June 12, 1968
Studies In Comparative Religion
Pates Manor, Bedfont
Middlesex,
England
Beloved Ones of God,
This will acknowledge the circular of L. Werry. I wish to say I am very satisfied with this publication, and on my next remittance which will no doubt come next week, I intend to write in some detail on this particular subject; also sent you a much larger remittance than previously.
The writer is both a real Sufi mystic and a real disciple in Zen, having sat at the feet of well-recognized masters in each; he is also a realized disciple of the late Swami Ramdas of South India,
During the last year an ever-growing audience of young people has been attending the lectures and sessions given here and elsewhere. As Al-Ghazzali says: “Sufism is based on experiences, and not on premises.” The fact that scholars have been very slow in accepting it, in no way impairs man’s realization of divine wisdom, or his effectiveness in impressing young seekers. In fact, there are many, many signs of further growth in this region. I do not wish here to comment on the spiritual sides of the Hippies, but would be glad to do so if requested.
The writings of Frithjof Schuon are especially appreciated. In fact I am recommending “In the Tracks of Buddhism” to many friends. His “The Sun Dance” is especially appreciated by one who, in addition to the above, has shown considerable interest in field anthropology, and in folk dancing.
The articles by Henry Corbin and Seyyed Hossein Nasr strike recordant notes. These will be read by the mureeds. Sufism here is presented in a universal manner, and also takes into account the efforts of the great Moghul Emperor Akbar. While I intend to subscribe for the followers of the late Sri Aurobindo, they have overlooked the work of this great emperor who tried so hard to bring the various peoples and religions of India clover together.
I must, however, write in other terms of the article on “Jonah” by D.M. Deed. Years ago I did considerable research on this subject. Unfortunately a fire in 1949 destroyed all my records. There was also a book or article holding that the myth of Jonah was based on initiatory rites. Although this was not included in my thesis, written before encountering the book, there is much to support such a claim.
Mr. Deed has overlooked many excellent Jewish writings and commentaries on this subject, especially the Parke of Rabbi Eleazar. I believe there are some materials available at the Royal Asiatic Society on this subject.
My personal contribution was to collect and select a number of Puranic items which come so close to the text that one may conclude they were both derived from the same general source, indeed there are many parallels bet wean ancient Hebrew and Hindu literature, especially from the standpoint of myth that there is still work to be done in this field.
As most of this research deals with the first parts of the Book of Jonah it does not necessarily contradict this article. But I am inclined to believe we have still much to learn from myth, folklore, Purana and mysticism.
I am very glad that Donald Bishop has done an excellent work from the universal, all-comprehensive viewpoint. I am confident that history is moving in his directions.
Assuring you of a further corresponded with remittance in the near future, I am
Faithfully,
Samuel L. Lewis
15 January, 1969
Studies in Comparative Region
Pates Manor, Bedfont,
Middlesex, England
Beloved Ones of God:
I have before me the request of Mr. L. Werry, your circulation manager and am enclosing at this time a remittance of Forty-two (#.00) Dollars, for three years subscriptions each to:
Samuel L. Lewis
410 Precita Ave.,
San Francisco, Calif. 94110, USA
Rev. J. Eugene Wagner 135 Ninth Ave.,
San Francisco, Calif. 94118, USA
Rev. Dr. Deville Warwick 1551 Octavia St.,
San Francisco, Calif. 94109. USA
Now, Beloved Ones, I am very satisfied with your publication but I am not satisfied—and this seems to be most common under the so-called “Judeo-Christian ethic” of letters never answered, inquiries ignored, and articled shunned. The most extreme case in my own life was that after thirty-one rejections of an article on “Vietnamese Buddhism” it was accepted by Dr. Huston Smith of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. This is an example and more will be given
Time Magazine is editorializing on the impasse at the Paris conference. I personally have never had the slightest difficulty in communications with Vietnamese, regardless of their “politics.” Unlike most Americans I accept much in Spengler, and have also studied higher mathematics and all that it connotes in the various fields of Infinity, Non-Euclidean geometries, and what I call “psycho-spiritual art” on which you have had a number of excellent articles. When one reaches a certain stage in “spiritual evolution” he has no trouble communicating with anybody or being reached but anybody making such an assertion is brushed aside as if it were braggadocio or bombast. And so we have a culture in which anybody can write on Mysticism but the realized Mystic and every attempt to be objective here is regarded as a black mark. But no more. A whole new culture has arisen. Which is as objective in the field of religion and psychological and Para psychological experiences as in the purer “Sciences.”
It did not take long to communicate this to Prof. Huston Smith above; others ignore it and do not even examine one’s claims.
When Prof. Nasr asked if I could help you, I was fortunate, by an interposition of Divine Grace, to have accumulated funds and had an increase in my monthly allotment. At this time there is a story, and those who deny there are living legends (which means most people under the “Judeo-Christian ethic”) will have to face this. Alarmed because I could not harbor a Vietnamese, it was determined to change this house into an Inn. Just before Christmas Eve a young girl sought refuge. It was too “biblical.” We had some wonderful celebrations on Christmas and New Years which shall be related—a scientist wants facts, a writer on most other subjects wants personalities and prestige! It turns out that this girl was not a waif at all and she has given a small endowment making it possible to send this amount and more will be sent when I was considered as a flesh and blood human being and not merely as a check-writer, the usual custom!
A few years ago, scorned and rejected, I made friends with a Christian prelate who decided to operate a school based on spiritual and mystical experience and not on any sort of theology. He was even more of an outcast than I was and today by Grace of God he is operating a whole group of hostels, has a growing number of followers and the experiences. The living experiences of his followers would put to shame any of the shams masquerading as “Zen Buddhism” which in toto evince no examples of Satori!
I had at my Christmas meeting the aforementioned Dr. Neville Warwick (not his name, his father having been an Asiatic and colleague of Dr. Alexandra Davida Neel). We are adapting spiritual dances. We used largely Dervish Dances given by a Dervish who is not a dervish because he was born here!
