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~veStreet,CamfEosvTHE AVATAR MEHER BABA CENTER OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

NEWSLETTER" CALENDAR FOR WINTER 1991

Doing "Baba Work"By Linda Zavala

AD! K.IRANI

Meher Saba creates oppor­tunities for all of us to give our

love and service to Him. Forwhat? For our own advantage;for our own final release frommaya. There is nothing else at

the back of it.

As the year begins and many of us makeresolutions for the new year, it may also be a goodtime to think about renewing or beginning anew acommitment to Beloved Meher Baba. What canwe do to honor Him, His role in humanity and theblessings He has showered on each of us? Many ofus who have read of His workings and those whohave actually met Him may feel that whatever wecan do for Him is so small compared to what Hegives us, yet, He has given us the opportunity toserve Him and in so doing we help ourselves.

Adi K. Irani gave a talkon "The Nature of BabaWork" in Andra Pradesh sosuccinctly what it means for usto be able to serve the Avatar.He states, "There are twoaspects of our relationshipwith Avatar Meher Baba. Thefirst is our personal love forHim; it includes our devotionand our sense of service toHim. This is very personal andconcerns the man who lovesthe Avatar and the Avatar Himself. It is not theconcern of anybody else. This is one aspect of ourlife with Meher Baba.

"The second aspect is Meher Baba's work.Meher Baba's work is something we are not ableto do. Anything that we do for Meher Baba is real­ly done for ourselves. The work is for the benefit

of the man who does Meher Baba's work, forBaba can do His work alone.

"In whatever way we are able to do MeherBaba's work, we should first try to know and un­derstand the right way to work. This we should doin spite of the fact that we have known MeherBaba for many years.

"Meher Baba is universal. All the previousAvatars were none else but Meher Baba Himself.At the time of their advents they taught differentreligions. But in the case of Meher Baba, the time

and the circumstances havebeen so different that his workhas not been along the conven­tionaI lines. His work is souniversal, so vast, that it doesnot matter where a man is. Hecan be in any corner of theworld, and whether he belongsto a center, whether he wor­Ships Meher Baba in his ownhouse or wheether he is only asingle man worshipping MeherBaba in some remote willage

of India, it matters not. So long as honesty and sin­cerity of purpose are there, the work does notchange in the least.

"What is the work that we have been doingand are going to do for Meher Baba? Can you im­agine, when you look upon Meher Baba as theOcean of Love, that we could take a little water

2

and pour it into the ocean and increase the quan­tity that the entire ocean contains? Can you reallyimagine that by your individual love you are goingto add anything to the Ocean of Love? Or that thelittle service you are able to render is going to addto His universal service? Meher Baba works for allof humanity. Meher Baba creates opportunitiesfor all of us to give our love and service to Him.For what? For our own advantage; for our ownfinal release from maya. There is nothing else atthe back of it. We are not able to do MeherBaba's work, and yet the little things we are ableto do are really very, very important to us."

In the discourse on "work for the spiritualfreedom of humanity" Meher Baba so clearlystates His wish that we will be willing to share theburden of His Universal Work. He states:

"The way to help others attain spiritualfreedom is far different from the way of renderingother types of help. For the hungry you can pro­vide food, and they have only to eat it. For themaked you can provide clothes, and they haveonly to wear them. For the homeless ones you can

THE LOVE STREET LAMP POST

A quarterly publication of theAvatar MeIJer Baba Center

ofSoutbem California1unlSanta Monica Boulevard

Los Angeles. CA 9OO2S(213) 474-9454

This news)euer is designed to k.eep the Southern California MeberSaba community and friends abreast of Center activities, and toprovide a forum for contempory accounts of life with Meber Sabaas Guide.

Editon: Greg and Gay DunnProgram CMipenon: John StoutCOn/nbutors: Dina Franklin, Lois Jones, Jeff Maguire, LynnMaguire, John Stou~ and Linda ZavalaMoiJjng: Chris and Pris Haffenden

P/eo.sesendaD~moJoioJ to:Gregand Gay Dunn

2616 Vargas WayRedondo Beach, CA 'XJli>7

(213) 371-4321

Pleas<send add=ciIJJn§'S~I<qI=ts to:Pris Haffenden

3616-1/2 S. Centinela AvenueLos Angeles. CA 90066

(213) 300-2779

Published quarterly (Jan, Apr. M Oct)

All contents copyright 1991 by the Avatar Meher Baba Center orSouthern California, except wbere noted.

provide houses, and they have only to dwell inthem. For those who are in the agonies of spiritualbondage, however, there is no ready-madeprovision which can give them immediate relief.Spiritual freedom has to be won by oneself foroneself through watchful and unfailing waragainst the lower self and the lower desires. Thosewho would be soldiers in the cause of Truth haveto help all, not only in launching upon the thrillingenterprise of attaining victory over attainment.There is no other way of sharing their burden.

"I have full confidence that you, my devotees,will share this burden. Many of you, for yearstogether, have obeyed my orders and carried outmy instructions, through faith in me and love forme. You have stuck to me and my spiritual causethrough storm and stress and thick and thin. Nowthe time has come for you to offer all your ser­vices in my mission of helping humanity to treatthe spiritual path to realise God. The eternal truththat God alone is real has to be clearly understoodand unreservedly accepted, and it has to be une­quivocally expressed through words and deeds. Inthe full realisation of the Truth, man shall attainspiritual freedom. No sacrifice is too big to setman free from spiritual bondage and help him toinherit the Truth which alone shall bring abidingpeace to all, and which alone will sustain an unas­sailable sense of universal sense of universal fel­lowhood, cemented by the ungrudging love of all,for all, as expressions of the same reality. In thisGod-willed divinely-planned and predestined taskof bringing spiritral freedom to humanity, you, mydevotees, have to help me, even at the cost of life.In your duty of helping others to find God, youhave to welcome every type of suffering andsacrifice."

Meher llaba has given His promise that the"New Age of Humanity" will be brought in. Wesaw the beginnings of a "New Age" in the externalaffairs of the world of the 19605. Now we seemost dramatic changes in the external world of anew movement toward peace, harmony, andcooperation -- and this right in the midst of thepossibility of war in the Middle East. Perhapsthese changes are reflections of the internalspiritual change that Meher Baba has declared

continued on the last page

TheAMBCSCA Letter from the President

Thank You!As 1990 comes to an end and the new year

begins, we thank Beloved Meher Baba for givingus the opportunity to work for His Center in LosAngeles, which also serves His lovers throughoutthe U.S. We had a wonderfull990! In addition toour weekly Saturday night meetings, we had a veryspecial, extended visit by Bhau Kalchuri. We had asuccessful, inspiring, and fun-filled Sahavas! Spe­cial guest speakers and artists enriched many ofour weekly meetings. The year was highlighted bythe Amartithi program and Baba's BirthdayCelebration. These programs were held at special­ly selected locations which provided enough spacefor everyone who wished to attend.

This year, we frequently heard many in Los

Angeles refer to the "Baba" Community as their"extended family". Beloved Baba saw many of usthrough very difficult times that, indeed, broughtus closer together as a "family". We are grateful toBaba that we have a place where we can all cometogether.

We thank everyone who has enthusiasticallyand lovingly volunteered hisjher time toward theCenter's many projects. We also thank every oneof you whose loving financial contributions havehelped to sustain the Center. Thank you and JAlBABA!

In Beloved Baba's Love,Lois JonesBoard of Directors President, 1990

Who We Are and What We DoWe would like to take this opportunity to

give you an overview of our Center and its ongo­ing activities. Hyou find a particular activity inwhich you are interested, we invite you to contactthe appropriate committee chairperson. Ofcourse, we are happy just to see your smiling facewhenever you come to the Center. However, ifyou feel inspired, your help is most welcome.

The CenterThe Avatar Meher Baba Center of Southern

California was established in 1969 in Pasadena,and moved to its present West Los Angeles loca­tion in 1977. The Center incorporated in 1974.The state of California granted us "non-profitreligious organization" status. Our Articles of In­corporation and By- Laws are on file, and avail­able for review, at the Center. From 1971 to 1977the Center's activities were coordinated by a Steer­ing Committee. In 1977 the Board of Directorswas established. The Board, elected annually bythe Center's membership, is composed of a Presi­dent, Vice-President, Secretary and six otherDirectors. Board members usually chair of par­ticipate on at least one Standing Committee of AdHoc Committee. The Treasurer is not required to

be a member of the Board, although many Direc­tors have served in this role.

The Center operates on a democratic basis.The Center is supported by voluntary donationsand pledges, fund raisers, bookstore sales, theSahavas, and the Caretaker's rent donation. Ourbudget is approved each year, by the Center'smembers, at the Annual General Meeting.

The Committees and ProjectsHere is an overview of the Center's Commit­

tees and current Projects.Membership CommiJJee: The Chairman main­

tains the current list of members and seeks outthose who may want to join. Some of the ad­vantages of being a member are: you may vote forthe Board of Directors; you will be notified aboutspecial events and information such as birthS,deaths and illness; your membership allows the .Center to maintain its non-profit status; also,being a member signifies a deeper commitment tothe goals of our Center. Thank you, ChairpersonMehrnoush Lorkalantari.

Service CommiJJee: This committee bringssupport to those ill or bereaved. We send cardsand give baby showers for expecting families. 3

4

Also, in the last few years the Thanksgiving Bas­kets food drive has been held with widespread sup­port from the Baba community. The many dona­tions and helping hands have made this drive asuccess each year. Thank you, outgoing Chairper­son Linda zavala. During the year, if you know ofsomeone we can visit or send a card to, please con­tact the new chairman or the Board President.

Archive CommiJJee: Maintains special Babaarchival treasures and taped talks on video andaudio for preservation. In addition they provideaudio tapes for the tape lending library. Plans toexpand the activities of this committee are afootwith the hOpes of having more videos and audiotapes available for sale in the near future. Thankyou, Chairperson Chris Pearson for your manyyears of work in this area. The new chairman isMahmoud Ajang.

Ad Hoc CommitteesFacilities and DecoraJions CommiJJee: They

are involved in overseeing decorating, repainting,repairing or acquiring new items for the Center.Tl1anks to those who did such great work lastyear: Nancy Merwan, Dina Franklin, and Lindazavala. There is currently no chairman.

Program Committee: Happily, this committeehas organized very special events such as Baba'sBirthday Celebration in Pasadena, Arnartithi, theJamie Newell concert, Ann Conlon's talk, BhauKalchuri's talks, and events in our community.They initiate and coordinate every Saturday nightmeeting at the Center offering interesting talks,music, poetry, art, and films in order to create anenvironment for sharing our love for Meher Baba.Thank you Chairman John Stout and assistantsLois Jones and Dina Franklin (who filled in forJohn while in India), and program hosts.

