The night I guarded the food tent there were no stoned premies, and the halucinations only started the next night after travelling from London, doing food tent service all night, security at the hotel Rawat was using to meet the ashram premies all day, and more security at the evening program - all without sleep. As I was in the ashram, I felt it was my duty to do service. Later festivals were more relaxed, although I still frequently volunteered for service. Oh, another reason for volunteering for service that first night was that the ashram sisters' tent (marquee) had not been erected yet so all the brothers and sisters had to sleep in the brothers' tent which was very crowded. Sounds like fun I know, but it was far from appealing.The suit I wore that got me the service at the hotel was a salmon pink two piece that I got from jumble. Thankfully, I don't think any photographs exist!
The second night of the program I had to sit between the ashram premies who were at the front of the hall, and the rest, facing backwards! We were all sitting on the floor, and I had to stop the riffraff encroaching into the ashram premies' space. I felt so conscientous I hardly turned round to look at Maharaji at all. Ironic that vows of poverty got premies near the front then, and now it requires wealth.
John.
