“Lotus”
Broadlands South,
Reporoa, Rotorua, New Zealand.
13th October, 1965
Samuel L. Lewis,
772 Clementina Street,
San Francisco, Calif., 94103
U.S.A.
Very Dear Mr. Lewis,
Perhaps you will be able to imagine how delighted my husband and myself were to read your letter and that we both have found a kindred soul. Your experiences are the usual kind which beset those who have dedicated themselves to service for humanity at large and having found the Christ within. Your realistic approach to life, fully recognizing the needs of peoples without wanting them to be or think in a manner in which you would expect or think desirable is the true mark of a humble man and shows that the necessary balance is reached to allow much to be accomplished. My husband is extremely interested in your work and would like to have the time to answer your letter at length. He has left it to me because he is fully occupied on the farm at Taranaki raising calves and helping to meet the needs of the people!!
The occupation is certainly not what we think is the best but having to make a living comes first and experimentation takes second place when there are children to be provided for.
Information on the kinds of trees Clive has planted here will be sent to you when Clive returns home. I said that he must write to you and supply the information himself which he will do later.
At this moment we are putting our thought and efforts into starting a cultural research center on this farm of 460 acres. We are in the throes of arranging for a Professor of Architecture from Auckland University to come and assist with a plan of development. There is also the constitution to be created and one that will be acceptable to all individuals and Groups who may wish to become members. The center is for the Arts, Sciences and Religion. These are the Aims,
1. The Aims and Objects of the “Lotus” Cultural Research Center, are to foster, through Education, a New Age Unity in balanced proportion of Science, Art and Religion.
2. To provide the necessary facilities for individuals and Groups working for peace and Goodwill to study and practice these three aspects and to extend the benefits derived to Mankind through charitable action.
There are a large number of people both here and overseas watching our efforts and many will help when we get the foundations established. It is expected that any society may have the use of what is provided and may have their own private meetings or public if that is desired. There will be land set aside for agricultural research and owing to the type of soil lends itself to this, being pumice. Individuals may come and enjoy the amenities, either the camping facilities or Motels. Later on there may be a rest home. It is my private wish that the best of all cultures may be preserved here, all Arts, Sciences and Philosophies of all countries both past and present be studied and preserved. That there will be no static point but for the work at this center to evolve with the times.
There will not be either one of the three fields of Science, Art, or Religion dominating or any particular group lauding it over the rest.
All groups whether orthodox (according to today’s thinking) or unorthodox will be welcome, the only stipulation being that they do not intend to push their ideas down the ‘necks” of others.
The Great and Good Architect of the Universe has order in seeming chaos and balance in seeming imbalance and the whole of Mankind with the varying thought and way of life of all the differing peoples and countries of the world, reigns supreme in majesty and truth, which makes a place for unity in diversity.
“When God ordained that Man should learn by woe,
He too ordained the path that he should go,
‘Til through the mists that clothe the hills of pain,
He shall emerge and find the Sun again.”
That little piece of wisdom was written by a very wise man.
I most whole heartedly agree that your work is of exactly the same nature as Richard St. Barbe Baker’s, and I am sure that an excellent partnership could be established either mentally, spiritually, or materially or embracing all three. It seems to me that because of the need of most of us to “belong” to a certain school of thought that we create our own separation from those who are essentially the same as ourselves in heart and mind. Even from those whose work is of the same kind. It is all the “Isms” and their so called exalted and superior thought over the rest of the “unenlightened” that causes the slowness of the advancement in man’s progress. If we could all find it needful to sit at the feet of all the differing thought prevailing at the time to learn the essence which is always for the good most of our troubled would be ended. My husband and I speak to many and listen to many and are interested in all things as you are and it makes our lives far less complicated.
Speaking of covering the Earth makes me think of George Washington Carver, and Luther Burbank who both agreed that the quickest way to clothe the desert places and retain moisture in the soil as well as providing food for animals and men is through growing cacti that both perfected. Luther Burbank had perfected one highly nutritious and fast growing that does not have thorns. Because of its height it gave shelter and moisture to other plant life grown near it. I would think that young trees and shrubs grown for their fruit would thrive if started under its shelter. I am thinking of your reclamation of the desert. There is a way of fixing sand dunes by spraying with a petroleum product that St. Barbe Baker has seen working extremely well in the Sahara. He is delighted with the results.
I intend speaking with St. Barbe as we affectionately call him and will pass your letter on to him with my blessings for you both to become acquainted in the real sense.
There are some truly great men living in the flesh today and this is one of the main reasons that we want a meeting place for these wonderful humanitarians to meet. You and others working in all spheres of Science, Art, and Religion deserve such a place in its physical state and it is my husband’s and my intention to be instrumental in providing this. We know that we can only accomplish this with the help of the multitude of folk who are sincerely working in small ways and great for the good of humanity in general.
My letter is rambling on and on without any order whatever and it is hoped you can jump from one thing to another as I seem to have it.
