Chapter 36: Interested In Remaining Disinterested
1961Page 4,737 of 5,444
The same was also true during this period. After the fast, when the lovers had an opportunity to see Baba again and speak of their experiences, they would describe feeling crazed with hunger at night, but abruptly — and inexplicably! — they would feel as if their stomachs were full. Baba was, in fact, lessening their hunger by being restless and eating something himself. This was his leela (divine play); but how could they know or understand it? Only those who kept watch by his side witnessed it.
There was a great deal of hustle and bustle in the main house at Meherazad on 28 December, as the women began giving Baba a Turkish (wet cloth) steam bath daily from that day onward.
On the 30th, Meheru made a seat for Baba resembling Laila's seat fitted for the back of a camel. The steam bath was a success, and after it, Baba did not bathe for a month and a half.
Francis became ill at this time with intermittent fever and was taken to Meherabad on 5 January 1961, where Don looked after him until Francis returned to Meherazad on the 22nd.
Sunday, 15 January 1961, was the final day of the 21-day fast and repetition of God's name. On that day, both the women and men mandali at Meherazad fasted for 24 hours as directed by Baba. The fast ended, but Baba's disinterest toward things persisted, although less pronounced than before.
That day Baba saw Adi Sr. and Ramjoo after a long time. Ramjoo was working tirelessly on legal and tax exemption issues related to Avatar Meher Baba Trust, and Baba discussed developments with them again on the 19, and also on 23 January and 2 February. Padri and Don were called on 27 January.
On Thursday, 9 February 1961, (Baba's birthday according to the Zoroastrian calendar), Baba gave the following message for his birthday on the 25th:
I am the One Who is always lost and found among mankind. It is your love for yourself that loses me, and it is your love for me that finds me. Love me above everything, for now while I am in your midst, I am most easily found as I really am.
On the 15th of February, a circular was issued stating that although Baba would be traveling to Poona from the middle of March, for a stay of several months, certain restrictions were to be imposed: