During this period, Baba's bedroom was stifling with no opening for fresh air, and sweat would stream off Pendu's and Bhau's bodies when they were on watch. Baba's suffering was linked with his Universal work, and everything that happened to him was related to it.
Baba mentioned to Dr. Ginde about the work going on in America of spreading his message against drugs to the student population. Allan Cohen, now a social psychologist, had become quite an expert on the drug problem in America, and particularly within the student world. Cohen would tour and give lectures at colleges about the harmful side effects of LSD, marijuana and other drugs.
On 12 April 1967, Baba cabled Allan Cohen, who was visiting the Center in Myrtle Beach:
Your letter to Adi April 4th and enclosures being Baba-work reports were read to me. I am very happy that you and Baba boys and girls are vigorously carrying my message to the people through articles, speeches, panels, radio appearances and film media. I am with you.
Inform [Richard] Alpert and others concerned that definitely I am not available before 1967 end. My love and blessings to you and co-workers.
Rick Chapman was still teaching in India. When his job finished, he went to Ahmednagar on 13 April and spent a few days there with Adi and Padri. He came to Poona on the 18th with Adi and the Kalchuris, and stayed in makeshift quarters at the Poona Center where Ramakrishnan also stayed in a small room as the Center's caretaker. But although Baba would occasionally call Ramakrishnan concerning certain work, he did not call Rick during this time. Not wishing to disobey Baba's order that no one should disturb his seclusion, Rick, likewise, did not seek Baba's darshan before returning to America from Bombay on 6 May.
When Eruch casually suggested that Baba might call Rick, Baba remarked, "No, that one visit was enough for him."
Rick wrote to Allan Cohen on 11 May 1967: "Before I left Poona Baba sent me a message which contained immense emotional charge: 'You, Allan and Bob [Dreyfuss] are the ones who can spread My Message of Truth to the Americans.' "
On 26 May, this telegram was sent to Allan:
Your cable and letter to Adi received. Spend no more time contacting [Richard] Alpert. Rick will soon join you in the work of spreading my message. Press on with this work for my time is fast approaching.
My love to you.