A well-known Indian yogi named Swami Satchidananda, 54, a disciple of Ramana Maharshi and the saint Shivananda in Rishikesh, had moved to America where he established a yoga center in New York. Harry Kenmore telephoned Eruch at this time that Satchidananda wished to meet Meher Baba, as he would be traveling through Maharashtra with a group of his followers. But when Satchidananda's secretary telephoned Adi from Bombay on 13 September, Adi informed him that Baba was in strict seclusion and not meeting anyone at this time. Instead, with Baba's permission, Adi offered to drive to Manmad railway junction (about 100 miles from Ahmednagar), where their train would be halting for a few hours, to speak to Satchidananda and his group about Baba. The offer was accepted.
On 16 September 1968, Don drove Adi in his car to Manmad, where they met Swami Satchidananda and about 23 of his followers (some of whom were Westerners). Adi gave them literature about Baba and answered questions. One of the group had heard that Meher Baba did not approve of yoga. Adi replied, "Baba is in everything, including yoga. Baba does not displace anything, but lays great stress on love. And the real purpose of every yoga is to evoke love of God and see that 'you go' and 'Baba comes.' "
Satchidananda asked when Baba would see them, and Adi replied, "Not now, maybe later."
After their meeting, Adi reported to Baba that Satchidananda seemed genuine and sincere. Baba was happy to hear the report, but did not call Satchidananda for darshan.1
On 30 September 1968, Baba stated: "Today I have sown the seed. We shall eat the fruits on January 10, 1969."
Now that the period of Baba's exclusion had ended, the limit to his lovers' patience had also ended, and correspondence was flowing in from lovers all over the world requesting darshan.
Knowing their longing, Baba remarked to the mandali: "I know that they are impatient to see me. And what about me? I, too, am impatient for them to see me. But the time has not yet come. So, my lovers and I, we must wait a while longer."
Footnotes
- 1.Later, in August 1969, Satchidananda gave the opening remarks at the Woodstock Music Festival in America.