Part 62 (1/2)
Overco As I tried to pursue him, I discovered that my feet were firave lance He raised his hand by way of benediction and walked away, ly
After a few minutes my feet were free I sat down and went into a deepwith Babaji My whole body seeh the touch of the ancient, ever-youthfuldesire to behold him
Until now, I have never recounted to anyone this story ofit as the most sacred of my huht occurred to raphy may be more inclined to believe in the reality of the secluded Babaji and his world interests if I relate that I saw him with my own eyes I have helped an artist to draw a true picture of the great Yogi-Christ of modern India; it appears in this book
The eve of my departure for the United States found et you were born a Hindu, and don't be an American Take the best of them both,” Master said in his calm way of wisdom ”Be your true self, a child of God Seek and incorporate into your being the best qualities of all your brothers, scattered over the earth in various races”
Then he blessedGod, will be helped As you look at the froe theirthem more God-conscious”
He went on, ”Your lot to attract sincere souls is very good
Everywhere you go, even in a wilderness, you will find friends”
Both of his blessings have been amply demonstrated I cale friend, but there I found thousands ready to receive the tiust, 1920, on THE CITY OF SPARTA, the first passenger boat sailing for America after the close of World War I I had been able to book passage only after the removal, in ways fairly miraculous, ofof e a fellow passenger found out that I was the Indian delegate to the Boston congress
”Swaananda,” he said, with the first of many quaint pronunciations by which I was later to hear ers with a lecture next Thursday night I think ould all benefit by a talk on 'The Battle of Life and How to Fight It'”
Alas! I had to fight the battle ofto organize lish, I finally abandoned all preparations;a saddle, refused any cooperation with the laws of English gra in Master's past assurances, however, I appeared before my Thursday audience in the saloon of the steamer No eloquence rose to e After an endurance contest lasting ten an to laugh
[Illustration: I stand on the dais before one of a students was held in Washi+ngton, DC--see dcjpg]
The situation was not funny to nantly I sent a silent prayer to Master
”You CAN! Speak!” His voice sounded instantly within hts fell at once into a friendly relation with the English language Forty-five minutes later the audience was still attentive
The talk won roups in America
I never could remember, afterward, a word that I had spoken By discreet inquiry I learned fro lecture in stirring and correct English” At this delightful news I hu anew that he was ever with ht all barriers of ti the remainder of the ocean trip, I experienced a few apprehensive twinges about the coress
”Lord,” I prayed, ”please let hter-bombs of the audience!”
THE CITY OF SPARTA docked near Boston in late Septeress with hed in relief The nanimous secretary of the A coress proceedings:
”Swaate froreetings of his association to the Congress
In fluent English and a forcible delivery he gave an address of a philosophical character on 'The Science of Religion,' which has been printed in paion, he maintained, is universal and it is one We cannot possibly universalize particular custoion can be universalized, and we can ask all alike to follow and obey it”
Due to Father's generous check, I was able to reress was over Four happy years were spent in huht classes, and wrote a book of poems, SONGS OF THE SOUL, with a preface by Dr Frederick B Robinson, president of the College of the City of New York {FN37-5}