NOT EVEN ONE SLEEPLESS NIGHT!

 
One fateful dinner in 1968, my brother entreated me to give my soul another chance! He asked me to remove the Beloved's picture from the wall, store all my Baba literature out of sight, go to no more Baba meetings, resume wearing the customary sadra-kusti which I had discarded and begin attending all the traditional Zoroastrian prayers, ceremonies and such.

In short, I was to become an orthodox Zoroastrian for six months, completely forgetting about Baba, at which point my brother was sure that it would be a case of "out of sight, out of mind."

I bargained with him that I would do all he asked except for taking Baba's picture down from the wall. I had taken to heart the advice given me by Freny and dear Arnavaz that I should think well before putting up a picture of Baba in my room, for once up, I should never take it down. But my brother was relentless, and though it troubled my heart to take the beautiful picture down, I finally gave in and agreed to all his conditions.

After all, I thought, this was an opportunity my Beloved was giving me to test my faith — would my lukewarm love suddenly be kindled into an undying flame, would my uncertainty of His Godhood be dispelled to be replaced by doubtless, heartfelt conviction?

As long as He chose to reside in my heart, what need had I for all the external trimmings (except for that one beloved picture!)? Didn't "absence make the heart grow fonder" too? So, despite the turmoil within me and anticipating sleepless nights, with a heavy heart I promised to start the "masquerade" from the next morning.

However, the Infinitely Compassionate One had other plans. Round about 11 o'clock that very night the telephone rang. As I was still awake, I got up to answer it.

It was a dear old Baba lover, who apologized for disturbing the sleeping household at that late hour, but he dared to call because he thought I would want to hear without any delay Beloved Baba's cable that he had just received and been instructed to convey to all in Karachi. And lo and behold! What was the message of the cable?

LOVE MAKES THE FORMLESS AND INFINITE
BECOME ENFORMED AND FINITE
AS THE GOD-MAN AMONG MEN.

LOVE ME MORE AND MORE BECAUSE
FOR THE SAKE OF LOVE
I HAVE COME AMONG YOU.

— MEHER BABA

My heart knew then that He knew my heart, for who else but the All-knowing God could have such perfect timing? Not even one sleepless night! With tranquility of heart, I fell at His Feet for the saving grace He had bestowed upon me — I would never, ever take down His picture now!