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

160 THE GOD MANgave him, and for a time sat with him in the jeep. Finally he was taken back to his urinal. Baba saidthat Keshav was a good mast, 75 per cent jalali, a type of mast who always lives in squalor, restlessand hot-tempered, and 25 per jamali, a type of mast, always mild tempered, who never abusesothers, and who like the other type continually moves his fingers and toes. He died some weeksafter this incident.Before this took place, on New Year's Day that year, 1949, Baba sent from Meherazad a circularto all his devotees and followers giving warning of a great personal disaster to himself, saying thatthe mandali will be faced by real tests and trials and that only a few disciples might endure them.He said:"All men and women who believe in me should observe silence for one full month in July 1949.All disciples and devotees to be more engrossed in God than in Maya by being less selfish andmore sacrificing."The year 1949 marks an artificial end to an artificial beginning and the real beginning to the realend."Although I am in everyone and in everything and my work is for the spiritual awakening of allmankind, I am always aloof from politics of any kind. My disciples and devotees should continueas before to abstain from taking part in political activities or discussions."Baba was extremely busy during the months after the issue of this circular until he went intoretirement in June. For four months he was in Mt. Abu, Rajasthan, on mast tours, working sostrenuously that it told upon his health. This marked the virtual end of the work I have beendescribing, of which I have given only a sketchy account. At this time he had the bearing of onewho had succeeded in a great campaign. There was great peace about him, his gaze penetrating andglowing, his mien alert, his hair short and manageable, with a pigtail.THE GREAT SECLUSIONThere have been many periods of seclusion in Baba's life, some for long periods, but theseclusion upon which he was now to start was regarded by him as 'The Great Seclusion' because ofthe work to be accomplished. He had been referring to it months beforehand, telling the mandali tobe alert and watchful about every action. It was work of preparation, in which he was to be activelyaverse to the buried past and carefree of the unborn future.The seclusion took place at Meherazad. Baba selected a small space