“”After finishing lunch, at 1:00 P.M. there will be interviews for groups and individuals from among the groups. When you come to my room for interviews, listen to what I say, and don't start telling me of your difficulties. When I ask you, then alone answer. Your spiritual difficulties you can tell me, but in brief. There are so many groups and individuals I have to see. The interviews will continue tomorrow, and those left out today will have the chance of seeing me then.
Baba rebuked Madhav Rao Misal, who was standing in the doorway, "Have you come here for my sahavas or the sahavas of others? Or are you thinking of paan and cigarettes? You are an old-time lover and have love for me so come inside and sit down."
One man of the sahavas group asked, "Baba, what do you mean by fasting the mind? I don't try to think, yet thoughts come!"
Baba answered:
“”If such small points start cropping up, there will be no end to explanations. What is fasting of the mind? It is to have no thoughts. This in itself is impossible, but remember me as often as you can and then your mind will not be in a fumble as to what to think of. You leave your mind to me by having my constant remembrance or taking my name, and there will be no food [thoughts] worth the name for the mind to feed on. Thoughts of me will supersede all other thoughts in your mind.
There is no necessity to starve the stomach. You can do it for your health, but not for spiritual reasons. We are in the habit of eating food at regular intervals. With a few exceptions, when we feel hungry our stomach craves for food, although we may be engrossed in some other work. But when the mind is occupied in some work, the stomach feels satisfied. It is our nature to look at the clock when it is time for food. If we purposely fast, our eyes would constantly be on the clock to see if it is time to break the fast. By such fasting, the bindings become strong.
When I ask you to fast, it is something different. I will see who is ready to fast for seven days on water. You are not to sleep or lie down, but remain seated on the floor, repeating my name continually. Those prepared to do this may now stand up.