The Eucalyptus and Acacia are, as you say, wonderful trees so adaptable and they are those that Clive has planted here. There is one that will grow in dry places as well as wet which I am afraid I do not know the name of and is why I need Clive to write to you. The Ethiopian people have an idea that eucalyptus rob the soil of its moisture and although many were planted a decade or so ago they were cut down as it was believed they were instrumental in causing the local wells to dry up. How true it is that the wells dried up because of the trees I do not know. It doesn’t seem correct to me and the cause I should think would be because of extending the burning out of forest land somewhere in the area. There is no doubt whatever of the man-made forest (the largest in the world) that our farm is alongside has altered the climate on this plateau in the middle of the North Island of New Zealand. Where there was very little rain and the area being regarded as a desert plateau we now have sufficient rainfall to establish farmland which is increasing in productivity. It needs large areas of forest to bring a change in the rainfall and warmth and Mr. St. Barbe Baker’s cry for concentrated afforestation to reclaim the desert is exactly in accordance with natures laws. The water level is raised as well. Grass and forage crops follow.
I am not a scientist but am intensely interested in the Earth and its peoples which perhaps makes me into a critic and also a student of nature. The tall grasses grown in Africa need a certain rainfall where the cacti mentioned can get established with none and is the reason for my thinking that Nature is not so silly and that nature can be enhanced by the intelligence and creativeness of man.
Anyway, you will read my letter with a benign tolerance realizing my limitations ever applauding the work of those Doing something.
My husband and I send our love and sincere wishes for you to carry out the work so close to your heart.
Kind thoughts,
Jill Hull
772 Clementina St,
San Francisco, Calif. 94103
USA
17th October, 1965
Jill Hull,
Broadlands South,
Reporoa, Rotorua, New Zealand
My Dear Mrs. Hull:
Thank you for your letter of the 17th. In the same mail a letter was received from the head office of the American Friends of the Middle East in Washington. Much had to do with the life and efforts of the late James Terry Duce, who had been Vice-President of the American-Arabian Oil Co. (ARAMCO). His life ambition was to hope for the harnessing of deserts for agricultural purposes.
This letter calls attention to some research now being started is Kuwait. This same period shows the United States Government planning a joint experimental station with Mexico; and meanwhile another one has been started at the University of California Riverside, in this State.
I have several books on the threes of North America, and there have been other works dealing with special areas. But even among specialists, the field is so wide that no one seems to have the complete capacity to work out discrete progress. Even in class last week we received information about Eucalyptus in Italy and Spain.
(Incidentally our instructor, a Prof. Nelson from San Francisco State College expects to go to Australia early next year so I shall give him your address, leaving it to him to stop in New Zealand.)
We have some volcanic (pumice) soils in this State. The best wine grapes grow there but there are few specialists who understand the relation between soils, structure, acidity and flavors. Personally I think Sulfur is a factor not yet thoroughly studied.
There is another type of research now opened which, when I get to India (Bose Foundation, Calcutta) I wish to discuss. It has to do with what the ancients called Soma and Amrita. I believe these are connected with the Phloem and Xylem in plants and the cambiums. But one would have to know something both about Plant Physiology and Vedic and Vedanta teachings. This would be in line with your efforts to bring Sciences, Art and Religion together.
I am doing this now, developing art forms (dance) from courses on both “primeval” and “primitive” and “advanced” religions.
Indeed there is one great difficulty encountered, and that is it is almost impossible to convince people that one is busy all the time without exceptions. Even all the efforts into the programs for the dryer areas of the world have been laid aside for peace-efforts.
There are two very dramatic events which have caused one to behave not quite in accord with proper social mannerisms. Ones was the death of my dear friend, Robert Clifton. He lived in S. E. Asia—every country—worked for every government and failed 100% to convey what was going on. He died from a broken heart and we are losing lives and money simply because our stiff-necked would not listen.
Then I saw 600,000 (six hundred thousand) refugees in one place, Karachi, Pakistan. I guess I have seen two million refugees and that is why I have become fanatic on the programs that St. Barbe is advocating.
Anyhow I am the spiritual brother of President Arab and the spiritual friend of President Radhakrishnan and it has taken years to reach anybody to believe it. We have, as Lord Snow says, two cultures. In the one facts and events are dominant and in the other one’s private predilections. So people will believe an “expert” or an editor who has not mingled with the people of S. E. Asia, or seen the tremendous number of dire refugees, the result of the blind editorials which still go on in this comfortable country condemning huge masses to martyrdom. We sit in comfort at our television sets and can’t be bothered by the actual suffering of actual peoples.
Fortunately more and more people, especially in our universities, are coming to the point where they accept the experiences of others over their own ideas, especially ideas of peoples whom they have never met. And in quick succession I have received an introduction to the American delegation to the U.N. and the active cooperation of a number of professors—some of whom are known to Prof. Nelson above, and it only requires slight encouragement to go ahead. After all four or five of us who have been there, sooner or later will dominate over the multitudes who have not. I shall not relate the ridiculous situations that have arisen. Most ridiculous of these was the meeting with Princess Poon Diskul of the Royal Family of Thailand and President of the World Buddhist Federation. Even those who were present cannot and will not accept that in the eternity, we are like brother and sister.
