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LOBSANG RAMPA'S CHARACTER journalist in 1965, he vowed never to speak again to the press. Lobsang Rampa was a unique individual with many extraordi- However, he did allow his friend, agent and publisher Alain nary attributes. In some ways he was a man of contradictions. He Stanké, to interview and film him in Montreal, although he safe- was a celibate monk who had a devoted wife, an intensely private guarded himself by recording the whole interview in his book man who wrote extensively about his life, a self-professed Tibetan Candlelight (1974). Unfortunately, his refusal to cooperate with who had no contact with the Tibetan community, and a Buddhist the media merely fanned the flames of press and public curiosity. who practised many Western occult arts. They often followed him relentlessly, spied on him, manufactured Rampa was cursed by ill health. He suffered from coronary interviews and called him a liar and a fake. thrombosis, diabetes, arthritis and paraplegia inherited from his Rampa was a devoted and loyal husband to his wife Sarah, who host. His hearing was progressively failing as a result of war unquestionably believed him to be a true Master. He was a loving injuries, and his eyesight became poorer with age. Although he and kind father to his adopted daughter Sheelagh Rouse (who often came across as grumpy in his later years, he never lost his joined them as a young, recently separated family friend) as well wicked sense of humour and keen wit. as his beloved Siamese cats. He paid tribute to his friends Hy Rampa was a generous man who had little interest in material Mendelsohn, John Bigras, John Henderson, Valeria Sorock, Mrs possessions. Over the years he gave a colour television away to a O'Grady, Pat Loftus and others in several of his books. Rampa stranger, a wheelchair to an injured policeman and a house full of | devoted many books to the questions from his loyal readers and furniture to newlyweds. Friends and acquaintances often received continued to promote the Tibetan cause, even though he received expensive gifts which they were unable to return without insulting no acknowledgement from the Tibetan community. him. During his lifetime, he personally answered many thousands Fortunately, Rampa never lost his focus. He believed that he of letters from his admirers, usually bearing the cost of postage had been sent to the West in order to develop an aura camera and himself. He had a sincere desire to help people. a diagnostic device to eradicate disease. His secondary mission On the other hand, Rampa had a quick temper and often was to reveal Tibet's esoteric heritage to the West so that the Western nations would want to rescue his beleaguered country. Even though he did not accomplish his mission, Rampa did enlighten the world with his teachings, which deserve to be re-examined in the new millennium. This book is dedicated to examining his legacy and promoting the work of a man who believed implicitly that he was a Tibetan lama who transmigrated into the body of an Englishman to fulfil his destiny. showed impatience towards selfish and shallow people. He was not one to suffer fools gladly. Over the years, he managed to antagonise feminists, teenagers, Catholics, Even though he did not Western doctors, communists and accomplish his mission, the Tibetan government in exile. However, his greatest venom was Rampa did enlighten the world reserved for journalists and literary with his teachings, which critics, whom he despised. Undoubtedly, Lobsang Rampa was deserve to be re-examined In a gifted psychic and clairvoyant. He the new millennium. was able to see auras with ease, pre- dict the future and judge a person's character with great accuracy. He IMPACT OF THE THIRD EYE could use a crystal ball, cast horo- In 1955, Sheelagh Rouse's husband scopes, read palms and project his con- John Rouse wrote a letter of sciousness beyond his body. His knowledge of Western and introduction on behalf of Dr Carl Kuan to Charles Gibbs-Smith of Eastern occultism was astonishing. Rampa also had the uncanny the Victoria and Albert Museum, in the hope that he could ability to communicate with his cats telepathically, as his French- recommend him for employment. Impressed by the doctor's language publisher Alain Stanké testified. personality, Gibbs-Smith sent him to Cyrus Brooks, a literary Rampa possessed many other talents, apart from his writing and agent of A. M. Heath Publishers. Dr Kuan, possessing a psychic abilities. He was a keen photographer who produced "certificate of considerable elaboration stating that he hel many splendid photos. Machines of all descriptions purred in his degrees in both medicine and surgery from the University of presence, and he was able to fix almost any mechanical problem. Chungking" (Warburg, p. 221), wanted to find work writing Despite his failing eyesight and arthritic hands, he was a master _—_ advertising material for medical supplies. Brooks, however, was craftsman who created miniature ships, trains and cars. He was far more interested in Dr Kuan's recollections as a lama an also very interested in amateur radio, including short wave. persuaded him to write his autobiography. On the edge of Lobsang Rampa was a friendly but reserved man who had been destitution, Kuan reluctantly sat down and started typing The forced into seclusion by ill health, public curiosity and media Third Eye under the pen name of T. Lobsang Rampa. harassment. Wheelchair bound in his later years, Rampa rarely Brooks approached Frederic Warburg of the respecte ventured out in public, as the curiosity and enthusiasm of the publishers Secker and Warburg, asking if he would be interested crowds became unbearable for him. He never attended groups or _ in an autobiography of a Tibetan lama. Warburg expresse! gave lectures, believing that people progressed spiritually when interest, and the following day received 100 pages of flimsy they studied and meditated in solitude. yellow typescript. "My excitement was intense; I read it Rampa shied away from the media, accusing them of misquot- greedily," he recalled. "It had everything it takes to become the ing and harassing him. During his writing career, he allowed only world best-seller it is today... But other doubts were there..." three journalists to interview him or his wife. The first occurred (Daily Express, 3 February 1958) Years later in his memoirs, in 1958 while he was bedridden with thrombosis, and the result- Warburg recalled: "From the beginning there emanated from Dr ing article was so libellous that he was forced to issue a taped Kuan's masterpiece a magical aroma of enchantment. The book rebuttal from his sick bed. After being savaged by a Canadian was literally bewitching. It cast a spell over me. In the months Even though he did not accomplish his mission, Rampa did enlighten the world with his teachings, which a een LS ean — 48 = NEXUS LOBSANG RAMPA'S CHARACTER deserve to be re-examined in the new millennium. www.nexusmagazine.com FEBRUARY — MARCH 2006