[Tavern-Talk] HEART TALK: William Donkin's Diaries, 26

[Tavern-Talk]

HEART TALK - Donkin's Diaries: Twenty-sixth Installment

27/11/43 

On week ending 14th Nov, I went down to Lahore on Baba's order, and saw 
Him there for 2 days. He had just got back from a mast trip to Jammu. 
About 2 weeks prior to that He had gone to Calcutta to feed and give 
money especially to middle class people afflicted by the famine; 
people who couldn't beg. He told me that I would have a change in work 
in February, and something spiritual in May, and that I should see him 
both in February and May; I, as usual, was rather sceptical and he 
brought Nilu to witness what he said. 

I had previously seen Baba twice since last June; once in Lahore in 
July and again in Rawalpindi in August. In Rawalpindi we slept out on 
the roof of a musaffar khana with Baba, Ghani, Baidul, Adi and 
Gustadji: Baba ordered me then to fix a house boat for the ladies in 
Kashmir, but he later cancelled this idea.

Baba had a bit of a cold in Lahore last week end, after the Jammu trip, 
but he was in good spirits all the same. While there I signed a 
further order about Baba's visit to Iran, but I don't feel he will go 
there as he says.

We are up in camp in Wah again, and the weather is pleasant; Baba and 
party left Lahore on 25/11/43 for Meherabad.

April 8th 1944

I have just returned from a trip to Jhansi where I was with Baba for 3 
days.

Baba has been staying in Aurangabad lately for about 3 months, and as 
that was far for me to go from Wah during only 8 days leave, he 
decided to come up as far as Jhansi in U.P., and meet me there.

Baba, with Chanji and Baidul, arrived at Jhansi station on the night of 
April 2nd. He went straight to the Rest House where I had fixed up 
quarters for the night. Baba had a hot bath - he wouldn't allow Chanji 
to have one, and Baidul didn't want one - then we all had a meal. 
Rice, dal, and 2 sorts of vegetables, then fruit and tea. We sat 
talking - Baba of course by signs - until about midnight, and then off 
to bed.

The next morning we went off after masts in Jhansi. I told Baba how fed 
up I was with my work and he said that if he could contact 7 masts all 
this would be O.K: if we failed then we all, Chanji and Baidul as well 
were hopeless!

Well, in Jhansi we found exactly 7, one old old lady whom Baba liked 
very much, saying she was a rattling good mast.

Then we tried to set off for Gwalior. Baba wanted to go by a parcel 
train at about 6:00 pm, but this would not take passengers, but Baba 
insisted that Chanji and I should try to fix to go on this train - we 
failed, and took the Peshwar express that night, reaching Gwalior at 
about 12:30 night.

Baba was in an extravagant mood, and He said we would go to the Hotel 
de Gwalior; we took 2 rooms there.

While in the train coming to Gwalior, Chanji had been drying Baba's 
pyjamas out of the train window - in the scramble to get out at 
Gwalior Chanji lost these clothes, and discovered the loss at the 
hotel. Baba pretended to be very annoyed and Chanji was quite cut up 
about it, but I think Baba was really rather amused.

The next day we went all over Gwalior to look for masts: at first, Baba 
was disappointed, but we eventually contacted another 7, thus 
totalling 14 in all, and Baba said that He was happy - that the next 
day was to be my day.

We left Gwalior at midnight, and got back to Jhansi at 4:30 am. From 
the station we went to the rest house, but failing to find the 
chaukidar [watchman] there, went on the Jhansi Hotel, in time to have 
a cup of tea there. 

Baba told me I was to plan the day - well, this was easy, as all of us, 
and Baba were tired, and so it was breakfast, bath, rest, and lunch, 
rest, then to the station.

Baba, and all of us, rested and ate well, and Baba gave me a birthday 
present which I copy out here; He dictated it to Chanji while I was 
having a bath.

Quote: Baba's Gift to Donkin on his Birthday to-day.

 "Whether you come to one of the 4 places I mentioned or you are sent 
to Mecca, Medina, Morocco, Multan, Murree, in short, whatever happens 
to you, I bless your Faith in Me and your love for Me to remain 
stronger than ever.
In the moonlight
Just you and me
When everything is bright
Just you and me
In darkness or in light
Just you and me.
In wrong or in right
Just you and me.
When devil is in flight
Just you and me.
When God is in sight
Just you and me.
When Truth is all might
Just you and me.
When difficulties are slight
Just you and me.
In corners all tight
Just you and me.

You being in My inner Circle everything for you is being decided by the 
Divine Will, and accordingly these 3 days stay with me will adjust 
things for you, in view of your future work for me. " BABA 

Jhansi 

9th April 1944 

We left with Baba for the station at about 3:00 pm, and got in the 
train for Baba's return to Aurangabad at about 4:30 pm.

I went on as far as Bina, a 3 hours trip, and said goodbye to Baba 
there.

Baba was in a good mood all the time, making me pull Chanji's leg every 
day about all sorts of things, and I think Baba enjoyed the trip too - 
I know I did.

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

Other Heart Talk letters can be selected at:
http://www.ambppct.org/archives/collections/written_materials/correspondence/heart_talk.htm
 
To learn more about the Avatar Meher Baba Trust Archives go to:
http://www.ambppct.org/archives

Heart Talk, Diary Part 246, 15 May 2008
Copyright 2008 Avatar Meher Baba Perpetual Public Charitable Trust