Meher Baba Australia December 2016 – February 2017 Australia Baba was, Baba is and Baba will also be eternally existent

Meher Baba – Friday 8th October 1954, Satara

Baba stopped using the alphabet board noted: “Now and forever, the Avatar from 7 October 1954 ... holds the pulse of the world in his After the September 1954 hands, and it is by his will alone that Meherabad meeting where Meher humanity breathes.” on earth. Let not your hearts be Baba’s Final Declaration was read In the West also, Baba’s followers’ torn asunder by my declarations out: ... when the lovers reached concern about His pronouncement concerning the dropping of my their homes, they spread the news was felt and many anxious letters body. On the contrary, accept everywhere of the contents of His from His lovers there were received in my Divine Will cheerfully. You Final Declaration – of Baba’s dropping Satara. On Friday, 8 October 1954, can never escape from me. Even the body and the destruction of this reply from Baba was sent to them. if you try to escape from me, it three-fourths of the world. In some It had been dictated the previous day is not possible to get rid of me. Therefore, have courage and be vernacular newspapers in India, on the board and was the last message brave. accounts were published and the given on the alphabet board: reports spread throughout the “There is no reason at all for any If you thus lose your hearts, country. In Baba centers in Hamirpur, of you to worry. Baba was, Baba how will it be possible for you to repetition of Baba’s name without a is and Baba will also be eternally fulfill the great task which I have break for 24 hours began, and the existent. Severance of external entrusted to you? Be brave and whole district was swept away in Baba’s relations does not mean the spread my message of love far and wide to all quarters, in order to love. All were praying that Baba not termination of internal links. It was only for establishing the internal fulfill my Divine Will. Let the words, give up the body, and in all corners of connection that external contacts “Baba, Baba, Baba,” come forth India talk about Meher Baba prevailed. had been maintained until now. from the mouth of every child, and A strange atmosphere had descended, let their ignorance be reduced to and it seemed Baba’s unusual The time has now come for being ashes by the burning flame of my declaration had served to spread his bound in the chain of internal love. connections. Hence, external name quickly far and wide. contact is no longer necessary. It Come together in order to fulfil my After Baba’s (Final) declaration was is possible to establish the internal will by taking your stand on Truth, publicized, a formidable opposition link by obeying Baba’s orders. Love and Honesty, and be worthy to it arose, claiming it lacked basis; I give you all my blessings for of participating in my task. I give but the result was quite the contrary, strengthening these internal links. you all my blessings for spreading as it brought many to Baba’s feet. my message of love.” I am always with you and I am not The declaration was, in truth, the away from you. I was, am and will declaration of God, and can never be remain eternally with you, and it is LORD MEHER Online unfounded or false: The results would for promoting this realization that I pp. 3650, 3651, 3652. always be according to Baba’s wish. have severed external contact. This Had an ordinary man made such will enable all persons to realize To read about events leading up to Meher Baba’s Final Declaration, refer a dramatic announcement, it would Truth by being bound to each other with internal links. to LORD MEHER Online pages 3638, have had a deleterious effect if no 3639, 3640, 3641, 3642. definite result occurred. In the Avatar’s O my lovers, I love you all! It is PHOTO: Avatar Meher Baba, 22 February case, however, everything happened only because of my love for my 1954, Town Hall, Masulipatnam, Andhra. in his own time, as he wished it. Aghe creation that I have descended © MN Publications.

2 December 2016 – February 2017 Meherwan Jessawala

Once when Beloved Baba Meherwan was asked what a saint looks like, He simply Jessawala story pointed at Meherwan. Roy and Rosalind Hayes Meherwan would urge all of us to love and think Meherazad 2015 only of Baba and repeat His Name constantly and The 5th March was the he was much loved by the last day of our 2015 Baba community around pilgrimage and it turned the world. out to be an exceptionally On 3rd of July 2016, beautiful day. Even Meherwan fell just though Meherazad was outside the door of his closed to pilgrims at room at Meherazad the time for important upon returning from building restoration lunch, breaking his right including, after seventy hip and shoulder. He years, a new roof over was soon admitted to beloved Baba’s Room, a Pune hospital where Falu Mistry had invited us Meherwan Jessawala. Photo by Tricia Migdoll. he underwent hip to Meherazad to discuss replacement surgery on Trust matters. the 5th. Although the operation was a others. When the question, “How are When we arrived, we first went success Meherwan’s general condition, you” was posed, his answer would be, into Baba’s Mandali Hall, and due to age and his illness Myasthenia “I am fine” (even though he wasn’t), found His presence was very Gravis, began to deteriorate until he followed by some expressed concern powerful, as always. Then, Falu went into respiratory failure at 3:45 for the one who asked the question. gave us morning coffee and we a.m., July 15th, and quietly slipped Meherwan, all those of us who had a warm hearted meeting. away into his Beloved’s arms. know and love you join together to Afterwards we went to see the busy How much Meherwan will be say how grateful we are for your very team of workers including Shelley missed is inestimable. He was friend being. You remained focused on your and Casey, working on re-roofing and guide to so many, particularly Beloved, repeating His Name till the Baba’s Room. his family, and especially his nieces very end. It has been our great honor I then went into Eruch’s room Mehera Arjani and Dolly Kerawala. to have been in your company. and found it also had a wonderful His very presence in this world enticed feeling and I was wistfully thinking Mehera to work hard at her recovery With love in Beloved Baba, that I really missed Eruch and from the stroke she had in November Shelley Marrich, Mehera Arjani, that I would also miss his brother and he was a tremendous support and Dolly Kerawala. Meherwan Jessawala. Just as I was to Dolly who is Mehera’s primary 15 July 2016 exiting Eruch’s room, Meherwan caregiver. His care and concern for came out from the room opposite. others was unfailing. Even in his last http://www.love-remembrances.com/ He warmly greeted me and we days when he was suffering so much, mandali/meherwan-jessawala/ talked for a while. he always thought of and asked after Continued on the next page

3 Meher Baba Australia

As I was about to leave him, he very happy about this and Ted firmly squeezed my hand and said Judson remarked “that has got “take Baba back with you and repeat to be the longest drive for a cup His name, there is nothing else to of tea”. Little did he know, we Repeat do”. When Falu heard that I had seen would have driven much further Meherwan, he took Ros to see him for Meherwan’s company. My Name also. After greeting her, Meherwan The next day we arrived early squeezed her hand and repeated “take and soon after Meherwan and Baba back with you and repeat His the workers turned up. Ros continuously name, there is nothing else to do”. sat with Casey and Shelly and Meher Baba Both times Meherwan spoke, he spoke Meherwan asked me to sit next Meherabad Sahavas, with such great intensity that we really to him with Sam Kerawala on November 1955 felt it was the only thing to do…. my other side. Meherwan was in a lovely and playful mood “I want every lover of mine to repeat Meherazad 2016 acting like, I would imagine, my name with every breath. The he would have in his teens. We repetition should be continuous Around late February/ early March hadn’t seen him like this before. and such that even in sound sleep it 2016, Meherazad was closed to Then, in a very serious tone, should continue like your breathing. pilgrims again for further repairs and he said “you must repeat His Then there is some possibility of restoration of the kitchen area etc. name”. I replied ‘I’m repeating experiencing a glimpse of me. Again Falu Mistry had invited us to His name at night but I find it Never worry about thoughts while come to Meherazad for a cup of tea, hard during the day’. repeating my name. Don’t check them some discussions and a taste of the Meherwan replied “You must because when you repeat my name, ‘best marmalade in the world’. repeat His name - let it flow the thoughts will not create binding We first visited Mandali Hall which through you. Baba told us he for you — good or bad.” had been stripped of all the carpets had repeated His own name Baba then repeated the metaphor of except a small one in front of Baba’s to give the repetition of His being inside a mosquito net and the Chair. There was a sense of freedom name great power”. mosquitoes buzzing outside. and intimacy with beloved Baba in Ros and I have always “In the same way, let thoughts the Hall without pilgrims – lovely. We regarded Meherwan as a “buzz” in the mind and be within then joined Falu and tasted the ‘best very special person and feel Baba’s “net” of nam-. Repeat my marmalade in the world’, it was very very privileged to have sat in name so continuously that if and good. Mandali Hall with him many when you lose consciousness of your After visiting the workers led by times listening to his wonderful body, the repetition will be there Chris Pearson, inspecting the repairs stories of his times with Baba. because I then become you. You lose and some fun banter we went back The feeling we had on these yourself completely in me. If you to the verandah to find Meherwan occasions with Meherwan was cannot do that, just a moment before sitting with Jeanie who was about that he was not even physically dying take my name. Even then you to give him a treatment. We went there – that it was Baba shining will come to me. into a good-humoured happy through him. We had the same But how will you remember at conversation; However, Jeanie was feeling with his brother Eruch. the last moment unless you start getting a little anxious as she had a remembering from now on!” tight time schedule that day. Since our conversation wasn’t finished LORD MEHER Online, page 3874 yet, Meherwan said “come for tea tomorrow at three o’clock”. Tea with Meherwan and the workers. We were

4 December 2016 – February 2017 “The sound of your Name…”

Sarah McNeill

“The Name of God given to the of All), and also includes Paramatma Islam holds sacred ninety-nine names eager and pure disciple by the (The Soul of Souls). of God, beginning with Ar-Rahman precious is the key which Zoroastrianism, a similarly ancient and Ar-Rahim, (The Compassionate unlocks the doors of words shut fast religion, names Yezdan as God. Yezdan and The Merciful) and ending with on the printed page. The Name was the name continuously repeated As-Sabur, (The Patient and Timeless is the living breath of Truth which by Sheriar when he set off at the age One), each name enshrining a holy blows whereso it will and can of thirteen from his home in Persia and everlasting attribute of Allah. unlock even the doors of hearts.” and wandered for many years as a fakir Christianity bows down to God through deserts, mountains and forests as Father, Son and Holy Ghost, the Francis Brabazon, in search of spiritual enlightenment. Holy Trinity, and also affirms the Ten ‘STAYWITH GOD’, p. 111 For orthodox Zoroastrians, Yezdan Commandments of Moses, the first of is the name of God and Zoroaster which states, “I am the Lord thy God. To begin with just seven, the seven was his messenger. However, in Thou shalt have no other gods before names known to us in the form of a 1921, at Sakori, the Perfect Master me.” The Lord’s Prayer as given by mantra sung to the opening cadences Upasni Maharaj told Merwan that Jesus may even, in its original wording, of Meher Baba’s Gujerati : - Hari, his Zoroaster was in fact God - a have also named attributes or states of Paramatma, Allah, Ahuramazd, God, manifestation of the Avatar. And this God, long before centuries of religious Yezdan, Hu. Why this particular awesome spiritual Master also later polemic led to a complex history sequence of names? For the beauty of told members of Meher Baba’s family of authorisations and its current their sound maybe. Hindu, Moslem, that their Merwan was Zoroaster! formalised phrasing. Zoroastrian, Christian and Sufi names Zoroastrians have, for more than Hu, the final name of the opening for God form the prayer beads on this three millennia, preserved and handed seven, has a special place as the Sufi precious thread. Even the monosyllabic down one hundred and one Names of name for God; Hu in both Arabic and “God”, a comparatively guttural God, starting with Yazad, (Êzad -The Hebrew means “he” or “himself” and sound, fits into place, smooth as a Only One Worthy of Worship), and thus, in this context, “God Himself”. pearl. ending with Farsho-gar (The Awakener It is interesting to note that Meher The first two in the sequence, from of Eternal Spring), identifying divine Baba rarely used the term Father as one the Hindu pantheon, are revered as attributes of God. The name, Yazad, of the names of God. His own name part of the universal manifestation of which opens the Zoroastrian prayer, means Compassionate Father and it Parabrahma (Eternal Absolute Truth), also has associations with the Yazidis, was chosen for him by his followers in recorded in the ; Hari (meaning an ethnic minority indigenous to reverence of his high spiritual status. Forgiver of all sins), is an aspect of northern Mesopotamia, now Iraq, So in this respect, Father was his own (the Preserver); the two names, much persecuted in recent times. Their name as God. On one occasion the Hari and Vishnu, are interchangeable. religion is remarkable in that it is name of Father was included. On The lists one thousand rooted in Zoroastrianism, Christianity November 6th 1952, at Meherabad, names of Vishnu who, together with and Islam, taking elements from all when four different religions’ names and , form the Vedic three traditions, and the Yazadis were for God were allocated to four of three-in-one totality of God. The known for displaying the name Yazad the mandali, each of whom had to list begins with Vishvam (the name on the door of their homes. repeat the name given to him seven of a great saint and revered sage in The Prophet Mohammed (blessed be times. Such recitation was known ancient India), and ends with Sarva- his name) proclaimed, “There is only as a ‘jap’. Nilu had to repeat – Prahavanaayudhah (The Conqueror One God and He is in your hearts.” Continued on the next page

