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

Part I, Chapter 5THE NEW LIFE OF HELPLESSNESS AND HOPELESSNESS1949-1952From January 1949 onwards, signs of a new trend had become more and more evident.Among the remarks that were noted up to the time Baba left for Mount Abu on 15 Februarywere the following:"I do not feel like caring for anything that remains or anything that goes .... This year is tobe cared for this year. I will finish once and for all the existing arrangements by December,perhaps ear1ier in June, maybe by March·. An immediate reduction of fifty per cent must bemade in all expenses. From July you will begin to see and hear things for yourselves·. Ninetyper cent of the mandali will have to leave me and only ten per cent will remain·. I have notrust left in or for anyone inc1uding myself. ... All are pardoned by me and God will alsopardon me, but henceforth no pardon will be possible .... You people have been with me forso many years and I am therefore responsible for your continued weaknesses but I do notwant to take advantage of your weaknesses. I am therefore warning you not to succumb tothem and avoid everything being lost during 1949."Before leaving, Baba instructed the mandali to keep themselves completely aloof from theopposite sex to the extent of avoiding even a formal handshake, or any conversation with eachother except between nearest relatives or when dealing with outsiders in the course of duty.He called Princess Norina Matchabelli and Elizabeth Patterson to a private interview, whenthey were given instructions to prepare a centre in the United States in anticipation of hisvisiting the continent. A large area of land had already been secured at Myrtle Beach, SouthCarolina; they left at once for New York from Bombay by air.There was much activity throughout the year. Arrangements were made for the mandali tomeet Baba every day at Meherabad at appointed hours from 15 August onwards to deliberateupon the changes