“So much was conveyed by His silence, His very presence”
This is the second of the series of talks that Bill LePage gave during the summer of 2015. It is a friendly and informal chat in the Original Kitchen surrounded by Baba’s lovers on a stormy day. Bill starts out talking about the importance of bowing down to Baba’s chair or bed not out of habit or ritual, but because He is still there. He goes on to share numerous stories about Baba’s Mandali and their extraordinary and hard-won devotion to Him.
Video, 1:03:55
Meher Center Original Kitchen, July 13, 2015
Courtesy of the Avatar Meher Baba Center of Southern California
“He was so God and so human”
This is the first of a series of talks by Bill LePage, who was a fixture at Youth Sahavas for many years. Given on Center during the summer of 2015, it begins with Bill talking about chivalry as an important quality to strive for—and how Baba managed to perfectly demonstrate the spirit of chivalry in His own life. Then, Bill moves on to Baba’s visit to Australia in 1958, and the powerful and often humorous incidents that arose in spending time with the God-man: from stewing about prune preparation to getting locked out of his house and climbing through the kitchen window to let Baba in.
Video, 1:06:49
Meher Center, Dilruba Reading Room, May 27, 2015
Courtesy of the Avatar Meher Baba Center of Southern California
“Baba’s miracles were there”

G.T. Naidu found out about Meher Baba when a co-worker asked Naidu to do research on Him. As a scientist, Naidu explains that it would have been difficult to come to Baba any other way than intellectually. Over time, however, Baba showed Himself to Naidu and his family in many other personal and miraculous ways, even during their hardest moments.

Video, 51:56
Meher Center Meeting Place, March 7, 2001
From the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. Archives

“My one obedience brought my whole family to Baba”

Freiny Dadachanji recounts instances of obeying Baba, sometimes even against her own will. These acts of obedience pleased Baba but changed the course of Freiny’s life. Baba did not allow Freiny to go visit her family in Karachi, which caused a lot of contention with her family. But Baba had a different plan: He brought Freiny’s family to Him instead.

Audio, 25:33
Courtesy of the Avatar Meher Baba Center of Southern California

“I am open to whatever He is up to”
Michael Burleson is the son of Dr. Ned Burleson, the doctor in Prague, Oklahoma, who treated Baba after His automobile accident in 1952. Michael was a teenager when he saw Baba. Here, he recounts the history of Prague and his family, the setting into which Baba was brought after the accident, His impressions of the Mandali and how His family was eventually brought to Baba.
Video, 45:47
Meher Center Meeting Place, March 6, 2003
From the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. Archives
“To increase our love”
In this humorous and poignant talk, Steve Klein weaves together his poetry with stories told by the Mandali. Baba’s work appears from many different angles, from harsh treatment to boundless compassion, but always with the result of increasing the love of His lovers.
Video, 57:30
Meher Center Meeting Place, May 6, 2022
From the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. Archives
“Look Mommy, there’s God!”

Larry Karrasch met Meher Baba for the first time on the Center in 1952. Larry’s parents had learned about Baba at Sufi meetings with Ivy Duce in New York, and when they heard He was coming to Myrtle Beach they decided to travel there to see Him. After a long drive, the family finally approached the Lagoon Cabin expecting to meet a Perfect Master. Instead, they met God. Larry saw Baba in the body five more times over the course of his youth and describes the impact of Baba’s love both on himself and on the rest of his family.

Video, 27:22

Meher Center Meeting Place, April 21, 2022

From the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. Archives

“Words cannot describe His embrace”

In this video, Mr. and Mrs. B. D. Gupta share their long contact with Meher Baba. Mrs. Gupta’s father HarJivan Lal came to Baba in 1945. When her mother first saw Baba, she recognized Him from a dream she had of Him in 1938. They instantly knew that He was the Creator. The family had extended contact with the Master through the New Life, attended sahavases in the 1950s and were at the East-West Gathering in 1962. They talk about hosting gatherings for Baba in Delhi where they were instrumental in acquiring land and starting a Center for Baba which still stands.

Video, 45:32

Meher Center Meeting Place, September 9, 2006

From the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. Archives

“He more than filled me up”

In the second part of this talk, Leatrice Johnston continues to speak about her times with Baba in 1956 and 1958. She describes many moments with Him: at the Barn, at the beach, in His house, and at the apartment of one of His lovers. Some of these moments portray Baba’s immense suffering. Each memory shines with His transformative love.

Audio, 36:12

Courtesy of the Avatar Meher Baba Center of Southern California

“Wrapped in His embrace, I was home”

Leatrice Johnston, daughter of Darwin and Jeanne Shaw, shares her tender story of meeting Meher Baba at Meher Center. In part one of this audio, she shares her relationship with Norina Matchabelli, living at Youpon Dunes while preparing for Baba’s arrival, her anticipation to meet Him and at last running into His arms at the Lagoon Cabin in 1952. Her talk is interspersed with deep reflections on inner life with Him including topics like surrender, obedience and commitment to being with Him as our true Master.

Audio, 53:39

Courtesy of the Avatar Meher Baba Center of Southern California