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Parabrahma Paramatma; Padri, – Ya Online, p.3364, are as follows: clinging doubt and every aspiration Yezdan; Baidul, – La Illah Illallah; and All should wholeheartedly – from of his followers, giving the message Eruch was given the words – O God, the depths of their hearts – repeat the title of one of the names of God Father in Heaven. (Lord Meher Online audibly one name of God for one hour included in The Master’s Prayer or pps.3168/69, 3173). without a break, from 4 to 5 o’clock Parvardigar : From that day, and then from the early in the morning of July 10th: You are the Ancient One, The Highest 7th to the 9th of November that year, – Parabrahma Paramatma of the High. a gathering of three hundred men from Muslims – Allah-hu Akbar The Master’s Prayer, which was very all over India was held at Meherabad. Parsis – Ahuramazda soon in print and produced in booklet And in addition to this group, a Iranis – Yezdan form, ends with the names, further fifty close ones were called to Parabrahma Paramatma, Allah, Elahi, Christians – God Almighty stay until November 15th. These early Yezdan, Ahuramazd, God Almighty Besides this repetition, all should days of November 1952 were known as and God the Beloved… fast from 7 A.M. to 7 P.M. and take ‘The Fiery Free Life’ and they marked nothing except water during the fast. and although this is the wording of an increased momentum in the force the prayer given in the old, hard-copy On August 13th that same year, of Baba’s work. Intensive jap sessions volume 12 of Lord Meher (p.4209), during the twenty-one days of his were held continuously during this the prayer as it is said today does not special work in Dehra Dun, Meher time, with an uninterrupted jap for include the name ‘God Almighty’. Baba dictated The Master’s Prayer the full twenty-four hours of each day Lord Meher Online, gives the amended or Parvardigar, having sanctified throughout the period. A rota was set prayer in the Appendix section and emphasised the importance of up, eleven men were chosen as Baba’s (p.5433, Appendix C). the occasion by instructing mandali japwalas, and each of the following The emendation was apparently members to repeat the names of God names of God was repeated for two made and can be seen in a version every day from the 11th to the 19th hours in turn:- Ya Yezdan (9 – 11 taken down by Eruch from dictation of that month. Each name had to be AM); Allah hu (11 AM – 1PM); God given by Meher Baba which Eruch said seven times. The jap differed from Almighty (1PM – 3PM); Parabrahma typed out himself for distribution. previous repetitions in one respect. Paramatma (3PM – 5PM); Ya The above mentioned printed booklet In addition to the regular names, Yezdan (5PM – 7PM); Allah hu had probably gone to press before the Baba also ordered five other mandali (7PM – 9PM); God Almighty (9PM typed version was circulated. One members to repeat in unison seven – 11PM); Parabrahma Paramatma or two other similar booklets which times the name of Paratpa Buddha. (11PM – 1AM); Ya Yezdan (1AM – included the name of God Almighty The Master’s Prayer was given on 3AM); Allah hu (3AM – 5AM); God had also by then been published. 13th August at Dehra Dun and from Almighty (5AM – 7AM); Parabrahma Just four weeks later, Adi Senior that day until 2nd September it was Paramatma (7AM – 9AM). Full details had The Master’s Prayer printed and recited every evening with Baba taking with the names of those involved are distributed in its amended form in the part in the prayer. Donkin spoke the found in Lord Meher Online p.3139. Life Circular dated 15th September. prayer in English and another mandali This multi-faith jap marathon was an That was sent out to Baba’s lovers member recited it in Gujerati. The event of Avataric significance and must overseas and first appeared in America culmination of Baba’s special work surely deserve recognition as a ‘world in The Awakener Magazine, Vol.1 no. at this time was the giving of his first’! 2, in October 1953. The original momentous message, The Highest of The following year, for the manuscript of Eruch’s typed copy is the High, delivered spontaneously observance of the twenty eighth now carefully preserved at the Beloved by him on 7th September. The date anniversary of his silence, on July 10th, Archives centre in the United States, coincided with the day traditionally 1953, a similar (but not identical) and was featured recently (2014) in a said to be the birthday of Zoroaster. sequence of names were part of an Glow magazine promotional leaflet. It In this message, Meher Baba addresses order given by Meher Baba. His shows an amendment Eruch wrote by and challenges every held belief, every instructions, found in Lord Meher hand over a deletion he made on his

6 December 2016 – February 2017

Meher Baba’s Original Dictation of the Master’s Prayer, on display at Beloved Archives, Hamilton, New Jersey, USA. own typescript. Kitty Davey’s book, work, Meher Baba would order the always the same and names such as Love Alone Prevails, published in 1981, recitation of God’s names, often calling Ishwar, Nirakar Parvardigar and Hari seems to be unique in reproducing the on Kaikobad, the mandali member Narayan Bhagwan, (all variations of unamended Parvardigar, rather than tasked with constant repetition of the Hindu names for God), and even the prayer as reproduced in the Life Baba’s name, to recite the seven names God Almighty Omnipotent were Circular and featured in The Awakener. of God in the hall at Meherabad or included. And sometimes on these During the many years of his elsewhere. The seven names were not Continued on the next page

7 Meher Baba Australia occasions, after each name was spoken, these deep waters and repeats Noise Baba would bow down and touch his over and over again the phrase, There’s a kind of industrial hum forehead to the feet of members of the “You are…” as if in answer to surrounding everyone you meet. group gathered in his presence on that the question, “Who am I…?” It’s the noise from a mental generator day. (Lord Meher Online, pps.3803; At the end of the prayer working on the daytime shift. 4208; 5278). come the names for God These changes and complexities are pertaining to different faiths. It’s part of the sanskaric factory: by now part of history. The impact of Parabrahma and Paramatma a recycling plant processing impressions. the Master’s Prayer given by Meher for the Hindu; Allah for Islam; Baba transcends such matters and goes Ahuramazd and Yezdan for This same hum makes its way further than a ritual invocation. The Zoroastrianism; Elahi for into everything Parvardigar, (a name called out three Judaeo-Christian traditions; a person does. times by Sai Baba when he first turned and, in the pre-amended It can be heard his eyes to look upon the Avatar), is a version, the two names, God along supermarket isles prayer that progresses through as many Almighty and God the Beloved, on the internet as seventy divine attributes or names the first of which is associated at sporting events in the political system which, spoken aloud, light a pathway with Christian prayer and was in the traffic of cities into the presence of the Lord as if each used thus by Baba in japs he in boardrooms and name in the prayer extended awareness ordered on many occasions. planning committees. of the immanence of God. In speaking The second, stands as a sign for these words, a devotee/aspirant/seeker/ all, whatever faith or doctrine It doesn’t stop. worshipper or lover is drawn into a might be professed, to know You can’t escape it region of consciousness beyond the God as the Beloved. It makes a by going out to sea reach of mind:“…without beginning singular distinction. The name, or flying to the moon and without end, Non-dual, beyond God the Beloved, is as a gift having a makeover or indulging in austerity. comparison and none can measure from the Avatar to all faiths, a You, You are without colour, without shared name for the Ancient It still remains humming away. expression, without form and without One at the heart of spiritual It ends up wearing you out. attributes. You are unlimited and experience. And then, to end It’s like a constant ringing in your ear. unfathomable, beyond imagination and the prayer and as if to make it conception, eternal and imperishable.” part of a continuum, the last Only by repeating God’s Name in the heart can you find rest The generations of today, born into name in the Parvardigar is the from this infernal racket. an age of astro-physics, astronauts and first name in the Zoroastrian the idea of an expanding universe, sequence, Ezad, the Only One Only by repeating God’s Name in the heart soon become familiar with concepts Worthy of Worship. can you shut down such as the unquantifiable limitlessness the factory and find quiet. of outer space. People can come “And He came with his shining love again and nearer to imagining states such as Ross Keating infinite existence and eternal being. retrued our vision and And though Baba emphasises that retaught His Name.” imagination cannot reach eternity, he “Teach us the art of your gives the certainty that real knowledge, Name.” said to be deeply hidden in the unconscious, is knowable. Maybe Francis Brabazon, outer space could be considered as ‘STAY WITH GOD’ p. 134 a paradigm of the unconscious. The Thanks to David Fenster for Master’s Prayer opens the way into research - Sarah McNeill.

8 December 2016 – February 2017

“Meherazad” arranged that during the Upheaval it gets a decent 20,000 foot mountain range in the interior: then there would be a Jan. 24/62 permanent snow-line and good Rains in the foothills, and so the country would support a LOT MORE Baba-lovers. Dear Avatar Abiders and Beacon Hillers, But it’s no good suggesting anything to this Man – He just grins and perhaps gives one a little pat. I don’t think He On the 6th of this month takes one at all seriously – which is very disconcerting I began a letter to you: Just 3 years ago “I left my love(s) when one is so EARNEST about everything. and sailed away”. But unlike the fellow in the wretched song I quote, I sailed to my loves and picked up a few Viewed impartially, Australians are about the more on the way – for they are all within Baba’s dear most ignorant and self-satisfied people in the world – the Heart. So the longer I stay away from them, the closer under-nourished children of a decrepit mother who lives I come to them. So it is no use anyone trying to beguile in a boarding house and talks about some ancestor who me into returning soon by their “winged words” or scenic was a very dashing sea-rover. Yet it must be remembered calendars or promises (supposed to be threats) to lock that long before the advent of the debonair pirate the me in BABA HSE. Who knows but by the time I do return people of England built cathedrals, into the stones of all our loves may have turned into ONE LOVE? – for as which, was cut the Name of God, and Ireland was known Homer said “By God all things are possible”. (Perhaps, all over Europe as the land of Saints and Scholars. And long before that, some of you may even have read Homer – something of these things must be also in the blood at least the Odyssey.) of Australians – as simple voices in the midst of the mountain of smug ignorance and delusion of grandeur. No And now tonight, 3 years ago – after sitting in a doubt our admiration of a Rolls-Royce car or a jet-plane little park in Colombo eating the last of a big cake I was is a dim remembrance of the fast, comfortable vehicles sent away with and reading 2 nice letters – I was rumbling by which the saints used to travel, and our love of “solid in a train thru the hills of Lanka on the last stage of the jobs” generally is a hankering to again build imperishable journey to India and the feet of our Beloved. monuments to His Name.

