KHILNANIS RECHRISTENED DOUBLE BEANS!

I had already mentioned earlier that I was confused about Baba's Godhood when he asked us mundane things and did not lecture about spirituality. I realized Meher Baba was very different from all the holy men, spiritual masters and swamijis I had met before. I always thought God to be serious business.

With Meher Baba life was anything but serious. Coming in contact with Baba we realized that God was not just serious but He can be friendly and humorous as well. He was like a true friend and we treasured His friendship with us. We were fortunate to live in the time when God was amongst us and spoke to us.

Baba's humor is now legendary with most Baba lovers. But for those who have just joined the journey to God let me tell you are simultaneously joining the Laughter Club. Humor could be at your expense or anyone else's but don't forget ever that as much as you can amuse God don't ever try to make fun of Him. My experiences of amusing incidences are plenty. Here's one that I can't resist narrating.

During the days we spent in Guruprasad, Baba played cards with Prem and many others. On the days we were to spend the full day with Baba we were invariably late in arriving at Guruprasad. I had to get up early, cook the food, get the children ready, and clean the house before leaving. This heavy-duty chore I did single-handedly and it was time-consuming. It was but natural that we got late.

Baba always asked us why we got late always. And conveniently Prem used to look at me to give the explanation. And Baba used to tell us to come early next time. If I said that it took time for me to cook, Baba used to ask, "What is it that you have cooked that has made you late?" He always used to inquire!

One day when we were late and Baba asked me what I cooked I replied that I had made double beans. Actually double beans were easy to cook. One had to boil them and cook them. It was the best dish to cook for times when there were no vegetables at home. Moreover everyone in the family loved eating them.

It was very surprising that only on the day I cooked double beans that Baba used to ask what I had cooked. On other days He hardly asked. I thought He was always up to some mischief the day I was making double beans.

Gradually Baba started calling us double beans! And everyone teased us by that name and along with everyone Baba also laughed. I decided that I would not take double beans to Guruprasad. Everyday I made new dishes and went to meet Baba. I felt happy within and wondered when Baba would ask me what I had cooked and soon He would stop calling us double beans. But to my surprise Baba never asked me once what I had brought for lunch. But others were still calling us double beans.

I thought now that Baba does not ask anymore about what I cook, I decided to take double beans thinking He would not even know about it. And there are no surprises here to guess — Baba asked me that very day, "What have you for lunch?"

I was totally embarrassed and said, "Double beans." Almost everyone laughed. I had to accept defeat. But this time I joined in the laughter as my ego crumbled and all of us doubled up our laughter!

This may have been hilarious as we look back in time. But this incident left a deep impact on my mind for the rest of my life. We realized that even in the smallest things, Baba proves to us subtly that He is the Almighty and we cannot take Him lightly.

What a beautiful way to teach us a lesson — despite the fact He keeps telling us, "I have come not to teach but to awaken," nothing is hidden from His sharp and loving gaze. He came amidst us in human form and behaved every inch a human. He took pains to free humanity from misery and bondage.