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

THE SAHAWAS 299Baba continued, 'The purpose of my coming to the West has been accomplished.Tomorrow we will start discourses. Now let us have some jokes.'After the gathering Baba went to the Lagoon Cabin and saw various groups. It was then announced thatthere would be no meeting in the bam next day. There was rain during the late afternoon, and throughoutthe evening and heavy rain at night. The following morning Baba devoted himself to interviews withgroups and individuals from 9.30 until 4 p.m.On Thursday, Baba arrived at the Lagoon Cabin after nine. It was apparent that he was suffering morethan usual. Gathered in the bam again, while rain still splattered outside, Baba said that last night was hisworst. He was crushed with the work; the pain increased, he was in fever. Kitty and the mandali had toldhim to rest the whole day but he would not listen. He said, 'I must go. The time is fast approaching. Wesleep in the barn.'He had told the mandali that he would see whether he would break the sahawas and also cancel thesahawas in Australia and go straight back to India. If he should decide to continue here he will also go toAustralia and give sahawas there. No one need worry about that because the day before yesterday allraised their hands, signifying obedience. Although nobody said anything at this announcement, there wasobvious consternation. Baba continued generally to say that his first instruction was whether sahawas iscut short or not - to remain happy. 'As long as you are here do not think of your homes and affairs, butthink of Baba. I say with my divine authority, I am God in human form, therefore love me. I knoweverything.'Baba went on to talk about the preparations being made for the Australian sahawas. He had informedFrancis Brabazon that the sahawas was to be in Brisbane, and said, 'I will come and give you my presencefor six days'. Francis replied, 'It will be enough if you are here for a single day'. Baba remarked, 'Thisreminds me of Hafiz, who says, "To be with a Perfect Master for one moment is equal to a hundred yearsof sincere prayer with all one's heart and soul'".'Are you all happy?' Baba asked. All including Baba raised their hands. He went on, 'Nothing will helpme. I am happy as I also raised my hand.' A reading from the first day of the recent Indian sahawas wasthen given by Don Stevens:SahawasI am the only Beloved and you are all my lovers; or I am the only