Finance Committee: Through the generouscontributions of many individuals, this year'sfundraisers were very successful. Thesefundraisers included the F1y-to-India and Meher­mas Sweeps, a garage sale, and the Sahavas ArtAuction. New this year was the very exciting din­ner/auction. Everyone had a wonderful time. Inaddition to fundraising, the finance committeealso writes the yearly budget for presentation andapproval to the annual general membership meet-

ing.Thank you, Chairman Brian Drygas.Library Project: The Center received a

generous donation which has enabled us to fundthe Library Project which places Baba booksaround the world. Thank you, outgoing Chairper­son Chris Stalberg and assistant Adele Wolkin.The new Chairman is Brian Drygas. Ifyou knowof a library to place a Baba book in, write Brian atP.O. Box 176, Los Olivos, CA 93441, or call (805)686-4290.

Mailing Committee: The work on the mailinglist has increased significantly in the last few years.Thank you Chairman Pris Haffenden who con­tinues in this capacity to maintain the Center'smailing list on computer. If you are interested inhelping as a mail stuffer while listening to Babamusic or a Baba talk, please give her a call at(213) 390-2779.

Love Street Lamp Post News Newsletter hascompleted its second happy year. Greg and GayDunn wish to thank all the contributions Baba hassent to make the Lamp Post a lively gatheringplace for the sharing of ideas, feelings and ex­periences that deepen our connection with theBeloved. Send us your ideas, news items, artwork,poetry, etc. by February 21st for the next issue.

Permanent Site CommiJJee: The last two sur­veys by this committee demonstrated Wide-spreadsupport by the L.A membership to continue withthe goal of acquiring a permanent Baba Center inthe Los Angeles area. Bhau Kalchuri has alsogiven a strong endorsement for continuing to raisefunds for this purpose no matter how long ittakes. Due to high prices in real estate this goal isnot quickly attainable; however, the longest jour­neys are made up of many small steps. Ten yearsago we had zero funds and today we have $45,000and we are continuing to raise funds. Thank youone and all for your support. Thank you SteveBerry, Georgene Tarbox, and other workers. Atpresent there is no Chairman for this committee.

Sahavas CommiJJee: This celebration, where300 or more of His lovers gather in a spirit of shar­ing and giving in Beloved Meher Baba's Sahavas,expresses itself in a variety ofways, such as: inspir­ing talks by invited guest speakers, workshops,music and other entertainment, films, and sports.There is an excellent professional childcare pro-

gram for young children, and a special "MeherMiniature" program for pre-teens and teenagers.Our Bookstore, which houses the largest collec­tion of books about Meher Baba in SouthernCalifornia, is transported to Pilgrim Pines for theduration of the Sahavas. The ever popular "ToddyShop" conceived and first implemented by RomanBabiak and Terry Lucas, has become an institu­tion at the Sahavas. The Dhuni is always a high­light.

The 1990 Sahavas was a rousing success!Many thanks to the 1990 Sahavas Committeewhich was co-facilitated by Lois Jones and JohnStout.

Our 1991 Sahavas Committee is in theprocess of planning the 17th Silence Day Sahavaswhich will be held Thursday, July 4th -- Sunday,July 7,1991. This will be our 15th year at PilgrimPines Camp in the San Bernardino Mountains.This year's guests from India are Jehangir Sukhad­wala and Katie Irani! We hope you will be able tojoin us.

Caretaker: The caretaker lives at the Center.He keeps the Center clean, prepares the meetingroom for Saturday night and other meetings,answers the phone, helps sort the mail, waters thegarden, keeps the Center supplied with cups andplates and does lots of little things to contribute tothe smooth functioning of the Center. Thank youMarc Brutus.

Mail Order Casseue Library: This has been inoperation since 1986. The library now contains 56talks and has 33 different speakers available ontape to rent through the mail. Most of the talkscome from speakers at the past L.A Sahavas' andCenter talks. Ifyou are not near a Center, hearingthese inspiring talks is most valuable; and howabout hearing one on the way to work while youare stuck on the freeway. Thank you, LarryFletcher and Chris Pearson. You may also rent atalk at the Center: please speak to the CenterCaretaker about rentals. If you are interested in afree information packet write to AMBC-CL, P.O.Box 3233, Redondo Beach, CA 09277.

Bookstore: Thank you Dina Franklin, currentmanager, for tremendous enthusiasm in thebookstore. She has increased sales, but most im­portant, so many more people have received Baba

"Be Happy" -Meher Baba in Los Angeles in 1956

books, tapes, and photos.In addition to our ongoing work we have also

started two other budgets in the past year to meetneeds which have arisen.

Special Projects Budget provides funds for un­expected events. An example of this was Mehera'sMemorial Service and assisting Daman Mahler'sfamily with preparations for the recent memorialservice for Daman.

Service Fund: This is a newly established fundseparate from the Service Committee. In the lastfew years there have been special requests for ur­gent financial aid within our Baba family. The Ser­vice Fund has been established for this purpose.In the past small financial gifts in times of needhave helped to turn people's lives around. Wehave seen that the love behind the gift has beendeeply appreciated. Ifyou are interested in this ef­fort you may earmark your check to the SER-

continued on page 13 5

15%

30%

15%20%

AMBCSC Bulletin BoardBABA ASHRAM in AHMEDNAGAR, to beeligible for the above discounts.

The approximate cost of a double room withthe discount is: CENTAUR & LEELA -- U.S.$90; RITZ -- U.S. $60

Advanced reservations are usually necessaryfor the Ritz Hotel at the following address:

Ritz Hotel5 Jamshedji Tata RoadOpposite Chuchgate Station

Bombay 400 020

Thank you, David Fenster, for this informa­tion.

LEELA HOTEL, Bombay AirportCENTAUR HOTEL, Bombay Airport(not applicable to suites)CENTAUR HOTEL, Juhu Beach(applicable to suites)RITZ HOTEL, central Bombay(10% if paying by credit card)

Identify yourself when checking in or writingfor reservations as a member of the MEHER

India Hotel InformationThere are three hotels in Bombay that are

willing to extend discounts on their room rates toBaba lovers.

continued next page

ManhoodI am a foundling.My Beloved has raised meFrom a child to a man.

Now the mysteries of manhoodLife before me.

He has crafted the LightIn which my days run,Sunrise and sunset,Until my end,

Magnificent the web of meaningHe has spun to tell our story.

He has crafted our livesAs gifts to Him,Rushing in rivers of significanceDown to the ocean of His love,

Sweet our journeying dreamsDown days of measured moons and sunsAnd poetry of gilded lightCut in thickness like cake,

Sculpted into CreationBy his loving, sensitive hand.

I am glad my Master has called meTo his castle sublime,His round table,

And I may liveWhat most know only in legends.

And I am glad I responded,For He once planted a resilient seedIn the soil of my heart,Which will not be satisfied till it has blossomedAnd earned a place in Love's Garden.

So though I return time and againTo the cities of vacant dreaming,My heart knows a sadness there it cannot quench.

City of Love, May I never leave you.Heart, may I always beCupbearer to the Beloved,Whose chalice, sacred, concealed,Pours forth love upon all.

City of Love, in your precinctsMay I serve my rounds,Until he callsFor the drink that unites us.

6Max Rei!1983

15%

30%

15%20%

India Hotel InformationThere are three hotels in Bombay that are

willing to extend discounts on their room rates toBaba lovers.

AMBCSC Bulletin BoardBABA ASHRAM in AHMEDNAGAR, to beeligible for the above discounts.

The approximate cost of a double room withthe discount is: CENTAUR & LEELA -- U.S.$90; RITZ -- U.S. $60

Advanced reservations are usually necessaryfor the Ritz Hotel at the following address:

Ritz Hotel5 Jamshedji Tata RoadOpposite Chuchgate Station

Bombay 400 020

Thank you, David Fenster, for this informa­tion.

LEELA HOTEL, Bombay AirportCENTAUR HOTEL, Bombay Airport(not applicable to suites)CENTAUR HOTEL, Juhu Beach(applicable to suites)RITZ HOTEL, central Bombay(10% if paying by credit card)

Identify yourself when checking in or writingfor reservations as a member of the MEHER

continued next page

ManhoodI am a foundling.My Beloved has raised meFrom a child to a man.

Now the mysteries of manhoodLife before me.

He has crafted the LightIn which my days run,Sunrise and sunset,Until my end,

Magnificent the web of meaningHe has spun to tell our story.

He has crafted our livesAs gifts to Him,Rushing in rivers of significanceDown to the ocean of His love,

Sweet our journeying dreamsDown days of measured moons and sunsAnd poetry of gilded lightCut in thickness like cake,

Sculpted into CreationBy his loving, sensitive hand.

I am glad my Master has called meTo his castle sublime,His round table,

And I may liveWhat most know only in legends.

And I am glad I responded,For He once planted a resilient seedIn the soil of my heart,Which will not be satisfied till it has blossomedAnd earned a place in Love's Garden.

So though I return time and againTo the cities of vacant dreaming,My heart knows a sadness there it cannot quenCh.

City of Love, May I never leave you.Heart, may I always beCupbearer to the Beloved,Whose chalice, sacred, concealed,Pours forth love upon all.

City of Love, in your precinctsMay I serve my rounds,Until he callsFor the drink that unites us.

6Max Reif1983

Welcome to My World.Shawdi (happiness) was born on September

15th to Golnaz and Manouchehr Manouchehr­pour. Their first child, she was 7lbs. 70zs. at birth.Portland friends Bart Spiller and Dale Draegerare the proud parents of a girl, Margot Ella. Shewas born on August 14th 1990.Congratulations!

Deepest condolencesto the family and friends of Baman Mahler.

Daman passed away September 22nd. Condolen­ces also to Jacko Caraco whose father also passedaway recently. Baba's love and strength to all.

Thanksgiving BasketsA warm 11IANK YOU from the Service

Committee to everyone in Southern Californiawho contributed toward the Thanksgiving Basketsfor families in need! We were able to provide com­plete turkey dinners, plus a few extra food items,to 28 families! The two remaining baskets weredelivered directly to families whose needs werebrought to our attention.

A special "thank you" goes to all of the volun­teers who did the planning, shopping, packing, anddelivering: Teri Adams, Sarah Dwyer, Lois Jones,Diane LaFleur, Lynn Maguire, Nancy Merwan,Marguerite Poley, Rocky Rodgers, John Stout,Patty Stout, Harry Thomas, Cathy Thornburn,Kathy Williams, and Richard Winston.

Our grateful appreciation and thanks to thepeople who donated the following raffle prizes:Karen Blackmore for the Massage in Malibu; Bar­bara McReynolds, Lunch-for-Two at the BorderGrill; Lois Jones, Lunch-for-Two at theCheesecake Factory; and Roman Babiak for his"spur-of-the-moment" donation on the night ofthe Raffle Drawing, of the "Vocalizer" electronicmusical instrument.

