Avatar Meher Baba Heartland Center  7804 NBU, 1319 Barta Ave, Prague, OK 74864

 405-567-4774  [email protected]  www.ambhc.org

The Guest by Kathrin Burleson www.kathrinburleson.com

Last night I dreamed that God had come to visit. He was here in my house, relaxing on the daybed, quite at ease and comfortable, wearing white cotton pajamas, in the Indian style. For us, it was a bit of an occasion to have him here, and we weren’t quite sure how to behave. It was like being with a distant relative-- that unexpected level of comfort and familiarity around someone that you don’t really know and haven’t spent much time with. So while it seemed the most natural thing in the world to have him here, it was also a little strange and awkward.

All he asked, but he didn’t use words for this, was that one by one, we go to his side, touch his hand, and in doing so, receive his blessing.

But some people didn’t even want to do that, which seemed odd to me. It was such an easy thing to do and he was asking so little of us.

Now that I think of it, he seemed a little weary and I can certainly understand that. I don’t think he ever tires of loving or forgiving, but he still has to put up with us, and we can make things so difficult. No wonder that from time to time he needs a little rest. President’s Message Treasurer’s Report The Burleson House: Jai Meher Baba! Greetings Folks! The Heartland Center is dedicated to Avatar Meher Baba as an oasis of His 2008-2009 has been another busy and productive year of Here’s an update on the Heartland Center ’s fi nancial status remembrance. Located in the Burleson House, it is a place for information, retreat, growth for the AMBHC... Baba’s work and presence continue to – in times like these, you’ll be glad to know that it’s quite positive. prayer, pilgrimage and study of Baba’s unifying message of divine love. It also serves unfold in Prague. Bit by bit, Baba continues to reveal to us His wish Baba turned the key and we were able to purchase the Morrison House. to preserve historical information about Avatar Meher Baba’s time spent in and near and will and we are just happy to assist in its unfoldment. Our new Since then, we’ve been watching our new expenses closely. So far, Prague, Oklahoma. The Burleson House is the original house of Dr. Ned Burleson, caretakers, Ron and Miriam are making a wonderful positive im- donations have been keeping up with our operating expenses. Ron and who treated Meher Baba while He was recuperating from the 1952 automobile pact on the community and we look forward to what the next year Miriam are running the Center in a frugal manner and Ron’s company collision. will bring! pays a monthly rent for the use of one room at We invite you to visit Baba’s home in the Morrison House. To visit the Heartland Center: Prague whenever you can, and be a part During our work week in May we were able The Heartland Center is in the town of Prague, Oklahoma, 60 miles east of Oklahoma of Baba’s Heartland Center in any way to stabilize the foundation and to replace the City, at the intersection of Rt. 62 and 99. Located at 1319 Barta Avenue, it is directly He so inspires. entire electrical system of the Morrison House adjacent to the Prague Hospital where Baba was cared for. (See our website or call In Baba’s Love and Service, without using any funds from our savings for directions.) Day visitors can ‘drop in’ and visit the Heartland Center as they are passing through, to receive information on Baba and account. But the house still needs to have the the1952 ‘accident’. Over-night retreat visitors are encouraged to make a reservation. Up to one week initial reservation can be given, News Shorts kitchen and bathroom upgraded, furnishings space allowing, with extension possible. We ask that only those with a defi nite interest in Meher Baba request overnight stays. To help To contact us about any of the following Morrison House dedication and further structural work. We need to be with utilities and ongoing expenses of the Burleson House there is a suggested donation for your stay: $20-$25 a night each person, ad- please email: [email protected]. prepared for the possibility that property at the accident site or hospital justed rate for families or groups. Guests are responsible for their own transportation. There is airport pickup service when possible for Work Weeks: To renovate the Morrison House, and upkeep the might suddenly become available. Thus, we are proceeding conserva- a reasonable fee, and affordable rental cars as well. Please call or email the caretakers, Ron Lansing and Miriam Rose (405-567-4774, Burleson House, we