THE GOD-MAN The Life, Journeys and Work of Meher Baba with an ...

154 THE GOD MAN10th, he left for Pimpalgaon, and he is still there but is still not really fit.On the 17th, he leaves for Surat, where there is a darshan programme for Parsis. From there hegoes on a mast trip. He wants to go to Uttarkashi above Rishikesh, and he talked of going to a placewhich is about 11,000 feet up, and both Nilu and I have tried to dissuade him from this in view ofhis present bad health. I think and hope that we have succeeded.On 15th I go to stay at Meherazad, where Mani will do the typing of what I have written for themast book. Baba is talking of building something here at Meherabad soon, but none of us take thisvery seriously.He also says that in six months, there will be ninety per cent chances of a war between Russiaand U.S.A., but where England stands in this, he does not say. He also says ofIndia that the presenttroubles will die down, but in a few months, they will burst out with renewed vigour. He is veryanti-Russian these days, and describes Europe as being in the clutches of an Eagle, i.e. of Russia. Ithink the real world crisis is not far off; and I hope it will come soon, for the world's sake.That September he went into seclusion in a hut built on the summit of a small hill called Tembiabout a mile from the house. Another hut was erected for a mast named Ali Shah, a great jamalmastwho was brought there in December, and for twelve days Baba sat three hours each morningwith the mast.In January 1948 it was announced that Baba would be engaged in important work for a period offorty days from 18 January until 25 February. He sent instructions to his adherents throughout theworld covering the latter part of this period from 1 February to the 25th:Obey one, or some, or all of the following orders, providing he or she can do so withoutjeopardizing household responsibilities, work or business.(1) to take a meal once only during each 24 hours, and tea or coffee twice only, water as needed;(2) observe silence;(3) with your own hands feed one poor man or woman each day, a different person each day;(4) abstain literally and absolutely from any sexual relations whatever;(5) meditate each day for one hour.