December 7, 1978, to Shamcher

In which Moineddin labels Shamcher communication about Hazrat Inayat Khan’s last days Pralaya.

 

December 7, 1978

Dear Shamcher,

Thank you for your letter of December 2. Yes, we go through many faces in life. We go through many phases in life. The process you describe when words, teachings, grades, even personalities tend to dissolve into finer and finer stages of Spirit, is perhaps a reflection in miniature of what the Hindus call the Pralaya [Pralaya, in Hindu cosmology, is an aeonic term which specifies different periods of time during which non activity situation persists, as per different formats or contexts. Wikipedia]. It may be that the personality undergoing this change in realization and outlook is aware through some avenue of his unison with the Pralaya.

It may also be that Inayat Khan entered a kind of Pralaya state as he neared death; it may be that this Pralaya state is related to what is called Paranirvana. Yet, in my limited studies concerning the passing of great Souls, I find there is a tremendous effort put forth to congeal all that one has realized through life into that Soul’s “last words.” Certainly, the last words of Lord Buddha would suffice for all peoples of all stages. He would satisfy you by his, “All component things must ultimately dissolve.” He would also satisfy the inner longing of all sentient beings by his, “Seek thy salvation with diligence.”

I do not know what Inayat Khan’s last words were. The last words of Nyogen Senzaki were: “Friends in Dhamma, be satisfied with your own heads. Do not put on any false heads above your own. Then minute after minute watch your steps closely. These are my last words to you.”

Anyhow, from the Praylaya view, you must have been present at our November bash in spirit even though your body may have been occupied elsewhere.

I would agree, Shamcher, that I feel more prepared to meet death as time goes on—though Allah knows best. I too must renounce any personal wish in the matter, and pay close attention to the pains and needs of the mureedship with which I have been entrusted. God knows, the most effective means of forgetting one’s self comes when a mureed has a pain or need. So in this sense one has many more fanas to go through before one may realize in more permanent fashion the baka that leaves no room for the small self.

As always, your words are like a gentle massage to the aching muscles of one’s spirit.

May your work be accomplished!

Moineddin

cc:Wali Ali

     Mansur