MEHER CENTER

Annual Calendar 2024

Artist in Residence: Billy Goodrum

Billy will be bringing his music and humor to The Meher Center as an Artist-in Residence September 11th through 14th. During that time he will perform concerts on piano and guitar, discuss Baba’s influence on his life as an artist working in the film world, have a
Baba musical chanting session and be available to talk music and tell jokes with one and all.

September 11th, 2024 at 8 p.m.

Meeting Place Recital

 In this opening piano recital, Billy will dive deep into his musical journey.  Billy began playing piano at age 4 and his jazz studies continued at Berklee College of Music and through to the present.

September 12th, 2024 at 3 p.m.

The Barn Sing Along

Billy and Cliff Hackford will lead a sing along program of devotional music.

September 13th, 2024 at 8 p.m.

 Meeting Place Concert

Prior to the concert Billy will talk about his work writing songs and composing film scores in the movie world.

September 14th, 2024 at 8 p.m.

 Meeting Place Final Concert

The final concert of his residency will be preceded by an “Ask Me Anything” session where Billy will answer any questions about his musical and artistic experiences as well as his life with Baba.

BIO
After graduating with honors from Boston’s renowned Berklee College of Music, Billy relocated to Los Angeles and was soon writing songs for iconic comedies including Dumb & Dumber and There’s something about Mary. He soon expanded into film scoring and has scored over 20 films. In 2021 he was music producer for the Golden Globe nominated film The Life Ahead starring Sophia Loren.

Billy found out about Baba when he was in college in Boston and made his first trip to India in 1994. Billy has written many Meher Baba songs and has performed as a featured guest at Meherana, Southeast Gathering, LA Sahavas, Midwest Sahavas and Northeast Sahavas. He also conducted Music Workshops at the Youth Sahavas for several years. He worked with Katie Irani and produced her album entitled Singing for Baba which included songs she sang for Baba as well as songs Baba composed. Billy and his wife Pamela along with their daughter Rose were manager/caretakers at Meher Mount for 2 years. Billy currently resides in Asheville, North Carolina.

Baba’s New Life Day

On October 16, 1949, Meher Baba ventured into an important period in His life called the New Life. Baba chose twenty disciples to go with Him on an endless journey of complete reliance on God. “This New Life is endless, and even after my physical death it will be kept alive by those who live the life of complete renunciation of falsehood, lies, hatred, anger, greed and lust,” He said. To honor the endless spirit of the New Life, the Center holds a remembrance gathering at the Meher Abode compound with prayers, Artis and selected readings. Meher Abode is open on this day. To learn more about Baba’s New Life, click here.

Meher Baba’s New Life: Then and Now

A special presentation by Ward Parks on the History and Significance of Meher Baba’s ‘New Life’ from 16th October 1949 to the Conclusion of Manonash in February 1952.

See the Upcoming Special Presentations page for more information!

Thanksgiving  

Thanksgiving at Meher Center is celebrated with a traditional dinner cooked by the Racepath community, longtime friends of the Center. This wonderful fellowship continues into the evening to be followed by a special talk by a guest speaker.

Check out our Monthly Calendar for events that are available on Thanksgiving day

Mehera’s Birthday

Mehera Irani was Meher Baba’s closest female disciple. Starting in 1924, she spent 45 years with Baba in His physical form. Mehera’s deep love and devotion to Baba were matchless: Baba said that Mehera loved Him as He should be loved, and that “Mehera is the very breath without which I cannot live.” Even after Baba dropped His physical form, Mehera’s deep love and devotion served as guidance and inspiration to many of His lovers throughout the world. On Mehera’s birthday, we will join together as a community to honor Mehera’s life, and what she teaches us about how to love God. To learn more about Mehera, click here.

Christmas

Meher Baba says He is the same Ancient One known in the past as Zoroaster, Rama, Krishna, Buddha, Jesus, and Mohammed. Baba and His Mandali would often gather together on the 25th of December to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Please join us in continuing this tradition with a delicious meal, cooked lovingly by our friends at the Racepath community, followed by a program.

New Years Celebration

New Years is always a much-anticipated time on the Center. Baba lovers come from all over the country (and sometimes the world) to mark the moment at Baba’s home in the West. The days leading up to New Year are vibrant with programs and community. New Year’s Eve itself is replete with videos of Baba, square dancing, and a unique Baba quote for each guest– and then, saying Baba’s prayers together, as the new year commences. 

Silence Day

On July 10th, the Center commemorates the day that Meher Baba took a vow of Silence in 1925. “I have come not to teach, but to awaken,” He said on July 9th, 1925. He spent the remaining 44 years of His life in silence. For the anniversary of His silence in 1968, Baba asked His followers to also observe silence on that day. Honoring this tradition, Baba lovers around the world now spend the 10th of July in silence. To learn more about Silence Day, click here.

Amartithi

January 31 is the  anniversary of Amartithi, the day when Meher Baba dropped His body to live in the hearts of His lovers everywhere. To learn more about Amartithi, click here.

Meher Baba’s Birthday

The Meher Center has upheld the tradition of honoring Baba’s birthday since 1952, when He graced the Center with His physical presence for the first time. Each year, on February 25, at 5 a.m. (the time of His birth), we commemorate the Beloved’s birth with prayers and Arti at Meher Abode, His home on the Center. The early morning program launches a full day of joyful celebration with songs, guest speakers, cake, and a special birthday play. To learn more about Baba’s Birthday, click here.

Spring Cleaning Sahavas

The Meher Center Spring Cleaning Sahavas is meant to be a time when Baba’s lovers of all ages can come together and serve the Beloved at His home in the West. The focus of the event will be cleaning projects and outdoor work on the grounds for the coming year, all in the spirit of sahavas—the give and take between lover and Beloved.

To learn more about this year’s Spring Cleaning Sahavas, click here.

Easter 

Easter at Meher Center is a simple celebration to mark the significance of the day. At dawn on Easter Sunday, Meher Center guests and nearby community gather at the compound outside Baba’s House. Baba’s prayers are said together as the spring sun rises,  followed by music, chai, and fellowship.

 Sunrise Easter program at Baba’s compound.

Mehera Rembrance Day

Mehera J. Irani, Meher Baba’s closest female disciple, reunited with her Beloved on May 20th, 1989. She spent her life serving and loving the God-Man, as “He ought to be loved.” We celebrate the life and times of “the purest soul in the universe” with a special program of remembrance, songs and sharing at the Center.

Remembrance of Meher Baba’s 1952 Automobile Accident in the West

Every year at the Center, we gather just outside Meher Abode on the morning of May 24 for a brief program commemorating the accident with readings, music, and prayers. To learn more about the accident, click here.

Youth Sahavas  

The Youth Sahavas was launched at Meher Center in 1991 to give teenagers a unique opportunity to gather in the atmosphere of Baba’s loving presence at His home in the West. To learn more about Youth Sahavas, click here.