Chapter 36: Interested In Remaining Disinterested
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Scarcely believing her ears, Ann said, "Baba, they said it would be fine if I stayed, just to let them know."
"Well, make sure you do," he replied.
Keshav Nene's daughter Sandhya danced for Baba that afternoon. One dance depicted the life of a gopi absorbed in her love for Krishna. In the course of the conversation there was a reference to the songs of Mira.
Baba asked Ann, "Do you know the story of Saint Mira?"
She said she did not, and Baba gestured to Eruch to relate a few incidents from Mira's life.
Afterwards Baba remarked: "Mira was not born at the time when Krishna manifested himself as the Avatar in human form. Even then her love surpassed that of the gopis. In this sense her love is unique, unparalleled. The same can be said about Francis of Assisi's love for Jesus Christ. He had not seen Jesus physically but his love for Christ excelled that of Peter, the Rock. Because Francis never met Jesus, his longing and love were that much greater."
Baba looked at Ann Conlon and stated quite seriously, "Mira was not concerned about offending her husband. Her only concern was about offending her Lord. She never put anyone or anything between herself and Krishna."
Baba repeated the last sentence again, and Ann knew there was a message in it for her.
Baba asked her, "Have you read any of my books?"
Ann said she had and mentioned a few.
"Did you read God Speaks?" Baba inquired.
Embarrassed, Ann said, "I tried, Baba. I got to page 64 but did not understand a word of it."
Baba laughed, gesturing, "Never mind, forget it. It is not important."
After a few more songs in praise of Baba's Godhood, newcomers were introduced to Baba individually by the group heads.
At one point, seeing that Ann was uncomfortable sitting at his feet, Baba gestured, "You were not born to sit like that."
He had a chair brought and put against the wall. Rano was called to sit next to Ann to keep her company.
Throughout the darshan program, Ann kept her gaze steadily fixed on Baba.
Several times Baba turned around suddenly and asked, "Are you happy?"
Ann was so lost in his beauty, Rano had to elbow her in the ribs and whisper, "Answer him." By the end of the day, Ann was exhausted from being in the presence of Baba's overwhelming vitality.