Today has been the happiest Birthday of my life. It But the Feet of God have touched the soil of began at 3.30 a.m. with a cup of tea & a couple of hours of Australia, and, whatever desert His Feet touch must, in messy work – work which I have been groaning over lately time, become a garden; and He was happy with our love, because of 10,000 frustrations, but which went easily this no matter how childish that love was, and with our small morning – then Kaikobad, the ancient who repeats the efforts to welcome Him and make Him comfortable, no beloved Name 100,000 time each day, wandered into my matter how crude those efforts were. God has, as it were, room with his “May Baba bless you”, and then 4 separate given us our chance. He has put His seed of love in each of presents: 2 tunes, 1 story and 2 enlarged photos of GOD- our hearts – which applies equally to those who have not MAN – all of which softened somewhat this lump of stone yet met Him physically but have given themselves to Him called heart to receive Baba’s Only Embrace a little later. – and He has given us a place to develop into His Abode.

Three years is a life-time or a moment according You will recall Jesus’ story of the Master who, on to how one looks at it. The only thing that matters is that going away, gave 3 servants equal sums of money, and, we draw closer to one another in Baba and that we fit on his return, inquired of each what he had done with it. ourselves more and more for the task to come of spreading Now that Master is beloved Baba who has given us equal His Message in our country – a country which has shares of love and who will ask one day of each of us what foolishly boasted that it was God’s own, but which God’s we have done with it. Feet have now blessed: and which He certainly loves, for He is, thru the illusion of prosperity and madness of sport, So far, beloved Baba seems happy with our sending its people further and further away from Him so response to His love and with what we have been doing that their desolation may be the greater and their turning together for His Place. The improvement of the property to Him whole-hearted. Of one thing I am certain, that our by loving labour is distinctly part of the job of spreading association together is not passing or purposeless, but His Message of Love, for people will feel His love in our that we will have much work to do together for Him in this labour and thru that will be drawn to Him. But one day life and in many future lives. we must go out among the people and tell them about His Advent and His love. One day. But a one day is always the Viewed impartially, Australia is about the most result of a now. A child one day becoming a great scholar hopeless country in the world. Physically, it is 200 m. depends on the child’s interest and attitude to lessons strip running half way about a 10,000 m. coast-line. now. I have lately even pleaded with Baba, couldn’t it be Continued on the next page

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Love of God and knowledge of the divine truths Baba will look after it. has always been spread thru art, never by evangelism. To this end I have asked Robert to start a Baba Evangelism is Message minus beauty of form, and so it Entertainment Workshop and to begin with the children. is No-message because God-Man is Beauty itself. Mere Even if only one little something is performed next June, “wanting to tell people”, and doing so, is an affront to it will be a beginning. But I would be very happy if Joanna intelligence; but the presentation of the Message in and Ken and Bernard feel like joining the Workshop, and beautiful form delights the spirit and awakens the heart. perhaps present something at the next Anniversary. With The P. Masters are the rivers of life, but it has always been the children, it will be a game; but B.K. & J. should regard thru artists that the water has been taken to the people. it as Baba-work and practise regularly with Robert under Even P. Masters have taken on this role. Shankaracharya his direction. Practice should be regular, but only to the wandered the country talking to the people in beautiful, extent (with the frequency) that general work permits. clear, faultless sentences and sometimes singing little Possibly once a week will be sufficient at this stage. Don’t songs; roamed about keeping the people wear yourselves out over it – for that would not be Baba- spellbound all night with his dances; Chaitanya the same; work then. Preliminary practice and study can be done Francis of Assisi always used to say to his friars “We are at the Farmhouse, but when rehearsal stage is arrived jongleurs (entertainers)”. at, they should, as much as is practical, be carried out in Even God likes to be entertained. (Of course that Baba House. is the real meaning of Art – entertainment of God. But Remember that what you do, you will be doing when He is entertained, people also are.) Baba loves to present to beloved Baba, so secrecy over what is nothing better than good singing or dancing or a little being prepared for Him should be maintained until it is play. But they must always be about Him. He is the great presented to Him on the Anniversary. The 1st fruit of I AM and can’t be bothered with something about someone all things to beloved Baba. Not only is this fit and proper else, i.e. about the blooming artist! I was never more in relation to Him, but it will add to the pleasure of the ashamed than when beloved Baba came to Kiel Mountain, audience – the element of newness and surprise. If the and asked for a little entertainment to lighten His burden program is bandied about and discussed all freshness will for a moment, and we all sat like bloody roosters and hens have gone from it when it is actually presented. Secrecy on perches; and worst still, a few started up a horrible is also a necessary condition for good work to be done. A sentimental moaning which was supposed to be singing. painter always turns the canvass he is working on to the This must never happen again. Next time beloved Baba wall and a poet always keeps his job in hand in a drawer. comes, He must be fitly entertained. In order for this to The artist is a young woman who performs her toilet be, we have to start now. before the mirror of love and then, when every detail is Now, you need not get alarmed. I am not going to anxiously finished presents herself to her beloved. ask everyone to start madly trying to do something. I am I have said, above, that I don’t want everyone not going to suggest that Joan & Hazel & May “take up madly trying to do something, that all I wanted from lessons in dancing and dramatics”. What is wanted 1st “everyone” was a general understanding of the future of all is an understanding of, and a sympathy with, what purpose of Avatar’s Abode – to train, and send out Avatar’s Abode one day will become – a Place at which accomplished artists with Baba’s glorious Message – and suitable material is trained in the various arts and sent to look with sympathy and tolerance on the necessarily out as bearers of beautiful God-Man’s beautiful Message. crude beginnings of Baba’s Entertainment Workshop. The 1st step is to make each Anniversary of And I have said that what the Workshop (at any time) Beloved Baba’s Visit an Entertainment. We should think is preparing must be kept within the Workshop until it always that on the next Anniversary He will again visit is presented to beloved Baba at the Anniversaries, at us and so we must have some nice entertainment ready which time all can enjoy it. But “everyone” needs some for Him. But whatever is done must be done well. And it material which can be mutually shared and enjoyed at must be in reference to BABA or on some direct spiritual any time. And so I have sent, by sea-mail, a quantity of theme. material which is a contribution to the Workshop, but which, I hope, may be enjoyed by “everyone” separately We have the job of beginning a New Art – an Art and together. All of it has been presented to beloved that will tell the delightful story of His love and Advent. Baba – and it actually and really seemed to entertain But we begin where we are. We do not wait for a New Him. In fact, after one item had been presented to Him by Art to arise. We start with Art as it is now, changing its yours truly He ordered the quantity which the material subject-matter. It may take several generations before the comprises to be executed and presented to Him piece by New Art appears. That must be nothing to us. We do what piece as it was done. And this became a daily routine until we can; the future will look after itself – or rather, beloved

10 December 2016 – February 2017

His order was fulfilled. But, dear ones of His, as you will early days of His Work. see from a Note attached to this material, I regard it only I wish I could write you more about these things, as a beginning. I look forward intensely to the time when but there is really nothing that one can say that might not beloved God will be entertained by Master-entertainers. tomorrow be contradicted. There is nothing tangible, as it In the meantime I hope my small contribution may give were, that one can grasp. And if we survive the end, there you all some pleasure. will be damned little to then even say. He could make Correction. I am asking Robert to open envelope and look many things clear if He wished, but it seems that Avatar thru the material so that he can better give you all an idea never does wish to make anything clear except the One of it, on beloved Baba’s Birthday. thing – Truth.

Now, I must congratulate who was responsible All we can do is to love Him and keep ourselves for doing your Baba Christmas Card. It was an excellent occupied in thoughts of Him in our daily work, doing idea and well executed. But it had one shortcoming which whatever we are doing as well as we can for Him. you should correct in your Birthday Greetings – it had How easy it is to make Him happy and to earn no picture of beloved Baba. He is such a vain Man that His blessing! Your fighting together to save His Place He likes seeing pictures of Himself. Curious, isn’t it? But from the bush-fire made Him proud of you. This sort of then He is the only One and thing that actually exists – so thing not only is an enormous encouragement, but shows I suppose it isn’t so curious! Of course, what He really simply how simple the “spiritual path” is – it is nowhere enjoys, is not seeing His own picture, but our thought of but in our love and work together for Him. When this is Him (His Form). Just as He doesn’t like songs vaguely grasped thoroughly all talk of spirituality or where one is, about God, but likes to hear His present Name – not even or even questioning oneself does one love or how can one about or Mohammed, etc., but about Him now, love more, becomes just nonsense. When every length of BABA. So don’t forget a picture in the Birthday Greetings. timber sawn or nail driven in or earth turned or orange John did one last year that had quite a bit of “drawing” graded or meal cooked or dish washed or ball hit or gear- in it. And, of course, all hands should sign (I wrote sing change made or type-writer key pressed is done for Baba – same thing) their names. If I were you, I do not think and becomes a little song in one’s heart, there will be I would send Halwa (or such-like) this year, but put all nothing more to learn or question. The practice of these your love into a very loving Greetings. And I think a nice things is the real Workshop – and the New Art will arise “Card” is always better than a cable. After all, one cannot from nowhere but from the perfection of the doing of these look at and enjoy the loving hand of a cable. daily actions. There will come a time when Baba Concert On the 11th of this month beloved Baba’s health Parties have gone out on the road and some member of suddenly deteriorated alarmingly. It stayed this way an audience will say, “What a wonderful performance – it for a week and then just as suddenly was normal again is different to anything we have before seen and heard.” – whatever “normal” with Him is. “Normal” for the last And another will say to him, “But you should go to 2 years (about) gives me the impression of a man who Avatar’s Abode and see how these people live!” has finished his life-work and is now just filling in his So, come on Workshop, blow, blow, blow, remaining years with a few intimates, some of whom, spend most of their time trying to keep him interested And find that lovely Do-so-do. in what goes on: but the man is also waiting for certain Well, dear ones, it is 2 weeks since I started this results from his life-work – the number of remaining years letter, so I’d better bung it off. depending on these results. But with this Man, whatever one says is not it – and hence, His real life-story will never be written. It is not even a mystery – a mystery can be Always, with all love and thousands of uncovered and explained – it is unfathomable. This last Jai Babas, week there is a new turn in His appearance, He is looking very “strong”. God knows what will happen next. I am Francis rather reminded of 18 months ago (I think about) at . Guruprasad when He started walking again – a fact which the doctors had said would be impossible – and He said, “I have been telling you the end is near – I must meet it on Note: mention of a note attached – there wasn’t one. my feet”. However, from odd things He has said lately the end is not immediately near. It wouldn’t surprise us if He Letter provided by Bernard Bruford. started a fresh period of activity – even striding up the road with the mandali running to keep up with Him, as in