Thank you to Dina Franklin and the L.A.Center's Bookstore for donating first prize, a copyofLove Personified.

Congratulations to the raffle prize winners:Larry Fletcher, Love Personified; MargueritePoley, Massage in Malibu; Marco Swearingin,Lunch-for-Two at the Border Grill; Donna Bayet,Lunch-for-Two at the Cheesecake Factory; andSam Ervin, Vocalizer.

A thank you to Lynn Maguire for her dona-

tion of precious bangles once worn by ourBeloved's Mehera. The bangles were among thedoor prizes won by individuals who were presenton the night of the drawing. We thank DinaFranklin for the many "Don't Worry Be Happy"bumper stickers donated as door prizes by ourBookstore. There was no charge for the doorprize tickets.

The raffle drawing was held Saturday,November 24, 1990, at the L.A. Center.

Prospectus for a Meher Baba "UnionFor New Psychology"

(to clients, professionals, "alumni'~ and anyother interested parties)

As lovers of Avatar Meher Baba, we are allconnected with a Divinizing process that includesdeep states of spiritual unity, as well as states of ex­perienced separateness that can be equally poig­nant in their own way.

We are also, like it or not, part of a "learninggeneration" 1 through which the Avatar is leadinghumankind from Reason to Intuition.

In this connection, Meher Baba told a friendof mine, whom He instructed in 1959 to go intothe profession of psychology. "But it has to be'New Psychology''', Baba said, "because the oldpsychology doesn't work."

It seems to me that "New Psychology", whileincluding the client-therapist relationship, can andmust develop other dimensions as well. The "12­Step" and "Self-Help" movements in the world areevidences of this, certainly.

I perceive a potential interest group in Baba's"New Psychology" among His lovers. This wouldbe a support group that could initially take theform of a "phone-and-pen-pal network" to do asmuch as can be done to lessen the impact, shock,and shame of the considerable number of soulswho at anyone time are opening to Baba andtheir own deeper "good" and "bad" aspects withvirtually no external support.

"Tell it to your therapist" often does not suf­fice any longer to fill the need of people who maybe dealing with extremely agonizing matters in,seemingly, a totally heartless world, and who needall the support they can get.

continued on page 9 7

CalendarAll events, unless otherwise noted, are at the

Center, 10808 Santa Monica Boulevard,Los Angeles, (213)474-9454. Hyou have

ideas or requests for future programs, please con­tact John Stout at (818) 888-6330.

All are invited to share at the Saturday nightmeetings. Hyou have music or other art topresent, or ideas to share, please contact the coor­dinator listed for each meeting. Your participa­tion is desired!

JANUARY EVENTSJanuary 5, Saturday,FARSI LANGUAGE MEETING. Study of MeherBaba's Discourses, in Farsi. Prayers and ani atthe end of the meeting. All are welcome! Coor­dinated by Dr. Mahmoud Ajang.

January 5, Saturday, 8pm. A NIGHT OF BABAMUSIC. Relax and enjoy an evening of music withlocal artists. Coordinated by Richard Stermer andKen Stermer.

AREA MEETINGSThere are area group meetings in Orange County,and in Pasadena. For meetings in Orange County,call Shirley Kelley at (714) 548-2072. In Pasadena,call Diana Goodheart at (818) 791-1078.

Santa Barbara Baba GroupThe Santa Barbara Meher Baba group meetsevery other Friday. For meeting times and loca­tions call Donna Bayet at (805) 682-1877, or LeslieTejada at (805) 967-4796.

San Diego Baba GroupThe San Diego Meher Baba group meets monthly.For meeting times and locations, call Scott orAnne Makeig, (619) 481-2941.

Portland Baba GroupThe Portland group meets every Friday night, Dis­course meetingsevery other Sunday afternoon, anda meeting every month at the Wilson's house inScotts Mill.

January 12, Saturday, 8pm. GUTTA NIGHT.Service to others is the rent we pay for a room onEarth. Come and share how "you pay the rent" inyour own life. Coordinated by Fred Stankus.

January 19, Saturday, 6pm. FARSI LANGUAGEMEETING. Study of Meher Baba's Discourses, inFarsi. Prayers and ani at the end of the meeting.All are welcome! Coordinated by Dr. MahmoudAjang.

January 19, Saturday, 8pm. MOVIE NIGHT.Tonight's presentation is "Meher Baba's Call".Coordinated by Charlie Morton.

January 26, Saturday, 8pm. ANNUALGENERAL MEETING. Tonight we elect a newboard of directors for 1991. Also, reports on allcenter activities for 1990 will be presented. All arewelcome to attend this meeting, but you must bea member to vote. Questions? Please contactAdele Wolkin.

January 30, Wednesday, 8pm. AMARTITHINIGHT. Welcome one and all to commemoratebeloved Meher Baba's release from His Divinephysical form on January, 31,1969. Refreshmentsand long-stemmed flowers appreciated. Silentmeditation will be held from 10:30 to 10:45. Loca­tion to be Announced. Coordinated by Lois Jonesand Nasreem Ajang.

FEBRUARY EVENTSFebruary 2, Saturday, 6pm. FARSI LANGUAGEMEETING. Study of Meher Baba's Discourses, inFarsi. Prayers and arti at the end of the meeting.All are welcome! Coordinated by Dr. MahmoudAjang.

February 2, Saturday, 8pm. LEARN YOURARTIES. Through sing-along and tapes, yourhost, Dina Franklin, will guide us through an eve­ning of learning the arties that are presently sungat Meherabad, India.

February 9, Saturday, 8pm. MAKE A VALEN­TINE FOR BABA. Come, share your best heartquality stories, and bring any valentine makingmaterials you like. Coordinated by GeorgeneTarbox.

February 16, Saturday, 6pm. FARSI LAN­GUAGE MEETING. Study of Meher Baba's Dis­courses, in Farsi. Prayers and arti at the end ofthe meeting. All are welcome! Coordinated byDr. Mahmoud Ajang.

February 16, Saturday, 8pm. LORDMEHER. Tonight we share some highlights fromVolumes 1 through 5 of Lord Meher, written byBhau Kalchuri. Come to listen, or come to sharefrom this extraordinary work. Coordinated byJohn and Patty Stout.

February 23, Saturday, 8pm. MOVIE NIGHT.Tonight's presentation: "The Human Side ofGod". The first half will be shown with theaudience-option to continue with the second half.Coordinated by Charlie Morton. Full length timeis one and one-half hours.

February 24, Sunday, 2pm to Spm. HAPPyBIRTHDAY, MEHER BADA! Meher Baba's 97thBirthday Celebration. A festive afternoon ofmusic, poetry, films of our Beloved, and birthdaycake. Meeting location to be announced. NOTE:February 24th 2-5pm = February 25th 3:30­6:30am in India. Coordinated by John Stout.

MARCH EVENTSMarch 2, Saturday, 6pm. FARSI LANGUAGEMEETING. Study of Meher Baba's Discourses, inFarsi. Prayers and arti at the end of the meeting.All are welcome! Coordinated by Dr. MahmoudAjang.

Bulletin Board continued from page 7

Some of the agony of penetrating one's men­tal/emotional strata may be unavoidable. But asthere are more of us, over time, who have dealtwith many of our own crucial issues, and are notso fearful of seeing what is underneath others'veneers, perhaps we can lessen some suffering,and even prevent some suicides.

This would be based on the extent to whichwe are able to live Baba's New Life and open ourlives and hearts to others. It would be a free "ser­vice", a loose network of brother/sisterhood where

March 2, Saturday, 8pm. "POETRY IN ABAT." Tonight we share poetry by a random pickfrom "The Hat". Share in the surprise or bringyour own to add to the evening's focus on poetryand the Beloved. Coordinated by Dina Franklin.

March 9, Saturday, 8pm. A SINGING TO THEETERNAL BELOVED. Francis Brabazon's lastbirthday gift to Baba. Raine Eastman, guest coor­dinator and singer, will share rare unpublishedmaterial of Francis Brabazon.

March 16, Saturday, 6pm. FARSI LANGUAGEMEETING. Study of Meher Baba's Discourses, inFarsi. Prayers and arti at the end of the meeting.All are welcome! Coordinated by Dr. MahmoudAjang.

March 16, Saturday, 8pm. MANDALI HALLNIGHT. Capture the feeling of Mandali Hall.Share you favorite stories or readings. Wear cloth­ing suitable for floor sitting. Chai served at7:30pm. Coordinated by John and Patty Stout.

March 23, Saturday, 8pm. SPECIAL GUESTS!RUSTOM AND SORAB IRANI, FROM INDIA!This is an evening that you will not want to miss.Baba's "twins" were here as Sahavas guests notlong ago and have once again come to share theirmusic and stories. Coordinated by John Stout.

March 30, Saturday, 8pm. MOVIENIGHT. Open night for audience -pick of themovie. Readings before the movie are welcome.Coordinated by Charlie Morton.

those who share deeply may never even meet face­to-face...

n you are interested in enlisting your listen­ing ear and compassionate heart for this project,please drop me a line, including your phone num­ber and address. Ifyou would like to lend addi­tional help, if needed, please indicate.

In His Love,Max Reif65 Royal Drive, #222Piscataway, NJ 08854

1 See Listen! The New Humanity by Don Stevens, p. 559

At the BookstoreI am writing this at 37,000 feet above the

Pacific, not wishing to think about reentering thework-a-day rat race in L.A after three blissfulweeks in India. Since leaving the Bombay airport,I have had my walkman on playing Meher Chalisaover and over. It is a tape of eight beautiful poemsto our Beloved written by the late Karshav BabuNigam of Hamirpur, set to music and sung by Dr.Jayant Karandikar ($6.95). It takes me back toArti at the Samadhi -- the sun rising, setting thebougainvillaea on fire and washing the old watertower (now freshly painted with soft pastel colors);the sound of a multitude of voices saying the threeprayers and singing ani, as one by one we enterthe tomb to have a silent moment alone with ourLord. Meanwhile, each Lover, feeling so moved,sings their song right from the heart. Oh, but it is

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hard to leave. I saw so many familiar faces there itwas like old home week.

Speaking of old home, I ran into John andPatty Stout. They were fortunate to spend threemonths at the Pilgrim Center. John had with himsome superb taping equipment, and tells me herecorded scores of lovers singing their song to theBeloved at the Samadhi. He hOpes to edit the 36hours down to about six of great music for release.