The same is going to happen this week when a full General will speak on South Asia. We lived in the same town, but my testimony has been rejected socially and he is not on such good terms with the Presidents as above. The point here is that when we really live the spiritual life and “live and move and have our being” in God, there are no friends and no strangers. The universe of love has no bounds and no boundaries, but most of all, it is not affected by the verbal dictums about it. As soon as Hon. U Thant came out for a “moral and spiritual revolution”—in others, of course, I knew he would be tried. Words mean nothing, they can be the creative of the devil.
Of course the earth is alive. Here I come to a most curious Combination of real Zen Buddhism and Christ (not Christianity). My ko-an, and this is the first time I have mentioned it, is Feed My Lambs. And as I write I can hear Christ say: I Thirst. I have never accepted the “divinity of Christ” that limits him to a particular corporeal body, but if we want to make him Him (and no nonsense), then He (but not he) is the body of the cosmos itself and I Thirst refers to the whole and not to a narrow, particularized human body in a single place at a single time.
Technically. The important thing you have written is St. Barbe’s petroleum produce for sand dunes. Is there any way I can get that information? It might lead also to financial assistance.
Incidentally, if all else fails one can appeal to the Ghana Assembly who also know of his work.
I am sending a copy of this to Daniel Hoffman of Burlingame who handed me St. Barbe’s manuscript. He has written a prophetic work, The Coming Culture. One chapter is “The Reunion of Religion and Science.” This is almost funny for the religionist and metaphysical people are almost 100% against anything of this kind—excepting sermons about it—while the scientists are for it in operation and many a tale hangs therein.
Any information you can send either directly or by references will be appreciated. I am learning more and more about Cacti too, in the strangest ways—for example in Anthropological studies, etc.
This week I am to have my first interview with the new Consul-General from India and our general format is in accord with what you have written. I also wish to have Daniel, as above, meet him. Mr. Hoffman is known to the staff here in San Francisco.
Love and Blessings,
Samuel L. Lewis
27th October, 1965
Dear Mr. Lewis,
Your welcome letter arrived, was well read and without your permission sent to Richard St. Barbe Baker in today’s post so I expect you will home from him shortly.
You refer to the Vedic teachings to learn more of the innermost functioning of the plants. Yes, you are right they do have teachings, that are only given out to truly dedicated souls and it is called in the West Alchemy. Alchemy is the separation of the body, soul and spirit of a mineral, metal or plant, purification of the body and soul and the reunification in proper proportion of these aspects which creates a perfect metal, mineral or plant. My husband been studying this science, the true art, for a number of years while I can only claim about three years. We have proved that in the herbal kingdom plants can be enhanced and strengthened beyond all imagination and will withstand the soil and climatic conditions prevailing where perhaps they wouldn’t even grow in the ordinary course of events. This means that man, following the laws of nature can hasten the evolution of plants. If man has access to alchemical preparations through his right to receive them, all illness flies and life can be prolonged. He also is fully awake to his divine origin and not sleeping as is the case with almost all of us. Perhaps when you visit India you will meet those who are able to assist you in your quest. We do know of one in America who instructs sincere seekers, who has ways and means of knowing whether a soul has reached the stage when he or she is ready for the science. It is not wise to mention the art to many because of the vulgar superstition surrounding it. Orthodox science still does not work in accord with nature’s laws and so we have error.
There is a very great truth just beyond the veil for those who through faith, love and charity or good works deserve it.
My husband is keenly interest in your work and is looking forward to the day when he shall meet you.
We shall be glad to welcome your Professor Nelson when he comes to New Zealand.
I would like to send you the address of Knut H. Scharnhorst, Ph. D., 1541 S. Escondido Blvd., Escondido, California. He is Secretary General of Sahara Reclamation Program, which was founded by Richard St. Barbe Baker. He is a man who has, and will, achieve much because of his energy and common sense. Mr. Baker says he doesn’t speak English as well as he writes it, but I’m sure that little criticism would not hinder you. He quoted in one of his letters from some writing of Hugh J. Schonfield, “None of us should be saying to himself ‘How can I become a more developed soul?’ but ‘How can I improve conditions among men?’” Mr. Scharnhorst would also know of the petroleum preparation to fix the sands if you do not hear soon enough from Mr. Baker.
My husband has some valuable work to accomplish before he has a rest from this plane and that is why we are starting this center which fits in with his work. We need the help of others devoted brothers as they need ours. We really are not apart from each other as thoughts fly.
You may have gathered by now that I am not a pessimist, neither am I feeling a helpless tool, and neither do I feel that mankind is taking retrograde step. My husband shares these views.
Have you heard of Lao an Walter Russell, of University of Science and Philosophy, Swannanoa, Waynesboro, Virginia?
Walter Russell is now passed on but was a genius. His wife Lao is still at their University which my husband visited. They are creative people and well worth visiting.
This letter is in haste. Will write further soon. God bless you.
Jill & Clive Hull
Broadlands South,
Reporoa, Rotorua, New Zealand.
3rd January 1966
Dear Mr. Lewis,
It is indeed a pleasure to have made your contact and hear of your interests and activities of such admirable distinction.
My wife has endeavored to have me write before this but mundane requirements have prohibited this up to now. We are of humble disposition and are in a position of donating property for a cultural research society and with the attendant broken time and reduced income it is difficult to keep everything going at once.
