The Third World Tour

Part II

From Zurich to London

Zurich

    THE Master arrived in Zurich from Stuttgart on Sept. 3 at 10:30 a.m. and drove to the Nava Park Hotel where arrangements   for   his   stay   had   been made.
    Albert Paliwoda, the manager of a large yoga ashram in Zurich, called on the Master and had a heart to heart talk. He said that thousands come to his ashram to learn physical yoga practices, and many of them ask for guidance on the inner way. He had been in touch with various centers but was hesitant to recommend anyone to the seekers, because he was not sure if any of the people he had been in touch with could grant inner spiritual experience. The Master explained to him briefly the teachings of the Saints and how a beginning on the Path could be made after the grant of some first-hand experience of Light and Sound by a competent Master.
    Although Zurich is one of the smaller Ruhani Satsang centers, there was a large attendance in the Conference Hall of the hotel when the Master gave a talk at 4 p.m. He spoke on solving the mystery of life, saying that man has three aspects: physical body, intellect, and conscious entity, which we are. We have very much advanced physically and intellectually, but we have ignored the enlivening force of the body which is the same essence as God. We are identified with the mind and outer environments so much so that we have forgotten who we are, what we are. This subject has been very much neglected by man. But whenever Masters come, they stress the need and importance of knowing the God-Power, which can only be done while in the man body. Masters take pity on suffering humanity and come to guide us. They urge us to know ourselves and to know God or Overself. The Master told how in 1912 he spent ten days in quiet and serious thinking in order to determine his goal in life, and reached the conclusion that God is first and world next.
    The Master reminded the dear ones that every moment is bringing us nearer to death. Every one of us has to die one day; no exception to the rule. Are we prepared for this? The Master told the story of Lord Buddha, how he was affected by seeing a sick man, an old man, and a dead body, so that he left his home in search of enlightenment. So we also should give serious consideration to this aspect of our life.
    The Master said that God is love and we should develop love and affection for everyone, whether man, beast, bird or reptile. There is no high, no low. The Masters give their teachings to all mankind alike. All human beings, despite their different labels, are men first, conscious entities and micro-Gods. We are all brothers and sisters in God. Whenever Masters come, they give us a practical demonstration of divinity. Those who do what they say, develop spiritually. Maulana Rumi said that if you have an opportunity to spend one hour in the physical presence of a Master who is radiating love, you bathe in it from head to foot; and this benefit you cannot get from a hundred years of doing penances. The Master gave an example, that if one sits near the fire, he automatically gets warmth.
    He repeated that we have to develop love for everyone; only after this is achieved can we love God. But the Master helps us with this, out of his love and sympathy.
    The dear ones again requested a silent blessing from the Master, which they enjoyed very much. He kindly gave his loving glances for a few minutes before the crowd dispersed.
    In the night a meditation sitting was given to all at the Conference Hall of the hotel, with the Master explaining how the spiritual exercises should be done. About 100 persons took part and had inner experience, including Mr. Paliwoda of the yoga ashram, who had a wonderful experience of the Godly Light within.
    The next morning at 9, the dear ones assembled in the Conference Hall to ask the Master questions.
    One person said that although he is having spiritual experiences, he is not loving and kind in his daily life. The Master wished him more inner progress and strongly recommended that he stand on his own legs and be of help to others. As God resides in every heart, we must be polite. Even if somebody calls us names, we should not return them. The Master advised him to read biographies of great men, especially Saints, for his right understanding.
    Another man said that he didn't believe that a living Master is always necessary, as some people do hear the Voice of God without the guidance of a Master. But the Master explained that it was absolutely necessary to have guidance from a living Master, because even in cases where some experience is being had, the Master is necessary for further guidance and development within.
    Then someone asked if it was possible to reach the true home of our Father by following the instructions given in the holy books. The Master said that the scriptures are indeed a rich treasure house, but we cannot fully grasp their real significance unless we meet someone who is aware of the inner kingdom.
