In fact, Stevens could only recall one or two occasions when Baba had given rather simple and rather brief-duration meditations to individuals close to him. So it struck him as strange that Baba should have spent so much time in the Discourses on the subject of meditation, and yet so rarely assigned or effectively and practically used meditation.
When he next met Baba, he asked him why Baba did not urge persons like himself to meditate.
Baba smiled and explained:
I am the Avatar and I must provide for all of the 700 to 1400 years that go by after I drop the body and until I come again. During my manifestation and for some time after I drop my body, the high road of all roads of inner development is love.
That road is now fully open to the aspiring seeker during the remainder of the lifetime of the Avatar and for some time after, and should be used. Eventually, however, the entry will gradually narrow and then the path will finally be accessible only to the very rare seeker. As I must provide for my lovers for the hundreds of years until I come again, it is necessary therefore that I make provisions now for their use during that period of time. For this, it will be necessary that they use a secondary route. One of the very best of these is that of meditation, and that is why I have given out these extensive discourses on meditation.
However, do not mistake me, because meanwhile — during my lifetime and for some time afterwards — it is a distraction and waste of an individual's time and energies to use meditation. He should use all of his force and energies in utilizing this Path of Love that is fully open to him.
During the conversation, Don noticed Baba suddenly stop gesturing and glance up at Eruch with a sharp look of irritation. He went on gesturing, but stopped and again looked at Eruch very concerned and motioned for him to go outside. Stevens had no idea what had distracted Baba, as Baba continued to communicate with him.
Eruch came back and whispered something in Baba's ear.
Baba turned up both palms in a gesture of slight despair, and gestured, "Now what to do?"