Meher Baba Australia June – August 2017

Meher Baba at Sydney Airport, Australia, August 1956. Photo taken by an unknown press photographer. Meher Baba Australia Beloved Baba’s 1958 Sahavas at Avatar’s Abode

After various Sahavas’ held in India at Beacon Hill for all concerned. If renowned for its surf beaches, rainforest earlier in the year, Baba also held Queensland is found practical, then it waterfalls and small fruit and dairy the two Western Sahavas’ in 1958. would be ideal — for Baba would be farms. It was an area dotted with Around mid May He travelled blessing with his presence yet another to America for the Myrtle Beach tiny church halls — one of the most gathering and then, on 31st of May part of Australia. Baba wishes Francis religious regions of Australia. He travelled to Australia, arriving on to let him know which is decided ... For the 1958 Sahavas in Australia, the 2nd of June 1958. He landed in This was a total surprise. Neither Baba and the mandali flew from San Sydney and flew on to Brisbane. Ed. Francis nor any of the Australian Francisco on Qantas Flight 743/032, Baba group had any connections to Extracted from LORD at 11:00 AM, on Saturday, 31 May Queensland, or had even visited there MEHER Online Edition 1958. After stopping in Honolulu before. However, Francis knew that at 6:15 PM, where they had a four- Baba would prefer a warmer climate pp. 4419 to 4435 hour layover (and a complimentary for his sahavas during the Australian Almost as soon as Francis Brabazon dinner, courtesy of Qantas), crossing winter (which begins in June), and learnt of Baba’s plans to have a sahavas the international date line and again as Baba had indicated a “preference”, in Australia, he set about locating a stopping in Nadi, Fiji the following Francis decided he would do everything place that would be suitable to hold morning at 8:00 AM for half an hour possible to make it happen, despite the it. He drove far and wide — to the (where they had tea), they arrived at limited time. Blue Mountains west of Sydney and Sydney at 3:30 PM on 2 June. Within a week of receiving the letter, up into the New England Highlands From Sydney Airport, Baba and the Francis was driving around hillside near Armidale, as he felt a city was not mandali departed by Trans Australian locations in Queensland including the best place for a center. Then, on 11 Airlines for Brisbane at 6:15 PM They Tamborine Mountain and Buderim. January 1958, Mani sent the following arrived that night around 8:45 PM Finally he came across a run-down 82- letter to the Australians: Baba walked slowly across the tarmac acre pineapple farm on Kiel Mountain. As in the USA, Baba will give his steadied by Eruch’s arm. They were sahavas in Australia at one place only. It had been started 88 years earlier by met by Francis, Bill Le Page and John Baba leaves the sahavas arranging Heinrich Kiel, the descendant of a Bruford and stayed at the Bellevue Hotel to Francis, with loving and willing German Lutheran missionary. overnight. Bill had chosen the spot co-operation and help from all as The site lay 75 miles north of because at the time it was the most possible. Baba has outlined the main Brisbane. Francis felt he had found scenic area of Brisbane — adjacent to points, and leaves the details to you. the right place. Francis cabled Baba a Brisbane’s tropical Botanic Gardens For the site of the sahavas: Baba gives detailed description. Baba cabled back and the State’s majestic Parliament first preference to Queensland, and that the spot was “excellently suitable”. House. Also the Bellevue was a second preference to Beacon Hill. Baba Using money received from the late beautiful hotel that contained a small would like Queensland if the climate Baron von Frankenberg’s estate, Francis ground-level cottage where Baba could is good during June, and if the place purchased the property, which Baba enjoy some privacy. Thus Bill was quite is practical from all angles — finance, later named Avatar’s Abode. Being on disappointed when Baba complained convenience, climate, accommodation the summit of a 450-foot hill, Avatar’s for all, etc. But you should not feel he had one of his “very worst nights” Abode had 360-degree views — out bound by this. If Queensland is not there. Unforeseen by Bill, trucks found to be practical from the above as far as the Pacific Ocean (some six used the night hours to unload large mentioned points then you should miles to the east). The region — the quantities of beer barrels for the hotel’s drop the idea and make arrangements Sunshine Coast — was sub-tropical, use. The noise from this had apparently

2 June – August 2017 kept Baba awake. The next morning, Tuesday, 3 June 1958, Baba called Francis and Bill into the cottage of the hotel and asked them about arrangements for the journey, checking that all had been done. The group left Brisbane around 9:00 AM John drove Baba, Eruch and Francis to Woombye in his new Peugeot 403. Bill followed in another car with the other mandali. This was a long drive through small towns, countryside and forest. The Australians pointed out to Baba the Glasshouse Mountains (strangely-shaped volcanic plugs). Baba’s House, Avatar’s Abode, June 1958, from the Trig Point. Photo by Colin Adams. The group had only one stop — at Beerburrum, where they refuelled and telephoned the others that they would soon be arriving. John Bruford had been most particular when purchasing this new car and was thrilled Baba was riding in it. They arrived at Avatar’s Abode at 11:20 AM — somewhat earlier than expected because along the way, for part of the journey, Baba had asked John to drive very fast. John was a one-footed driver due to polio and probably would have considered being a race car driver if he had been physically able! He enjoyed driving fast and so took full advantage of the opportunity. But he was perspiring terribly because the car’s windows were rolled up as Baba wished, and the heater was turned on. Although no Baba lovers lived in Queensland at this time, Francis had earlier managed — in less than four months, in the rain and with no electricity or running water — to prepare the roads and erect a house and gathering hall at Avatar’s Continued on next page Francis Brabazon working on the stumps for Baba’s House, Avatar’s Abode, 1958. Photo was perhaps taken by Jack Paynter. 3 Meher Baba Australia

Abode for Baba’s use, complete with a sound proof bedroom, and furniture and bedding specifically tailored to Baba’s needs. Francis even had part of the road dynamited to decrease the slope, so that Baba would suffer less discomfort in arriving. Australian Baba lovers either stayed on site to help, or repeatedly drove up the long distance from Sydney and Melbourne to work on the property whenever they could. Francis and his group had additionally arranged accommodations for the 50 or more people expected to attend the sahavas from the states of Victoria and New South Wales. The original farmhouse had been moved to a site lower down the hill to be used as the women’s quarters and kitchen, and a new house was built adjacent to the old farmhouse site for Baba and the mandali. The men at the sahavas were accommodated in Baba’s Room at Avatar’s Abode. Photo by Bernard Bruford, circa 1960s. tents near the main entrance. Most of the 58 guests had arrived the they saw Baba, because they had been instructed the sahavas was for adults day before, and the work of preparing told by Francis to all gather at the only. meals, sweeping, washing dishes, et farmhouse if Baba arrived. Also they Francis then handed the key to the cetera, had been allocated on a roster were keen to tell the others, so they house to Baba, who unlocked the door. system. raced down, shouting: “He’s here! He’s Francis opened the door for Baba, and here!” Arriving at the house that had the party entered. He was shown around pp. 4422 been built for him, Baba thus asked the house and the room specially built for It had recently rained, so the paths Francis with a surprised expression, him. Baba was also shown the sweeping and roads were sticky with mud. But “Where are my lovers?” Francis views that were at that time visible the sun was shining when Baba’s car explained that he had told the group just behind and in front of the house. arrived, and he was driven to his house. to wait at the farmhouse, in case Baba Standing there, Baba commented, “In As Baba was driven along the road, needed to rest after his travels. Baba 700 years, Avatar’s Abode will become a those Australian lovers gathered at the sent word for the group to come up to place of world pilgrimage.” Robert Rouse farmhouse, waved at Baba, but as the the Meeting Hall, a short distance from recalled Baba also said it would one day farmhouse was ahead, 40 feet below ‘Baba House’. be truly “the Abode of God”. the road, Baba did not see them and Baba also asked “Where are the After the group was assembled in the did not wave back. Baba’s seven-colored children?” and added “Never mind, I Meeting Hall, Baba was carried from flag (that had flown at the Meherabad will see them later.” The children had his house in a chair specially built by Sahavas) was flying from the flagpole, been lodged in a nearby farmhouse Reg Paffle, to decrease the trauma on but no one was around. In fact, some and some were indeed very eager to see Baba’s hip. Reg wanted to help carry of the Australians ran away when Baba and mindful that they had been the chair as he had built it, but he did

4 June – August 2017 not push himself forward. Baba, reading his thoughts, beckoned Reg to be one of the carriers. The Meeting Hall was a simple structure with only Hessian walls except in the back end where Baba was to sit, where the walls were corrugated iron. People simply sat on logs or slabs of wood on tins over the earth floor. At the entrance, Baba stepped down, and leaning on Eruch, walked slowly to the front of the hall. Everyone stood as Baba entered, their hearts full with joy at having their Beloved with them once again. Baba sat on a chair on the small concrete dais, and despite his hip injury, he looked as radiant and lovely as when they had seen him last, two years before. Baba then explained the purpose of his visit: “You are here for four days to experience my sahavas, my company. Each morning we Baba’s House Avatar’s Abode, showing the simple furnishings for the mandali. Photo by Bernard Bruford, taken 1959 or 1960. will meet at 9:00 AM, have an hour for lunch and start again at 1:00 PM until 4:00 PM. What arrangements have you made for food? The mandali will eat the same as everyone else. Why are the men sleeping in tents by the side of the road?” Francis explained that it was not a public road but the road on the property, and that Baba’s house was also on the road. pp. 4423 He asked Francis, “Who owns the property?” Francis said that it was now Baba’s. Baba replied, “I hold no goods or property in my name.” He then instructed Francis to register the The Meeting Hall with hessian walls photographed shortly after Baba’s visit in 1958. Photo by Bernard Bruford. property in his own name. Baba proceeded to ask several

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5 Meher Baba Australia questions regarding the size, shape and finances of the property, who had contributed to the buildings, et cetera. He expressed both delight and surprise about just what and how much had been done for his visit. Baba asked each one to stand as his or her name was called. Baba ordered that these people’s financial contributions be returned to them. Several children were sitting in front, and Baba asked their ages, as it had been stated that only children over nine years old could attend the sahavas. All the children were over nine. Baba asked Francis to introduce everyone — each one being individually presented to him. One by one, the attendees filed past Baba and received his embrace as Francis said their names. There were several longtime lovers such as the Le Page family, Ena Lemmon, Clarice Adams, Elsie Smart, the Brufords, Reg Paffle, and Lorna and Robert Rouse. Several newcomers had also arrived. When everyone was seated again, Baba asked, “Is there anyone who can say the Prayer of Repentance by heart?” No one could remember it so a copy was sent for, and it was Meher Baba (left) with Eruch Jessawala, outside Baba’s House, Avatar’s Abode, June 1958. Photo read out by John Bruford. by Colin Adams. Baba remarked, “You are all now forgiven for all your sins up to structures on the property, Baba miles north from Sydney every weekend this moment.” Some of those present appreciated the amount of work done to and spare time between his usual later commented how profound and make the place ready at such short notice. employment at the Australia Hotel. He unexpected this was. They truly felt He gestured to Francis, “What daring!” had continued working humbly outside, they had been forgiven for all their past He asked Francis for the names of all but Baba called him in and made him transgressions. who had helped, and Francis said he and sit at his feet throughout his time at the The lovers then had lunch. Bill and Roy Baulch were the first workers, and Meeting Hall. Francis were called to meet with Baba then he named the rest. Each stood for a Baba mentioned the Meherabad privately, and discussed the work done in moment as his or her name was called. Sahavas, and how Pendu had been Baba’s name in Australia. Reg Paffle — who had labored very hard frightened that things would not be Later, the group reassembled in the on building Baba’s House and furniture, ready in time, yet within five days all Meeting Hall. Seeing the different had regularly driven back and forth 620 the arrangements had been made for

