"I am writing a book on the psychological condition of the world in relation to war and peace," he said. "I have traveled to Australia, Europe, Asia and America and have had the sahavas of Shankaracharya [head Hindu priest]. I want your blessings. I know these things are temporary and traditional. They do not mean much ..."
Baba interrupted him, "They mean nothing. Conviction through the intellect has only a limited scope and might land one into the mess of hypocrisy.
"God is absolute honesty and purity, and in knowing him there can be no compromise. Beyond intellectual conviction is the conviction by knowing through feeling, seeing God as you see me. Only that can make you have the conviction of being one with God in Reality. So unless this certainty of unity with God comes, all talk is dishonest."
"How does the unity get established?" Vinod asked.
"When selfish longings and wants go, this is established. God is not there when there are desires and longings. But one must experience this Reality. I always say [it is] better not to believe in God than be a hypocrite!"
"Selfish desires, attachments and longings, how to control them?" Vinod asked.
"For that, books have been written, and yet it can be achieved in a flash, or it may take lives. So to ask how to control, how to win over desires is like asking, 'How can I die living? How can I have consciousness in sound sleep?'
"Mind, as long as it is there, goes on working in spite of yourself. So, as you sincerely and honestly want to know, and I feel you need it and are a person of such intelligence, if you really achieve this you will be able to work for God and the universe in the real sense."
Baba then gave him certain instructions for meditation and concluded: "So start now. Baba has explained so much to you. God's work is my work and you will do my work. When you have the ocean within you, you cannot crave for a few drops of water! That is what I want you to see. Not just through reason, but by actual experience."
"Will I succeed?"
"If you do it honestly. Baba will be helping you every night at 12. Do it honestly and leave the rest to me."1
Francis, Ivy and Charmian met with Baba again at 10:00 A.M. on the 12th. (With them was a 22-year-old school friend of Charmian's named Rita "Sparkie" Lukes.) To Ivy and Francis, Baba stated in private:
Footnotes
- 1.Vinod confessed to a weakness for women and subsequently disregarded Baba's orders to abstain from such entanglements. He later became involved in tantric yoga and developed a following in India. He permitted persons to bow at his feet, despite Baba's warnings to him, delivered through Adi Sr., that he not do so. Vinod developed white leprosy and had many other health problems.