We live in times when we cannot any longer afford to work alone and our life work is devoted to the unity of higher thought and science to produce the manifestation of mankind’s enhancement.
Wonderful news it is to hear that you are attracted to cacti qualities, which we feel are largely overlooked. The work of Burbank should be continued and further developed. Here in N.Z. it is said that grasses have been developed that produce more dry matter per acre than any other pasture, yet from figures roughly worked out it appears that certain cacti can produce at an equivalent rate on soils almost devoid of rainfall and have high nutritional value. When one considers that Burbank bred out the spines of some of the better varieties and add the fact that milk is being produced out of plants, and this can be done at more than competitive prices when put on a factory basis, then the “land of milk and honey” in the desert is something in the foreseeable future.
The advantages of such an undertaking have overwhelming features in comparison with the animal methods which are not only limited in development but limit those whose duty it is to tend the animals. If you have not already done so I would suggest that review of Burbank’s “unscientific” writings and approach be investigated and then with that thought stream convert attention to the esoteric Tree of Life and its 32 aspects, each of which has influence over various species of plant life. Here it is that the esoteric scientist can open the door to a vast new world of creative inventiveness that conventional approaches prohibit. Even if only the preliminary work of tabulation of the various species is scientifically established from work already done, a great advance will have been made. From there the work becomes even more interesting. It is such research that the intending Lotus movement desires to foster. As far as we know it is the only such movement of its kind and cannot exist without threefold participation in the management and membership.
This movement would naturally co-operate with the Sahara Reclamation project, act as an information bureau and report on worldwide unity of purpose activities. We will send you reports of progress.
There is a eucalyptus Ovata that may fill a need in your work. In N.Z it grows on very wide soil types, from very wet conditions on low country to dry on higher ground. The timber lasts reasonably well unpreserved in the ground but seems more suited to heavy construction work with its interlocked grain.
Mr. F. B. McWhannell of Ngahineapouri R. D., Ohaupo, New Zealand is an expert on eucalyptus trees and should be able to furnish advice on this class of trees. It seems the Ovata he brought to N.Z. is a much superior strain to what is generally known in its native country. N.Z. native birds are attracted to eucalyptus trees within a few years of planting. First to the different grubs for food and later the flowers. Our native bird life is not much attached to exotic pines and the great forests of them planted in this small country are very silent of song and activity in comparison with the native and broad leaved imported trees. As a whole foresters have thought of tree profit from milling too much in comparison to beautification and conservation.
Mr. Nelson may find it beneficial to contact Mr. McWhannell who does nursery work and appears to have done much more in the past in the eucalyptus field than the N.Z. Forest Service.
What you say about fund raising Universities and Indian blindness is all too evident to us and is one of the many reasons why this cultural research center is being formed. A people who have lost their culture have little indeed of worth left and such a state is rampant when science and higher thought to not properly unite for raising the status of all mankind.
According to many who have traveled, N. Z. is the most compact and beautiful country in the world and is a most fitting spot to usher into being a movement of this nature. Those deeply versed in esoteric law have known for centuries the nature of this oncoming event and seeds were laid at the beginning of this century in N.Z. in preparation for future events. The world is a body and various points have differing functions at different times. Some ancient centers are now gone, others rising, some at their peak. Once the southern hemisphere led the world, for a lengthy period the northern has held full power. Now it is losing its hold and a new dawn is rising in the south again. Even in this small country it is most evident that there are different locations in close proximity with differing impulses and attractions.
Addresses of possible interest.
University of Science and Philosophy,
Swannanoa, Waynesboro, Virginia.
We understand that Mrs. Russell will be lecturing in your state this year and information as to times could be obtained. Strange to say they seem hardly known in their own country.
Dr. Knut Scharnhorst, Escondido Blvd.,
Escondido, California.
(Secretary General, Sahara Reclamation Program)
Anne Davies, B.O.T.A., 5105 No. Figueroa St., Los Angeles 42, California
(A Qabalistic Esoteric movement)
Roland Hunt, Amica Temple of Radiance,
P.O. Box 126, Hollywood 28, California. (A lot of color interests)
Manly Palmer Hall, Philosophical Research Society, 3910 Los Feliz Boulevard, Los Angeles 27, California.
There is a movement working towards a World Cultural Center and also a World Constitution headed by Christopher Hills, 101 Harbour Street, Kingston, Jamaica W.I.
A considerable amount of detail has been gone into over a period of years and a serious attempt is being made to base the movement on Qabalistic principals of management and conduct. This is the closest movement to Lotus we know of but differs in various aspects. The beauty of the nature of the Lotus movement is that it recognizes the perfect plan already exists and merely provides the media of expression which should be forthcoming and grow with the needs of the times rather than attempting to draw up too elaborate a procedure at the outset, which can tend to enforce rather than foster unity of purpose and co-operation it is essential to protect individuality rather than create conformity.
