The Story of the Mound

Donned in green jungle boots and fired by a sense of “spiritual as well as physical adventure,” [1] a small group of devoted Baba lovers traipsed through the virgin woods nine miles north of Myrtle Beach.

It was June, 1944, soon after Elizabeth Patterson’s father had lovingly given her 800 acres [2] by the ocean that perfectly fit the specifications given by Baba for a center in the West. Not only had the land never been lived on, it could be farmed, had more than ample water, was in a place with an equable climate, and it was given from the heart.

For many of these early Baba lovers, it was their first trip to what became the Meher Spiritual Center and they wanted to find a way to “dedicate it” [3] to Baba right from the start. The group included Elizabeth, Norina Matchabelli, Darwin and Jeanne Shaw, Filis Frederick, Adele Wolkin, John Bass, and Frank Eaton. [4]

They spent days wandering around the wild land in a spirit of “delightful discovery,” [5] looking for the perfect spot for a cabin here, a kitchen there, and a good place to proclaim this land was Baba’s for all time. Filis and Elizabeth remembered that it was Darwin who first found the small, distinct hill on the embankment that overlooked the lake. [6]

“We called it ‘the mound’ because it was in the perfect shape of a mound,” said Elizabeth. [7]

One morning, the group all went to the beach to collect as many shells as they could. “And there had to be a great many, because you’re going to write Baba’s name in big letters,” said Elizabeth. [8]

As they walked back into the woods laden with shells, no one could quite remember exactly where this special mound was. So they split up and Elizabeth remembered they called Baba’s name to one another until they found it again. Then they all gathered and carefully placed the shells to spell “BABA” in large, clear letters.

Darwin believed that it was Norina’s idea to spell Baba’s name with shells. He also recalled the incident slightly differently. After Baba’s name was laid out, that’s when he remembered they all scattered and called Baba’s name. As he did so and walked along the lagoon, a wonderful sense of clarity came to him.

“This, I knew, was the place Meher Baba had in mind for his Center all along, and I felt very privileged to be part of its development,” wrote Darwin. [9]

Baba’s name stayed on the mound, quietly unremarked for many years and subject to the wear and tear of the weather. The shells were slowly spread out along the knoll. Sometime later, someone asked Elizabeth if the ocean had once come as far as the Center side of the lake. When Elizabeth asked why, the person said they’d found many shells on a small hill by the path to Baba’s House. Elizabeth then explained how they got there. [10]

Filis also remembered Darwin telling her that in 1952, during Baba’s first visit to the Center, “he beckoned to Darwin and then walked to that spot.”

“Baba pointed to it, and, you know, said, ‘This is the spot.’ And Darwin said, ‘Yes, this is the spot where we called your name and we thought of You.’ Baba had known it, you see, without being told,” [11] Filis recalled.

At one point, when looking for a place to build a library, Kitty thought the mound with its wonderful view of the lake would be a perfect spot, not having known the story. Elizabeth quickly nixed that idea and the library was built to the south of it.

The mound continues to sit quietly by the path, often unremarked and overlooked, but it will always be a “special place,” according to Elizabeth.

She said, “Baba’s name was inscribed originally and it will always be inscribed there whether the shells disappear or not.” [12] [1] As Only God Can Love, Darwin Shaw, p. 53.
[2]Several years later, 300 acres west of Rte. 17 was sold by Baba’s order. Darwin Shaw, p. 52.
[3] “The Awakener Magazine,” Kitty Davy, “Meher Baba’s 1952 Visit to the Center-On-The-Lakes”, Volume. 6, Number 4, p. 23.
[4] As Only God Can Love, Darwin Shaw, p. 52.
[5] Ibid, p. 53.
[6] “A Perfect Love,” Fillis Fredericks, recording mehercenter.org, (https://www.mehercenter.org/online-programing/a-perfect-love/)
[7] Ibid
[8] Ibid
[9] As Only God Can Love, Darwin Shaw, p. 54.
[10] “A Perfect Love,” Fillis Fredericks
[11] Ibid
[12] Ibid