U.S.A. – New York

OUR next destination was New York. We left London airport and crossed the Atlantic Ocean. The time taken to cover the distance was about twenty-two hours as we had to touch Iceland and Labrador on the way. Both these places were intensely cold, but by God’s grace we were able to bear it well. Indeed, God’s power and protection was always with us and in all vicissitudes through which we passed, apparently happy or unhappy, we kept calm and cheerful. We were granted the necessary fortitude by Him through His infinite mercy. We reached New York on 6th October 1954.

America is a great country blessed with power and plenty. The people of the U.S.A., except the Negroes and Red Indians, are drawn from all races who colonised it coming from the various countries of Europe. After winning independence from the British Empire they have formed a Government based upon the three well-known principles of “Liberty, Equality and Fraternity”. They have raised a national monument—the Statue of Liberty—on Bedloe’s Island in the Upper Bay. This memorial speaks for their love of freedom. Their hearts are generous in that they freely offer aid and relief to other countries in distress or in a backward condition. Their brains are ever active in inventing new machinery, technical contrivances and gadgets that cater to the amenities, comforts and luxuries of daily life.

America is a land which holds out a fascination to the people not only of Europe, but also of the Eastern countries like Japan, China and India. Ramdas cannot fail to mention here that America, true to her love of liberty, has played an important part in India’s attainment of independence. She has also helped other nations in winning freedom. India looks to America with great admiration, for in material progress and achievements America stands second to none. But India, in so far as material prosperity is concerned, stands in most unhappy contrast. America, which is so powerful and in every way self-sufficient in material wealth is, however, looking up to India for her spiritual inspiration and sustenance.

Swami Vivekananda

This thirst for the wisdom of the Hindu revelation was first generated in the hearts of Americans by Swami Vivekananda when he conveyed to them the teachings of Vedanta about sixty years ago. He thundered out this message from the platform of the Parliament of Religions held in Chicago. The figure of Swami Vivekananda whose life was a complete dedication to God or universe, stood in his flaming Sannyasin robes, radiant with the light of God-realization, before thousands of delegates who come to the Parliament representing all the religions of the world. His voice that spoke then is still reverberating through time and we seem to catch even now the rumble of the enlightening message that he sought to convey to the heart of mankind. The western nations came to know the real import of the Hindu scriptures, especially of the Upanishads, from this great saint. He has left a deep impress on this world by his life and teachings. The effect of his great work is still visible in America which recognized first the spiritual eminence of this noted son of India. He, whose worth only a few could realize in India, was discovered and applauded by Americans as a rare gem among the saints and sages which India has produced, and held him forth before the wondering gaze of humanity. May eternal glory be to him!

At the New York airport we were received by Mrs. Gertrude deKock and two other friends. Gertrude deKock had occasion to visit our Ashram a few years ago and stay with us for some days. She was all kindness and help to us. We lodged in a hotel where we were provided with all conveniences.

Ramdas has seen great towns and cities. Among the cities that he visited in the course of the tour he found New York was unique with its skyscrapers, vast wealth, heavy traffic throughout the day, and up-to-date amenities of life. The Empire State Building is the highest one in the world as it comprises 102 storeys. These tall buildings are so close to each other that the rooms inside have always to be lit with electric lights as otherwise they would be dark.

Mr. John B. Hayward is a disciple of Swami Omkar of Shanti Ashram, Waltair, India. Through the gracious recommendation of the Swamiji this New York friend arranged for our stay in a hotel, met us there and invited us first to his rooms. There was a gathering of select friends in his house among whom Mrs. Gertrude deKock was one. We met there some Indian friends also who had settled down in New York for a long time. Mrs. Hayward, a tall, handsome and elderly lady, welcomed us with all her heart and treated us with great kindness and hospitality. It was evident that both husband and wife were great admirers of Swami Omkar. The gathering was more or less a social party, the object being only to introduce Ramdas to a few friends of this devout couple. At the suggestion of Mrs. Hayward we had about five minutes’ silent meditation. Mrs. Hayward is also a reputed artist and she took us round to show her paintings. The small group that had assembled there conversed with each other in perfect friendliness. This itself produced a most harmonious atmosphere.

