← World is GodHis autobiography, book three

CHAPTER IX

England

London

ENGLAND was once the most coveted place for Indians from their school days. It was considered to be a land of enchantment especially by those who looked up to it through the long distance with an expectant eye and a hopeful heart. To go to England and return was to achieve celebrity. This was before India attained freedom. Today the tide has turned. We see that people outside are drawn towards India, attracted by her spiritual greatness.

We arrived at the London airport and were received by Mr. Howard Williams, Mr. George A. Dudley, Mr. Price and Sri Manibhai Patel’s niece, Srimati Shantaben. They took us in their cars to Hayes in Middlesex, where our host Sri Manibhai Patel lived. We were comfortably lodged at Jayaram House. Manibhai Patel was not there as, due to a sudden attack of illness, he had to be admitted a few days ago in the hospital for treatment. For the first few days Mr. W. A. Caro, Mr. Williams and Mr. George came to us often. Later on some ladies from outside London and a few Sufi friends also paid us frequent visits. Srimati Kanchanben, wife of Dr. P. Kothari whom we knew intimately in India and who now lived in London, was another who was often coming to see us. She could not resist her outburst of joy and surprise when she met us, because she had never dreamt of seeing us in London. Mrs. Williams who had played a great part in making the house in which we stayed tidy and comfortable for us, was also there.

Milton’s Cottage

Our first excursion during our stay in London was to Milton’s Cottage, situated in Chalfort St. Giles near Hayes. Milton is well known as one of the greatest poets of England whose fame was established when he wrote “Paradise Lost” and “Paradise Regained”. The sonorous verses of “Paradise Lost” which Ramdas used to recite aloud to himself when young, are still ringing in his ears. The majestic march of words in this great poem is like the course of the hosts of angels striding across the heavens. This blind poet has been a source of inspiration and delight to his innumerable readers and will continue to be so to millions in future. Really, when we entered this holy building we felt as if we were stepping into a temple with all devotion and reverence. The presence of this great man was felt in his study, living room and other apartments. We passed on from room to room looking at the articles which he had used, his manuscripts, books, photographs, kettle, and other things.

Milton was a highly religious man. He believed in the divine dispensation. His last days of blindness he spent in conjuring up the wonderful picture which he depicted in his two monumental works. Heaven, earth and hell were his themes. God, satan and the first created man and woman were the subjects he clothed with the sublime colour and beauty of his genius and talent. Ramdas was simply charmed with this place and he felt he was treading on hallowed ground. We bought some picture postcards of the inside and outside views of the cottage. Before we got into the car we gave a last lingering look at that ancient abode with love and regard for the great poet who lived at one time in it.

Shanti Sadan

The next day we paid a visit to Shanti Sadan founded by Dr. Hari Prasad Sastriji. Hari Prasad Sastriji is a saintly personality who has been doing laudable service for the spiritual uplift of many aspirants looking up to him for guidance. He has the reputation of a long record of work extending for over thirty years in London. Shanti Sadan is housed in a beautiful building in which he resides and carries on his activities. This great soul, a spiritual beacon to his followers, was suffering from heart trouble when we met him. Still he was untiringly devoting himself to the task of guiding them on the divine path.

Sastriji had arranged a nice little function on the occasion of our visit. After Ramdas was received by him in the library we went together to the hall where his disciples had gathered to welcome us. Sastriji and Ramdas sat side by side. When the reading of the address, poems and prayers were over, Sastriji wished that Ramdas should give a discourse. Ramdas talked for about fifteen minutes on Universal Love and Service. The assembled friends listened with rapt attention in an atmosphere of perfect calmness and serenity. Ramdas felt we were in a holy place; undoubtedly the devotees who were there must also have been filled with divine peace and joy.

After Ramdas finished his speech Sastriji spoke a few words expressing his delight in having us in their midst. He also prayed to God that Ramdas’ mission of love may be crowned with all success. Here Ramdas cannot resist saying again that the blessings of saints are simply invaluable. Whenever Ramdas receives such blessings he feels that God’s grace itself is poured on him in a deluge. All glory to saints!

The function, though a short one, was a great strain on the weak health of Sastriji. He was all kindness and love towards us. We stood up and having paid our parting respects to the saint, left Shanti Sadan and went back to Jayaram House.

The Hindu Association of Europe

The prominent Hindu residents of London have formed an organisation called the Hindu Association of Europe. Its object is to create a feeling of fellowship among Indians in Europe by holding in the association building meetings of social, political and national importance. These friends arranged a meeting here for our reception.

