Long-time member of the TOS and TS in America, Miles Standish, writes: “After reading the article about Rukmini Devi Arundale in the February issue of TOS in-touch.online, I can’t help wanting to share my own memories of this truly inspiring Theosophist.

I first met Rukmini at the HQ of the TS in the USA in 1947. It was my first visit to ‘Olcott’.  I drove there from Florida on an Indian Chief motorcycle. John and Betsan Coats were there too.  (John Coats was the 4th International President of the TS. –Ed.)  Betsan put on an "India Night" down in the basement cafeteria, with hand-painted designs on the floor.  Rukmini danced!  It was magical…
John and Betsan also put on a night programme outside with special displays, and we used the headlight of my motorcycle to illuminate one part. For many years thereafter, my life criss-crossed on a personal level with John and Betsan Coats.

Going home from that session, I drove the motorcycle non-stop from Chicago to Pensacola, Florida (stopping only for refuelling and restrooms).  I did not do that for show, but because I didn't have the money for motels.  I floated on air the whole way after such a wonderful TS gathering.

The next time I met Rukmini – some 24 years later – was the day after completing a five-day session of chemotherapy following major surgery for cancer.  I wanted very much to obtain some Laetrile, an ‘alternative’ supplementary treatment popular at the time, but in the Navy hospital where I had been a patient, all the doors were closed for getting help or even information.  I was in a terrible physical state at the time.
 

When Rukmini learned of my situation, she went out of her way to help me.  She had heard of Laetrile therapy and even knew a lady in California who had some Laetrile.  Rukmini put me in touch with the lady and it was sent by fast post. She also ‘"magnetized’ a star sapphire ring for me.  She included a most kind personal note saying that she had attempted to link it to higher forces.  I think ‘higher forces’ did come into play immediately, because I was soon led to contact a doctor in Canada, and that doctor knew another in my local area.  From then on, I had the best of care.  The Navy doctor who did the surgery told me the plan was that I would come back every three months for chemotherapy for two years.  No one from the hospital ever contacted me to remind me or ask, "Why haven't you come in?" and so it simply was never administered.

As you can imagine, whenever Rukmini's name is mentioned, it evokes gratitude in me – and here I am still alive at the age of 86 and still free of cancer.