Vedanta Centre

The next day, as arranged with Swami Pavitrananda, the President of the Vedanta Centre of Ramakrishna Mission, we paid a visit to the Centre. We were accorded a hearty welcome by the Swamiji who was dressed in the western style. At the outset he explained to us how, for obvious reasons, he had to adopt this mode of dress. He was following this practice, he said, not with a happy feeling. There is no doubt that a true servant of God adapts himself to any mode of life which is found suitable and necessary for the carrying out of the Lord’s service for which he has dedicated his life. What is important is not the dress but devotion in the heart for true and genuine service. We felt great delight in the Swamiji’s company. He took us round to the shrine room first and then to the other parts of the huge building in which the Vedanta Centre was located. When we went to the shrine room we felt the place was pervaded with peace. We offered our respects to Sri Ramakrishna by laying at his shrine a bunch of flowers. It was evident, the Swamiji was leading a very busy life attending to the various activities of the Centre. We left the Centre, our hearts filled with joy.

A World-Calendar

Next we paid a visit to the house of a lady named Mrs. Elizabeth Achelis who was one of the party at Mr. Hayward’s place. This lady is greatly interested in a movement for calendar reform which aims at introducing in all countries a standard world-calendar. She requested Ramdas to help her work by speaking or writing a few words in appreciation of her efforts in this direction. Then Ramdas spoke a few words.

He said that if by the introduction of a world calendar, there was a possibility of promoting unity, peace and goodwill in the world, this move deserved every support and encouragement. This was true not only of this particular reform, but also of all movements in general. Ramdas was not interested in any researches into time and space for bringing about a reform based upon such researches. The one task for which he lived and moved from place to place was and is to instil into the hearts of people he met a keen aspiration for the eternal and infinite values of life. In the face of these values, to seek light in something belonging to the phenomenal life did not appeal to him. His main theme was the all-pervading God beyond time, space and causation. The aim of human life should only be to attain Him and live and move in the awareness of Him. Here time and space are transcended and one lives in eternity.

There is a saying in the Upanishads:

Yasmin vignate sarvamidam vignaatam

[That by knowing which all this becomes known]. In other words, when you have known the Atman, you have nothing more to know. So the purpose of our life should be to know the Atman.

Ramdas spoke in these terms and our kind hostess and the few friends present listened to him attentively. Soon a lady came and sat beside Ramdas and spoke about miracles or the acquisition of healing powers. Here again Ramdas told the lady that he was not interested in those subjects and so could not enlighten her. Then another friend put Ramdas the following question:

How to feel God’s Presence always

Q: What do you say about the technique to feel the presence of God always?

Ramdas: You sit silently and strive to dissolve all thoughts. You may find it very difficult. Some thoughts come and go. So it is better to have one thought to the exclusion of all other thoughts. And after some time when you are in a position to keep only one thought in the mind, you must try to dissolve that also. When that thought is dissolved, your mind is perfectly calm and free from all thoughts. Sit silent and watch the mind. Know that names and forms have to be transcended. Accept the eternal Spirit dwelling within you. Then you will be able to realize the presence of God always.

The party had a delightful time during which the hostess was all solicitude.

Among the friends who were coming to see Ramdas in the hotel where he was staying a few may be mentioned here. Mr. Richard Miller, a disciple of Dilip Kumar Roy, was a frequent visitor. It was at Dilip’s instance that he came to see Ramdas. Besides being a sincere spiritual aspirant he also possessed a rare poetic talent. He loved to be with us and so visited us twice on some days.