6 June – August 2017 more than 800 men and women at the sahavas. Francis then read Baba’s discourse about Hafiz advising seekers to “step out of the boundary of one’s own nature” and what it means to “become like dust” — in other words to completely obey. Baba interrupted several times to explain further. At the end, Baba asked, “Can you all obey me during the sahavas and from June 10 to July 10, 1958? All who agree to obey me should raise their hands, but consider well what obedience means. Do you understand?” Everyone raised their hands, except for the boys, Noel and Colin Adams, and a man named Lawrie Adolphus. Baba asked those three to come forward. He inquired, “Didn’t you know the terms of coming to the sahavas? Only those who were ready to obey me were to participate in it.” Colin said he had not understood, and the other two said they were really not certain whether they could obey him or not. Baba asked Meher Baba, Avatar’s Abode, June 1958. Photo by Giff Alston. Clarice Adams if she had explained the conditions of coming to the sahavas answered, “Yes.” “It would be too cruel.” Baba nodded to her sons. Baba similarly asked Bernard and motioned for her to sit down. All She had but said, “Evidently not Bruford, fifteen, “Would you go to the attendees remembered this as a very adequately enough.” school naked if I asked you?” Being a serious session with Baba, in which Baba remarked, “I sent all those teenage boy, this was a particular area they each looked at the real meaning of who could not obey me away from the of embarrassment for Bernard. He obedience and whether they were truly sahavas in America, but I will allow replied it would be difficult to do so. capable of it. these three to remain.” Baba let it pass. Adolphus, the man standing in front Robert Rouse noticed that Baba was Baba asked Cynthia Adams, fourteen, who had not raised his hand, was asking each one to obey in the exact the same question and she replied, “I also very upset and wanted to leave area they were most sensitive about, so don’t know”, although in fact she was immediately, but Baba would not hear he hoped that Baba would pass him sure she could not. Baba let it pass. of it. Baba said “I am not asking you by. But just as he thought this, Baba Several of the others, some of to obey Me now, I am asking you to turned to him and asked, “Would you them newcomers, were asked the stay as a favor to Me.” The man left obey me if I asked you to cut Lorna’s same question. One woman, deeply Baba’s presence thinking, “Ah, I’ve [his wife’s] throat?” Almost sobbing, distressed, stood up and said she would had a victory!” But once outside, he for Robert loved Lorna very much, he not cut her children’s throats, claiming, Continued on next page

7 Meher Baba Australia stopped and thought: All my life I’ve run away from things. So he came back inside to Baba and begged to be allowed to obey. Baba agreed and forgave him. Baba called for a ten-minute break, instructing the group to go outside and mull over their interpretation of Baba’s request for obedience. When the attendees returned, the atmosphere was distinctly calmer as every person resolved to do his or her best. The discourse on obedience was continued, with the four types of obedience explained (that of a soldier, a paid servant, a slave and a lover of God).

There are four types of obedience: 1. The obedience of the soldier, who obeys out of a sense of duty. 2. The obedience of the servant, paid obedience, the higher the pay the louder the ‘Yes Sir!’ 3. The obedience of the slave, obedience through fear of punishment. 4. The obedience of the lover, Meher Baba at Avatar’s Abode, June 1958. Photo perhaps taken by Giff Alston. obedience through love. Obedience through love was the person does the job against his He said that they would receive their highest type and this was the obedience wishes — like taking castor oil. instructions from Him later. He finally that Baba wanted. The obedience of (c) Willing literal obedience — the said that if all tried 100%, then He the lover has further divisions. person is happy to obey literally would help them. the most difficult command. The types of obedience through love Baba said that it is a progression. At pp. 4426 are: first one’s intellect prevents one from Afterwards, Baba commented: (a) Intellect and discrimination temper literal obedience but it is a step. The “There can be no compromise; the obedience. The mind just last type of obedience is very rare, one cannot love the world and also obeys technically. If told to cut-off where the person is happy to literally love God. The worldly man has a finger, would give a small cut obey the most difficult command to compromise; but in regard to with a blunt knife — just enough with love. Baba said that He did not obedience to me, there can never be to draw blood. (Thinks he doesn’t think that any of us could be obedient any compromise according to the ways mean to cut-off finger, he means to like that. Baba instructed that a list of the world. cut the finger). be taken of the names of the people Baba is God, he is pure; it is the (b) Unwilling literal obedience — the who were willing to obey Him 100%. impurities in you that prevent me from

8 June – August 2017 entering your hearts. You keep me away, yet I am in you, too.” Baba had discourses he had given in America read to the group. Although these were read, the attendees felt it was almost as if Baba himself were speaking. He would interrupt from time to time to give a further explanation. At the end of the discourse on the meaning of sahavas, Baba added: “This is the last time you will see me in this body. I am going to drop this body in the next twelve months. Time is an illusion; you must forget the past and future and live for the Eternal Now. All else is illusion, only God is eternal. Only a few will hold on to my daaman. Make sure you hold on to it during the coming year. During this sahavas, you must forget your problems, families, jobs, et cetera, and enjoy my presence. I know all about your problems, as I am in each of you. I have now completed the most important part of my work today, that which I came to Australia to do. Although time is an illusion, you should meet me again at nine Meher Baba inspecting the men’s tents, Avatar’s Abode, June 1958. Nariman Dadachanji is on o’clock tomorrow morning!” the left and Eruch Jessawala on the right. Photo by Colin Adams. Young Colin Adams had tears in his eyes, and Baba gestured to him, “At that moment,” she recollected, “I understood it or not.” “Baba loves you, you must not be sad.” believed for the first time that Baba She did not need to continue He pointed outside to the rain gently knew everything. Clearly and without for Colin’s troubled face was now falling and added “When you cry, see, any pondering, I believed it. Baba knew beaming and he said, “Oh, if he knows Baba cries, too!” everything!” everything, that’s all right then!” This did not console Colin, so Baba Later, Colin came running up and After a little while, Baba retired to his gestured to his mother Clarice to stand asked, “Mum, how could you promise house. Elsie Smart recalled her feelings up. She did, and Baba urged her, “You [to obey Baba]? He might ask you to after that first day’s session with Baba: are to talk to Colin. Explain things to hurt someone!” Like people who have struggled him. You are to see that he is happy, Clarice said, “Well, you see, I through a great torrent and are now and see that he is kept happy.” believe Baba knows everything ...” safe, we all felt the tension of the day Clarice was wondering how she could She had intended explaining, “And, and the last few days blown away as a explain obedience to a twelve-year- therefore, whatever he asked you thunderstorm clears the air. We seemed old boy when she caught Baba’s eye. to do would be right whether you Continued on next page

9 Meher Baba Australia to see each other anew, our hearts thawed in the warmth of Baba’s love. We left the first day’s sahavas renewed in strength to face our own particular problems and sensitive to the reactions of our friends ... There was much discussion, laughter and talk at the evening meal: the buzz of conversation of a large and happy family. pp. 4427 On Wednesday, 4 June 1958, Baba woke at 6:00 AM and spent the morning giving private interviews at his house. He was seated in the room (now known as “Baba’s Room”) The farmhouse photographed after it was relocated in 1958. Photo by Bernard Bruford. specially built for him. The room was the only structure properly finished for his visit. The four walls, ceiling and floor formed a complete “capsule” inside the otherwise metal building, as Francis at the time aimed to one day dismantle it and place it on the very peak of Keil Mountain in a more splendid building, worthy of the Avatar. The room was built of Australian hardwood timbers (to “last 700 years,” Francis reasoned). Baba again asked Cynthia Adams whether she would obey him. Cynthia, afraid that she would be sent home, had spent a troubled night pondering over this problem The men’s tents during Baba’s stay. Photo perhaps taken by Jack Paynter. and answered, “I will try, Baba, as much as I can.” fierce. He terrified the wits out of me, on the first visit, and was less inclined “One hundred percent? Will you try harping on obedience and love — both to humour our moods, our “will we” or 100 percent?” Baba asked. of which I felt I did not have much of “will we not” love and obey him’. “Yes,” she replied. and could not do anyway’. Cynthia later remembered exactly Bill Le Page later wrote: ‘Generally pp. 4428 how she felt: throughout this second visit to During Oswald Hall’s interview, Baba ‘In 1956 when I first met Baba, Australia, Baba was serious, at times asked why his wife Betty was not there, I found him quite wonderful, very unsmiling and withdrawn, and and then riveted Oswald with a vivid attentive, intriguing, but also awe- certainly more stern than he had been and smiling glance. When Oswald inspiring. But on this occasion at on his first visit. It was as though he returned home, Betty told him that one Avatar’s Abode, I found Baba to intended to quicken the germination morning while sweeping the floor, she be extremely powerful and very, very of the seed of love which he had sown was absorbed in what she could only

10 June – August 2017

From left: Stan Adams, Nariman, Meher Baba, Eruch, Reg Paffle at Avatar’s Abode, June 1958. Photo by Colin Adams. call “bliss.” It lasted some time, and she farmhouse with the Rouses. were tired, and if they should go out knew as it faded that she would never During their interview with Baba, for a while. Bill asked for a ten-minute forget it, that it would always be there. both John Bruford & Robert Rouse break. Baba hesitated, commenting, It was the same morning at the exact were instructed to farm a portion of the “A break is a break ...” so all agreed time of Oswald’s interview. Avatar’s Abode property. Bill Le Page to continue on with the discourses, During the interviews on June was instructed to return to Sydney after although several were yawning and 4th, the possibility of the Rouse Baba left Australia. looked quite tired. and Bruford families staying on the The interviews lasted until it was They were dismissed early that property arose. Brufords offered time for lunch. After lunch, the afternoon and returned to their to build a new house and Rouses group returned and assembled in the quarters. proposed to occupy the farmhouse. large room in Baba’s house to hear Baba intimated that after his return to the discourses that had been given pp. 4429 India, he would consider the matter at the Meherabad and Myrtle Beach At 8:55 AM the following morning, and confirm. sahavases. Thursday, 5 June 1958, the group At the end of June 1958, Baba sent a It was raining, and Baba remarked, was called to Baba’s house. Baba asked letter each, to the Rouses and Brufords, “I like your weather with the warm if they had slept well and those who saying they were to live at Avatar’s rain. It reminds me of the first sahavas had not were to stand and say why. Abode. In Baba’s letter, permission was held in India in 1955, when it had also Everyone stood as Don read the Prayer granted to the Brufords to construct a rained.” Baba also commented on the of Repentance. new home on the property and for the simplicity of the building, and how Baba again stated , “All were forgiven Rouses to move into the farmhouse. it reminded him of his early days at for their sins and failures up to that While their house was being Meherabad. moment, including all those who loved constructed, the Brufords shared the Baba asked Francis if he thought they Continued on next page

11 Meher Baba Australia him but were not able to be present ”. He asked Francis to go outside to see if the weather was suitable for Baba to visit the women’s quarters (the old farmhouse — later the Rouses’ residence). This is where the food was being prepared during the sahavas. The mist had lifted, although it was still cloudy. Francis said it looked like rain, but Baba decided to go anyway. He put on an overcoat and was driven down the hill to the farmhouse Baba’s House, Avatars’ Abode 2011. Photographer unknown. by John Bruford. Despite his injured hip, Baba went up the against the satin cushions on his bed. instructions that they be hung in his long staircase and through the house, Eruch was beside him to interpret. room, one on the inside of the doorway inspecting the rooms. He called for the Baba spoke to them about Mehera: and the other on the outside. cooks. Baba pointed to one bunk and “Mehera is the purest of women, and The women went out onto the was told it was May Lundquist’s. He she has sent her love to you all. She has veranda, and the men had their turn then pointed to a framed picture of sent some gifts to give to each of you. alone with Baba. Each was given a himself by May’s bed. Smiling sweetly, After Mehera is Mani, my sister. She small pebble from Meherabad Hill. he said how dear May was to him has no thought of herself and does all Then everyone started returning to and how much she loved him. Then for me.” the farmhouse, thinking the morning he was driven to see the men’s tents, Baba showed them photographs of program was over, but Baba called which were pitched by the roadside. He Mehera, Mani and the other women them back again to receive his prasad. leaned on one tent post as he surveyed mandali and, afterwards, held up four The children, who had been staying at the tents. large photographs of himself which a nearby farmhouse off the property On his return to his house, he sent Mehera had said to give to them. He in accordance with Baba’s instructions, for the women. Those who attended asked, “Now, to whom should these be were called in first, then the women remembered it as an intimate, special given?” and finally the men. He threw a sweet occasion. Joan Bruford said, “I think they to a few, but if not caught, it had to be For instance, Joanna Bruford recalls: should go to the ones whose homes are returned to him for a second throw. ‘Baba was just so relaxed! It was just most visited by Baba lovers.” Bill Le Page recalled: like being at home with your family. ‘I was on one side of the house and He sat there on the bed and beside him pp. 4430 Francis on the other. Baba looked at he had a lot of things that the women So, Baba gave one each to Clarice Francis, and with me thinking Francis mandali had sent out. He leaned over; Adams, Frances Lee, Lorna Rouse and was next, I found a candy fair and there was a game going on. He was Joan Le Page. Then Baba handed out square in my cupped hands resting in picking out what he would give to the rest of the gifts, miniature leather my lap — a distance of about 20 feet whom. It was really lovely to see Baba sandals and bangles. Before they left, between Baba and myself! I had not taking so much time in such a little each was given some of Baba’s hair by moved. Baba had flicked it toward me thing’. him. without even turning to look where I The women sat around him on the Two large color-tinted photographs was sitting’. carpet of his room as Baba leaned of Baba were handed over with explicit The group returned to the farmhouse