    Someone commented that the Master says death is painful, but they had seen people die very peacefully. The Master told him that there are sometimes exceptions, due to the background of an individual, but generally the process is very difficult as the scriptures say. He added that those who rise above body consciousness have a very calm, quiet and happy parting.
A question was asked about Manav Kendra. The Master explained that this institution was created to further the activities of Ruhani Satsang, which had been teaching spiritual development all the world over. Side by side with this, man has to develop physically and socially. The main object of Manav Kendra is to render man service and land service. To help the poor, a free hospital has started functioning. Free homes will be provided for old people who have no one to look after them. A humble beginning has been made in opening a school. Development and breeding of animals, and establishment of a library having books from all the religions of the world, are the next steps. But the central and basic purpose of Manav Kendra is man making.
    Finally it was asked, why, if we have to transcend the body, is it necessary to have a body at all? The Master said that the question was based on intellectual wrestling. In this body, the highest of all, we have to pay off karmic action and reaction. Only on the human pole can spiritual experiences be had.
The dear ones again asked if they could sit in silence with the Master for some time. The Master agreed, saying, "Silence speaks more, if we know the right technique. Are we not all one?"
    A meditation sitting was given at 4 p.m., at which about 150 persons had experience of light within.
    In the public meeting at Kaufleuten, Zurich, at 8 p.m., the Master gave a detailed presentation of the teachings of the Masters. He mentioned that history shows that Masters come from time to time for the guidance of the child humanity. They always bring love for us, and teach us that the way back to God is only through love. We are all the creation of one God, Whom we ultimately have to reach. At present our soul is under control of mind, mind is under the control of senses, and senses are under the control of the outgoing faculties. In this kind of life, the law of action and reaction operates. This wheel of birth and rebirth can be stopped if we tap inside and are born anew through self-analysis. Masters have the key to this prisonhouse and liberate us from the bondage of mind and matter.
    Before the Master left Zurich on Sept. 5, a few people came to see him and discussed their personal difficulties. Accompanied by many initiates from Western countries, the Master arrived in Milan, Italy, at 11:45 a.m. by air.
 


MILAN

    A few Satsangis were at the airport to receive the Master, and followed him to the Hotel Bristol, where he was to stay.
At 4 p.m. about 30 people assembled in the meeting hall of the hotel to hear the Master. Since this was his first visit to Milan, all the dear ones present were introduced to him. The Master said that he was glad to meet them all and asked them what they would like him to speak on. The dear ones humbly requested the Master to give them any message he liked. So he told them that we all have the man body, which is the highest in all creation and next to God; that to know God, we must know the self first; that it is essential that we still the mind and intellect, so we can rise above body consciousness. To do this, we must see the Inner Light of God, which we cannot do unless our inner eye is opened. Masters always advocate that seeing is above all, and give you some demonstration to start with which we must develop from day to day.
    The Master spoke at the Yoga Institute, Milan, at 9 p.m. to a large gathering. The audience seemed to be impressed by the personality of the Master and took many photos and movies. The Master began his talk by saying that we are all brothers and sisters in God—that all mankind is one, and that it is our turn to meet God. For this, we must control the mind, which at present is drawn outside, to beautiful sights and music. He gave the example of Lord Krishna jumping into the river Jumna and controlling the serpent-mind by playing the flute, which is a parable pointing the way to control of the mind by means of the inner Sound.
    The Master mentioned briefly various yoga systems, such as Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Hatha Yoga, etc., and said they all have their place but are limited in scope and time consuming. The Surat Shabd Yoga as taught by the Masters is comparatively easy and is the natural way, being suited for all men.
    After the talk, some people expressed unhappiness about the way in which various yogis had extracted money from seekers. The Master told them that he had nothing to do with that, and that the gift of Naam is being given free like other gifts of nature.
