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

Part II Chapter 6THE METHOD'Do what I tell you, not what I do.'(1)It is clear from the record that Baba set out immediately he realized himself, Meher Baba set out to gettogether a small number of men to live with him, to form his mandali or close disciples. When he wasdeclared by Upasni Maharaj to be a Sadguru, the Master at once told one of his disciples to follow Baba,afterwards he sent others to him. The numbers grew, and later some women were included, who from thestart were kept entirely apart. Baba's method with the mandali was to instruct them especially in obedience.They had to give up everything and to live by his orders; some were required to be with him always and tobe celibate; others were allowed to marry, and to live normal lives, following a business or profession, but tobe available at any time to do as he wished and to live where he directed. Exacting tasks were laid upon all.Those who lived with him did so under the most severe conditions, with few comforts, ready at any hour ofthe day or night to do his bidding. What is called his 'teaching' is primarily his training of the mandali,ultimately it is for all.The account of what was called the 'New Life' in the preceding pages shows how severe that training canbe, how inexplicable and demanding. Nothing is allowed to be easy for long, nothing is merely 'agreeable',confusion and contradiction have to be faced, and Baba even arouses conflict among those around him. Twoextracts from Dr. Donkin's diary illustrate the point of view of the mandali:27/3/40. Yesterday morning Nilu and I had a bit of a crisis with Baba. He had been 'poking' us overNargis, so we had some straight talk back. A straight talk with Baba is very refreshing; he never evadesanything, and never harbours bitterness. Nilu is rather sensitive about Baba's teasing, much more than I, andseems to take it to heart. I feel