"Snap" went his fingers, the signal for changing the subject of conversation.
Two of Baba's brothers, not chosen by God but ordinary Persian young men in American ready-made suits, were with him on the train and seemed to be enjoying the trip.
Had the Baba a cure for the economic disturbance, since he would lead the world to peace and happiness? How could he solve the problems of unemployment, capitalism, communism, prohibition?
He Has A Method
Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm Schloss of Harmon, New York, also disciples on route to Hollywood, answered earnestly: "All such social problems spring from self-interest. Self-interest is based on imperfect knowledge of the true nature of the self, which is an eternal reality, infinite in power and resources.
"Then all our social problems shall be solved from the inside out, not the outside in. When you realize your identity with the whole of life, that your powers are infinite instead of finite, you will have no fear, no greed, no reason for conflict with anything or anybody in life, and the attitude of men will be one of cooperation instead of competition. Man will give what they have instead of receive. Everybody's interest shall be as vital to you as your own, because we are all one great universal self."
A Part Of God
Mr. Schloss further defined Baba as an Avatar, a part of God incarnate on Earth. Baba is 38 years old, not married, a stranger to sex experience. He has not sat contemplating his navel for years, as have many Indian mystics, but believes in long fasts and silences. He speaks English well, and Persian, and four Indian languages.
"He is today's Messiah, of the line of Jesus, Buddha, Zoroaster and Krishna," Mr. Schloss concluded. "Besides imparting the highest state of spirituality to a select few, he will give a general spiritual push to the whole world. He is of God."
The train was about to leave. Shri Baba shrugged his shoulders, pointed to the engine and went aboard his car.
The heading to the photograph accompanying the article read: Baba, the Persian Messiah, Hollywood-bound. The caption read:
"Shri Sadguru Meher Baba, who claims to be of God in the sense Jesus, Buddha, Zoroaster, Krishna and other mystics claimed and taught, was in Kansas City today on the way to Hollywood, where July 13 he will break an alleged seven-year silence in order to drop words that shall restore peace and happiness to the world. Nine disciples traveled with Baba."