    Later that evening, the Milan group leader and others requested the Master to give Initiation on the following day to those who really wanted it. The Master kindly agreed and fixed the time at 10 a.m. So the aspirants began to gather in the Conference Hall of the hotel, and by 10 o'clock the hall was full and many people were sitting cross-legged on the carpet as there was no room for chairs. Some of the people had not yet fully grasped the reasons for the vegetarian diet and abstinence from intoxicants. The Master lovingly explained that use of meat, etc., and intoxicants retards the progress into higher planes, and that it was therefore necessary to adhere to the strict vegetarian diet. After about 45 minutes, the Master started Initiation and began to explain the inner theory. One man still had some doubts, however, and began asking questions on the same subjects. As Initiation had already been delayed, the other people suggested to this gentleman that if he was not satisfied, he should first have a heart to heart talk with the Master and remove his doubts, rather than wasting the time of everyone. The Master told him that he would talk to him later and clarify anything he wanted, but now he should not stand in the way of so many. So the man left.
    There were 62 persons initiated, including two priests, and many of them saw the Radiant Form of the Master.
    Only one man was not receptive during the sitting, and when the Master touched his forehead he also saw. Everyone was also connected with the Sound Current within, and the Master explained to them that it was God's grace that they had been blessed with these experiences, and they must maintain that by being regular, devoted and accurate in meditations so they can progress from day to day. He instructed them all to keep spiritual diaries and send them to him for further guidance and removal of any difficulties.
    In the meantime, the man who had had doubts and left sat outside the Conference Hall for about two hours and had undergone a change within, so that he had become very receptive. The Master was told that the gentleman refused to move until he talked to the Master. When they met, the man begged for forgiveness and asked for Initiation, saying that he could not go to his home. The Master was kind to him, and told him to go to his work and grasp the theory of the Path, and the God Power would help him be put on the Way in due course. The man thanked the Master, and was so filled with joy that he kissed his garment.
    That afternoon, the initiates again assembled in the Conference Hall at 3 p.m. The Master reminded the dear ones that they must put in regular time for their meditations every day and maintain the self-introspection diaries. He said that he who develops receptivity will derive benefit from thousands of miles. He emphasized strongly the need to attend local Satsangs without fail, since they serve as a protective hedge around the young sapling of initiation.
    One final meditation sitting was arranged for those who could attend— about 50 persons, the majority of whom had inner experience with His grace.
 


PARIS

    The Master left Milan for Paris on Sept 7, arriving at 11:45 a.m. As usual, many disciples flew in the same plane and many others drove or took the train and were waiting at the airport when he arrived.
    The dear ones gathered in the Conference Hall at the St. James Hotel on the following morning at 9 o'clock for meditation and questions. A newcomer asked about Master's promise that he will give an experience at the time of Initiation. The Master said, As you have seen just now, many people do get inner experience, which is to be developed more and more.
    Another person asked if one can share someone's sufferings by showing sympathy. The Master said that selfless service is noble and brings in humility, but one should not use supernatural powers. According to the law of sympathy, it is possible that disease can be reduced.
    During the questioning, a lady was weeping bitterly, and someone asked the Master why. He explained that it was because of her love for the Master.
    Another person asked why Master does not like us to think of the breathing while meditating. The Master told him that the path of breath control or pranayam is a much longer way, taking years and years, and we are not fit for it. The Saints advocate the Surat Yoga or controlling the attention only without touching the breathing, and give a firsthand experience of rising above body consciousness, which must be developed further.