plan work weeks this fall and next May. We tively with renovation work. [email protected]), to discuss your plans. are looking for people with building skills, and hard working help- Please consider a donation towards renovation costs in order ers. Put your sweat equity into Baba’s property! Email above or to transform the Morrison House into a beautiful and functional pilgrim Check out our website at ambhc.org, and our blog at ambhc.blogspot.com call Peter Nordeen, crew chief, 828-274-0307. facility for Baba’s lovers now and in the future. As 2009 draws to an Volunteer opportunities: If you are interested end, you might like to make a holiday gift to the Center in someone’s to fi nd many more photos and stories of life and pilgrimage in Prague, OK! in offering your services during your own name. Or you might benefi t tax-wise by making a tax-deductible dona- pilgrimage, please let us know. There are many tion. Your donation will be used solely for the unfolding development MEMBERSHIP AND DONATIONS 2009 solo opportunities for small household repairs, of Baba’s presence in the Heartland. Whether large or small, every gardening/landscaping work, book cataloging Associate Membership gives us all the opportunity to support this Heartland oasis of Baba’s remembrance. Anyone donation is greatly valued as a love offering. who donates annually is considered a current associate member of the Avatar Meher Baba Heartland Center. During and deep cleaning. Jai Meher Baba! Furniture: Many have asked about donat- Michael Ivey this past year, the Center began renovations to the newly acquired Morrison House. Your tax-deductible donation helps ing furniture for the Morrison House. We are with the renovations, operating budget of the Center, as well as upkeep of the aging Burleson House as a retreat center currently in the renovation phase, but would for pilgrims visiting the 1952 collision site and Baba’s hospital room. Your periodic or monthly gifts will continue to be glad to accept certain pieces of furniture for future use. Call or write to us with your specifi c donation idea! sustain this oasis of Avatar Meher Baba’s love and remembrance in the Heartland of America. 2012 Sahavas Pilgrimage: We are planning to rent a bus in Myrtle Beach, drive the route Baba took in 1952, arrive in Prague for the Please print: 60th anniversary Sahavas, and then drive the bus back! We’ll try to Name(s) ______make it a blue bus… join us! Any ideas are welcome. Legacy: It is a special honor that some Baba lovers have made provisions for the Heartland Center in their wills. Thank you! Address ______City ______State _____Zip______Interim Caretakers: So far several folks have come forward for this volunteer position, fi lling in when the permanent caretakers are HeartBeat Phone/Cell______Email______away, but we are happy to have others on our list. Please email us. The Annual Publication of the Avatar Meher Baba Heartland Center Recent Donations: Thanks so much to Rita and Larry Karra- John L. Poag II, President sch for donating a beautiful autographed photo of Baba, signed Donations: Jim Watson, Vice-President □ Annual Membership (June-May) @ $25 (Per individual, if possible): $______“M.S.Irani” in blue ink, and a plaster cast of His hand. Also to Michael Ivey, Treasurer Suka Chapel for the gorgeous Charlie Mills Debbie Nordeen, Secretary painting and Louise Trask for a Mills giclee Julia Margaret Burleson □ Donation for Heartland Center’s general budget: $______print. Lynn Wilhite generously donated Angela Lee Chen appliances and a rolling cart for the Burle- son House kitchen, and gorgeously framed □ Specifi c gift for renovations or other (Please defi ne): $______Article and photo submissions: Angela, [email protected] photos for the Morrison House. Others have Mailing addresses: Debbie, [email protected] donated photos, books, and videos for our Total $______library, and a new tv/dvd unit. The Heartland Avatar Meher Baba Heartland Center Center is maintained and furnished by the 7804 NBU, 1319 Barta Ave, Prague, OK 74864 love of Baba’s lovers. If you have ideas for Monthly Donations: (405) 567-4774 • [email protected] what household or offi ce items can be donated now, please call our □ Monthly pledge donation of $______www.ambhc.org caretakers. AMBHC depends entirely upon the generosity of our community. A Hospital Plans: The current business owners of the Prague hospi- hearty thank you to all who have helped Baba’s Center blossom Autopay: Some donors are using online banking services to authorize a monthly or periodic donation. Please consult tal are building a new hospital close by. The