On New Year’s Eve. Dr. Warwick gave a long Puja and so far as I am concerned, very effective though either my imagination or my extra-sensory perception or perhaps Prajna itself is developed. We also on that occasion gave a number of Yoga Dances, the joint heritage from the Sufi Hazrat Inayat Khan and Miss Ruth St. Denis who gave them in 1911 in this land and to whom I have been respectively a disciple (rejected by the “Judeo-Christian” ethic.—whatever that is). Now it is becoming a mockery because the young are coming in greater and greater numbers toward real God-realization with living experiences. The campaign. “Joy without Drugs” has been totally successful and the number of disciples and applicants has increased just as with my Christian colleague.
I have no time now to write articles which are ignored or rejected. The other person whose name I have given you. Dr. Rev. Eugene Wagner has lived in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, the worst background for acceptance under the passing culture. This day of shams is over, and before the Living God, we are passing into a New Age.
I am using all your articles and all books by your contributors. I haven’t a single criticism of anybody excepting that the only existence I seem to have is when I write a check.
For forty years I did research for the late Dr. Henry Atkinson on the religions of the world, to see what they could contribute toward World Peace. His “Judeo-Christian” staff refused even an interview. But this accumulated knowledge was accepted by The Temple of Understanding and they recently had a conference at Calcutta attended by some of my disciples and acquaintances. This institution has accepted both the objective studies and contacts with spiritual leaders actually made in person. A subject I am not going into further here. Some day my autobiography will be published. The man who can listen to God, so to speak, “Is scorned and rejected by man” but the young are so different: it even makes one a hero.
I present here the Mysticism, the living Mysticism of Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. I had to study the Kabbalah because I once was secretary to a scholar who worked in that field.
Islam. I am now, by Grace of Allah, doing with Dervish Dances exactly what Moineddin Chisti of Ajmir did with music and singing. And I am too busy awakening the young to the Reality of God to write any more articles for reviews by editors who have not had cosmic experience. These Dances are of two types: those based on Zikr and those on Wazifa and the Sifat-i-Allah.
Buddhism: The manuscript of the late Tai Hsu has been sent to Tuttle for possible publication. At least I sat before this Master. At least one of the late Shaku Soyen will follow (not his book). And then others. The symbol of the late Nyogen Senzaki is now on the wall with credentials in Chinese, Japanese and Korean. And I enjoy the great friendship with her serene Highness Princess Poon Diskul, President of the World Buddhist Federation.
Hinduism. I am not going to relate here my relations with the late Swami Ramdas, my guru, nor with many holy men in India. In a few days Swami Maharaj Ranganathananda will be here and we intend to support him in force. I am also invited to join with the Hindu students who have their own organization now without the grace or disgrace of a number of university prowessed people who have never had the deep experiences. “When the gods arrive the half-gods go.” I am pleased to say here that this will take place on the campus of the University of California, my Alma mater, and some great things are going on there.
Also there will be a source at the Extension which I shall take shortly in this general field.
Christianity. I am lecturing on Mysticism and interpreting the scriptures according to “water,” breath and blood.” Sure, I have had the breath-experience and breath-knowledge of a Great Saint whose excellent article has been published. But if a person in this year 1969 offered such an article as objective experience, he would have had hard sledding. I applause Phillip Kapleau in toto and all living experiences in any way to God which is an actuality. My person relations with living Christian mystics has been and different than with other living Mystics. Tat Tvam Asi.
I am steeped in the Lanes, the Pooles and the Lane-Pooles of your land and also in the novels of Flora Annie Steel and my experiences at Fatehpur Sikri bear this out. The poetry of Sir Edwin Arnold has inspired epic poems in all faiths. All rejected until a friend published “The Rejected Avatar,” copy enclosed. These poems are based on the respective mysticism of the great faiths, coupled with examination of the affairs of the day and the predictions have an accuracy not found in Blake or Nostradamus and by this time there is total unconcerned.
In the Orient I was called upon to lecture on the depths of their religious and Philosophies. My God-daughter won first prize in an international philosophical contest for which the writer did not have “credentials.” But he wrote the paper which won the first prize!
The same took place here when none of the Orientalists could answer some complex questions but by Dr. Singer of Chicago U. There was one person into audience who could and did. He was never invited again. This thing is very annoying.
Love and consideration do not mean being negative. The Christ that I have seen and I certainly believe that it was pure vision, is identical with that of Khalil Gibran. But pure vision is not wanted, only articles. Fortunately there is a moral order and my disciples and friends have gained control of a local publication called “The Oracle” which is attracting much attention and which is objective. Not subjective and dialectic. What are person’s opinions? The bible may say. “The Last shall be first and the first last.”
Nevertheless I have nothing but the warmest admiration for Dr. Schuon and Marco Pallis and your chief writers and your writers not so important yet. But why not more consideration to the living experiences of the living, sometimes, somewhere!
“Lo God is here. Let us adore” is fine for a hymn. “Allah is closer than the neck-vein” is wonderful—to quote! From Paul Brunton I inherited the way-of-Breath, the way-of-Heart, the way-of-the Eve. They are demonstrable and demonstrated. I wish that some time a person so far away could be given objective consideration. But I am not buying space. I love you all, and hope that this may be more than mere cheque-book consider tie.
Love and blessings.
Samuel L. Lewis
Studies in Comparative Religion
January 20, 1969
Dear Mr. Lewis,
Thank you for your letter of the 15th inst., and three subscriptions to the journal, together with your cheque for $42. I am sorry if my letter-writing has appeared to be spasmodic. In fact the journal cannot afford a full-time staff and I am never really up-to-date with my correspondence. Because we are publishing at a loss I have to do all the work with only one assistant, and as I have also two other business concerns in order to earn my living, I find it next to impossible to keep pace with everything. I am sorry if you have felt that we have neglected to reply to letters etc., and this was certainly never our intention.
Thank you also for your book of poems, which I shall certainly show to Dr. Lings whose poetry we have ourselves published, as you know. I find that when it comes to traditional writings there is great difficulty in finding editors willing to publish them. At times I have thought that there is almost a conspiracy of silence where the more erudite things of the spirit are concerned. We send review copies of all the books we publish to the national papers, but they are almost never noticed and I have sometimes wondered if it is worthwhile. Even a book such as “Sacred Art in East and West” was ignored by the national press here and only a few specialist publications noticed it. I am not surprised to learn that you submitted one article thirty-one times before you found a publisher. Many of the articles we publish would not appear at all if it was not for Studies in Comparative Religion.
