True spiritual mastery is achieved through complete self-emptying and devotion.
"Becoming the sandals worn on the Master's feet"
Avatar Meher Baba Ki Jai
British doctor; author who recorded Baba's work with the masts
โDonโ
Profession
Doctor (specialized in surgery)
Dr. William Donkin, known as 'Don' to all who knew him, was a British-born doctor whose first encounter with Meher Baba transformed his life with the force of divine revelation. Born on November 14, 1911, into a distinguished family in Wimbledon, Don was a man of adventure before he became a man of God. At just twenty years old, he crossed the Sahara Desert during its hottest monthsโMay to Septemberโcovering 1,400 miles by camel and the last 300 on horseback. A member of the Alpine Club of London, he went mountain climbing in the Alps, Norway, the High Atlas, and Corsica.
Don first heard of Meher Baba when he purchased a copy of the Occult Review that mentioned Baba. He contacted Harry Strutton and met Will Backett at Baba's office at Charing Cross. In October 1933, Don met Meher Baba at Hygeia House in London. What happened next changed everything: as he placed his hand upon the door handle to leave, he received a sudden shock. In that instant, he knew with absolute certainty that Meher Baba was God. For a week afterward, he continually had divine experiences and saw Baba everywhere.
Baba had told Don that He needed another doctor who knew surgery. Don agreed to specialize in surgery and qualified as a doctor in 1939 at St. Bartholomew's Hospital London, having been educated at Prep School in Kent and Rugby School. He arrived in Bombay on July 27, 1939, and joined Baba's mandali at Meherabad on July 29. From that day, everyone called him 'Don.'
When Baba once asked each mandali 'Where is God?', various answers came: 'Everywhere,' 'In the heart,' 'In the soul.' When Don's turn came, he simply pointed to Baba: 'In Baba! Baba is God.' Baba explained this was the only correct and logical answer if one truly believes the Master is Perfect and one with the Infinite.
During World War II, Don served in military hospitals in Secunderabad, Poona, and Bangalore, where he was in charge of a 160-bed hospital for Italian POWs, as he spoke Italian. He found bungalows for Baba's six-month mast work stay in the Hyderabad area.
Don's most enduring contribution to Baba's legacy came when he suggested that Baba's work with masts should be recorded. Two days later, Baba told him: 'Your suggestion is excellent. Why don't you write it? You are the only proper person to write it. I will help you.' Though Don protested he was no writer, the result was 'The Wayfarers'โa 350-page volume documenting Baba's work with masts, including testimonies from these God-intoxicated souls who recognized Baba's divinity. As one mast said of Baba: 'You are Allah; you have brought forth the creation, and once in a thousand years you come down to see the play of what you have created.'
Don endured many hardships in Baba's service. With Dr. Nilu, he drove the dilapidated Blue Bus from Calicut to Jaipur on Baba's ordersโtires worn out, back wheels falling off, having to stuff blankets in tires while crowds stared at the strange vehicle.
Baba praised Don with exceptional warmth: 'Dr. Donkin's deep love for Me, unshakable faith in Me and unparalleled service for Me are beyond praise. Don comes from a wealthy family. His faith and love in Me are unique.' When introducing his dispensary, Baba said: 'This is Don's dispensary. And I have nothing to worry about regarding health, because here is the doctor, and he is most dear to Me.'
Don spent thirty years living with and traveling the world with Meher Baba, serving as the mandali doctor and faithful companion. He passed away in August 1969, just months after Baba's physical passing, having devoted his entire adult life to his Beloved.
Born on November 14, 1911, in Wimbledon, England, to a distinguished family
At age 20, crossed the Sahara Desert during the hottest months (May-September), covering 1,400 miles by camel and 300 on horseback
Met Meher Baba in October 1933 at Hygeia House in London. Upon leaving, touching the door handle, he received a shock and instantly knew Baba was God.
Arrived in Bombay on July 27, joined Baba's mandali at Meherabad on July 29. From that day, everyone called him 'Don'.
With Dr. Nilu, drove the dilapidated Blue Bus from Calicut to Jaipur on Baba's orders, enduring countless hardships.
Served as doctor in military hospital at Secunderabad. Found bungalows for Baba's 6-month mast work stay.
Published the 350-page book documenting Baba's work with masts, including testimonies from God-intoxicated souls who recognized Baba's divinity (final proofs approved January 1949).
Passed away in August 1969 after 30 years with Meher Baba, just months after Baba's physical passing.
โI would prefer for you to remain here for some days more and be in my close contact. I love you very much. I want to give you something special. But considering the circumstances here, I cannot give you the intimate contact I wish at this time as so many people are coming and going.
