Recollections Of Paul Brunton's First Visit To Sri Ramanasramam

[Guest guest]

The following article was first published in the September 1931 monthly

magazine called PEACE, the journal of Swami Omkar's Shanti Ashrama in Andhra

Pradesh. It was later reprinted in the April, 1966 issue of the Mountain

Path.

 

It describes Paul Brunton's first visit to Sri Ramanasramam and one of the

dialogues he had with the Maharshi. In this article, his former name " Hurst "

was used. He later adopted Paul Brunton as his pen name which he ultimately

made his permanent name.

 

IT WAS half past four in the afternoon and the disciples were sitting before

the Maharshi in the hall and were talking about a notification that had

appeared in the dailies [newspapers] to the effect that a Mr. Hurst and a

Buddhist Bhikshu were intending to visit the Ashrama. The clock struck five

and there entered the hall a man in European costume, bearing a plate of

sweets and followed by a Buddhist monk. The visitors offered the sweets to

the Maharshi and then, after making obeisance in the Eastern way, they both

squatted on the floor before him. These were the visitors of whom the

disciples had been talking. The man in English clothes was R. Raphael Hurst

[Paul Brunton], a London journalist who was then on a visit to India. He was

keenly interested in the spiritual teaching of the East and thought that by

an intelligent study and appreciation of it the cause of cooperation between

East and West might be greatly promoted. He came to Sri Ramanasramam after

visiting many other ashramas. The Bhikshu who came with him was also an

Englishman by birth. He was formerly a military officer but was known as

Swami Prajnananda. He was the founder of the English Ashrama in Rangoon.

Both visitors sat spellbound before Maharshi and there was pin-drop silence.

The silence was broken by the person who had brought the visitors, asking

them if they would like to ask any questions.

 

They were, however, not in a mood to do so, and thus an hour and a half

passed. Mr. Hurst then stated the purpose of his visit. In a voice of

intense earnestness he said that he had come to India for spiritual

enlightenment. " Not only myself, " he added, " but many others also in the

West are longing for the Light from the East.''

 

The Maharshi sat completely indrawn and paid no attention. One of those who

were sitting there asked them if they had come to the East for a study of

comparative religions. " No, " the Bhikshu replied, " we could get that better

in Europe. We want to find Truth; we want the Light. Can we know Truth? Is

it possible to get Enlightenment? " The Maharshi still remained silent and

indrawn, and as the visitors wanted to take a walk, the conversation ended

and all dispersed.

 

 

Early next morning the visitors entered the hall and put some questions to

the Maharshi with great earnestness. The conversation reproduced below is

from rough notes taken while it was going on.

 

Bhikshu: We have travelled far and wide in search of Enlightenment. How can

we get it?

Maharshi: Through deep enquiry and confident meditation.

 

Hurst: Many people do meditate in the West but show no signs of progress.

Maharshi: How do you know that they don't make progress? Spiritual progress

is not easily discernible.

 

Hurst: A few years ago I got some glimpses of the Bliss but in the years

that followed I lost it again. Then last year I again got it. Why is that?

Maharshi: You lost it because your meditation had not become natural

(sahaja). When you become habitually inturned the enjoyment of spiritual

beatitude becomes a normal experience.

 

Hurst: Might it be due to the lack of a Guru?

Maharshi: Yes, but the Guru is within; that Guru who is within is identical

with your Self.

 

Hurst: What is the way to God-realization?

Maharshi: Vichara, asking yourself the 'Who am I?' enquiry into the nature

of your Self.

 

Bhikshu: The world is in a state of degeneration. It is getting constantly

worse, spiritually, morally, intellectually and in every way. Will a

spiritual teacher come to save it from chaos?

Maharshi: Inevitably, when goodness declines and wrong prevails He comes to

reinstate goodness. The world is neither too good nor too bad; it is a

mixture of the two. Unmixed happiness and unmixed sorrow are not found in

the world. The world always needs God and God always comes.

 

Bhikshu: Will He be born in the East or the West?

 

The Maharshi laughed at the question but did not answer it.

 

Hurst: Does the Maharshi know whether an Avatar already exists in the

physical body?

Maharshi: He might.

 

Hurst: What is the best way to attain Godhood?

Maharshi: Self-enquiry leads to Self-realization.

 

Hurst: Is a Guru necessary for spiritual progress?

Maharshi: Yes.

 

Hurst: Is it possible for the Guru to help the disciple forward on the

path?

Maharshi: Yes.

 

Hurst: What are the conditions for discipleship?

Maharshi: Intense desire for Self-realization, earnestness and purity of

mind.

 

Hurst: Is it necessary to surrender one's life to the Guru?

Maharshi: Yes. One should surrender everything to the Dispeller of Darkness.

One should surrender the ego that binds one to this world. Giving up

body-consciousness is the true surrender.

 

Hurst: Does a Guru want to take control of the disciple's worldly affairs

also?

Maharshi: Yes, everything.

 

Hurst: Can he give the disciple the spiritual spark that he needs?

Maharshi: He can give him all that he needs. This can be seen from

experience.

 

Hurst: Is it necessary to be in physical contact with the Guru, and if so,

for how long?

Maharshi: It depends on the maturity of the disciple. Gunpowder catches fire

in an instant, while it takes time to ignite coal.

 

Hurst: Is it possible to develop along the path of the Spirit while leading

a life of work?

Maharshi: There is no conflict between work and wisdom. On the contrary,

selfless work paves the way to Self-knowledge.

 

Hurst: If a person is engaged in work it will leave him little time for

meditation.

Maharshi: It is only spiritual novices who need to set aside a special time

for meditation. A more advanced person always enjoys the Beatitude whether

he is engaged in work or not. While his hands are in society he can keep his

head cool in solitude.

 

Bhikshu: Have you heard of Meher Baba?

Maharshi: Yes.

 

Bhikshu: He says that he will become an Avatar in a few years.

Maharshi: Everyone is an Avatar of God. " The kingdom of heaven is within

you. " Jesus, Mohammed, Buddha, Krishna, all are in you. One who knows the

Truth sees everyone else as a manifestation of God.

 

Bhikshu: Will the Maharshi make a statement about Meher Baba?

Maharshi: What statement? That (the existence of an outer Avatar) is a

question which seekers of Truth need not consider.

 

Bhikshu: Will the world be rejuvenated?

Maharshi: There is One who governs the world and it is His business to look

after it. He who has created the world knows how to guide it also.

 

Bhikshu: Does the world progress now?

Maharshi: If we progress the world progresses. As you are, so is the world.

Without understanding the Self what is the use of understanding the world?

Without Self-knowledge, knowledge of the world is of no use. Dive inward and

find the treasure hidden there. Open your heart and see the world through

the eyes of the true Self. Tear aside the veils and see the divine majesty

of your own Self.

 

Source: http://www.arunachala.org/newsletters/1997/?pg=sep-oct

 

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