An Integrated Darshana: Part 2

In Part Two of this series, Ward Parks focuses on Meher Baba’s signature concept: The Divine Theme. As Ward points out, this is Baba’s keynote idea that has never been given by the Avatar before. Ward uses Baba’s words and charts from various sources to pick our interest at what is essentially the biography of the soul and hence the narrative that applies to us all!

For Parts three to six, please click here.

Video, 1:29:00

Meeting Place, October 21, 2023

From the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. Archives

Uploaded 11/16/2023

An Integrated Darshana: Part One

This is the introductory session to this six part series that relates God Speaks to Baba’s early discourses from the 1920s. Here, Ward Parks lays out the meaning and use of the word “Darshana,” which literally means “glimpse,” to be used for Meher Baba’s living philosophy. He ties the concept together with major world religions and the various advents of the Avatars. Finally, he discusses the very important subject of authenticity and editorializing of the Avatar’s words and its impact on Baba’s legacy.

Video, 1:26:50
Meher Center Virtual Event, October 20, 2023
From the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. Archives
Uploaded 11/8/2023

“What do we do with anger?”

In this excerpt from Part two of Bhau’s life with Baba, Bhau answers an important question: How do we deal with anger? He narrates a story that Baba told about a cobra who gave up biting and another one about Ali, the follower of Mohammed. Bhau also shares his own story of expressing anger, ending with Baba’s message to Eruch about love and anger.

Video, 10:05
Washington D.C. August 8, 1985
From Mandalihall.org
For full talk click here
Uploaded 11/8/2023

“I saw waves of love”

Naosherwan Anzar first met Baba as a child. HIs parents were devoted lovers of Meher Baba and had intimate contact with Him. In this conversation with Keith Sheridan, Naosherwan narrates many stories from His childhood, Baba’s New Life, East-West Gathering where He experienced the awakening of Baba’s love. He then goes on to share the incredible story of his desire to serve Baba and how Baba rightfully directed him toward the rest of his life.

Video, 1:10:30
Meeting Place, October 21, 2023
From the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. Archives
Uploaded 11/2/2023

Reading Baba’s Gestures

In this raw footage which has never been shared before, Eruch Jessawala, Meher Baba’s interpreter, shares Baba’s unique sign language. He demonstrates letters, phrases and expressions to depict Baba’s communication and his own dance in trying to interpret the Avatar’s precise words.

Video, 13:16
Meherazad, India, early 1990s
Courtesy of Buz and Wendy Connor
Uploaded 10/27/2023

“He’s right there”

Nathan Dabbs has been a Cabin Crew staff member since 2022. In this clip from a recent interview, he shares the times during his childhood when he was visited by the best Friend ever.

Video, 15:14
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, 2023
Courtesy of Robin Vogel
Uploaded 10/27/2023

Reflections on the New Life

In this presentation, Jamie Newell examines the facts, meaning and stories of the New Life. In October of 1949, Baba relinquished nearly all of His physical possessions, cut off external contact with His lovers throughout the world, and set off across India with a small group of His mandali. Jamie quotes many of Baba’s direct words about this unfathomable period and weaves in stories recounted by the mandali. He leaves us with questions to dwell on and different avenues to explore within our limited understanding of the Master’s undertakings.

Video, 57:27
Meher Center Meeting Place, October 14, 2022
From the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. Archives
Uploaded 10/20/2023

Creation and Its Causes, Part 2

In Part Two of the Creation and Its Causes series, Ward Parks explains the context and introduction of the book by narrating anecdotes in relation to the text. He presents rare slides and documents to enrich the feel of the book. Then, he dives into the interesting first few talks that Baba chose to give to the boys. Be ready to be surprised by the in-depth explanations that end with Baba’s instruction to do what matters most – create “prem” or love for the Master.

The rest of the talks in this series can be accessed here.

Video, 1:23:10
Meher Center Meeting Place, October 21, 2022
From the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. Archives

Creation and Its Causes: Part 1

Ward Parks is a Meher Baba scholar and editor who travels around the world speaking about Baba literature. Last year, Ward gave a six-part seminar on Creation and Its Causes, the recently published book of lectures given by Meher Baba to the Meher Ashram boys in 1927. This is Part One of that presentation.

This introductory first part outlines the nature, context and contents of Baba’s discourses before He came to the west, leading into discussion of the lectures and illustrations that make up Creation and Its Causes.

We will be sharing Part Two of the series next week, along with the other parts. Ward returns to Meher Center from October 20-22, 2023 to present on “An Integrated Darshana: God Speaks in relation to Meher Baba’s Discourse Literature of the 1920s.”

Video, 1:14:04
Meher Center Meeting Place, October 21, 2022
From the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. Archives
Uploaded 10/6/2023

Meher Baba’s Call

Edited by Chris Riger from the original 35 mm footage, this film features the 1954 men’s savahas at Meherabad, India, which came to be know as the “Three Incredible Weeks.” Narrated by Darwin Shaw, an early American devotee of Meher Baba and an attendee at the event, the film succeeds beautifully in conveying the spirit of the savahas.

Video, 34:47
Courtesy of Sheriar Foundation
Uploaded 9/29/2023