An Astonishing Proposal

Another visitor who was deeply interested in us was Dr. Alexander Imich. He is a scientist spiritually inclined. At the first meeting Dr. Imich said that New York was not at all a place where any spiritual work could either progress or achieve success because the people were too hard-grained and materialistic in their outlook to be interested in spiritual questions and were busy in the work-a-day world, pursuing the pleasures of life. He also observed that Ramdas’ mission should be not only to give enlightenment to those who are already aspiring for God and are on the path, but also to convert the large number of non-believers and make them believe in the existence of God and put them on the path. Ramdas said that during his tour in Europe that also had become possible in a few cases. But the Doctor was not satisfied with one or two cases. He wanted mass uplift. He asked Ramdas if his books were meant only for aspirants to proceed on the path, or also for atheists.

Ramdas: Some atheists who have read Ramdas’ books especially ‘In Quest of God’ have turned to spiritual life, giving up their old ways.

Dr. Imich: But the atheists, as a class, will never read your books. So you must do something to publish the book in such a way that even an atheist just picks it up and goes through its pages. He might think he has made a mistake in purchasing the book, but having purchased, he will, however, go through some pages and will be caught by it. That is how I feel.

Then he spoke about some of the great scientists whom he knew, who were as good as atheists. They had neither time nor inclination to think of the spiritual side of life. It was, he thought, scientists who should be converted first to religious life because if they came to believe in God, through them the whole world could be spiritually transformed.

Really, Dr. Imich was tremendously earnest and he meant well. His proposition was that Ramdas should stand before a great gathering of scientists and then by his miraculous powers, with a sweep of his hand, as it were, convert all of them at once into believers in God! The arrangements for a hall and the gathering of scientists, he said, would be done by him. After making the proposal Dr. Imich gazed at Ramdas intently for a few moments to find out the reaction on him of his astonishing suggestion.

Ramdas calmly told the Doctor that Ramdas did not come to America for making a spectacular show of spirituality. He would prefer to go along the path which was followed by the simple and humble saints of the world. Not that he was unwilling to meet and deliver discourses to a large number of people, but he would have such meetings attended by those who had real aspiration for God, those who were true seekers of Truth. Ramdas told him also that he did not believe in any mass transformation such as was thought of by him. That would cause only a momentary wave of enthusiasm about God, which would disappear as soon as they left the atmosphere in which they got this passing experience. In the end Dr. Imich agreed with Ramdas’ view and expressed delight in having met him.

Assurance of No World War

Another day Dr. Imich and his wife came to see Ramdas at the hotel. In the course of the conversation there was a talk about the possibility of a world war over which the Doctor felt great concern. Ramdas assured him in no uncertain terms saying, “There will be no world war; surely there will be no war. You can watch it. What is the date today? Yes, the eleventh of October 1954, at 2.30 p.m. Ramdas has made this statement ‘No World War’.” Dr. Imich and his wife were both surprised and overjoyed at this most emphatic statement. Before leaving, the couple invited us to their quarters for our evening meal.

Accordingly, we went to their flat next day and spent a blissful hour with them. Both husband and wife vied with each other in their loving attention to us. After the meal was over Dr. Imich suggested that we should sit silent for some time in meditation. The lights were put out and we sat in the semi-darkness for a few minutes in silence. After meditation Dr. Imich switched on the television set. The scenes presented in it were not of a very edifying character. So it was soon switched off. While television is a novelty to people in the East, it is very common and popular in the West. From the way in which it is being abused now some westerners themselves have come to regard it as not very congenial for a life of harmony and peace in the home. Truly, it is proving to be a most distracting factor in the domestic life.

Science and Human Happiness

Science will be a blessing to humanity only if all modern scientific inventions are put to use solely for the material and spiritual advancement of man. Real happiness depends on a well-ordered society founded on moral and spiritual values. The radio, television and cinema which have gained a wide popularity all over the world, should not be used, as it is done, for catering to the lower passions of men and women. These inventions can easily be made mediums for disseminating through voice and pictures the right ideals for the achievement of world harmony and peace. Millions of people can be reached through them and taught how man can live with man in a brotherly spirit and how, with love playing a dominating part in human affairs, life can be freed from strifes and conflicts, and how everyone can contribute to the happiness of all human beings inhabiting this earth.