On our way to the meeting we had to attend the wedding of an Indian with an Irish girl. The former has been residing for a long time in London and practically settled down there. God’s ways are wonderful. He wanted Ramdas to witness a wedding in London on this occasion! It was a big function and hundreds of people belonging mostly to the upper class had gathered there. The marriage was celebrated according to Vedic rites. It was altogether, what in Indian language we call, a big Tamasha—great fun. The world is indeed a bigger Tamasha in which this marriage was a show within a show.

From there we went to the Hindu Association Hall. It was a purely social function. Still it had its spiritual significance as there were many among the audience who were religious-minded. Ramdas met here some friends whom he had known in India, including Sri Gunvantrai Kamdar, his wife and some others. Ramdas was asked to speak and he did so for about half an hour, conveying his message, in the course of which he said:

Realize your unity

Every atom of this universe is filled with divine light and power. This is what we have to realize. We are One not only inwardly, but outwardly also. This is the message of Vedanta handed over to us from the Rishis and the great Avatars of India. The same message, you will find, has been carried throughout the length and breadth of the world by various other Teachers like Jesus Christ and Mohammed. Buddha too preached the great truth of Ahimsa which was carried to Burma, Japan and China. All these great Teachers told us that we are to live in union with each other and not to fight. This message which has come down to us from the Rishis of India is indeed a great treasure which we must cherish.

Ramdas may not omit to mention here that some members of the audience took objection to Ramdas’ ranking Mohammed with the Hindu Avatars in his speech. It is strange that such a spirit of narrowness is still prevalent in an enlightened place like London where all classes and creeds should, losing their distinctions, mingle together with a feeling of equality, harmony and friendliness. The world has divisions enough on the score of various mundane values, but to create differences in the name of religion also is really most reprehensible. We live on the same earth and we are children of one universal parent, God—God of all peoples of the world.

With School Children

The next place of our visit was the Town and Country School, about thirty miles from Middlesex. We went there in response to the invitation from the Principal, Mrs. Elizabeth Paul, whom we first met at Frankfurt airport. In this school we had indeed a most joyful time. The Principal and other teachers welcomed us with great delight. We were taken to a central room where children, big and small, belonging to both the lower and higher classes, had gathered. As suggested by the teachers, the little ones put Ramdas some questions about India and Indian ways of life. One of the questions asked was, “Can you tell us something about your religion?”

In reply Ramdas said:

Grow into World Citizens

This friend (Ramdas), coming all the way from distant India, is very happy to see you all. You look like little flowers in the garden of God. He loves you very much. The God that he has found is in the hearts of all of you. God, apart from you, is not God for him. To look at you is to look at God.

If we want to see God, we must see Him in our fellow-beings. We must love and serve them. That is the true worship of God. He is not far away in the heaven, but He is here with us, at all times, and His presence can be felt provided we pray to Him, remember Him. By praying to Him we make our life pure and glorious. If you want to walk on the path of righteousness and truth, it is necessary that you should pray to Him constantly, open your heart to Him and allow His light and grace to pour into you and thus make your life divine.

What more can Ramdas tell you than this? He has told you what he understood about God and what he knew about God. He wishes that you should also believe in God and draw inspiration from Him by loving Him, by praying to Him and allowing his Light and Power to work in you so that you may grow into true citizens, not merely of England, but of the world.

Ramdas was perfectly at home in the midst of these loving children. They were also, as Ramdas made out, feeling quite familiar with us, without looking upon us as strangers. After about fifteen minutes we were taken round to see the classes and then we came out into the back garden, the children following us. We moved about freely with them in the open. It was a happy scene. The children were gleefully skipping and playing. Mrs. Paul had, before we went to the garden, introduced the children to us one by one as they passed us in a queue. Ramdas could here form a clear idea of how an English school is conducted. There was perfect discipline among the children and a deep interest in their all-round welfare on the part of the teachers. We spent about an hour in the school, the memory of which will ever be fresh in our minds.

The Sage of Chichester

Many readers of this book must have heard of Mr. Henry Thomas Hamblin of Chichester, England, who has been editing a magazine called The Science of Thought Review. Mr. Hamblin is a spiritually illumined personality. Ramdas has been in correspondence with him for many years. His magazine publishes articles from his pen giving precious spiritual advice and instructions founded upon his own experiences for the enlightenment of its numerous readers. His way of approach-to God is a simple one. It is devotion and surrender. He says that prayer and the inner feeling of divine presence constitute the means by which the soul can find union with God. Thousands of aspirants have derived valuable help from his inspiring teachings. Although we dearly loved each other by contact through correspondence, Ramdas never thought a day would come when we would meet each other in person. Such a memorable day came now.

