THE GOD-MAN The Life, Journeys and Work of Meher Baba with an ...
THE GOD-MAN The Life, Journeys and Work of Meher Baba with an ...
THE GOD-MAN The Life, Journeys and Work of Meher Baba with an ...
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<strong>THE</strong> NEW LIFE 169It was found that Ali Akbar's fall had been borne by <strong>Baba</strong>'s right h<strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> the fingers <strong>of</strong> whichhad to be in a sling for a number <strong>of</strong> days. When the immediate excitements subsided <strong>Baba</strong>told Ali Akbar that he was pardoned <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> should not <strong>an</strong>y more dwell upon the incident orblame himself. Addressing all those present <strong>Baba</strong> said 'Carrying out my orders is the allimport<strong>an</strong>t thing; compared to that there is no import<strong>an</strong>ce at all in my falling at your feet. Howwould it be possible for you to accomp<strong>an</strong>y me if you were not fully prepared to completelyfulfil the conditions? Possibly, one <strong>of</strong> them may be that the first thing to be do ne one morningwould be for the m<strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong>ali to spit on my face or that every morning I shall be touching yourfeet! <strong>The</strong>n addressing Ali Akbar particular1y, <strong>Baba</strong> asked him if he would accept theconditions? 'Tha!, replied Ali Akbar, 'is a question <strong>of</strong> going to pieces.' 'No', said <strong>Baba</strong>, 'it isnot that. It is only a question <strong>of</strong> carrying out the conditions.' He then suddenly asked him totwist his (<strong>Baba</strong>'s) ears. This time, it was <strong>with</strong> a smile that Ali Akbar carried out the comm<strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong>.<strong>The</strong>n someone else in excess <strong>of</strong> enthusiasm raised his h<strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> to say that he was also ready totwist <strong>Baba</strong>'s ears; <strong>Baba</strong> smiled <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> said, 'I only asked Ali Akbar to do that, but if <strong>an</strong>y <strong>of</strong> youfeel like giving vent to your pent-up feelings to sett1e old scores <strong>with</strong> me, I shall not mind atall to have my ears twisted this day by <strong>an</strong>y <strong>of</strong> you <strong>with</strong>out <strong>an</strong>y fear <strong>of</strong> my displeasure'. Amidstthe laughter that followed, <strong>Baba</strong> added that 'twisting my ears is easy but carrying out myorders is difficult'.Those going <strong>with</strong> <strong>Baba</strong> were expected to be prepared to look upon themselves as alreadyde ad in the sense that the dead have no more material connections or concern <strong>with</strong> <strong>an</strong>ythingor <strong>an</strong>yone. 'I am going to see', said <strong>Baba</strong>, 'who is out to die for no reason by going <strong>with</strong> me.'While inviting the m<strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong>ali's wholehearted co-operation, they were warned again <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> againto discard all fads, f<strong>an</strong>cies, notions <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> vagueness, particular1y in respect <strong>of</strong> spiritual le<strong>an</strong>ings<strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> beliefs, <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> were asked to look upon the prospect <strong>of</strong> going <strong>with</strong> <strong>Baba</strong> <strong>with</strong>out expectation<strong>of</strong> <strong>an</strong>y reward whatever. Explaining further, <strong>Baba</strong> said:It is not merely a question <strong>of</strong> hardships <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> difficulties such as those encountered in masttrips. <strong>The</strong> most difficult thing now is the need to control emotions <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> feelings <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> to haveabsolute readiness for split-second obedience to whatever I ask you to do or not to do. I do notexpect <strong>an</strong>yone <strong>of</strong> you to be free from your respective reactions <strong>of</strong> good or bad impulse s suchas <strong>an</strong>ger, displeasure, likes <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> dislikes, but I expect you not to give <strong>an</strong>y direct or indirectexpression to feelings <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> reactions. I shall be free in every way <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> you will be bound inevery
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