silent but allowed us to sit around him on the steps of the porch. Kippy, Elizabeth's Boston terrier, always around when Baba appeared, walked up to Baba and licked his feet; Baba took her in his arms for a moment.

After a short while Baba asked "Where is Kitty?" I had gone for a walk in the grounds, but not out of bounds; it was already dark yet I had not returned — we were not expecting Baba! Baba led everyone into the garden for another period of silence. Again he asked, "Where is Kitty?" Shortly after, Baba left the group and retired to his room, telling one of the group to give me the following message "Tell Kitty she's wonderful in all ways — good and bad!"

On these days of Baba's visits, before leaving he would so frequently call us all together in the living room for half an hour before he left. It was such a peaceful, happy time. As Elizabeth puts it, "It is the eternal memory of these moments that come closest, I think, to moments of bliss, for they do not fade with time or distance."

During the months of April and May, Baba spent more time with us at Nasik and gave us many beautiful talks and discourses. He knew, but we knew not, that time was closing in on us — Baba had other plans afoot. The "thorns" were beginning to prick and Baba by being with us more, was undoubtedly blunting their sharpness ― but more of this later.

It was on the evening of April 13th that Baba called us all together to sit with him in silence on the lawn outside the bungalow. A very beautiful moment, I recall, and Baba spelled out on his alphabet board "Tomorrow!!"

"Tomorrow we will have silence in the evening, but under one condition that is very important — that you do not look around but only look at Baba and feel as if you were alone with him."

"You must do it naturally without strain. You must not feel conscious of your bodies. Let the head be the centre of your body. When it is, then you forget your body and you can think of me." Will asked what to do if we feel pressure in the head. Baba replied, "Relax, as if going to sleep. Close your eyes, if not you see your body."