building itself is the in this little corner of His universe! property of the City. We have expressed our interest in the preser- your banking center to initiate. Thank you! (Sorry, we do not have the ability to process credit cards.) vation of the original hospital, where Baba, Mehera, Meheru and All contents 2009 AMBHC. All Rights Reserved. Photos of Meher Baba MSI Archives unless otherwise indicated. Other photos by Ron Lansing, Michael Ivey, Elizabeth were treated. Now to wait for Baba’s hand! ♥ page 2 ♥ Angela Lee Chen. Meher Baba quotes AMBPPCT. Used with permission. Your love and fi nancial support are greatly appreciated! Thank you. Jai Meher Baba! Caretakers Corner service and another party in the park, complete with choirs, pageants Oklahoma: a Laborer’s Cogitation over ledges, or cupboards I sorted, that was the real reason I came to Dear Companions on the Journey Home to God, reenacting the stories of His coming as Jesus, and even ‘sleigh rides’ by Leah Johnston Prague. We have been the caretakers at Meher in a big cart pulled by those huge, gentle giants – the draft horses John Poag and I arrived at the Heartland Center on There was another important lesson I learned that week. Baba’s Heartland Center for a full year now, ex- delightfully decked out with bells and other baubles. May 20, 2009 to participate in the annual work- Some inevitable conflicts occurred due to the fact that we are all periencing the rhythms of His heartbeat through- This backdrop of the rhythms and seasons of our lives in retreat week. Several volunteers, myself included, infinite beings stuck dead smack in the middle of a mirage with our out the seasons of the year. The crepe myrtle is Prague is punctuated by the welcome visits of pilgrims giving us all joined the Board this year to work on refurbishing heads full of finitude; the legacy of our perfect formation. As a result blooming beautifully everywhere in so many a chance to share in the mystery of this place and event. Whether for the Morrison House and spring clean the Burleson of sanskaras, we get hung up on the dumbest things. Case in point: shades of pink and red and lavender. The cicadas a few hours, overnight or for several days or weeks, all are welcomed House. John had been to Prague on many occasions, the placement of cups in a cupboard caused me great internal strife are crawling out of the ground and shedding their and enjoyed. As Nero Wolfe (Baba’s favorite detective and ours too!) but this was my first visit to Oklahoma. on Sunday. I felt they should be in one location, due to logic, another Ron and Miriam at accident site brown husks for iridescent wings and adding their says, “A guest is a jewel on the pillow of hospitality.” And for us The Morrison House, located adjacent to the Burleson House person felt they should be in a different location, due to convenience, song to the summer symphony here in Prague, OK. His many bless- at the Heartland Center, the pilgrim guests are the highlights of our across an expanse of green grass and flowering bushes, was recently and an additional person felt they should be in a third location, due to ings are showered upon us here from the daily rhythms through the lives. A chance to share Baba stories, to visit the room at the hospi- purchased by The Heartland Center. It’s a glorious old estate built in some other perfectly valid reason. seasonal ones. tal where He spent 12 days recuperating and a chance to share the the mid 1920s, and aside from some unfortunate choices in carpet- Four billion years of evolution – kingdoms of descent – I The daily rhythms include His beautiful prayers, devotions incredible wonder of His ‘accident’ site and to deepen our awareness ing and wallpaper (blue shag, anyone?) there is still evidence of its was gold and ruby, just to know You, God. I was broccoli and water and the dusting off of His many beautiful images that grace this Cen- of His unfathomable Love. original glory – oak crown molding, a fireplace and built-in bookcases, lily. I traded the sea for wings, and beaks for an elephant trunk – just ter. Our Beloved’s beloved Mehera taught us not to let any dust gather In His Ocean of Divine Love, a second-story outdoor deck, and good, heavyweight to know You, God. I unloaded stone and metal, and I unloaded a on His image so that the radiance of His beautiful Love may shine Miriam Rose and Ron Lansing, Caretakers porcelain in the bathrooms. On Saturday, May 23, a kingdom of worms. I plummeted and careened, from ape to man. Just untarnished into our hearts. The weekly rhythm brings Saturday Baba one-day Sahavas was scheduled to dedicate