Part I

MA 1e1. On 25 January 1976, Sri Chinmoy had a most soulful two-and-a-half hour conversation with the world's greatest boxer, Muhammad Ali, in the champion's hotel room in Puerto Rico. Also participating was Herbert Muhammad, manager of the champion. The first part of their conversation unfortunately was not recorded because of a tape recorder malfunction. A transcript of the latter part of their conversation is included in this book.

Conversation

Sri Chinmoy: Because you fight for the supreme Cause, in the inmost recesses of my heart I feel that you want to establish Allah’s Light, Justice-Light. Since there is only one God, one Truth, we should all listen to the dictates of that one Truth.

Muhammad Ali: That’s right.

Herbert Muhammad: Right.

Sri Chinmoy: As you said, the root is the spiritual, the spirit within us. The body comes and goes.

Muhammad Ali: That’s right.

Sri Chinmoy: But the soul is eternal. In God’s Eye, in Allah’s Eye, in Allah’s Heart, you will never be defeated.

Muhammad Ali: That’s right.

Sri Chinmoy: That is because you are fighting for Allah’s manifestation on earth. Any outer defeat will never be a real defeat. On the physical plane, after ten, twenty, thirty years, if you do not maintain the same strength, this is a physical thing. But the soul’s strength, the spirit’s strength you will never lose because you have become inseparably one with Allah’s Will.

Muhammad Ali: I heard something spiritual. I heard something once that says he who fights for the cause of God secures victory over his enemies.

Herbert Muhammad: That’s right.

Sri Chinmoy: Absolutely.

Muhammad Ali: Well, brother, we sure thank you for coming.