“We eventually arrived at our Home”

In this intimate chat in the Meher Center’s Original Kitchen, Bill Le Page shares his experience of the East-West gathering. He begins by talking about the herculean task that Baba gave him of helping organize transport of the large Australian group to and from India. Then he describes moments during the gathering, as well as during a later visit with Baba in 1967, when he was face to face with his Beloved.

Video, 1:00:42
Meher Center Original Kitchen, September 16, 2015
Courtesy of the Avatar Meher Baba Center of Southern California

“Never try to interpret Baba’s Orders”

Shridar Kelkar narrates the story of the divine connection of the Talati family with Meher Baba. Shridhar was married to Perviz, the daughter of Dina and Naval Talati, who were very close disciples of Beloved Baba. He shares the family’s generations of spiritual longing and connection with the Perfect Masters that led them to Baba. When Shridhar proposed marriage to Perviz, Dina asked him to seek Meher Baba’s permission. After Baba approved, Shridhar came into His fold through the dedication, unerring obedience and complete faith in Baba demonstrated to him by the Talati family and their lives with Baba.

Video, 48:12
Meher Center Meeting Place, May 29, 2019
From the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. Archives

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

“I could see Jesus in Baba’s eyes”

Joyce Bird begins this talk with a brief description of how she came to Meher Baba—from an experience of Jesus in 1942 to meeting Him as Baba in London ten years later. She then dives into the extensive notes she took during the 1958 American Sahavas to share an “eyewitness account” of some of the powerful, humorous, unexpected, and divine moments that made up that remarkable week on the Center.

Video, 1:02:30
Meher Center Meeting Place, May 9, 1998
From the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. Archives

Mehernosh Mehta – Talk on Baba’s New Life

Mehernosh Mehta grew up in a Baba family and has been involved at the Avatar Meher Baba Bombay Center for over two decades serving in many roles. One of those roles includes being a Key Speaker. Here, he shares stories from the New Life and his own reflections on how the Master continues to inspire us to live this life—right here and right now.

The New Life

Meherwan Jessawala was one of Baba’s many lovers given the heart-wrenching order to not have any external contact with Him during the New Life. Meherwan’s brother, Eruch, traveled with Baba and served as His personal attendant throughout the period. Meherwan describes the experience of the rest of the family staying behind in Poona, from the moment they heard about the New Life until Baba unexpectedly called them to see Him again—and the constant inner contact of adhering to His orders, no matter what.

Video, 1:04:39
Meherazad, India
Used with permission from Michael Le Page

“The guiding hand of God”

Louis Agostini first began seeking a higher truth when as a young child he suddenly recognized the inevitability of death. This search took him everywhere from beginning training as a Catholic priest to becoming secretary for Paul Brunton (who, while writing his famous book, In Search of Secret India, had garnered an unimpressive view of Meher Baba). Then, in 1960, Louis found himself at Meher Center with Kitty, Elizabeth, and a number of Baba books. At long last, Baba’s truths began to answer his deep-seated questions. When he met Baba two years later at the East-West gathering, all he could whisper was, “thank You for everything.”

Video, 56:13
Meher Center Meeting Place, November 9, 2002
From the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. Archives

“It must be real”

Mollie Eve describes herself as a practical person who initially was very skeptical of Meher Baba when her husband became devoted to Him in the early 1950’s. However, as she slowly became involved in the British Baba group and met followers like Will and Mary Backett and William Donkin, Mollie started to feel that there was something more to Meher Baba than she had realized. Along with her daughter, Ann Eve (who shared her story last week), Mollie met Meher Baba in England in 1952 and 1956, and then at the East-West Gathering in India in 1962. In her self-described unsentimental way, she devoted the rest of her life to loving God.

Video, 28:12
London, England, June 3, 1985
From the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. Archives

The Process of Awakening

In this quiet hour at Meherazad, Eruch Jessawala, Baba’s beloved disciple and interpreter for decades, talks to a group of Eastern and Western lovers about Baba’s work: how suffering is Baba’s tool to awaken us; how the seeker slowly becomes the sought; and how the whole purpose is just to love Him.

Video, 1:06:12
Meherazad India, January 21, 1993
Courtesy of Sheriar Foundation

“He could see right through me”

In this talk, Ann Eve relates her life with Baba. She first learned about Him as a child, when she and her parents spent time with Baba lovers in London like William and Mary Backett, Delia de Leon and Charles Purdom. Ann then met Baba Himself when He visited England in 1952 and in 1956 when she felt a “wonderful feeling of love” and being fully known by Him. Soon after, Ann moved in with a family of Indian Baba lovers in England: Baba’s brother, Adi Jr.; Adi’s wife, Freiny; and their daughter, Shireen, one of Baba’s favorite nieces. This connection led Ann to India in December of 1968, to the last group gathering with Baba—and to a tear-filled love embrace with God.

Video, 43:03
Meher Center Meeting Place, May 31, 1996
From the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. Archives