“He was my destiny”
Following Havovi Dadachanji’s sharing from last week, Hoshang Dadachanji narrates his part of the story of his family’s coming to Baba. Starting from his uncle Chanji’s story, followed by his own first meeting with Shri Meher Baba, Hoshang spent glorious years of intimate contact with Baba at Guruprasad where he played games with Baba, sang for Him and was part of the Master’s orbit. Baba took personal interest in his business and family life but through all of it, He always reminded them to never forget that Baba was God in Human Form.
Video, 42:59
Meher Center Meeting Place, August 27, 1996
From the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. Archives
“Correcting every error without fail”
In this talk, Havovi Dadachanji wryly describes her process of coming to Baba over seven years: from feeling skeptical and uncomfortable to finally embracing Him as the God-man in 1960. She then talks about Baba’s role in her family’s life, including an intimate monthly mail correspondence and His performing her son’s Navjot ceremony in December of 1968, a month before He dropped His body. Finally, she describes how Baba continues to be present in her life.
Video, 43:56
Meher Center Meeting Place, July 27, 1996
From the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. Archives
“We are there to obey”
Padri began his life with Meher Baba in 1922 when he was 18 years old. Called one of the “four pillars of Meherabad” by Baba, Padri was in charge of building and maintenance projects there for decades. In these videos, filmed in 1981 and 1982, Padri is interviewed by Gary Kleiner about his work and his relationship with Baba. His answers, sometimes playful and sometimes forceful, give us a glimpse into a life of literal obedience, work as worship, and an unwavering faith in the Master’s presence.
Video, 59:14
Meherabad, India, 1981 & 1982
Copyright 1983 by the Avatar Meher Baba Public Perpetual Charitable Trust
Courtesy of Sheriar Press
“Journeying with Baba”
Meheru Irani was the youngest of the women Mandali and lived with Meher Baba for decades. In this talk, she focuses on traveling with the Master—the sometimes harrowing and often humorous moments in trains, planes, and cars with Him over the years. Through these colorful stories, Meheru emphasizes the importance of obedience to Baba, and remembrance that He is always “making that journey with us”
Video, 51:39
Los Angeles, California, 1993
Courtesy of the Avatar Meher Baba Center of Southern California
In concert with the MeherBabaLibrary Oral History Archive Project
“From here to here”
Robert Dreyfuss first heard Baba’s name in 1965. With his friend Rick Chapman, Robert saw a Baba quote on the door of Alan Cohen’s office at Harvard. Through Alan he learned who Baba was. Here, he narrates the eventful story of hitchhiking over land to India, his meeting with Baba in Meherazad, and Baba’s instruction to him: “Tell those that are [taking drugs], that if drugs could make one realize God, then God is not worthy of being God.” By Baba’s express wish, Allan Cohen, Robert Dreyfus and Rick Chapman became the three principle spokespersons to spread Baba’s message about drugs in the West.
Video, 1:01:09
Meher Center Meeting Place, April 3, 1996
From the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. Archives
“Sacredness was all around me”
Tom Riley first heard about Meher Baba in 1954 in his hometown of Woodstock. Here he shares the detailed account of his first meeting with Baba at Meher Center in 1958, including the divine effulgence that he experienced at the Lagoon Cabin. Speaking about the submersion in Baba’s presence at the Center, Tom reflects on Baba’s messages to him and their continuing culmination in his life.
Video, 1:17:30
Meher Center Meeting Place, May 22, 2018
From the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. Archives
“The Master is never absent”
Khodadad Namiranian first heard about Meher Baba when his parents chose to send his twin brothers to India, to attend the Prem Ashram school started by Meher Baba. Here, he narrates the story of when he called out to Baba to rescue him in danger to test His Godhood, his first meeting with Baba at the East-West Gathering, and being a Baba lover in Iran. Translated by his son Farshid, this is a rare account of deep longing for God.
Video, 1:09:01
Meher Center Meeting Place, July 3, 1998
From the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. Archives