Having written to Mr. Hamblin earlier about our proposed visit and received a letter of welcome from him, we started at noon from Middlesex in a car to meet him at his home in Chichester. The car was driven by our loving young friend George, who was ever ready to serve us. Passing through various countrysides of England we came to the famous Windsor Castle and stopped for a while outside to have a view of it. We had also the pleasure of visiting on the way a well-known old cathedral of Chichester. We got down from the car, went inside the cathedral and saw the images, carvings and paintings and other objects of religious interest. On coming out we saw the steeple kissing the sky. Even when we were seeing these our thoughts were with Hamblin whom we were to meet soon. The car sped on and passed through hilly meadows on which brown cows with white spots were grazing, a sight that charmed our eyes, especially of Mataji who is fond of cows. The vast sylvan scenes, luxuriant with green fields, pastures and trees fascinated us and gave us rare exaltation.

Love meets Joy

We now neared the place where Hamblin lived. A turn and a few yards, we were at Bosham House. On the lawn lying between the cottage and the “Science of Thought Review” Office, Mr. Hamblin and two others were waiting to receive us.

We got down from the car and Ramdas walked up to this loving friend, and soon our hands were locked in a hearty hand-shake with all love and goodwill. The joy that welled up in our hearts at this meeting does not lend itself to expression. The fair and handsome face of this Sage of Chichester was flushed, his eyes aglow with a divine lustre. Ramdas lost all sense of separateness. It appeared as if love and joy had assumed human forms and met in the oneness of spiritual realization. Hamblin was so much overpowered by love that he continued shaking Ramdas’ hands for several minutes. He asked Ramdas whether he would prefer to go first to his office or to his home. Ramdas preferred the latter and we strode up to his sweet little cottage where we were welcomed by his devout wife. We sat down in his study. There was an atmosphere of rare peace in this simple cottage.

At the very outset Hamblin suggested that all of us should sit silently in meditation and so everyone in the room became calm and still, Hamblin and Ramdas sitting close together. This was only for five minutes. We enjoyed a state of superconscious ecstasy. When the meditation was over, Hamblin remarked that he had a wonderful experience of divine light and peace. Soon after, we were joined by Mr. Richard Whitwell and his wife who came by train from their place a little farther away with a view to meet Ramdas. When they sat with us we were further saturated with joy. Ramdas was asked some questions by Richard Whitwell and Hamblin and he went on talking on various spiritual subjects.

Some portions of the conversations are given below:

Spiritual Healing

Hamblin: I met brother Mandus. He goes about healing. He has a gift of healing. People go to him to get healed. He puts his hand on them and many of their diseases are cured. Not always successful, of course. I have seen people who were crippled with arthritis, etc. He just goes to them, holds the arm and joints, fits the dislocated part in the right place, and they get up and walk away. That sort of work he does. He gives also long lectures.

Ramdas: The Divine is not far off. He is within us. Be conscious of Him and you feel His presence every minute within you. Healing power also comes to you automatically. Healing is not done purposely sometimes. By your very touch the person is healed. In the scriptures it is said that divine power is transmitted to another in three ways: By thought, sight and touch. A saint can, by his thought, at once spiritually awaken a man. By looking into the eyes of a person he pours into him the divine power by which he is awakened from within. The same thing is done by touch also. This very power can be used for healing diseases too of persons.

Four Stages of God-consciousness

Hamblin: May I ask a question? When you arrive at God-consciousness and realize that you are everywhere, what comes next?

Ramdas: There are four stages. Ramdas will describe them. One is when, by total surrender to the divine will, the ego is dissolved completely. Egolessness means realization of the all-pervading Spirit or God. Then we know that we and that Spirit are one. So long as the ego persists we are not aware of that Spirit and we do not know our identity with It. After that comes the vision of the Divine everywhere in the manifestation. The whole universe is seen thereafter as the expression of that Spirit. We see God everywhere. But there is a third stage still. In that we see the manifest and the unmanifest as the two aspects of one Truth which is beyond both, which is unthinkable, incomprehensible and inexpressible. We can express something about the static and the dynamic, but that which is beyond these is incomprehensible and ineffable. The dynamic, the static and the unthinkable all together make the supreme Godhead. He is all-inclusive and all-transcendent. Even after realizing that, there is the fourth stage in which we keep up a relationship with God. It is purely personal. He is our constant companion. We can talk to Him. We can feel His presence. That is the best and the sweetest relationship. Having had all the earlier experiences, we still enjoy a close relationship with the Divine in His personal presence, and that presence Ramdas has been asked by so many to define. But it is very difficult to define it. He is the Impersonal Person.

Go beyond Prayer

Hamblin: We do not chant God’s name, but we have an inward prayer which we go on repeating. That amounts to the same thing. When I had to pray for things, I found I had only to thank Him. I went on saying “Thank Thee”. That became a practice and I found that there was a glow in the heart. That is one way.

