You will at once turn it into laughter. If you cannot get control, then take this practical step; if not, you are lost. The slightest advantage given to the ego, with the help of the mind [emotion], bursts with all fury.
Spiritually, it is not cowardice to give in. If you cannot love, at least have the courage to give in. All this I have said a million times, but it goes in one ear and out the other. This is the last time I will tell you. If it goes out, all go. You all fight for no reason but lack of control. This is not yoga but bhoga. Bhog means taking, i.e., selfishness. Yoga implies giving, i.e., selflessness.
Rano makes Norina mad, Kitty is daily getting moods. In short, you twelve raise hell every day because of trifles, for things not worthwhile. I might have given you all silence, but you would have crushed each other!
Baba concluded with the question: "On the tour, will there be any squabbles?"
On another occasion, Baba remarked to the women, "All penance, austerities, meditation, have no place before me. I will lead you by the hand to the Destination. But you must keep a firm hold on my hand.
"Think and speak only about me. Talk about me is everlasting! Remembering me will make you forget eating, drinking, sleeping and everything else in your ephemeral world!"
On 18 July 1939, Baba spoke to the men about renunciation, "Renunciation means giving up things that you love most."
Turning to Masaji, he spelled out, "Masaji should go to the movies but come back without seeing the picture! That is real giving up. Go, but don't watch, and then return."
Age summarized: "In short, the Master's unique way of training his mandali was not in depriving them of things they liked, but in giving them those things — and then ordering them not to use or enjoy them!"
Pleader, who had originally joined Baba to attain God-realization, had recently returned from Bombay and had been confronting Baba for several days, saying, "According to your orders, I fasted for three years; I kept silence; I remained in seclusion; but up to now, you still have not shown me the sight of God!" Baba urged him to continue his unusual practices. The other men did not practice such outward penances or austerities. Their austerity was in obedience .