Welcome to the November 16th, 2020 issue of The Shamcher Bulletin. With this temporarily intermittent publishing schedule, you may never know when these excerpts from the archives of Shamcher Bryn Beorse will appear in your inbox! If this was forwarded to you and you haven’t subscribed yet, you can do it here:

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Murshid SAM and Shamcher (*photo by Mansur Johnson)*

This is not the age of Avatars

In this letter to his dear friend Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisty (Murshid SAM), Shamcher outlines several basic ideas on spiritual life in the current age. Unimpressed when he met Meher Baba, he was no doubt surprised to see his image at the Dalai Lama’s camp. Shamcher was aware of the history of Sufism Reoriented, and the experience of Murshid SAM in this. He also had heard Meher Baba speaking at a time when he was supposedly keeping total silence.

His idea around “shaking the world”can perhaps open to inner understandings. He seems to be referring to a world tree, which when shaken, bestows gifts and events. This paragraph offers thoughts for contemplation.

12-27-67
My dear Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisty,

Yes, the avatar business runs so parallel in our minds as so many other things. At the camp of the Dalai Lama in Mussoree in the Himalayas there was a picture of Meher Baba, and the Indian police man in charge of the Dalai Lama explained to me that a lady representing Meher Baba had put it up (the lady was not received by the Dalai Lama) and asked me if I felt anything because, he said, “one is supposed to feel it when one is near an Avatar” so, by a succession of short statements and answers we came very close and at last to the fact that “This age is not the age of Avatars.”

And so, dear Sam, with most things, we think and feel along kindred lines, so please do not ever jump into an antagonism for it is always due to either lack of clarity on my part or on yours. You wrote me under title “MURSHID”, for the second time and I have to wiggle out of any such accusation. You have all the right to use any title on yourself and I acknowledge them all with pleasure. But just as you usually call yourself Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisty, which is your proper name, inscribed in heaven — so I am called Shamcher and nothing else, and just as you usually do not call yourself Murshid so you must give me that same right not to be called that or any other title.

No no, I did not say you were shaking the world, neither that I was “trying” or not trying. I am not trying anything. I am just shaking it for that is so written, and by shaking it, ripe plums , among other things, drop into your lap, and there are many other consequences. The one who shakes the world does not try or do anything of his own purpose. It was told me long ago and I forgot it — until it happens, but how does it happen? Of course I do not know. But don’t worry about that, just be respectful and never, never give me any title, just as I am respectful of you and give you only the titles you put in my mouth to use.

Incidentally, in your later letters there has been some indications that you know what a murshid is. Most people under this title do not know. This, again, does not matter. But remember that everything and everything that you do and think is clearly recorded and can be read, so do not write or talk about not being recognized. You are, by any and all who can read. The others matter no more than the silent rocks. Never try to disappoint me, for I know before you write — know truth, and all the spirits know you, whether in Asia or in Europe or America, in fact there is no Asia, Europe or America.

There is also something else about this age: It needs no howling and wailing as Mohammed and Rumi and many others did at another age. It does not become this age.

Shamcher

New Age

And in a further letter to SAM, he expanded on the idea about the “howling and wailing”. This is advice we can take to heart.

Rumi, that great poet and mystic, quite often fell to unnecessary criticism and wailing over the state of the world and most prophets did. We, at this unique age, could rise above that and thus come even closer to GOD and Allah and dance around in this splendid atmosphere until we, also, become outlived as useful and give room for others. The young, as you say, which of course does not mean young in earthly years but in spirit, outlook. I am the youngest, almost too young. You come next.

At a meeting of Sufis, someone asked Shamcher, “What do you think of the New Age?” and he replied pointedly, “It may be new to you.”

We plan to be back on the weekly schedule before the new year.

The Shamcher Bulletin features selections from the Archives of Shamcher Bryn Beorse, and memories of those who knew him. Find previous issues HERE. Thanks for responding, sharing, and subscribing. If you have Shamcher stories, photos or correspondence to share, just reply to this email. Comments and corrections welcome.

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The Shamcher Bulletin is edited by Carol Sill, whose newsletter, Personal Papers, is HERE.

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