    The initiates and many interested persons assembled in the Conference Hall at 4:30 p.m. to hear the Master explain the teachings of the Saints. He said we will take up a very important subject, which relates directly to our own self. In the present day world scientists have accomplished wonderful research on the physical and intellectual level, but they have not been able to solve the Mystery of Life. God is eternal; so are we all eternal. But we are identified with the body so much so that we have forgotten ourselves. God is all consciousness, all wisdom, all joy. We can share this joy if we see and realize that we are a drop of the ocean of all joy and wisdom. For this, purity of heart is essential. How can we expect the Lord of Lords to manifest in dirty hearts? We wash to clean our bodies, but inside we are still dirty. What steps have we taken to remove that dirt? So the first thing is, we must put in all efforts to be pure within. Everyone is under the influence of the five senses; the jivas who are ruled by the senses either meet with death or spend their life in prison. How can a man who is being ruled by the five senses think of peace and salvation? If you have a ruling passion, you will surely do everything to meet God. You must decide what you want to become. As long as a child is happily playing with toys, the mother does not worry; but when he starts crying, she will immediately run and take him in her arms. The voice crying out for God should come from the innermost heart, and for this we have to learn to invert and go within. This becomes possible when our inner eye is opened by a competent Master.
    On Sept. 9, the group leader told the Master that there were people waiting for initiation who had fulfilled the requisite condition. Thus the Master gave Naam to 13 persons, all of whom received inner experience.
    At 4:30 p.m. the Master gave a brief talk, and then asked for questions. A newcomer who had heard one of the Master's talks earlier, asked about the meaning of the phrase "informing all about the inner revelations from the housetops," which had been used by the Master. He explained that, while we should not give out our inner experiences to anyone but the Master, we should let people know that the Reality can be seen, so that they may also benefit. He said that we can see the God-into-expression Power inside, and this hidden secret is not known to all. During ing my last world tour, I visited a temple in America with nine doors. I asked them if they understood the significance of those nine doors, and they did not. They suggested I ask at the head temple in London.
    Then the dear ones requested the Master to sit in silence for a while, to which the Master kindly agreed, remarking that this is the ultimate thing for which we are here.
    That same night the Master gave a talk at the famous Mosque of Paris at 8:30 p.m. The Director of the Mosque, His Holiness H. Boubakeur, received the Master with affection at the main gate and escorted him to the dais. Welcoming the Master, he said that he was very pleased to have the Master among them, and that it was a great honor and event in the history of the Mosque. He said that the Master has been working as a pioneer of modern spirituality for reconciliation, friendship and solidarity of all the world religions. Rev. Boubakeur said that he had visited Sawan Ashram, Delhi, many years back and that he remembered well the sanctity, spirituality and venerability he found in the Master. He said the Master was welcomed on behalf of muftis, imams, and all others, and that his presence in Paris will give everyone an opportunity to be in contact with one of the greatest poles of modern spirituality.
    The Master thanked Rev. Boubakeur for his hearty welcome and said that we are all children of the same God. We all should work together and know our true Home—for which we have to work hard. All mankind is just like so many limbs of the body. God is love, and love is innate in our soul, and is the way back to Him. Nanak says, There is a hidden treasure house in you. Rumi said that we should search in our own man body, because it is the Kaaba made by God. The Kaaba in Mecca was made by Khalil, but this Kaaba of the man body was made by God. But the pity of it is that we have no experience of God. We must learn to go inside, or "die daily." Prophet Mohammed says that such a death takes us from darkness to light. God is Light and Sound, Kalam-i-Qadim. If we control our mind, the next step will be entrance in the mansion of our Lord. Temples, mosques, churches, all have been made on the model of the man body. We have to delve deep into it by developing love for God and for all humanity. This will give us a boost to tread within, and will bring in desired results when we go ahead under the guidance of a competent Master.
    After the Master's talk, Rev. Boubakeur said that he was convinced of the efficacy of the philosophy advocated by the Sheikh [the Saint]. Divine knowledge is not only a matter of reasoning but also of experience, given by the grace of a guide who raises us, step by step, until we become one with God. Divine knowledge is not a matter of social conditions or metaphysical speculations. He said that it is better not to have any Master than to have one who is not fully competent. He added that it was a great event that the Master had come to Paris, which is a center of cultural, traditional and intellectual reputation. He prayed for the long life of the Master. He said that he hoped to go to Sawan Ashram, Delhi, where he had learnt so much, again. "By the grace of God, when I visit the Ashram, I will knock at the door of the Master to get peace and liberation."