Meherabad looked so different from the wayit was when I was last there in July of 1987, thelucky recipient of the L.A Center's Sahavassweepstakes. The free hospital and dispensary isup and running, the work on the hostels has beencompleted, and the new auditorium (beside thehostels) is breathtaking. It will hold 400 to 500people for performances at Amartithi and Baba'sbirthday. It will have the latest in high tech light­ing, projecting, and sound equipment. When Isaw the huge stage I exclaimed "You could playAida here!" "Never mindAida" retorted JohnConnor, "how about a dozen qaawwali groups?"Ted Judson is not only a great and heart warmingsinger, but a wonderful arChitect, having designedthe Pilgrim Center and all the new buildings onthe property. Bhau tells me they have the landand the plans -- everything now waits on the lovedonations from us. When the donations come in,a high school and then a university will be built.

Since Meher Baba came to awaken the lovein our hearts, it shouldn't come as a surprise tosee so many Westerners who have given up theirnative countries to spend their whole lives in ser­vice to Him and His disciples. Too many beautifulpeople to mention labor long and hard to makeour Pilgrim Center a truly heart expanding, mindopening, and soul touching experience. ButHeather, Janet, Irene, Pat, Devana, Janaki andUte stand out -- not to mention Roger's wonder­ful cooking. (I had hoped to drop five poundswhile there -- fat chance!)

I was very gratified to see that you all havebeen heeding the message about the great impor­tance of the just re-released Stay With God. Notonly did Love Street Lamp Post give it two pages,the Australian magazine devoted their entire edi­tion to it. I have sold out of my original order andhave just reordered three dozen more hard

bound ($17.95, paperback is $12.95). For those ofyou who missed hearing about this most beautifulof Francis Brabazon's work, let me quote Manifrom her Oct. 16, 1959 Family Letters (which is initself a lovely book to have, recounting day-to-dayhappenings in the life of Meher Baba - $8.95):"...what Baba said in his cable to those concernedin Australia, speaks more for the book than anydescription I can give. He said 'Stay With God hascome to stay, and My Love to all those whohelped make it the perfect book that it is.' Weknow that Baba wants this book to spread notonly among Baba lovers -- He wishes each familyto own at least one copy! -- but as widely as pos­sible among the general public. Naturally Hislovers will be doing all they can to help make thispossible. One of the ways we can do this, I feel, isto take advantage of the coming Christmas andNew Year when it would make a splendid gift forspecial friends, regardless of whether or not theyknow Baba."

For those of you who are not able to travel toMeherabad, I have brought more than a little of itback with me. For those of you familiar with thewonderful goodies in Joy Meher, the books ofMeher Nazar, the photos from Meelan Studiosand the books and buttons from Ramakrishna atthe Poona Center -- well, now it's all here at theL.A Center. For admirers of Charlie Mills' mag­nificent portraits of Baba, we have a few of the8x10 and 5x7 beautifully made wooden-backed­laminated-stand-up photos. Call for discriptions.Also, we have many wonderful portraits ofMehera in the large format just mentioned and in2"x3" colorful metal frames. As I stayed in Dehlifor a night, I was also able to get just one dozenmore of the tapes of Kusim and Mohkam Singhs($8.95), so popular at the '89 Sahavas.

Don't forget our tape collection is growingrapidly. To add to our latest from Cindy Lowe,Jamie Newell, and Gabriella Tal, ("The Lord andthe Lady"), is a new one from Jim Meyer entitled"Journey of the Heart". It contains 14 songs andnearly one hour of original music. It is a collectionof old favorites and new songs, featuring composi­tions by Hafiz, Rumi, Meher Baba, MalcolmSchloss, Bhau Kalchuri, Pete Townsend, & JimMeyer ($10.00).

Wonderful news -- all those video tapes pre­viously priced at $40 or more, have been reducedby 50%! Now is the time to get those titles you'vebeen wanting.

Martha Williamshas spent over 70 hours re­storing and painting The beautiful full-Iengh 1939photo of Meher Baba that appears on the cover ofJamie Newell's new tape. We have a truly beautiful8xl0 for $35 and a 5x7for just $15.

See you at the Bookstore! -- Dina Franklin

REVIEW"Beholden to Him": An intimate inter­view with Eruch

"Beholden to Him" is a phrase Eruch usesseveral times during this 52-minute video inter­view to describe his relationship to Meher Baba.Since the term "beholden" is not one very much inuse in our contemporary American vocabulary, Ihad to look it up. It means "being under obligationfor a favor or gift; indebted."

When Eruch uses it, the term takes on a sig­nificance well beyond its Webster's definition. Heconveys the sense that there is no limit to his debt;even that there is no thought of wishing for an endto it, other than in union with the Beloved. His in­debtedness is so complete that his very life is nolonger his own.

The tape represents, literally, a visit withEruch in Mandali Hall. Eruch sits in his familiarposition by the window. Gary Kleiner, Eruch's in­terviewer, does an excellent job in his role, givingvoice to the sort of questions you or I might wishto, if we were there. When he and Eruch findthemselves discussing the topic of whether it ishelpful to try to visualize Baba's physical presence,Gary protests, "But sometimes it seems like somuch a game of the imagination, and that we arekidding ourselves."

Eruch's reply: "It is! You have to begin by kid­ding yourselt1 There is no way out of it. Live a lifeas if he were physically present. It is the most sig­nificant kidding, and leads us to Him."

At another point, when asked to discuss whathis love for Baba is like, Eruch demurs. "I cannotspeak about Love," he says, "because anything Ispeak about it will be blasphemous. I am simply

continued on page 15 11

For Love of Daman

12

I WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW HOWPROUD I WAS OF MY SON, AND ESPE­CIALLY on the last day of his life. It was sevenyears ago that Daman came to live with me, andhe came because he was at an age and a stagewhen he needed a father's strong hand. Whateverelse I've done, or will do, in this life, I know themost important and most difficult task I've beengiven was to wrestle that sweet but stubborn andwild child into a man. And believe me, it was awrestling match. We went to the mat almost daily.What's more, it was a struggle whose outcome Iwas never confident of until that last day or so.Some kids you don't worry too much about.Daman's sister, Amber, God bless her, is one ofthem. But Daman, you worried about. More thanthat, I was genuinely afraid for him, a visceral, gut­grabbing fear that he would never find his center,never be happy and at peace with himself. Im­agine, then, and feel with me, the intermingling ofsurprise, immense satisfaction, relief, and joy I ex­perienced on seeing that, so close to me that Ihadn't seen it coming, my son had become afocused, considerate, caring young man.

I can see now how fortunate I am -- perhapsblessed is a better word -- for the unfolding ofevents that let me see Daman in a new light, andwith new eyes, just before he was taken from us.Of these events, two were critical. Amber was leav­ing for her freshman year at college -- in fact sheand I left the day before Daman died -- and hewanted to draw closer to her before letting her go.It put him in a reflective mood, and he had longtalks with Amber, with me, with his roommateMer, and his stepbrother Josh that I think clarifiedhis feelings and ambitions not only for us, but forhimself as well. The other critical event was that,just a week before he died, Daman moved into hisown apartment for the first time.

Of the small events that transpired as part ofthese two larger themes, I remember most a fewthat by themselves were trivial, or even silly, butthey meant everything to me, and I want to sharethem with you. The night before we left for SantaCruz, Amber and I had dinner with Daman andMer at Carlos and Pepe's in Santa Monica, which

for Daman was definitely a place to see and beseen. I won't have to remind his friends how im­portant it was for Daman to feel he was cutting afine figure. He was looking sharp, in a dress shirtand tie. On other occasions I can remember himtelling me things like, "Dad, this tie costs morethan anything in your wardrobe" and I'd say,"That's probably true, Daman, but is that good orbad? The tie also probably cast more than youhave in your band account, so you really can't af­ford it right now, can you?" This time, though, hesaid something like, "By the way, Dad, I boughtthis Shirt for $4 at a thrift store, and this tie for $3.And guess where we went grocery shopping?Bend over, I have to whisper this," and hewhispered, "Pic 'N Save. Now don't repeat that."Well, Daman, I don't think it will hurt to repeat itnow. But then, as if to make sure we knew thiswas still Daman we were dealing with, he tossedhis tie over first one shoulder, then the other, andasked, "Dad, when you're at a business dinner anddon't want to spill food on your expensive tie,which shoulder do you place it over?" Of course itwas an entirely rhetorical question, since he knewI'd arranged my life to avoid things like ties andbusiness dinners, so he was just showing off. Infact, for all I know, he was making it all up. "Now Iam left-handed," he said, reaching for his wilterglass, "therefore I place my tie over my rightshoulder, so as not to displace it when I lift mybeverage, and unfavorably impress my clients." Hewas serious about this -- but wasn't that typicallyDaman?

During dinner he said to me, "Dad, I'm look­ing for someone to love", which was news to me,but I began to believe him when he followed itwith, "But what about you, Dad? You need some­one to love too. Dad, you'd better start going tolots of races. The person you're going to lovemight be in Connecticut now." As that sank in, Igradually realized that if my son was starting toworry about me now, maybe I could begin worry­ing less about

After dinner, Daman took me to see his newplace, and I was struck by two things. As an ex­scientist, I've always been bothered by the way

people throw around the word,"unbelievable",which I always felt should be reserved for thingslike claims for perpetual motion machines. Evenso I can say that for me the sheer neatness ofDaman's room truly bordered on the unbeliev­able. Every piece of clothing hung up or in adrawer, the shoes lined up in pairs in the closet,and the books on shelves. Understand that travers­ing Daman's room at home to, say get to a ringingphone in a hurry, had been only slightly less haz­ardous than crossing a mine field. This was a kidwho, leaving home in a hurry, had dozens of timesasked in a panic, "Where are my keys?", each timetriggering as if by reflex a lecture from me to,"Damn it, Daman, put them in the same placecvery time, and this won't happen." Now hepointed to the wall and just said, "Look, Dad".There on a hook by the door sat his key ring.

Besides the mind-boggling neatness, younoticed how little the room contained. ButDaman reassured me, "I have everything I need tobe a success. I have this fine body (Thank you,Dad), and I have my charisma. What else do Ineed?" Typically Daman, never hesitating to over­state his case, whether it was warranted or not,and never dreaming that the body he was soproud of would fail him little more than 24 hourslater.

After he died, I looked with new under­standing at his still-messy room in my apartment.There were his comic books, computer games,even his scuba gear, all the trappings of childhood.I realized then that he had lift that childhood be­hind with me.

Yes, we're going to miss him. Some of us willnever, ever forget you, Daman. But let's be happyfor him, too, for what he learned and achieved,and most of all for the friendship and love he gotfrom us. And let each of us who knew Damanrejoice in the friendship and love got from him.God bless you all.

-- Michael Thomas Mahler

forDaman Mi{;hael Mahler

January 14,1970 - September 22,1990

GhazalWCopyright 1989 by Michael Childsfrom '~nAlphabetofGhazals"

In all these poems from my heart,I have disgorged the pain that

has lain like lead within me,like the ballast in a little ship,

ploughing through the ocean waves,to seek your Face, the Pearl of Love.

