Diary 1963 - Murshid Sam's Living Stream

Diaries 1963June 13Beloved One of God:I have returned but only for two days, then am going to Mendocino. The package with theUniversal Worship Burial service, the tasbih (beads) etc. will be left here, for although you have notcalled for it, it is possible you still may, with “vacation” on.The trip South was very complex and perhaps as rewarding.Buddhism. The collecting of materials for the encyclopedia was not easy. Three deaths makeit harder to obtain direct experiences but there are some rather elderly people, one of whom I haveknown, others not known, who have been connected with real Zen or other forms of Buddhism.Both Americans and Japanese welcomed me and I was at a session of the Universal Buddhistgroup. This will probably grow as both the Burmese and the Zen People are joining in with theAmericans. I also had a long session with one Prynce Hopkins in Santa Barbara. Fortunately he hasan autobiography which he gave to me.He has known Edward Connaughton a long time. I met Bill at his house and we spent 2.5hours together. With Bill, with a neighbor of his who is a friend of mine and with one woman here Ihave my toughest situation—the same old problem year in, year out, the same complaints and narya change in their attitudes of behavior. Bill asked for spiritual help and I am giving it to him. Thesepeople have in common sex complexes, unwillingness to meditate or face themselves and still morean unwillingness to change habits. From now on I think I shall demand money for advice unless thepeople concerned will practice meditation. And I should rather they practice the meditation anyhow,any kind.When I return inquiries will be made into two Buddhist monasteries here, for a number ofreasons.Indio is the center of the Date industry. My professor in Soil Chemistry lives there and is apowerful figure in the community. I met the chief producers, Date experts and USDA functionaries.But before I left I introduced myself to the manager of the Bank of America—and wow. He is also aformer employee of and protégé of the retired Russell G. Smith. Before I left Indio I had the banks,chamber of Commerce and newspaper all for me and the door is open for articles. This is the firsttime a newspaper has asked me, but praise Allah, it is the first time.Actually the situation is much more complex and pleasant. They are planning an Arabiancity and I am now a go-between on several missions. Ironically in the end they may have to contactJames Terry Duce. In my life a lot of roads lead to him, but he is probably either in Washington orUtah State where there are conventions on the Near East.Pakistan. The letters came. At least Murshids of Four Orders want Hazrat Inayat Khan’s writings.I hope to get more of them from Edward and I still can locate some of the earlier books whichhave not only gone out of print but no effort has been made to republish them.Between this, the assignments for the Encyclopedias of Buddhism and Islam and trying to getmy writings through, there is no rest, only changes of pace.Healing. My landlady got a case of flu. It is the first time I have tried to help a stranger in thiscountry. Two hours have gone by and she says she feels well.