How did the author characterize his own personality and intellectual disposition before he was influenced by Sai Baba?

The author provides a very candid and self-critical portrait of his former self. In Chapter 2, he admits that he was initially "mischievous, talkative, cynical, and critical." He describes himself as having a "bad intellect and a logic-driven mind," indicating a tendency to over-intellectualize matters. Furthermore, he confesses to being "always proud of his own wisdom" and "prone to argumentation." This state of being, where he was arrogant about his knowledge and ignorant of the greatness of a Satguru, is laid bare for the reader in Chapter 2. This honest self-assessment serves to highlight the transformative power of Sai Baba's influence on his life.