the Morri- to know You, God, I became old and soft and died a billion times and meetings at the Burleson House. And Sunday church followed by the Moving those I-beams was an adventure! son House as part of the Avatar Meher Baba Heartland was re-born to taste salty necks and feed ducks bread crumbs on park big adventure of going into Shawnee (the nearest city, 30 minutes Center. benches, and make stews from the bodies of my former selves, and away) for lunch, usually with Lynn Wilhite (the only other Baba lover Meanwhile, there was much work to be done, here I stand on the cusp of Infinity with Your hand in mine – sweating in Prague, so far) followed by a stop at WalMart to purchase flowers and work we did – one and all – from sunrise to sunset. the placement of cups in a shelf! for the accident site. Board members got their hands dirty after official Will David and Miriam After I stepped outside to cool my head and curse like a The accident site – the whole reason for the Center’s exis- meetings held outside under the trees. Jeanne Felknor and I began Scot, I remembered again that if I give everything to Baba He will tence and for our even being here in Oklahoma – what an unfathom- scrubbing the Burleson House; Miriam Rose, caretaker, among other lift me up, but if I hold on to anything - thought or possession - He able Mystery. And it’s always a mystery what we will find at the ac- things shopped, cooked and cleaned! Peter Nordeen and Ron Lansing will use it to push me down, until I am ready to let it go. When I cident site – is the vase of flowers from our last visit or a pilgrim’s last (Miriam’s husband and fellow caretaker) worked in the Morrison returned to the kitchen, I put the cups in the cupboard that was not visit still there? Or blown away? Frozen or flooded over? Or dried out house along with several floating crew members – Cliff Hackford, Dan my preferred location and stopped the noise in my head. And that, to from the Oklahoma heat? Or scattered by the state mower? Is Baba’s Sparks, and earlier in the week, Will David and Joy Carlson. me, is the beauty of being in the company of Baba lovers. We grind photo still there? For most of the year a large (12 inches high) sculp- Heartland Pilgrimage - cont from pg 3 The biggest undertaking of the week involved raising the against each other sometimes only to come closer to Him, to humble tured iron cross adorned the altar there in the culvert in ironically ap- tearing up the joint doing the work of 10! It was great to be around foundation of the Morrison House. Peter, his head wrapped in a pink ourselves and ask forgiveness, to face what must be effaced in order propriate remembrance of the Christ’s sacrifice as Jesus and now again such hard workers, all with Baba’s love in their eyes and hearts – not headscarf, Sai Baba fashion, expertly orchestrated eight crew members to please Baba. as Meher Baba in the Kali Yuga age of materialism. Beloved Meher to mention all the humor that made the work so much easier. into dead lifting two steel I-Beams through a basement window. The Baba said of His spilling of His blood here on American soil, “I got Ron and Miriam, the new caretakers, were great to spend larger beam, 25 feet long weighing 450 pounds, and the second, lighter A Working Pilgrimage my physical bones broken so as to break the backbone of the material time with. They have made a huge commitment to leave everything by only 12 pounds were manhandled into the proper position. Once by Cliff Hackford aspect of the Machine Age, while keeping intact its spiritual aspect.” behind and take on the task of serving Baba in this way. You can see this was accomplished, Peter stepped onto a small jack handle and Even though God dwells in all things and we can From the first time I bowed my forehead on the red Okla- how much they feel Baba’s presence! All in all, 15 people partici- lifted the entire house with just the weight of his body. The bones of tune into Him at any time, I knew this was going homa soil where the Avatar of the age spilled His blood at the accident pated in this work week in some way. the structure heaved and sighed, small earthquakes of plaster toppled to be deep – I was going to the place where Baba site, I have felt a direct link to His Samadhi where His body lies at Some of the evenings were filled with music, after dinner inside the walls, and step by step, the foundation inched up to its origi- chose to spill His blood in the West. Meherabad…it is like the back door to His Samadhi through the body I got to play tabla accompanying Michael, John, Debbie, Jim and nal height. One of the first