What does it matter what people say,when all I seek is You?

What explanations can I give for my deeds,as I plumb your depths and see nothing butmy pettiness?

If I release the ballast will I not capsize anddie?Michael asks you, Lord, What do youwish of me?

"In the world of Man, stay afloat,but in my Ocean, drown!"

The AMBCSC from page 5

VICE FUND and it will be held specifically forthis effort. The President, Vice-President andTreasurer will coordinate this fund confidentially.

January is the time we begin to plan the newyear. The Annual Budget is yet to be formed andthe new Board hasn't been installed. This is a goodtime for you to let us know how you feel about allthe work being planned. If you would like to workon a committee or project or just share ideasplease write to the Center or contact the Presidentof the Board, Lois Jones.

We welcome opinions and suggestions fromeveryone. Your input is vitally important to the.functioning of our Center. Also, and we hope thiSgoes without saying, all are welcome at the AvatarMeher Baba Center of Southern California. Wehope to see you here! 13

XXV REASONS WHY I LOVE YOUTo Meher Baba

I LOVE YOU: because..•

YOU love me;

YOU created me, and are creating me still;

YOU, knowing the worst of me, believe in thebest;

YOU are pure Loving-Kindness;

YOU are supreme Beauty ... the Loveliest Thingin the Universe;

YOU are Purity itself, and can only Purify;

YOU are Free and I am Bound, and this gives mehope;

YOU are my Own True Self, the Real Oneamong all the false;

YOU are Humor, Gaiety, and Light-heartedCheer, though you bear all the Suffering of theWorld;

YOU are my True Beloved, the One I have beenseeking in all others;

YOU are God's Form on earth; His Silent Wordof Love made Flesh;

YOU are God's Fire of Love that Consumes all14 my dross;

YOU are the Water of Forgiveness poured on myThirsty Heart;

YOU are the Rock in the Sea of Maya and I maycling to You;

YOU are the very Breath of my Breath and gowith me everywhere;

YOU are my Heart's companion and Life wouldbe unbearable without You;

YOU are the Divine Friend Who never lets medown;

YOU are the Song of Life and I hear You ineverything;

YOU are the Light and without You, all is Dark­ness;

YOU are the Perfect Knowledge perfectly used;

YOU are the little Child that will born in me;

YOU are my Real Father, guarding and guidingmy Path;

YOU are my Real Mother and You nourish meon Your Heart's Love;

YOU are the Divine Link between God and man,and You come down again and again to bring usback to Him;

YOU are Love, nothing but Love, and for ThatLove, the whole Creation Exists.

Phyllis -- Christmas 1952*"Saba later spelled out Phyllis Frederick's name on thealphabet board as "Filis" which she then began to use.

Ifman wants the happiness he is strivingfor,Iel him be more aggressive towards himselfand

more tolerant towards others. This is no weakness orcowardice--iI is the real strength ofthe brave. And if

man wants to live eternaUy in bliss, let him live forGod and be dead to his self. --MEHER BABA

Public NoticeOctober 22, 1990

Bhau KalchuriAvatar Meher Baba TrustAhmednagar, IndiaM.S.

Dear Mr. Kalchuri,

I am writing to inform you that you and Mr.John Connor will soon be subpoenaed to appearat the Avatar Meher Baba Center of SouthernCalifornia. A terrible crime has been committedand you, Mr. Kalchuri, are the prime suspect.

Subsequent to your departure from Los An­geles International Airport this past August, manyof the Center's members got a shock; we dis­covered that hundreds of thousands of oursanskaras were missing.

When a thorough search failed to locate thesanskaras, a massive investigation was launched.We interrogated every possible local suspect butcame away empty-handed. (I personallysuspected Will David since he's always got somany sanskaras lying about when I visit but,remarkably, tests showed they were all his.)

Consequently, we must assume that you, Mr.Kalchuri, and your sidekick, Mr. Connor, are theculprits. And we will stop at nothing to see thatyou appear before us and answer the charges inperson.

This is a matter of the utmost importance.I need not remind you that sanskaras take manyyears, sometimes lifetimes, to accumulate and,once lost, are often irreplaceable.

Now I can just hear you saying, "But it's good

Beholden from page 11

beholden to Him."Like other tapes of Eruch and the other man­

dali, many of which lay in archives awaiting theirtime, this tape is a treasure, and will become moreof a treasure in the days and years to come. Evenfor now, it is about as much of a visit to India asone can put in a box. With a little creative self-kid­ding, you can be there in Mandali hall.

--Greg Dunn

to lose sanskaras, for that brings one closer toone's real selfl" That may be in some cases, sir,and perhaps this would be a note of thanks hadwe lost only those sanskaras pertaining to lust,greed, and the consumption of fried foods andcheap mystery novels. But in this case many of usseem to have been robbed of those sanskaras re­quired to make a decent living. Unemploymentamong the L.A Baba Lovers is at an alltime highand the blame can only be laid at the feet of oneman. Oh sure, you're going to say it's Baba'sgrace and that financial stress is a blessing, but I,for one, do not believe it for a second, Mr. Kal­churi.

Return the sanskaras you took or you will beprosecuted to the full extent of the law! Anddon't suppose you can fool us with some explana­tion of how you don't have them because theywere all burned up. We've heard the rumors flit­ting about the Pilgrim Center like mosquitoes; theword is that you and Mr. Connor keep thesanskaras in a wooden box there at the Trust com­pound where every Wednesday night, after yourtalk at the Pilgrim Center, you merrily thumbthrough them for a laugh.

We need those sanskaras sir. Lives are inthe balance. Credit ratings are at stake. Returnthem now and we will forget this whole tawdry af­fair. Keep them for even one day longer and youwill face dire consequences.

Please let me know your feelings on this mat­ter. Have a nice day.

In His Love,Robert Manonash, Esq.Attorney at Large

From the TrustWe received a personal "thank you" from

Mani for one of our recent Los Angeles Trustdonations. "The love-gift from Baba's L.A angelsis received with love. This Trust receipt (enclosed)carries a 'garland' of greetings to you all, and a spe­cial JAI BABA to dear Dana from Meherazadhearts. Avatar Meher Baba Ki Jai!" --Mani

Please send current love donations to PattyStout, Trustwalla, 1125 Mohawk, Topanga, CA90290. 15

must happen and will happen as the manifestationof the Avatar's work progresses and the way madeclear for the "New Age". Will we be a part of Hiswork during the next twenty years? As the OldWorld order breaks up and the New World orderis initiated, will we be able to remain aware andawake to those hearts that long to be opened upby the Beloved's glance?

Baba has used the phrase "his broken downfurniture" for his spiritual workers and we certain­ly can feel that way sometimes when things be­come difficult and just don't seem to be workingout. On the other hand, what an inspiring state­ment He makes in the"Discourses" when He says"Through the untiring activities of spiritualworkers, humanity shall be initiated into the newlife of abiding peace and dynamic harmony, uncon­querable faith and unfading bliss, immortal sweet­ness and incorruptible purity, creative love and in­finite understanding." Can He be referring to us?Well, perhaps he is when unbeknownst to oursel­ves He is creating the pathways within us for thesequalities to be expressed.

On "The Task for Spiritual Workers" dis­course, Meher Baba speaks of the importance oftime in spiritual work. He says, Spiritual workerscannot afford to ignore the element of time increation. To ignore time would be to ignore the

AVATAR MEHER BABA CENTEROF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA10808 Santa Monica BoulevardLos Angeles, California 90025

ADDRESS CORRECTIONREQUESTED

spiritual work itself. It is imperative to be dis­criminatingly aware of the flow of time in creationand to appreciate fully the supreme importance ofthe moment in the near future which shall witnessthe universal dispensation of the Truth of spiritualwisdom."

In His writings, Meher Baba has describedhow the past creates the present and the presentcreates the future and in fact they are all one inthe same in Reality. It would seem then that thepresent time we find ourselves in, is extremely im­portant. As the old adage goes, "Time is of the es­sence". The "eternal now" in time is that which wehave most of and value the least. It is the onlyfield in which anything can happen as the undulat­ing window of the moment; and it is on theground of the moment that we have the oppor­tunity to serve the Beloved. Our good fortune toserve Him lies here or nowhere. We must remainawake to receive the fruits of His visitation and beready to seize them through our awareness oftheir value. Let us realize how precious time isand make the effort to share His Love withfriends and strangers and keep our hearts open.Let us hope that an inspiration will come to eachlover of the Beloved as to how we can serve himand in some small way share in His Work.

Non-Profit Organization

U.S. Postage

PA 10Redondo Beach, CA

Permit No. 196

DATED MATERIALPLEASE EXPEDITE

AVATAR MEHER BABA CENTER OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIANEWSLETTER & CALENDAR FOR SPRING 1991

Meher Baba and the Meaning of SilenceBy Carl Ernst

Carl Ernst is a Professor ofReligion at PomonaCollege in Pomona, California, with afocus on Is­lamic studies. He first published the followingarticle in the journal "Initiations", from Brussels(in Frend1) in a special issue on silence.

The tension between word and silence hasperhaps never been so forcefully articulated asin the work of Meher Baba (1894-1969), thegreat mystical leader of India.1 On July 10,1925, he ceased speaking. Initially, the silencewas to last for a year. But the silence extendedand continued, so that silence became a con­stant presence surrounding him even in themost active phases of his life. When he passedaway nearly forty-four years later, the silenceremained physically unbroken.

This silence was from the beginning natu­ral, in the sense that communication was nevera difficulty. Meher Baba used an alphabetboard until 1954, rapidly spelling out wordsand phrases with a dexterity that made it seemeasy. His powerful presence made a direct in­tuitive impression on those around him, so thateven after discarding the alphabet board, hisown unique gestures, interpreted aloud by adisciple, were so easily understood that visitorsmight not even notice that the never spoke aword.

Far from being an impediment, silencewas with Meher Baba an index of the primor­dial state of the absolute divinity. As the

fundamental basis of reality, that unadornedprimeval silence created at once the most inti­mate and most obvious relationship; althoughmany words were used in his work, no wordintruded between him and anyone else."Things of real value are given and received insilence," he is quoted as saying. Speech hov­ered alongside, but his inner nature was silence.

Many written words are associated withhis teachings. His Discourses were publishedthree times, in versions by different editors.2

Written in the form of brief essays on spiritual,ethical, and metaphysical topics, they elo­quently and directly convey his teachings. Hismajor written work, paradoxically entitled GodSpeaks, is a complex treatise on metaphysicsand the states of God.3 It is cIear that he tookgreat pains over the silent dictation of thesewritings, in some cases spelling out preciselythe words to be used. Yet in all the communi­cations that have reached us from Meher Baba,the words have come through the intermediaryof some other person. In this way there will al­ways remain a gulf between his silence and thewords that have appeared as a testimony tohim. It will therefore be understood that whenusing the expression" "Meher Baba said," wehave in mind this form of mediated expression.