11 Meher Baba Australia Document rehousing at Avatar’s Abode

David Bowling – Convenor, Archives Committee

In July and August this sheets of original year a group of enthusiastic documents have been volunteers gathered in the cleaned, interleaved bookstore at Avatar’s Abode with acid free paper, to learn how to rehouse placed into acid some of the precious free paper folders, documents in the Francis placed into acid Brabazon collection. This free file folders and project, partly funded housed in acid free through a minor Heritage boxes. These boxes Grant of $2000 from the are now housed in Sunshine Coast Council a newly installed 4 will assist the Avatar’s bay compactus in the Abode Trust to manage, small archive room preserve, digitise and make off the library. There available to the public the are estimated to be at document collection held least 10,000 pages in at Avatar’s Abode. the Francis Brabazon Sue Chapman, a Director collection and this of the UK Meher Baba will take several years Association with experience to rehouse. in India, the UK and the Once documents USA in archiving Baba are cleaned and collections, was sponsored rehoused they are by the Trust and visited ready for scanning. from 21 July to 11 August Scanning has Sue appreciating a precious item in the collection. and again from 25 August commenced using an to 5 September. A3 scanner recently During her stay Sue conducted centre in October and a highlight purchased by the Trust and located in document rehousing training for 13 was seeing the beautiful way in which the bookstore. A photo scanner is also new volunteers (10 women and 3 Baba’s precious items are now on available for scanning photographs men) spread over a three week period. display to be appreciated by all. Sue at high resolution. Once documents Sue has been a driving force in the was able to impart to the volunteers are scanned selected items will be redevelopment of the Meher Baba a deep sense of respect for the work transcribed and volunteers have already Association centre at Hammersmith they were undertaking, and generously commenced this work. Once rehoused Grove centre in London, the rehousing shared her considerable knowledge and the archival documents, are stored in of the document collection, and the skills with all. humidity and temperature controlled preservation and display of key items Since the completion of training rooms and access is closely monitored including Baba’s coat and a pair of His rehousing sessions have been and is restricted. In the longer term sandals. conducted at least 2 morning per week plan all documents will be catalogued I had the good fortune to visit the until early October and over 1,500 into a searchable database. A team

12 December 2016 – February 2017 of volunteers will be needed to undertake this work which will take a number of years. As part of the conditions of the heritage grant a workshop on preserving small collections was offered to people in the Sunshine Coast region managing archival collections. On 2 Septembere 13 people from 6 organisations plus 6 from the Baba community attended the half day workshop. Sue Sue explaining the finer points of rehousing to John, Leigh, Tricia and Angela. Chapman conducted the workshop with support from Ray Kerkhove and Geoff Gunther. Organisations represented included Chenrezig Institute, Buderim Historical Society, Discover Eumundi, Landsborough Historical Museum, St Joseph’s Catholic Church Nambour, Salvation Army, and the Sunshine Coast Council Senior Heritage Officer. Very positive written feedback was given Sue working with Jeanette, Ian, Jim, Mehera, and Sue. by participants who were given a hands-on practical demonstration of document from our experience. In a follow up includes documents, published rehousing. They commented on the visit to Chenrezig Buddhist Institute material and books, photographs, film, obvious loving care with which we with Sue we were able to meet with video and audio material, artworks, approach this work. Future workshops the Librarian and learn of the archival relics, clothing, and items touched are planned to enable others in the work they are undertaking. or given by Baba and His mandali, Sunshine Coast community to learn The Avatar’s Abode Trust archives Continued on the next page

13 Meher Baba Australia buildings of significance on the Abode, particularly Francis’ letters. Gusi collection. It has highlighted the need and sites of importance at the Abode. Carpenter and Jim Frisino are for the Trust to consider the longer A broad range of archival knowledge cataloguing and preserving over 1500 term requirements for adequate and skill is needed in managing these photographs in the collection. Jeanette storage, management and display of items. Various sub-committees are Isaacs-Young and Kaye Lindsay are the existing collection and as more being developed to support these making archival support boards to items are donated to the collection in archival activities. better display and preserve some of our the future. Jim and Tricia Migdoll have precious Baba relics. David Hobson “In centuries to come, the things that generously offered to manage has done a comprehensive catalogue Avatar Meher Baba touched or used or the archival publications and the of all 8mm and 16mm films and wore, the places he visited, the pictures cataloguing of all items in the main has assessed the need for immediate and films of Him, the letters He storage room and are ably assisted preservation of many films which wrote, and other objects and materials bearing the personal imprint of His by Dr Geoff Gunther. Rod Tyson is have deteriorated in the sub-tropical Humanity will all serve as tangible helping with preserving the important climate. links for savouring the fragrance of His vinyl and 78 records in the Francis This project has generated much physical Presence and for remembering Brabazon collection, and Alison Spark interest from the wider Baba His life as Man. The written and Nadya Keating are developing community about the importance communication between Meher Baba’s the processes to support consistent of caring for, preserving and making early Australian disciples and Meher transcription of key documents, accessible the documents in the Baba, and with His mandali, their published and unpublished writings, and their artistic works also form an integral part of the Avatar’s Abode Trust collection.” Archive Committee Terms of Reference It has been a privilege to work with the volunteers and exciting to see how much enthusiasm the project has generated. I look forward to sharing further news in the near future.

Don’t worry, be happy In every life we have some trouble But when you worry, you make it double Don’t worry, be happy Don’t worry, be happy now

Bobby McFerrin

Ian and Jim, white gloves on, rehousing.

14 December 2016 – February 2017 Mahabaleshwar

Peter Rowan

We do not usually associate a phenomenon which is doubly His time in Mahabaleshwar over almost Mahabaleshwar with ancient spiritual compounded by the fact that a thirty year period, the first recorded lore but it is this very substructure Mahabaleshwar is on a plateau about visit being in 1930 and the last 1958, in which gives this wonderful evergreen fourteen hundred metres above sea level fact it would appear that Beloved Baba plateau its historic importance. and bound by valleys on all sides. gave probably more consistent time Even today if one takes the trouble to After these five rivers converge they to Mahabaleshwar than anywhere else dig deeper than the 19th century of the form a single river which flows to the outside of Meherabad. British Raj who made it their summer valley below and becomes India’s fourth The place today known as retreat you will find evidence of a place largest river in terms of inflow and is Mahabaleshwar is not the holy place of of important pilgrimage for the pious known as the River Krishna.1 I must pilgrimage, the Kshetra Mahabaleshwar Hindu and more than probably for mention here that in India the major of ancient times, but a fairly tawdry the practicing esoteric of yore, I rivers are accorded a place of sanctity tinsel town lined with colourful tat, will comment further with some of my and are thought of in the feminine as strawberry juice, amazingly bright observations regarding this insight as we the fecundating principle of the Shaktic iridescent shoes and an ever constant look with more depth into the spiritual life-force, hence the Krishna River moving horde of escapers from the background of this once isolated place is as often known in the feminine as twenty million plus city of Mumbai of centuries ago. Krishnabai. which is only a few hours away. It has been known at least from the The convergence of the five rivers on One may ask where then is the 12th century that Mahabaleshwar the plateau of Mahabaleshwar is known genuine Mahabaleshwar, it’s less had a unique geographic importance as Panchganga; in the Sanskrit panch = than 10 km away! To get there is not as the location of the conjunction five, ganga = holy river. difficult, you may be able to catch the and convergence of five rivers, Avatar Meher Baba spent much of very infrequent bus but I have found in the many times I have been there by far the easiest and not expensive option is to hire a taxi for a few hours to take you to what is called euphemistically Old Mahabaleshwar, a different world where the old Raj and Parsi mansions are dotted over the countryside and where wonderful scenic views can be enjoyed such as Arthurs Seat, where the famous photograph of our Beloved Meher Baba with arms outstretched on an iron railing with the valley behind was taken. Visiting Old Mahabaleshwar by bus, taxi or car takes one to a large open car park after about

Ananda at Mahadev Temple, Mahabaleshwar, 2009. Photo: Peter Rowan. Continued on the next page

15 Meher Baba Australia a twenty minute trip. Orienting oneself is quite easy as the modest human traffic is naturally issued up the hill above the car park by a reasonably wide road with shops of a somewhat sober nature on either side. This road is the pilgrim road to Panchganga Temple, an eight hundred year old enclosure which frames and sanctifies the five rivers emerging in a steady stream above the plateau’s surface. A temple to Krishna is inside the enclosure with a stone cow recessed on a platform in a large tank from whose mouth the emergent Krishna River flows down through the tank and back underground then further back down the slope beyond the car park into a valley to begin its twelve hundred and ninety mile journey across a large part of the sub-continent. Immediately above this valley Meher Baba, May 1954, Mahabaleshwar, India. Photographer: Jangoo Irani. © MN Publications. is where our story actually begins with Avatar Meher Baba, when hopefully give a lasting impression holy regard the answer is very simple, in 1930 He made His first recorded as to why a trip to Mahabaleshwar its location immediately on and above journey to Mahabaleshwar and visited is not complete unless one visits this the outflow to Krishnabai and the what is known as Mahadev Temple site which Beloved Baba accorded unbelievable Mahabaleshwar monsoon perched in antiquated majestic glory significance to by His presence and has made this temple over the millennia above the Krishnabai. which in my view definitely gives unsuitable for general use because of We read in LORD MEHER, “On Mahabaleshwar its spiritual raison- inundation with water from below Wednesday, 30 April 1930, Baba and d’étre. and above, even in the driest periods some of the mandali rode in the Buick Mahadev Temple is a mere fifteen it is dank and moisture logged with to Mahabaleshwar to see a Hindu minute walk down a forlorn dirt track stalactitic formations jutting out from Mahadev Temple called Gaimukh (cows below the car park and is not accessible its inside upper structure, yet this mouth). The squat temple encloses a except by foot, it is not signposted nor charming and evocative place is still stone cow at one end of a pool of water. accorded in any way a value added wholly intact and retains all its original From the cows mouth a stream of water attraction to the average Mumbai characteristics of a thousand years, pours out and runs into the pool, which holiday maker or pilgrim wanting and its isolated location on a ledge overflows down a plateau into the to take home their holy water from high above the river is breathtakingly valley. This is the traditional source of Panchganga, and so is rarely visited beautiful. 2 the Krishna River and its tributaries.” except by a few; most don’t even know One must approach the entrance I will attempt to describe this temple it is there. to the temple by turning away from to Lord Shiva in some detail and In asking why it isn’t given more the wonderful view, what is seen is a

