The writings that the reader grasps and finds beneficial are by Baba, and those found difficult to understand are from Dastur. With proper footnotes the reader may know that the translation is by Dastur and not in its original form as expressed by Shri. This clarification should be there. Write him in my name to do this at once, starting with the next issue. You should write him right now, as the night mail will be going soon.
After more discussion regarding India's struggle for independence, Baba ended the meeting by remarking, "Try as much as possible to do as I have told you."
Gandhi once again reiterated his endearing invitation to Baba to see him in London and Baba consented to visit him.
Baba and his companions were to disembark at Marseilles the next day. Before leaving the cabin, Gandhi told Baba, "If it is possible tomorrow to free myself from the crowd in Marseilles, I will meet with you."
He then asked Baba, "When will you break your silence? I am very eager to hear the first words you speak. Won't you speak soon? I hope it won't be long. If your influence is so great that you can impress people so deeply without talking, I can imagine what you will do when you speak. You should speak soon!"
Baba dictated in reply, "I am just waiting for that. I will speak soon. The time is near."
The Rajputana landed at Marseilles in the early hours of Friday, 11 September 1931.1 Meher Baba stepped onto the shores of Europe for the first time at eight that morning. Meredith Starr and Herbert Davy were waiting to receive him. Baba was dressed in a white sadra and a brown imitation chinchilla coat, with a pink muffler wrapped around his neck and head. Much correspondence had taken place with Meredith Starr, 41, since he had left India three years before, in December 1928, thus establishing the Master's link with the West through him.
After leaving the ship, Baba, Rustom, Chanji and Aga Ali were taken to refresh themselves at the Hotel Geneva where Meredith had booked rooms for them. Baba left the liner in a hurry and no other meeting took place between him and Gandhi.
On Meredith's return from India in July 1929, he had started a meditation retreat at Combe Martin in Devonshire, England.2 It was founded in Meher Baba's name.
Footnotes
- 1.Gandhi was received at Marseilles by Madeleine Rolland on behalf of her brother, Romain Rolland, who was ill. Gandhi was hailed as "the spiritual ambassador of India." He told reporters, "I am going to England to realize the dream of my life — the freedom of my country."
- 2.Meredith's wife Margaret was born in Combe Martin, so it is possible she was partially responsible for the choice of this particular place to start a retreat.