    Rev. Boubakeur showed the Master around the magnificent Mosque, and thanked him again for his visit before bidding him farewell.
    Next day, Sept. 10, at 9 a.m., the Master gave a meditation sitting at the Conference Hall of the hotel, and then answered questions of the dear ones.
    An initiate said that sometimes he sees Master's face within, but it is not clear. The Master advised him to look into the face more attentively and lovingly, and repeat the charged names. To another person, the Master said that the dark blue color he is seeing within is the inner sky, in which stars will be seen in due course.
    A dear one asked why he saw the Master and his Master within as far back as 1956, whereas he was not initiated until 1963. The Master told him that sometimes this is due to an individual's background, and mentioned that he also saw his Master's form within seven years before his initiation.
    Someone asked if the charging grace of the Master varies from person to person. The Master said that the grace is the same, but that regularity, sincerity, devotion and self-introspection are required for enjoying it.
    That evening the Master spoke to the dear ones about the necessity of having purity of heart. Just as no one would pack dirty clothes in suitcases, similarly God will manifest only if the heart is pure. Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. We cannot wash clothes in dirty water. Our earnings should be honest, and our food should be prepared while remembering God. The Master told us an incident from his own life. In the war of 1920, the Master was attached to a regiment and was given an orderly to cook his food. He instructed the cook not to let anyone come into the kitchen and talk of this and that, and to prepare the food while remembering God sweetly. One day the Master sat for meditation and realized that something was wrong. He asked the cook if anyone had come into the kitchen and talked to him; at first, the cook denied it, but later admitted it. It did affect the food. So the Master emphasized that purity is most essential. He knows very well what is inside the disciple, just as we can see if it is pickles or candy inside a glass jar. The Master washes us clean and we should obey his commandments in our own interest.
    The Master said that every day we wash ourselves to keep clean. But again the bad odor comes. If our heart is clean, then others can smell jasmine coming from us. From evil thoughts, we get an evil smell.
    Both good and bad thoughts are binding, because the doership remains. So we should put in sincere efforts and leave the rest to the Master Power working overhead.
    At a public meeting later that night, the Master spoke on self-realization and God-realization. How can we realize our own self and God? Holy scriptures tell us that God manifests in every heart. We have therefore to search for Him within and not without. We have to delve deep inside. Those who have got the man body have the birthright to know God. But somebody is required to give us a boost.
 


LONDON

    After four days in Paris, the Master was scheduled to visit London. Many of the dear ones came to the airport to say goodbye, and seven traveled with the Master, who was waiting in the departure lounge at the airport along with all the other passengers. But when the British European Airways (with whom the flight was booked) realized that the Master was there, the pilot came to the lounge and personally escorted him to the plane a few minutes before the other passengers. By this gesture, the airline honored the Master.
    The plane reached London at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 11, 1972. On arrival a senior officer of the airline received the Master and escorted him through customs. The Public Relations officer of the Indian High Commission received the Master and assisted in completing the customs formalities. Then the Master came to the VIP lounge where a large number of initiates, including a number of Indian families with children, were waiting very eagerly for the Master. All were smiling. The Master spoke to each one and then was driven to the apartment earmarked for him during his stay in England. Immediately, many dear ones started coming. A little later the gathering became so big that they were accommodated in two separate rooms. The Master met first with the Indian families and spoke to them in Hindi; then he went to the Western initiates in the second room. He told them how happy he was to be among them after a number of years. He emphasized the importance of spiritual progress, pointing out that we all have to die some day. Are we prepared? He reminded us that it was not too late. Even now it is possible to solve the mystery of life. Even after doing our daily work, there is time for at least two hours of meditation. He gave the example of a man who thought he saw a blanket floating down the river, and jumped in to get it. When he reached it, he found it was a bear, which overpowered him. The people on the bank shouted at him to come back, but the man had to shout back that even though he would like to come, the blanket-bear wouldn't let him. He compared the condition of that man with our daily life, and brought home that we are under the influence of mind, and even if we want to get rid of it, we cannot. That is why we have to sit at the feet of One who has done this, and allow him to help us. We are not to leave our families, but serve them to liquidate our give and take, along with maintaining our self-introspection diaries and weeding out failures, which will create a strong foundation for the seed of Naam.
