It is also a fact that it is I who have been helping them to stick to me. The time is drawing near when they will have to maintain their hold on my daaman on their own. I want none to leave me, but if one and all were now to give up, I would not mind at all. For those who choose to remain with me and near me, there is the possibility of greater hardships and even lack of day-to-day provisions after the period of my retirement. I will not at all be displeased with those who feel they have had enough of a life of obedience, and who from May or August 1 choose to live a life of their own. I am offering now that freedom to one and all; if you now decide to leave me, you do so honorably and all you have done so far will continue to stand to your credit. But if, having chosen to stick to me, you later give me up, you would earn the title of mardood [apostate, condemned], thus wiping out all your past service and obedience to me. Those who decide to stick to me may have to suffer in the future, but one thing is certain: they will not suffer alone — I will equally share with them their hardships and privations.
Now I will tell you one important thing about promises. Baba is always free to give and break promises. But in a way, he binds himself by issuing this Life Circular 25 , which applies individually and collectively.
Baba then narrated this incident: When he was a schoolboy in Poona, he saw a particular man in the bar adjacent to his house. The man would daily come and drink liquor. Drunk, he would then quietly sit in the bar on one of the chairs until late at night. His wife would come and weep before him, pleading with him to quit, and the man would solemnly promise not to drink the next day. Although he promised sincerely to quit each day, he was completely helpless to do so when the next day came.
Baba then stated:
Now how to explain about my promises? Baba is helpless in explaining! Why? Whatever Baba does or explains is beyond [human] understanding — and it is not one's fault not to understand me. For how can you understand the Perfect One?