โ Cannes, late August 1937: Baba met Donkin, then a medical student visiting from London, in private, shortly before sending him back to England to continue his studies.
โWho told you to pull out his teeth? Are you doctors or barbers? Have you come to shave all? You are worthless good-for-nothings! I'm convinced that you had to bribe someone for your degrees!
โ Bangalore, 7 March 1940: Baba had told Donkin and Nilu to treat Naoroji's toothache; Donkin pulled two of his teeth, and the pain only grew worse. Baba berated the two doctors for fifteen minutes; an hour later he sent word that he had had another purpose in scolding them.
โThe war news is bad. The world seems to go mad. But don't at all be sad. You know who turns the key โ be glad!
โ During the Second World War: Donkin, drafted into the Indian Army's medical service, visited Baba whenever he had leave, and Baba also wrote to him. At one point Baba sent him this poem.
โWhether you come to one of the four places I mentioned or you are sent to Mecca, Medina, Morocco, Multan, Murree, in short, whatever happens to you, I bless your faith in me and your love for me to remain stronger than ever. โฆ You being in my inner circle, everything for you is being decided by the Divine Will, and accordingly these three days stay with me will adjust things for you, in view of your future work for me.
โ Jhansi, 5 April 1944: Donkin, then an army doctor, had arranged the group's stay during a mast tour. While he was taking a bath, Baba dictated to Chanji a poem and this message, calling it his birthday gift to Don, although Donkin's birthday was in November.
โDon't worry in the least about earning money. If patients come, well and good; if they do not, don't be anxious about it. Don't economize regarding your food; eat well, and keep healthy and fit.
โ Manjri Mafi, 11 March 1950: during the New Life, Donkin had opened a dispensary in Dehra Dun to help support the companions, but he was losing money on it. When he came to see Baba, Baba was happy to see him and reassured him.
โFrom now on, do not give me any news relating to anyone in the Old Life. Even if someone has died, do not inform me unless and until I ask you, if the occasion arises.
โ Manjri Mafi, 15 April 1950: the day before, Baba had told Vishnu that Donkin had shown him a telegram about the death of Vishnu's mother Kakubai, and remarked that Donkin ought not to have given him news of people in the Old Life. The next day he cautioned Donkin.
โIf you had done so [sent Watson-Jones Baba's medical papers], I would not have suffered the unnecessary unbearable pain. You, doctors Chatterjee and Ketkar [of Ahmednagar], have made a mess of my case.
โ Meherazad, 25 July 1957: after his second car accident, Baba had hinted that Donkin should send all his medical reports to the London surgeon Sir Reginald Watson-Jones, but Donkin had not done so at the start. When Watson-Jones judged the hip dislocated, Baba dictated these remarks to Eruch in a letter to Donkin. Fresh X-rays in August showed no dislocation.
โMy Christmas blessings to you to hold fast to my daaman.
โ Poona, 24 December 1958: Baba was staying at Guruprasad for a month, and Donkin was living at Meherabad. Baba sent him this telegram on Christmas Eve.
โThis is my crucifixion! Christ was crucified once, but I am being crucified every moment! โฆ All this, all that I have been through all along, has been a preparation for the Word โ for just the One Word! โฆ Just imagine!
โ Meherazad, 30 January 1969, the day before Baba dropped his body: Baba was suffering violent spasms, and when Donkin came to his room to check on him, Baba repeated these words for him alone.
โTry to be happy โ under all conditions. There is nothing but bliss. It is everywhere.
โI love all. Love the heart but damned be the mind! It is this mind that creates heaven and hell.
โYou both have received My arrows and feel pain, but you have no idea of the favor I have done you.
After first meeting Baba in London, as Don placed his hand upon the door handle to leave, he received a sudden shock. In that instant, he knew Meher Baba was God. For a week afterward, he continually had divine experiences and saw Baba everywhere.
When Baba asked each mandali 'Where is God?', various answers came. When Don's turn came, he simply pointed to Baba: 'In Baba! Baba is God.' Baba explained this was the only correct answer if one truly believes in the Master.
When Don and Nilu wondered why Baba harshly criticized them for small faults, Baba explained using a lifeguard analogyโjust as a lifeguard may hit a drowning person to save them, Baba's apparent cruelty was actually mercy to save them from 'drowning' in illusion.
Don and Nilu drove the dilapidated Blue Bus from Calicut to Jaipur on Baba's orders. Tires were worn out, back wheels fell off, they had to stuff blankets in tires. Despite all hardships, Baba was very pleased with their obedience.
Don told Baba: 'Your work with the masts is so important, yet there is no record of it.' Baba replied: 'You are the only proper person to write it. I will help you.' The result was the definitive account of Baba's mast work.