Baba then turned and greeted Mahdah Love and a friend named Linda, who had driven up from St. Petersburg, Florida. Mahdah had met Baba in Myrtle Beach in 1952, but had recently become a follower of the saint Kirpal Singh. Baba drew her off to one side, spoke to her for a few moments and then embraced her. She was given a personal interview later and told to return home.
Baba walked back to the Lagoon Cabin where, at about 9:00 A.M., he resumed seeing people privately. Darwin's family were the first to meet him. Leatrice Shaw asked Baba if she should undergo an eye operation, and he replied he would discuss it with her and her parents later.
For the moment, he assured them, "Don't worry about anything. Worry only about loving me more and more."
Darwin's parents, Aaron and Helen Shaw, also met Baba, as did his niece, Dolores.
Next were Laura and Lee Delavigne, who had also met Baba in 1952. The Delavignes had retired and moved near the Center in the residential development called Briarcliffe Acres. Baba would call the Delavignes "his neighbors."
He told Laura, "You have always been my neighbor," and added, "We are all neighbors in God."
Baba spoke with Ivy, Elizabeth and "Energy" (Marion) Florsheim. Marion asked about having two dormitories constructed on the Center.
Baba said, "No one except Elizabeth can add to the Meher Center." The question of raising funds was discussed, and Baba stated, "I do not want money now. After the 15th of February, I will need money for a huge congregation of men and women. Don't ask for any contributions now."
Elizabeth and Marion left, and Don Stevens was called.
Differences between him and Ivy were laid before Baba, who decided: "All the returns [profit from Sufism Reoriented activities] are to be utilized to spread God Speaks in every nook and corner of the world. I am not worried about publicity."1
At one point, discussing Bernard Carvalho's personality, Baba observed, "He loves me, but cannot finalize anything. He wants to work, but somehow he is under helpless conditions and is not able to do so."
Dr. Lind and his wife, residents of Myrtle Beach, met Baba next. The doctor asked, "Could you tell me when I am going to die?"
"You will live seven more years," Baba assured him.
The doctor was unconvinced. "I disagree," he stated.
Baba said, "Give me a promise that if you survive for seven more years, you will live only for God." Lind willingly promised.
Footnotes
- 1.At a later meeting during the same visit, Baba instructed that the net profits from the sales of God Speaks were to be divided equally between the Meher Spiritual Center and Sufism Reoriented.