Ramdas: We must transcend the stage of prayer also. Because utter dependence on God does not admit of any prayer. You live and move in Him. Then why pray to Him? You are completely under His protection and you are aware of it. A child has nothing to pray for to its mother when the mother looks after it. The mother knows what is good for the child.

The reminder from Mrs. Hamblin that tea and cakes, which she specially prepared for us, were ready, brought us to the consciousness of our surroundings. We did not feel the passage of time. Really, we lived then not in time, but in eternity. We had our tea, coffee and cakes and then Hamblin proposed that we should go to pay a visit to his office. We got up and made our way towards it, which was only about half a furlong from the cottage, Hamblin leading. It was a joy to be inside this neat and well ordered place where the publishing and editing of Hamblin’s books and the monthly magazine were carried on. He had a number of assistants who, it was evident from their looks, were greatly devoted to him. They were doing their work silently and efficiently.

It was now time for us to return to Middlesex. Before we got into the car, we met again at the place where we had shaken hands and exchanged greetings on arrival. We made a nice little group—Mr. and Mrs. Hamblin, Mr. and Mrs. Whitwell, Dr. and Mrs. Luftig, George and five of us. Hamblin was kind enough to present everyone of us with an autographed copy of his photo. We shook hands, our hearts overflowing with love and joy, and got into the car, looking at the party which we left behind, our eyes gazing as long as they could on the lustrous face of Hamblin.

The memorable meeting has left a deep and abiding impression on the minds of all the five of us who went to see Hamblin. His is indeed a great spiritual achievement. He is a light and guide to thousands of aspiring souls. He is old in years, but young in spirit. Such are indeed the inheritors of the divine kingdom of happiness and peace. They are the transmitters of the supreme gifts of the Spirit to those who hunger for them. To have their contact, or to read their words, means a precious gain to those who are on the Godward path. When the world could produce more and more of such spiritual luminaries, we can be assured that a permanent state of peace and harmony in which war will have been completely banished would be within the range of possibility.

The Open Way

The “Open Way” is an Association established in London for teaching the common principles in all religions and philosophies, for relieving people of their mental and other sufferings. The objects of the Association are indeed laudable. It aims also at bringing about harmony and peace in the world. Ramdas received an invitation to address a meeting of the members of this Association. The Director, Dr. Graham Howe, welcomed Ramdas and the rest of us when we reached the place where the meeting was to be held. In a fairly big room were gathered about fifty to sixty members, of both sexes, of this Association. Ramdas chose to speak sitting on a table, in the Indian fashion. The subject of his speech was “Object of Devotion.” Ramdas started the talk by describing the nature of devotion. He said:

The Positive Path

The nature of devotion, as described by one of the great saints of India, is “Supreme Love”. If we have real devotion for God in our hearts, we shall be filled with that supreme love. Supreme love is by itself self-satisfying. There is no other spiritual discipline necessary to keep our mind away from the worldly pleasures than to saturate our minds with love of God. This is the positive path. This is what is called the Open Way. Because, when you have intense love for God, you remember Him constantly and attachment to all other things of the world naturally vanishes, just as when you bring light into a room, darkness automatically disappears.

Ramdas went on speaking almost without break dilating upon the various ways of approach to the Divine, but stressing mainly upon devotion and surrender. He observed:

Bring into your mind the greatness of God, and all your littleness will disappear. Think of Him as the almighty and your weakness will disappear. Think of Him as all-bliss, and your miseries will disappear. Think of Him as supreme light, the darkness of your heart will disappear. This is the positive and real way of approach.

Continuing, Ramdas brought in experiences from his own spiritual career to emphasize and explain the various aspects of devotion. Speaking about the way of establishing world unity, he said:

Way to World Unity

The world is in a state of discord and dissension because it is not led by the Spirit. People have not gone deep down within themselves to find the true basis of unity in the world. They are groping on the surface and therefore cannot find unity. If they turn their minds inward they will find it. They are working only on the intellectual plane by which they expect they can achieve harmony. They cannot. Differences will remain as they are, and also discord, so long as unity is not based on spiritual foundations.

Ramdas was carried away by the subject which was so dear to his heart. He did not notice the passage of time. The assembled friends were also sitting still, absorbed in listening to him. Ramdas was in a state of spiritual exaltation. He must have carried the audience with him in this mood. When Ramdas exceeded the time-limit, Dr. Graham Howe reminded him of the same. As suggested by the Doctor, after the chanting of Ram-nam in chorus, the meeting broke up.

Visit to Sufi Saint

Soon after our arrival in London we came to know that the Sufi saint Monsieur F. Schuon, whom we were expecting to meet, had arrived. A day was fixed for visiting him. One evening the friends of the Sufi master came to take Ramdas to the building in which he resided. Ramdas felt supremely happy in anticipation of seeing this great soul. We climbed up the stairs and entered a room where we came face to face with him. He welcomed us, greeting with the words, “Salaam! Salaam!”

Whenever Ramdas had occasion to contact saints, to whatever religion, society or country they might belong, Ramdas used to feel a peculiar elation at heart and the meeting would fill him with rare delight and ecstasy. Such was his experience now when he met Monsieur Schuon. We sat near each other on sofas, while his disciples and members of our party sat on the carpeted floor. The saint was of a tall stature, with a fine short beard. He had a strong build. His face was bright with the light of inner illumination. He possessed a regal bearing which befitted him very well. But he was at heart so humble, simple and loving.

In the course of the conversation Ramdas talked on his favourite subject, the name of God. As he went on describing the glories of the Name, he noticed a strange glow light up the face of the saint. He was occasionally nodding his head in full approval of whatever Ramdas said in praise of the Name. At times his face would be suffused with a happy smile. Some questions were put to Ramdas by his followers and he gave answers which added to the joy that filled the room.

Hindus At Heart

All the assembled devotees were the votaries of God’s name. It was decided that we should sing the Name in chorus. First the Sufi friends chanted their Mantra for a while. Later Mataji, Lalita Devi, Kanchenben and others of our party sang Ram-nam together. It was evident that Monsieur Schuon had a very high regard for the Indian way of approach to God. That he had great reverence for saints, seers and mystics of other religions, especially towards such great souls as are honoured among the Hindus, was clear from what he said in the course of his talk, a part of which is given below:

“We all love very much the Hindu way of approach. But we are Sufis, as our Guru was a Sufi. At heart we are like Hindus—Hindus in the Sufi form. We like Sri Sankara, Ramanuja, Ramakrishna and all the Hindu saints. All my life I had hoped to know Hindu saints and do Satsang with them. But I could never meet a Hindu saint so far. We have been in Bombay, but for two days only. Now through God’s will I have the joy to make contact with a Hindu saint. It is indeed a great pleasure for us.

“There are many ways of reaching God, to suit peoples of different temperaments. So, the forms may be different, but the inner side of spirituality is the same as one Truth alone is.”

The scene of the meeting comes up before Ramdas’ mental vision as he is writing this. The time spent with the saint did not belong to a plane which had anything to do with the world of change. Eternity was compressed, as it were, into that short period. The meeting closed and we dispersed. Of course, the parting was unique because we seemed to be getting away with the feeling that separation was false. Before leaving the building we went up to a room which was dedicated to the worship of Lord Buddha by one of his English devotees. We spent a few minutes in this serene and holy atmosphere.

Indian Students’ Bureau

After leaving the Sufi saint we went to the Indian Students’ Bureau as requested by an Indian student, Sri Vishweswarayya of Mysore, a young man full of devotion. He had arranged for a dinner to our party and his friends in the Bureau that evening. After dinner there was bhajan, sweetly sung by an Indian lady. Of course, most of the members who attended the meeting were Indians, with a sprinkling of Europeans. Vishweswarayya spoke first. His speech showed he was an ardent aspirant who desired to bring his friends into contact with Ramdas and afford them an opportunity to hear Ramdas’ message. Ramdas talked to the assembled friends for about fifteen minutes on “How to lead a spiritual life in the work-a-day world.” In the course of the speech he said:

The art of living in the Spirit

We are so much absorbed in the day-to-day activities of the world that we are ignoring the spiritual values of life. It is essential that we should not lose ourselves in such activities and forget the source from which our life has come. Unless we know that we are the supreme Spirit, we cannot be happy ourselves, nor make others happy. We believe we are what we appear to be, mere bodies. But there is the eternal Spirit in us of which we should be conscious, before we can so adjust our life as to attain true happiness and bring harmony in the world.

This art of living can be practised only when we turn our minds inward for some time at least during the twenty-four hours of the day and find that there is in us a Spirit that binds us all together in mutual fellowship and goodwill. The Spirit is the Truth that pervades everywhere, out of which this vast universal manifestation has emanated.

We had quite a blissful hour in the homely atmosphere of the Students’ Bureau.