16 December 2016 – February 2017 predominantly low set structure built along the walkway on the approach Mahabaleshwar; secluded Himself for in dark grey layered stone in the simple to the sanctum, also other symbolic one hundred days; spent part of the form of a quadrangle with a small representations are seen of the unitive New-Life here; stepped out of the New- tank at centre and a smallish stone life force through the serpent, or Life for a short period and gave darshan cow, similar to the Panchganga cow, Kundalini . to two hundred lovers; gave darshan to with water issuing from its mouth. The key to my full realization of Mahabaleshwar villagers; dictated parts On either side of the tank is a covered the purpose of this Shiva temple was of GOD SPEAKS; did not sleep for walkway with columns, and then one found on the bottom section of the twenty one nights but listened to the sees the inner sanctum containing a wall at the outside rear, here one sees poetry of Hafiz; washed the feet of one wondrous Shiva Lingam/Yoni resting the only fully mobilized carving in hundred poor and gave each ten rupees on another yoni of larger proportions relief to be found, it is a relatively small prasad. recessed into a shallow hollow of water but splendid representation of the Baba’s dear mother died whilst He with marvellous rearing cobras carved primal goddess Kundalini Shakti with was here also. around its base perimeter. her nascent cobra self above her head, In early 1951 at Mahabaleshwar This particular double yoni cobra she has delightful feminine features, during the New Life, Baba was in motif is unique as to my general flowing hair, and her body is in snake extremely weak physical condition and knowledge of Indian temples is formation with Ida and Pingala, the suffering greatly, saying He was in a concerned, having visited perhaps one primal channels of resurgent spiritual state of helplessness. It was at this time hundred and fifty ancient temples in energy resting in the crook of each arm He gave humanity His timeless message my travels throughout the length and as young and attentive cobras. which ends with “…This New-Life will breadth of the country. Avatar Meher Baba has told us, live by itself eternally, even if there is no On close inspection of its “Kundalini is the name for the power one to live it.”8 architectural nuances one would say latent in the individual soul”5, also, At Mahabaleshwar in January 1954 it is certainly in the classic mode but “The power of Kundalini is the same our Beloved dictated this delightful very simple in its structural design for cobra that hangs coiled around Shiva’s short poem: the usage it was built for, which was neck.”6 If understood, life is merely a jest. for propitiation of Shakti the primal Of course many other features of If misunderstood, life becomes a pest. goddess attending Shiva on the base my favourite Mahabaleshwar temple If overcome, life is at rest. yoni which sits in the hollow containing could be expounded upon but for now For pilgrims on the path, life is a test. Krishnabai’s gentle inflow. I would like to propound on the name When annihilated through love, life is In the highest Vedic spiritual Mahadev and Mahabaleshwar as their at its best.9 philosophy yoni is thought of as the meanings are explained in the ancient And of particular interest to Australia creative force that moves through Sanskrit; Mahadev literally means is Baba’s message from Mahabaleshwar the entire universe, and is the mystic ‘Great-God’, whereas in combination April 1958 prior to coming to Avatar’s symbol of , the Divine Mother,3 Mahabaleshwar means, Maha Great, Abode in June 1958, in which He whereas the lingam is seen as the prime Bal Powerful and (I)shwar Lord or compassionately tells us, “I want symbol of the energy and universal Ruler.7 this Sahavas to be above all a close potentiality of Mahadev, the Great God Avatar Meher Baba spent so many companionship between your Beloved Shiva;4 therefore linga and yoni united years working, travelling and resting and His lovers”10. represents the non-duality of immanent in the Mahabaleshwar area, so I will reality and the possibility of perfect content myself with mentioning just References transcendence. a few of the more obvious activities As the observant eye accustoms itself of importance during our Beloved’s 1. Krishna River/Wikipedia to the mystery of this ancient place and visits to this cool retreat from the hot 2. LORD MEHER online p 1172 we wander its precincts one becomes Maharashtra summer. 3. Yoni/Wikipedia aware that there are rearing cobras with It certainly wasn’t for mere relaxation 4. Lingam/Wikipedia hoods fully extended emerging from that Baba had a mast- at Continued on page 30

17 Meher Baba Australia Meherabad electricity - green solar power

Paul Morris – Electrician, Australia

As anyone who has visited Meherabad will know, there is the convenience of near continuous electricity. However, most people in India also endure frequent power cuts, and accept being at times without power for eight to sixteen hours per day. During cuts, the power supply at Meherabad is supported by using a stand -by diesel generator and having a better than normal, expensive connection to the nearby Electricity Distribution Company. In 1938 Baba asked Minoo Barucha to electrify Meherabad. Some of that Minoo Bharucha, Eruch, Feram, Meherjee, Meher Baba, Elcha, Dhake, 6 March 1960, work was done on the Hill during the Khushru Quarters, Ahmednagar. Photographer: Panday. © MN Publications. major “Meher Retreat” reconstruction of 1938. Some of the old wiring James Cox and other Meher Baba stand-by generator is also high, approx. attached to wooden battens of the lovers donated additional funds so AU$ 1.15 per litre. “Tin Shed” was still there in the 1970s. that a sub-station with transformers Added up, Meherabad’s electricity But the permanent electrification could be built at Meherabad. After costs are currently around 3 million of Meherabad did not happen until that, electric water pumps were rupees (Rs. 30 lakhs) per year. When the late 1970s. The board of trustees gradually installed around Meherabad, converted, that equals about $60,000 (except for Padri) felt that it was time which also improved the capacity for Australian Dollars or $45,000 U.S. to permanently electrify Meherabad water distribution. Minoo continued Dollars per year. since so much was being invested to direct the work of electrical In January 2014, Power monitoring in the new Pilgrim Centre under infrastructure into his late 80s. was installed into the main substation construction. Minoo Bharucha had The power supply to Meherabad for MPR and MeM (the Archives come to stay at Meherabad after 1969 sub-station is high voltage and with Building) with the aim of measuring and was ready to fulfil Baba’s request to suitable transformers it is converted to the amount of power used at each electrify Meherabad. low voltage (415V same as Australia). hour of the day, at these locations. Adi K. Irani threw the main switch This helps to maintain consistent The overall aim being to facilitate the at the Meher Pilgrim Center for the voltage power. However, The Trust is planning of a strategy that addresses public electrical supply one day during considered to be a commercial entity high electricity costs and optimum February or March of 1978. The by the power company, and as such the power quality at Meherabad. power supply during those first years charge for power is much higher than Lately this data has been used to of operation was unreliable. During the rate for domestic consumers. research types of technology that could the few hours each day when electricity It is interesting to note that the cost assist Meherabad. was available, the voltage would often of electricity to the Trust (Approx. 25 An excerpt from the Trust Deed be very low. Therefore, electric motors cents per unit) is the same as Australia. referring to water states that – could not be safely used. But in 1983 And that the cost of diesel fuel for the “2. Preference to be given as far as

18 December 2016 – February 2017

feasible to the undernoted illustrative items, namely: (a) Digging of a well or wells and/ or obtaining independent water supply from available public resources; (b) The provision of shelters or accommodation for the visitors;” These examples gave scope to consider using the same approach of achieveing ‘independence’with the electricity supply at Meherabad. This is topical and with advancements in technology and the great reduction in installation costs, there is discussion that Meherabad should install Solar Power. Any planning for current and future improvement to Meherabad electricity will consider: That large increases in pilgrim Mehera cutting a cake in the shape of a light bulb to celebrate the inauguration of electricity at numbers could occur at any Meherabad, 24 May 1977, Upper Meherabad. Photographer: David Fenster. © MN Publications. time resulting in sudden spikes in consumption. E.G. Sai from the Sun very successfully. That If the installation of solar panels Baba’s Shirdi has to rely on 42 equates to 66 rupees or Au$1.20 per at the MeM (Archive Building) is Diesel generators. 4x 250W panels per day. Because the successful, then similar installations That Meherabad’s historic sun only shines half the day, a realistic can be done at MPR and Hostels at integrity needs to be maintained. outcome from a Solar Panel solution is Lower Meherabad as these building There was no electricity at to reduce a $200 per day cost to $100. have roofs large enough, secure enough Meherabad while Meher Baba was Achieving that would require 400 and are located where greatest benefit there. Generators were hired for solar panels. to the Meherabad grid can be achieved. Sahavas Programs. It is proposed to initially install solar Solar Power will begin Meherabad’s The future installation of panels on MeM (Archive Building) independence from the power underground power lines etc. where a large roof is available and company, pay for itself in 5 years, That ongoing costs will become demand for power is greatest during reduce reliance on loud, polluting an increasing burden to the Trust. the day. diesel generators; and help establish an alternative to hiring quick fix Meherabad Solar additional generators when the Scheme inevitable masses come on pilgrimage to the Avatar of the Age. Since Meherabad is positioned in After years of experience and solar the top 10% for Global Horizontal power research in Australia, the Irradiance (GHI) on the Earth with ‘Enphase S270’ appears to be the about 5-6kWh per sq. meter per day most suitable Inverter. This cutting average per 1 kW of solar panels, it is edge technology from the USA fits perfectly placed to generate electricity ‘Enphase S270’ Inverter. Continued on the next page

19 Meher Baba Australia under each solar panel and has many AMBPPCT (Trust) ,when he was wanting to assist in this endeavour. virtues that will deliver expandable, here in Australia, I floated the idea of Either as carriers or being donors as monitorable, cost effective and reliable assisting Baba lovers who are intending well as carriers. technology to Meherabad for many to visit Meherabad, in buying one If you can’t afford the cost of years. compact Enphase Micro Inverter and purchasing and donating then you As for Solar Panels, Tier 1 carrying it to Meherabad. It could be can charge it to my account and the SolarPanels (high quality) are now a loving donation. Shridar approved of Trust will reimburse me. Carriage of manufactured and available in India. the concept. an inverter is the main thing. One While the solar panels can be procured I gave Shridhar an inverter to take inverter per pilgrim would soon add locally, ‘Enphase S270’ Inverters are back to Meherabad. He travelled back up. currently not available in India, they to India through Hong Kong, where The cost of one unit is AU$ 170.00 will have to be imported. he stayed about a week. He was able plus postage to you. One inverter can Importing a large quantity of to bring that Inverter in his check in be easily carried in travel baggage. It Inverters is likely to lead to problems baggage without any difficulty. These weighs just 2kg. such as official permission from the inverters are quite compact. So we can all help put Meherabad on Government and customs clearance In Australia I am arranging for L & Solar Power, one inverter at a time. etc. H Electrical Wholesalers who have Anyone who wants to participate At a recent meeting with Shridhar branches all over Australia to supply please email me at [email protected] Kelkar, the Chairman of the inverters on my account to anyone Or you can phone me to discuss it on my mobile 0429 310 169 (Australia). If calling from outside of Australia then it’s +61429 310 169.

Jai Meher Baba.

PS: The above covers carriage of inverters from Australia to Meherabad. This inverter being an American product, can also be obtained in the USA and carried by USA to Meherabad pilgrims. The process of carriage from USA is still being organised. Again, feel free to get in touch with me via my email or mobile phone.

Note* Historical information by Peter Nordeen. Power monitoring measures the amount of power used each hour of the day at the MPR and MeM (the Archives Building), Upper Meherabad.

20 December 2016 – February 2017 Baba’s Birthday 1938 …. Baba’s birthday was celebrated at two places separately — on Meherabad Hill by the women and in lower Meherabad by the men. Only a few of the Western women were allowed to come down the hill and observe the celebrations there. Baba’s feet were washed with milk and saffron on the early morning of his 44th birthday Baba and Mehera in the East Room, Meherabad. Baba is dressed for his birthday, February, 1938. (according to the Zoroastrian Photographer: Elizabeth Patterson. Courtesy of MSI Collection India. calendar) Sunday, 20 February 1938. Afterward, at eight o’clock, the darshan program Because I see my shadow I know love’s sun has risen. at lower Meherabad started and continued until evening. Because I see my shadow I know love’s sun has risen. Baba handed out prasad with both hands to the hordes But my fascination with my shadow has of people who had come, amidst the singing of , become my prison. praising God in all His mercy for allowing them to participate in this momentous day. My shadow goes out from me and turns back and beckons, As Aghe described, “The atmosphere in Meherabad was Come! Let us dance together along new horizons. redolent with the fragrance of Wine, and people looked I answer, Invite me no more my sweet little witch; intoxicated. The Wine of Meherabad is quite distinct; Many times I have danced out with you — into a ditch! the deserving taste only a cupful after ages! The Tavern We said our love will awaken the earth to a new dawn: Keeper makes sure that its fragrance spreads throughout But my spirit blew only cracked notes on its wilted horn. the world, bringing in its wake a transformation of consciousness, which makes the Avataric age quite unlike I will sit out my prison-sitting in my heart’s corridor; any other!” At midday your beauty will be buried beneath this floor. On Monday, 21 February, a free feast was given to 5,000 For although my prison has thick walls, it has no roof — poor villagers from the surrounding areas. Baba personally And of love’s sun’s glory mid-day distributed laddoos to the multitude. Afterward, the guests will bring burning proof. departed with longing in their hearts. But they carried the Not only you, darling Shadow, will have vanished — bliss of Meherabad back to their homes, where the joyous but the horn of the sun feeling of being in Baba’s presence stayed with them for Will bring down these walls, and I and my true Beloved days to come…. will be one. Extract from LORD MEHER Online Edition Page 1901 Francis Brabazon Copyright © 1979-2001, Avatar Meher Baba Perpetual Public Charitable Trust, Ahmednagar, India. THE BELOVED IS ALL IN ALL - page 12 http://ambppct.org/Book_Files/The_Beloved.pdf Laddoo: a ball shaped indian sweet.

