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A Hollywood producer who happened to be staying at the same hotel in Geneva read of Gurudev in the local papers. Seeing his picture, he was aware of a sense of magnetism in him. One morning he sought out Gurudev's secretary, Shantilal, and invited him to take tea in his room. He elaborated a plan he had to promote Gurudev in America. He explained that he could arrange a nationwide speaking tour. He was willing to split the financial returns fifty-fifty with the Master.
Shantilal listened politely, then asked, “Why do you want to undertake this project?” The producer replied, “It is a sound business venture. This is my line, to produce and promote films, and I want to try my skill with an Indian holy man. When I saw your Master's picture and met him briefly, I was convinced that this would work.”
Shantilal thanked him quietly, and explained gently, “I do not like to discourage you but this Master is not the kind of man who would be interested in such a plan. He has no desire for wealth or fame. He has come to the West only to help people from all parts of the world to understand one another better and to realize their purpose in life. The thought of commercial success does not enter his mind.”
The producer was disappointed, but saw clearly that there was no point in attempting to persuade Shantilal to reconsider. The two men parted with a feeling of friendship and goodwill, each a bit wiser, though in different ways. Later, Shantilal realized that he had answered for Gurudev without even thinking to consult him about the idea. When he told Gurudev about it, Gurudev smiled and told him, “Congratulations! You have done just the right thing. He does not understand what is right, but does only what will sell. You handled the man's feeling with patience and sensitivity."
To the spiritual person, it makes little difference whether one meditates in a church, mosque, temple, or out in the open air. Before the final day, all of the Conference delegates assembled in the ancient Cathedral of St. Peters. After some silence, he who opened the Conference with the Navkāra Mantra closed the day of prayer by chanting some verses of 'Bhaktāmar,
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