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

376 THE GOD-MANobvious simplicity: the atmosphere that surrounds him might be described as that of innocence.At times during the period I have known him he has appeared serious and troubled, and I have seen himtired and ill. At such moments he has an air of intense preoccupation. At other times, and normally, he seemsto have no cares whatever and invites confidence. His physical changes are rapid: one day ill and worn; thenext, well, youthful-looking, and lively. Nowadays, when meeting people he displays vitality, but isotherwise withdrawn and suffering.He is normally a strict vegetarian, takes no alcohol and does not smoke. Though his tastes in food aresimple, he is often difficult to please. Sometimes on his visits to Europe and America his friends would plana delicious meal, and to make happy those who had prepared it he would show every sign of pleasure; butafterwards the only evidence of eating would be a hole in the centre of a slice of bread. He eats, but seems tohave no desire for eating. When not in India he would now and then eat meat; for he is not bound by anydietetic principle or habit.His practice is to rise very early in the morning, and to retire from his daily routine usually about 6 p.m.Unless in strict seclusion, he almost invariably has one disciple sit awake in the room until relieved byanother. In seclusion a disciple is on duty outside his room or hut throughout the twenty-four hours. Whennot in seclusion he used to take a great deal of exercise, walking rapidly several miles every day, and even inseclusion he walked continually up and down the cell or room in which he confined himself. He lovedmountain climbing, and many of his long journeys were taken on foot. He could outlast anyone, even thestrongest, on such occasions.Since the severe motor car accident in 1956, he has, of course, been unable to be physically active. Indeed,that he is now able to walk at all is astonishing; but against all forecasts he can occasionally walk a littlewhen he is in the mood, but latterly he walks only with assistance. His recovery was without doubtcontributed to largely by his own inner intention; while he had the best surgical and physiotherapeuticattention, he seems to have cured himself sufficiently for his own purposes. Yet he remains in constant pain,which appears to affect in turn every part of his body. He says, 'There is no remedy for my pain, it has fallenin love with me and become a Baba-lover'.He reads and speaks English and four other languages fluently. His use of English is that of a cultivatedman, for in his youth he had read much English literature, especially the poets. He knows, of course, the