“He brought things to the surface”
In part two of this audio interview with Kitty Davy by Alan Cohen, Kitty talks about the 1930’s and 40’s, when she had joined Baba’s ashram. Her detailed narration of the Nasik Ashram days involves nuanced sharing of the differences among the Ashram inmates and Baba’s working on them. Here, she shares the concept of the Provisional Ego that Baba taught them, where one’s ego is submitted to Baba so as everything that is done is done by Baba. This vivid account involves Baba’s plans for a film, the trip to Cannes and the Mandali’s lessons in controlling their moods.
Audio, 44:32
Meher Center, April 16, 1978
Courtesy of the Avatar Meher Baba Center of Southern California
His Real and Constant Presence
This charming video captures an afternoon in Mandali Hall with Baba’s sister Mani in 1989. Mani shares humorous incidents of life with Baba that give an intimate glimpse of His ways. The stories include anecdotes about Elizabeth Patterson and Kitty Davy, two of Baba’s lovers who were integral to the development and care of Meher Center.
Video, 47:55
Mandali Hall, Meherazad, India, September 19, 1989
Courtesy of Sheriar Foundation
“He asked us to be conscious of His love for us”
In part one of this audio, Kitty Davy is interviewed by Alan Cohen about her remarkable life with Meher Baba. While taking a medical break from her career as a music teacher she heard about Baba from Meridith Starr and her brother Herbert who believed that Baba was someone like Christ. It so happened that Kitty found herself receiving Meher Baba at Victoria Station in London in 1931 and took Him to her house where Baba stayed. More personal contact followed when Baba assured His help toward her brother Herbert, granted Kitty’s deepest desire and revealed how Kitty had been with Him for ages. When Baba called her to join Him in 1932, Kitty went on to give herself in love and service to Baba while learning to serve, surrender and obey.
Audio, 43:27
Meher Center, April 16, 1978
Courtesy of the Avatar Meher Baba Center of Southern California
“To be molded”
In this audio, Anita Vieillard takes us back to the heady days of the 1930’s when the Western women were first spending time with Baba in America and Europe. Focusing mostly on their time at Harmon on Hudson and Portofino, she describes both the exquisite beauty of being with Baba, and the trials as He worked this diverse group of personalities into the pliable forms of His dear lifelong disciples.
Audio, 46:04
Meher Center Meeting Place, September 26, 1987
Courtesy of the Avatar Meher Baba Center of Southern California
Childhood Stories from Mani
Mani, Baba’s sister, was one of Baba’s close Mandali and also a delightful storyteller. From the time she was a child, she longed for nothing more than to spend her life with Him in His ashram. In this audio recording, Mani tells two entertaining and profound stories about skipping ropes, tricycles, and Meher Baba.
Audio, 16:17
Meherazad, India
Courtesy of the Avatar Meher Baba Center of Southern California
“Baba’s Silence was so natural”
In this brief talk, Meherjee Karkaria, a close lover who first met Baba in 1923, speaks about the power of Baba’s silence, and the beauty and creativity of His continual communication.
Audio, 4:41
1980, place unknown
Courtesy of the Avatar Meher Baba Center of Southern California
His Ways Are Unfathomable
This video of Eruch Jessawala takes place in Mandali Hall at Meherazad over the 1991 pilgrim season. Eruch, who lived with Baba as one of His close Mandali beginning in 1938, tells a variety of stories that reflect Baba’s humanity, divinity, and unfathomable love.
Video, 1:04:01
Mandali Hall, Meherazad, India, 1991
Used with permission from Sheriar Press
“It is a very joyous suffering”
In part two of this audio of Adi K Irani speaking at Meher Center, his focus is on the inner life with Baba. Adi shares stories of his own struggle with following Baba’s unfathomable orders, suffering for Baba and feeling Baba’s love. Interspersed with questions and answers, Adi’s unwavering conviction is an inspiration to the group that includes Kitty Davy.
Audio, 44:25
Meher Center, March 12, 1970
Courtesy of the Avatar Meher Baba Center of Southern California
“Greater than Realization is His companionship”
In part one of this illuminating audio at Meher Center, Adi K Irani, Baba’s close disciple and secretary, talks about Baba’s cosmology and the soul’s journey. He explains the concepts of Avatarhood, planes of consciousness, and the status of God realized souls. He also answers questions from the group about the path, reincarnation, and our effort in being guided through the planes in a veiled fashion. As an added perk, we hear Kitty Davy chiming in about Baba’s next advent.
Audio, 44:09
Meher Center, March 11, 1970
Courtesy of the Avatar Meher Baba Center of Southern California
“The main thing is taking His name”
Mansari came to Meher Baba in 1938, when she was 29 years old. A few years later, when Baba and the rest of the women Mandali moved from Meherabad Hill to Meherazad, Baba ordered Mansari to stay behind. From that time until her death in 1997, Mansari did not leave Meherabad Hill, and a source of chai, chat, and inspiration for numerous pilgrims. This is a recording of one of those chats on Meherabad Hill. In it, she talks of various subjects, including stories related to marriage; her own perspectives on divorce; and most of all the importance that Baba placed on taking His name, whatever we are thinking, feeling, or doing.
Audio, 23:21
Meherabad India October 19,1988
Courtesy of the Avatar Meher Baba Center of Southern California