21 Meher Baba Australia Meher Baba about ‘isms’… An Meher Baba

I have no connection with politics. All religions explanation are equal to me, and all castes and creeds are dear to me. of the present But, although I appreciate all “isms,” religious period of and political parties for the many good things that they seek to achieve, I do not and cannot Baba’s work belong to any of these “isms,” religious or political Eruch Jessawala parties.

For the Absolute Truth, while equally including “ is God’s infinite shadow. To use an analogy, when the sun appears them, transcends all of them, and leaves no room to be setting over the horizon, the for separate divisions which are all equally false. shadow projected by any object The unity of all life is integral and indivisible. It appears to grow longer till it becomes remains unassailable and inviolable in spite of all much bigger than the object itself. But conceivable ideological differences. when the sun is directly overhead, the shadow disappears and is ‘trampled’ I am equally approachable to one and all, big and underfoot of the object, as it were. small. Thus it is, in this phase of Baba’s helplessness and humiliation that He To saints who rise and to sinners who fall, tells us of, that the sun’s rays appear faint and weak and the shadow appears Through all the various paths that give the larger and more potent than that Divine Call. which creates the shadow seemingly overriding it in all proportions. But I am approachable alike to saint whom I adore when God (the Sun) is at His zenith or mid-heaven at the time of His And to sinner whom I am for, manifestation, Maya, the shadow, And equally through Sufism, Vedantism, disappears, being virtually non-existent and powerless, and the object receives Christianity, the full and direct force of the Sun. Or Zoroastrianism and Buddhism, and other This is victory over Maya, when ignorance and darkness disappear in “isms” the glory of God’s manifestation.” Of any kind and also directly through no medium of “isms” at all! THE AWAKENER, Vol 7, Number 3, Third Quarter, 1961, pg. 8

LORD MEHER Online, 1952 – p.p.3191 and 3192

© AMBPPCT

22 December 2016 – February 2017 A Yuga story

The Kali Yuga is the last of four after picking up the arrow he had not be stopped by anyone … only “yugas” or ages according to Hindu located. He stopped at a place where repeating the name of God will be able tradition. The Yuga Golden a cow was about to give birth. After to save them from doom, just like the Age, the Treta Yuga Silver Age, the Dwapara Yuga Bronze Age. giving birth the cow started licking the little plant stopped the boulder from calf but continued to lick it even after falling further.” The “Kali Yuga or Iron Age” is the fourth, and present age or cycle of the calf was clean. With great difficulty time. Said to be the age of darkness, people were able to separate them but Source unknown. the age in which ignorance of by that time the calf was injured badly. spiritual truth is at its height. – Ed. Nakula was puzzled by the behaviour For more detail: The Mahabharata, of such a calm animal. Once, four of the five Pandavas one of the two major Sanskrit epics Sahadeva found the arrow which of ancient India. (the other is the (Yudhishthira was not present) asked had fallen near a mountain and there ). The Mahabharata is Krishna: “What is The Kali Yuga and an epic narrative of the Kurukshetra he saw a big boulder falling. As it fell, what will happen during the Kali War and the fates of the Kaurava the boulder was crushing the rocks and Yuga?” and the Pandava princes. https:// big trees on its way down. But then, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahabharata Krishna smiled and said “Let me the same boulder was just stopped by demonstrate to you, the situation Another source: http://www. a small plant. Sahadeva was amazed at of The Kali Yuga.” He took a bow bibhudevmisra.com/2012/07/end-of- this sight. and four arrows and shot them in kali-yuga-in-2025-unraveling.html All the Pandavas asked Krishna to four directions and ordered the four explain the meaning of these incidents. Pandavas to go and bring them back. Krishna smiled and started telling Each of the four Pandavas went off in them... the four different directions to search Dear God “Arjuna,in the Kali Yuga,the priests for the arrows. Let me sit with You dear God will have very sweet voices and they When Arjuna found an arrow, he for just a few moments will also have great knowledge but they heard a very sweet voice. He turned before I walk into my day will exploit devotees the same way the around and saw a cuckoo singing in a I have nothing to offer but my heart cuckoo was doing with the rabbit. spellbinding voice but was also eating no baskets of flowers and sweets Bhima, during the Kali Yuga, the to sublimely lay at Your feet flesh of a live rabbit which was in poor will live among rich, and those So I will lay down my head great pain. Arjuna was very surprised rich will have enormous amount of and You may take that and shocked to see such a gory act by Make it Yours wealth which will actually overflow but such a divine bird and he left the place like all the ones on Kali’s they will not offer a single penny to immediately. necklace that have the poor. Just as the four wells didn’t Bhima also found an arrow.It was at surrendered their egos have a single drop of water for the to a far greater power a place, where five wells were situated. empty well. the power that dances Four of the wells were surrounding Nakula, in the Kali Yuga, parents the universe in a single well. The four wells were and out of creation will love their children so much that overflowing with clean sweet water, While I take these tiny steps their love will actually spoil them and as if they were not able to hold all the in my day will destroy their lives similar to the water they contained. But surprisingly Every day practicing love shown by the cow to her newborn the well in the middle of these four the dance of waking up calf. of being fully awake overflowing wells was completely Sahadeva, in the Kali Yuga people to You in every breath empty. Bhima was puzzled at this will fail in terms of character, like the sight. boulder at the mountain they will Nakula was returning to Krishna Marla Faith

23 Meher Baba Australia

There Are Times And Moments, Baba I believe in kindness. Also in mischief. Also in singing, There are times and moments, Baba, riven by the light, especially when singing is that bounce down from the stars, footloose in the rink of night, not necessarily prescribed. that break our icy composure with a fiery jump and a start, perchance composed of Love, Baba, perchance a bounding hart, Mary Oliver perhaps like a rearing horse, perhaps like a rampant lion, Poet more like your starry eyes, Baba, more like your will of iron.

Death Is Not The End Michael J. Reilly When you’re sad and when you’re lonely Queensland Australia And you haven’t got a friend The Tomb riven: split or torn apart violently. Just remember that death is not the end hart: adult male deer. And all that you’ve held sacred Bats zoom past Falls down and does not mend swooping and circling Just remember that death is not the end as I stand just outside Let His Glory Not the end, not the end the circle of light Just remember that death is not the end that is your tomb. pray work rest dance dream When you’re standing at the crossroads I have no supersonic device wear a scarf That you cannot comprehend for finding my way Just remember that death is not the end because one loves God in the night. I clutch And all your dreams have vanished at things that are not there. be bold be meek And you don’t know what’s up the bend Just remember that death is not the end Oh Meher, won’t you turn the other cheek Not the end, not the end lead me home? because one loves God Just remember that death is not the end beg camp revamp write a letter When the storm clouds gather ’round you Alice H.Klein get a postage stamp And heavy rains descend WHAT THE HEART Just remember that death is not the end WANTS write a tribute to Him And there’s no one there to comfort you - page 82 a mass a communion hymn With a helpin’ hand to lend because one loves God Just remember that death is not the end Not the end, not the end draw the water at the well Just remember that death is not the end Who Didn’t Die take a drop from the wishing well don’t be afraid Oh, the tree of life is growing Hey pandits, who didn’t die? if you tire for a spell Where the spirit never dies If you find out, tell me. And the bright light of salvation shines because one loves God Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva died, In dark and empty skies ’s son died, kiss the wound When the cities are on fire so many suns and moons died, you found With the burning flesh of men the bridgebuilder died. hear the holy sound Just remember that death is not the end One, the Original, didn’t die. let His glory And you search in vain to find in your heart resound No fall, no rise. Just one law-abiding citizen says, that one never dies. because you love God. Just remember that death is not the end Not the end, not the end Just remember that death is not the end Kabir Sharon Lia Robinson March 30, 2016 THE BIJAK OF KABIR St. Mary Star of the Sea Rob Allen Zimmerman Translated by Linda Hess Centering Prayer 1988 & Shukdev Singh

24 December 2016 – February 2017 Eruch Ghazal A Dialogue Of Youth And Age “Eruch was the rock who said the Master dropped his body, “Who’ll read your stories?” the Old Man asked. to live forever in our hearts and minds without threnody. “No one cares, unless you’re famous!” “It’s God’s life we’re living on Earth,” said Youth. The Master lives by the breath that breathes his living name, “Nothing will ever tame us!” not by the lament that he has gone or quit his game. “The world is run by Money,” said Old. The Master is here and now in the path of remembrance; “I don’t see any God. he is the lover now present in the rhythm of time’s dance. Even the Rabbi doesn’t believe. It is the Master’s longing for us that inspires the heart, We end up in the sod.” to find with joy a presence we are ever loath to part. “Beauty’s in every Now,” said Youth. The diamond love of the eternally living Perfect One, “In every step we take! lights our way with a thousand glances shining like the Sun. God roots for us to walk a Path of Living Spirit—and Wake!” Eruch had a perfect memory that was never sentimental; the focus of his mind on the moment was monumental. “You may be right, you may be right,” The old man said with a sigh. If there is one man who brings tears to Darvish’s eyes, “But if so, I’ll never admit it. it is the lifelong servant of the Master who never dies!” Not till the day I die.” “The world’s run by Love,” Youth said. Bill Gannett “You knew that once—you did! It’s just that you suffered some great defeat, Eruch: Eruch Jessawala, lifelong disciple of Avatar Meher Baba. And after that, you hid.” Threnody: a lament. Now Old is gone, and Youth’s become Age, Still trying to stay on that Road. Ghazal #24 - Ghazals For The Friend He knows more now, knows how hard it is To keep the spirit unbowed. I often think of my favourite actress, God’s own sister; She possessed a bright wit, and was beauty’s great lover. As a little girl, she was a jump rope champion; Max Reif 15-06-2016 She was the Beloved’s Mehera’s lifelong companion. What a pride she had in pirouetting on a dime! I Worried She was a verbal master, and an excellent mime. I worried a lot. Will the garden grow, will the rivers She encouraged me in the study of Persian language; flow in the right direction, will the earth turn She herself spoke simple Dari with great advantage. as it was taught, and if not, how shall I correct it? Her cheerfulness was astonishing and delightful; Immense patience made her fabulously skilful. Was I right, was I wrong, will I be forgiven, can I do better? To be God’s sister was not easy, I heard her once say; She was a serious student who had mastered life’s play. Will I ever be able to sing, even the sparrows can do it and I am, well, Mani is a jewel who still sparkles in Darvish’s mind; hopeless. Most of all, I think of her as someone very kind. Is my eyesight fading or am I just imagining it, am I going to get rheumatism, Bill Gannett lockjaw, dementia? Dari: a form of Persian Finally I saw that worrying had come to nothing. And gave it up. And took my old body http://www.darvishkhanwrites.com/2013/12/15/ and went out into the morning, ghazal-24-from-ghazals-for-the-friend-by-bill- and sang. gannett/ A literary blog dedicated to the Awakener- Avatar Meher Baba Mary Oliver 25 Meher Baba Australia 7 Stars To Morning By Francis Brabazon BOOK REVIEW

