BABA GENTLY DREW THE DESIRE

 
Even those who didn't live with Baba were given the opportunity for His training, but His manner of dealing with new disciples was quite different from the way he dealt with the mandali. Baba began my mother's spiritual training with a small incident that showed her His wish that she be alert and responsive to His needs.

Mother loved to cook for Baba, who was very fond of her masoor (lentils), and we all got to help in some way as she prepared the dal, rice and vegetables. Baba's habit in those days was to eat very small quantities at frequent intervals, so my mother always had food ready. The latest Baba had ever asked for food was 9:00, however, so she never kept food after that time.

Then one night He wanted food at 10:00. My poor mother stood in front of Baba, terribly embarrassed, and confessed that no food was left. He simply said, "Don't worry." From that day on, however, my mother had food ready for Baba any time, night or day. Without giving her a direct order, Baba gently drew from my mother, who was new to His ways, the desire to be ever attentive to His needs.