On the 10th of September, 1926, Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan met with a small group of chosen students in what he called a ‘Collective Interview.’ It was the last such meeting of the months-long Summer School, and Hazrat Inayat Khan knew he would soon be leaving the West, and quite likely suspected that he would not return. Therefore there was a certain poignancy in the Master’s words, for he was tacitly saying goodbye, and entrusting to these mureeds the work of the Message. Essentially, his comments stressed the quality of devotion, of the value of holding their Murshid in their hearts, and emphasised that even when separated, their Murshid would be with them.

In the conversation that followed, one person asked if more ‘intellectual’ people would come in to the Movement, and it seems to have been a sore point for Hazrat Inayat. In a long answer, he underlined again the need to remain centred in the heart, (“Krishna said that I am in the heart of my devotees. I wonder why he did not say that I am in the heads of my students.“) and gave examples of the strange theories that some people had advanced to him as ‘intellectuality,’ such as esoteric centers in the Himalayas and Kashmir, mahatmas, fifth-, sixth- and seventh-root races, and occult powers of various kinds. After he concluded this lengthy response, the following question was made.

Q.: I know a person who studies all the masters. She see them at night, and when she wakes in the morning. They seem to tell her if you ever see any Sufis, go to them.

A.: Of course, that master must be very kind to us, we ought to respect that master very much, it is simply wonderful.

One day a man came to me. He was very humble and gentle and kind. He said, Murshid, you are so very kind, I am so grateful to you. I am so inspired by all you have given. I have only one prayer now. Perhaps by your blessing it will granted, and it is that one day I will see the master.

I said, certainly, amen.