Malfuzat – Volume II — Page 36
36 Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad humans fly. Now there can be no doubt that we will be reluctant in believing this because we have neither seen humans flying, nor have we taken flight ourselves. Therefore, in order to increase the strength of our faith and cer- tainty, matters of hearsay are of no benefit. On the contrary, new and fresh observations that we witness before our eyes, and even more so, things that we experience personally, do have an effect. So, the reason I ask this ques- tion is so that you will kindly tell me something of the nature that I just mentioned, which you have observed or heard personally from those who engage in this meditative exercise. Ascetic: Our spiritual leader (guru) did possess certain qualities whereby he could discern the thoughts of others, and when he said something, it would occur. His guru also possessed many such qualities, but I have not seen him. But it is one and the same, because our guru’s teacher passed away some eighty years ago, and those who saw him are still alive. Promised Messiah as : Have you also performed meditative exercises? Ascetic: Yes, I have also undertaken such exercises. Promised Messiah as : What have you done exactly? Ascetic: Initially, I would engage in retreats. A single retreat lasts for eight months. Promised Messiah as : What would you eat during that time? Ascetic: In the beginning, I would have rice flour. Then, I began having nothing but porridge—I would boil barley in water and when the mixture would be reduced to half a vessel, I would then keep it aside. The next morning I would have about a litre of that porridge and urinate immediately thereafter. Then, I would eat nothing. Promised Messiah as : This did not contain iron etc. , did it? Ascetic: No. Promised Messiah as : During this period of spiritual exercise and meditation, did you witness any astonishing or remarkable sights or visions? Ascetic: Yes, at times I would see a light that would enter my body. Then, I would also see people coming and going from afar. After this, there were a few minutes of silence, which was finally broken by the