The silence of Meher Baba was notpenance for himself, but was the implicit com­munication of self to self, prior to the creation

of difference. As a simple illustration. he onceasked his disciples if they knew why peopleshout when they are angry. The reason, he ex­plained, is that when you are angry, you feelthat a great distance has come between youand the other person. You shout to overcomethat distance that has separated you. Friends,on the other hand, speak easily and gentlywith one another. Lovers are even closer; solittle separates them that only the softest whis­pers are needed. Even a glance or a fleetingexpression communications worlds of meaningbetween lovers. I am that close to you, saidMeher Baba. I am one with you, he said, and Ido not need words, for there is no difference toseparate us.

The experience he described as the attain­ment of his consciousness was that of unitywith God. That, in itself, is not so surprising.

DRAWING BY ROCKY RODGERS

The remarkable thing is his assertion that he isa manifestation of the Avatar, the unique spiritof guidance that reappears to humanity in dif­ferent guises over the millennia: as Zara­thustra, the Buddha, RaIna, Krishna, Jesus, Mu­hammad. God, in the beyond-beyond state ofbeginningless beginning, of absolute infiniteunconsciousness, created the first word in ask­ing the question, "Who am I?" The answer tothis question has been the created universe,with innumerable drop-souls successively pro­viding false answers to the question, saying "Iam this," "I am that." At last one individualsoul burst through the veil of ego and illusion,and proclaimed, "I am God." The first soul toattain this God-realization became the Avatar,and has an eternal role as the awakener of hu­manity from self-imposed illusion. MeherBaba is very explicit on the subject -- he says heis not a saint, a wali, a maiUlpurush, or a ma­hatma. He must be taken as either an ordinaryman or as the Highest of the High.

Silence, even if it is the most appropriateway to convey the primordial state of God, ex­ists always in expectation of speech. There isan attitude of waiting, in which a pure dura­tion unstained by form or quality strainstoward the incarnation of a word. From the be­ginning, Meher Baba's silence was meant to bebroken. But how would it be broken? His si­lence was what the poet Francis BrabaZl)ncalled "That same silence he returned to aswas / Before he spoke the word which was hisquestion, "Who am 17"4 Yet just as his silencewas not mute, the breaking of his silencewould not be ordinary speech. He said, "If mysilence does not speak to you, of what usewould it be if I spoke in the language of yourminds? When my speaking will be heard uni­versally, God will make me speak. But thatspeaking will not be speeches of words, but theWord of words which will irresistibly impartto those who are ready the 'I am God' (ana al­haqq or aham brahmasmi) state."s Time and againMeher Baba emphasized that the breaking ofhis silence would be an event the effect ofwhich was proportional to the absoluteness ofthe silence itself. It would be the first sign of amajor transformation of consciousness in all

who are prepared.In practice the silence of Meher Baba was

continually on the point of being broken. Forthose who participated secondarily in that si­lence, there was always an apocalyptic tensioncreated by the constantly receding horizon ofthe expected word. Again and again he pre­dicted that his silence would definitely bebroken by such and such a date. These predic­tions did not literally come true. The mostunusual of these situations occurred duringMeher Baba's first visit to America, when heannounced that he would definitely break hissilence in June, 1932. When his Americandisciples in California introduced him to theleading Hollywood movie actors that year, itbecame known that he was going to break hissilence a little later, in the Hollywood Bowl ofall places; some of his disciples even had spe­cial dresses m.ade for this epochal occasion.But by April of 1933, he had canceled this pro­gram. He remarked with some amusement,

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"Did you think I would speak on a definitedate in a large hall before a crowd of people? Iwent into Silence without giving warning and Iwill speak in the same way - who knowswhen? But when I speak the whole world willknow and realize who I am!"6 But this scene ofsuspense was to be repeated many timesthroughout the following decades.

Why was the breaking of Meher Baba's si­lence continually announced and postponed inthis way? Leaving aside the question of his in­ternal"work," which remains unaccessible, theoutward formulations in messages circulatedamong his disciples suggest the significance ofthese postponements for them. This was pri­marily expressed in terms of their attaining acomplete inner concentration on him, which hetermed "holding on to my daaman" (meaningthe hem of his shirt). In 1960, one of his mes­sages announced, "I want you to know that Iwill definitely break My Silence; and I wantyou to cling to My ,daaman' till the very end,irrespective of whether I speak or not."7 Forthese disciples, their focus on the master wasthe essential thing. They had to be preparedfor the breaking of the silence on the most es­sentiallevel, not waiting for a physical speechbut for the opening of their hearts to receivethe divine word. As Brabazon wrote, "Becausehe is the Silence he is also the Word, / Whichonly in our silence will be heard."8

The silence of Meher Baba bypassed thenormal didactic role of spiritual teaching andbecame itself the mode of pure existence await­ing spiritual transfiguration. The ultimatetension between divine silence and divinespeech is thus conveyed in Meher Baba's "Uni­versal Message";

I have come not to teach but to awaken.Understand therefore that I lay down no precepts•..Because man has been deaf to the principlesand precepts laid down by God in the past, inthis present Avataric Fonn I observe Silence.You have asked for and been given enoughwords - it is now time to live them._ When Ibreak My Silence, the impact of My Love will beuniversal and all life in creation will know, feel,

continued page 4 3

Sing We 9vfeherBy Ward Parks

Far wound the road from Poona'squickening

In dawn's first faint red gleamTo Meherazad where, full day thickeningHe laid aside His dream.Yet by the light His life set flowingIn ever-broadening stream,The lineaments we're now knowingOf truth and love supreme.

CHORUS

The twenty-fifth of FebruaryEighteen ninety-four,God-Meher left One-Ocean where HeRemains forevermore.He wrapped Himself within a coatThat all men would adore,That truth no more should stand remoteAnd wings of Love should soar.

CHORUS

CHORUS:

Then sing we Meher this day bornAs Man upon the earth,To share the rhapsody and thornOf human pain and mirth.His jewel-footprints lives adorn

And fill creation's dearth,Yet only true hearts unforswomCan know His real worth.Then sing we, that our songs this momBe cradles to His birth.

4

SILENCE from page 3

and receive of it. It will help every individual tobreak himself free from his own bondage in hisown way. I am the Divine Beloved who loves youmore than you can ever love yourself. The break­ing of My Silence will help you to help yourself inknowing your real Self.9

Meher Baba's silence was physically unbro­ken. But it remains as a compelling spiritualpresence that promises a divine word to an­swer the ultimate question, of who we reallyare.

On the life of Meher Baba (born Merwan ShahriyarIrani, to a Zoroastrian family in Pune, India), see C. B.Purdom. The God-Man (London, 1964; Myrtle Beach,S.C., 1975), covering the period up to 1962.

2 The Discourses were originally published in the MeherBaba Journals (1938-42), and reprinted as Discourses,Myrtle Beach, S. C., 1975); Discourses, 3 vols., ed. Ivyo. Duce and Don Stevens (San Francisco, 1967).

3 God Speaks: The Theme ofCreation and Its Purpose(New York, 1955; 2nd ed., New York, 1973).

4 Francis Brabazon, Stay with God: A statement in illu­sion ofReality (Woombye, Queensland, 1959), p.3l.

5 Quoted by Francis Brabazon, "The Silence: The Awak­ener XVIIf2 (1977), p. 9.

6 Kitty Davy, Love Alone Prevails, A story oflife withMeher Baba (Myrtle Beach, S. C.: Sheriar Press, 1981),p. 95, on the authority of Delia de Leon.

7 Letter of June 30, 1960, quoted in Davy, pp. 561-562.

8 Brabazon, "The Silence: p.9. It is to be noled that fol­lowers of Meher Baba commemorate the beginning ofhis silence by keeping silence every July 10.

9 Quoted in Davy, pp. 711-712.

"I am the Highest of the High"Referring to this Photo signed by Beloved Babafor her in the 50's, Baba's sister Mani says:

Beloved Baba's brother Beheram, gentleand artistic by nature, was adept with thecamera and won several prizes in amateurphotographic competitions. Because of his im­mense love for his God-Brother, it was naturalfor Beheram to channel his talent for photogra­phy into taking and making pictures of Babawhenever possible. Working with the barest

equipment and under unimaginable inconven­ience in an airless little room at home, Beheramproduced pictures of much beauty acclaimedby brother-photographers in the Baba-world.Beheram's ambition to occupy himself solelywith Baba-photos was fulfilled in an unex­pected way and carried on to the end of his life.

It was in the early SO's when Baba person-ally directed Beheram to make Hispictures in sizeable numbers, and di­rected me to send them out to His loversin the West. And, Baba said, His partwould be to touch each picture before itwas sent out! He did this without failevery time before a batch was airmailedto the West.

Prior to the Sahavas in 1954, Babatook a big stack of different pictures ofHimself that Beheram had developed inpostcard size, and signed every one ofthem. Before putting His signature, ourbeloved Avatar had me write (for him)under each photograph the words "I amthe Highest of the High"! After sealingthis ancient declaration with His signa­ture Baba gave one picture each to thefew who were with Him at the time,while the rest He put in His pockets andlater gave them out to a number of Hisclose ones. I do not know who all re­ceived them, but the one He gave to meis always in my room. The original writ­ing and signature on it have faded overthe years, but indelible is the memory ofthose timeless moments at the table withBeloved Baba, while I wrote out His dic­tated words "I am the Highest of theHigh" dozens of times on dozens of pic­tures, and He patiently put His signatureon each one - symbolic surely, of His Sig-nature on the many hearts destined to beblessed with the Love of the Highest ofthe High! Avatar Meher Baba ki Jai!

-Mani 5

Rocky Rodgers recentlyfound himselfneeding to updatehis professional resume. Afterstruggling with it for a numberofdays, producing several differ­ent versions, and still not feelingsatisfied, he found himselfaskingthe question, "VVhat would theperfect resume look like?" We'resure you will enjoy the answerthat came to him.

PROFESSIONAL RESUME

MEHER BABA(Merwan s. Irani)

Cj0 AMB Trust OfficeKings Road

Ahmednagar, MaharastraINDIA 414001

OBJECTIVE Continued employment in a Parvardigar position with power infinite andomnipresent responsibilities. Qualifications reflect a mature and wide background in universemanagement.

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY Established a trinity of leadership functions as Chairman of theBoard, Chief Executive Office, and President of the Three Worlds. Included: highest of the highdecisions on all plans, management and operations of mandali, and direct supervision of masts andthe inner circles with expert awakening skills including techniques for creating final manonash.Formerly held full time positions as Zoroaster, Rama, Krishna, Buddha, Jesus, and Mohammed.Expertly adept with Maya management and applied Cosmology.