things that struck me about the of the Earth herself. A heartfelt throb of the sacred mystery of the others. We danced a little too and just let loose! And, let me tell you, The best part of the week, for me, came on Saturday during Burleson house, the Morrison house and the hospital sacrifice Our Lord has made for us all pulses here. each meal was amazing! We ate like kings thanks to Debbie, Miriam the one-day Sahavas. At around 10:00 am, several of us drove to the was that they’re all adjacent, on one city block! Having been raised a Christian, the crucifixion of Our Lord and their helpers. They produced an amazing full turkey dinner accident site. It was my first trip to the hallowed spot that once held Dr Ned Burleson got up every morning, walked and Christ as Jesus seems reenacted here for this cycle of cycles of the one night, and also made a fish dinner that was scrumptious. If we the body of the Sahab-e-Zaman. Blankets and chairs were placed in a out his back door, across his back yard right to the Avatar’s coming. The sacred mystery of communion celebrating the weren’t working so hard we would have all gained weight! semi-circle around the curve of a small hill just a few feet away from back door of the hospital. And how amazing that his house and the body and blood of Christ is also echoed here weaving another thread Later that week, on the anniversary date, I took my second trip to Highway 62. Traffic flew by at 65 mph. There wasn’t anything remark- Morrison house have now turned into a Baba center! It would make of connection between Baba’s body lying in the earth of Meherabad the accident site. A dozen of us sat in a semi-circle around the spot able about that furrow – the usual grass, a small drainage culvert sense that the hospital follows suit and becomes part of the Heartland and His blood spilled here in the soil of America. where Baba was thrown out of the car by the road, bleeding from the underneath the driveway of a nearby rambler house, and a fence with Center. We’ll see what Baba has planned! And even more amazing is that, not only did the Avatar get accident. We all took His darshan. The outpouring of love was strong; some Holsteins behind it. I wasn’t expecting anything glorious nor was The first thing when we got in, Michael Ivey took us out to His body broken, but He allowed His Precious Beloved Mehera to people were clearly moved. I thought of His role as the Avatar, acting I in an exalted frame of mind, but on the spot where Baba shed His the accident site. Wow!! I love You Baba!! The funnel of Love pour- share in His Suffering by having her skull cracked like an eggshell out His play for all Humanity; how He took on this suffering for the blood I knelt down and placed my forehead on the soil. All of a sudden ing out of that spot is intense. People should put it on their “must-do” beside Him. good of us all. We were right there and so was He! People contributed it hit me that God, wearing His Avatar Meher Baba body, loved me so list! And the annual rhythms. The remembrance of the anniver- songs, Baba quotes, poems, and we all basked in His love. Before we much He flung Himself to the earth in sacrifice. He broke His body so I So this was a work week and a great opportunity to serve sary of the accident, May 24th. July 4th is a big day here locally with left some of us kissed the ground where Mehera had lain. Later we could reach His Soul, so that I would remem- Baba. Peter Nordeen was there to lead the way on re- an all day, all Prague party culminating with an impressive fireworks had a reception tea at the house. Then, during a tour of the hospital, ber I am Him – not Baba’s body – but His storing the Morrison house. Man, the guy knows what display in the local park, and followed closely by Silence Day and the we got to go in Baba’s room. We were just very lucky folks to be Soul. His Soul is my Soul. I am Infinite. he’s doing! He worked long hard hours rewiring and heat of summer. there – thanks Baba! Is that what He left for us there? I, finite false giving us all jobs to do. One of the projects he engi- August brings an all Prague garage sale weekend with All week, everyone there was so dedicated. Everybody self Leah, thought I came to Oklahoma to neered was leveling the foundation by bringing in 900 deals galore! With the Fall and the schools reopening comes football brought something with them that made it all feel really special. You clean and sort, but here beside this culvert my pounds of steel girder to raise the center of house. How season – a main focus of community activity here in Prague. In fact, could see Baba bringing