12 June – August 2017 for lunch, and then assembled again at Baba’s house at 1:00 PM Baba was sitting on the verandah, yet he seemed ‘far away’ working intensely. His face was withdrawn and revealed intense suffering. Baba had told them: “This sahavas will be unique in the sense that you will witness and share my present Universal suffering by being near me as my fortunate companions. Being with the Ancient One who, at the same time, will be completely on the human level with you.” pp. 4431 At one point, Baba commented, “In 700 years, Avatar’s Abode will become Avatar’s Abode June 1958. First Row: Eruch, Meher Baba & Francis; Second Row: Peter Baulch, a place of world pilgrimage.” Nariman, John Bruford with Joan Bruford; Last Row Joan Baulch, two unknowns, Cynthia Young Bernard Bruford and Adams in the blue checked dress, Jean Woodford. Top right: Robert Rouse. Photo by Giff Alston. Colin Adams had been reluctant © Meher Nazar Publications. to disturb Baba’s mood by taking pictures. When the boys approached in choosing this property.” He patted Godavri Mai and Yogi Shuddhanand with their cameras and saw the the dog named Prince, who had rolled Bharati. intensity of Baba’s expression, they over near him. (The dog had lain down Bill Le Page had brought his father, changed their minds and quietly began in front of Baba the first day of his Roy, to meet Baba again. Baba noticed to withdraw. arrival.) Baba commented that Prince Roy and beckoned for him to come Eruch asked if they wanted to take would be reborn as a human. over. Roy knelt before Baba, who gave Baba’s photo. Bernard replied, “Yes, but The group went inside and Baba him a loving embrace. Afterward, is it all right? We don’t wish to disturb asked to show movies taken in India everyone filed past Baba and kissed his him.” Eruch encouraged the boys to go and America, but the electricity had hand as they were leaving. ahead and take a few snapshots, which not yet been connected to the property. they did. So instead, he asked the men to tell pp. 4432 Years later, Eruch remembered the stories and jokes, explaining, “You The Australian group was called to incident and said how pleased he was must either make me laugh with your the Meeting Hall at 9:00 AM on to have encouraged Bernard because humor, or weep with your love!” the last day of the sahavas, Friday, 6 there were so few photographs of Baba he said. He was amused to hear the June 1958. Baba asked for chalk and taken in that “very serious” mood — a Australian word for papaya — “paw directed Eruch to draw three circles on mood the mandali were very familiar paw.” Three of the women had applied the floor representing the gross, subtle with, but few other persons ever saw. a dot between their eyebrows, Indian and mental worlds. Baba used a hat to After some time, Baba rose and, style, and Baba was delighted to see it. represent the false’ I’ and then began to leaning on Eruch’s arm, walked a few John Bruford related three humorous explain: steps in the sunlight to the front of the stories. Noel Adams, Oswald Hall Your Real ‘I’ within is playing the house, where he surveyed the beautiful and others also told several stories part of false ‘I’. For example, your view which extended for miles over many and kept Baba chuckling. In return, Real ‘I’ has falseness attached to it. hills to the ocean. Stroking Francis on Baba narrated stories to them about Take for example Francis. Francis’ the back, Baba gestured, “You did well Swami Mangalanand, Balak Bhagwan, Continued on next page

13 Meher Baba Australia

Real ‘I’ has falseness attached to it. enjoyed this, and all joined in, with Baba to sit on a bed whilst he hunted Gross, subtle, mental worlds and God Baba tapped and moved to the lively, for the keys. Baba meekly obeyed, but are all in Francis. Francis’ Real ‘I’ is happy tune. soon reseated himself on the cane chair playing the part of the false ‘I’. He and watched Bill with amusement. Bill can see only the gross world. The pp. 4433 became increasingly nervous and said Real ‘I’ sees backwards. Thus, a step Noel Adams played the flute. The ‘perhaps the keys fell under the floor.’ backwards [opposite direction to group then went for lunch and Baba gestured for Bill to look under seeing] is really a step forward. A gathered again at 1:00 PM to bid the floor. (There was a trapdoor that fifth-plane wali takes Francis through farewell to Baba. opened up to the dirt floor below.) to (2) from (1). In the subtle world, After Baba embraced each person, he Bill at this time had an intense fear of many planes are seen, but all are really took his seat in John Bruford’s car, with snakes, which were common then in illusion, such as beautiful music, lights, Eruch and Francis in the back. Bill Le the bushy surrounds of the house. They scents, and so forth. A sixth-plane pir Page and Robert Rouse followed with often made their nests under houses. or saint takes Francis to the mental the other mandali and the luggage. Bill nevertheless tried to open the world; here the direction of seeing is Everyone waved as Baba’s car drove trapdoor with a screwdriver. As soon reversed, and Infinite God is seen. On off for Brisbane. The lovers had been as Bill began, Baba clapped for Bill to the sixth plane, Francis sees God but instructed to remain until the following stop, and from that moment onwards, does not know he is God. In moving morning. Baba also instructed that Bill never again experienced a fear of from gross to the subtle to the mental no one was to enter Baba’s House for snakes. world, full consciousness is kept. The the next two days, and that all had to Baba remarked that he “always felt at Perfect Master removes all falseness disperse back to their homes in NSW home” at Meher House, and he seemed from the Real ‘I’ [at this point Baba and Victoria, and upon arrival, send relaxed and comfortable. whisked away the hat], leaving only the Baba a cable from their destinations. Real ‘I’. Baba and the mandali arrived in pp. 4434 The Real ‘I’ becomes one with Brisbane at 4:30 PM and stayed again Baba chatted informally, pointing to Infinity. When the false ‘I’ is overnight at the cottage in the Bellevue photos on the walls and saying how removed, individuality is given. The Hotel. Baba asked for nothing but they reminded him of his early years Real ‘I’ says: “I am God.” But, in plain spinach for his evening meal, but (one was of Baba in the kamli coat). effect, all individualities are one. Three the woman who prepared the meal felt He instructed the mandali to send Perfect Masters all say: “I am God,” compelled to add a little lemon juice. a cable to Mehera to inform her he thus showing individuality, yet all The spinach returned with the message: was well and would be returning to are in God. The Perfect Master is the “Why add anything when Baba had India. Robert Rouse went to dispatch Individualized Ocean, and the Avatar asked for it plain?” It was another the cable and also to purchase lunch, is the Oceanized Individuality. It is the lesson in obedience. coming back with fish, cheese and Avatar who knows fully that he is in all In the morning the four Australians bread. Baba watched as Francis and Bill and all are in him. (Francis, John, Bill and Robert), Baba cooked, and then he served the meal. Baba then called for music and and the four mandali took a flight to Baba himself cut the cheese for each more jokes and stories. To Francis and Sydney and then taxis to Meher House plate. Bill recalled the Biblical feel of everyone’s embarrassment, no one (the Le Page residence), where they this occasion. could think of anything appropriate to settled in for the day. On arrival, there During the informal gathering, Baba offer, so there was an uneasy silence. was a “mini-crisis” when Bill couldn’t noted Bill’s army hat on the table. Bill After a while, some began singing find the keys to the house. In order not explained he was a psychologist in the Christmas carols, but these were to keep Baba waiting, he climbed in army. Bill was concerned about the rather slow and solemn. Baba seemed through a window to allow Baba in. As effect of his work on the people he displeased, so someone started Waltzing the others were busy with luggage, Bill dealt with. Knowing his thoughts, Baba Matilda (a jolly folk song and the found himself alone in the house with instructed Bill to take his name each unofficial Australian anthem). Baba Baba. Feeling awkward, Bill invited time before he interviewed anyone.

14 June – August 2017

Bill drove Baba to the airport in the same car in which Baba had ridden during his 1956 visit to Sydney. Baba Test of the Avatar questioned whether it would make the journey safely, and Bill assured him that it would, with a bit more air in the 1956 tires. They arrived at the airport a few hours early. After staying in Australia for five days (the same as he John A. Grant had on first visit in 1956), Baba, accompanied by Eruch, Adi, Donkin and Nariman, departed during the evening of Sydney Airport is about six miles south of Sydney 7 June, on British Airways Flight 713. The plane flew via Harbour and Beacon Hill is about twelve miles north Darwin, Singapore and Colombo, and arrived at Bombay’s of it. I had collected some of the party’s baggage at the Santa Cruz airport the next evening at 7:15 PM It refueled airport and was now driving to Beacon Hill alone. I had in Darwin, where Baba and the mandali were briefly taken to first heard of Meher Baba about two years before this the terminal. (Thus Baba set foot in four of Australia’s eight time and now I had seen him, he had touched me, and state capitals.) The plane was four hours late — but Baba was very soon we would be together for a few days. arriving ten days ahead of the original plan. I had been interested in finding a living Spiritual Aghe observed, “Baba sowed the seed of his love at Avatar’s Master for about ten years. The thought had sometimes Abode, and because of that it will always blossom there. This crossed my mind — how does one tell the difference sacred ground was prepared for future generations, when between a genuine Spiritual Master and a fake? I had souls from all over Australia will flock there to find refuge in come to the conclusion that one would have to use one’s the divinity of the Avatar’s grace.” own judgement when the time came. Now, for me, that Almost 1,000 lovers from Bombay and elsewhere had time had come. come to the airport to receive Baba. All felt happy to see him Now after having met a Spiritual Master I could not walking toward them unassisted. It seemed as if the love of help wondering if he was genuine or not. To know his Western lovers had mitigated Baba’s pain to some degree. this was very important to me, because sooner or later His smile radiated as his Indian lovers garlanded him. I would have to pledge obedience to him. And in Baba briefly remarked to them about his trip, stating the doing so I would be risking my life, because the degree sahavas programs in America and Australia had been 100 of obedience required is in the order of Abraham’s percent to his satisfaction, and he described the Westerners’ obedience to God as described in the Bible. love for him. Meher Baba did not claim to be just a Seventh On the 9th of June 1958, Baba sent this telegram to his Plane Master, but claimed to be the Avatar or Christ lovers in America, Europe and Australia: “Arrived India with of the Age. The only Avatar or Christ that I had even all you lovers in my heart. Inform all.” a moderate amount of knowledge about was Jesus the In a subsequent letter to them, Baba stated, “The only Christ. So I used Jesus as a yard stick to gauge the height place that can hold me is the heart. Keep me close with you of Meher Baba. — I am always there.” I thought that if Baba was Jesus, he would know what Meher Baba I was thinking. I had gathered this from the Bible, from some of the occurrences described in the New Testament. Meher Baba had said in one of his discourses that it is LORD MEHER Online Edition – quite in order for an aspirant to test the Master. So I www.lordmeher.org Avatar’s Abode 1958 Sahavas Extracted from pp. 4419 to 4435. English translation of LORD thought, “What are the attributes of God?” I decided MEHER © Avatar Meher Baba Perpetual Public Trust. that they were TRUTH and LOVE. I also decided to The photo captions in this article were fact-checked by Gusi find out if Baba knew what I was thinking. Catpenter and Bernard Bruford in May 2017. At that very moment I was at the end of Clarence Street nearing the southern approach of the Sydney Preceding Australia’s Avatar’s Abode Sahavas, the Myrtle Beach USA Sahavas can be found in LORD MEHER Online Harbour Bridge. Just then, I was surprised to see Meher pp. 4355 to 4419. Reading this section also is highly Baba sitting in a car which was about thirty feet ahead recommended. Ed. Continued on next page

