The ship docked at Aden at three in the afternoon on Wednesday, 4 August 1937. At one point, Baba observed, “Suffering is the keynote to spiritual life. Sadgurus and the Avatar never avoid suffering, either their own or their mandali, by doing miracles. They suffer themselves and let their mandali suffer too!”
During the voyage, on Saturday, 7 August 1937, Baba explained to the Westerners about performing selfless service:
God as God alone is not consciously man, and man as man alone is not consciously God. Only the God-Man is consciously both God and man; so the God-Man is both Lord and the servant of the universe.
Lord, in the state of helping all souls progress toward Reality. Servant, as consciously bearing the burden of all. To serve Him who serves all is serving the universe.
Selfless service and love are twin divine qualities. Only the one who loves can serve. Serve your beloved God-Man and you are serving your own Self in every other self. This service which the Master exacts is for your own spiritual benefit. However, your service must be spontaneous, willing, wholehearted, unconditional and not expecting any reward.
Service to the Master is an ordeal which tries the body, mind and spirit. The body suffers, the mind is tormented, but the spirit of the selfless servant of the Master experiences the bliss of true satisfaction.
-www.lordmeher.org, p1854
August, 1937; Aboard a ship Strathnaver