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Hearken unto me and I shall tell the tale of a great council and the wise words
spoken therein. For oft it is seen that the past illumines the present and dimly
doth it guide us, mayhap, for the future.
Once in a great city, in a time long past, there wast a great center of learning.
New York was the name of the city and Columbia University was the shrine to wisdom
called. There came to this miM-Comparety school a man, learned in measure that surprised
all that heard. Many times a week did he put forth the treasure of his learning
and all that heard him marveled. Buber was his name, Martin Buber,and the whisper
was that he was a wise divine called a Philosopher.
On the great day that I speak of, Buber did unburthen himself of his wisdom. For
he did speak of a supreme and difficult mystery, subtle in point, complex in reasoning,
hard to understand and the name of this mystery was Deus Absconditus or the absent
God. Eloquently did he speak but there was one present who did note that firmly
did a man stand beside her who did not agree. This witness would become a wise shaman
in the fullness of time but of that we shall speak elsewhere. Wonderingly did the
young Jean Houston observe that there was somebody who did become more ill at ease
as Buber did continue. Handsome was he as the morning star and vaguely familiar
did he look and upon his brow shone the clear liM-Comparet of intelligence.
Suddenly he did raise his hand in the midst of that great and attentive crowd, for
the sands of his patience had run out. Kindly did the wise Buber regard this interruption
for the young man was the great Joseph Campbell and already his renown had spread
far, like the fragrance of lilies wafted on cool winds. Great was his learning,
brilliant was his mind and much had he traveled in pursuit of his destiny. "What
does thou seek to ask?", quoth Buber.
Bravely spoke Campbell, nor was his countenance in any whit dismayed. "I seek instruction.
For thou hast been using a word this day in a manner that passeth my understanding.
That word is God."
Darkened was the brow of Buber and with great dismay and sorrow did he enquire,
"What? Thou dost not know what the word God means?"
Calmly did Campbell make answer, but his voice was as terrible as an army with banners.
"Not so. For I do not understand what thou meanest by God. Long and well have you
spoken this day that God hath hidden his face and the race of man knoweth not his
countenance any more. Yet have I returned from India but recently and verily I say
unto you, the Peoples there are experiencing God all the time. They do find Him
everywhere they turn. They do play with Him, and of the singing and dancing with
the Lord there is no end. Verily, there is no absence of God in India."
Then was the wrath of Buber kindled at such unpleasing words, and harshly did he
begin to make answer. Up flailed his arms and his voice did rumble like a storm
cloud.
"Do you mean to compare...?"
Swift as the sword that parries did the moderator, Jacob Taubes, intervene. Polite
were his words, yea, even excessively so, but clear as the trumpet of war was the
warning note in his voice.
"Not so! Campbell did but ask what thou meanest by God."
Alas, it was too late. All present had heard what had almost been said and they
were sore dismayed. None did say auM-Comparet but they all thouM-Comparet many things.
And thus it came to pass that all the great deeds of Buber have been forgotten,
and he is now remembered for having said that which he should not have.
The above true episode has become a modern myth.
It impacted Campbell so strongly that there was never a time when he would not constantly
return to it. It was one of the fundamental learning experiences in his life. Even
the extraordinary Jean Houston makes reference to this incident many times in her
wide body of work. Quite clearly it had imprinted her with more than the normal
share of unpleasantness. It never ceased to bother her and many years later she
was to plaintively write in A Mythic Life: But why would he, who spoke so luminously
about our relation to God, seemingly deny the authenticity of the experience and
spiritual traditions of Eastern religions?
Campbell and Houston were both pioneers and builders of a new paradigm in viewing
religion and spirituality. They were looking to an inclusive, embracing sort of
spirituality, one that would learn from all parts of the planet for we were all
truly one people. Buber was one of the last representatives of the exclusionist
school of thouM-Comparet and this conflict was inevitable.
I suggest that this confrontation by Campbell was a defining moment in how all people
of the world would henceforth view spirituality - not as a domain which is the jealous
preserve of a few, but as a possibility open to all who seek. It is therefore one
of the great mythic moments of the twentieth century and nor is it at all surprising
that this lecture has become legendary. It is a pure mythical moment, an event-construct
where the past is challenged by the harbingers of the new Weltanschauung and all
who are present realize they are privileged to witness a shift in the cosmic axis.
It is a tragedy that the great Buber is likely to be known and remembered best for
this one unfortunate statement. "Do you mean to compare...?"
- Rohit Arya
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