Next day Monsieur Schuon and his disciples paid a visit to Jayaram House where we resided. In the small sitting room we formed a crowded party; some sat on the carpet and others on sofas and chairs. The saint was kind and affable as usual. The love in his heart was manifest on his face in beaming smiles. Whenever Ramdas meets anyone who is a votary of the Divine Name, he usually speaks of the greatness and glory of the Name. Such a spontaneous outburst took place now when he was sitting before the Sufi saint whose sole prop and refuge was the name of God. The saint also spoke a few words about true devotion. When he and his party were leaving the house we spent a few minutes in the front garden wherein rose blossoms were in abundance. Manibhai Patel presented everyone of us with a rose as a token of his love and regard for us. The tall and stately figure of the Sufi saint stood out in great prominence above us all—a very prince among saints. The picture is still vivid in Ramdas’ mind.

Vedanta Centre, London

Whenever we found ourselves in any city or town where there was an Ashram, Math or Centre started in the name of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, we would consider it a great joy and privilege to pay a visit to it and have darshan and contact of the presiding Swamiji. Sri Ramakrishna has played a great part in moulding Ramdas’ spiritual career. His inspiring talks and teachings have guided him on the path. So Ramdas cannot be sufficiently beholden to this spiritual luminary for all the grace and power which he showered on Ramdas.

In London the Ramakrishna Mission is running a Vedanta Centre. Over the telephone we contacted Swami Ghananandaji, its President, asking for permission to visit the Centre. The Swamiji not only accorded us a hearty welcome, but also invited us for our evening food. We reached the place at 5 o’clock and directly went up to the sanctuary. All the five of us and the two or three friends who accompanied us sat down in front of the huge picture of Sri Ramakrishna before whom lights and incense sticks were burning. We sang Ramnam in chorus for some time. Swami Ghananandaji then took us to the dining room and treated us with all love to a simple but delicious meal, talking to us freely interspersed with wit and humour. We sat for a while in the spacious room of the Centre where lectures are delivered by the Swamiji. We took leave of the Swamiji feeling grateful for the love and affection he poured on us.

Shakespeare’s Birthplace

According to a planned excursion, one morning we started in a car for a visit to Stratford-upon-Avon, where stood the house of the world famous English dramatist, William Shakespeare. From there we were to go to Matlock, a place in North England, where our friend Howard Williams lived. George Dudley drove the car which passed through various towns which gave us a picture of the lives of Englishmen, both poor and rich. On the way we saw the magnificent buildings of the Oxford University, the well-known seat of learning, resorted to by students from all over the world. Reaching Stratford-upon-Avon our car stopped in front of the house which was an object of great attraction, nay, reverence, to lovers of Shakespeare.

The readers need not be told about the greatness and world-wide fame of this wonderful poet-dramatist. Our earth has produced geniuses in various fields of knowledge—poetry, music, art, architecture, literature, science, and statecraft. All countries have presented to the world rare gems among human beings who have reached the zenith of aesthetic, intellectual and spiritual achievements. England for one should indeed be proud of having given birth to a son who is a veritable king among poets and - dramatists. Shakespeare’s dramas are masterpieces of English literature, not merely by their beauty of style and diction, but also by their representation of life in all its varied aspects and experiences. Shakespeare, if only we study his works looking to the spiritual side of life, as revealed in his writings, can be classed among those who had glimpses of universal vision. At one place he has, with the clarity and insight of a spiritual seer said:.

“All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players, They have their exits and their entrances.”

Ramdas was an ardent reader of English literature. And he had a great liking and admiration for Shakespeare and his works. His dramas held him under their spell. Ramdas went now to see the house of one for whom he had the highest regard. We entered the old-building which we had seen in pictures. Ramdas felt that he-was treading on sacred ground. We passed from room to room wherein Shakespeare walked, sat, wrote his famous plays and lived the life of an apparently ordinary playwright. As Ramdas moved about seeing the relics of the articles used by Shakespeare, listening to the account of how this house was from time to time repaired and maintained, from the lips of a man who was explaining these matters to the visitors, he was transported to the days of the dramatist. Ramdas felt as if the poet was present there and he was having communion with him. Altogether the sight was very edifying and Ramdas’ feelings were attuned to the atmosphere of the house. After purchasing some pictures of the house and some books relating to Shakespeare’s life and works, we walked in the garden and looked at the house from different angles drinking in the spirit of the place. We then came out and got into the car which took us onward towards Matlock.

Spiritual Healing

Before we reached Matlock we halted at two places on the way. One was at Smisby in a small neat shed which stood in the midst of a garden in which flowers of various tints were grown. The place belonged to Mr. D. L. McSweeney and Mr. George A. Dudley. We were presented with beautiful bouquets by Mr. McSweeney and George’s mother, Mrs. Marie Dudley.

