In His Service

Letter from the Chairman Dear Brothers and Sisters, II NN HH ISIS When God descends to earth in human form as the Ancient One, the Avatar, the Christ, the Rasool, the God-Man, He implants His footprint in SS ERVICEERVICE every heart. This footprint is the seed of His Divinity which, in due time, germinates and blos- D ECEMBER 1998 soms within everyone. At first only a few have the good fortune of recognizing this universal Awakener in their midst. But slowly the number A NEWSLETTER FROM M EHERABAD grows; and at the time of His manifestation human- ity at large turns toward Him and receives the benefit of His spiritual push. Although the Voice of God speaks eternally, in this Avataric advent, Meher Baba observed external Trust Estate Silence. Nonetheless, for the benefit of those around Him, words did issue from that Silence, first through the medium of the alphabet board, and later through Master Plan Baba’s unique system of hand gestures. At the same time, to maintain external contact with those of His Construction of roads, pilgrims stay at Meher- that the time is ripe for lovers who were living apart from Him, Beloved water reservoirs, and abad overnight, current the inauguration of a Baba would dictate letters, messages, and circulars. pipelines has already lodging facilities allow major estate develop- In the early years Baba’s circulars appeared only Current construction work on begun, and the laying for only 13 square feet ment plan, in prepara- occasionally; but from the time of the New Life the Archives, Museum, and of foundations for new per person. For most of tion for the fulfillment Research Building. onward, circulars and family letters appeared with Amartithi and pilgrim the remainder of the of Baba’s words about greater regularity, providing a major channel of con- The Avatar Meher Baba facilities should start nine-month pilgrim sea- Meherabad’s destiny in tact between the Beloved and His growing family of Trust has established a within the year. son, the Pilgrim Centre the age to come. lovers worldwide. Master Plan for the The decision to is full to capacity, neces- Almost three decades have passed since large-scale development The Four Zones embark on a large con- sitating the accommoda- of its estate over the Beloved Avatar Meher Baba dropped His physical struction programme at tion of overflow in the The Master Plan divides next five years. This form on January 31st 1969. Over these years many this time springs from Dharamshala and hos- the Trust Estate into plan envisions the of His close ones have returned to Him; and while several considerations, tels. And even Hostels four zones, as marked on creation of a park-like their absence is keenly felt, at the same time, new some immediate and D and C, which under the accompanying map environment on Meher- hearts have been drawn into His love orbit, and the some long term. Since ordinary circumstances (see pages 3 - 4). These abad Hill, through a circle of His lovers continues to grow. Since it is Meher Baba Himself has can provide bedding for are: (A) Meherabad programme (in this first becoming increasingly difficult for those of us said that Meherabad up to 50 and 90 visitors Hill, (B) Lower five-year phase) of among Beloved Baba’s mandali to spend time with would eventually respectively, are often Meherabad, (C) Outer extensive tree planting visitors and newcomers to the extent that we used become the greatest cen- full, particularly at Meherabad, and (D) the that will be comple- to do, the Avatar Meher Baba Trust has decided to tre of pilgrimage in the Silence Day, Divali, New Pilgrim Site. mented (in later years) release this biannual newsletter, In His Service, world, mandali and Christmas, and other Avatar Meher with the creation of gar- whose purpose is to keep His worldwide family trustees have long been peak times. Baba’s Samadhi located dens, fountains, and per- informed of developments at His Home at aware of the need to Another considera- on Meherabad Hill manent pavilions for Meherabad and to provide a new external voice prepare for the large tion that has to be taken (Zone A) is and will pilgrim use during and vehicle for the silent internal link. crowds and continuous seriously into account always be the heart and Amartithi and other Just as Avatar Meher Baba, the Divine Master, streams of pilgrims in involves Indian land-use soul of Meherabad and gatherings. The plan descended from His God-state into Man-form in the decades ahead. ordinances, which the main focus of pil- also projects the devel- order to serve His own creation, so it is for the sake Over the past few require that the Trust grimage. Although the opment of a new site for of service that His Trust was brought by Him into years, however, the now begin to utilize its Trust Deed calls for the pilgrim accommodation being and continues to be