15 Meher Baba Australia of me, in the lane next to mine, with no other cars between us. This was the first time I had The Mouse and sighted him since leaving the airport. Now here was my opportunity to see if he knew what I was the Tiger thinking. Retold by Sarah McNeill I thought, “Meher Baba is TRUTH!” Baba partly turned around, looked directly In this retelling of an ancient tale, a tiny mouse is the at me and gave me his sign of perfection, by hero. It spent its life among the garbage, running this way and that, looking everywhere, in, around and under junk forming a circle with the index finger and and trash, searching for something precious though it thumb of his right hand. I was surprised that he knew not what. had apparently immediately responded to my And then one day, it found a tiny package, covered in dust thought. However it may have been a coincidence but tied with a ribbon of string, just as if a gift might have I told myself. Maybe someone else in the car had been wrapped and left there waiting to be discovered. seen me, mentioned it to him, and he was just With a frisson of excitement, the mouse froze. waving. A moment later he had his back to me This was it! again and was looking ahead. The prize! I tried once more. I thought, “Meher Baba is An instant later, it seized the prize and ran. And that was LOVE!” when the tiger pounced, making the mouse jump sideways The same thing happened again. Baba partly and, with a rapid-reaction instinct for survival driving its turned around and gave me his sign of perfection. escape, run for dear life, clutching the find, chased by the I received quite a shock this time, because he tiger! seemed to be acknowledging my thoughts “Ah, no,no,no!” I hear you protest, “Tigers don’t chase immediately I had them. I still thought that it mice!” Just pause for thought, my dear ... to a mouse, a cat is indeed a tiger and, in the telling of this tale, the could be a coincidence, but this was becoming chase was on! Imagine the fury of the big cat as the mouse far less likely now, because each response was so escaped its claws! Imagine the frenzied fluttering of the precisely on cue. I was intrigued and my heart mouse’s tiny heart as it fled, pell-mell, darting this way started to beat faster. Baba had resumed his and that in a frantic bid to outwit its gigantic pursuer. normal sitting position and was looking ahead. I Each time the tiger pounced, the mouse leapt faster, braced myself, took a tighter grip on the steering forward and onwards it knew not where. It saw not the yawning chasm in its path and, leaping out into wheel and then with full concentration I thought: the unknown, falling ... falling, clutching madly to “Meher Baba is GOD!” its treasured find with one hand, and with the other Baba completely turned around, looked (and with its feet and tail also), clutching at anything. directly at me and emphatically gave me the sign Anything! Even the wispy fronds of a fragile fern which had rooted on a ledge. of perfection, with his index finger and thumb forming a circle. Swinging crazily, the treasured package tightly clasped, the slender plant stem bending over the abyss, the tiger I was stunned. A most incredible thing had just snarling angrily above and the mouse hanging on in happened. He had taken up my silent challenge desperation, its nose twitched inquisitively. and had silently passed all the test that I had The dust-coated parcel was irresistible. given him. We weren’t even in the same room or Gnawing at the string, it loosened the outer covering of the same car; he was within my sight, but most paper and, in a quiver of ecstatic anticipation, discovered of the time he was not looking at me. In one way to its joy a pink sugared almond! it didn’t seem possible, but then if he was the The tiger was warily climbing down towards the ledge. The Avatar or Christ as he claimed to be, anything roots of the fern were starting to loosen and give way. But was possible. in that instant, the mouse, oblivious to the peril it was in, bit through the sugar coating into the creamy kernel of

the almond ... and knew one perfect moment of uttermost PRACTICAL SPIRITUALITY, bliss! pp. 21-22, 1985 © Avatar Meher Baba Perpetual Public Charitable Trust.

16 June – August 2017 Nasruddin and the Sofa

Sarah McNeill (with humble apologies to whomsoever it concerns)

Nasruddin’s friend was passing by his house one day and saw the Mullah sitting outside on his sofa under the mango tree watching tv. “Why are you sitting out here watching tv?” he asked. “Well, I didn’t want to disturb the donkey.” “Where’s the donkey?” asked the friend, looking puzzled. “Fast asleep in my bed,” sighed Nasruddin. “What!” exclaimed his friend, “Why isn’t he taking you to market? Is he sick?” “No, no,” said the Mullah reassuringly. “No need to go to market. I don’t have to worry about getting food for the animals any more.” “Why not? Where are they all?” A 17th-century miniature of Nasreddin, a Seljuk satirical figure, currently in the Istanbul exclaimed the friend, casting his Topkapı Palace Museum Library. From Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository. eyes around the place. “Well, it’s a long story,” said the Mullah, “but first of all, the cat ate the goldfish. and take the goats to pasture. In the end, he went Predictable I suppose you might say, but those off and rounded them up himself and took them goldfish were like my eyes and my ears almost. off to who-knows-where ... out to live in the wild, I suppose ... back to nature let’s say.” And then the wretched feline ate the canary! Ah! My sweet songbird! Done to death by that creature The friend was gobsmacked! Speechless! Staring in – but, it’s the nature of cats to do that sort of thing, amazement at Nasruddin ensconced on his sofa, he you know. However, I shouted at her and she took stuttered, “B..b..but the donkey ...?” umbrage. Went off with all her rowdy, pleasure- “Ah yes, the donkey ... seeking friends. You see, when it figured out there was no more Good riddance really. No more yowling on the work to be done, it climbed into my bed and went roof at night. And then ...” he continued, “I found fast asleep. Started snoring. Tired out, poor old the hamster – its wheel was still turning but thing, I really didn’t want to disturb it. the hamster was dead! Just like that!” Mullah Nasruddin snapped his fingers in thin air. “That was So I wheeled my telly out here and pushed the when I really began to feel a bit lonely.” sofa out here as well. It’s a nice place to sit,” he shrugged amiably, “under this tree. He paused a moment, wiping his eye with a corner of his sleeve. “Then, I’m afraid, I started to vent my And now at least, I can live a life of ease!” ire on the dog, kicking him, you know, ignoring him when he barked to tell me it was time to get up

17 Meher Baba Australia Dolly Dastur – a Pillar of Meherabad

Eulogy by Rick and Sheryl Chapman

Just as surely as Avatar Meher Baba named His intimate disciples Padri, Pendu, Adi Sr. and Vishnu as His “four pillars of Meherabad,” so too, for decades after their passing, Dolly Dastur was indeed a true pillar of Meherabad as well. For many Baba-lovers it is a grand and most special occasion to attend morning or evening arti at the Samadhi atop Meherabad Hill; for Dolly it was the rarest of all occasions to miss it. Though married to her dear husband, Jal – himself a stalwart nonpareil in Meher Baba’s service – Dolly was in fact wedded to her duties and work at the Samadhi of her Divine Beloved. And during the years when the Beloved of the God-Man graced the porch of the Meherazad residence and made occasional visits to Meherabad, Dolly was ever-present, always on hand to assist in quiet and sometimes invisible ways and always with her attention solely upon Baba’s Mehera. Dolly epitomized the old-school Parsi women who were drawn to become Baba’s close lovers: she was a fashionista in the high style of plain living and total devotion devoid of show, yet always willing to help. At the same time she was modern, too, bridging the earlier years with Baba and the later years when so many would come without meeting Him, hosting new and old pilgrims virtually every night after arti for more talk of the Beloved served with revitalizing refreshments. Dolly and Jal together served as both mentors and housemother to literally thousands of pilgrims over the years, and their influence can never be replicated or replaced. Dolly Dastur. The best part about writing a eulogy for Dolly Dastur is knowing what a happy ending there is to her Baba-filled life: there is no doubt Dolly passed peacefully that she will find a royal reception committee awaiting her soul as it in to the arms of Beloved flies free to its Beloved, with the God-Man Himself first in line to Baba on 7 April 2017. welcome her into His Divine Embrace. Dolly will be greatly missed by all her family and friends and those many pilgrims whom she cared for, but surely she will soon be headed back to this world, with a fierce determination to love and serve the Avatar of the Age once again, ever closer and closer within the intimate orbit of His Love.

Rick and Sheryl Chapman 7 April 2017

18 June – August 2017

My Wish What I want is this. Listen carefully; it is very important for my lovers: The lover has to keep the wish of the Beloved. My wish for my lovers is as follows: 1. Do not shirk your responsibilities. 2. Attend faithfully to Left to right: Jal Dastur, Eruch Jessawala and Dolly Dastur at Meherazad. Photographer your worldly duties, but and date unknown. keep always at the back To our dearest family and friends, of your mind that all Jai Meher Baba, this is Baba’s. Shridhar and I tried not to cry, and we thought we failed only when Dolly 3. When you feel happy, at the last, covered in garlands and red roses, was going from our sight think: “Baba wants me to be happy.” When on the funeral pyre. Then we shed tears. But, also, now I realize as I read you suffer, think: “Baba through all your countless, generous messages about Dolly’s love, there were wants me to suffer.” tears in my eyes. So much so that, …. “Hey, you know, ….. I’ve decided I’m 4. Be resigned to every going to sue you guys for torturing me with love!!!!” situation, and think A dear Meherabad family put in an email to me, “Dolly was one of a honestly and sincerely: “Baba has placed me in kind. Our mother, mentor, friend, guide, the sweetest hugger. So soft and this situation.” gentle in these past years.” Yes I remember…. “ It was somewhere in 1958, 5. With the understanding dear Mehera asked Beloved Baba as to why He was not giving any child that Baba is in to Freiny and Rustom and Dolly and Jal. Beloved Baba just put aside an everyone, try to help answer, deferring the question with a “We will see….” Again, Mehera tried and serve others. to corner Beloved Baba after a few more years went by, and Baba answered I say with my divine in the same way, “We will see….” But Mehera would not leave the matter, authority to each and so requested again, after another couple of years, “Baba, It is now important all that whosoever takes my name at the time of that you gift Dolly and Jal with a child!” Then, Beloved Baba told Mehera. breathing his last comes “As far as Jal and Dolly are concerned, I will give them so many….. so to me. So do not forget to many children that you cannot even imagine it now!” And so Baba’s gifts remember me in your last came to us, and Dolly truly became mother, mentor and friend. This comes moments. Unless you start remembering me from to my mind now, and gives me strength when I think of what our Beloved now on, it will be difficult Baba said. to remember me when Thank you all so much for your wholehearted expressions of love for our your end approaches. You “Doll” Dolly, “Dolly Auntie”, and everyone’s “Auntie”. should start practicing from now on. Even if you On the 22nd of January, after we returned from the hospital in Pune to take my name only once Meherabad, I was simply amazed by all our Meherabad family, including every day, you will not the doctors, Meher Care and their staff, so many helpers. What would I forget to remember me in have done without them? They were on dedicated duty 24 hours a day, your dying moments. from then on. Because Dolly’s condition required utmost care, she gave in, Meher Baba appreciating, and I immensely thank them all, beyond any words can speak. 1958 at Myrtle Beach Center Be assured that we are sustained by your outpouring love and concern, LORD MEHER Online In Beloved Baba’s Boundless Love, pp. 4380. © Avatar Meher Jal Baba Perpetual Public Trust

19 Meher Baba Australia Take His Name

Extract from FOLLOWING MEHER BABA by Rick M. Chapman

From my earliest acquaintance with One early disciple taught his parrot Meher baba I realized that He placed to say “Avatar Meher Baba ki Jai!” and paramount importance upon the it is reported that when the parrot died, Name of God. In the early 1920s, it was reborn as a fifth-plane saint! on the long walks in which He led Even if you only had a cuckoo clock various of His men disciples through that said His Name once an hour, you different parts of India, He would would, by that very exposure to the invariably instruct each one to take Divine Name, become God-realized, the Name of God closest to him, within three lifetimes! And yes, even that is, the primary Name of God if these apocryphal examples might in each one’s own religion. Later, stretch the truth ever so slightly, it is no when Meher baba began to become stretch at all to say that His Name is recognized as the Avatar Himself, everything. He would at various times direct His Take His Name. TAKE HIS followers to “take My Name”, that is, NAME! There is no greater sadhana, to remember and repeat Meher Baba’s no superior path. It is the easiest, the Name with love. One of His close happiest, the most efficacious way resident mandali (the term Baba used to find God and become God. It is for the disciples who lived with Him), another Perfect Master, Papa Ramdas the most powerful protection against Kaikobad Dastur, repeated Baba’s of southern India, received his “ticket” evil, the strongest weapon against Name 100,000 times a day at Baba’s to Godhood at a young age from your enemies, whether those enemies instruction for years. his father in the form of a mantra, a take the form of a hateful bully or a In short, there is no meditation, no mantra that consisted of the Name of lustful thought. As with the overall “technique”, no yoga and no spiritual Ram. That in itself is not unusual; what understanding of the Beloved’s life and practice higher than repeating the is unusual is that Ramdas remained ways, let His Name “sing in your veins” Name of God, and when one has the awake for the next two years repeating until it becomes your very blood and great God-fortune to count that Name that mantra, fearful that if he were to breath itself — for it is! THE NAME of God as the name of one’s own succumb to sleep, he might forget the IS EVERYTHING! It is the broad Master as well — the very Person of words that would eventually lead him boulevard to fulfilling the Beloved’s God Who has most recently manifested to God-realization! oft-repeated injunction, “Remember His Truth and Love as God-Man — Meher Baba placed such unparalleled Me constantly and wholeheartedly”. then one can take that Name with a importance upon His Name that Do not doubt it, but live for the Name special feeling, with the same feeling literally one could forget everything and find the Reality It is: It will reveal that Radha had for Krishna, that Sita else and simply be preoccupied with it all the joy and all the glory that can be had for Ram, that Mira had when she alone. He urged His lovers to “take His found in the Divine Romance. sang to the Krishna within her heart — Name” in every situation in their lives, “Babble Ram’s Name like a cuckoo, says and that we ourselves can have for the when they are happy and when they Kabir- Master of all Masters, the God of all are sad, when grateful and when in Saying ‘Ram’, Kabir got free!” Gods, beloved Avatar Meher Baba. need, and most importantly, He said, (With all this emphasis on Kabir wrote a famous couplet that to take His Name “when breathing remembering and taking the Beloved’s translates roughly as follows: “Ram’s one’s last”, in which case one “comes Name, the question is, silently or (i.e., the Avatar’s) Name is yours for the to Him” in a special way that cements aloud? And here the question is the looting; loot all you can while you can, and accelerates one’s ongoing progress answer: silently or aloud, whatever before Time and Body pass away!” And toward Him. circumstances and your heart’s desire may require.) 20 June – August 2017 Following The difference between Love and Devotion

Meher Baba Meher Baba. 1958 at Myrtle Beach Center, USA

A Handbook for Love burns the lover; devotion burns the Beloved. Baba-lovers in the Love seeks happiness for the Beloved; devotion seeks blessings New Humanity from the Beloved.

