spiritual instructions in Sufism, helping a new publication (properly endowed), organic gardening, spiritual music and dancing, etc.
Mansur is occupied with the dancing and filming and this alone is overwhelming. Wali Ali here is overworked but it looks as if help were on the way.
Last night I spoke with Walter, a new disciple of Pir Vilayat and he is leaving shortly and will call on you as soon as convenient. We do not promise anything but we certainly wish to do something if possible. Besides your idea for a restaurant excites us and we want to be with you, not only spiritually but materially.
What has happened roughly is that both Pir Vilayat and Sam have been separately successful in adjacent parts of the United States. But Pir Vilayat like Baba Ram Das, is going abroad leaving this one, so to speak in “charge” in the United States and while this is going on all sorts of doors are opening. One does not like to tell you to pray and be hopeful—anybody can do that—one only asks you to be slightly patient, that help may be coming from God and man both.
Please tell Joyce that everything is moving and booming in this land and that Pir Vilayat has some marvelous plans.
Love and blessing,
Sam