Baba then declared, "What is sickness, what is death, but maya's glimpses. Die before death and you will live forever!"
He also said: "Be bound by freedom. Be attached to detachment. That means have desires but be their master, not their slave.
"Catch, but don't be caught! Like putting on a coat when you feel cold but free to take it off when you feel hot.
"Everything you do, put your mind to it and then forget it. Do not be attached to what you do."
That day, Monday, 3 May 1937, Baba gave each person a fifteen-minute interview. The following is Malcolm Schloss' account:
Baba asked Malcolm, "How is everything?"
"That you know better than I," said Malcolm.
"Are you writing?"
"Oh yes, only please don't expect me to be permanently interested in anything but union with God."
"No. Only that is real. All else is illusion. Union is like the sun — it is permanent. All else is like the clouds that come and go.
"I have had you much in mind since your letter. You are right when you say that ecstatic experience is not enough. The veil must be completely lifted. It is not enough to puncture it here and there with holes.
"I have everything chalked out. First, Jean must have a complete overhaul here. Until that is over, she will need you. When that is over — and it will be by August — I will start cutting Malcolm's ego to pieces!"
"Good," Malcolm answered.
"You will have union, but at what a price!"
"Is there any price too great to pay for union?"
"No," Baba replied and then asked if he would be willing to fast on water for three months.
Malcolm agreed.
At 4:30 P.M. Baba went to where the Jessawalas were staying (Dhaehak Bungalow at the sanatorium) and had tea with them. Later that evening a poor man from Malabar in South India came to see Baba. The following conversation took place:
Baba asked, "Do you have a family?"
"No, I only have my father. I am alone," the man replied.
"You mean to say that you are all alone?"
"Yes, I am alone here."
"When are you not alone?" asked Baba.
Thinking for a few moments, the man replied, "I am always alone."
"Then you are very fortunate."
"How?"
"Only God is all alone. If you feel yourself to be alone, you are very lucky."