George Dudley is a young man who was also a visitor to Jayaram House along with Caro. At the very first sight he fell in love with us and attached himself to our company. He talked very little, but he was quite absorbent and imbibed the truths inculcated by Ramdas in his discourses. Whenever we had to go out on visits either to London, or to distant places like Chichester and Matlock, he was the willing driver of the car which took us to these places. Though silent, he was all love and devotion. At the close of our visit to Matlock he expressed a wish to go to India to stay in our Ashram. Though at first Ramdas discouraged him, later on he agreed and now at the time of Ramdas’ dictating these lines, he is with us in the Ashram. It was only a spiritual hunger that drew him to the Ashram from his home thousands of miles away.

From the flower garden, we went to the house of Mr. Stephen Sheppard, a friend of McSweeney in Burton-on-Trent. Here we met a number of friends who were interested in spirituality. McSweeney is a simple and frank person. In many ways he revealed the nature of the people of the countryside. He has a penchant for spiritual healing. He said that he had an idea of erecting a chapel on his land exclusively for developing through spiritual practices powers to heal the diseases of people.

In reply to a question put by McSweeney on spiritual healing, Ramdas categorically told the friends that it was no good striving for attaining powers to heal before one realized God in all His magnificence. First God and everything else came next. If we at all heal people of their ailments, we should do so as the accepted illumined instruments of God, whose power alone, we knew, worked through us. It was the touch of love that cured, enlightened and elevated another person. In this strain Ramdas discoursed before the friends. All the assembled devotees were very kind to us. Concluding he said:

Charge your Spiritual Battery

Your aim must be to realize God and feel your union with Him. Let healing not be the objective. Merely healing means, you stop your progress with that. If you do not conserve your spiritual power for attaining the goal and lose it in these practices, you will achieve nothing in the end. But if you keep your battery charged everyday, you can march onward on the divine path. The battery is charged by continuous union with God. When you have seen God you can not only heal, but awaken people to the consciousness of God. Our central idea should be to keep our mind attuned with God. Let His power work through us in whatever way He wills. Your presence itself must be so dynamic that those who come near you must not only be healed of their physical ailments, but also be awakened to the consciousness of the Divine.

A Hurdle on the Path

In this connection Ramdas feels that he should say here some more words about spiritual healing. We hear sometimes so much of the spiritual or occult power wielded by persons who have spiritually advanced for healing purposes. By spiritual healing is meant curing a person of his or her physical diseases by use of this power. We see that so much importance is given to this kind of healing that the spiritual aspirants are in some places striving by disciplines and prayers to attain only these powers. This is undesirable. The whole object of treading the spiritual path should be only to realize God, to see Him, experience Him and feel His presence for all time. Instead of aspiring for this goal, If we go out of the way to cultivate special powers for curing diseases, we are really placing a big hurdle on our path to God. While we can, by our highest spiritual attainment, cure by our contact a man of the very disease of life, which is ignorance, by awakening him to the consciousness of his real divine nature, if we simply fritter away our energies, even when we are on the path, for curing the physical diseases of a person, we are doing a great mistake. When we have achieved God-realization, automatically God by His will and grace, will enable us to bring not only relief to the people who are diseased, but also bring them light and peace of the supreme Spirit. “Seek ye first the Kingdom of Heaven and all else will be added unto you” is an illuminating teaching of Jesus.

Matlock

Leaving Burton-on-Trent we found ourselves speeding towards Matlock, which was reached at about 5 o’clock. We entered the beautiful house of Mr. Howard Williams and were greeted with warm welcome by his wife Betty. Here Ramdas spent most of his time in the library where several spiritually-minded people of the town came to see Ramdas and hear his talks. We had two meetings next day.

Mr. Williams is a great student of Vedanta. His small library contained books of religious interest. Williams’ leaning is more towards the teachings of the Upanishads than towards other scriptures. What was noticeable in him was that he was tremendously earnest in his outlook and firm in his convictions on spiritual attainment. His first and last objective was to realize God and it appeared that he was struggling hard to get the fullest spiritual experience.

Mr. Williams’ wife Betty and his little son, whom he has named Krishna, were also extremely happy over our being in their midst. Betty was all love and hospitality. She was also as earnest as her husband in her spiritual quest. Altogether, we spent our time in that blessed house most blissfully as we were in an atmosphere surcharged with love and devotion.

What is Vedanta

Ramdas thinks it is proper to write here a few words on Vedanta and its application in the life of one who has realized Brahman, according to its teachings. The meaning of ‘Vedanta’ is the end of the Vedas. It marks the end of all material and scientific knowledge and the dawn of spiritual knowledge—the knowledge of Atman or God. The Upanishads are the repositories of this spiritual wisdom and the four great Mahavakyas embody the conclusions of the highest spiritual inquiry. The four Mahavakyas with their meanings are;

Aham Brahmasmi: I am Brahman. Thatwamasi: That thou art. Pragyanam Brahma: Brahman is Pure Knowledge Ayamatma Brahma: This Atma or Self is Brahman.

