[Tavern-Talk] HEART TALK: William Donkin's Diaries 11

Thu Jan 24 12:54:25 GMT 2008

HEART TALK - Donkin's Diaries: Eleventh Installment

9/3/40

Two days ago there was a Centre Committee meeting. It started
peacefully, and then Baba introduced the irrelevant subject about the
Journal, and the Publication and Journal committee differences, and
this started a 1st class row between Elizabeth, Norina, Jal Kerawala
and Chanji, and ended up with Chanji in the most terrible rage, and
Baba threw his bell at him to keep him quiet; Baba was peeved then,
and very strong on Chanji, telling him he would surely get cancer of
the throat.

Baba after the meeting ordered me to take out 2 of Navroji's teeth,
then said leave it till next evening, and then I suggested better do
it that night, so he could work better next day, as he had toothache.
The lower tooth had bad abcess, and suggestion was faulty because of
this, and tooth hurt him, so he couldn't work that evening.

Baba called Nilu and I over the same evening, and on hearing about
Navroji, gave first me, and then Nilu a really bad 'purgative', as a
dressing down is called by the Mandali - the worst by far I've had so
far, all very depressing outwardly, although in a curious way it makes
one inwardly love Baba more, and seems to bring one closer to him in
one big painful leap. Anyhow he granted pardon soon, and even sent
Chagan over an hour later to tell us not to worry.

Next day he told us that Nilu comes in bus on tour on 15th April, and
I drive the bus. We tour for one month, through Gersoppa, Goa, and up
the coast to all places of interest.

Baba says he is building the hut at Mandla [near] Jabalpur because he
has a spiritual link with it in the past.

Baba still sends his urine almost every day to be tested for sugar.

13/3/40

2 days ago Baba made me take round a notice to all the Mandali stating
that between March 11th and 20th, both dates inclusive, something
would occur of great importance affecting the world and the war most
seriously, especially Britain, and so all must fast on March 20th,
with up to 2 cups of tea morning and evening, and ice cream, one
plate, at midday: all the women are fasting too.

To-day comes news of Finnish Armistice apparently, so that, and
developments on it, may be it.

This morning one of the Masts at the Links cut his lip, from a fall -
I put 2 stitches in.

Baba this evening did bends and stretches in his room in front of us
who were there to reduce his stomach, and making us do them too. Baba
is really very anxious to get off now, and there are only 2 weeks left
now, to pack dispensary and all; it should be an interesting trip.

17/3/40

Baba said that the Finnish Russian peace was not what he meant by the
'serious' happening, and hinted darkly and very vaguely that something
like a pact between Russia and Italy, or trouble in India was nearer
the mark, so we shall see. Baba even dictated a notice to Babanand
Swami telling him to circulate among all the Mandali; that the Finland
armistice was nothing; the Finns were disgusted, and the Germans
celebrating it as if it was their own victory, and that Baba had the
key to the Universe and would use it now.

Baba has talked a good deal about how free he is and remains from all
his work, universal, and all the fiddling details of accounts and
whatnot; he told Kale Mama to sit in his room and think of Baba, and
not of Byramangala at all for 1/2 an hour; Kale Mama's mind runs on so
out of control these days.

Baba got me to examine Mrs [Nargis] Kotwal and her son [Adi]
yesterday, and I'm to report about her tomorrow; at any rate she's not
coming on the tour which is good.

Baba yesterday made me write the dates we would be at Goa on my white
trousers so that I shouldn't forget then to ask the collector. The
Swami Mast with the cut lip keeps on pulling at the horsehair stitches
thinking his moustache is getting big and long.

20/3/40

Yesterday Baba called us all to tell us that the 2 goats, he called
them, Hitler, and Mussolini, 2 good for nothing men, he called them,
whom he used as mediums for his work, and that this meeting Baba had
wangled by his working, and although Hit and Muss would openly just
say they had met and had a friendly chat, in actual fact a deep plot
had been laid.

Baba says peace and war chances are now quickened up, though peace is
unlikely; all will be a mess in some 6 months, everyone fighting, and
no-one knowing why; if Russia makes pact with Italy, Turkey will be in
a fix, and America will be drawn in later, but no-one will understand
what is happening it will all be such a mess and muddle; but all will
be fighting nevertheless. England, Baba says, will suffer, but will be
O.K. if she doesn't get frightened and make a patched up peace.

To-day, Baba remarked, we all fast, because these 2 goats (Hit and
Muss) have been meeting: Russia, Baba says, is no good - she smells -
like a he-goat.

Yesterday I took Dattu's sister for chest X ray, as an Ahmednagar
doctor said she had T.B; fortunately this is not so - X ray shows the
lump quite O.K.

25/3/40

Last few days I have been rather busy with Nilu away at Adi's house,
and no dispensary boys, and I have the impression that Baba wished me
to be busy and continually pestered, as I have been with unexpected
jobs, so that patience at times was very thin; very good for me no doubt.

Baba says that each day will bring change in war situation; one day
peace rumours, next day war rumours, etc - but Baba says things will
now be speeded up, and the war will soon get a move on. Ayengar
brought his younger daughter to be 'initiated' by Baba 2 days ago,
Baba very sweet with the child, and very radiant.

Although I see a lot of Baba these days, I get the impression that he
no longer takes the trouble to be extra nice to me to flatter me, but
treats me much more like the other mandali, which is really a big
compliment; to work for Baba and not be praised or thanked, that is
the best thing.

We are all rather anxious to leave here, and looking forward to the
start of the tour next week: I shall be driving the bus on the tour,
which theoretically will last 6 weeks; we get to M'bad 15th May.

27/3/40

Yesterday morning Nilu and I had a bit of a crisis with Baba; Baba has
been poking us both over Nargis Kotwal, so we had some straight talk
back. A straight talk with Baba is so very refreshing, he never evades
anything, and never harbours any bitterness - how could he? Nilu is
rather sensitive at Baba's teasings, much more so than myself, and
seems to take them all to heart. I myself feel that Baba does it for
his own reasons, and not by any means because of the matter in hand at
the moment.

All the cars are getting prepared for the tour, greased, oiled and
whatnot. Jal Rusi has gone off to Quetta at Baba's order; the place
will be like a morgue when we have left.

I definitely feel that the dust-up yesterday has brought me a lot
closer to him; although outwardly it is not funny to be ticked off by
him and made to look an ass, inwardly it gives a sort of pleasure,
because, I suppose, it is done in love; all these masters have abuses
on their tongues and love in their hearts: it is a great compliment
really - whom the Lord loveth he chastiseth.

One of the girls in the other house had a fit last night, seemed to be
epileptic - so with Sidhu's young son that is 2 epileptics to drug
with luminal.

29/3/40

All very busy now before going off on Monday - Baba making me rush
here and there on different errands all day long these days; but
although I get tired, I really like all that rushing about on Baba's
work, however trivial it may be. Last night I went to Gl Hancis Lewis
for drinks, and chat, and met the Trevelyans and others: general
polite chat in the garden; quite pleasant; Hancis is a decent old stick.

Nilu comes back to this house to-day, and we pack up the dispensary together.

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Jai Beloved Baba!
Archives Team
Avatar Meher Baba P.P.C. Trust

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