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

THE FINAL DECLARATION 257but I will put an end to all this. God, Love, Truth and Purity are free from these absurdities, and free mostof all from rituals and ceremonies, done because of custom without heart or understanding."Baba then took his seat on the couch. He said, 'Rest for five minutes'. He talked about other matters. Heasked, 'Do you want me to go on about the planes?' The answer from a number was, 'Yes'. He thencontinued the earlier discourse, concluding by saying:"To sum up, we have to feel in our heart of hearts that only God is real, that he alone exists, that he is inus all, that he alone is to be loved: God and God alone."From now on there are to be no sittings at night for the two young men, and no more morningmeditations for anyone. On the 24th, at 12 midnight, everyone is to keep awake and think of me for half anhour. Do this with all your hearts. All of you, or at least one of you, will see me: I am there. Seeing memeans a picture of me a long way off. Keep my form before your mind's eye. The eyes may be open orshut, but keep me before your mind."He asked us to sit for one minute with our eyes closed, and to picture him after first looking at him.Afterwards, he asked what happened. Francis said, 'It comes and goes'. Baba replied, 'Because you comeand go! I am there always.' He went on:"Do you know how St Francis of Assisi loved Jesus and became one with him? He loved him as Jesusought to be loved; but in Francis's group there was one who was a glutton. Juniper loved Francis most,though he did not sit in meditation or think of anything. He gave more trouble to Francis than anyone, yethe loved Francis dearly. When we love from the bottom of our hearts we give all our good and bad, evenour troubles; the lover gives everything and demands nothing. I give everything and demand nothing. Loveme like that and Baba is your slave. Even if you can't do that, don't worry. As long as you are mine, youneed not worry. You are mine, that is why I have drawn you such long distances. If you can't picture me,don't worry; if you don't love me, don't worry; I love you. At midnight on the 24th, don't force, be natural,keep calm; don't sit like yogis."It is said of me that I am most slippery."Now, one secret. Try to picture your wife and child; in an instant they are here. This is of no greatimportance, but it helps a little. You can bring them from Australia, but you can't bring Baba from here."