Brahman.

All these Vakyas point to the one Truth which is Brahman and declare there is nothing besides It. To realize Brahman is the sole aim of human life. The Taittiriya Upanishad defines Brahman by the words Sathyam, Gyanam, Anantham, Brahma—which mean Brahman is Truth, Knowledge, and Infinity. One who realizes Brahman enjoys perfect freedom and bliss. It is to be realized by the individual soul by divesting itself of its ignorance through the knowledge that it is Brahman. Here there is mystical fusion of the principal entities, namely, Soul, Universe and God.

Now a person who has realised this all-inclusive and all-transcendent Divine, lives in the world with the vision and experience that he is one with God and the universe. In Him there is no trace of the ego-sense and the desires born of ignorance. He becomes utterly Divine within and without, in all aspects of his being. He lives thereafter only for the welfare of humanity. His individual clingings and attachments are dead. As his vision is universalised, all his activities are the spontaneous offerings at the altar of humanity realized as Brahman.

A life lived in a narrow sense, confined to the interests of a family circle, or devoted to a particular kind of work that brings one any emolument or gain—a life wedded to the pleasures of the senses—is incompatible with the achievement of a radiant life, liberated from the bonds of Karma, in which nescience has been dispelled by the dawn of knowledge. The latter is the life of the man who has realized the truth of the Vedanta and such a one alone can be called a true Vedantin.

Merely reading books on Vedanta and getting oneself intellectually equipped with the ideas relating to this highest attainment cannot make one a Vedantin. Such a man can be compared to a donkey on whom is loaded cases containing ingots of gold. The donkey, no doubt, bears on its back the precious cargo, but does not know the value of it or have the joy consequent upon the use of it. Learning is both a help and a hindrance. Learning which goes only to swell the ego-sense, often making one pose as a person who has realized the Truth, can do more harm than good. God-realization means God-experience, an experience which enables one to enjoy divine bliss and peace in all moments of one’s life. Verily, Vedanta converts an erring soul into the very manifestation of God.

After our two days’ stay in Matlock we started on our return journey to Middlesex. On our way we dropped in at a hospital at Nottingham to see our friend W.A. Caro who had been admitted there for an operation. We spent with him a few minutes. He was in great pain, but his face showed perfect serenity. The nurse who attended on him was so good and kind to him. God’s kindness comes to us when we are kind to our fellow-beings. Love attracts love and kindness attracts kindness. This is a law which has no exception. Caro found great happiness because we visited him. By evening we got back to Jayaram House.

Mr. W. A. Caro is the headmaster of a school in Nottingham, who came to know of us from his friend Williams. From the very first day of our arrival in London he was almost the whole day intimately associating with us. Although he was in great pain on account of some internal ailment, he was calm and collected and was most ardently listening to Ramdas’ talks with the visitors who used to come to Jayaram House to meet him.

As Caro expressed, he was peculiarly charmed with the Hindu way of looking upon the universe and all its movements as divine play. He was an earnest seeker of Truth and he seemed to have found the way to it. His open mind had readily received the teachings on the ultimate Reality as presented by Ramdas in his talk.

Before closing the account of our stay in England, Ramdas has to say a few words about our kind-hearted London host Manibhai V. Patel. Manibhai was introduced to us by Bansidhar G. Parekh, a friend who lives in Ahmedabad. He had invited us to his place by letter even before we started on the tour from the Ashram. As Ramdas has stated, he was not at home when we arrived in London, but in the hospital. After his return next evening from the hospital, he was still not quite well. However, he recovered within three or four days. Patel was a resident of Middlesex, as he told us, for over thirty years. He believed in the principles of the Christian faith, retaining at the same time his faith in Hinduism. He treated us, when we were with him, with great love, respect and kindness. He and his daughter, Lalitaben, were uniformly good to us, looking after our comforts in all manner of ways. We cannot forget the happy days we spent under the hospitable roof of Jayaram House.

At the time of our departure for the United States of America, Manibhai Patel bade us farewell from the footpath in front of Jayaram House. His daughter Lalitaben, Williams, and Betty accompanied us to the airport, George driving the car as usual. The parting was a touching scene. The persons who were most agitated over the separation were Manibhai and Lalitaben. Both were visibly moved and stood looking at us with eyes moist as we left his place.

Some days after Ramdas wrote the above lines about Manibhai V. Patel, we received the sad news of his passing away. May his soul be blest with eternal peace!