In other words if such a broad and friendly co-operation policy did not exist it would be easy to be running counter with other groups who may form similar movements. Any such movement that was not of a friendly and cooperative nature would prove at cross purposes with the real intent of New Age unity. The failure to apply the correct principals has been largely responsible for the lack of understanding between religious and scientific groups in the past. There is bound to be some faults in any approach which can be ironed out by co-operation rather than aloof sectarianism. In the condensed version of the Aims and Objects on the blue card enclosed it is to be noted that this is a Research society, so different to a fixed religious approach where the adherents have to conform to stipulated tenets, often of a nature that cannot be proved or demonstrated. The education part can only come from the active drawing in of balanced activities from the 3 fold nature of the movement.
You may know of the S.U.N. movement which is a movement principally for the unity of spiritual minded people and groups. The application of the ideal into practical working through the sciences and arts is not fostered at the inception. We have been in contact with Mr. Busby who is principally responsible for this movement and there is no clash between this movement and the S.U.N. Each recognizes the necessity of the other and Lotus is only too willing to assist the oncoming tour of publicity and goodwill of the Busby’s in 1967. After all this is the law of purification before bringing the 3 parts together on a common meeting ground.
We understand the S.U.N. is now established in California and the Chairman is Theron Winston, 1700 Kinglet-road, San Marcos, California, 92069, U.S.A.
Bertha Sale,
823 No. Wilton Place,
Los Angeles, 38, California, is one who could give information about the Christopher Hills Center.
In closing we wish you the very best with all your interesting work and hope to hear further from you and we will do what we can to be of assistance to the good causes you are connected with.
Very best wishes,
S.C. Hull
772 Clementina St.,
San Francisco 3, Calif.
8th January, 1966
S. C. Hull,
Broadlands South,
Roporoa, Rotorua, New Zealand
My dear Friend:
Your letter of the 3rd arrived just as somebody put into these hands, Long Pilgrimage by J. G. Bennett, concerning the life and teaching of one Shivapuri Baba. It is another one of the books which acclaim some Indian mystic. This man lived a long long time but what struck the writer was his patience, his willingness to answer all questions and his evasion of evasion. This stands in contrast to so many, including quite a few persons you have named who are compelled to make mysteries because they have not found the Divine Light whatever else they have found.
Indeed last week this person had to face one interrogator after another and noticed in their questions the total rejection of the teachings of Jesus Christ and the substitution of his personality elevation instead. He may have said to shout the Truth from the housetops (or the higher consciousness) but this is rejected by the cultists and metaphysicians who claim to have some special secrets (they may have for all I know) and who hold on to those secrets and become exclusive rather than inclusive.
It is many years now since one studied Zen with Master Sokei-An Sasaki and he neither held one to secrecy or anything else. After studying with him one came away knowing all the scriptures of the world, the ability to interpret and interpret them at many levels; with the addition that one became a sort of rejectee and outcast until one went to Asia, to be received at the highest level anywhere and everywhere.
Once this person was living at an Ashram and a Sadhu approached: “Why are you here?” “Because I had a pain.” “Is the pain gone?” “Yes.” “What was the pain?” “The pain of 50,000 starving Hindus.” “You are crazy; how could you have the pain of 50,000 starving Hindu?” Then the Master entered and said: “No you are crazy because this man knows what he is talking about and you do not.” Of course the Western world agrees with the Sadhu but enough people in the Orient agree with the writer so he does not have to look to the heavens for empathy or sympathy.
Later when this one came to Karachi and saw 600,000 (six hundred thousand) utterly destitute in one place, he gave up his researches in ornamental Horticulture and changed to food research and soil research in which he has been engaged ever since. It was in traveling from Karachi to London that one read a book on “Grass” and at Kew one first heard about St. Barbe Baker.
One has also been on the Bodhisattvic Oath for over forty years and one knows enough of Indian teachings to be able to explain the divine forces in Nature, and even now is on the search for “amrita” and “soma.”
Grasses: While quantitatively the most information may be obtained from Kew or from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, there has been succinct research all over the world. I would thank you if you could advise as to the genus of the best Grass in your region (or genera if there are several). In Pakistan the University of Washington State (Pullman, Wash.) had done some excellent work with specimens for warm, dry climates, this knowledge has not been broadcast.
When the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) met here recently there were several sessions devoted to the relation between cover crops and weather. I have not had time to follow these up largely due to the many Opportunities which came my way at that time. And as soon as I am free I hope to visit the UC campuses in the southern part of the State and also to contact Dr. Scharnhorst, although this will be first done by letter.
Trees. Thanks for the information about E. Ovata. My best horticultural friend, who is also a Nelson will be interested in this.
Tree of Life. Lotus Movement. It is funny. I used to watch Burbank at work but was too shy to talk to him. Only visited his grounds once or twice. The subject of the tree-of-life was taken up at Dehra Dun in India but I found the scientists had lost contact with Indian esotericism. Some notes from Bose are in my files but these were not followed up. Personally I believe there is much to learn concerning Cambiums and meristems.
My first autobiographical sketch is labeled, “The Lotus and the Universe” intended as an answer to The Lotus and the Robot of one Arthur Koestler. Speaking in the a name of “science” (he is not a scientists at all) he has no conception of what a Lotus is, botanically, horticulturally, symbolically of otherwise.