In the same way, to ensure the future of the world and civilisation, the new sources of tremendous power discovered by the latest developments in nuclear science should not be used for destructive purposes, but utilised solely for peaceful ends, such as securing sufficiency in food, clothing and other necessities of life in all parts of the world. Eminent international scientists including the late Prof. Einstein, have themselves issued a declaration recently containing a Weighty warning against the catastrophic consequences to humanity as a whole of a world war in which atomic and other weapons of mass slaughter might be employed.

Thus the inescapable choice before humanity today is between mass destruction of the race and renunciation of war. Ramdas has already given in the earlier pages of this book clear expression to his conviction that the united will of mankind aspires for peace and happiness and that God who is residing in the hearts of all human beings will not allow them to court disaster and commit suicide through another world war.

Modern scientific advancement has also created for mankind many other problems of a minor character, One of them is the right use of the leisure that could be gained through the adoption of labour-saving appliances in agriculture, industry, house-building and other fields of work. The solution of all such questions centres round the unmistakable recognition of the supremacy of moral and spiritual values in life and the realization of the eternal verities as the summum bonum of human life. That is the only way how the world can be built up on the sure foundations of lasting peace and goodwill and how exploitation, discord and war can be banished once for all from the face of the earth. Verily, happiness can come to man only when all human initiative, skill and effort are harnessed and turned to account for the attainment of this sublime goal.

“If Ramdas had Two More Eyes...”

One day a lady visitor, Miss Rose Annenberg, offered to take us out for sight-seeing. She took us first to the St. John’s Cathedral. Although its upper structure was not completed, the interior, the aisles, porches and the shrine exhibited the sculptural skill of the master builders. They also testified to the holiness of the heart which designed the imposing edifice clothing it at once with beauty and sanctity. We saw in the cathedral also various relics preserved in memory of Christian saints. The visit made a deep impression on our minds.

On the way Miss Rose Annenberg wanted Ramdas to see the many buildings on either side of the road. It was all too fast and hard for Ramdas to be turning his head right and left and right. He observed, “If Ramdas had two eyes at the back also, he could have seen the buildings on either side of the road, without turning his head this way or that way.” The lady simply laughed.

Another day we went to see a ten-storeyed building containing on all the floors a variety of goods for sale. This business emporium of MACY’s was so well organised that it can provide a person with whatever he wants. There were in it numerous departments of stores of every conceivable article of human use. It was a wonderful store. The brilliantly lit stalls with the hum of thousands of people going about for buying their requirements was a rare sight. God through His human forms can indeed produce marvellous things witnessing which He Himself is struck with awe and surprise! He is at once the doer and the witness.

There is in Cohasset, near Boston, a well-known spiritual institution called the Vedanta Centre, founded by Swami Paramananda, a disciple of Swami Vivekananda. Of this Ashram Srimati Gayatri Devi, a niece in early life of the late Swamiji, is the present President. At the suggestion of our friend Dr. Gunter Zuhlsdorf in Frankfurt, we had planned to pay a visit to this institution and have the darshan of Gayatri Devi. But owing to Ramdas’ slight indisposition the trip to Cohasset was cancelled. When we informed Gayatri Devi on the phone about the cancellation, she expressed a wish that we should not fail to visit their Ashram at Los Angeles. This we agreed to do.

“To Soften Impact of Materialism”

Dr. Paul Brunton is a well-known friend of ours. He had visited our Ashram many years ago when he was in India. He was now in California. He had however asked some of his friends in New York to meet Ramdas. One day two young men came into our room in the hotel and introduced themselves as Dr. Brunton’s friends. Ramdas had a few minutes’ talk with them. Soon after they left, the hotel waiter delivered a parcel in our room. It contained an air cushion and a pair of white soft-soled shoes with a note from these friends, with the interesting remark, “To help soften the impact of this materialistic country.” Ramdas immediately put on those shoes. The soles were so soft that his feet sank into them and he could not help exclaiming, “Ramdas feels like dancing with these on.”