Baba explained, "If you get nervous or angry, you cannot control the horse. If you have control over your mind, the animal will become quiet. If control is lost, both the rider and the horse are lost. The horse is just like the mind; it is good if controlled, but dangerous if it becomes the master."
The following change in the order about fasting was mailed to Meher Baba's followers in October 1940:
Those who, in accordance with order Number 20, now fast on one solid meal, and milk-tea or coffee twice daily shall, from October 20, 1940, continue fasting in the following manner:
Breakfast — Between 6:00 A.M. and 8:00 A.M.
a. Solid and liquid foods, including tea and coffee, excepting pure milk.
b. In cases where the above breakfast is unsuitable, it may be replaced by a breakfast consisting solely of pure milk up to three-quarter seer.
Afternoon Tea — One cup (one-quarter seer ) of tea or coffee (containing milk, or buttermilk, not pure milk), anytime between breakfast and supper.
Supper — Between 6:00 P.M. and 8:00 P.M.
Solid and liquid foods, except tea, coffee and pure milk.
Water may be taken as many times during the day and night as required. Neither breakfast nor supper may be started before, or continued after, the time specified above.
Baba saw the women every day during the last week of October and discussed the upcoming journey to Ceylon.
On one occasion, he teased, "When we go down there, keep smiling and look like ripe tomatoes; otherwise I will send you back to Meherabad. You will have the fun of your life in Ceylon. Wait and see."
Don received his draft notice into the British army at this time, and Baba sent him to Poona to get permission to go with the group to Ceylon for two months, which Baba indicated was necessary for his work. It was granted.
Meanwhile the mast Shariat Khan was sent back to Chikmagalur on 26 October 1940, after having spent ten months in the Master's contact. Dolly, Adi's sister, had been staying with the women during this period, but on the 27th, Baba sent her back to Bangalore. She was ordered to stay with the Jessawalas, rather than with Adi and Freiny. Norina and Elizabeth went to Bombay for a day to finalize arrangements and obtain visas with Chanji's help.
From the 28th of October, Baba began a new system of fasting for everyone, as previously outlined and mailed. They were to eat between 6:00 and 8:00 A.M. and again from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M., with a cup of tea in the middle of the day.