A woman named Toni Roothbert had a house in Myrtle Beach, and one day Mehera and the other women mandali went there for tea. Toni was a nationally known photographer who had found out about Baba years before in New York City from Norina, Elizabeth and Nadine. Toni first met Baba at 3:00 P.M., on the 11th, with Consuelo Sides.
Baba asked Toni, "Have you seen me before?"
"No," she replied.
"I have seen you!" he stated, and then explained to her:
You feel happy here [in Myrtle Beach] now, and I do too. I will tell you why you are happy here. For two reasons: those who are connected with me ought to be happy here because this place [the Center] was ages ago where I moved about, stayed and visited. Secondly, the lake, ocean and woods — this combination gives it a unique atmosphere.
Toni said, "I am only happy when I can do something for people. There is not even a hospital here ..."
Yes, we must do something, but something that would really make people happy — not the apparent passing happiness, but real lasting happiness. I will tell you both. You, Consuelo, are connected with me, and she, too, has long connection with me. So I will explain this selfless work. Life is one long, endless chain of existence, and real happiness is only in loving God and being united with Him to gain everlasting happiness and peace. Therefore, the greatest service one can render to humanity is to make them feel this Reality.
There are many ways of helping people: by charity, giving food, clothes, alms, serving them personally, looking after them, working in hospitals, nursing them, et cetera. But all this is physical help. It does good to the doer, but at the same time places one under an obligation within the process of evolution. Why?
For instance, I have no food and am starving. I come to you and ask for food; you give some to me, I eat and am satisfied.