Habibullah Baig had gone to Meherabad in late 1949 to see Baba, but at that time Baba had started on his New Life, so without seeing him, Habibullah returned to Srinagar. He was worried about his family after his father's death and sought Baba's counsel. Vishnu had been told to keep watch outside the hall to prevent any outsiders from entering. Habibullah had not been invited to the meeting, but he somehow entered the gathering and quietly sat down. Yet no one escaped Baba's sharp eye. He pointed to Habibullah and asked why he had come.
"I've come for your blessing," Habibullah replied. "I am out of work and practically penniless."
Since there was no "blessing-business" in the New Life, Baba asked Ghani to offer a blessing for him, which Ghani did.
Habibullah was about to leave, but before he did, Baba remarked to him, "You will be my neighbor."
Habibullah did not at the time understand, but soon thereafter he found work in Poona at the Kashmir Store at Rs.60 per month, and the store was located just a few streets away from Baba House. Ghani's blessing proved effective!
Sending for Vishnu afterward, Baba rebuked him for allowing Habibullah inside, though Vishnu had no idea he had not been invited.
An elderly staunch follower from Poona named D. S. Sulay surreptitiously took and ate a banana without asking Baba. Baba saw him, but did not make any remark. After a while, Baba peeled a banana and gave it to Sulay. Sulay felt ashamed and realized Baba knew his every thought.
Hanging on the wall behind Baba's seat was a cardboard sign. In the middle was a photograph of Baba; on the right of it was written: Old Life — Perfect Divinity, Divine Man. On the left side was written: New Life — Perfect Humility, Ordinary Man.
Baba drew the group's attention to the board, and then had the following message read out by Don in English and Deshmukh in Hindi:
Today I have stepped back into my Old Life for a few hours. I am very happy to see you all — you who are my Old Life disciples and devotees, and I feel deeply the love you have for me. I want you all, as also those who are absent today, to know that my love for my Old Life disciples and devotees is unbounded .