please me and, when I ask, you say 'No.' What kind of love is this?"

Some of the group respond spontaneously, but, to me and my friend R., these times were a trial beyond description.

However, when we got to India, bit by bit the ego gave in; self-consciousness, inferiority, pride, obstinacy, likes and dislikes, all went in our effort to please and obey Baba. It was surprising how, with Baba's encouragement and Mani's patient coaching, we did produce some quite amusing and simple performances. All this served Baba's work, for it helped to liberate us from our ego and, during Baba's frequent absences, kept our thoughts one hundred per cent on him, for he would always expect us to have "some surprise" for him on his return. I think Baba had many an opportunity for a "silent laugh" when the Westerners attempted to act in Hindi, Marathi or other Indian language!

I once asked Adi Senior how best to please Baba when you are with him. Adi replied, "Be supersensitive to Baba's moods and act accordingly and anticipate his needs before he asks. I know of only one disciple, M., who does this for Baba one hundred per cent."

The following incident comes to my mind and explains Adi’s point: Baba had taken some of the group with him to Lugano, Switzerland, for ten days' rest before starting his work in America.

Now, on this particular day in March, Baba took us by boat across the lake of Lugano to Mt. Generoso. At the top of the mountain was a small hotel which we made our headquarters.

Soon Baba called us all to the main room. We found Baba holding a man's felt hat sideways, the brim touching the table. Using the hat as an illustration, Baba began explaining how we must "look within" (pointing to the inside of the crown) to find our soul, God. Here we stood at the opening (pointing to the brim), but were facing always outward toward the world-space.

Before Baba had time to finish, one of the group burst out laughing. She was clearly not in the mood for anything serious! Baba's mood changed. He returned the hat to the stand and we were sent away. No rebuke, but we could sense Baba was displeased.

Outside the room, Dr. Ghani, one of Baba's earliest disciples, came up to me looking very crestfallen and said, "Try and prevent this happening again.