    Then the Master gave some personal interviews.
    That evening at 6:30 p.m. the Master gave a public talk at the packed hall of Polytechnic of Central London. He emphasized again the urgency and importance of unraveling the mystery of life. He explained that the value of our body is only because of the consciousness in it, which is the Controlling Power we call God. That same Power is controlling stars, planets running in their orbits, etc. That is all Wisdom, all Joy, all Eternity. Our soul is of that same Essence. We are also all joy, all happiness, but we do not know it because we are totally immersed in the senses. Everybody wants joy, but it is possible only by knowing our self.
    When people ask the Masters, "Have you seen God?", they reply that the God-into-expression Power can be seen in the form of Divine Light and Sound, which are its vibrations. When the single or third eye is opened, you can see the Light of God. But you have to fix your whole attention on one point so that you forget everything else. The Master gave an example of Newton who was so engrossed in solving certain mathematical problems by the roadside that he did not notice a band which passed by playing. But this requires purity of heart.
    The Master told of the man who thanked God after his horse was stolen. When he was asked why, he said that he was glad that he was not riding on the horse, or he would have been stolen too. It is not a matter of laughing, Master said: he saved himself by letting go of the horse. We are in a worse position. We are sticking to the body (horse) and forgetting about the self.
    A meditation sitting was given the following morning at the Polytechnic Hall at 9:30. Not only initiates but many newcomers as well reported seeing the Inner Light after meditating as Master instructed them. Thereafter, questions were invited, and the Master said that nobody should have any reservation in opening their hearts so that all doubts could be removed.
    A lady who had seen Light during the sitting asked what she should do further as she was not initiated. The Master advised her to grasp the theory, attend Satsang, and then apply for initiation if she was satisfied with the teachings.
    Other questions relating to spiritual progress were asked, and the Master explained that the Science of the Soul is accurate, and inner results must be enjoyed if the practices are carried on lovingly, regularly, and sincerely, with a strict watch over day to day living. Purity of mind is essential.
    At 3 p.m. the Western initiates sat with the Master again. The Master mentioned that Baba Sawan Singh Ji told him, despite the fact that he was a family man and had a full-time job, to devote at least four to five hours daily for meditation, and the more the better. When someone asked how we can develop love for God, Master pointed out that we cannot love what we cannot see. So we have to see the God-into-expres-sion Power and that will develop more love in our hearts. And that we can do with the assistance of someone who has done it.
    The Master spoke again at the Polytechnic Hall, which was full to capacity, at 6:30 p.m. He said that unless we improve inwardly we cannot enter the kingdom of God, because the omnipotent God is well aware of our activities and the trend of our mind. We must change our habits and become pure in thought, word and deed. Outer cleanliness is not enough. The fish lives in Ganges water, but still has a bad smell. It is a question of inner cleanliness.
    Since our ultimate goal is to reach God, the question arises, How? At present we are observing rituals on the level of senses, but unless we rise above the physical, astral, and causal planes we cannot have full inner development. When the child yearns for God, He contacts him with that Godman where He is manifested so that he can get some inner experience to start with.
    The following morning the Master gave a meditation sitting and answered a few questions. He told them that it is most important to snatch regular time for meditations, and it is also necessary to attend Satsang and sit together in the name of God.