together all these different people, working Beloved crashed into me and kissed me back we did it, I’m not sure, we hoisted those beams by man- even Halloween was rescheduled last year so as not to interfere with on us all and thanking us all at the same time. I’m already looking to Infinity. Everything dropped away except power! It was a little scary but we got it done and it was a Friday night football game! The winter season celebrates the birth forward to the next trip! His love and no matter what else happened very satisfying. Jeanne, Peter’s sister, was also there, Thirteen to a turkey feast! of Christ with a gathering of the 17 churches in the area in a shared ♥ page 6 ♥ in Oklahoma, how many dust rags I passed ♥ page 3 ♥ Continued on page 6 The Center “You, as My Beloved, Had to Bear Half the Share” hospital [two weeks later] did I realize the extent of his injuries.” only touches and affects these members themselves but also those who Kitty, who looked after Mehera in the hospital stated: “Baba Everybody has a precious jewel right in the center. by Debbie Nordeen, Silence Day 2009 are closely connected with the members of his Circle. Like the Perfect hid his suffering from Mehera, as she would have suffered more had For some it’s a pearl, for others a diamond, May 23, 2009. A small group of Baba lovers has gathered at the accident site Masters, the Avatar also has His Circle (of ten concentric Circles). she been fully conscious and seen him lying there suffering. Mehera It may look like sand; it may look like coal, near Prague, Oklahoma. We remember that Mehera passed away on May 20, 1989, When the Avatar takes an incarnation, He has before Him a clear-cut was not able to see for about ten days. We kept tell- But everybody has a precious jewel waiting deep inside. twenty years ago. We are thinking of her as we commemorate Baba on this precious mission that proceeds according to a plan; and this plan piece of earth. Mehera’s blood was shed here, too. Baba knew she would share in His ing her that Baba was going to be all right, that he is always carefully adjusted to the fl ow of time.” was getting better. Mehera never insisted on seeing And I can’t give you mine, you have your own. suffering, His sacrifi ce here. Excerpt: THE TRAVAIL OF THE NEW WORLD Baba; with Baba, one never insisted on anything.” You can’t take mine from me, you have your own. We visit Prague Municipal Hospital. Here is Mehera’s room. What was it ORDER: “Great suffering awakens great understanding. While separated in the hospital Baba sent But I can share mine with you, so that you can see like when Mehera was laying on a bed in this tiny room on May 24, 1952? She lay Supreme suffering fulfi lls its purpose and yields its true Mehera this message: “This is the greatest of my There’s one in you too, please share yours with me. unconscious here for two days. Baba’s Beloved Mehera. He had said she was His very signifi cance when it awakens an exhausted humanity and breath, without whom he could not live. Why did she have to suffer, too? How he must sufferings, and it is the last; and since you as my stirs within it a genuine longing for real understanding. beloved had to bear half the share, [it] has made me But if you hold back and are too blind to see, love us, to allow His closest disciple to share in His suffering for all humankind. Unprecedented suffering leads to unprecedented spiritual feel very proud and happy. This separation from Are too scared to follow the pain and be free, May 24, 1952. Mehera’s head injury was so severe that doctors doubted she Mehera’s hospital room as it appears now growth. It contributes to the construction of life on the you makes me feel very restless, and I keep on thinking of your suffer- Just give it some time and some more irritation would survive. Baba even instructed Sarosh in what to do if she passed away! When unshakable foundation of the Truth. It is now high time that universal ings – but in three or four days time we will meet, and all will be well The sand that you hate is your invitation. she fi nally regained consciousness after two days, Mehera did not remember what hap- suffering should hasten humanity to the turning point in its spiritual pened, and had no idea Baba was seriously injured. then, and we will recover soon. You will have all your desires fulfi lled, history. It is now high time that the very agonies of our times should and I will make you very happy. I will tell you everything after we Or the black ugly coal with more pressure and heat There is a wonderful detailed account from Mehera-Meher from which the become a medium for