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

Panel Discussion on Following Meher Baba

During this recent panel discussion at the Meeting Place, three lovers of Meher Baba answer questions about following Meher Baba in their personal lives. Questions include how they describe Meher Baba to those who don’t know about Him, how Baba helps them through difficult times, and what they have learned from Baba’s close ones. Part of the “Meher Baba’s Life and Message” program, this panel will hopefully be the first of many.

Video, 1:01:56
Meher Center Meeting Place, September 8, 2023
From the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. Archives
Uploaded on 9/22/2023

“But one thing was quite apparent, and that was Baba’s love”

Dara Irani is the son of Baba’s brother, Adi S. Irani, and had the great good fortune to have Baba at his bedside within half an hour of his birth. Although as a child he didn’t immediately consider Baba to be God, he felt the significance of his uncle’s presence, and enjoyed spending time with Him. In this audio recording, Dara shares a few memories from his childhood with Baba.

Video, 5:56
Location and Date Unknown
Courtesy of Mandali Hall Talks
For the full recording, click here
Uploaded 9/22/2023

“Baba is my brother”

Louis van Gasteren was a Dutch filmmaker, born in 1922, who is best known in the Baba community for his beautiful film, Beyond Words. Louis had the great good fortune of meeting and filming Meher Baba after hearing about Him by so-called chance from a taxi driver, Irwin Luck, in New York. He shares with us the story of how he ended up in India in 1967, which intertwines with his interest and exploration of LSD, and his relationship with Timothy Leary.

Video, 38:13
Meher Center Meeting Place, June 1, 2013
From the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. Archives
Uploaded on 9/15/2023

“They both stayed with Baba all their lives”

Anne Ross was born into a Baba family, to parents who were both fortunate enough to have met Baba. In this talk, Anne shares with us the history of some of the early Western Baba lovers, weaving her parents’ stories into the narrative. Her account continues up to the point when she herself first met Baba in New York, in 1952.

Video, 20:50
Meher Center Meeting Place, April 19, 2013
From the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. Archives
Uploaded 9/8/2023

“Build a cable of love between you and Baba”

Bili Eaton first met Baba in 1952 in New York City in the home of Ivy Duce. In this recording, she starts with narrating a metaphysical experience she had before meeting Baba while she was an atheist. Then, when she saw Baba, she had a “physical electric shock.” She recounts other experiences that led her closer to Baba.

Video, 51:19
Meher Center Meeting Place, February 26, 1998
From the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. Archives
Uploaded 9/1/2023

Walking with the Master, Volume 3

This seven part series is filmed by Baba’s brother, Jal Irani, in Poona in 1961. After extensive color correction, we are able to accompany the Master walking through His birth city. In Volume 3, we get to join Baba on a walk around Guruprasad with some of His dearest disciples.

Video, 2:11
Poona, India, 1961
Courtesy of AMBCSC Archives and Meher Baba Library
Uploaded 8/25/2023

“The Avatar forgives everything”

In Part Two of this talk, Bhau addresses the important question of cultivating trust in Baba and tackles the subject of hypocrisy. Through stories from Baba’s life, he brings home the power of faith, His constant protection and everlasting forgiveness.

Video, 33:13
Meher Center Meeting Place, June 1, 1990
From the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. Archives
Uploaded 8/18/2023

“You can’t be educated in love, you have to catch it”

In Part One of this engaging talk, Bhau Kalchuri shares his experiences as one of Baba’s mandali to bring home profound lessons on obedience and surrender. Bhau reveals the uniqueness of Baba’s ways, where there are no techniques, just the simple yet difficult task of loving Him and receiving His constant help.

Video, 49:40
Meher Center Meeting Place, June 1, 1990
From the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. Archives
Uploaded 8/15/2023