Editorial: THE MASTER'S SUFFERING

On the second of July, 1956, just before He interrupted His year of seclusion to come to the West, Meher Baba sent the following message:

"As declared in the past, I am free from promises and I am not bound by time and space. Though all happenings are in the realm of illusion, a great so-called tragedy is facing me and my lovers. My long-expected hu­miliation is near at hand. This may happen tomorrow or any day of this year, or it may happen next year.

"The love, courage and faith of my lovers will be put to a severe test, not by me, but by Divine Law. Those who hold fast to me at the zenith of this crisis will transcend illusion and abide in Reality.

"I want all my lovers to know that the contents of this circular, however despairing, should not affect their enthusiasm and the efforts of their preparations for my coming, because my humiliation and 'tragedy,' though necessary, are but passing phases which are bound to have a glorious end as is destined."

Several times His spontaneous discourses centered on the theme that though He feels constant and eternal bliss, He feels Himself bound in us all and thus suffers continually. A message, "Divine Bliss and Human Suffering," was read out frequently during the world tour, centering on the theme that "ordinary man suffers for himself, Masters suffer for humanity, whereas the Avatar suffers for one and all beings and things."

But in the happiness of the Master's actual presence, fears and forebodings were forgotten in the joy of His "sahavas" or divine company. However, there were always moments when those who were sensitive could feel that the Master's inner suffering was as constant and unbroken as His divine Bliss; especially when, in His characteristic gesture, He laid one index finger over the other in the shape of a cross, thus indicating— "I am the Christ."