Baba's face began to change. His face filled with love and then with suffering. It was a mixture of so many different emotions and feelings — perhaps reflecting what it would really mean to be like dust.
On another occasion, the Luck brothers were again the last to leave the hall. This time two friends from Miami, Phil Cowans and Edward Short, were with them. (Irwin had told Phil about Baba when both were in the U.S. Air Force, and Phil had in turn told Edward Short.) Baba asked what their plans were now. Irwin said they were intending to go back to New York, where he drove a taxi to earn a living.
Something more was discussed about this; Baba asked a few questions. Their father had refused to give them any financial assistance, so Baba had sent a telegram to Harry Kenmore on 17 October, instructing him to lend the Luck brothers the necessary amount to travel to India.
On this occasion, Baba instructed them to clear themselves of all debts when they returned to New York, and added, "Free yourself from all bindings and stand ready for my call."
Looking at the four young men, he motioned them to leave.
Baba had sent Phil Cowans this telegram on 29 July 1962: "Don't worry, my love will help you. Be happy. Remember me."
On 15 August Baba wrote him: "Know that the paramount need, more than Self-Realization, is simply the friendship of a God-realized Master gotten by resigning yourself completely to his will. The more you clean your heart of otherness — the more you will love."
Like several Westerners who met Baba for the first and only time at the East-West Gathering, Phil Cowans, a young man in his twenties, had memorable encounters. When he first went to embrace Baba, Baba held onto him tightly for a long time, so tightly that Cowans actually felt that he was being crushed by him and that he was about to lose his life! Gasping, with all his strength, he pushed Baba away. Baba did not convey anything, and Cowans walked back to his seat in tears. However, that experience of feeling Baba's power, remained forever embedded in his memory.
On another day after darshan, Phil found himself all alone with Baba. Phil spoke; Baba listened. It had to do with women. Baba gestured in reply, and Cowans told him he did not understand a word from his hand signs.
Eruch came and conveyed Baba's words: "Don't worry about this problem. Baba will help you with this."