Today a magazine was received from Japan from the Lotus sects in that country. But the Lotus has three or four different meanings also, having in common only the Enlightenment Experience.
I may try to contact Theron Winston, and certainly shall Bertha Sale (because I am often near her place in Los Angeles). Now I come to a most delicate matter:
This person has been studying Oriental philosophy for years and has also gone through both Jewish and Christian education. The Jewish education reached its height when I was a secretary to a lady who translated all of the Sepher Ha Zohar, the main kabbalistic work. I have found that most kabbalists are neither scientists nor mystics but speculative philosophers. The general principles of the Mother Letters Aleph, Mom and Shin are found in Nature in many forms, and all of nature can be studied therefrom and therein. But I have found nobody that did this. The easiest form would be in basic Plant Physiology, but perhaps also in human physiology which I do not know too well. There need be nothing mysterious about it; mysticism is not mysterious. True the same principles are found in the ubiquitous Occultism which has found its way into Japanese Flower Arrangement, Microbiotics, etc.
My own life has been entangled in both Zen Buddhism and Sufism. There is much difference between my own career Zen and the writings of most people. And if one reads the totally different interpretations between Dr. Hu Shih and Prof. Daisetz Suzuki one will understand why mysticism without the corresponding inner experience is useless and very confusing. Rejected by the cultural world of the West, one has been honored by great Masters first or the Far East—I mean actual persons whom I can name and place. Fortunately more and more real people are contacting real masters and writing intelligible books, though their names are not so well known nor are they so respected as those whom the chief American Buddhism calls “fiction writers,” a very apt term.
Sufism fortunately has not been presented in any confusing manner. It has hardly been presented at all. The great minds of Oxford, Cambridge and European universities have given excellent books and fine translations but these are not Sufism. Al-Ghazzali says that “Sufism consists of experiences and not premises,” a point ignored by most writers.
In 1923 I introduced my first respective teachers Sufi Hazrat Inayat Khan and Nyogen Senzaki and they immediately entered into Samadhi together. It was years before I had the privilege of the corresponding experience. This type of cosmic consciousness is beyond the scope of Christopher Hills who seems now to have established a “universal school” which is basically “Christian” but I choose to doubt whether it is Christ at all. Substituting attributes for the Supreme Experience is worse than useless. We are in a new age.
On the intellectual and social level all these people by-pass Dr. Radhakrishnan today as they by-passed Emperor Akbar before. The hard facts of human existence and human transcendences refute claims. Manly Hall, for instance, is an intellectual giant who proved to be an idiot in the Zen classes; he could write long books but could not meditate at all. His descriptions are marvelous but there is not a single sign of attainment.
The scientists have now moved into the field of religions studies. They want proof and evidence, not claims. And as this person has covered so much of the Orient and met saints of the four great religions whom he can place in time and place if not by name, he is not taken in by hyperboles without heart. Universal bliss is non-existent without universal pain and perhaps universal responsibility which most people shirk. The awakened heart is all inclusive though it may not and need not involve any doctrines whatsoever.
The Christ I have seen (which experience may or may not be real) is identical in every respect with the reports and pictures of the late Khalil Gibran. Actually friendships have been built up without always joining. Having been initiated into Zen, Yoga and many Schools of Sufism, it was not necessary to join Vedanta (there is also one Vedanta initiation in a Shankara school) one cannot say one loves more those of these schools than of other schools. Love does not work that way; it is all-inclusive, not in claim but in attitude and action.
I am entirely of and for the unity of Divine Wisdom in every form and yet peculiarly and personally we seem also to be together in finding God in the Vegetable world, and in the inner world. To follow Christ to the end involves: Feed My Sheep, Feed My Lambs.
Yet I have to end on a note of warning. Today three different letters all with the same purport, all with the same motives, especially the Peace Motive, from three different parts of the world. And no time to try to reconcile them when one’s whole effort at the moment is to find a meeting-ground for India and Pakistan. If Russia does this, well and good but my own feeling is and has been that this meeting place will be in God first and then in manifestation.
Love and blessings,
Samuel L. Lewis
Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti
“Lotus”
Broadlands South,
Reporoa, Rotorua.
24th January, 1966
Dear Mr. Lewis,
You are not Mr. Lewis but a discerning disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ and the first one I have met in my life whose heart is opened.
On the 28th December you met Dr. Chandrasekhar, you describe as “the World famous Indian demographer and sociologist.” Please may I write to him? The 28th December is my birthday.
My husband and I are very ordinary people without a University education and area, as you may describe us, self taught and “humdrum.” There is a great desire to help while in this dress and it seems we are carrying out the assignment, according to the way things are progressing. We have both been reduced to shreds during our life this time and have been prepared for more and more effort in future. The love for all that suffers is strong in us both and is the cause of our offering every material possession to Mankind.
Mr. Nelson and his wife will, I am sure, enjoy their visit to this beautiful country. I am looking forward to meeting them both very much.
Would you be offended if your letter dated January 2nd was read out to the assembled gathering on the 5th of February? It can cause a few nervous wrigglings on the chairs and set a few minds athinking.
My husband has much to contribute and will do it. His contribution will be not only in the enhancement of plants but also to alleviate suffering and there will be no secret about it.
It is those who come into the sphere of thought concerned in the above paragraph who will help him and he them. The Kabalistic Laws have been applied in our laboratory and the product has been analyzed and found to be a true extraction and called the oil of Mars and also another called the oil of Antimony. Other herbal oils extracted Alchemically have been produced too and these though not the end product are very beneficial to plants and men. Much can be and will be done with this knowledge and it is intended to give out that which men will accept when the time comes. Alchemists (true ones and not charlatans) are still treated with scorn and have to be careful for their lives. Times have changed little since the time of Paracelsus.
In all countries, among all races, there are still about one in 10,000,000 who know the sacred Art and practice it and prove that there is a pure science that can elevate all things to their highest state of being. Man can be cured of all ills, so the soil, and plants and animals. The only reason that they, those who are Masters of the Art, do not shout out their knowledge is that Mankind slaughters them off as they did the Christ, and Mankind does not want to be helped. They prefer to learn by woe. Yet in every age there are those whose hearts ache to help as Christs. Mankind moves slowly and surely to his Divine Heritage and a little “cream” is given him as too much would upset his unprepared digestion.
Bless you. Love from
Jill Hull
Lotus,
Broadlands South,
Reporoa, Rotorua, New Zealand.
25th December 1966
Dear Mr. Lewis,
We thank you very much for your interest and letter of the 4th November. We are having a very busy and interesting time with this work and it is most helpful to receive interesting contacts from other countries and benefit from differing outlooks.
The exotericists and esotericists problems of co-operations you mention is an interesting one. The exoteric people are undoubtedly doing more practical humanitarian work in this country than the esoteric ones. So many of the so called esoteric ones live in a cloud of aloof divinity that robs them of creative abilities and induces a false sense of superiority. “We like to do our work the clean way” is a favorite expression.
The function of “Lotus” and its world placement is a matter that you should give long and careful attention to as we do not think you appreciate factors relating to the natural setting, of geographical setting, time factor, population factor, political movements, the unbelievable variety of natural and exotic beauty in such a small area, the unique close proximity of a wide diversity of plant life and many other factors.
The east and west approaches are liable to distort the picture of existing presentations, particularly as they are expounded and controlled almost exclusively in the northern hemisphere which has an unmistakably tinted function to the rising sign of the southern hemisphere which now resolutely returns to her past role of ages past. New Zealand is of the south and neither east or west but her maphrodite. Those who have gone through the practical creative chemistry of life will know the vast difference that can be accomplished in throwing up and releasing the latent virtues of plant, animal and mineral life by using products created by mind, magnetism and matter and formed into a living water of life that exalts and rejuvenates to an extent that baffles the conventional esotericist and exotericist alike.
Another factor for consideration is the unanimous agreement from remote times till now by the true sons and daughters of the most cherished art that the proportions of the elusive three be exactly equal for proper manifestation. Converted to mankind’s overall function of an evolving creator, it will be found that his religion or philosophy is but a part of the operation, the science or demonstrative aspect another and the resultant child of the marriage the other part that can be described as the art. Since the creator is a part of all life and the Aquarian age now begins, the emphasis of the past religious presentations now recedes and no longer can directive be predominately monopolized by the religious element. The balanced directive is now to be found coming through all walks of life.
It is understandable how some of these philosophical unity groups can go to pieces with their theoretical approaches when they leave out the practical doing aspect. This practical doing aspect has in fact been greatly suppressed by mystical and occultist movements for various reasons including ignorance of the issues involved. This accounts for why revolutionary products that will have a tremendous impact on the whole pattern of human activity have had to be handed to universities to experiment with and properly substantiate the principles involved. It seems that in so many instances humble people who have been rejected by the east and west approaches and have quietly gone about creative work have been able to unravel nature’s mysteries and prove things that are mere speculations to so many teachers.
With Lotus there is the responsibility of collecting and disseminating ideas and creative inventions from all sources for the betterment of people as a whole. Too often the real creators can find no place with the integrity and sympathy of mankind at heart to place their ideas and inventions with. They are forced from the door of government and private business monopolies and only want to be of service to their brothers throughout the world for peaceful purposes. The attempt to organize research by school training methods is only going so far. Often it is that the so called dunce is the one to cater for. Unbiased people are required to help with this aspect. We have a number of revolutionary inventions in custody awaiting the proper time and place to present them. If some of these were to catch on it would completely overturn the economy of this and other countries and necessitate the alteration of the trading and financial systems or the world.
This is the power that has ever been in the hands of creative people and only let out as and when the times were right. The poverty stricken rich can have no idea of what is about them until they look anew at life and adopt fresh values.
It will be seen that we are not students of ex- and esoteric cultisms. Serious enquiry can only come by honest enquiry into the overall question which requires a somewhat different outlook. The path between Geburah and Chesed has a function of bringing together diverse interests and forces of the universe. The primary colors involved on the king scale brings about the secondary color violet in the secondary trinity which has quite a bearing on the riddle of Blavatsky’s Isis Unveiled. This aspect of lawful demonstration of the Kabala to prove the existence of the unseen into the mundane world has been frequently challenged by science and religion alike. Since number is a symbol related to all forms of activity it is possible to prove different functions of human activity including religion from a sound basis of which the system of the various western approaches is only one, but all can be united to agree with one another.
