Babaji “Speaks” – March 9

Okay, I now understand why people say, “Babaji told a funny story,” or “Babaji said. . ..” It is amazing how well he communicates when he doesn’t speak. Of course, nothing prepared me for when an assistant handed him a cell phone to take a call. How would he manage that? Easy, he gives a soft whistle every so often during the conversation. I couldn’t hear the other side, of course, but I assume the whistles were basically saying, “yes” to whatever was being proposed, or, perhaps, just giving the speaker feedback that he was paying attention to what was being said. One of his assistants told me that once Babaji was alone when the phone rang. He reached over, picked it up and just whistled. Nothing happened on the other side, so he whistled again. Finally the person said, in a stunned voice, “Babaji?” – he had no idea Babaji would “speak” on a phone. Babaji whistled again and the conversation proceeded.

He also may add gestures when showing what is written on his white board - thereby conveying more than what is written. Or a gesture will stand by itself. Today he looked at the teeth of one of his “daughters” who had received orthodonture work. Her teeth were beginning to slip back into their pre-orthondonture condition. He used a finger to swipe across his own teeth - even I knew he was asking about using a retainer.

This morning the Ashram boys played the North American male guests in Ultimate Frisbee – a very exciting game. Babaji was, of course, on the side of the Ashram – it was his “sons” playing. Again, he whistled, jumped up and shook his arm when they made a good play. When the Ashram side cheered, he whistled along with them.

He also uses signals that have specific meanings. At night, when the older children come into his room after dinner to visit (ages 5 up), he announces that it is time for a spitball fight by simply reaching over and donning a bicycle helmet! The message is clear to all – grab your ammo and start throwing. His assistant pulls out a bag full of extra ammo and passes it around – among the flying spitballs. What is the ammunition? The wrappers of the candies he tosses to every visitor who enters his room after dinner. Whatever the kids drop each night are collected, rolled into spitballs and tossed into the bag. Of course, the kids know that some evenings will include spitball fights so many save their wrappers and come prepared. The spitball fight is fast and furious – and Babaji is NOT left out. He is an equal participant and target. Any thrown my way I quickly grab and hand to whichever child is sitting on my lap. It is very funny to watch. And, of course, when it is over, the older children scramble to collect all the spitballs on the floor to store for the next spitball fight. Any they leave are tossed back into the bag – ready for the next donning of the helmet.

So, yes , Babaji doesn’t speak, but he most definitely communicates. It is fascinating to watch.