I talk to Baba. It’s my understanding (although debatable. . . see internet)
that during Baba’s 100 year manifestation He is as available as if He were
in His body. So it makes perfect sense to me to talk to Baba. Sometimes
about serious subjects and sometimes about alarmingly trivial ones. . . like
sports. English soccer to be specific. I’ll spontaneously call out to Baba
when watching my favorite team. I thought this to be the height of folly
until I read the following in Lord Meher (April 1959):

Pendu was also very fond of following cricket matches, listening to the
radio to find out the score. When the test match was being played in
England, Pendu came and stood outside Baba’s bedroom. Bhau was on
watch and Baba asked who was outside. On being told, he called Pendu.
Joining his hands, Pendu entreated Baba, “Baba, make Nari Contractor
[the Captain of the Indian team] win the match!” At this
simple-hearted request, Baba laughed and replied, “We shall see.”
“It is not a matter of seeing,” Pendu persisted, “you have to make him win
the game.”

Baba was much amused and asked Pendu to leave. Pendu went but
shortly was back with the same request. Baba gestured “We shall see. Why
are you so worried?” Baba heard Pendu’s prayer. Despite an injury to the
ribs, Nari Contractor scored 84 runs for India’s side and the team won.

So even the Mandali, when with Baba, took their sports concerns to Baba.

In addition to talking to Baba, on rare occasions, I hear Baba talk to me.
Or at least I think it’s Baba. My personal belief is that Baba consistently
encouraged practicality for His Lovers for very good reasons. One of
which is so we don’t mistake every voice we hear internally as Baba’s.
When I hear a “voice” within my head leading me towards some course of
action, I make a point to really think about the practical nature of it. If the
course of action suggested seems wildly impractical I usually assume it
wasn’t Baba’s voice at all but the voice of desire, some misfiring synapses
or a sanskaric overload exerting undue pressure on my imagination.

But every now and then, very rarely, I hear what I think is Baba’s voice
within and consider it the authentic article. At least as far as I’m concerned
it is. Last year I had two such instances.

The first occurred in the Lagoon Cabin. I was talking to Baba about a
couple of things concerning my children. Nothing too serious, just general
parental concerns. I internally heard what I believe was Baba and the
words were simply: “I love them more than you do.”

These words, that I heard internally, had a strong effect on me. It reminded
me and drove home the point that Baba is looking after my children.
Completely. His Nazar is on them always. I’ve always known this but
hearing these words in that situation really drove the point home for me.
Also, if He loves them more than I do (which is a lot), to please Him it is
incumbent upon on me to make sure I continue to do all I can for their well
being.

The second time I heard what I thought was Baba’s voice was when I was
looking at a picture of Him on my shelf. I realized the frame was dusty and
there were fingerprints on the glass. I started thinking about the incredible
loving care that the Mandali took with all material things connected to
Baba and I started feeling bad about the neglect towards this special
photo of Baba. I spoke out loud to Baba: “I’m sorry, Baba, I should take
better care.”

In response, I internally heard “It’s okay. Don’t worry. I’m not expecting
much out of you.”

Boom. A smile crept over my face. Perspective restored. Pressure off. And
a reminder to just try to remember to try to remember to try to do my
best . . . and leave the rest to Him.

Published June, 2019.