It will be noted that the numbers of the 2 primary colors add to 9, their product violet is also 9 and the digit of the 3 is also 9. 9 is also 3 times 3, the trinity 3 times. The homeopathic principle of repeated sequences of 1 in 9 should have some meaning as has been proved on plant tests up to the 60th potency when seeds were soaked in the various potencies which had a profound effect on the ultimate growth and maturity with rhythmic peaks and ebbs which were in accord with the substances potentised and their placement on the tree of life.
There is general agreement that before one can accurately establish one’s function in life it becomes necessary to have a lawful understanding of why we are who we are. Extrasensory perception is open to illusions without the lawful means of checking. The scientific methods associated with esoteric understanding are capable of meticulous and detailed presentation.
Example. The clairvoyant who described an unusual violet aura of an individual, as well as other details of health. The clairvoyant was then taken to task and it was found that despite the scope of their abilities in this field there were serious errors made. Why? The clairvoyant had no proper understanding of her own place in life and had understood her faculty was presenting what was actually before her. In fact it was an illusion partly through her not being aware that her placement of race and function in life which caused her to look through a colored screen with her faculty which distorted the aura color to that of a different shade. Further the aura color of the individual is subject to change according to the progressed position of the individual. These changes were not registered by the lady concerned and further investigation revealed other faults which included the deception of her radiesthesia friend who obtained the same findings as she did. This was a heavy blow to the sensitives whose minds had not been able to previously conceive that a wonderful faculty could be subject to such gross errors. This was a typical case of so called spiritual approaches attempting to judge life from a personal view point. With all thy getting, get understanding was a lesson here. The religious approach in this age has to become more a part of the people and their functions.
Some interesting things happen with the Lotus trinity in that, as expected, some people look on a scientific aspect as their religion because of the great beauty in it, others the artistic and others the religious for the same reasons and it is quite impossible for any general agreement to be reached about a particular thing because each person is looking at it from their own particular position on the tree of life at that time. Although there is disagreement there is a lawful means of explaining it to the participants who can then come to an understanding the situation and assist each other with their view points on a better footing. This has been achieved at a Lotus meeting and it did bring out something in people present that they had never experienced before.
The ancient saying about bringing the 3 poisons together to make virtue is perfectly true. No matter how well the three parts are cleansed and purified they cannot function and give life until they are properly united.
Returning to the function of this country, we feel that it is worthy of detailed attention for the extraordinary number of people it has bred who have rendered distinguished service. In sport there is always a host of world class runners, swimmers, speedway riders, footballers, Scientists, artists, international advisers, in numerous fields. Heads of leading institutions and inventors. Many of the achievements have never been recognized because other countries pride in their own efforts. An example of this was the flight of a New Zealander in his aeroplane before the Wright Brothers. In esoteric matters some prominent leaders of organizations have been astounded at the percentage of people interested in these matters. They have ranked the interest on a population basis as the highest in the world. With only 2 ½ million people a New Zealanders odds of success against the rest of the world in any field is from thousands to millions to 1 of recognition. Yet consistently they can maintain a high place in a wide variety of works. There is nowhere near the sponsorship and training available here that exists overseas and further, practically all control is from remote places in the Northern Hemisphere. The N.Z. Band won the world championships yet could not go overseas this year to defend their title as the players themselves had to foot the bill and had not repaid mortgages on their housed and other debts from the previous time and were turned down by the government as well when they asked for help.
It is interesting to see how foreigners are suddenly influenced into making public statements of N.Z’s unique position and how such a small country could be a world leader in a variety of capacities. The Maori native’s greatest prophet has prophesied events of this nature.
It is obvious that N.Z. has been blessed by a long line of thinking people in high office with the past Governor General as no exception and who has seen fit to go out of his way to wish Lotus well. In 1891 the then Governor, Sir George Grey said to the people of this country. “You are amongst the Heralds you introduce and the Rulers who must guide and direct a New Age, and who must establish as yet an unknown nation, that upon you will have to look a New Race and millions of people. The duty devolving on you is a great one: With humility, yet with fortitude, pursue your task; falter not, walk resolutely on, with love of Mankind your guiding Star; your duty to your Maker the staff on which you lean. Then will God bless you and render you a Blessing to the Ages yet to come.”
Things are now happening that are unquestionably out on their own in this country which is so far removed from the east west hierarchy of power and domination in the northern hemisphere.
It sounds like an interesting professor working on the leaves. The food problem could be solved without any further inventions if even the distribution and monetary aspects of civilization were improved. However, creativeness must go on in all departments of life and we are trying to collect more information on those who have produced milk and other such produces from plants. An English firm we contacted is now producing milk from vegetation and is selling milk fudge, yoghurt, and chocolate from this source. The price is a bit high owing to a small plant and organization. Dr. Carver, the Negro, also produced milk in a similar way, possibly from soya been seed as well. As you say it requires impersonal groups to collect the facts which is a thing we are working towards establishing. As expected interest is increasing round the world now.
Very Best of everything,
S. C. Hull