Capable of making imperceptable and independent decisions. Skilled at being manifest andunmanifest. Fully knowledgeable in the economic manipulation of sanskaras. Adept at performanceevaluations of followers and administration of mind and heart experiences. Reliable, organized, andproductive in coordinating journeys of souls. Continual management of gross, subtle, and mentaldivisions of consciousness.

EDUCATION Ph.D. of Divinity in the Everything and the Nothing, from the Ocean ofKnowledge Institute, majored in Infinite Attributes and Knowledge itself. Seminars in All MercifulBenevolence and a background of unlimited and unfathomable truth with emphasis on the evolutionof consciousness toward realization of Divinity.

Experienced earliest "School of All Knowing" training in the gaseous state through 6th planeawareness, including a PhD. 7th Plane Reality. Possession of in-depth knowledge of suffering andignorance balanced with continuous distribution of compassion..

ACHIEVEMENTS Mastered disciplines of creation, sustaining creation,. and mahapralaya.Authored various discourses and books. Conducted darshans, training and workshops with realisticlife experiences for the multitudes. Ability to forgive anything, and radiate Love at all levels. Expertat initiating cosmic events and knowing everything in advance. Invented psychology, acting, andLife.

MEMBERSHIPS President of the Perfect Masters Society. Honorary titles of Elahi and Yazdanincluding Parameshwar status for attaining fana fillah. Crowned"Ancient One" for achieving"without beginning and without end" awareness. Membership in Club Bliss. Guest of Honor at theAdoration by Saints Organization. Possess the only "I Am" membership in the exclusive AvatarFoundation sometimes known as the Beyond Beyond, Inc.

PERSONAL Happily married with illusion and have many children. Enjoy giving prasad, fasting,cricket, marbles, and other Divine sports, including teasing, mind reading, humor, and universalcompassion. Love spiritual themes and hearing ghazals and music and people saying they love Me.

REFERENCES Excellent references available upon request, including recommendations from the6 spiritually advanced.

AMBCSC Bulletin BoardNew Board OfDirectors

The Annual General Meeting of the Ava­tar Meher Baba Center of Southern Californiawas held on Jan 26, 1991. A new Board of Di­rectors was elected.The following membersmake up the new AMBCSC Board:

John Stout, PresidentSteve Berry, Vice-President/MembershipMarco Swearingen, SecretaryRose Choi, TreasurerFred Stankus, PublicityJeff Maguire, ProgramGeorgine Tarbox, FinanceDr. Mahmoud Ajang. ArchivesRocky Rodgers, ServiceSarah Dwyer was elected to the Board, but

is unable to serve in that capacity this year; shewill, however, serve as the Caretaker of theCenter. In accordance with the Center by­laws, the Board accepted Sarah's resignationand elected Rocky Rodgers to the Board.

Congratulations to the 1991 Board ofDirectors -- and a warm Baba "Thank you!" foryour service to departing 1990 Board membersLois Jones, Bryan Drygas, Judy Anderson,Dina Franklin, Mehrnush Lorkalantari, andChristina Riley.

Sahavas Committee ReportKatie Irani, one of Baba's women Mandali,

will be our special Sahavas guest this year! Tobe held July 4 through July 7, at Pilgrim Pines,the Sahavas will also feature Jehangir Sukhad­walla and returning guest Rick Chapman.

Katie will arrive in Los Angeles about oneweek before the Sahavas and stay for threeweeks. Several events are planned; these willbe announced through the phone tree and atgatherings. The planning for these events willbe done by the Sahavas Committee and its sub­committees. All are invited to participate!

The Sahavas Committee meets oncemonthly, year round: upcoming meetings arescheduled for the second Saturday of eachmonth. 3 pm, at the Center. For those not localto Los Angeles, there are many tasks in which

you can participate both before and during theevent, and we welcome your particpation!Write the Sahavas Committee care of theAMBCSC, 10808 Santa Monica Blvd., LosAngeles 90025.

Meher Baba's BirthdayMeher Baba's 97th birthday celebration

was a happy occasion for about 100 Baba lov­ers who gathered at the International StudentCenter in Westwood. It was a joy to see somany of His lovers gathered together in goodcheer and love, sharing home-eooked food,punch, and a beautiful birthday cake.

Many contributed to the event, givingfreely of their time and love. Planning. prac­tice, and wholehearted participation made fora memorable program that allowed Baba toshine through and touch each heart with Hislove.

This year we enjoyed the special treat ofbeing able to remember Baba with prayers andseven "Avatar Meher Baba Ki Jai's!" coinciden­tally with the corresponding celebration andremembrance held at Baba's tomb in India.The celebration there takes place at 5:00 am onFebruary 25th, India time. The correspondingCalifornia time of 3:30 pm on the 24th fell rightin the middle of our Sunday birthday party!

Thanks to all of you who brought food,participated in the program, and donated thebeautiful birthday cake.

Thank you, Baba, for allowing us to cometo share in Your birthday!

CongratulationsRichard K. Mannis from Lake George, NY,

was the first place Trip-to-India winner in theMehermas Sweeps held last December. He andhis wife Carol had been saving for their firstpilgrimage: Baba gave them a little boost! Sec­ond prize, Lord Meher Vol. 5, was won byKaren Sterkin of Walnut Creek; third prize,Path ofLove, went to Michael Franklin of LosAngeles.

Best Wishes to Raine and Bill Eastman­Gannett, who were married in Berkeley onBaba's Birthday.

continued on last page 7

3ii ® t 'i (1 ~ 3ii ® t ICalendar I'i (1 ~ 3ii ® t 'i (1 ~All events, unless otherwise noted, are at

the Center, 10808 Santa Monica Boulevard, LosAngeles, (213)474-9454.

All are invited to share at the Saturdaynight meetings. Beginning this quarter, we'llstart our programs with a song or two by musi­cians in our community. If you have music,art, ideas, or requests for future programs,please contact Jeff Maguire at (213)545-3671.

APRIL EVENTSApril 6, Saturday, 6pm. FARSI LANGUAGEl\1EETING. Study of Meher Baba's Discoursesin Farsi. Prayers and arti at the end of the meet­ing. All are welcome! Coordinated by Dr.Mahmoud Ajang.

April 6, Saturday, 8pm. MOVIE ~'1GHTWITHCIllUS RIGER. The producer and editor of"Meher Baba's Call" and "The Ancient One"will show his films and reveal the trials, tribula­tions, and surprises Baba provided duringtheir making. Music by Louise Bower.

April 13, Saturday, 8pm. SPECIAL GUEST!TOM MOLINARO studied dance with Marga­ret Craske and met Beloved Baba in 1952, '56and '58. A night you won't want to miss. Mu­sic by George Gerdes.

April 20, Saturday, 8pm. SANSKARA: THEBOARD GAME. Yes, sooner or later it had tohappen, and Roman Babiak was just the manto do it. Come play this fun-filled, action­packed game Roman devised. Players moveabout a board and create a soap opera whilet1]ing to balance their sanskaras and achievingGod-Realization. (This is no joke! You'll be buy­ing it in stores soon.) Music by Greg and GayDunn.

April 27, Saturday, 8pm. THE ROSE BAUERFILM FESTIVAL (AND SOl\1E BAllA MOV­IEs). Rose, a USC filmmaker, will be showingher short films, starring Jacko Caraco, Lois

8 Jones, Charlie Morton, Debbie and Michael

Campagna" and Teri Adams. Come meet thedirector and mingle with the stars.

MAY EVENTSMay 4, Saturday, 6pm. FARSI LANGUAGEl\1EETING. Study of Meher Baba's Discoursesin Farsi. Prayers and arti at the end of the meet­ing. All are welcome! Coordinated by Dr.Mahmoud Ajang.

May 4, Saturday, 8pm. GOD SPEAKS: FREDDISCUSSES. The inimitable Fred Stankusleads a discussion on selected passages from"God Speaks." Sure to be profound, provoca­tive, and fun. Music by Rob Thornburn.

May 11, Saturday, 8pm. SPECIAL GUEST!ADELE WOLKIN REl\1EMBERS IT ALL.Thirty-nine years and one day after meetingBaba, Adele is interviewed by Jeff Maguire. Afirst-hand account of the Avatar from one ofHis great gifts to our community. Music byPris Haffenden.

MAY 14, Tuesday

THE RETURN OFBHAU KALCHURI!

He said he wouldn't be backbu t Baba had other plans!

Bhau flies into LAX today fora ten day stay. Infonnationregarding teas, talks and inter­views will be forthcoming.

May 18, Saturday, 8pm. BHAU KALCHURITALKS! The Beloved's most well- traveledMandali member is back to inspire. Music by"Johnny Kawal" Connor, debuting his new hit,"Toilet Tune."

May 25, Saturday, 8pm. VIDEO TAPESAND/OR MOVIES OF THE BELOVED. We'llbe screening some Baba gems tonight.

CalendarJUNE EVENTSJune 1, Saturday, 6pm. FARSI LANGUAGEMEETING. Study of Meher Baba's Discoursesin Farsi. Prayers and arti at the end of the meet­ing. All are welcome! Coordinated by Dr.Mahmoud Ajang.

June 1, Saturday, 8pm. HOW I CAME TOBABA: ROSE CHOI AND JOHN PAGE. In themood for a good story? Come hear how Babanetted one of our center's newer members andone of our founding fathers. Music by FrankFariborz. (Do you have a good story for a fu­ture night on this theme? Call Jeff Maguire.)

June 8, Saturday, 8pm. TAKINGBABA TO WORK WITH YOU.Margaret rvfagnus moderates adiscussion on "active meditation"in the workplace and how we canlet Baba guide us in our jobs.Panel members will includeSam Ervin and Mahmoud

Ajang. Music by Gay and Greg Dunn.

June 15, Saturday, 8pm. SPECIAL GUEST!URSULA VAN BUSKIRK met Baba on March7, 1966. Tonight she tells her tale of drama, in­ternational intrique, divine patience, and Ava­taric love. Music by Deborah Ashe and Mi­chael Campagna.

June 22, Saturday, 8pm. MANDALI HALLNIGHT. Capture the feeling of Mandali Hall.Share your favorite stories or readings; wearclothing suitable for floor sitting. Chai servedat 7:30pm. Coordinated by John Stout. Musicby Harry Thomas.

June 29, Saturday, 8pm. MOVIENIGHT WITH FAMED RACON­TEUR CHARLIE MORTON.Baba movies, recent stories ofIndia from Charlie, and maybe

even a surprise Sahavas guest ortwo. Best not to make other

plans for tonight.

AREA MEETINGSThere are area group meetings in OrangeCounty, and in Pasadena. For meetings inOrange County, call Shirley Kelley at (714)548-2072. In Pasadena, call Diana Goodheartat (818) 791-1078.