bringing a real understanding to human relation- meet. In the meantime, during these three-four days, you must let Go- Will start changing and sparkling and starting to beat. following quoted material is excerpted: ships. It is now high time for humanity to face squarely the true causes her clean and treat your eyes. We have yet very long to live and enjoy ‘Cuz it’s down there inside you behind all the pain “The extent to which Baba shielded Mehera was not apparent even to the of the catastrophe that has overtaken it. It is now high time to seek a real happiness; therefore, you must not worry, think, or feel nervous. And your diamond or pearl is what you will gain. other women mandali until years later. For many years, the women never discussed the new experience of Reality. To know that life is real and eternal is to accident, as they knew it would upset Mehera. One day, Mani happened to be describ- Baba is with you always and thinks of you every second of the day. You inherit unfading bliss.” ing to Mehera what a shock it was for her to see Mehera and Baba lying on the ground must not worry, just be relaxed, and rest.” Miriam Rose Oct. 18, 1983 Quotes used by permission: in pools of blood. When she became aware of it, Mehera felt deeply Baba’s suf- fering. Later, she elaborated: “Baba went through this suffering, incon- Mehera-Meher, David Fenster, Meher Nazar Publications. “But that’s not what happened,” Mehera asserted, and she related this experi- Discourses, Meher Baba, copyright Avatar Meher Baba Trust. ence: “I was not sleeping at the time of the accident [like Mani]; I was not nodding off. venience, and discomfort. Many people have accidents and go through I always liked to look out at the scenery. But that time, what happened I don’t know. them, but this is different. Baba was taking on the suffering for others.” “It was very sad,” Mehera concluded. “Baba couldn’t talk, I did not see the accident happen. The only thing I knew was that I saw a vision. We A Glimpse of Baba were in the car. Baba was in the front seat, and our car bumped into another car. There now he couldn’t walk. He suffered. Baba was the Ancient One. God, was a big, very forceful jolt. I saw Baba in the front seat turn quickly around and ask who came on this earth, walked on this earth and blessed it – and yet he by Jeanne Felknor me, ‘Are you hurt, Mehera, are you hurt?’ I put my hand on my forehead to hide the willed his leg to be hurt in the car accident. We were so eager to go to I visited the Heartland Center in May as a volun- injury and said, ‘No, Baba, not much,’ because I did not want Baba to worry. California. Several times Baba told Elizabeth to go faster, faster, until teer during work-week. One day I sat down at the “So I saw Baba sitting in the front seat and that I am hurt. When I regained she was going 90 miles per hour. Baba knew we must be at that spot at 3-D viewer to see the 3-D slides that Ned Foote consciousness, I had no idea that Baba was hurt. But I remembered the vision. I was the exact time. Even that sort of sacrifi ce he made. The body suffers. It had taken of Baba in 1956. There’s something unconscious and did not know anything about how the accident happened. It was is physical, human. Avatars don’t use their powers not to suffer; they about those images that just fl oor me – to see Baba’s grace that I was unconscious and did feel every bit of pain. Baba said Jesus felt every pain a normal body Baba in three dimensions, His small, frail body. not see him lying in blood. How it happened, I would feel on the cross. Baba always referred to Jesus as being brave, After all, this was after the accident in Satara, yet did not see. That was Baba’s grace.” of having the courage to withstand a diffi cult advent, the hard times he the power – the power that those photos have! In her vision, Mehera had lovingly was born in.” Did Baba – God, all knowing – know that those reassured Baba about herself, because she “Baba did not let a word escape from his lips. Not one sound, pictures would eventually come to the Heartland didn’t want him to worry. After the others re- not one word did he speak. What control, even in such pain! Yet Baba Center in 2009 to be viewed by His lovers, whom He loves so much? called to Mehera about Baba’s concern for her observed his silence and didn’t break it. If maya came in the way, his I remember hearing people who have seen Baba in person Work Week Highlights welfare during the immediate aftermath of the work always came fi rst – even more than his health. So much love say how a photo of Baba just can’t capture His beauty, His power, His by