Author Rick M. Chapman Love seeks to shoulder the burden of the Beloved; devotion throws the burden on the Beloved. Love is, of course, a game all to itself, and the lover-Beloved relationship Love gives; devotion asks. between the smitten heart and the Divine Beloved is an undescribable Love is silent and sublime, devoid of outward expressions; devotion Divine Game. Yet some of the wisdom expresses itself outwardly. shared by the Beloved and His closest Love does not require the presence of the Beloved in order to love; disciples may be of interest to the devotion demands the presence of the Beloved to express affection resolute lover: for who wouldn’t wish for the Beloved. to know more about how to attract the favour of the One Who has stolen your Extract from LORD MEHER Online, pp. 4371. Copyright AMBPPCT. heart? Who would not be desperate to try to learn what pleases and displeases that most lovely Beloved of all Petty questions beloveds, so as to help ensure one’s Avatar Meher Baba certain passage to His inner court? Open this book, then, to find Do not think much over petty questions and wear out your mind. the author’s musings about what ‘Following Meher Baba’ is all about. This constant thinking weighs heavy on your mind, and causes you May it begin to provoke a deeper much worry and anxiety for nothing. longing in us all to discover and live Do not let any material thoughts disturb your mind and eat it away. the life of the true lover of God. Do not be like a leaf (of a tree) moved here and there by the wind. Extracted from ‘FOLLOWING MEHER Be like a rock, unaffected by gales and storms and standing firm in BABA’. © Rick M. Chapman its place. Following Meher Baba is available in Australia at the Avatar’s Abode What do you do when a fly troubles and disturbs you? Bookstore. Paperback. AUD $30.00 plus postage. You do not worry about it but merely raise your hand and wave it to drive it away from you. Email Avatar’s Abode Bookstore at [email protected] In the same way, without giving yourself up to worrying you must drive away the thoughts that trouble you. Also available in USA at Sheriar Books online – check price, postage and version at http://www. QUESTIONS MEHER BABA ANSWERED, pp. 40-41, ed K. K. Ramakrishnan sheriarfoundation.org. 2003 © Avatar Meher Baba Perpetual Public Charitable Trust. (Originally from THE MEHER MESSAGE: Vol. 2, No. 6, June 1930, pp. 5-6)

21 Meher Baba Australia The singing of God’s names

Meher Baba 11th October 1940

Baba had an article prepared on the of it. Then what do you do? You stop Explaining it on the 11th, Baba war from his statements, which he taking milk. In the same way, hate, stated: intended to have sent to his lovers or greed, anger, and so forth will reach “Ezad means the One who is published. On the 11th, he came to such a height that everyone will be the First – God the omnipotent, the women’s quarters and had it read simply sick of it all. And then what omniscient and omnipresent. There aloud. All thought it wonderful, but will the alternative be? To stop hating are millions of names of God, but one of them commented that science and to love, to stop wanting and to give, those that have a sound effect are few. should not have been mentioned in it, to stop fighting and be at peace. The Every sound you make, every thought whereupon Baba explained: world of the future will be very nice! ” you think, good or bad, stays. But that “Science must come in [to the “But it is all zero!” someone spoke sound which results in feeling has force article], as it plays a great part in the out. Baba nodded: behind it which helps or hurts others. present war. Science can be put to “Yes, but this is a supreme All this noise of guns, bombs and good use, and science can be put to understanding. Even the present is all airplanes, et cetera, of war, will be bad use. Chloroform can be used for zero, and therefore the future of zero utilized for the spiritual life of the operations, for healing. But robbers can be nothing but zero! It is all zero! world in the future. Yes, it all stays. It also use it on their victims to steal Nothing exists but God. One day my cannot go. Where can it go? things. In war, science is used for nearest disciples will realize it. Now, It is like water which evaporates, destruction. But destruction ultimately the most you can do is to think, ‘Yes, forms into clouds and then comes means renewal and improvement. nothing exists; all is zero.’ But when down again as rain. But you all must What happened when London was you realize it, you will feel it! “ sing the song of God’s names together burned during the Great [Black] During the period of his seclusion with rhythm and timing to produce an Plague? They rebuilt it later, and it was in Meherabad, Baba had given the effect. better than before. So when the world women a chant to sing every day, and When the name of God is sung with is destroyed, a new and better world also this four-line song of God’s names: feeling and rhythm, it even has the must spring up from the ashes. There effect of temporarily bringing down the will be chaos and destruction all over You are Formless, majzoobs from their superconscious the universe; but after that, there will Parvardigar, Ahuramazda, state. Abdul Baba of Bombay was be no war for 800 years! Allah, Hu. a known majzoob. He was always So, isn’t all this present misery You are Yezdan, You are unconscious – did not eat or drink worth that long period of happiness? anything, simply lay unconscious. And those who die in this war will be God, Ahuramazda, Allah, But when one singer would come to reborn to enjoy the new world and Hu. his door every day singing, ‘Allah-Hu, peace. Now they want power and You are Paramatma, Allah-Hu,’ in rhythm, within half an possessions and hate each other. How Parabrahma; You are hour, Abdul Baba would come down can it all end? In only one way! They to consciousness, begin to look about, must get sick of it all – sick of wanting, Almighty God, Ishwar. talk, eat, and then again merge into his sick of hating, sick of fighting! You are Parameshwar, former state.” Suppose you like milk, and you Ezad, Ahuramazda, drink and drink and drink it so Allah, Hu. Extracted from LORD MEHER excessively that eventually you get sick Online Edition, by Bhau Kalchuri. pp. 2157 & 2158. © AMBPPCT.

22 June – August 2017 Two aspects of divinity God will see Meher Baba to the results

Meetings and Darshans November 1944 Ivy O. Duce Beloved Baba’s message on “two aspects of divinity” was delivered on this Norina related to me one time in occasion by Ghani, an excerpt of which is as follows: Myrtle Beach that once while Baba was “However dark the clouds and whatever may be the poignancy of pain and in London, he told Norina that she despair, one spiritual fact, embodying cheer and hope to suffering humanity, had two friends whom he must see. must not be lost sight of and which I am going to convey to you here today. Try as she would, she could not figure There are always two aspects of divinity perpetually and eternally active out who these people were. in the affairs of the world: the destructive aspect of divinity as expressed in One day Baba snapped his fingers in Persian Shama-e-jalal, which means Self-glorification, and the constructive front of her eyes and the faces of two aspect of divinity called in Persian Shama-e-jamal, meaning Self-beatitude. women came to her mind. She said to This aspect of Self-glorification by God, when it gets palpably active, entails Baba, “One of those girls is in Paris suffering and destruction on a colossal scale. The aspect of divine Self- and has no money, so I don’t see how beatitude, when it asserts itself, brings in its wake peace and plenty. she can come here.” In the aspect of Self-glorification, divinity repels itself through its own Baba said, “Telephone Mrs. X and creation; and in the aspect of Self-beatitude, divinity attracts or loves itself ask her to finance the trip.” through its own creation. The former is a negative method and the latter a Norina was in a dilemma because positive one. And both these methods ultimately are instruments of divine Mrs. X was an old friend of hers wisdom, to arouse humanity to the divine heritage, which is Self-Realization. whose passion in life was very classical Further, both the aspects of God referred to not only affect humanity music. Norina had invited her to see individually and collectively, but their intensity and force are directly in Baba, and Baba, realizing that she was proportion to each other and they assert themselves in cyclic waves. Now that unprepared spiritually and extremely the destructive phase is about to weaken, the aspect of Divine Beatitude is critical, put a very ordinary record on nearly due to come into force; and to invite humanity to avail themselves of the phonograph machine and played this blessedness to come is my divine mission in life. it to test her. She took leave quickly Just as in the present world catastrophe, even the guilty and not guilty, and announced to Norina that this the combatants and non-combatants, have suffered intensely physically and certainly could be no Master if he mentally, similarly, in the Self-beatitude aspect of God that is to be manifest could not appreciate better music than in the near future, not only the deserving but the non-deserving as well, have that! And now Baba was asking her as good a chance of being the recipients of Divine Grace, provided they are to phone this woman to finance the wide awake to the situation, which will be a cyclic dispensation, rare and trip of an unknown person just to see unique. him. But Norina was always quick to My blessings to all those who have heard my message and those who have obey, no matter how hard the task, and not.” to her astonishment the woman very quickly agreed to do what she asked. Looking at Jalali and Jamali. The second lady whom Baba wished LORD MEHER Online Edition. Extracts pp. 2442 & 2443. © AMBPPCT. to see was living right in London, and Norina telephoned to her at his request and simply said, “My Master is here and would like to see you.”

Continued on next page

23 Meher Baba Australia

The lady replied, “I will be right over.” The nature of Love It was an exceedingly stormy night and quite a few people were gathered Meher Baba in the living room with Baba in someone’s home. Presently the doorbell Nasik, 30th March 1930 rang and Norina went to greet her Love me and you will know me; but I am such a Reality that it is extremely friend, but the woman pushed by her difficult to know me. The price is love. No repetition of God’s names, no as if she hardly saw her, walked right penance and no meditation is essential – only love, and such love that it into the living room and sat down on annihilates your ego. This means your love should be so deep that it makes the couch occupied by Baba. you forget yourself and the world. This experience will leave you desireless, He looked at her as if they had just dazed and confounded. This is real love. seen each other a few hours before You have feeling for me in your hearts, and because of it you may remember and spelled on the board, “Now, what me often during the day, but you do not continuously. This feeling or about this man?” and she, acting as devotion, though good, is not love. It should not be mistaken for love, because if she had known Baba all her life, that real love to see and know God cannot be created. It has to be bestowed. It replied. “Baba, it was terrible — he is bestowed through the grace of the Master, and such grace is conferred on a was a charlatan. I stripped myself of very, very lucky few. everything I had for him, and he stole Still, don’t be discouraged. Although you do not have the love that is it all.” needed, you have deep feeling for me. Try always to remember me and to Baba gave her his divine smile and speak of me. This is the best beginning – the determination to be ready to said, “Yes, but it was this that earned receive the Master’s grace. If this continues, a day will come when you will be you the right to be here with me.” the lucky one to receive the great gift – the bestowal of my love. To be ready, Actually what happened was that perpetuate this feeling in your heart and increase it, making it deeper and this woman had met a pseudo-spiritual deeper. teacher from Australia and had given How? By remembering me before starting and after finishing any work. him her fortune, but while she had Think of me before doing anything. If you have to write something [such as been mistaken in the teacher, the an exam paper], remember me before starting and then mentally say, “Baba, it spiritual hierarchy had taken notice of is you, not I, who is writing.” her intense desire for spiritual training, A tavern keeper first receives cash from a customer before handing him and her whole-hearted approach had the wine glass. He checks the coin to ascertain whether it is genuine or won Baba’s grace. counterfeit. Similarly, the Sadguru also demands his price – not in money, but To me this story bears out so much in love – before giving you the gift of love. You can deceive a wine seller by the admonition of the Bhagavad passing him counterfeit coins, but never a Sadguru. He has no use for “false Gita that we should be unattached to coins” – i.e. the show of love. Here [with me], before the exchange takes place, results, because the most important one has to pay the full price. The price of knowing me is love – love, pure and thing is to keep our record and our simple. motives pure before God. God will see But love entails pain – the pain of the pangs and thirst of separation while to the results. constantly burning. This gradually minimizes the strength of the ego and

eventually destroys it, because love never thinks of or cares for itself. It just HOW A MASTER WORKS, pp. 635-636, 1975. burns its victim in love for its Beloved. And after this burning gradually © Sufism Reoriented, Inc. diminishes the ego and it is eventually totally annihilated, love makes its victim realize the Self.

