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

296 THE GOD-MANAs the sahawas took much the same form as the American sahawas to be described later, in which Iparticipated, I leave any further account until then. When they ended Baba went at once to Mahabaleshwarto rest and for a complete change, preparing for the journey to the West. He stayed at a house calledShapoor Hall, perched on one of the highest hill points. Most of the time had to be spent in his chair,walking a few steps only to the car when taking a drive. Close to the house is an American mission church,and on Easter Dayan open air service was held where they prayed and sang Easter hymns, not far fromBaba's room where he was resting. At the end of April he went to Poona for a few days before going toBombay for the flight West.He had already sent the following message to the West:My suffering is daily becoming more intense, and my health is daily getting worse, but my physicalbody continues to bear the burden. Despite it I shall hold the sahawas. I expect from you a deepunderstanding of my self-imposed suffering, begotten of compassion and love for mankind. Alsounderstand, therefore, that I shall not undergo medical examinations or treatments for my injured hipeither in America or Australia. No doctor or treatment will be of any help before the pain I am undergoinghas served its purpose.This sahawas will be unique in the sense that you will witness and share my present universal sufferingby being near me as my fortunate companions - being with the Ancient One, who will be completely onthe human level with you. It will be helpful to all participating in the sahawas, to know of the hint I havegiven to those living with me reminding them of my 'declaration' wherein I stated that my glorificationwill follow my humiliation, pointing out that this period of my sahawas will fall within the orbit of myuniversal suffering and helplessness'I may give you more, much more, than you expect - or maybe nothing, and that nothing may prove tobe everything. So I say, come with open hearts to receive much or nothing from your Divine Beloved.Come prepared to receive not so much of my words but of my Silence.The American and Australian groups together raised the necessary money for the travelling expenses ofBaba and four mandali, Dr. William Donkin, Adi K. Irani, Eruch Jessawala, and Nariman Dadachanji, andfor the expenses of the sahawas, the Europeans being the guests of the American friends on their arrival atthe Meher Centre at Myrtle Beach on the South Carolina coast.