Doctors cannot heal Baba. He only permits them to try because of their love for him. Baba does not want to be healed. If he did not want that suffering he would not have taken it upon himself. His greater suffering is lessening the human misery.
When the great compression falls on him, his silence will be broken. This painful undertaking has its purpose with Baba. He said that when he breaks his silence the whole world will know how he really is. Baba said after July he will remove some of the suffering and pain. Watch the world's affairs — the more critical they become — the more the suffering for Baba. He applies the shock absorber — else things would be worse than they are.1
Before Joseph Harb left, Baba asked him how Ivy Duce was, and Joseph replied, "She is frustrated because, despite our best efforts, the Sufi Center [in San Francisco] is not growing [in membership]."
Baba replied, "It can't — it isn't the time! A great oak has to have strong roots going deep into the soil to be able to hold it up. That is what you are doing for the strong Sufi order I wish you to build."
Baba had once revealed: "I come for all, but I am for a few," and perhaps this is why comparatively few recognized him when he was on Earth.
One afternoon Baba met with the several workers and volunteers of the Poona Center who had worked so hard in making arrangements for the six-day darshan program, seeing to the needs of those from out of town. As a result they had not been able to attend most of the programs. Ramakrishnan and Bhavsar had labored especially hard, and Baba expressed his appreciation for all. Shinde had been in charge of the pandal according to Pendu's instructions, and Pendu and Bhau jointly were responsible for arranging facilities for those coming for darshan at Guruprasad.
After the darshan program, Keki Nalavala and his son, Naosherwan, were allowed to remain in Poona for three additional days, because Naosherwan had some difficulty in breathing and Baba wished him to be treated by Dr. Grant. This was arranged and Baba even paid some amount toward Naosherwan's treatment.
Footnotes
- 1.Quoted in a letter from Kari Harb to Carrie Ben Shammai, dated 7 May 1965 (Carrie Ben Shammai letter scans, 1965).