Yoga with Tilak Pyle

This is one of my favorite stories about Sufi Sam (Murshid Samuel A. Miller/ Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti), from the book In the Garden. It’s an account of someone coming to him for initiation.

Initiation

“As I approached the Montorgarten (Murshid’s center) my stomach started to flip flop and I got cold shills, along with the shakes. As I entered the hall I felt something missing, for there were not any trumpets, nor even any music. Wali Ali, his secretary, came in and asked me what I wanted. To my own surprise I explained that I had come to receive bayat (initiation). He said to wait a minute, because Murshid was taking a nap, and he would have to wake him. I told myself that this surely couldn’t be true: Murshid napping before an initiation? He was probably meditating in order to contact the Hierarchy. Somewhat perplexed, I waited until Murshid walked into the room, or should I say sleep-walked into the room. He was attired in a v-neck t-shirt, a pair of stained khaki pants, one sock on and one sock half off. He asked my purpose in coming and I explained. Upon hearing this, he called Wali Ali and began immediately. I felt like saying, “But where is the incense, the music, the robes?,” but totally annihilated, I stood there. Murshid was about three-fourths through when he told me to drink from this cup. But there wasn’t a cup! He asked Wali Ali to get one while we waited. Wali Ali was right back with the cup, but there wasn’t anything in it. Murshid said it was all right, just fake it and act as if you’re drinking from it. When the initiation was over he asked me if I wanted to watch Perry Mason with him while he peeled potatoes. Stunned, I could only say yes. During Perry Mason all he did was peel potatoes and give me penetrating glances out of the corner of his eye. When this was over I got up and left, somewhat dismayed. After a time I realized that this was the most paramount of experiences in my life.”

-Fazul