Diary 1963 - Murshid Sam's Living Stream

Diaries 1963-3Alan Watts has been both praised and blamed for interesting people in Buddhism. The aftermathsees many so-called Buddhists rejecting reincarnation. But this applies mostly to those pseudometaphysiciansand college degreed VIPs who teach without having studied Orientalia. Today I amseeing others the butt of antagonisms both in the international field and in the occult field. That is tosay, Gina Cerminara is out on the front lines fighting. She said my criticism of her book was exemplaryalthough this word hardly fits, for I have just two approaches:A very clear excellent presentation of reincarnation which appears to me most acceptable andvalid.A very interesting non-violence doctrine, which, although not my own personally, merits considerationand will attract large audiences in many parts of the world.It is only that the occultists in America have hardly touched the surface. In Asian lands youcan go deep and in some places easily. By and large the psychic and occult groups here do not wantto investigate Asia because it would prove they are tyros. There is nothing wrong in being a tyro—every budding scientist is. But while the scientists will recognize the more profound people in theirhobbies the psychics and occultists do not. And it is amusing to find people who are choosing occultphenomena when I tell them I have met and been taught by my spiritual teachers through ESPwhich is entirely true, but at levels we cannot both approach in curiosity and humility and at thesame time direct the research. Most Americans want to direct, and it is lack of curiosity and humilitythat stands us badly.I do not think Ed is so adverse to honest occultism. His reactions to your reports were far morechildlike and sympathetic than one would receive from the average “psychic” or “occultist” whowould accuse you of egotism or pomposity. That is not only what you are not, but there are moreand more cases coming to purview of the same sort. For instance around Master Too Lun, whomI have called a “Chinese Maharishi.” If he had only remained in Hong Kong or mainland China, itwould be easy to get bizarre articles published. But now that he is in our midst, the press pays nomore attention to him. This story will probably be continued.I am seeing Ted Reich tomorrow. I left Gin’s Many Lives, Many Loves with him.There are now no adverse reports. The body is in fine shape, and more subtle if not more vigorous.It is only that the hair is greying.I am holding off any trips until I hear from the Major, and hope we can visit you together.Cordially,S. A. M.P.S. Gavin Arthur gets in the press but I do not associate with him any more.