I see you mention Paul Brunton. I met him many years ago when he was visiting England and was living in New York. I have heard that he subsequently left New York but I suppose he must be over seventy now, if he is still alive. Swami Ramdas came to England but I did not see him; I believe Marco Pallis and Martin Lings and others met him, and that he also saw Mr. Schuon who was over here at the time. Most of the other people you mention I do not know.
I have been fortunate in obtaining material for a number of issues of the journal ahead and we have some first-class material which will appear in the next three or four issues. We are also including some further translations from the writings of Rene Guenon, including that on the symbolism of the fish. Lord Northbourne has written an excellent article entitled “A Glance at Agriculture” dealing with food reform and allied subjects, and Philip Sherrard has written on the place of Jung. In the traditional field. These are only a few of the articles that I have in hand.
Towards the end of last year I had wondered whether we should be able to carry the journal on, but now I am happy to say there has been an improvement, and through the generosity of friends, we are safe throughout 1969.
Thank you for writing. I always read your letters with interest and I am eager to hear what is going on the in U.S., even if I am somewhat slow in replying!
With best wishes,
F. Clive-Ross
410 Precita Ave.,
San Francisco, Calif. 94110
16 February 1969
F. Clive-Ross
Pates Manor,
Bedfont, Middlesex
Beloved One of Allah:
It is some time since I have heard from you and an answer has not been forthcoming. One is busy seven days in the week, having a class every single day and occasionally more. More and more disciples and applicant, more and more time needed for conferences, and very, very little help on any level. But praise to Allah, with the spiritual practices one has received from one’s Pir-o-Murshid, one is now capable of drawing the atmospheric energies and baraka, and to assimilate the Sifat-i-Allah, so that the proclamations of religion become realities, all the time.
I am an this occasion enclosing a small cheque, but it is my intention to vend further moneys, inshallah. This is a new day and age. One has a program thus:
a. Sunday night, the Dharma. This includes the Yoga methods of Lord Buddha, sometimes slightly modified by Sufic additions, sometimes not. Also teachings in the Upanishads and Swami Ramdas.
b. Monday night. Sufism and elementary Dervish dances.
c. Tuesday afternoon. Christian mysticism drawn from the Scriptures with spiritual techniques. Class progressing very rapidly. Actualities, not pseudo-devotional altitudes to “saints” of the past. Ye Are Gods.
d. Wednesday nights in a town 15 miles north, a compendium of teachings and both Dervish and Yoga dances. Very large group, beautiful young men and women, constantly growing in attendance.
e. Thursday night at the Khankah, Novato. Special instructions in Tasawwuf— Dervish dancing(advanced), the sciences of Breath and Contemplation (Mushahida) and Tawajjeh.
f. Friday night. To the “Hippies,” Haight-Ashbury district. A program so akin to your polities and article that nothing need be added excepting now the introduction of techniques, a mélange of Lord Buddha (Not “Buddhism” and Sufism).
g. Spiritual dancing. Dervish, Yoga and Mystery dances depending on mystical and occult teachings and awakening. Very well attended and excellent response, but for initiates only.
To save time copy of letter to Dr. Nasr enclosed. I hope to cooperate more financially and otherwise but now have two big legal suits pending. May Allah bless you and all your colleagues.
Faithfully.
Sufi Ahmed Murad-Chisti
(Samuel L. Lewis)
P.S. The money is subscription for Mr. Paul Reps, Paauilo, Hawaii, 96776. Also one of my probationers wishes to visit Europe this summer and would like to call on Murshid Schuon. Can you furnish his address?
410 Precita Ave.,
San Francisco, Calif.
8 July 1969
F. Clive-Ross
Studies in Comparative Religion
Pates Manor, Hatton Road,
Bedfont, Middlesex
Beloved one of God:
Your card of June 13th has been received. One can readily understand both that you may be behind with the journal and why. Here one is faced with a New Age perhaps both symbolically and actually. It is certain that thousands upon thousands of young people, and perhaps nowhere more than in California, are turning to the search-of-the-soul and far more seriously than their immediate predecessors. What is called the generation gap is nothing but inner urge expressing itself more forcefully.
My God-daughter, Miss Khawar Khan of Punjab University was here recently and may return again en route to Reno, Nevada. There was an immediate attraction between her and the mureeds who were here for the day. We did some of our dervish dances and chants, and will give her a fuller program later.
Miss (or shall I call her professor?) Khawar Khan graduated from the American University at Beirut where she went so she could perform Hajj, which she did. She has been teaching at the Punjab University in Lahore, Pakistan, and is working now for her doctorate in philosophy.
She told me her (and your) very good friend; professor Seyyed Hossein Nasr is now at Harvard University. It is possible, Inshallah, that he may come here later on. I have been on very good terms with the Department of Near East Languages at the University of California in Berkeley but have extended friendship by my presenting both the Department of South Asian Studies and the Department of Far East Studies copies of the Encyclopedia of Buddhism as my golden anniversary gifts. I was in the class of 1918. I think it would also be well to extend subscription of “Studies in Comparative Religion” to the Department of South Asian Studies, Dwinhelle Hall, University of California, Berkeley 94720. Could you send them complete sets and charge the bill to me?
Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan was also here recently. We forbear advertising and had a very large audience, nearly all-young and performed first dervish dances, then my own chants, and mantric and spiritual dances. These are now being choreographed and written partly at his request, partly at the request of others. We believe we can use dancings and chanting to bring people together spiritually and otherwise.
Our position is and has been, that of Iman Al-Ghazali, that tasawwuf is based on experience and not on premises. We believe that sooner or later the whole world will accept this definition whether the approach to spiritual illumination is by this means or another.
The remarkable thing is that we put on our performances which also included both Israeli and non-Israeli Jews in a Christian seminary:
We shall, of course, be most interested in “Letters of a Sufi Master.” One of my hardest jobs is teaching, instructing and organizing a rapidly growing movement. For the soul seeks its own. And I am leaving shortly to give another discourse on Rumi or Shams-i-Tabriz in the celebrated Haight-Ashbury district. The response is excellent: far better than among mature audiences.
