Meher Baba copyright 1987 Charlie Mills

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4883EAST-WEST GATHERING1962

Sometime later Baba was driven in the car among the crowd. Though the gates of Guruprasad had been closed, the crowd had broken them down in their intense desire to see him. From inside the car he thus gave them a glimpse of himself, and they had his blessing

John Haynes was returning to New York early, with Don Stevens and some of the ballet dancers. During the gathering, he had been wondering how Baba could love each of them as individuals. When so many thousands loved Baba, he thought, it seemed incredible that Baba knew each of their souls, and that they were not just one of the masses. John decided to test Baba. He wanted some kind of sign, some proof, some confirmation that he counted in Baba's heart.

As the crowd was pressing toward the exits, Baba was leaning over listening to Eruch. John was near the door. In the middle of this throng of humanity pushing its way out of the pandal, wanting to see whether Baba would say goodbye to him, John raised his hand and waved it back and forth. Just then the crowd separated momentarily and Baba turned, smiled and gestured his sign of perfection. He had been turned the other way just seconds before. John burst into tears because Baba had given him exactly what he wanted.

With the sweet memory of this unique gathering filling their minds, and with their hearts laden with the richness of the Beloved's presence, all began leaving the grounds of Guruprasad. Only one tender echo was heard emanating from them: "Baba ... Baba ... Baba! When will we meet again?"

The Westerners were called to Guruprasad for a final meeting on Monday morning, 5 November 1962, and Baba made his usual inquiries about their health and other matters. Marion Florsheim said she felt sad. Baba replied, "Why should you be sad? Take me [home] in your hearts. Many of the Easterners would have left last night without seeing me, so I went out in the car and gave them darshan, and they were very surprised."

Maharani Shantadevi entered and sat on the floor close to Baba. Baba continued describing how Ramakrishnan had had to make arrangements to accommodate the thousands who had come, and also stated that after the meeting this morning all should disperse except for Ned Foote, with whom Baba wished to talk for five minutes.

As more people entered the hall, Baba queried, "Are you in good health?" A few had colds. He informed them, "Tomorrow is the day for your trip to Ahmednagar to visit my final resting place at Meherabad, and my residence at Meherazad. I want you all to go, health permitting. Meherabad, where I will rest after dropping my body, is now like a desert. After 100 years it will flourish into a place of pilgrimage. People from all over the world will want to visit it in their lifetime. It has a definite atmosphere. Meherazad is now my residence. Mehera looks after the garden."

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