“He is the answer to all questions”
Left to right: Adele Wolkin, Filis Fredrick, Mani Irani (Meher Baba’s sister), Rita Lukes, Charmaine Duce, Meher Baba, Mehera J. Irani, Delia DeLeon, Meheru Irani.
Filis Fredrick lived in New York and first met Meher Baba at the Meher Center in 1952. She was a great devotee, archivist and editor of the Awakener Magazine dedicated to Meher Baba. In this audio recording, she talks about the early years of the Center, sharing details such as wearing large boots to be able to walk through the wilderness of what would become the Center, and helping dedicate the property to Baba by calling His name and inscribing it with shells. She was present during Baba’s first arrival and received His invitation to be His guest at the Center. Elizabeth Patterson also chimes in with spontaneous details to convey how much Meher Baba loved His Center.
Audio, 31:47
Meher Center Library, May 2, 1971
From the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. Archives
“We held on to His hands, for dear life”
Fred and Ella Winterfeldt (fondly called “Fredella” by Meher Baba) came to the United States from Germany and learned of Baba in 1948. In 1971, they moved to the Meher Center and touched the hearts of many with their love. In this audio recording, Fred talks of his deep search for God, and their first meeting with Baba in 1952 at the Meher Center, when Ella ran into Baba’s arms and Baba invited them into His intimate family. This intimacy is revealed in Baba’s coming over to their home in New York to watch television, playing marbles with Fred in Meherabad, and many more profound and simple details of their lives.
Audio, 1:10:25
Meher Center, October 1974
From the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. Archives
“Everybody at the Ashram had a role”
Margaret Craske was an acclaimed English Ballet dancer and teacher, and a devoted disciple of Meher Baba. She lived at the Meher Center after her retirement in 1986. Here, she narrates the humorous and natural details of early life with Baba in India. She talks of His initial meditation orders, adventurous travels all over India that involved interesting meetings with strangers, fascinating pets including a mad dog, and the constantly moving life of the Ashram.
Audio, 1:26:32
Meher Center, Saroja Library, December 27, 1970
From the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. Archives
“It was difficult to always obey Baba”
Rano Gayley was an artist, and one of Meher Baba’s early Western disciples who became a resident Meherazad Mandali until her death in 1986. Here she talks about the intimate times at the ashram, and Baba’s instructions to those living there; time spent in Myrtle Beach; and details of Baba’s 1952 automobile accident.
Audio, 44:14
Used with permission from Jim May
“We can feel Him through our love alone”
“You Are My Neighbor”
Laura Delavigne was Meher Baba’s “neighbor,” living near the Center since 1953 and spending a great deal of time with Kitty, Elizabeth, and Baba’s other Western lovers. In this audio recording, she shares about her search for God, including her deep connection with Sufism and Inayat Khan, and her eventual meeting with Meher Baba in 1952 when she said she knew she had “reached the goal” of her life.
Audio, 1:04:17
Meher Center, December 1978
From the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. Archives