Faithfully,
Samuel L. Lewis
cc-Prof. Nasr
26 August 1969
F. Clive-Ross
Pates Manor, Bedfont
Middlesex, England
Beloved One of God:
A combination of circumstances impel this letter. At the moment God-daughter Miss Saadia Khawar Khan is with me. She once won first prize at an All-Asia Philosophical conference. The paper was written by this person who has not credentials and it is time to write some credentials. One would imagine that persons with super-consciousness, who have active Kashf or Prajna, would recognize this. Certainly Dr. Radhakrishnan did. Certainly the followers of many Indian super-cults do not. They don’t recognize each other’s so their refusal—generally in the name of universal religion, means nothing. There has been too much of that and now there is a reaction in this land.
There are many bright young people who are spiritual seekers. They have money and intellect and intelligence. They have found their money is wanted but their intellect and intelligence have been spurned and they are planning their own Shangri-La instead of contributing to this or that super-super transcendental Indian cult, which does not recognize other Indian cults. They are very serious and are planning a world tour to the shrines and tombs of saints of all faiths—and no nonsense and none of this “integrational” stuff which is most selective.
They and their friends have accepted my own Dervish and Mantric dances and already a summer school has been organized because they believe that this person has knowledge of tasawwuf and yoga. And I think Miss Saadia Khawar Khan will testify and also she has written to Prof. Seyyed Hossein Nasr in this respect.
As I am now well in my seventies before Allah I do not think it is necessary to hide any more than soon I shall be celebrating my fiftieth anniversary in the study of tasawwuf, and a few months later in Zen. I have just received a fine letter from my Zen Master and despite all the intellectuals and cults, when the Kashf and Prajna are awakened it is not necessary to say anything at all. Dr. Radhakrishnan and this person could perform the Mahamudra meditation together and become one; and the experiences of hal and makam may have been many. And certainly today there is a mounting following, accompanied, alhamdu lillah, by better financial conditions. But this money can no longer be shared because the universal religionists, the integrational movements etc. have refused to accept either the cosmic dances or the real of fancied spiritual experiences and attainments.
There is a mounting acceptance in America of Phillip Kapleau, not only the first American who has successfully proved his attainments, but the first to be accepted in the American-American approaches to Asian wisdom. It is only the cults and separative integrational movements which do not accept him.
In the meanwhile the acquisition of two books shows the difference between modern pretense and divine wisdom. The first is another book by Sheikhs Idries Shah in which he mentions a number of European experts in Asian philosophy to support his contentions. He does not name a single living spiritual Pir or Sheikh of which this person has met many—contrasted with a work of the Gibb foundation on Junaid which I find more than edifying, it touching the very core of my being.
There are certain “sins” for which atonement is difficult. I was born in this city, at least fourth generation American. I did meet a Sufi teacher early in life and did not meet an Imam until I was 50 for which no atonement seems possible! But I tell you now, my friend, I was visited by the mysterious Khizr many years ago and my poetry, though rejected, and the vitality at the age of 73 astounds the critical-minded good people who are upended by the hard fact of a vigorous mind in a vigorous body. And mountain climbing Yoga which consists not of Indian but of Sufi exercises.
Miss Khan has written to professor Nasr. And I shall add here one more item, which some of your colleagues have refused to accept, whatever that means: A few years back Sidi Abusalem Alawi came here. I was just told a Sufi teacher was coming. Nothing else. But I brought a picture of his great Pir-o-Murshid, wore my dervish robe, and offended and astounded the audience by translating directly the third part of his speech although in the ordinary state I know no Arabic. When he was asked if he would establish a Khankah here, be said no because a man in the audience had the baraka. The audience walked out. But now the new generation is walking in and the blessings are given, actually given in my Zikr dances and no nonsense. And I believe the day is over when people who have a priori rejections can apply negatives to their fellow men without evidence.
It will be very necessary to subscribe fully to Studies in Comparative Religion for several groups. All excepting the integrative schools which will not accept the existence of tasawwuf. They all want financial support but never accept one’s process or accomplishments, and there is now a reaction. One group of young Americans is planning a world-tour of shrines and holy places to start their own Shangri-La in this country. They have their own land their own money, their own following and do not have to applied to the ignorant others to send them money. They have the kashf, the prajna and know what to do.
No doubt there are forms of Sufism (!) without Allah. But I have just written at length to the Muslim Students who are very self-centered and also may enclose copy. There is no fooling with this person about La Illaha El Il Allah!
There has not only been a movement of young persons toward this putative (or real) Murshid, there has been a constant gain in contacts of various professors of religion and philosophy at the various American universities. Whenever and wherever an American (or an Asian) supplants an Englishman or European, one is in. Not that all Englishman and Europeans stand aloof but by and large they have been dialecticians and not mystics at all and do not comprehend awakening processes. One exception has been Prof. Cunze and I understand he is now in your general region. I found he had a much more profound and to me comprehensive understanding of Buddhism and of the Dharma in general than most intellectuals. But there is now a movement against dialectics among the professors themselves and partially under the impetus of Dr. Huston Smith of M.I.T. and partly because it is true and right, they are turning to those with mystical experience. One local professor has gone to the other extreme of accepting every paper written by this person accepting that they are all based on personal experiences and not speculations—which is certainly true.
Gradually one is bringing out “Saladin” written from the standpoint of fana-fiRassoul. Some Indian epics are now coming out and have been accepted by the BhaktiVedantins, the Shivananda people and the Sri Ramakrishna Vedantins but not by the Sri Aurobindo followers.
All of this shows the practical need for subscriptions, even to the earliest copies of Studies In Comparative Religion. The whole tenor here today is toward basing religion on human experience in a manner comparable to our basing the rigid sciences on human experiences—perhaps in a different manner but still parallel.
There will be more communications along this line. Sooner or later that which is true, that which is honest, that which is the result of the conscious endeavors of man will triumph over both rejections by ignorant egocentrics and the dialectic speculations of the learned (so-called).
Faithfully,
Samuel L. Lewis
Sept. 27, 1969
Editor, Pates Manor
Hatton Road, Bedfont,
Middlesex, England
Beloved One of God:
From a certain point of view we live in a world of wonders. Recently I was invited to visit Lama Foundation in the state of New Mexico and taught—if you can call it that—spiritual development through dancing and chanting. Although the visit was successful I returned utterly exhausted. In a few days I shall be 73 years old and have had only 3 free days until the beginning of this month. A short but beneficial vacation followed and then not only new inspiration but more doors opening.
