1937-Hermit-In-The-Himalayas-By

DEDICATION This Journal of a Lonely Exile IS offered, with deep gratitude and affection, to the few Friends-scattered In different lands who remain one In Loyalty. CONTENTS CHAPTER I. The Philosophy of Friendship--On Pony-Back in the Himala- yas-My Bunga!ow on a Mountain-top . 11. Projected Expedition to Mount Kailas in Tibet-Magnificence of the Snowy Mountain Scenery-I discover "The Sanctuary." . 111. A Meditation on British Rule in India and on Political Strife- Necessity of Spiritualizing Politics-The Control of Thoughts-A Secret of Concentration . IV. My Quest of Inner Stillness-The Remembrance of Former Births--A Buddhist Method of Tapping Pre-Natal Memory -Nature's Purpose with Mankind-On Unity with Nature. V. Unexpected Visit by Two Yogis-Pilgrims and Shrines in the Himalayas-Power out of Stillness . VI. A Cross-Section through my Mail-A Wou!d-be Suicide and my Answer-Telepathic Aid to Students . VII. Reflections upon the Future of Tibet-Sir Francis Young- husband's Experiences-Destiny of Orient and Occident. VIII. A Correspondent decries my Retreat from the World-The Virtues of Idleness and Solitude-My Religion-The New TestamentiJesus and his Critics . IX. Storm Precursors of the Monsoon-My Animal Visitors The Question of Clothes . X. Another Visit by a Yogi-His Adventurous Journey from Kashmir to Mount Kailas-His Wanderings in Western TibetHow his Master lived Naked amid the Snow- Explanations of the Feat . XI. On Philosophy and Fun-Reflections on R9r. Charles Chaplin -His Silent Art and Genius-The Necessity of Modernising Yoga-The Inadvisability of Asceticism-Some Truths about Sex and Yoga . XII. A Sacred influx in the StillneseMountain Cliillbiilg Expedi- tions and their Significance . XIII. An Encounter with a Panther-The Problem of Nature's Cruelty . XIV. A Visit of a Nepalese Prince-A Queer Experience with a Fakir and a Spirit-We Explore A Beautiful River Valley -An Adventure with a Mad Elephant-Buddhism in Nepal -Krishna and Buddha Compared . XV. My Nightly Vigils in the Open-Reflections on the Stars- The Truth about Astro!ogy-The Mystery of Sirius-Are the Planets Peopled?-The Symbolism of the Sun-The Deodar- tree Speaks--Farewell to my Bungalow . XVI. I set out again on Horseback-Gorgeous Panorama in Tehri State-My Journey along the Ridge Tops and Mountain Trails-Through the Fol.ests in the Darkness-I Arrive at Pratapnagar . XVII. The Snowy Giants of Himalaya-An Attack by a Bear . XVIII. The Delights of Tea-Drinking-How the Monsoon Storms Break out . Epilogue .. FOREWORD PRIXCE MUSSOQREE SIIUM SHERE JUNG BAHADUR RANA of NEPAL It affords me much pleasure to write these intro- dzlctory words to this, the latest of my friend Paul Brunton's books. The scene is set amid the long and famous range of mountains which separates India from Central Asia. The ridges and peaks which the author describes, as he saw thent in Tehri State, are but a continuation of 7ny own beloved Nepalese Himalayas. Born as I was in these mountains I have a strong affection for the Himalayas and the momenta spent reading about thent in Brunton's original and attractive prose have been happy ones. Only tl~oscwlto have been reared among the f orest-clotl~edranges and snow-clad heights of Hima- laya udl 'know that he has not over-praised them Gut done them simple justice. They must remain the most stupen.dou,s sight in all Asia, nay in all the world. Prior to leaving t1z.e mountai~zsthe author visited me for a few days and during his stay showed nze the nzanuscript of "AHermit in the HintaJayas." It was then only that I discovered therein a few pages de- voted to my own sudden visit to his retreat, when I crossed the ridges on horse back t hrouglz friendship for o.ne tohorn I regard as a spiritual prophet of our time. Had I known that his retentive memory was making silent and secret notes of all that I said, I might have been a little more careful in rtty utter- ances ! For I did not know that he was keeping a journal in which he recorded some of the thoughts, events and conversations at odd interva?~.Fortu- nately I can trust his discretion n,ot to publish nzatters which are not the public's concern. This new book, being but a journal, is lo ntc m~re interesting than a studiousll~composed work, for it necessarily bears an air of intinxacy and franlcness which can usually be found in diaries and journals alone. It admits one into the most secret thoughts of the gifted writer. He told me that when he looked through the pages before showing thena to me, he found them to be " horribly egotistical," and fclt inclined to consign them to burial under the nzou?z- tains where they were written,. But I assured him that egotism is an essential part of every memoir, and that these memoirs of his life in the Hin~nla?