LORD MEHER Online Edition, pp. 1157 & 1158. © AMBPPCT.

24 June – August 2017

And then we become the Ocean The Rant Every musical note Yes, I’ve seen the commercials, pours from your fingers. Those fantastic adverts in the eastern sky at dawn! Each hair holds Heard the jingles played and chanted all day long. every wish held I’ve read the tracts and broken. Dispensed by purveyors of spiritual wisdom, Every leaf that falls And the words of those brave seekers of your Truth. only wants to turn to you I wear the T-shirt with your name for it was your thought Emblazoned across my heart, that turned the leaf. And watch the videos and say the prayers…… So what’s the deal? Every desire, When do I get to find the path? every whim, How do I get to beat upon your door? and long held fort of wanting, will dissolve, “Rant on, dear one. and melt, These ravings loosen ties that bind. in your glance When you break free, then you will turn and see me there when finally, Standing beside you.” finally, you might lift my gaze Sarah McNeill to meet your infinite light. * Your light carries me to the sea where men scour the foreshore with metal detectors determined to score faux gems from a hoax crown, to children’s sheer delight in nothing more than sand. Surfers hoard each new wave and you wait with me for the next one lest it not take me out or only so far as another ship on the horizon. You show me a tear for all the times I slunk from your net, and left of my veil of wanting, I finally see your own waiting, waiting, more vast than the grains of sand we leave behind.

Kelly-girl, April 2017 25 Meher Baba Australia Azar Kaivan – the last Zoroastrian Perfect Master

Peter Rowan

Avatar Meher Baba in 1928, explained Muslim population. to two Zoroastrian priests that Azar Esraq was first extolled and taught Kaivan was the last Zoroastrian by an eminent Sufi in Persia in the to become a God-Realized Perfect 12th century known as Suhrawardi. His Master.1 work became pivotal to Azar Kaivan’s The story of Azar Kaivan is steeped ‘illuminationism’ teachings and in mystery to some extent, but Beloved spiritual philosophic discourse even Baba has shed light on this relatively though Suhrawardi was born about little known Master, which I will now four centuries before him. explore. Suhrawardi was an exponent of a Azar Kaivan was born in Persia in broad based Islamic Sufism through the early first half of the 16th century which he forcefully acknowledged that and when about forty years of age Persia, before the advent of Islam, had emigrated to India, which at the time a vast mystic and esoteric heritage. He was ruled by the great liberal Moghul taught that Zoroastrian influence was Emperor, Akbar, whereas Persia at the at the very heart of Persia and should time was oppressive in the extreme for not be denied.3 Zoroastrians under Islam. A basic tenet of Suhrawardi’s The religious tolerance in India ‘illuminationism’ was that all ‘vision’ under Akbar was somewhat of a and ‘light’ and those things known golden period in Moghul rule as Akbar Portrait of the Moghul Emperor, Akbar beyond the phenomenal world, was the Great (reigned 1556-1605), created recognized in all mystic and religious due to manifested forces already by Manohar, a renowned artist of the persuasions great truths, which he Mughal school. inherent in the Persian spiritual exemplified by having at his court as sub-soil and by necessity must be advisers a broad selection of wise and routed out an Afghan uprising there uncovered by the earnest Sufi. learned men from all faiths. after which Patna became a flourishing Suhrawardi’s most widely known Azar Kaivan arrived in India during city.2 illuminationist text is Hekmat al-esraq, this liberal milieu in about 1570 and The city of Patna, which is situated ‘The Philosophy of Illumination’. settled in the town of Patna in the on the Ganges, was a very ancient The term esraq is used extensively north of the subcontinent, whereas the centre of learning and perhaps Azar in Persian and Arabic philosophical major Zoroastrian emigres of Persia, Kaivan considered it would be an ideal texts and poetry and means ‘rising’, or the Parsis, had in the main settled in place to teach under Akbar’s benign more precisely, ‘rising of the sun’, and Gujerat after their influx into India rule. Certainly, he must have felt he signifies mystical types of experiential around the 10th century to escape would be well received as his intention knowledge and intuitive modes of domination and persecution. was to propagate Zoroastrianism in the cognition. At the time that Azar Kaivan and mystical medium of what is known in Suhrawardi in coupling the term several disciples arrived in Patna, Persian as esraq, or ‘illuminationism’, ‘illumination’ with ‘vision’, posits Akbar, a short time previously had to a predominantly Hindu and that together they inform of a unified

26 June – August 2017

‘knowledge by presence’, and is always remains untarnished, but it is It therefore stands to reason that the actualised as ‘knower known and only when the mind is a clean mirror ‘sacred seat’, or gaadi, of Azar Kaivan knowing are one’. that it can reflect the Truth. When must have been usurped after his Illuminationism, therefore gives the impressions of good and bad both death, and he didn’t leave a successor priority to the experiential over the disappear, the mind sees the soul. This so, his spiritual lineage ceased. theoretical and discursive using the is illumination.”7 An important question now must language of ‘light’ in which soul, Also, Baba further enunciates, be asked. Was Azar Kaivan the last intellect and matter are said to be “The Sadguru can raise the aspirant in the line of seven hundred years lights of various degrees of luminosity from the ordinary intellectual which Baba mentions, or much and are propagated from the Light of level of consciousness to the level later? If he is to be included in the Lights, the Source of Being. of consciousness where there is transmission of seven hundred years, it In this manner Suhrawardi bound inspiration and intuition and then brings into severe question the age of together Nur-e-Mohammedi, the ‘Light onwards to the level of insight and Zoroaster as by deduction Zoroaster of Mohammed’, and the prophetic illumination, which eventually must have been active less than nine tradition of Zoroasters’ ‘Light of culminates in merging into the hundred years ago; which of course is Glory’.4 Infinite.”8 historically unsound. Suhrawardi’s liberalism, fearless To counterpoint the above: when Azar Kaivan was in his eighties when stand, and outspoken praise of Baba was in the USA in 1952 he died in the first or second decade Zoroastrian mysticism, though attending to the multifarious details of the 17th century so therefore seven laudable to us now, was anathema to of His charter for Sufism Reoriented hundred years takes us back to the 9th Islam at the time and he was eventually and was asked what spiritual century only. executed for heresy. level must the Murshid be at, He Probably the answer is that the Azar Kaivan as a young Zoroastrian unequivocally stated, “A Murshid must reportage of Beloved Baba’s statement man in Persia uncovered in large ‘necessarily’ have the Divine Vision could have been recorded in clearer measure that through mainly visionary of the sixth plane, the highest state of terms than what we have. means Suhrawardi’s exegesis binding illumination.”9 That Avatar Meher Baba had a high together the prophetic tradition of We must now pause a little and give regard for Azar Kaivan there can be Zoroaster and the Quran of Islam some thought to what Avatar Meher no doubt. As one can conclude from gave him deep experiential insight. Baba had to say about Azar Kaivan and the extraordinary spiritual curriculum This became for him the illuminative his God-Realization. set for the Hazrat Babajan High knowledge he avowed for the rest of Beloved Baba has informed us, School of 1928, wherein on Saturdays his life as coming from the ancient “Zoroaster had fourteen disciples biographical details of Avatars and masters of Persia. In later written whom he Realized. There was also Sadgurus was to be taught, and in works by Azar Kaivan’s disciples, one other whom he Realized after which Azar Kaivan was included.11 which included Zoroastrians, Muslims, the fourteen, and from him the Not a great deal of direct Jewish Rabbis, a Christian and a knowledge and experience of God was biographical knowledge of Azar Brahmin, they claimed that study passed on from father to son for seven Kaivan is available to us, but his esraq under their master Azar Kaivan gave hundred years. But after Azar Kaivan, teachings are well documented through them the same visionary encounters.5 who became a Perfect Master, a false a highly respected and voluminous Avatar Meher Baba clearly enunciates deceitful dastur obtained the sacred book known as the Dabestan, by for us that illumination is not gaadi and started collecting money. Mobed Sah, a contemporary of Azar Realization, i.e. “The mind seeing the Those dasturs that followed him Kaivan’s disciples in the 17th century soul is not Realization.”6 decreed as they thought. After them, who had direct contact with them and “The sanskaras are deposited on until the present, there has been no who elicited first-hand information. the mind and not the soul, the soul realized person among Zoroastrians.”10 Continued on next page

27 Meher Baba Australia

What is known of Azar Kaivan through the Dabestan is that he was Alice Scholes born in Persia at Estakr, and as a young Alice Scholes passed away on 2 May 2017. man showed signs of his calling to the contemplative life through dreams and It’s been an intense and heart filled day visions. for me... My friend of 40 + yrs, Alice, It is said he received the teachings passed to the spirit realm this morning of the ancient masters of Persia which after dealing with cancer for several allowed him to give extraordinary months... she went peacefully and free replies to questions which were asked of pain for the first time in weeks... We of him at the college where he was a had an interesting history together. In student, and which earned him the the early 80’s she was one of the first soubriquet ‘master of sciences’. It is midwives in Aust to do water birth home also said he spent the first thirty or births... she was untrained and fearless... forty years of his life in contemplation the need was there so she went for it! and then travelled to India, where he She was taken to court in the state of 12 died at about eighty years of age. Queensland by the Nursing Association, What may partially account for the and told to stop birthing or go to jail... lack of direct information about Azar so in 83 she moved herself and 3 kids to Kaivan was his unflinching attitude NSW and kept doing births! I helped to keeping his esraq teachings pure. Alice at Avatar’s Abode, June 2015. her design and build a portable pool in He observed a strict esotericism and which she did many, many births. In avoided all contact with the profane to 84 I moved to the area and helped her build a house and attended 5 births the extent of advising many aspirants with her. It was one of the top 10 most powerful, beautiful times of my life... not to seek some form of ‘conversion’ We spent an hour or two last nite reminiscing about our experiences and it through his methods, but to follow cheered her up quite a bit... I will miss her but know and feel her with me... their own path to knowledge. She will be a big support for me with the work ahead before I join her... All What is clear is that Azar Kaivan my love to you dear sister and tk you for your part in my amazing journey! would certainly appear to have had the Jalquin Waidelich highest illumination of the sixth plane, but this was not sufficient to give him final Realization. How then did Realization manifest for him? Fortunately for the enquirer, Avatar Meher Baba has given us the last word from the garden at Guruprasad in 1963. Speaking to a group about Azar Kaivan Baba told them, “He came long after Zoroaster and was very advanced. To get God Realization he lay like a corpse with crossed arms for forty days without eating, drinking or moving, uttering ‘Yezdan, Yezdan,

Continued on page 33 Alice standing behind Seguna, Ngaere, Freiny-Etta, Alicia, and Shana. Mani Irani (left) is showing them a mechanical swimming toy at Meherazad, 1988.