A determination was reached to visit and attend the next conference of The Temple of Understanding. I have intended, inshallah, to have with me my esoteric secretary Mansur Otis Johnson who is also the prize pupil and friends of the better known Professor Huston Smith. All the news points in the same general direction.
a. Along with my goddaughter Khalifa Miss Saadia Khawar Khan we had refused to attend the Muslim Students Assn. National gathering on the grounds that they were too concerned with politics and superiority complexes and not enough with Allah and Hadiths. A strong letter received a surprising commendatory reaction that the majority who attended were in full agreement. But I am not stopping there and intend to go on and present some of the Hadiths at the meetings of The Temple of Understanding Miss Khan incidentally tremendously admires the work of Frithjof Schuon, a man whose works I am continually studying.
b. Yesterday morning a class in Dervish dancing was opened for young people in this city. Most of the dances were based on Allah, but I also gave one on RamNam derived from Papa Ramdas who was also a great admirer of Dr. Schuon.
c. Last night Rab Schlomo had his gathering also based on spirituality through love dances. We are wonderful friends demonstrating that there is a grand area of love, devotion, and harmony beyond all differences and distinctions that divide men.
d. Yesterday I was invited to come as “expert advisor” to a new course on living religious at the controversial San Francisco State College. Prof. Jacob Needleman, who is much more of a guide than a teacher, is another veritable Huston Smith, and they also are very good friends of each other. Dr. Needleman gave very special attention to Studies in Comparative Religion and this will no doubt be followed up by action, research, etc. We are agreed however that business can be better done through Fields Books Store in this city which carries your blurb notices and also the works of your chief contributors.
I think this day is significant, and I am also sending a copy of this to Prof. Nasr. The tentative program of The Temple of Understanding indicates a visit to Tehran.
Love and blessings,
Samuel L. Lewis
Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti
Feb. 8, 1970
Tomorrow Publication Ltd.
Pates Manor Hatton Road
Bedfont, Middlesex, England
Beloved Ones of God:
I have your invoice no. 01013 and enclose personal check for $10. If this is not the right amount please advise.
We are already putting this brochures to good use and enclose copies of two letters as corroboration. One has had to follow so to speak as if streams of Dharma from former lives were manifesting toward perfection in different directions. I am at the present time not only giving instructions in Tasawwuf (Sufism) but also have a class in the Christian Gospel of Saint Thomas and tonight start an exposition of the Taittiriya Upanishad. This will be presented in such a way as to invoke greater insight on the part of the audience, let us say in a general direction of Sat-Chit-Ananda.
After years of endeavor, stories are beginning to seep out, chiefly through the work being done in and through song and dance. There is a lot of excellent drama going around. But I am assuming it will be possible to call on you early in April, after the conference of The Temple of Understanding (copy of letter to Ajmir enclosed which refers to this).
“Nature and Function of the Spiritual Master” absolutely exemplifies the present life. I realize that claims in this direction may be subject to criticism, but something more is needed than endless abstruse articles and lectures, not supported by living evidence. The quotation from Schuon “No one will meet Allah who has not met his envoy,” has long been illustrated by my poetry, nearly all of which has remained unpublished. But the whole trend is now in the opposite direction at a place where Grace and good karma seem to be meeting like the joining of rivers.
Most faithfully and cordially,
Samuel L. Lewis
Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti
He Kwang
March 10, 1970
Mr. V. Clive-Ross
Studies In Cooperative Religion
Pates Manor, Hatton Road,
Bedfont, Middlesex, England
Beloved one of God:
I have just re-read Nature and Function of the Spiritual Master by F. Schuon. I am not so much concerned here with the teaching in this work as with the simple fact that this depicts almost exactly my present-day methodologies. There is a vast difference between verbal claims of integrative outlook, and the pragmatic applications of such an outlook in actual spiritual instructions given to disciples on the spiritual path.
At this writing there is almost a complete reversal of events and attitudes. A few years back, the cults were interested in the unusual and the universities barred them. Today it is exactly the opposite: The Universities accept what is evident, and the cults bar what is annoying to them. This is a most hopeful sign of a New Age which is dawning, particularly in this country, and most of all in the Western regions of this country.
I expect to come London about the 7th of April. I shall either bring with me, or send to you before hand, a copy of a new publication on “The Sutra of the 6th Patriarch” and “The Diamond Sutra” as arranged by the late Evans-Wentz and my lifelong and very close friend Rev. Joseph Miller of this city. Although Joe goes around mostly as a Mahayana Buddhist, I can assure you he is an absolute universalist in philosophy, in training, in outlook, and in spiritual realization.
At the moment, it would appear I shall be given those opportunities at the convention of The Temple of Understanding barred previously because of the dominant egotisms and emotionalisms of those in control of presumably international convocations. There is nothing personal in this. It is simply that outlooks of previous generations were quite limited whatever their verbal pronouncements may have been.
Whatever the outcome of this forthcoming journey may be, it is certain that my own private career is at an end. Both my homes are now being “invaded” so to speak by cameramen, klieg lights, and sound equipment; and while we cannot be assured that this is going to bring either fame or regeneration, this very fact demonstrates that sooner or later what is true, what is just, what is noble, will not be hidden forever from humanity.
With all good will, and hoping to see you in the not too distant future,
Faithfully,
Samuel L. Lewis
P.S. It would be wonderful if I should encounter either Dr. Schuon or one of his disciples at Geneva.
May 28, 1970
Mr. F. Clive-Ross
Studies In Comparative Religion
Pates Manor, Bedfont
Middlesex, England
Beloved One of God:
This is just a short note. So many things are going in excellent manners that they far overshadow obstacles.
On the practical side of life, I find that many of the young people interested in spiritual studies also wish to open up book stores and sometimes printing establishments. In this they find for practical reasons the need also for books on the psychic or unusual. I am therefore asking that you please send us several of your book lists and we may act temporarily as go-betweens so you may have more outlets in this country. This is easy and natural and comes in the course of our daily affairs.
When I reached Boston I found “The Encounter of Man and Nature”. Three copies were purchased, and also I have read this, to me admirable work, three times. I am delighted that it has been dedicated to Marco Pallis, whom we may regard as a living Bodhisattva.
First I wrote an introductory comment and then a review from what I believe are constructive, harmonizing, outlook; if you would like a carbon of this we should be glad to make it for you.
