February 12, 1972

I have a letter from P.L. [the friend in the Vatican]. Here's what

he says:

"... Thanks to Mother's Protection, things around me

 had calmed down a little, when suddenly the storm

broke out again. To the former intrigues have now been

 added slander and ... a threat of expulsion (which in

 itself I would not mind, but they should not triumph!).

 This threat is in fact meant to upset me and force me to

 change my attitude. I feel the need to go back and see

 Mother - the sooner the better. But practically I cannot

do it; furthermore, I am being watched; I am afraid that

 if they find out I am going to Pondicherry, they will try

 to set the Bishop against the Ashram, for, as you know,

 if he is now quiet, it is because of a certain intervention,

 which was very discreet but effective. Naturally, the

 others know nothing of my intercession with T. [[Tisserant, the Cardinal of France, had written to the Pondicherry "Mission" to quiet them down. ]]

I have been preoccupied with him.

One day, I was very much preoccupied with him.

(silence)

Would you like us to go into silence?

(meditation)

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