maintained today. His overcrowding of existing properties for appropri- eventual construction of in a quiet section of the work He alone can do; yet His service is His lover’s facilities has made the ate non-agricultural a superstructure over the Trust estate approxi- opportunity, and supporting His Trust is one of the creation of new pilgrim purposes. Tomb, detailed planning mately one kilometer mediums of this service. Those who serve Baba’s accommodations a For these and other in this regard would, (or two-thirds of a mile) Trust through their active efforts and those who do matter of increasing reasons, the according to the man- to the west of the Tomb. so through the heart-offerings that He gives urgency. During the Chairman and dali and trustees, be through them are all alike contributing toward the Amartithi Educational trustees have premature at this work which He inaugurated when He created the Gathering, when concluded Continued Trust in 1959 and which He continues to sustain on page 2 more than 10,000 through His ever-guiding presence. V.S. Kalchuri (Bhau), Chairman AVATAR MEHER BABA TRUST Be true to the trust that I repose in you and remember Me wholeheartedly. My love and blessings to you. - AVATAR MEHER BABA’S 71ST BIRTHDAY MESSAGE 25TH FEBRUARY 1965 Continued from page 1 the north of the Samadhi. Pavilions to be erected at and lovely atmosphere and afford scenic vistas of of Lower Meherabad, has been designated as the pri- Plan of Construction Dharamshala, for the accommodation of 56 and 120 juncture. Attention has centred rather on the various locations on the Hill will provide their own Meherabad Hill and the Samadhi. What makes this mary site for charitable activities, particularly the edu- Over the upcoming three-to-four year period, pilgrims (respectively) during the regular pilgrim creation of a larger Meherabad Hill environment, small stages as well as video screens on which audi- site especially suitable for pilgrim accommodation is cational and medical. At present the education build- the main thrust in the development effort will season. Meanwhile, construction on the Museum, particularly in view of the crowds which the Hill ences can watch darshan at the Samadhi and activi- its quietude and removal from urban sprawl along ing (housing the Meher English School), the hospital, involve the afforestation of the Hill, the construc- Archives, and Research Building and other current must accommodate at Amartithi time. ties at the main entertainment centre. By these the Ahmednagar-Daund highway. the hostels, and most of the staff quarters are located tion of roads, pipelines, and elevated water tanks, projects will continue. The projected costs, sched- The major thrust in this regard over the means the crowds will be dispersed over a wider area, The two remaining zones, Lower and Outer in this zone. The current five-year plan calls for addi- and the creation of a new facility (with kitchens, uled over the next five years, come to $1,890,000 (or upcoming five-year period will be toward the and a peaceful atmosphere can be maintained at the Meherabad (B and C), will, under the Master Plan, tions to the education building and Meher Health bathrooms, medical and enquiry offices, water and Rs.7,87,90,000). “greening” of the Hill: Extensive tree planting will Samadhi itself. The circumference of this entire hill play widely differing roles. Lower Meherabad, which Centre and the beginnings of construction of a electrical supply, etc.) for the accommodation of up help to create an atmosphere of quietude and seren- zone will be girded by a wall with seven entrances. encompasses Mandali Hall, the Dharamshala, and Meherabad college facility. The major development of to 4000 pilgrims at Amartithi time. In the year 2000 ity and, during gatherings, will provide shade for pil- Vehicular traffic will not be permitted inside this other buildings immediately to the east of the Outer Meherabad, however, will come in a later phase. work will begin on a new Pilgrim Centre and grims during the heat of midday. During the next walled enclosure. Ahmednagar-Daund highway as well as the strip of phase of development after the current five year The other major new development under the land to the west of the highway as far as the railway period, gardens and fountains will be created to help five-year plan involves the creation of a pilgrim edu- tracks, is of signal historical importance, since it was a major hub of Meher Baba’s activities from the early The background landscape photo, taken from the beautify the setting. Raying out radially like spokes cation site (D on the map), which will encompass direction of the site for the new Pilgrim Centre (in of a wheel, six large pedestrian boulevards (in addi- extensive new Amartithi accommodations, a new 1920s on.

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