Our audiences are growing. Our outside contacts are growing. Mansur and I leave tomorrow to conduct our own summer school in the state of New Mexico. We have been helped in all our efforts by Baba Ram Dass (Dr. Richard Alpert) who is having a book published on modern spiritual movements. We shall soon know more about this and will advise.
Cordially,
Samuel L. Lewis
Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti
July 13, 1970
Mr. F. Clive-Ross
Perennial Book Service
Pates Manor, Bedfont, Middlesex England
Beloved One of Allah:
As-Salaam-Aleikhum! All praise is due to Allah, Who makes possible final victories whether in lesser Jihads or greater Jihads.
For some little while I have been planning writing you a letter or article called “Peaks and Lama.” This is not a pun; this is an actuality, although I am sure our good friend Marco Pallis would have enjoyed every moment of his stay in a spiritual commune high in the Rocky Mountains. Here the word Lama is probably derived from a language of native Amer-Indians living near Taos, New Mexico. The mountain on which Lama is situated remains a holy peak to the natives of the region and there is extreme cordiality and co-operation between the aboriginal peoples and the spiritual Americans who have established a successful commune high in the Rocky Mountains.
Actually these people already call me Murshid. Also one night when a play was presented called “The False Guru” some people in the audience shouted “What do we care for a false Guru, when we have a true Guru in the audience.” And they so stampeded I had to get up and lead them all, actors and audience, in spiritual dances. You won’t read about such things in the press of course.
Later I called on the actors. They have been specializing in Greek drama but are planning to put on later, themes drawn from the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Without going into further detail, there is every sign of our coming into a new, and really spiritual, age.
But the reason for writing is quite different. While I was conducting a rather successful summer school in the State of New Mexico, Pir Vilayat Khan was conducting a quite successful summer camp in the adjacent State of Arizona. And, he happened upon a man who had been looking for Sufis and did not know any were around. This man, Walter Bowart, wishes to be a publisher of spiritual books. He has great hopes and dreams, and apparently some fortune to back it up. In any event, he is leaving now to go to England. It is all like a dream, or series of dreams. Your book list excited him, but besides books and spirituality, his next greatest interest is: Glastonbury. So Mansur and I gave him your address which he has seized with avidity, and we are hoping he will be in your presence soon. Of course there is lots more of interest and excitement going on, but we think this is enough for one letter.
Love and Blessings,
Samuel L. Lewis
Studies in Comparative Religion
August 13, 1970
Dear Friend,
Thank you for your letter of the 13th July and I was glad to hear you news. Since then I have received a visit from Walter Bowart. He came with a friend last Monday week and spent the afternoon with us, purchasing a number of our publications and leaving me a copy of his new journal “Omen.” He has since left for the Continent and will be passing this way again in a week or so.
There is little news my end. We are publishing Lord Northbourne’s new book “Looking Back on Progress” on September 24th. There is a good demand for “Letters of a Sufi Master” since it appeared this year and I think I will probably have to reprint before very long. Another issue of the journal will be along in the near future.
With thanks and best wished.
F. Clive-Ross
Sept. 1, 1970
M. F. Clive-Ross
Pates Manor, Hatton Road,
Bedfont, Middlesex, England
Beloved One of Allah:
As-Salaam-Aleikhum! Your Spring 1970 issue came at a time of climax but not at a time of tragedy. So many things are happening one does not know where to begin, or end.
There are many people who believe they know something about Indian metaphysics, and that whatever you tell them they will react. For practical purposes I have lost my secretaries, but what has actually happened is that each of them has gone into a higher dimension.
1. The “Dances of Universal Peace,” rejected by the “world” groups excepting The Temple of Understanding, have spread so rapidly this alone would keep me busy all the time. One of the disciples began filming. Than the Sufi Pir Vilayat Khan came, so we amalgamated. But we amalgamated not as a joint personal venture, but as a universal venture, to take into consideration the present picture of spiritual movements in this world. And while the emphasis has been on the young, it is also necessary to get the whole world out of subjective “realism” into objective reality. So the disciples have gone forth, and are now filming in Asia, and there is every sign we shall have films and records very much needed to promote proper East-West relations.
Otis Mansur Johnson has remained as technician for this glorious project, very necessary for the world. And besides this, we are getting more and more letters from pretty firm spiritual movements in many lands.
2. The second secretary, Daniel Lomax, is now working for editor Walter Bowart, whom you have met. But his efforts, both in regard to spiritual dancing and spiritual Oriental philosophies have been entirely successful, Alhamdulillah! Many people are either tired of, or dissatisfied with, grandiose intellectualism, or hyperbolic emotionalism as manifestations of spirituality. While we cannot and dare not claim that Sufism is the answer, we do believe it is an answer. And the very fact that a number of pseudo-authorities on Asia have previously stood in the way is helping us no end today.
3. This person went to the Near East with a plan for peace there, which came out of mystical experience, real mystical experience. God, so to speak, most have favored it, for quite by accident he become a traveling companion of a Swedish gentleman who represented the United Nations in that part of the world. His name was Gunnar Jarring, and you read such about him in the papers today.
Much stimulated, one went ahead and had the approval of Israelis, Egyptians, and Saudians. End of approvals!
But God, so to speak, still years later seems to favor peace in the Holy Land. You know a little of the events in Geneva under the auspices of The Temple of Understanding.
But there is a new type of youth today who have universal outlooks, the youth predicted by Bulwer Lytton and H. G. Wells, and Sri Aurobindo and others. They have already gone ahead. They are rapidly going ahead. We have had a very successful joint Israeli-Arab-Jewish-Christian dinner, and there are signs of further undertakings, further efforts along this line. For the first time, indeed, the radio, television, and press are showing interest. This is wonderful. The next dinner has already been over-subscribed. This involves my third secretary. Regardless of politics, and neither despite nor because, we may be seeing the manifestation of spirituality and humanity which too many of the passing age cannot comprehend, but neither can they prevent it, praise to God.
Our world is expending in every direction and later we shall take up the matter of purchases, etc. Everything is running along we believe as God wills.
Love and Blessing,
Samuel L. Lewis
Sufi. Ahmed Murad Chisti
PS. One was so concerned about the projects involving one’s secretaries that personal news was overlooked.
