Amal Kiran's Correspondence with The Mother

24 October 1967

Dearest Mother,

M has sent a letter for you. It runs:

“Dearest Mother, my immediate problem is the excessive smoking in which N and my two sons F and D are indulging. As you know, N has not been well for the last two years. D also had at one time a congenital heart defect. Both of them feel constantly a pain in the back over the lung area. And N is all the time losing weight. Both F and D very often go hungry and walk miles because the money given is spent on cigarettes.

“Dearest, sweetest Mother, I request You to give them the strength to break this harmful habit. Their own wills are too weak. Only You can impose Your own all-powerful Will on them and with Your subtle direction they will be made to change.”

Mother, what shall I reply to her?

That I am not in the habit of forcing my will upon others.

If they, themselves, ask for help, the help will be given.

24 October 1967