Hence, after all, the first and foremost thing is love, which results through intense longing enthusiasm and impulses. The momentary flashes of impulses and enthusiasm in the course of time become second nature. Then the continuous or frequent thoughts gradually produce a longing, which when intensified, changes into love.
Baba then spoke about Saint Francis:
Saint Francis of Assisi, the greatest renouncer, began his unique endeavors at the impulse of a moment. But he stuck to his enthusiasm very closely when, after four years of immense sufferings, he came in contact with a European wali, who created in him Divine Love with a glance of his grace (as is the case with such spiritually advanced personalities as walis, who, at times, on the impulse of the moment, implant the spark of love in whomever they please).
After remaining for three more years in the love-stricken state, Saint Francis came to India in search of God, where he finally came in contact with a Hindu Master who gave him God-realization. After the complete Divine Upliftment, Saint Francis returned to his native place where he [eventually] had hundreds of thousands of followers.
After the discourse, Baba commented about Hafiz:
Hafiz, who is widely known throughout the literary world as a great poet, was also a Qutub, a Perfect Master of his age. There are hundreds of thousands of people in Persia and India who rely upon his work for divine guidance. There are numerous instances in history when momentous decisions were arrived at after consulting the Divan-e-Hafiz [the collection of Hafiz's poems]. The practice of referring to it for advice is still very common to this day. Even the answering of the question of Hafiz's burial was decided after consulting the advice of his own compositions.
Yet there are very few who understand the spiritual secrets which are revealed in his poetry. In fact, Khwaja [the Master] Hafiz has clearly narrated, one by one, all the stages of spirituality in his Divan . Every complete ghazal refers to a certain spiritual state and stage for one who can understand it.
The next evening, Baba gave the following discourse to the mandali:
Childhood is the ideal period of life in which to take an interest in spirituality. The impressions received at a young age become deeply ingrained. Divine beauty, grandeur, and bliss should always be impressed upon children, so much so as to fire their imaginations to the highest pitch about God and His greatness.