Conversation with the Board

This is a recording of some highlights from Sunday’s conversation with the board. It begins with unique aerial footage of Meher Center, followed by Buz Connor sharing Center updates, including upcoming events and a brief slideshow from the Young Adult Sahavas. Andy Lesnik follows with a financial update. Finally, Ananda Jones gives some closing remarks before a video of Meher Baba at Brookgreen Gardens. Breakout rooms with the board members were not recorded.

Video 23:21

Created on December 4, 2022

From the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. Archives

Uploaded on 12/9/2022

Meher Spiritual Center and Meher Baba’s New Life

Many remain unaware of the significant connections between the Meher Spiritual Center and Meher Baba’s New Life. During the New Life, Meher Baba sold nearly everything He owned and ceased communication with His lovers who were not joining Him on His journey of “hopelessness and helplessness.” However, the Meher Center was one of two properties that remained in His name during the New Life period, and He kept up correspondence with Elizabeth Patterson and Norina Matchabelli regarding their work on the Center throughout. In this video, Jamie and Zo Newell explore these and other deep connections between Meher Spiritual Center and Meher Baba’s New Life.

Video, 41:30
Created by Jamie and Zo Newell in 2019
From the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. Archives
Uploaded on 10/21/2022

“The most familiar thing in the universe”
In this 1970s era video, a young Charles Haynes talks about his time with Baba at the Center in 1958. Charles relates the sublime experience of being with Baba through the eyes of an eight-year-old child: from his first glimpse of Him in the Lagoon Cabin, to an unforgettable car ride, to a deep and abiding recognition of His love.
Video, 21:14
Courtesy of the Irwin Luck Interview Series
Uploaded on 9/23/2022
Virtual Meher Center Board & Community Sharing
In this recording of the Zoom presentation held last weekend, Meher Center board members share the current financial, programmatic and general updates related to the Center. The video also includes an uplifting sneak peek into the loving experience of Youth Sahavas 2022 through a musical slideshow.
Video, 24:52
Virtual Meeting, September 4, 2022
From the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. Archives
Uploaded on 9/9/2022
Entertaining Baba
This silent video highlights some of the joyful entertainment put on for Baba at the Center during the 1958 Sahavas. First, Lenny Willoughby leads the crowd in a rousing version of “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands,” with a backup band including Henry Kashouty on the trombone. Then, after a video of Baba being carried in His lift-chair by some of Margaret Craske’s dancers, we see a skit put on by a group of men dubbed, The Alligator Club. In the skit, Dana Field portrays a baby being wheeled around in a wheelbarrow “carriage” by his “mother.” Finally, there is a video of more Alligator Club members before a playful shot of Kitty Davy. Baba said that watching the Alligator Club’s work made Him laugh so hard He almost broke His silence.
Video, 2:27
Meher Spiritual Center, May 1958
Used with permission from Sufism Reoriented
Uploaded on 8/26/2022
“He was very happy every time He was here.”
Here are three vignettes gleaned from a talk given by Kitty Davy, Darwin Shaw and Lyn Ott at Meher Spiritual Center in 1979. Darwin speaks of the search for the Center and the pioneering spirit of those involved in its development. Lyn talks of how the Center remains the same even though there has been constant change and improvements. Kitty provides a lively account of her role and the instructions given by Meher Baba on maintaining special buildings. Finally, all three contribute to a discussion on the significance of Meher Baba’s Tomb.
Audio, 22:40
Meher Spiritual Center, 1979
Courtesy of the Avatar Meher Baba Center of Southern California
Uploaded on 7/15/2022
Meher Baba at Meher Center
This beautiful silent footage captures moments of Meher Baba’s last visit to the Center—Baba being carried in His lift-chair, hugging happy children, serving lemonade, and as always pouring out His love.
Video, 5:28
Meher Spiritual Center, 1958
Used with permission from Liz Sacalis
Uploaded on 7/8/2022
Meher Center Origins and Development
During this special month, we are once again sharing a film by Jamie and Zo Newell that documents the long, loving, painstaking process of creating a home for Meher Baba in the West. It begins with Elizabeth Patterson’s and Norina Matchabelli’s search for a location for an American center, and culminates in Baba’s arrival in 1952.
Video, 1:32:04
2019
From the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. Archives
Youth Sahavas Documentary 2020

As we get ready for our annual Youth Sahavas, go down memory lane with us in this Celebration video which was made to honor thirty years of the Sahavas on Meher Center. Songs, testimonials, videos and pictures tell a heartfelt story of this memorable and, for many, life-transforming event.

Video, 38:38

Created at Meher Center, 2020

From the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. Archives

Virtual Community Meeting with the Board

This recording opens with a warm welcome by Board member, Ananda Jones.Then, Buz Connor presents an overview of the work done at the Center during the pandemic, followed by an update on the Board’s finances by Andy Lesnik. Breakout room discussions were not recorded.

Video, 26:45

Meher Center Virtual Event, April 3, 2022

From the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. Archives