D.C. Area-Virginia

The plane reached Dulles Airport in Virginia, just outside Washington, D.C., at about 3 p.m. on the 19^th. Mr T.S. Khanna and Mr Reno Sirrine, the Master’s American Co-Representatives, received the Master warmly with garlands and escorted Him to the waiting crowd, where Yogi Bhajan and his party were singing devotional hymns. Almost a thousand dear ones who had come from all over the United States and Canada were waiting to have a glimpse of Him. For the vast majority, it was the first time they had ever seen Him.

Immediately on arrival at the residence of Mr Khanna, where He stayed for the first thirteen days of His stay in America, people started coming in to have Darshan and talk with the Master.

He very lovingly met with each one who came, and asked about their welfare both spiritual and mundane. That evening, the Master addressed a very large gathering of about a thousand persons, packed in to the big Vienna Community Center, Vienna., Va., and told them that He was happy to be here once again.

He reminded them that, side by side with their worldly responsibilities, they must be fully devoted to their meditations and be very strict to find out their shortcomings to be removed gradually. He said further that God is Love, and the way back to Him is also through Love, and emphasised that each one should inculcate the good habit of loving all as has been advocated by the Masters Who came in the past. He concluded by saying that He had come to the U.S. as part of the Divine Plan, and He would be very glad to meet each one individually before He left.

The following morning, 20^th September, the first meditation sitting of the American tour was held in the American Legion Hall, Fairfax, Va., which was full to capacity. The Master gave complete instructions for meditating properly, and out of about 850 persons sitting, all but three had experiences of one degree or another.

Immediately after the sitting, all of the group leaders present met with the Master in an adjoining hall. Welcoming the Master, Mr Reno Sirrine thanked the Master for the wonderful demonstration of His Power that had just been experienced by everyone. He and Mr T.S. Khanna invited suggestions from the group leaders regarding arrangements for the tour, so that the maximum number of persons could benefit. It was agreed that there would be no changes in the previously published schedule throughout the United States and Canada, as it would involve too many difficulties. This was adhered to generally; an exception was made for Yale University, New Haven, Conn., which extended an official invitation to the Master for 12^th October, which was accepted.

The Master gave a brief talk in which He emphasized that, while His last tour had been largely for social and political bodies, this tour was meant to strengthen the initiates: to cement the foundations of Love between one another and to give a boost to their meditations. He said that group leaders, who are required to shoulder much responsibility in their areas, should consider themselves fortunate for this rare opportunity, and put in more efforts with Love, devotion and humility. He said that they should remain respectful towards the point of view of others, and in cases where His advice was needed, He would be glad to give it. He advised that the leaders should not only read the Holy Books, but should digest the teachings and live up to them.

Mrs Khanna requested the Master to cut two big cakes which she had had prepared – baked by Mrs Helen McDaniel – and distribute them as Parshad, which He did, to the joy of all present.

That afternoon the Master again gave Darshan and answered questions at the American Legion Hall, and that evening He gave a discourse at the American University, Washington, D.C., which was attended by many students as well as the initiates. The large lecture hall at the University was full to capacity, and many people sat on the floor in front and in the aisles, and others stood in the rear, as all the seats were taken. The Master spoke for an hour and a half, and then answered a number of questions.

Those first thirteen days in America were a really magic time for the dear ones, many of whom had come from a great distance and undergone considerable difficulty in order to be there. The Master was very pleased to see His dear children, and gave abundantly of Himself for their sake. Morning meditations at 9, and afternoon darshan sessions at 4, were held daily at the American Legion Hall in Fairfax; evening lectures were given at George Mason University, Fairfax; George Washington University, Howard University, and the All Souls’ Unitarian Church, Washington; and Oakton High School, Oakton, Va. In addition, Master saw many dear ones individually and in small groups, sometimes after the talks, sometimes at Mr Khanna’s house, where indeed He was up to 1 a.m. most nights, dealing with the difficulties of His children.¹

The Master was interviewed on television on the morning of 22^nd September for about twenty minutes. He was asked how peace in the world could be brought about, and replied that it was possible if we rise above ‘isms’ and if the kings, presidents, and governments rise above their countries and have sympathy with all mankind. The program was in colour, and the sight of the Master sitting on the dais as the camera moved in was beautiful indeed, and appreciated by the initiates watching in their motel rooms or at the American Legion Hall.

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Footnote: 1) See the pictorial essay, ‘The first few Days,’ Sat Sandesh, October 1972.