Would It Offend You If I Smoke?

LEONARD BERNSTEIN: Would it offend you if I smoke?

SRI CHINMOY: No, it would not offend me at all. If that is your nature, then why should it offend me?

LEONARD BERNSTEIN: You do not smoke, I am sure.

SRI CHINMOY: On the strength of my oneness with you, how am I going to say that it is something wrong if it pleases you?

LEONARD BERNSTEIN: The doctors told me yesterday that I have to stop or I will die. I do not want to die. I would disappoint you if I died...

SRI CHINMOY: Certainly!

LEONARD BERNSTEIN: ...before I did my work.

SRI CHINMOY: No question!

LEONARD BERNSTEIN: But this is very bad for me.

SRI CHINMOY: Oh, I have a present for you.

LEONARD BERNSTEIN: Another present?

SRI CHINMOY: Let me present this to you. (Sri Chinmoy gives Leonard Bernstein a framed copy of his "Leonard Bernstein" poem, written in calligraphy.)

LEONARD BERNSTEIN: I love those things.

SRI CHINMOY: Oh, excellent.

LEONARD BERNSTEIN: They are so beautiful. How I wish to get a painting of yours! I have seen so many prints, but I have not seen an original painting.

SRI CHINMOY: I shall definitely give you a painting of mine.

LEONARD BERNSTEIN: Wonderful!