    That evening the Master spoke at the Chamber of Commerce, Southhall, Middlesex, London, at 6:30 p.m., in Hindi. So many came that all the chairs had to be removed in order to accommodate everybody. The Master gave a beautiful talk on the verse of Guru Ramdas, Rama ham dasan das karija, and explained its meanings, pointing out that we should derive maximum benefit from the golden opportunity that we had. In the Satsang, Sardar Puran Singh Ji of Jethiwal, India, a Sikh religious leader, came and met the Master.
    At the request of the Eastbourne Satsang, the Master went there on Sept. 14 by car. Mrs. Margaret Waterfield, the group leader, had arranged lunch for everyone, and about 100 brothers and sisters enjoyed it. Then everyone took a drive to the seashore.
    In the evening the Master spoke at the Library Hall. He explained that there is a hidden treasure of divinity in everyone. But how to dig it out is the question. It is only possible by inverting within, which is so difficult that it cannot be done by rituals on the physical level. But a competent adept can give us a first-hand experience and connect us with the inner Power. When we withdraw from outside, we see the inner mysteries. We can control the senses only when we are linked with the God Power.
    The Rev. James McWhirter, who had been a delegate to the Third World Religions Conference in 1965, came to know that Master was in Eastbourne and attended Satsang. Afterwards he inquired if the West was progressing or deteriorating. The Master made it clear that the West was awakening gradually.
    After the talk, the Master drove back to London, reaching there late at night.
    The London schedule was very crowded, but a day had to be found to visit a dear Satsangi who was lying ill far away in the south of Wales and was in much pain. So readjustments were made. It was about a 14-hour drive from London, and the Master set out at 11 a.m. When he arrived he found that the dear one could not concentrate, due to severe pain. The Master touched his forehead and closed his ears with His own thumbs. He was intuned within with both Sound and Light and became very happy and peaceful. The Master advised him to pay attention to the Light and be ready to leave the earth plane. We later learned that he died the next day, peacefully.
    From the hospital, the Master drove to Liverpool, reaching there at 1 a.m. on the 16th, covering a total of more than 500 miles. Many dear ones were waiting at the Adelphi Hotel, where Master was to stay, to have Darshan before retiring.
    Meditation was held at Lord Krishna Temple, Liverpool, at 9 a.m. At 1 p.m. the Master gave a talk at the Liverpool Methodist Church and explained how the mystery of life could be solved. We have to be born anew and taste the spir-tual elixir, Amrit or the Water of Life. For this we must have yearning for God. At present we are overpowered by our ten servants in the body. We must liberate ourselves from this bondage as instructed by some Master Saint who is well aware of the inner intricacies and is competent to guide us.
    The Master reached Birmingham at about 4 p.m. by car and addressed a large gathering at the Gurdwara Ravidas at 7 p.m. in Punjabi. He took the hymn, Ram gur paras paras karije, from Gurbani, and explained its correct meaning beautifully. After this, the Master paid a brief visit to a big Sikh Temple and was warmly received by the organizers.
    After spending the night in the Stathallan Hotel, Birmingham, the Master left for Bedford on the following morning, Sept. 17. Many Indian families were waiting to have Darshan and hear him speak in a school where Satsang had been arranged.The Master spoke there in Punjabi at 11 a.m. and took up a hymn of Guru Arjan. He gave illustrations to show that we are building houses made of straw. We must take immediate steps to be on the right Path before it is too late.
    Then he drove back to London, reaching there at 3:30 p.m., and gave a talk that evening in the Polytechnic Hall on "Spirituality: What It Is." The hall was full as usual.
    On the specific request of many dear ones, the Master imparted Initiation to 28 persons, all of whom received firsthand experience, on Sept. 18. In the afternoon, on request, he gave another talk in Southall, in Hindi. He gave a digest of spiritual theory, quoting from scriptures to demonstrate that the Surat Shabd Yoga is an age-old science taught by Guru Nanak, Kabir, Tulsi Sahib, Christ, and others. It had a great impact on the listeners.

(The following day the Master left London for the United States. An account of the first part of his American tour will follow.)


1972 Tour Index