Conversation — part V

Sri Chinmoy: Very good! I am so happy. How I wish I could see his son. Is he here?

Herbert Muhammad: No, his son is not here. He’s in Chicago.

Sri Chinmoy: Ah, here is my student with the gift. To dearest Muhammad Ali, I am presenting a token gift to the greatest champion both in the outer world and in the inner world, Allah’s world.

Muhammad Ali: I know you will understand. We have a saying, “God is the greatest.” I always make it plain when they say I am the greatest. I always like to say I’ll accept the terms I am the greatest boxer, but that’s all.

Sri Chinmoy: But I wish to add that you may be the greatest as the instrument of God.

Muhammad Ali: That’s right.

Sri Chinmoy: You will definitely be the greatest instrument not only in the outer world but also in the inner world, if you always say, “Let Thy Will be done.”

Muhammad Ali: I won’t consider myself the greatest instrument. He’s got too many instruments.

Herbert Muhammad: Well, I’ll tell you this, Ali. I see that you are a greater instrument than Sri Chinmoy, but not in knowledge. Truly I speak with my heart. The reason you are a greater instrument is because everyone listens to you, while he can’t draw as big an audience. But if you could get his knowledge, you would be a greater instrument. If he could get in your body and everybody thought that was you, it would be a different story. But now, by my father naming him Muhammad Ali and by his being the greatest boxer and standing up for his beliefs against all odds, people listen to him. So right now he is the greatest instrument I know on earth.

Sri Chinmoy: You are so right.

Herbert Muhammad: Ali, with your strength you can move two or three people. But a man like Sri Chinmoy, with his faith, can move mountains. This is the difference between you and this spiritual man.

Muhammad Ali: True, true.

Herbert Muhammad: You get everybody’s attention — young, old, any nationality. Right now you are the greatest instrument. You can deliver God’s message.