They looked at all of us with curiosity and wanted instantly to be our friends. Several gave me their addresses so that I could write to them and send them a picture of the United States. It's kind of sad to realize that they will never see the United States or, for that matter, any other part of the world. It's hard to relate the poverty and disease in India; but they are extremely fortunate to have heard of Avatar Meher Baba.

April 12: The third day of darshan, by Mary Klifman:

Awaking to a downfall of rain was a welcomed surprise, for it obviously helped to cool the air. The buses bustled with swishes of plastic rain covers, squeezing next to drenched cottons of those who had prepared only for the usual hot desert climate of Poona.

The Western lovers were unmindful of soaked garments as an extraordinary sense of anticipation filled their midst. While being carried off for another appointment with their Master, much conversation as to how "Baba always has it rain at least once during each Darshan period " was heard. Mud-clad shoes and sandals were shed on the steps of Guruprasad, and voices hushed as the now more reverent throng entered the great hall.

At the beckoning call of Eruch, the room silenced and the third day of "Darshan" program commenced. The already dimmed lights darkened completely from the storm, and microphones squeaked and crackled beyond any point of aid.

Charmian Corrinet announced:

"This morning the goofy Sufis are happy to present their second program. We will begin with Hank Mindlin 's "Everywhere I Look This Morning."

"Carol Leigh will sing a song composed for her birthday by Hank called simply "My Song." I am sure that the news media in India have described fully our wild political conventions when a new president for the U.S. has to be selected. Nowadays, reporters with walkie-talkie radios go all over the big halls and call in their reports to a special announcer. Hank got fascinated with the idea of a Baba convention, as you will now see." You have all heard of the "Haight-Ashbury" district in San Francisco which, to our sorrow, became the drug capital of our country. It started out as a center for hippies, all of whom wore flowers, burned incense, and talked endlessly about LOVE. Marty Lewis and others had apartments on the fringe of this district which were convenient to State College. She will now demonstrate how a hippie explained the way the Sufis become involved with Baba. She composed this herself and it is called "The Poon."

"Ed Phillips is barely recovering from the flu and feels his voice is not up to par, but we have begged him to sing Hank's beautiful composition called "God IS." Selma Hassen has concocted this skit without a name—we just call it Selma's skit. For Murshida's birthday, Hank, who is another Piscean poor fish, composed a "Reincarnationist's Lament to Baba," which he will now sing. The group presents "You and Me."

"Just before we left San Francisco, Gary Gusick and John Allen were wondering what would happen if they were caught in a predicament. Actually Don is a great favorite with his students. The night he left us to go live in London, Carol-Leigh sang him our farewell.

"Our finale will be the "Man-O-Nash Calypso" by Zuhair, Carol-Leigh and Hank, and then we will end with a Hymn to Baba.

"Mehera has requested our Arti again, so now we shall repeat it."

Drawing from the vast array of talent within the Sufi group, their gift of love was presented to Baba through original skits and songs. The major portion of entertainment was geared toward a jovial, lighthearted vein, but triggered impressions of new understanding for all.

These stories in melody and play made each see the humor of his own existence as he treds along, usually quite oblivious to the duality of Maya. His group of lovers were joining the Creator in Divine laughter at the game of illusion! Although this laughter and gaiety set the general mood of the morning, a keen sense of being "in the presence of the Master" was in no way lessened.

Hearts poured out in reverence to the hymn, Meher My Lord, and at Mehera's request, the Sufi program again ended