Autobiography of a Yogi
will know limitless expansion; he will be in touch with creative
universal currents.”
Dr. Lewis and I halted above the lotus pool near the hermitage.
Below us lay the illimitable Pacific.
“These same waters break equally on the coasts of West and East,
in California and China.” My companion threw a little stone into
the first of the oceanic seventy million square miles. “Encinitas
is a symbolic spot for a world colony.”
“That is true, Doctor. We shall arrange here for many conferences
and Congresses of Religion, inviting delegates from all lands. Flags
of the nations will hang in our halls. Diminutive temples will be
built over the grounds, dedicated to the world’s principal religions.
“As soon as possible,” I went on, “I plan to open a Yoga Institute
here. The blessed role of KRIYA YOGA in the West has hardly more
than just begun. May all men come to know that there is a definite,
scientific technique of self-realization for the overcoming of all
human misery!”
Far into the night my dear friend-the first KRIYA YOGI
in America—discussed with me the need for world colonies founded
on a spiritual basis. The ills attributed to an anthropomorphic
abstraction called “society” may be laid more realistically at the
door of Everyman. Utopia must spring in the private bosom before
it can flower in civic virtue. Man is a soul, not an institution;
his inner reforms alone can lend permanence to outer ones. By stress
on spiritual values, self-realization, a colony exemplifying world
brotherhood is empowered to send inspiring vibrations far beyond
its locale.
August 15, 1945, close of Global War II! End of a world; dawn of
an enigmatic Atomic Age! The hermitage residents gathered in the
main hall for a prayer of thanksgiving. “Heavenly Father, may never
it be again! Thy children go henceforth as brothers!”
Gone was the tension of war years; our spirits purred in the sun
of peace. I gazed happily at each of my American comrades.
“Lord,” I thought gratefully, “Thou hast given this monk a large
family!”
{FN48-1} A small town on Coast Highway 101, Encinitas is 100 miles
south of Los Angeles, and 25 miles north of San Diego.
{FN48-2} I translate here the words of Guru Nanak’s song:
O God beautiful! O God beautiful!
In the forest, Thou art green,
In the mountain, Thou art high,
In the river, Thou art restless,
In the ocean, Thou art grave!
To the serviceful, Thou art service,
To the lover, Thou art love,
To the sorrowful, Thou art sympathy,
To the yogi, Thou art bliss!
O God beautiful! O God beautiful!
At Thy feet, O I do bow!