the hitch remains: this hitch can only be removed by my grace.

Books and discourses will not bring about one's spiritual regeneration. Mind cannot be annihilated by mind, as one cannot jump over oneself. Only by loving me as I ought to be loved, can the mind be destroyed. Anyone may have love for me, but not the love I want.

My lovers may be likened to one who is fond of lions and admires them so much that he keeps a lion in his own home. But being afraid of the lion he puts him in a cage. The lion is always encaged: even while he feeds the lion, he feeds the pet animal from a distance and from outside the cage. Baba is also treated like the lion by the lovers. There is love; there is admiration; there is an intense desire to see Baba comfortable and happy; and Baba is also frequently fed by love of the lovers.

But all this is done, keeping Baba segregated from one's own self. What is wanted of the lovers is that they should open the 'cage' and, through intense love for their Baba, throw themselves inside the cage to become food for the lion of love. The lover should permit himself to be totally consumed through his own love for the Beloved.

In spite of all explanations and reading of books, words remain mere words. They do not take one any further than mere intellectual satisfaction. Only love for God works the miracle, because love is beyond mind and intellect. Where then is the necessity to read? I authoritatively say: I am the Ancient One. I have been saying this to all the world. If you love me with all your heart, you shall be made free eternally.

• Taking the Sahavases up Meherabad Hill, Baba said: When I leave this body, it will have its rest in the Tomb on this hill. After 70 years, this Hill will turn into a place of world pilgrimage where lovers of God, philosophers and celebrities will come to pay homage to the Tomb. How fortunate you all are that you are here in my living presence and that you could come up the Hill with me. Those of you who have not seen the Tomb before should go there and see it and pay respects, with a firm resolve that you will try your best to give happiness to others at the cost of your own and that you will love me with all your heart. Having made this resolve, try to follow up these two things honestly.

• The affairs of the universe continue to go on without being burdensome to me in the least. But the discourses and explanations on the subject of the