Peter Nordeen accident, she remarked on his thoughtfulness. Baba had….So what must he have done for each one of us? That is divinity. But when I looked at the images of Baba through the 3-D From May 17-26, a total of 15 people were involved “Baba was in great need, in great why we feel love for Baba, because he has loved each one very dearly. viewer it felt like I could touch Him. I could smell the air outside of in renovation and maintenance projects at the Cen- pain because of his leg. Even then, he thought … So great is Baba’s grace.” Meher Abode on the Center where the photos were taken. I could hear ter. Here is a summary of work done and pending: of another fi rst and told them to help me. Mehera commented on Baba’s timing, and his willing this ac- the birds. I could feel His strength even though he looked so frail. I Completed at the Morrison House: Structural sta- At such a critical time, you want to think of cident to happen exactly when and where it did. It had to occur at that could see the wrinkles on the cotton coat that we so closely identify bilization, new electrical service panel with replace- yourself, but Baba didn’t think of himself. So spot on earth. How can any of us really fathom the work Baba did thru with Him. ment of old wiring, new circuits added, plumbing much love and concern for others Baba had. In Mehera at this time. She shared in his suffering and he said that he was One photo is taken from behind and shows His little pigtail, repairs. Gas piping reworked and rerouted. Some such a time of crisis, Baba thought of others. proud and happy with her. What work was Baba doing for all human- His stooped shoulders, bearing the load of all His work, the pain, the wallpaper removal, general cleaning. Adjustment of Mehera, Meheru behind her, photo: Kent Rogers Baba’s love was so beautiful.” ity through his Mehera and his other injured circle members? Baba’s burden, the Love for and of His lovers. How poignant these pictures doors, replaced bad knobs. Landscape maintenance. Two days after the accident Mehera slowly regained consciousness, but own words in the Discourses “The Circle” and “The Travail of the are. How fortunate we are as human beings, traveling in order to wake Morrison House goals (before any cosmetic work her eyes were almost swollen completely shut. Her vision was impaired for several New World Order” give us much to contemplate. His timing is always up to know who we are. How fortunate to have this glimpse of this or pilgrim stays): Window repairs. More door main- weeks. She permanently lost her sense of smell, and much of her sense of taste, but the perfect. And so is his plan! man – God-Man; not needing to know how or why, just partaking of tenance, (some replacement for weather proofi ng numbness in her teeth abated. After some time Baba asked for Mehera to visit him ac- Excerpt: THE CIRCLE: “When he works for the members of his this sweet gift from God to us, His children. and security). Kitchen, bath repairs for practical companied by Goher when she was strong enough which she did, though she couldn’t Circle, his action follows a timing he himself fi xes with utmost care; If you do nothing else this summer give yourself a treat and usage with partial replacement of cabinets, toilets, see well, and was drowsy from pain medication. The impaired sight she experience for it has to be a precise and defi nite intervention in the mechanical visit the Heartland Center. View those 3-D pho- other plumbing. veiled her from seeing Baba so wounded. She had to tip her head back to be able to see working out of their sanskaras. He works for the Circle at fi xed times. tos, and touch the very ground where Beloved Burleson House: bathroom and landscaping main- slightly. Therefore those who, in following the instructions received from the God in human form shed his blood. Be welcome. tenance, deep cleaning and reorganizing of space. “For many days, I did not know how seriously Baba was injured,” Mehera Master, abide by the timing given by him have the benefi t of his special Beloved God has so obviously set up this place A detailed work-week report is available upon recalled. “When I was conscious and could come into his room, Baba covered his work. From the standpoint of the special tasks the Master sets for of pilgrimage for His lovers to come and remem- request. leg with a sheet so I would not see his leg in a cast. Only when we were leaving the himself, time becomes an extremely important factor. The special work ber Him. What else matters? that the Master undertakes in relation to the members of his Circle not ♥ page 4 ♥ ♥ page 5 ♥