Jeanne Robert Foster

Francis Brabazon, author of “Journey limitation of form in order that the modern poetry is complex and difficult with God” and “Early Poems,” gives us devotees may know Him.” The poems of immediate comprehension. The songs of life and fire in his new book, follow the high tradition of Blake and poems of “7 Stars To Morning” are “7 Stars To Morning.” Yeats in that their symbolic language profound, but at the same time, lucid These poems vitally concern all draws its power from divinely revealed and exact of phrase, and reveal a those who love poetry for its own sake Truth. The ten sections of the volume most sensitive use of language. They and also those who cherish it for its include “Music of Earth,” “Dawn may be classified as “organic poetry” interpretative power and prophetic Through to Sunrise,” “The Stone in the sense that the poems have an approach to the mysteries of life. On Masons,” and “Child Songs.” Together organic life of their own within a the physical plane, his title poem with the others, they present the poet’s multi-dimensional structure and bring refers to the bright stars that adorn the conception of a new day and a new instant images to the reader’s mind. southern sky; metaphysically, these humanity, an upsurge of spiritual life Mr. Brabazon has stated, in the stars typify the Planes that the seeker as it has been revealed to the world by single prose section “Art as Practice must eventually find are in the domain an Avatar. of Devotion,” that “art is a method of duality and illusion and which must Whether you read Francis Brabazon’s of practicing devotion to the True be blotted out when man becomes poems as fine examples of the newer, Teacher, Who is the supreme Artist; unified with Divine Reality. more subtle poetic forms, or as poesy the whole universe being His creation The dedication refers to the One inspired by a Master that leads to a and man His most finished work.” Who “draws a line in the shape of a closer relationship with God, they Again, that pure creativeness achieved heart around space, and suffers the are moving and illuminating. Some as a means of revealing love for others becomes a “vehicle for their emancipation,” and that man must Teachings – perceive that his works have no real Discourses of Meher existence except in God. Baba As a whole, the poems of this Teachings is a collection of selected distinguished collection record the discourses and messages by Meher illumination of the human mind and Baba that have been published in the extension of human vision into the Glow International magazine eternal Truth because of contact with over the past 50 years. the Master. They will pour a reviving There is no overlap in the content leaven into modern poetic art. of this book with Meher Baba’s book, Discourses. THE AWAKENER MAGAZINE Volume 4, Number 3, $ 50 AUD Spring /Summer 1957- p. 41, 42 at the Avatar’s Abode Bookstore [email protected] or call Steven Hein 0412 080 424. http://www.theawakenermagazine.org/

26 December 2016 – February 2017 Listen, Humanity! By Meher Baba Narrated and Edited by Don Stevens

Filis Frederick

It is fitting that after “God Speaks” periods but woven by Don into precious glimpses into the unknown comes “Listen, Humanity!” Meher consecutive reading order. world of Realization. Baba is “the Silent One,” yet, how he These discourses will appeal more The Beloved himself wished me has enlivened our hearts and minds immediately to the reader than the to write some kind of prereview of through the years by his incomparable more difficult cosmology of “God “Listen, Humanity!” and acquaint you teachings and messages! Speaks” and in fact are excellent with its contents. I cannot whet your Sometimes the shortest are the most supplementary reading to that great appetite more than by listing them in poignant, such as “It is Love alone work. full: which can lift the veil between a lover In the third section, Don tackles Preface and Introduction by Don and the Beloved. Believe me, you and I the “prickly” subject of Baba’s Stevens. remain divided by nothing but the veil Avatarhood or Christhood, and comes Foreword by Meher Baba. of you, yourself!” off surprisingly well. By presenting his Part I: The Sahavas Programs: Or, “From the beginning of all own personal viewpoint, rather than Meherabad; The First Day; The Toe beginnings, I have been saying, I say it lofty clichés, he stimulates interest— of The Master; Washing the Feet of now, and to the end of ends I will say dissension surely—but a lively the Poor; Lighting the Dhuni; Some it, that he who loves God, becomes God.” awareness at least. Since all Baba-lovers Smiles, Some Tears. There are hundreds of such spiritual get this question “thrown” at them Part ll: Life and the Path: Death and gems in this, new book about Baba and frequently, it is good to see how one Immortality; The Cycle of Sleep and by Baba. Lovingly put together by Don batter-up returns the ball. Waking; The Origins and Effects of Stevens at Baba’s own request. Don Don has wisely quoted Baba’s own War; The New World Culture; Notes was one of the few lucky Westerners statements on the subject, especially On Freedom The Ways to the Path to be present at the Indian Sahavas his messages “The Highest of the and Its States and Stages; Attitudes for meetings in November, 1955. High” and the three 1954 Darshan Aspirants and Other Groups; Love and His lively, humorous, and vivid Messages, first published by The God; Help to Others. report of the meetings, complete with Awakener. We wish, however, he had Part III: Avatarhood: Personal Baba’s intimate talks to the”sahavasis,” included more from Baba’s discourse, Relationship; General Atmospheres; comprises the first section of his book. “The Avatar.” Baba Discusses Avatarhood. The second section is taken up by As a sort of cherry on the whipped- Appendix I: Directions Given by Meher Baba’s discourses on a variety cream treat of all the preceding pages, Baba at the Sahavas Meetings. of fascinating spiritual subjects, many the last appendix contains many Appendix II: Reminiscences by not touched on in previous material; new glimpses into Baba’s life as told Baba. such as the different types of death and by himself at the sahavas meetings. their reaction on the individual: how They make one long for more; and THE AWAKENER MAGAZINE we reincarnate; the various types of wish, somehow, the Beloved could Volume 4, Number 3. Spring /Summer 1957- p. 43, 44. ; the true meaning of sleeping and be prevailed upon to tell us more of waking, the art of spiritual freedom, his own “God-biography!” Perhaps the emerging new humanity, and so the book that is to be published after http://www.theawakenermagazine.org/ forth, all dictated by Baba at various his death holds some of these same

27 Meher Baba Australia Learning and Unlearning (Anselm Instalment 18)

Ross Keating

About Anselm: The Anselm instalments are a creative of stuff that we don’t like about ourselves until we arrive at approach for discussing themes and ideas from Francis our true and unencumbered self. Brabazon’s Stay With God. All the characters are fictional. Thomas was reminded of a passage from the Discourses After receiving the book, Beloved Baba dictated a cable which he quoted: for all involved: Stay With God has come to stay & My love to all those who helped to make it the perfect book that it The teachings that have come to humanity through the is -- BABA). Masters of wisdom and the inborn sense of values that the aspirant brings with him shed sufficient light upon the next When I arrived at Anselm’s place he was busy moving [Baba’s emphasis] step the aspirant has to take. The difficult furniture out of his kitchen into the living room so he thing is to act upon the knowledge he has. One of the best could clean and paint the walls. “Just in time,” he said with methods of adding to one’s own spiritual wisdom is to make a welcoming smile, “I’m glad you came early. Would you use of the knowledge one already has (Discourses p. 262). mind giving me a hand moving this heavy cupboard?” As we were lifting it through the doorway I asked him why he “And I think we all know when we need to get rid of stuff suddenly wanted to do all this cleaning. in our lives,” added Philomena, “we know because we sense “To help give up smoking,” he replied. “I know that our lives are burdened and we feel discontented. It is a form sounds strange,” he continued, “but when I try to give up of knowledge. And no amount of escapism or denial can just one thing that bugs me about my life, like smoking, it hide this fact. Yet I think people spend a lot of their precious works better if I can give up all the things that bug me – get life avoiding acting on this knowledge, which is what I think rid of everything in one go. Maybe I’m a little crazy; but it Baba is implying in the quote you just read Thomas.” works for me. I’m also working on getting fit, looking after “I actually think Baba “in us” feels stifled,” said Thomas, how I dress, eating more healthily, being more attentive to “that’s what it really is.” what I do, listening more closely to what others say, cleaning From here the conversation moved onto the idea in Stay up where I live (thus the painting), and even being careful With God of “unlearning,” for we all felt that what Anselm with my handwriting – my writing style is really messy at was trying to do was a practical example of unlearning – the moment, and I don’t like it.” getting rid of stuff. But it went much deeper with Francis. “I don’t think you’re crazy at all Anselm, it makes a lot of Before beginning our discussion, Anselm read various sense to me. It’s a very holistic approach, and very practical. passages he had found in Stay With God where “unlearning” It reminds me, in a way, of what Baba has said: “Do not is mentioned: divide life into departments and attempt to deal with each department separately. Departmental thinking is an The clearing of the ground for the sowing, for the entering obstacle to vision – as spiritual workers you have to aim at is the unlearning of learning – for learning an inclusive and creative attitude to the individual and social problems of life” (Sparks From Meher Baba p. 14). is our rubbish heap of conceit (p. 83). “There you are! Even Baba agrees – so I’m in good company,” replied Anselm. To unlearn all one has learned! a bitter Soon everyone else arrived and heard about Anselm’s quest swallowing; a chasmal yawping before one’s feet (p. 84). to de-bug himself of all the stuff he didn’t like about himself. It made an immediate impression on us all. We seemed to Unlearn your learning, unhope your hopes, unlove act a little more human, were a little more attentive to each your loves; nothing is becoming of those other – our reactions were positive. And in a way this is our arisen from Nothing (p. 88). spiritual path, I thought to myself, progressively getting rid

28 December 2016 – February 2017

“Perhaps,” reflected Anselm, “Stay With God could be seen adulthood is a spiritual rite of passage. It is very rare to find as a kind of guide to “unlearning”. A guide to what we need any real adults today. Most of us are just overgrown kids to know about the learning of “unlearning” till we reach a with money in our pockets who use all our energy to get place where there’s no more unlearning to do; a place where what we want – we haven’t a clue about ‘unlearning’ as we we stay with God.” have described it. And the effect of this is that we live in an “I think using the term ‘the learning of unlearning,’” adolescent society that has no culture. For a culture also, as suggested Thomas, “may not be the best way to describe the Baba points out, is essentially a spiritual phenomenon: process of unlearning, for learning implies that we apply ourselves to something to be learnt. And I don’t think this Since all types of people have claimed that their greatness is what Francis has in mind. I think it is more like what you constitutes “culture”, the word has become indefinite in the were saying before Philomena, that we all ‘know when we minds of the public. True culture is the result of spiritual need to get rid of stuff in our lives’ – I think it is more along values assimilated into life (Listen Humanity p. 180). those lines.” “Yes,” added Philomena in agreement, “Baba says that He “And ‘spiritual values,’” said Anselm, “are not a list of has come not to teach but awaken Himself in us – that ‘the positive to-do’s that we tick off once we have reached them; world is too full of preachers and teachers’ (Listen Humanity that’s seeing them as something to be learnt, to be acquired. p.71). So what I am thinking, is that unlearning is simply I would say that spiritual values ‘happen’ once Baba has letting Baba awaken Himself in us – that it is a form of awakened Himself in us.” knowledge, not learning; a form of intuitive awareness. Just To finish our discussion Thomas wished to read a passage like when Anselm knows, internally, that he needs to get from Meher Baba’s message, “To Students, Artists, Social rid of stuff in his life – he didn’t learn this from anyone, it Workers and Public Institution Servants” as he felt it nicely just ‘appears,’ so to speak, in his consciousness. And he also concluded much of what we had been discussing: knows that he needs to act upon it.” “And I think,” Anselm quickly joined in, “that my Therefore you must keep before you the ideal of that spiritual example of wanting to get rid of stuff is the first step along culture which once developed, imparts life and beauty to all the path of unlearning, and as our relationship with Baba undertakings – educational, technical, industrial, social, becomes more intimate and deepens then our unlearning moral and political – and pierces through their differences to produce unity. This results in the development of the becomes more intense until as Francis says, ‘To unlearn all highest character in the life of a nation or individual (Listen one has learned! a bitter / swallowing; a chasmal yawping Humanity p. 189). before one’s feet.’” “I would like to take this into a different area, if I may,” added Philomena, “and raise the issue of what it means to As with our previous discussions, we all agreed that be an adult, for I think this whole issue of unlearning can sharing our ideas brought new perspectives into focus be useful in helping to provide a much needed definition that would never have happened if we didn’t get together. of adulthood. Roughly speaking – and we can play around Besides, in our love and respect for each other we had with this if we like – childhood and adolescence are the become better listeners and that was valuable in itself. As times for learning i.e., of an outer-directed learning, so we we were all saying goodbye, Anselm went to change into his can live in a manner pleasing to society; but adulthood is running gear for his daily jog around the block. the time for unlearning i.e., of an inner-directed awakening, so we can allow God (our real Self) to live in us in a manner pleasing to Him.” “From your definition then,” reflected Thomas, “an adult is a person who stays with God or better still has God staying in them.” “Yes, that’s it, as I see it,” said Philomena. “What society has generally forgotten today,” I added, nodding in agreement, “is that the movement into

