He then asked how Max felt. "I feel that I am one with the universe," he responded. "I see my father and mother and all people I know in you! Everything is in you. Since your arrival, I feel so changed — so much better. Your presence is so comforting."
On one occasion, Baba explained to Max: "There are four states on the Path: first, faith; then renunciation and experience; fourth, regaining normal consciousness. The last state after Realization involves duty for the universe — as Christ had."
Max had been a regular contributor to The Theosophical Messenger magazine, and had traveled throughout India with Krishnamurti, Annie Besant and Charles Leadbeater.
He asked Baba about Krishnamurti, and Baba commented, "He is not as advanced as some think. He does good and will come to me one day."
Max replied, "Yes, he needs your help."
"I will help him advance on the Path," Baba assured him.
When he was young, Krishnamurti had been acclaimed by the Theosophists to be the modern Messiah; however, he was not self-deluded and renounced all such divine claims. During September of 1931, Malcolm wrote to Krishnamurti, informing him of Baba's visit to America. Krishnamurti wrote back from Holland on 1 October, expressing his gratitude to Malcolm and that he would very much like to meet Meher Baba in America. He also conveyed his greetings to Baba.
Cath Gardner, 46, was staying at Harmon to help cook and clean. A friend of hers named Alice Green of Boston also stayed for a week. Cath, Alice and her husband Chester were associated with the Krotona Theosophy Institute in Ojai, California, the purpose of which was to study spiritual matters and give instruction in how to lead a simple life.1 Their years of labor had born little fruit, and Cath was in search of a guru to guide her. After being in Baba's presence, Cath exclaimed, "I was waiting for the Master and now I have found him!"
One day, explaining to Cath about leading a "simple" life, Baba observed:
People always make a mistake when they talk of leading a simple life. To live such a life is infinitely difficult. Outwardly, a person may wear plain garments and have a simple diet, but this is not living a simple life! The spiritual life is lived when a person is free of all desires, thus becoming completely open and guileless.
Footnotes
- 1.Catharine Elizabeth Gardner was a Theosophist, a member of a prominent Boston family, and the author of a booklet on nutrition, titled Need We Grow Old? She later wrote articles for The American Theosophist magazine.