~ascan- not escape from a quality which gives added interest and attraction to literature, even though it may be repulsive in society. FOREWORD 7 Dusbkg the sojourn which is the subject of this book, Paul Brmton was, I believe, the only white man living in the little-known State of Tehri. Cer- tainly, few Ez~ropeans tuould care to go and isolate them,selvcs amid wild and rugged mou?ttains f&r from the haunts of civilized society, as he has done. Nevertheless I feel sure that he gained his reward for even during the short period when I was his compa- nion I ntust sag that the days seented nzarvellous : One was wafted away from all the awful realities of humdrum life to a world of dreams, peace and spirituality. 07% this last theme it seems to me that his ideas in general, as expressed here and in other books, are special13 fitted for the guidance of Western people and of those increasingly numerous Orientals who have taken to their naode of living and thinking. I personally find it easier to understand nzalty intricate sz~bt2etiesof our ozun Asiatic philosophies and spiritual techniques, irtclwcling Yoga, when explained by Brunton in hais scientific, rational, modern and un- sectaria?t n2an.ner than when expounded in the ancient wa,gs, which arc so rcnaote front twentieth century understandin.g. One co?rzcs across many passages in the scriptures oj most religions uhers mention is made of thc Spirit spca1;ing in different ~uays,through different tongues and different men. I anz convinced that Brunton is one of the chosen instruments to re-interpret the half- lost wisdom of the East to those caught up in the mcchanical life of the West, and thus serve His cause. 8 FOREWORD A book like this is intended jor those who have either sympathy or yearning for the inner lije of the Spirit. I can gauge the profound ignorance of the reviewer who, in a certain European-managed news- paper of Calcutta, denounced the out hor's earlier work " A Search in Secret India " as false, denied the exist- ence of any spirituality in India, and finally ridiculed the author's competency lo conduct these researches. All the best Indian journals and lenders of opinion have, nevertheless, given the highest praise to that book, thereby bringing out in contrast the lack of understanding and experience betrayed by the Western-born reviewer of the country in whose midst he lived. His opinion was as much worth accepting as that of an uneducated pugilist on a priceless Chinese vase of the Ming dynasty. I can personally testify that there are not onlv the Yogis in India as described in Emntcn's book, that is, men of supernormal attain?nents, marvellous powers and lofty spirituality, but others equally unusual whom he has not mentioned. Yet the average European and Western-educated Indian look with, indifference, scorn and contempt ~ponhis atatements-thus proving that they Ilave not been initiated into the world's most valuable knowledge and Aaia's ntost treasured secret tradilion. As a Nepalese, belonging to a people who have rigidly maintained their land in absolute indepcn,dence and proud exclusiveness, I can also testify that these ancient traditions of a mystic wisdom have been pre- served in the mountain fastnesses of Nepal far better than even in India itself. But those only who seek as earnestly as the author can hope to penetrate into ihe society and secrets of the true Sages of Asia. His Calcutta critic would be beneath notice were it not that equally unfair prejudices constantly manifest thenzselves.. Thus I have lzeard Eui-opeans describe ltis Egyptian researches and Great Pyramid spirit- experience as " a mere journalislic stunt !" Once again they betray ignorance. Eitltcr they hnve never nzct Paul Brunton, or if they have, they were not per- mitted to sIlare his inner life as I have shared it. Those who really knozo hi~n--adifficult nznttcr, I ?nust adnzit-know that his sincerity is zit1 qucslionable and that his material sacrifices lor the sake of discoveritzg the elusive trulh behind life hnve becn great. Few really lcnozu him, and nzisunclcrstanding scc?/zs to be ,lzis ordained and accepted lot. I am glad to have the opporlunity of rendering ,7111~friend the little service of writing thk inlroduc- tion. Mag the much-needed lnessage whose inner light flickers through the following pages bear the blessing of the hidden Sogcs of the Holy Himalayas ! GOOD-BYE ! Good-bye, proud world 1 I'm going home ; Thou art not my friend, and I'm not thine.

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