DIGITAL OFFERINGS
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Videos are posted in the order they were sent out in the Weekly Offerings & Monthly Newsletters, with the most recent collection first.
“He surrendered to Baba”
In this video, Digambar Gadekar tells the story of his father, Ramchandra Gadekar. Ramchandra Gadekar, known by Baba simply as “Gadekar,” first went to see Baba to ask Him to help relieve a stomach-ache—but ended up asking for God-realization instead. The rest of Gadekar’s life was totally devoted to Baba, from the moments when Baba stopped by his house to eat a meal or spend time with his family; to the darshan programs Gadekar arranged and the Arti he performed; to the end of Gadekar’s life, when Baba took loving care of His “Crown Jewel“ until he died with Baba’s name on his lips.
Video, 1:29:48
Meher Center Meeting Place, December 11, 2004
From the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. Archives
“He brought things to the surface”
In part two of this audio interview with Kitty Davy by Alan Cohen, Kitty talks about the 1930’s and 40’s, when she had joined Baba’s ashram. Her detailed narration of the Nasik Ashram days involves nuanced sharing of the differences among the Ashram inmates and Baba’s working on them. Here, she shares the concept of the Provisional Ego that Baba taught them, where one’s ego is submitted to Baba so as everything that is done is done by Baba. This vivid account involves Baba’s plans for a film, the trip to Cannes and the Mandali’s lessons in controlling their moods.
Audio, 44:32
Meher Center, April 16, 1978
Courtesy of the Avatar Meher Baba Center of Southern California
Entertaining Baba at Meher Center
This silent video highlights some of the joyful entertainment put on for Baba at the Center during the 1958 Sahavas. First, Lenny Willoughby leads the crowd in a rousing version of “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands,” with a backup band including Henry Kashouty on the trombone. Then, after a video of Baba being carried in His lift-chair by some of Margaret Craske’s dancers, we see a skit put on by a group of men dubbed “The Alligator Club.” In the skit, Dana Field portrays a baby being wheeled around in a wheelbarrow “carriage” by his “mother.” Finally, there is a video of more Alligator Club members before a playful shot of Kitty Davy. Baba said that watching the Alligator Club’s work made Him laugh so hard He almost broke His silence.
Video, 2:27
Meher Spiritual Center, May 1958
Used with permission from Sufism Reoriented
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
Baba’s Contact With Humanity
Darwin Shaw
Audio, 8:05
Meher Spiritual Center Meeting Place, March 23, 1975
Courtesy of the Avatar Meher Baba Center of Southern California
“He asked us to be conscious of His love for us”
In part one of this audio, Kitty Davy is interviewed by Alan Cohen about her remarkable life with Meher Baba. While taking a medical break from her career as a music teacher she heard about Baba from Meridith Starr and her brother Herbert who believed that Baba was someone like Christ. It so happened that Kitty found herself receiving Meher Baba at Victoria Station in London in 1931 and took Him to her house where Baba stayed. More personal contact followed when Baba assured His help toward her brother Herbert, granted Kitty’s deepest desire and revealed how Kitty had been with Him for ages. When Baba called her to join Him in 1932, Kitty went on to give herself in love and service to Baba while learning to serve, surrender and obey.
Audio, 43:27
Meher Center, April 16, 1978
Courtesy of the Avatar Meher Baba Center of Southern California