During this period, Don Stevens moved to California. He traveled to India, and along with Meherjee, visited Baba at 2:00 P.M. on Friday, 31 July 1964. They left Meherazad the same afternoon. Whenever Don visited, Baba would send back messages of love for Ivy Duce, her daughter Charmian, the Sufis, and for Alain Youell, who was a university student studying psychology.
Don Stevens was a well-paid executive of Standard Oil. Once, thinking that he should pursue a more humanitarian line of work, such as being a doctor, teacher or counselor, he contemplated giving up the oil business. He decided that the next time he came to India, he would tell Baba of his decision. When he arrived, as soon as the greetings were over, Don said, "Baba, forgive me for plying you with this, but there is something rather important in my own personal life that I would like to discuss with you." Baba looked interested and gestured to him to proceed. Don had only spoken a few words when Baba began communicating with Eruch about something else.
Again Don started. After only a few sentences, Baba again began communicating with Eruch. He asked Don something. Don became so involved in answering that he completely forgot about his plan to change careers. He remembered only when he was on the plane leaving India, and he felt terrible over his lapse.
Don resolved to bring up the subject with Baba the next time he saw him, which was a few months later. Immediately after arriving, he started; but the exact same thing happened. Baba began listening carefully and then changed the subject, and Stevens again forgot about it. On the plane he remembered and became even more dismayed with himself.
Don was determined to fully discuss this issue with Baba the next time, one way or another. When he came to India, he said, "Baba, there is something on my mind that is bothering me; it is bedeviling me. I have started to discuss it a couple of times, but some way or another it has always got sidetracked." This time Baba looked him square in the eye and allowed him to continue without interruption.
Don reached the point of saying he felt it was time to do something else, when Baba cut him short.
"Who do you think put you in the oil business?" he asked.
Don was taken aback. The answer at once seemed obvious.
Baba continued, " I put you in the oil business because it is the environment which most satisfactorily brings up the sanskaras which you must work out in this particular life. I put you there; now stay there."