29 Meher Baba Australia

Mahabaleshwar Continued from page 17 Religion and Politics 5. BEAMS ON THE SPIRITUAL PANORAMA p 14 Meher Baba 6. THE NOTHING AND THE EVERYTHING p 84 One of seven prepared messages read out at the 1952 Fiery Free Life gatherings 7. SANSKRIT NAMES Integral The Fiery Free Life which, as God ordained, has commenced from November Yoga Institute pp 64, 89 15, makes me plunge into my divine mission of bringing the Life in the Truth to 8. LORD MEHER online p 2882 everyone, without allowing it to be limited or coloured by the illusions of duality. 9. Ibid p 3427 As the Divine Life embraces in its Being one and all, including even the 10. AVATAR’S ABODE members of the animal and vegetable kingdoms, and since from the moment ANNIVERSARY PROGRAM of the attainment of Manonash (annihilation of the limited, finite mind) I have 2016 p1 attained complete unity with that immeasurable and illimitable Divine Life, I cannot and will not identify myself with any caste, creed, religion or political party. From my point of view, all religions are great; but God is greater. In the same way, all political parties are, in their own way, noble, at least in their consciously accepted objectives. But the claims of the Undivided and Indivisible Life are irresistibly supreme, and, as such, greater than those of any party, howsoever noble. So, I love and adore all religions; but I am of no religion. Nor do I seek to establish another religion or add to the numberless illusions that divide man against man. No religion was ever intended to be anything more than the gateway to God as Truth; but every religion has, in the course of time, been converted into a veil, obstructing the undimmed perception of the one Truth. As soon as the Truth of direct inner Realization is intellectualized and formulated, it gets enmeshed in creeds and dogmas. These [creeds and dogmas] have a tendency to bind the soul in the very attempt to emancipate it. They cover The Everything and the Truth in the very act of seeking to express it. This comic tragedy reveals itself in the retrospective analysis of all the world The Nothing religions bestowed on man. But it is not inevitable, if man is invariably vigilant Sixty-five messages by Meher and remains unwaveringly loyal to the inner perception of the inexpressible but Baba from the early 1960s. The unchangeable spiritual Truth, which ever affirms itself as the one, all-embracing statements appeal to both the Life Divine, at once indivisible and illimitable. curious mind and the thirsty heart. Published in 1963. LORD MEHER Online $19 AUD 1952 – p.p.3199. © AMBPPCT. at the Avatar’s Abode Bookstore [email protected] Meditation for a New Humanity This powerful book on meditation for a new humanity of meditators offers invaluable insights and practical strategies for meditation. Includes a CD with narration and a guided meditation The book opens with a rare discourse of Meher Baba and continues to explain in detail the subtleties of meditation, Meher Baba promises that “Meditation. . . done in the cause of Truth never goes in vain…” $35 AUD at the Avatar’s Abode Bookstore Email [email protected] Phone Steven Hein 0412 080 424.

30 December 2016 – February 2017 Meher Baba Australia

Steven Hein, MBA Editor Meher Baba Australia open-hearted generosity of reader articles submitted by authors for length donations we make ends meet … and content prior to publication. newsletter aims to mostly. connect the community MBA contacts of lovers of Beloved Actual costs of Editor [email protected] hardcopy MBAs Mailing List / Subscriptions Meher Baba Each issue costs approximately $3.80 [email protected] Australian Dollars to put together MBA subscriptions Non – Profit and print. Then it costs another Meher Baba Australia is published Meher Baba Australia is a volunteer $3.65 AUD approx. to post to each quarterly in March, June, September operated, non-profit publication. subscribed reader. Printed, enveloped and December. Annual subscriptions The work group that produces the and posted it costs us approx $7.50 are due in July. journal consists of approximately 10 AUD for each issue. Four issues a There is no charge for a subscription people, mostly part-time volunteers. year, mailed in Australia costs us about however to help cover the cost of Authors, researchers, designers, editors, $30 AUD. Mailing to India, Turkey, accessing photographs, printing and poets, administrators, distribution France, England, USA, Canada, distribution we welcome donations. ninjas, photo wranglers etc. Argentina costs more. Would you like to be part of this work-group? You would be The digital version? welcome. Contact editor Steven Hein: That is a PDF distributed by email. Low cost, it only incurs the cost of an [email protected] and Donations can be made email mailing service… have a chat. via PayPal at Frequency Why do we ask you to avatarsabode.com.au/donations.html renew your sub each year? Four issues a year. It is published Or by direct bank deposit to quarterly – in March , June, September We will ask you to renew your Account name: Meher Baba Australia and December. subscription once each year. It will BSB: 064424 be an email request or a coloured slip Account number: 10379525 How much is it? inside your MBA hardcopy. Please Please include your initial and last There is no charge as such. We do take a few minutes and respond. name for reference. ask readers to subscribe each year Reply to the email or complete the slip (to choose to receive the MBA). and post it back to the MBA address. Suggested annual donation The purpose for annually asking for Subscribing each year is essential for Digital PDF via email – Worldwide subscription is purely for keeping the only one reason. Your response helps AU$5 (secret and private) MBA mailing list us keep your (confidential) info on our Hardcopy – Australia AU$30 up to date. mailing list up to date. Hardcopy – Overseas AU$40 How do we cover printing Editorial policy and postage costs of This MBA editorial policy can be hardcopy MBAs you ask? simply stated – MBA will not publish Good point. Simple, we welcome content that is divisive, political, donations. Occasionally, at low tide, lacking in harmony or is disrespectful. we even encourage donations .By The editor reserves the right to edit all beloved Baba’s grace and thru the

31 Meher Baba Australia What’s on at Avatar’s Abode December 2016 to February 2017 Mehera’s Birthday Thursday 22 December, 3–5pm. Afternoon tea at Meeting Hall followed by Songs and Stories. Editor: Steven Hein Please bring your favourite Mehera stories and songs and a Design and Layout: Liz Gaskin plate of light food to share. Wilma Pearson 0404 775 789. Proof Reading: Steven Hein. Seeking additional volunteers. Contact Editor [email protected] Christmas Day Sunday 25 December, 1pm Arti followed Mailing List and Subscriptions: David Bowling. by Christmas lunch. All welcome! BYO Christmas food to Email [email protected] for information. share. Co-ordinator to be advised. Front Cover: Baba and Mehera in the East Room, Upper Meherabad, Baba’s birthday February 1938. Photographer: Amartithi Sunday 29 January, 12 noon Silence, 12.15pm Elizabeth Patterson. Courtesy MSI Collection India. Arti, 12.30pm Potluck lunch in kitchen followed by program. Next issue: Please email submssions for the next Meher BYO lunch to share. Lorraine Brown 5446 8005. Baba Australia to [email protected] or mail to Tuesday 31 January, 12 noon Silence, 12.15pm Arti. MBA, PO Box 335, Woombye, QLD 4559, Australia. Avatar Meher Baba dropped His physical form on 31 January Deadline next issue: 15th January 2017. 1969. Photos to be minimum of 500KB, preferably 1MB. PLEASE NOTE that the editor reserves the right to edit all Avatar Meher Baba’s Birthday Saturday 25 published articles for length and content prior to publication. February, 5am Arti, 5.30am Light Breakfast at Kitchen. BYO breakfast contributions. Bernard Bruford 5442 1487. Sydney Meher Baba Community Afternoon Program 12 noon Silence, 12.15pm Arti, 12.30pm Lunch at kitchen followed by program. BYO lunch to share. Meetings at Meher House are held to celebrate Ray Kerkhove 0417192169 special occasions in Meher Baba’s life such as Meher Avatar Meher Baba was born at 5am 25 February 1894. Baba’s Birthday, Amartithi etc. Also meetings are held on a monthly basis on a theme from Meher Baba’s life or Monday Morning Meetings at Avatar’s Abode discourses. These meetings commence at 10.30am for a 10–11.30am in the Meeting Hall. For information: Lorraine 11am start. Prayers and Arti begin these meetings which 5446 8005 or [email protected]. All are welcome to continue until lunch. Those who wish to stay on for lunch join with stories, readings, poetry, songs and a cuppa. are asked to bring a vegetarian dish to share for a potluck meal. The topics and dates for these meeting are circulated Saturday Nights at the Abode Film nights the first via email and so too are the times for an occasional Saturday of the month at 7pm. Contact: David and Glenda meeting such as when a special guest arrives. Hobson on 07 5442 1220 or Jim Frisino on 0417 112 668. To receive email information about these meetings please contact Jenny and Ross Keating at [email protected]. Meher Baba’s Works Tuesday Reading Group For further information including visiting Meher House Contact Wilma Pearson phone 0404 775 789 or (07) 5473 call Jenny 0408 118 366, Ross 0416 883 373 or Yvan 041 9947, email [email protected] or Bill Le Page phone 8286 545. 07 5442 1248.

Evening Discourse Meetings will re-commence Friday Mornings 10:30am in the Bookstore the first week of February 2017. Contact Kris Wyld 0407 The explorers of God’s words continue to study and discuss 481 323 or [email protected]. Meher Baba’s revelations of who and what we all are. The Bookstore is located behind the Reception Centre at Avatar’s Meher Baba Gatherings in WA Abode. Coordinators are Geoff Gunther 07 5442 2467 or Phone Paul Morris 0429 310 169 or Julie Morris 0428 Steven Hein 0412 080 424. 250 294. Melbourne Meetings New Zealand See the Meher Baba Melbourne website for dates, locations Travellers to New Zealand who want to meet Baba and details: http://mehermelb.jimdo.com/meetings/ lovers there are invited to contact Kelvin and Jill Hobbs, Anthony Zois phone (03) 9417 7474 or 0412 099 890, or 19 Brassey Rd, Wanganui. Phone 06 347 2974, email email [email protected] [email protected] David Dickens phone 0433 671 818 [email protected]

Meher Baba Australia is a publication completely independent of the Avatar’s Abode Trust. The views expressed in articles in Meher Baba Australia are solely those of the authors.