Kirpal Ashram/Burlington

This Ashram, the oldest in the Western world, is situated 12 miles from Montpelier, Vt., in the town of Calais. The Ashram building is situated in a thick jungle, approachable by road, on the bank of a small stream. It is a very calm and quiet place. A few devotees reside there and there is a daily program for meditation and Satsang, as there is at Sant Bani. Some people do visit the Ashram and spend a few days in solitude and derive benefit from its radiated and charged atmosphere.

The Master was provided with a very simple bed made out of wooden logs. Instead of chairs, big wooden logs were found in the rooms for sitting accommodations. The rooms were lit by candlelight, and heating arrangement was of olden times: burning wood in stoves.

Many dear ones were given accommodations in the Ashram itself; others were placed in a house nearby; in addition, a very big tent was pitched in the open field to provide sleeping space. Food, prepared by the organizers in a most loving manner, was served to all. It was very cold; but the Master’s children did not mind, as long as they could be with Him.

The following morning, 21^st October many more people arrived. The Master put the people in meditation in the tent and then gave a short talk.

At 1 p.m. the Master left for Burlington, forty miles away, where He had been invited by the University of Vermont to be the guest of the Dept. of Religion for two days. Immediately on arrival at the University, the Master was received and welcomed by them; following which, He gave a short talk. He was then taken to the East O’Lake Hotel, where He stayed for the duration of the time in Vermont.

The Master gave a series of lectures in various halls of the University, which were exceptionally well attended by the students: The halls were so filled that the initiates present were asked to give the students first chance at the front seats, etc., so that they would have an opportunity to see and hear Him at close quarters. In addition to the lectures, the Master saw many students and others, in small groups and individually, at His hotel room. At one of these sessions, two priests, who had read the book ‘Naam or Word,’ came to see Him. They had greatly appreciated the book, and asked the Master searching questions on the nature of Inner Experience.

Among the others present at this time, a student said that his parents refused to give him permission to get initiated. The Master said that he should be more obedient and loving, and they would come round. But the boy said that no matter what he did, they remained adamantly opposed. Finally, the Master looked him right in the eye and said,

Look here it is a question between you and God, not you and your parents.

The Religion faculty, accompanied by many students, also visited Master in His hotel room, and asked many questions.

One of them wanted to know if the American disciples were having difficulty in their meditation. The Master said that he should ask them and find out.

He also told them that His work was purely spiritual, and cultural and social problems would take care of themselves if the Spiritual Work was done first. He also explained to them the reasons behind the vegetarian diet. One of the professors commented on how much they appreciated the Master’s presence, and invited Him to visit the University again.

The climax of the two days in Vermont came on 22^nd October, when the Master initiated 74 persons, the great majority University students, into the science of Surat Shabd Yoga. It was announced that Satsang would be held regularly at the University.