28 June – August 2017 Michael Reilly

David Hobson

Michael Reilly passed away on 17th Anyway I decided to bite the bullet, the extent of his movements. I tried January this year. and having got the phone number to imagine how incredibly difficult it Most of you would not know of Michael’s residence from Bernard, must have been for a healthy man in Michael. I first came across Michael’s called him, briefly introduced myself his 60s to suffer a catastrophic accident name some years ago, while organizing to the carer who answered the phone and suddenly have to deal with such a mailing list for Avatar’s Abode’s June and asked whether he would ask limitations. But as I say above, never Anniversary. Michael was a subscriber Michael if he was happy for me to visit an inkling of a “Why me.” of the Meher Baba Australia newsletter him. Michael agreed and soon after I On the 21st January Jo-Anne and lived at Wooloowin in Brisbane. got to see Michael for the first time. Bruford heard about Michael’s passing At the time, I asked Bernard Bruford I’m glad that I did make that first and informed Glenda and I. Bernard if he knew of Michael and Bernard effort, and subsequently whenever my was on pilgrimage to Meherabad so mentioned that Michael had been wife, Glenda and I visited Brisbane, I only Glenda, Jo-Anne and I attended sending regular donations to the included a visit to Michael, sometimes Michael’s very simple graveside service Avatar’s Abode Trust, otherwise he alone and other times with Glenda. followed by a small gathering at the didn’t know much about him. Eventually the visits added up, we home of Michael’s brother and sister- Years passed and I kept sending met Michael 5 or 6 times. in-law, Tony and Michelle. Anniversary and Spring Sahavas I enjoyed these visits and I like At the gathering we learnt of invitations to Michael. However, over to think that Michael did too. The Michael’s many idiosyncrasies and the years Michael did not end up enjoyable visit might last for 1½ to 2 talents. He enjoyed having a beer with visiting Avatar’s Abode and I did not hours and eventually I’d have to say friends but was also very comfortable have the opportunity to meet him. that I had to go because I had to pick with just his own company. Apart More years passed and one day I up Glenda who was visiting one of her from writing poetry he was a prolific learnt from Bernard that Michael had Brisbane ‘buddies’. and first-class writer of prose, which had a terrible accident. That left him Michael would do 90% of the manifested itself in frequent and with quadriplegia and a long ( 18 talking and it was mostly “Baba talk”. lengthy letters to a number of life-long month) period in hospital. During It was clear that Michael was very friends. In addition to this Michael that period Bernard began visiting him familiar with Baba’s life and cosmology. was an artist. a number of times. Eventually Michael It was also clear to me that Michael Before Michael passed on Bernard was moved into residential care. was very well read in many other areas, had offered to arrange a visit for I felt that I would like to visit including history. Michael to Avatar’s Abode but Michael Michael and asked Bernard whether He wrote poetry and had poems declined. It seems that Michael was he thought it would be appropriate. published in various publications content with life as it was and one has Not having met Michael previously, including Meher Baba Australia. He to admire him for that. I was somewhat apprehensive about regularly wrote letters to Bernard, and God speed dear Michael. just turning up. Since Michael hadn’t in these letters often described one of visited Avatar’s Abode I thought, “Well his many Baba dreams. maybe he’s one of those many very What really impressed me about private Baba lovers and wishes to be Michael was that he never gave an left alone.” In fact, my apprehension inkling of even the smallest complaint. primarily came from not wanting Michael had limited head movement Michael to feel that I was visiting him and could raise and lower his out of some misguided feeling of pity. shoulders. That seemed to be about

29 Meher Baba Australia Work (Anselm Instalment 20)

Ross Keating

We were all feeling a little subdued as we gathered in due to the fact that it was made by someone capable of Anselm’s study looking out at the large Poinciana tree in his believing that an angel might come and sit on it’ (Thomas backyard, for this was going to be our last meeting. Anselm Merton, Seeking Paradise: The Spirit of the Shakers p.11). was soon leaving to work at Meherabad for a couple of ‘Only a ‘heart with God’ could make such a chair with their months; Philomena was heading down to Melbourne to hands’.” care for her Mum full-time; Thomas accepted a position to “Actually knowing how to work, and its role and function teach English to migrant students, also in Melbourne, so as in our lives has turned into one of the great mysteries facing to be with her. And I had just been offered my first teaching people today,” said Anselm, “at some point we lost the position as a primary school teacher in Caloundra starting clues about how to solve this mystery. I read somewhere in a couple of weeks. To mark the occasion, Anselm had that Thomas Aquinas said that there can be no joy in life made a delicious Dundee cake (his grandmother’s recipe without joy in work. (E. F. Schumacher Good Work p.118). with generous lashings of brandy), which went down very And I think a lot of the debilitating unhappiness we see well with our hot tea. in many people today is not initially psychological, its real “As we are all soon taking up positions of work of various cause is simply – ‘no joy in work.’ My guess is that if people kinds,” said Philomena, “I think it might be useful to see slowly – because it does take time – learnt the secret of how what Francis says about work in Stay With God. I know to work as a joyful experience then they would eventually Meher Baba says that ‘One should live in the world perform arrive at a state of psychological well-being.” all legitimate duties and yet feel mentally detached from “The theme of work,” I said, “has got to be one of the everything. One should be in the world but not of it’. The most consistent themes running through all of Francis’s Sufis say ... ‘The heart with God; the hands for work’ (God writings particularly up until the time he lived with Speaks 1955 p.180). But I don’t think this means that we Meher Baba in India during the sixties. It can be found in should work in a kind of offhanded manner while drifting Proletarians-Transition, which is all about work, in sections away in a state of detached self-absorbed reverie about God of the long poems in 7 Stars to Morning, and then it and not caring about what we are doing. reappears weaving its way through Stay With God bringing “In actual fact, I think it means the exact opposite: when in new perspectives as it moves along. In the final ‘Coda’ of we pay full and loving attention to what we are doing, the book, Francis brings this major theme to a conclusion Meher Baba, the God-Man, sits comfortably in our hearts. when he states: ‘Stay with God in whatever shape He shapes But we have to beseech Meher Baba’s help in the first place – you / and work your works within the boundaries of that before we start any work. Just as Francis does in the opening shape’ (SWG pp.154-155).” of Stay With God: ‘Only if you, Baba, sustain my flight, give “And I don’t think,” added Thomas, “that Francis’s words knowledge to my intellect, / And unbind the empathy of my are ever more forceful as when he writes on this theme: heart, can this work be done – / Not miracle, but faith: faith ‘The skyscrapers of New York are / beautiful in their reach that is grace and grace your miracle’ (Stay With God p.19).” to death — / lovely with red tears of undedicated labour’ “I agree,” I responded, “I think the heart has to be with (SWG p.97).” God if the hands are to produce good work. You know that “So why does he give this theme of work so much Sufi statement is exactly what the Shakers also said, and emphasis?” asked Anselm. their workmanship is renowned for its silent eloquence.” “To deny a person,” I responded, “the freedom and Thomas jumped in at this point with a quote from responsibility to work as a spiritual being – which is Thomas Merton: ‘The peculiar grace of a Shaker chair is essentially who we are – free to make decisions on how best

30 June – August 2017 to act and live in the world is for Francis to deny a person their inherent divine heritage. It is a kind of spiritual crime, for ultimately it deprives each person the opportunity of connecting with God in a way most appropriate and natural to them. Even Meher Baba says in His ‘Universal Message’ that He has come to ‘... help every individual to break himself free from his own bondage in his own way’ (my emphasis). And without this connection to Meher Baba through work, we are simply adrift in life, going wherever the winds of our sanskaras take us. “But what really stirred Francis’s anger was the general complacency of most people, their vacant self-satisfaction with their own sedentariness, their spiritual stupor and the pseudo-culture he saw all around him that supported it. You can hear him crying out to God in frustration underneath such lines as: ... Bright God, bright Brightness of God — the Beginning, the Course and the End of all science; the Model, the Maker and the Made-work of all art — teach us the science of self- forgetfulness,

teach us the art of your Name. Nameless Illustration by John Parry from STAY WITH GOD A statement in illusion on Reality, are we because of names, homeless because by Francis Brabazon. Third edition, 1990, New Humanity Books, Melbourne, Australia. of houses; © Avatar’s Abode Trust. workless in works, art-less in artifice; that Avatar and the Perfect Masters were the only God on the our eyes without sight, our hands without skill, earth, our ears stopped through the whirr of words and machines. and that the saints were doors to Him. Sing to us anew your ancient singing, By God men lived — and His Name wrought their works: show us again the pristine loveliness of your Face they went not out to labour nor sat down to meat (SWG p.134)” without song attending. (The left over scraps from their “And while Francis frequently recalls in Stay With God past singing times of a more spiritually enlightened age,” said Thomas, “the implication is that we have to find a way of doing the we have gathered into our galleries and libraries to worship or same kind of thing in our present lives: stare at.) Once men sang purely in the work of their hands, (SWG p.91).” in the speech of their mouths. They knew Continued on next page

31 Meher Baba Australia

“But he also makes it clear,” responded Philomena, “that Beloved Baba has already brought about such a change whereby we can once again ‘sing purely’ in the works of our hands – we only have to find it. Francis writes that Meher Baba during His advent: ... established divinity in the midst of barbarism; brought lovely Art, love’s pure act, again upon earth; raised once again the Banner ablaze with gathered Brightness of “Love God” — that men again shall joy in the works of their hands, and in love, and remember that they are the sons of God, and God (SWG p.121).” “There are even a few passages in Stay With God,” said Anselm, “that hint at how to find this ‘joy’ in work, at least as far as Francis was able to discover it. For instance, in such simple advice as, ‘Work is in stillness / in the Name of God’ (SWG p.146). But Francis does not explicitly say how it can be done; for as Meher Baba says about God: ‘God cannot be explained, He cannot be argued about, He cannot be theorized, nor can Stay With God Preface He be discussed and understood. God can only be lived’ (God Speaks p.176). A similar case can be made about work – ‘it can only be lived’. You Francis Brabazon have to find out for yourself how to work: work is not a concept it is a way of living involving the integration of one’s whole being in action.” In this book I have tried to offer some “If anything,” I said, “the monumental piece of writing that is Stay With praise to one who has not much “changed God is proof enough that what Francis states about work is true. Stay With the course of my life” as given it sanction. God is a living example of it. A good summation of Francis’s attitude to For the course of my life was already work is conveyed in the lines: set when, as a child, I used to weep at The real art of men is modelling their flesh the beauty of night; and a little later on upon the pattern of His perfect Manhood, compose verses on the “meaning of life” as dreaming His loveliness and truth, and delineating I walked behind the plough. in work and works the dreamed Image of His Reality The quest for beauty, what it is, and its relation to truth, has been my (SWG p.154). religion. Every seeker longs to meet one And Stay With God stands as a towering example of Francis’s who has found; and my longing led me ‘delineating’. It is there for everyone who reads it to marvel at – it cannot eventually into the presence of one whom be avoided.” I recognized as the very personification And it was here that we decided to end our discussion and bring to a of Truth and the very embodiment of final close our sharing of Stay With God. Anselm, in conclusion, recalled Beauty; that ideal or Perfect Man, whose Francis’s Abu Sa’id quote that books are ‘Excellent guides until you find occurrence on the earth is recorded the Way’ (SWG p.109). And we all agreed that Stay With God was an by history and literature, in whom ‘excellent book’, an inspired book, which helped us gain a certain amount the existence of absolute Truth and an of clarity in things that matter – what more can you ask for in a book. absolute Beauty is proved and through We all wished each other the best and promised to keep in touch as we whom they proclaim themselves. hugged and said our final goodbyes. As a parting gift, Anselm gave us all If I had been born in another time or a leftover slice of his divine Dundee cake as we left his place to make our place, I would have only sung His praise way home. — analysis and comment would never h have occurred to me, they being foreign to art (except when, after becoming a real