One now has the approval of two Rabbis of Jerusalem in one’s efforts toward peace and understanding. It would be glorious if one had the approval of two local Rabbis, or even two American Rabbis.
So far as Christians is concerned. One is very busy with lectures on “The Three Body Constitution of Man according to the First Epistle to the Corinthians.” This is being taped and recorded. It will either be sent to the Presbyterian Cathedral in Washington for publication or to our good friend Walter Bowart. The lectures are given on Saturday mornings, and the hall is packed, packed. All young people. Many have had mystical experiences. Their faces are filled with Light and Beauty; it is wonderful. And this is the sort of thing that is going on, more to be feared than all the property-destroying and thought-destroying so-called revolutionaries who always get newspaper coverage. But I think we shall soon see some changes here. It never occurs to the press that many wealthy young people may be involved in spiritual movements.
Many of these young people are involved in organic gardening and related industries which are prospering highly in a time of presumed economic difficulties. Maybe God wishes us to be natural, and maybe that maybe the outlook in the future, inshallah.
Along with this of course are constant interviews with young people who seek
to go on the spiritual path, and of course counseling work, but from a supernal
outlook dialectics and no
analytics.
Sept. 20, 1970
Mr. F. Clive-Ross
Bedfont, Middlesex,
Beloved One of God:
This is to acknowledge your brochure “Perennial Books.” This acknowledgement is made because my new secretary, Sitara, and I are leaving shortly for the East Coast and will present this to various persons and dealers we shall be meeting.
There may be something more than irony in saying that God-Allah may approve of what we are doing. The meetings are better attended. The financial situation is much better, and two former secretaries, one being Mansur Otis Johnson, have new excellent paying positions in enterprises arising out of our spiritual efforts.
There is considerable interest here in Martin Lings. It is unfortunately symbolic that Martin Lings does not accept what Sidi Abu-Salem Al-Alawi proclaimed here publicly. The writer was scoffed and derided by nearly everybody in this region, including the audience for Sidi Al-Alawi. But almost immediately after he proclaimed that Ahmed Murad was a true Sufi things began to happen, happen as rapidly as it has been possible to assimilate.
We have been very successful in our joint Israeli-Arab-Christian dinners and social affairs, and also in joint Sufi-Yoga meetings. This at a tremendous increment of acceleration, even in the last week since writing you.
Love and Blessings,
Samuel L. Lewis
Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti
October 25, 1970
F. Clive-Ross
Editor
Studies in Comparative Religion Tomorrow Publications Ltd.
Pates Manor, Bedfont, Middlesex England
Beloved One of Allah:
As-salaam aleikhum! This is being written in New York City. We are in this part of the country on several missions, and our program has been enhanced by several others:
1. The program to promote joint Israeli-Christian-Arab dinners and peaceful interchanges has been most successful. It is now attracting much attention, and the last report also indicates, considerable money—that is, in California.
2. We have been to Cambridge, Massachusetts and were cordially received by the secretary of Dr. Cantwell Smith, who is away, and also by Dr. Huston Smith in person. Are they on your mailing list? If not, we should be glad to subscribe for them. Also for Dr. Joseph Blau, who is now Dean of Religious Studies at Columbia University.
3. Every effort to promote our spiritual dances to the young has been successful. On our return we shall probably establish a separate department and seek proper secretaries.
4. The filming, which started with my Dances of Universal Peace, has now also included the work of many persons retarded as spiritual teachers. Also, the ceremonies of Sufis, in particular in Iran and India.
5. The manuscript, “The Three-Body Constitution of Man According to Saint Paul” is now being reviewed, and if no one else wants it, there is a possibility that Walter Bowart will publish it. He is now asking for all my things.
6. There are several underground peace movements going on in this country presumably based on spiritual principles and making considerable headway.
Faithfully,
Samuel L. Lewis
Nov. 21, 1970
Mr. F. Clive-Ross
Perennial Books
Pates Manor
Bedfont, Middlesex England
As-Salaam-Aleikhum! The summer 1970 issue of “Studies in Comparative Religion” arrived at a time when both conditions and events propose an immediate response. The book reviewers Whitall Ferry and R.N.J.A. seem to me honest and objective. No doubt some of the writers also, but I am not concerned in reviewing the writers at this time. I am concerned in doing something for Sufism comparable to what Phillip Kapleau has done for Zen. I am not in the least concerned with the rejection of all and sundry of Imam Al-Ghazzali’s statement “Sufism is based on experiences and not on premises.” But so many writers, pretending or actually accepting Al-Ghazzali, have nonetheless gone ahead with premises and dialectics and subjectivisms, and whatnot. I am not in the least concerned with any subjective reactions whatsoever of anybody, famous or not famous, scholarly, or literary.
A Sufi is told he has to be an orthodox Muslim. I know many orthodox Muslims who reject so many teachings in Holy Qur’an and Hadiths, who have become, so to speak, an inquisition, an institution defending religion, only unlike the Roman Catholic inquisition they are not a constituted body. And there is a far cry from the verbal positing Of La Illaha El Il Allah and thoughts and action based on the assumption of ego persistence, and most especially where my ego differs from your ego. I was taught that a Sufi could see from the point of view of another as well as of himself. I not only was taught, and was told, that Sufis have certain types of actual experiences, but the wretched Allah, so to speak, without consulting the authorities, authorities in a religion that has no authorities, seems to have lifted veils. And actual Sufis including Sheikhs, Murshids, and Pirs—many living today—had the audacity to accept this person as a fairly advanced mystic, to seat him by their side, and to accept what the scholars of the West, some claiming to be Sufis and some just self-constituted supreme experts like the late Prof. Arbury and his very well educated in intellectual matters disciples and friends, but exceeding ignorant of mystical processes, rejected.
I am now engaged in re-writing for the steenth time “Six Interviews With Hazrat Inayat Khan.” Noble? Persons have asked for this material again and again and again, and I do not recall a single one of them even having the courtesy to return the rejected notes! But now I am writing up the incidents which produced these six interviews, wherein Allah, the Gracious and Merciful, without consulting the Imams, the experts, the authorities, the book-writers, and the self-esteemed, dared to lift veils, beginning with the manifestation of Khwaja Khizr and continuing onward as if one had been a Qur’anic Hafiz at a time early in life long before one had studied Holy Qur’an.
