Very little has happened during my trip so far that I can connect with spiritual experience. I am disappointed, in a way, because I had hoped to have a few experiences of the sort that a man, say like Paul Brunton, had in encountering men of spiritual gifts ...
Baba wrote back through Chanji:
Take that idea out of your mind that Baba sent you on the trip for some spiritual purpose, training or experience, and for once get that fixed in your mind! Do not brood over it. Make the most of the trip, keeping in mind the work of the film and trying your best to find helpful hints.
For the rest of the Western group, the rules and regulations which had governed their lives since they had been living at Meher Retreat were relaxed somewhat. The men and women were now allowed to leave the ashram premises for shopping, for example, but certain conditions had to be strictly obeyed:
No one should go to a dance, club or any other place of amusement, nor participate in any games or sports outside of our property.
No one should speak with a stranger unless it is quite necessary, nor go to visit any acquaintance.
No one should go out on foot or on bicycle between the hours of 10:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. [This was because of the strong sun.]
Everyone should be in the house punctually at mealtimes.
No one should eat or drink anything which has not been prepared in the house, with the exception of coffee.
"This is freedom with clipped wings," Baba remarked.
Then he further stated:
From March 16th, Urdu lessons recommence.1 I want you to take work very seriously without crises. Every Sunday will be a holiday from Urdu — also the three days during each month when you are free to go out all day for a picnic from 8:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M.
Garrett mentioned to me twice that it would be very good to have some form of physical exercise, like Ping-Pong and badminton. I will give you Rs.50 out of which you can buy Ping-Pong, badminton, deck tennis equipment and anything else you like.
All of you should study well the list of restrictions ordered by me in connection with your leaving the grounds of the ashram. Keep a copy and read it until you understand it perfectly, and don't say afterwards, it was not clear.
Owing to the heat that will be approaching, we will visit Meherabad only once in 20 days, instead of once a week.
Footnotes
- 1.The Urdu lessons had been suspended due to the extensive preparations for Baba's birthday.