The Secretary: A Comedy of Discipleship
The Secretary is a 35-minute play written by Philip Lutgendorf in 1973. Its sole character is the secretary for Meher Baba’s production company, Parvardigar Productions, played whole-heartedly by Susan Smith. Through her focused and tireless work for her boss, who is “out of the office” for 700 years, we catch a glimpse of how we might dedicate our lives to, and ultimately please, our own Beloved. The play is bookended by a musical performance by Susan’s husband and stage manager Darryl Smith, as well as the story of the original actress who starred in the play as a long-awaited response to Baba’s call.
Video, 1:06:34
Meher Center Meeting Place, March 23, 2019
From the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. Archives
Dr Ghani: Meher Baba’s Childhood Friend
This is an excerpt (dubbed in English) from a play performed by the Bombay Group at Meherabad in October of 2019 and in Mumbai for Baba’s birthday in 2020. Here, we see an incident with Dr Ghani, one of Baba’s childhood friends and close disciples. Baba has asked all His Mandali to write an article about His Avatarhood. What follows during the process is a demonstration of His harsh early spiritual training where He tested and tried His disciples and expected nothing short of equipoise in return. Will Ghani pass the test?
Video, 8:29
Meherabad, India, October 2019
Courtesy of the Avatar Meher Baba Bombay Center
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
“We were His”
Jimmy Khan was taken to meet Meher Baba by his mother when he was 17 years old. His mother, devastated by recently losing her husband and trying to raise her three children alone, fell into Baba’s arms and sobbed and sobbed. Baba comforted her and told her that each of her three children, including Jimmy, was His. The rest of Jimmy’s life centered around Meher Baba: from His guidance on what career path to choose, to playing rousing and humorous card games with Him, to an ever-deepening recognition of His infinite love.
Video, 1:19:14
Meher Center Meeting Place, June 30, 2007
From the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. Archives
“The redemption of mankind depends on Baba’s Manifestation”
Shaligram Sharma was a dedicated Baba lover from Hamirpur, India. He was the editor of Meher Pukar, a Hindi periodical dedicated to Meher Baba who called Shaligram “My heart”. In this talk, Shaligram narrates incidents from Baba’s life and reflects on the unfolding of the meaning of Baba’s work, the future of the world and Baba’s manifestation.
Video, 1:29:25
Meher Center Meeting Place, June 2, 2007
From the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. Archives
Children’s Day at Guruprasad
In 1961 Meher Baba came out of a long, deep seclusion and the first souls he wanted to see were the children of His lovers. At first only a few dozen were expected but the program swelled to include 300 children, age 1 -12 years, accompanied by one parent. Bob Fredricks put together Jal’s short footage of this special event to a tune that the women Mandali often sang while visiting the Samadhi, in slow motion so that we can better see the expressions on the faces of Baba and His young lovers during their magical reunion.
Video, 7:24
Guruprasad, India, 1961
Used with permission from Bob Fredricks
“The search was always relentless”
In this multi-faceted talk, Naosherwan Anzar begins by describing a trip he made to Iran to learn about Meher Baba’s heritage for His biography, meeting ardent lovers of Baba and learning about His father and grandfather. He then goes back to another epoch of his life, describing his zealous spiritual yearnings as a teenager, and how Baba took him in hand. He makes clear how his meetings with Baba, and Baba’s constant love and direction, led him to become the person he is and do the work he still does today.
Video, 1:06:10
Meher Center Meeting Place, December 28, 1996
From the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. Archives
Meher Baba in Dehradun
In this silent version of the film taken in Dehradun in 1954, Meher Baba is seen greeting His lovers with Prasad and embraces; receiving offerings of garlands, music, and love; and giving his priceless companionship.
Video, 5:49
From the DVD Lord of Love
Courtesy of Sheriar Foundation