Baba asked him, "Willingly or unwillingly?"
"Very willingly!" Naoroji replied. "I now have full faith and trust in you." Baba then instructed him to eat only cream of wheat and in a few days his health was nearly normal.
Without explaining the reason, Baba seemed quite indifferent to Aga Ali's removal this time and did not send anyone to bring him back. He concentrated instead on the spiritual progress of the remaining boys who, for the previous few weeks, had been increasingly drawn to him. On Wednesday, 22 August 1928, Baba eased the school curriculum for one month and ordered the mandali to let the boys come to him whenever they wished. During this period, Baba was surrounded by the children wherever he went. Many of the boys would wake up at midnight and sit in meditation. At the same time, they would observe the routine during school hours, study, meals, and games without feeling tired. Baba indicated that this was a good sign and he was pleased with their enthusiasm. A complete change in the Prem Ashram was noticed and the play of Wine began again.
The Master started paying particular attention to a boy named Bhiwa, often calling him to be near him, and patting and kissing him.1 One day at 1:30 P.M., Baba gathered all the Prem Ashram boys and asked whether they were having any problems meditating at night and early in the morning. Many replied that they were not, but Bhiwa began shedding tears and did not answer. Baba questioned him. After hesitating, Bhiwa answered, "While meditating, I don't see your physical form. Many thoughts assail me."
Baba consoled him with an explanation about the mind:
The mind is a terrible curse. Its business is to think and think — the more so when we do not wish to think of a particular person or thing. For instance, when you sit down for meditation or concentration on the guru or the Beloved [God], other worldly thoughts of a thousand and one kinds, of which ordinarily you would not have dreamed, are sure to rush into your mind. Thoughts always creep in with their continuous onslaughts, for it is the business of the mind to think, think and think.
But the real thinker and meditator is he who would not pay attention to these thoughts and would go on meditating on the image of his worship, even amidst the strongest attacks.
Footnotes
- 1.Bhiwa had served as Baba's orderly for some time in January 1927.