"That was why weaknesses were so glaringly visible at this time among the Westerners, giving rise to heated quarrels. It was Baba's work stirring things up! Their quarrels acted as a medium to bring the uncleanliness of the heart to the surface, making visible the defects of all. Baba used the strife as a constructive means of wiping away the inherent weaknesses in each individual. Such struggles and dissensions clean out the mind, and are quite different in nature from worldly dissensions which have as their basis selfishness and the ego's pride. The discords in the company of the Master are unconsciously dependent on love and are liberating, for they root out all impurities."
One morning, when Baba was on an inspection tour, he came to Malcolm Schloss' room and inquired how he was doing. "Very bad," Malcolm replied. "I am full of pride. I get impatient and irritable over unimportant things. What can I do about it?"
Baba just looked at him. That moment was profound. As Malcolm later recalled, "I shall never forget the look that Baba gave me. If he had spoken, he could not have said more clearly, 'Well, now at last we can get to work!' "
Baba spelled out, "In some ways you are very advanced. In others you are very lacking. Pride is your one shortcoming."
"My one shortcoming!" Malcolm exclaimed. "What of my impatience, my irritability?"
"Those are the result of pride. When the pride goes, they will go."
"What can I do to make it go?"
"Of yourself, you cannot make it go. But I shall do it for you. Nevertheless, you must try. You must make the effort."
"What shall I do?"
"Don't let little things disturb you. Rise above them. Be big. Be generous. Leave the rest to me. And don't be concerned about it. I will do it. I have to for the sake of the work."
Baba then embraced Malcolm.
The last of the Westerners to come to India, Ruano Bogislav arrived in Bombay on 2 January 1937, via Colombo aboard the Strathaird. She was met by Chanji, who brought her to Nasik the same day by train. There were now fifteen Westerners staying together in the ashram.
On Tuesday, 5 January, the Westerners went to Rahuri. All rose early, at 4:00 A.M., and after breakfast left Nasik at six o'clock.