This audacity on the part of Allah, to Whom be all praise, will undoubtedly shock a lot of self-esteemed religious persons. But this is a new age, when experience and objectivity are being accepted in mysticism as in science (vide Kapleau). And love communicates much more easily and effectively than do words or even strident emotions, the great tools of those who do not function beyond emotions.
Fortunately our good friend Mr. Walt Bowart in Arizona has asked me for reports, and I am first writing on the visit of Khwaja Khizr, and will send you shortly a carbon of the draft when the final version is typed. I am not asking anybody on earth, and I do not have to. My meetings with masts sad madzubs utterly throw into the shade such a work as “The Wayfarers” by Dr, William Duncan, quondam associate with Irani Meher Baba, who made lots of noise but does not seem to have changed human hearts.
What Kapleau has done for Zen, I hope to do inshallah, and I mean inshallah, and I mean inshallah, for Tasawwuf. I am no longer concerned with the rejections by subjectivists, scholars or not. Besides, the successful operation of Divine Love, especially with the use of Sifat-i-Allah and Wazifas is going to manifest before the world, is manifesting. It was long foreboded to me inwardly by Kashf that the use of Wazifas and the Sifat-i-Allah (with or without the Daroods) would and could be used to clear psychological, psychic, and moral defects and problems, and this is going on although we are not keeping records thereof. Hearts are becoming their own records.
In his early teachings Hazrat Inayat Khan presented Sufism as consisting of
fana-fi-Sheikh,
fana-fi-Rassoul, and fana-fi-lillah. I do not find any differences here from
the article by our good friend Seyyed Hossein Nazr in this issue. There are
many writers gaining their livelihood by telling us all about the Zen
experiences of Chinese of another age, and there are other scholars who have
desired some fame for telling us about the great Sufis of another age. But the
hard hard fact fact that there are more disciples in Tasawwuf then in all other
schools of esotericism combined has not yet made the proper impressions. Only
with the facilities of world travelling and with the rather recent successes of
my disciples and associates, we are going to blend the worlds of Allah and
Rand-McNally, and probably deflate subjectivities, speculations, and
dialectics.
In my forthcoming report I mention that Khwaja Khizr offered me poetry. I have written some poetry which has been published and most of it, published and unpublished, is in various grades of fana-fi-Rassoul. It may have been unfortunate and it may have been a blessing that the late Thomas Merton was on his way to see me when he died. I say it was a blessing, exposing a world that judges subjectively but immediately changes because of so and so. I cannot be a Muslim today and believe that Allah loves his creation more than another loves her offspring, so I am a Mohammedan, one who reveres Mohammed as Amin, Ahmed, Nabi, Rassoul, and Khatimal Rassoul. I believe in these things not because the orthodox have said anything, nor the Sheikhs of Sufism, nor anybody, but because, in accordance with that greatly praised and greatly ignored Al-Ghazzali, my Sufism is based on experiences and not on premises. Therefore I am going to send you under separate cover at least one part of the epic poem “Saladin” (you can have all the rest of it if you wish) wherein Mecca Shereef had the audacity to manifest as a heretic to a person whose ancestors were not Muslims and who did not study under Imams. Not only that, the poem proclaims Mohammed as the grand Guru of all faiths, and I mean of all faiths, and it is so written in the poetry. Positing him as Khatimal Mursaleen.
What is more, after such experiences (or imaginations, if you want to call them that; or delusions, or hallucinations) this person found it very easy and simple to explain the depths of any and all religions. He has done that to the satisfaction of the grandmasters of all of these religions.
A side issue is that his disciples and associates have successfully brought Israelis, Christians, and Arabs together at a time when the leaders of the world are fomenting hatred, excitement and war.
We have been using singing, dancing, walking, and devotion to raise the consciousness of a growing number of young people, without following any paths of orthodoxy whatsoever, and without deflating these paths. We have recently obtained some of the best works concerning Abdul Kadiri Jilani, Sheikh Shahabuddin Sohrawardi, and others. But it is possible to teach and explain when one has had the experiences (vide Imam Ghazzali) and may know from direct experience and not from any premise, something about hal and makam.
I am not here going to repeat the last two paragraphs of Sura XVIII, and when I do will use Yusuf Ali’s translation which is at my Khankah. I think it is time to get this Sura and some other teachings of Holy Qur’an out in the open, and it is just too bad if analytic Islam, whether it be of one school of Sharia’ or other, does not fulfill the revelation. For the most part, Islam has been condensed, solidified, crystallized, and the Way has been made into a narrow path from which most of humanity has been excluded. But I say with Shah Latif that Allah is our lover not our jailer, and it is time to bring this out to the world. It is not only time it is manifesting. It is manifesting in an age when a few of us actually hold “There is no power of might save in Allah.” And despite, or because of, all of the above we are now devoting our energies, our faculties, and even our wealth to help the poor unfortunate people of East Pakistan who are the beloved of Allah even when they do not accept our version of revelation. We believe the true spiritual teachers like the Sun, give out, and don’t demand.
Someday I may write about my mystical initiations into the Rifa’i Order. These records were not destroyed as were my earlier ones. And following the teachings of “The Cave” the same sorts of experiences have come as have come to devotees of other countries and of other earlier times. I have the audacity to interpret the Prophet, that when he said Allah was neither of the East or the West, he meant just that, and also he is neither of the Past nor the Future. I do not believe that Allah has restrained his blessings or guidance, and if prelates and intellectuals do not see it, then they don’t see it, but Allah is not affected by their lack of vision. We not only sing and dance La Illaha El Il Allah, we sing and dance Ishk Allah Mahbood Lillah. And we have not had the least trouble from anybody in proclaiming the historical Mohammed. It is only the dishonest subjectivists that foment and continue trouble and agitation.
We shall keep you informed. One is reminded of meetings with the Khalandar who said he was greater than the writer in everything, and I said, “Yes, all but one thing.” He repeated his claims. I repeated. Then he asked “What is that”? I said, “I am a greater listener than you are.” The next day he caught me teaching his Murshid. We became very good friends.
And today departments of Universities concerned with Near East Studies are becoming very good friends. Also have established small scholarships for students so enrolled to work for peace in the Near East. Kashf, Ishk, Shahud, and Ilm are to me realities. Allah is closer than the neck-vein, believe me.
Love and Blessings,
Samuel L. Lewis
Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti