Diary 1963 - Murshid Sam's Living Stream

Diaries 1963-2I have since heard that my god-daughter in Pakistan plans to come here some time next year.Not only that, she is campaigning to raise funds to help me. I am supposed to be representing theUniversity of Islamabad. Pakistan has some queer exchange policies but efforts are now being madeto have funds sent me. This is a long but rather pleasant story, from that end. But so far every universityin the country which has Europeans teaching Islamics has turned me down; but if the professorsare Americans I have a fair chance.Two weeks ago the American Friends of the Middle East met here and all the speakers themed,“It is time for action and not speeches.” I have already placed three plans for better internationalrelations in that part of the world. At the end of the meeting (and this is a long story) the Vice Presidentcame and asked me what I was doing on desert agriculture. The result is submitting: “Project:The Garden of Allah,” a complete agricultural program covering all lands from about New Delhito the Atlantic Ocean. I have already contacted the best individuals and am working as much as Ican to gather data. When I was questioned by the local Chamber of Commerce I not only answeredtheir theoretical questions but named the person who could take charge of corrective processes (allCalifornians).Next month there will be a conference thereon. In the meanwhile I completed my manuscriptand am making extracts and abstracts at request, and one man locally said he would offer to bemy agent and another agent will also be here soon. Besides that I have one or two other publishinghouses in mind. One thing I already have—the market.There is a Chinese Buddhist master here with whom I have been studying but recently he gavea bad deal to a lady from your city—the oldest Buddhist scholar in the country, so I may withdraw.Real Zen Buddhism and Chinese Buddhism also are prospering as never before.In a few days a Hindu master comes. I have been studying Mudra and Tantra Yoga with hisdisciple but also contributing. Because I now have the bulk of the teachings of Hazrat Inayat Khanplus both Sufi and Hindu teachings not in circulation. All of this is encouraging, but I have withdrawnfrom all social and leisurely life, depending on the variations between these different activities.Another romance (from way back, resuscitated) soured—actually it was a hold-over from formerlives and I just about gave up on women to find several of them befriending me when I neededit most. I don’t know whether I told you Paul Reps visited SF twice. I don’t know whether he is runningto or from but he has disappeared again.Am cooking Thanksgiving Dinner for my former landlady who is now a cripple and two of mypals will be with us. And although I expect to be South next month can give any foreword. Please bewell so we can wine and dine once anyhow.Cordially,S. A. M.Sufi Ahmed Murad