32 June – August 2017 artist, one by choice becomes a The Voices of the Stars teacher.)* But being born when The voices of the stars shouting for joy was the first song in the beginning. I was and having lived my life in The song still nestled in my heart is a note from that song in the beginning. a portion of the world in which A description of things in space is like the depiction of any of Homer’s gods. all utterance is contaminated by Both are attempts to explain experience but Reality is beyond in-the-beginning. self-interest, the avoidance of comment is imposible. I ask the Job had his feeble thoughts flung from him like dust out of a hard beaten pillow. reader to allow that although “Where were you Job,” God demanded, “were you tagging along in the beginning?” some of this comment may seem The black holes in space are filtering plants for dead words that have no life. harsh, it is directed at conditions Living words are words of praise that like the stars sound strong in the beginning. rather than at persons — it It wasn’t some myth the mandali told but of the divine fragrance of Your Presence: is personal only to the extent Around His smile stars circled like a heavenly throng in the beginning. that persons are identified with conditions, the world of false Nothing gets past the eyes of the stars; they stay awake and secretly sing. They know of Your comings and goings since they first shone in the beginning. values that I attack, and that I myself, my own condition, is the The clouds have cleared tonight; the stars shine like candles on Your birthday cake. target it has hit before it touches In the dark of my heart Your name begins to sing like a song in the beginning. anyone else: “myself” being the world of false values, because it is Ross Keating “myself” who by having turned away from the eternal truths, from the “virtue of man” created I wrote a poem for Baba’s Birthday in a ghazal form which is different from Francis the false values. But I hope my Brabazon’s 7 rhyming couplets. The “promoter” of this form -- which is supposedly comment will sometimes be closer to the Persian/Urdu form is the poet Agha Shahid Ali. I like the form, the entertaining. discipline of it and how the refrain keeps coming back like a home note in jazz. In the years of trying to absorb Besides the refrain it has an internal rhyme which is just before the refrain of each the truths of Truth and Beauty, I second line -- in my case, “in the beginning”. My rhyme is with the word “song” have been as a pygmy wandering that is established in the first couplet. among giants, trying to pick up the elements of their speech. And Ross Keating in the writing of this book I have been supported and encouraged only by the smile of the King of Azar Kaivan – the last Zoroastrian Perfect Master the Giants and the faith of a few continued from page 28 friends. Yezdan’, until he lost his voice through 3. ILLUMINATIONISM- What I have written may be of ENCYCLOPAEDIA IRANICA weakness, he then kept repeating some value to others; but if not, 4. Ibid ‘Yezdan’ silently. When forty days had 5. AZAR KAYVAN-ENCYCLOPAEDIA not. That is their affair: mine passed, an apparition appeared which IRANICA was in the writing, and in the 6. DISCOURSES OF MEHER BABA v1 6th led him to a Perfect Master of that time ed. p. 97 continuance of that course which and after extreme trials and difficulties 7. Ibid p. 97 “I” once set but which is now 8. Ibid p. 85 he was then given God Realization.”13 * in the hands of my Beauty and 9. GLOW INTERNATIONAL Fall 2009 p. 23 Truth, Meher Baba. References 10. LORD MEHER online p. 903 11. Ibid p. 842 * See Notes. 1. LORD MEHER online p. 903 12. AZAR KAYVAN-ENCYCLOPAEDIA 2. AZAR KAYVAN-ENCYCLOPAEDIA IRANICA IRANICA STAY WITH GOD by Francis 13. LORD MEHER online p. 4940 * modified Brabazon, 3rd edition1990, New Humanity Books. © Avatar’s Abode Trust. 33 Meher Baba Australia The Circle of Life and Death A Spiritual Guide for Living and Dying Well Authors Larry and Rita Karrasch

“Imagine planning a trip to a foreign make the text accessible to anyone of country. The first thing you would any faith. do is consult a guidebook, describing This book filled in many “spiritual the geography, climate, places to blanks” for me, which, until now, stay, the culture and language of the had remained just that. For example, inhabitants. A well-structured guide is “The Circle of Life and Death” the key to having the most rewarding explains clearly and convincingly how and enjoyable journey. How well you consciousness does indeed continue plan for this journey would determine after death. Especially comforting how successful and memorable your to me was knowing that the actual adventure would be. If there were moment of death, the moment any cautions, you would want to everyone fears most, happens “in the know them ahead of time, to avoid twinkling of an eye,” and is, in fact, unforeseen surprises... So why would it painless. What a relief it must be to a be any different in planning your own body that had up to that moment been life and death experiences?” wracked with tortuous pain! The above is extracted from A Wonderful Source of But even more than a guide to death, the introduction. Comfort and Solace the afterlife, and rebirth, the book is a Larry and Rita Karrasch share valuable guide to living life itself: The Book Review by higher one’s values, the more attention the results of decades of inquiry Mickey (R.J.) Karger regarding life after death from the one pays to others by making others world’s great spiritual masters and As someone who’s always been happy, the better (and certainly less teachers. These include Meher Baba, interested – and not a little frightened fearful) will be one’s own death and Inayat Khan, Annie Besant, Manly P. – about death and what is commonly afterlife experience. Hall, Kahil Gibran, Ivy Duce, Edgar referred to as the “afterlife experience,” It’s as the authors’ state in their Cayce and many more. Delve into I have read quite a few books that introduction: ‘One wouldn’t begin the fascinating world of the after-life have given me comfort. Avatar Meher an important journey without first with this comprehensive and practical Baba has already provided a wealth planning for the trip, and having guidebook. of literature on this subject, revealing all the best directions and travelling previously undisclosed information information already at hand.’ Well, The Circle of Life and Death is that is unparalleled in its authority and how much more true could this available in Australia at the Avatar’s clarity. possibly be for one’s ultimate life- Abode Bookstore. Paperback, AUD journey? Lawrence and Rita Karrasch’s $30.00 plus postage. However, the Karrasch’s book has Email Avatar’s Abode Bookstore at given me a degree of comfort and book may indeed be looked upon as [email protected] solace even beyond that which I had a travel guide providing directions for gotten from other books, even Meher the soul. Also available in USA at Sheriar Books This book is a must for anyone online – check USA price, postage Baba’s. “The Circle of Life and Death” interested or, as most us are, fearful of and version at https://www. draws from a rich and wide variety of death and what comes after. sheriarbooks.org religious and mystical teachings that

34 June – August 2017 Meher Baba Australia

Steven Hein, MBA Editor

What is ‘Meher Baba Australia’? The digital email PDF version? It is a volunteer run, non-profit initiative that We also have the low cost PDF version we publishes a newsletter that aims to connect distribute by email. Many of our subscribers the community of lovers of Beloved Meher receive both email and hardcopy versions. Baba. Interested in participating? Contact How do we ask you to renew each year? Steven Hein, Editor. It will be an email request or a coloured slip Frequency - four issues a year inside your MBA hardcopy. Your response March, June, September, December. helps us keep your (confidential) info and Avatar Meher Baba, 1954 Andra, India. Cost? address on our mailing list up to date. There is no charge as such. We do ask readers Editorial policy Or by direct bank deposit or Electronic to subscribe, to actively choose to receive / The MBA editorial policy is pretty simple – Funds Transfer to keep receiving the journal. MBA will not publish content that is divisive, Account name: Meher Baba Australia BSB: 064424 How do we cover printing & postage costs? political, disruptive and disrespectful. The Account number: 10379525 We welcome donations. Occasionally, if costs editor reserves the right to edit all articles for Please include your initial and last name for go up and funds run low, we even invite and length and content prior to publication. reference. encourage donations. MBA contacts Suggested annual donation Actual costs of a hardcopy issue? Editor: [email protected] Digital PDF via email (Annual) – Global To produce, print and post within Australia, Mailing List / Subscriptions: $5.00 AU each issue costs us approx $7.50 AU. For [email protected] Hardcopy (Annual) – Australia $30 AU the 4 issues that’s about $30 AU a year. Donations can be made via PayPal at Hardcopy (Annual) – Overseas $40 AU. International postage costs a bit more. avatarsabode.com.au/donations.html Avatar’s Abode archives update Significant progress has been made the key documents in the collection. term storage. Rod Tyson has cleaned in managing the large collection of This work can be done remotely as and re-sleeved the many records in archival documents, publications, digitised documents can be emailed to Francis Brabazon’s collection and a photos, film, records, and audio tapes volunteers. complete catalogue of these records is at Avatar’s Abode in preparation for Jim and Tricia Migdoll have being undertaken by Geoff Gunther. making the collection more widely completed the huge task of sorting all A large number of cassette tapes in available to the Baba family worldwide. the printed material in a small archive the collection require cataloguing and Following the successful training of room in the reception building. This conversion to digital format. a dozen volunteers last year by Sue has included 737 books, 8 sets of Chapman from the UK, over 4000 periodicals, 44 sets of newsletters, and Would you like to help? documents have now been rehoused 342 pamphlets. Where more than one We are looking for volunteers who into acid free paper and stored in copy of a publication is held then a could assist with rehousing, scanning, archival boxes in a temperature and second collection has been developed. transcription and detailed cataloguing humidity controlled environment. Tony Foley is now continuing the of documents. The rehousing and The rehoused documents now require cataloguing and maintenance of the scanning work is done in the bookstore scanning. published material. Geoff Gunther with a small group of 2 to 4 people. Nadya Keating and Alison Spark continues to manage the Francis Transcribing can be done from home. have commenced transcription of Brabazon library with over 5000 titles. If you would like to volunteer some of the documents from Francis’ Most of the nearly 100 films in our please contact David Bowling collection. More volunteers are needed collection have been double bagged in on 0414739640 or email for this work. It will take many years special zip lock bags and are ready to [email protected] to complete the transcription of just be placed into a chest freezer for long

35 Meher Baba Australia What’s on at Avatar’s Abode June to August 2017 The 59th Anniversary Friday 9th June to Monday 12th June 2017. Editor: Steven Hein A four-day celebration of Meher Baba’s visit to His Australian Design and Layout: Liz Gaskin Abode in June 1958. Proof Reading: Steven Hein and Libi Burgin. Contact SPECIAL GUESTS Hardeep and Indra Hanspal. Editor [email protected] if you can help too. Other notable overseas attendees bringing their unique Mailing List and Subscriptions: David Bowling. talents will be Ted and Janet Judson, Ward Parks, and Raine Email [email protected] for information. Eastman-Gannett. Next Issue: Please email submssions for the next Meher Program details will be available on the Avatar’s Abode Baba Australia to [email protected] or mail to website www.avatarsabode.com.au. MBA, PO Box 335, Woombye, QLD 4559, Australia. Catering is provided for purchase during the Anniversary. Deadline Next Issue: 11th July 2017. th Photos to be minimum of 1MB, preferably over 2MB. Silence Day – Monday 10 July – All day Silence at PLEASE NOTE that the editor reserves the right to edit all Avatar’s Abode 8am to 4pm Baba’s House open. Silence Day published articles for length and content prior to publication. commemorates when Meher Baba began 44 years of Silence on 10th July 1925. Sydney Meher Baba Community Monday Morning Meetings at Avatar’s Abode Monthly Meetings at Meher House held last 10–11.30am in the Meeting Hall. For information: Lorraine Sunday every month. Prayers and Arti, open discussions 5446 8005 or [email protected]. All are welcome to about Baba, occasional guests, vegetarian potluck meal. join with stories, readings, poetry, songs and a cuppa. Contact: Kevin Mossberger M: 0412 559 402. Saturday Nights at the Abode Film nights the first Dara and Amrit Irani - June 3-8. Schedule to be Saturday of the month at 7pm. Contact: David and Glenda provided upon request. Coordinators: Kris Wyld. M: 0407 Hobson on 07 5442 1220 or Jim Frisino on 0417 112 668. 481 323 or [email protected]; Jennifer Keating M: 0408 118 366 or [email protected]. Meher Baba’s Works Tuesday Reading Group Contact Wilma Pearson phone 0404 775 789 or (07) 5473 Kirtan Singing at Meher House – Devotional 9947, email [email protected] or Bill Le Page phone Kirtan singing held on Sat 15 July. Coordinator: Sage 07 5442 1248. Andreasen. M: 0401 456 839 E: [email protected] Friday Mornings 10:30am in the Bookstore Meher House Anniversary – August 11-13. The explorers of God’s words continue to study and discuss Come celebrate the 51st anniversary of Baba’s 1956 visit to Meher Baba’s revelations of who and what we all are. The Meher House! Coordinator Yvan: [email protected] Bookstore is located behind the Reception Centre at Avatar’s Abode. Coordinators are Geoff Gunther 07 5442 2467 or Monday Night Discourse Meetings – Each Steven Hein 0412 080 424. Monday except 12 June in light of Avatar’s Abode Anniversary, and 10 July due to Silence Day. For enquiries Melbourne Meetings please contact Kris Wyld mobile 0407 481 323 or [email protected]. See the Meher Baba Melbourne website for dates, locations and details: http://mehermelb.jimdo.com/meetings/ The Meher Baba Sydney community is always searching Anthony Zois phone (03) 9417 7474 or 0412 099 890, or for volunteers to serve in Baba’s cause and love and in a email [email protected] variety of ways. A welcome and wonderful opportunity David Dickens phone 0433 671 818 [email protected] for old-timers, newcomers, young and old! For further information contact Kevin Mossberger on 0412 559 402. New Zealand Travellers to New Zealand who want to meet Baba lovers Meher Baba Gatherings in WA there are invited to contact Kelvin and Jill Hobbs, 19 Brassey Phone Paul Morris 0429 310 169 or Julie Morris 0428 Rd, Wanganui. Phone 06 347 2974, email kelvinhobbs@clear. 250 294. net.nz

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