Later that evening a poor man from Malabar in southern India came to see Baba. The following conversation took place:
Baba asked, “Do you have a family?”
“No, I only have my father. I am alone,” the man replied.
“You mean to say that you are all alone?”
“Yes, I am alone here.”
“When aren’t you alone?” asked Baba.
Thinking for a few moments, the man replied, “I am always alone.”
“Then you are very fortunate.”
“How?”
“Only God is all alone. If you feel yourself to be alone, you are very lucky.”
The man looked confused and Baba explained, “You are not alone. You have many friends like the mind, desires, thoughts, sexual urges, which are always with you. They are really your enemies.
“Were you really alone, you would be like God! God is alone and I am alone. Now tell me, what do you want?”
The man answered, “I want to fulfill my plans and have peace of mind.”
“Plans and peace! These two can never go hand in hand. Where there is peace, there is no plan; and where there are plans, there is turmoil. Either give up plans and have peace, or have your plans and give up thoughts of peace. You cannot have both. That is impossible.
“People suffer because they love the impossible! You want to stand in the fire and at the same time do not want it to burn you.
“You want to build a house in a graveyard! What you need is castor oil for one month! That will clean out your stomach and intestines and your mind will be clearer. You will then be able to think clearly, calmly and coolly, and accordingly do the right thing. Cleanse your insides, be peaceful and think good thoughts.”
–www.lordmeher.org, p2171