Fresno Baba GroupThe Fresno Meher Baba group meets everyfirst, second, and third Wednesday eachmonth. For location and time call Sharon orPhil Scott at (209) 449-0877.

Ojai Baba GroupThe Ojai Meher Baba group meets everyother Sunday evening at 7pm. For locationand other information call Marta Flores at(805) 646-8501.

Santa Barbara Baba GroupThe Santa Barbara Meher Baba group meetsevery other Friday. For meeting times andlocations call Dorma Bayet at (805) 682-1877,or Leslie Tejada at (805) 967-4796.

San Diego Baba GroupThe San Diego Meher Baba group meetsmonthly. For meeting times and locations,call Scott or Anne Makeig, (619) 481-2941.

Portland Baba GroupThe Portland group meets every Fridaynight. Discourses meetings are held everyother Sunday afternoon, and a monthlymeeting is held every month at the Wilson'shouse in Scotts Mill.

9

* Baba's name for Filis and Adele

The Bookstore NowHas Mastercard

and Visa for ordersover$20!

At the BookstoreHopefully by the time you read this, the

war in the Gulf will be winding down. Becauseof the events of the past three months, the best­seller in our bookstore has been Melzer Baba onWar. This is a paperback,. 159 pages, $3, pub­lished by Ramakrishnan of Meher Era Books atthe Pune Baba Center. It is a collection ofBaba's works on war taken from over a dozendifferent books.

In 1952 at Myrtle Beach, Filadel* askedBaba who were the authentic Saints of theWest. Baba told them Catherine of Sienna, St.Francis, St. Augustine, St. John of the Cross,and Teresa of Avila. He told them there werefour holy places in Europe particularly con­nected with great spiritual work: St. Marks inVenice, a place on the Ugurian coast of Italy,

Having Trouble Finding the Time ToRemember Your Master?

Wonying Too Much AboutNot Being Happy?

Now, Within Arm's Reach.,.

TIle Southern California Avatar Meher Saba Center isproud to offer two new items from our growing collec­tion. These fIne quality, quartz movement watches dis­play Avatar Meher Saba's image and/or His timelesswords tastefully reproduced in black and white.

TIley feature a high quality gold-tone casing and yourchoice of black, white, or natural tan, stitched, allleather bands. A'battery is included.

A great gift ideafor Saba lovers and

other friends. Only$39.95 each. Add

$2.75 for shipping,California residents

add 6.5 % sales tax. Forgift wrapping and box­

ing add $1.50. Indicateface styIe and band color.

Assisi and Avila. Baba explained that it is thespiritual atmosphere, the quickened vibra­tions, that give value to the Shrine of Saints.

We have just received from England avery special book about Teresa of Avila. enti­tled Gold in the Crucible, by Deidre Green.Teresa. who lived 1515-82, is recognized as oneof the greatest of the Chris­tian Mystics. Focusing onTeresa not only as a mysticbut as a woman, the authordraws us into the life of thisremarkable and influentialcharacter, examining her place in the Westernmystical tradition as well as addressing the is­sue of women's spirituality. An excellent andvery readable book, 200 pages, paperback,$15.95.

Closer to home...Sheriar Press has just re­leased The Ocean of Love - The Memoirs of Deliade Leon. Delia met Baba in London in the 305,along with Kitty Davy and Margaret Craske.She and her brother Jack were running theTheatre Q in Richmond, to which Baba paid avisit. She was also with Baba in Nasik in 1937,and on the Grand Tour of Italy with the rest of"The Girls". (Someone should make a movie ofthat magical Italian Interlude! Reading about itin Volume V of Lord Meher is fascinating!)

Baba had sent a cable to London "If warbreaks out, Margaret and Delia are to come toIndia". Margaret managed to get a visa by find­ing a young Indian boy she "had to escorthome!" Delia was having difficulty getting offi­cial permission to leave, but then came anothercable from Baba saying "Don't worry about it,stay there". So she did. Delia did not find outfor a long time afterwards that Jack had cabledBaba asking Him not to let Delia go to India astheir mother needed her in England! Baba'ssecond cable to Delia was in answer to Jack's!

Just before war broke out, Delia had theforesight to pack up all of her correspondencewith Baba - He had written her some wondcr­fulletters - and send it to Myrtle Beach for

continued on page 14

Avatar Meher Baba TrustThe following excerpts are taken from a

small pamphlet entitled "AVATARMEHERBABA TRUST Alunednagar - a brief sketch",beautifully written by Mani.

"On several occasions over the years,Meher Baba remarked: 'Although the Universeis mine, 1own nothing in the worldly sense. 1am the King of kings, and also the Faqir offagirs. Even the Tomb wherein 1have directedmy body to be placed when 1drop it, does notbelong to me.' And so it was, since on the 6thof April 1959, Avatar Meher Baba created theAVATARMEHER BABA TRUST Alunedna­gar. He entrusted the Tomb and otherMeherabad property, with its land and build­ing, to the care and administration of tentrustees, enjoining them to carry out Hiswishes as specified by Him in the Trust Deed...

"Beloved Baba never touched money, ex­cept when handing it individually to selectednumbers of needy persons during His workwith the poor from time to time. Like all thingsin illusion, money has served as an instrumentfor Baba's working, perhaps more so by the na­ture of its universality. It has also served as amedium for His lovers within to express theirlove in a practical form. Fortunate were theywhose love offerings were accepted by Him,for not always did He do so. The offerings thatwere accepted flowed out from the perennialspring of His divine bounty to tend the variousfields of His work under His personal directionand supervision. Primary was the one in Hisimmediate proximity, which included the menand women who were blessed to give Himtheir all and live with Him in love and obedi­ence.

"Being the Compassionate Father and 'TheKnower of the past, the present, and the fu­ture: Beloved Baba provided a practical wayand a perpetual opportunity for His presentand future lovers to share in carrying out thelove-<:ommitments laid down by Him in theTrust Deed. It is a trust He has reposed in thetrustees of His Trust and in His lovers every­where. The trustees of the present time andthose who will replace them in the future, are

!J{opeAs the tree leansas it bends in the windso, it must be boundand tied and straightened.Even God's creationneeds support.Is a tree then moreimportant than you and I?In all infInityno sparrow fallsBut the Almighty ohservesAnd restores it to itseventual homeMay 1 grow in spiritas does the treeBound, disciplined and strong.

AnnNatkal(Mother of Lynn Maguire and Teri Adams )

the mechanics tending to the machinery of theMaster's design; it is the love of His loverswhich will always be its driving force."

At this time in the calendar year, MeherBaba's designated beneficiaries are the recipi­ents of Trust donations. Those beneficiarieswho have passed away have their portion con­tributed to the maintenance of the Tomb andthe Trust Estate. A Mani continues, "Thus, inHis Love and compassion, Baba has also pro­vided that the beneficiaries who now receivefrom the Trust shall in time become perennialdonors to the Trust-unfathomable are theways of the Beloved!

"Those of you who can and wish to sharein fulfilling the commitments laid down by Be­loved Baba through the instrument of theTrust,' may do so--as preferred by the Trust­through the local Trustwalla:

Friends of the Meher Baba Trustc/o Lynne Berry267 Hanover DriveCosta Mesa,. CA 92626

Quoted material copyright 1972, Avalar Meher Baba Trust,Ahmednagar, Maharastra, India. 11

Kitty VignettesThe early days; Bob and Jane; Teny Lucas

by Caroline McDonald

Everyone who has visited the Meher BabaCenter in Myrtle Beach 'has a story to tell aboutKitty Davy, the lady who for nearly half a cen­tury has poured her heart and soul intokeeping Baba's home in the West in immacu­late order.

In the early days it is said that Kitty greet­ed guests, cleaned cabins, laundered sheets,and generally did whatever had to be done. Ifsomething was needed for one of the cabins,Kitty simply ran back to Dilruba to get it.

She always seemed to know exactly whatwas going on at any given time and was saidto have been everywhere at once.

Caretakers Bob and Jane Brown swear thatno matter how long or hard they had beenworking, Kitty always showed up the minutethey sat down for a break. Several years ago,Jane said Kitty spotted them at break time twoor three days in a row. "Don't you people everwork?!", she said.

Terry Lucas, who has been a Californiaresident for 17 years, said Kitty was responsi­ble for her move to the West and for her careeras a family therapist.

Terry, a Virginia native, said she had de­cided to manage a bookstore after graduatingfrom college. She took a trip to Myrtle Beach tosay goodbye to Kitty and her friends beforemoving.

"Oh dear, you're much too bright to run abookstore," Kitty told her."What do you wantto do?"

The Lamp Post regrets the following omis­sion (italicized) from last issue's report of theService Committee's Thanksgiving work: TheService Committee provided 28 Thanksgivingbaskets for needy families. On Sunday, Navem­ber 18th, 26 baskets were delivered to SecondBaptist Church's Friendship House, which distrib­uted them to the families. The AMBCSC delivered

12 the remaining two directly to families.

"I was flabbergasted," Lucas said. "No­body had ever asked me that. I told her I reallywanted to finish school."

"Baba would like you to do that," shesaid,"but I'm not sure where He wants you tobe, in Berkeley or Myrtle Beach."

At Kitty's instruction, Terry said she re­turned to see Kitty for four days in a row. Eachday Kitty was on the phone calling differentcommunity colleges in the Myrtle Beach area.

She told Terry "You should teach in a col­lege or go to graduate school."

On the third day Kitty told Terry to go tothe beach and write a letter to Berkeley. On thefourth day she said, "You need to go to Califor­nia. This isn't the place for you. And you needto go now."

Within nine days, Terry says, she was inSan Francisco. Ironically, the professor sheplanned to study with at Berkeley went back tothe East coast to teach. Instead of studying arttherapy, Terry said she discovered the familytherapy program at John F. Kennedy Univer­sity. "It was like Baba talking to me," she said.

But now it seems that the rest of Kitty'sforecast may come true. On a recent trip toMyrtle Beach. Terry told Kitty she was think­ing of moving to Myrtle Beach.

"Oh yes, dear, I think it's time for you tocome home," Kitty said.

So Terry said she went directly to the Barnto have a chat with Baba."You don't want meto be in Myrtle," she says she said to Baba.

"Yes, I do," was the reply."No you don't," she answered."Yes, I do..."We shall see what happens!

Do you have a story ofKitty? We'd like to hearand share it! Ifyou're busy or don't think you'rea writer, you may simply send a summary ofyourstory; we'll help get it on paper. Be sure to includeyour address and phone.

rrfie SansKgrU WaveA little child playing with his friends ...

The Sanskaric Wave moves again.

Like grains of sand sifting throughconsciousness

The Sanskaric Wave moves on during sleep.Sometimes slowing until the movement is

imperceptible,Other times erupting with frightening

deliberateness.Yet always imprisoning the inner world of

the being."0

InfInite waves move through the being.The intensity is indescribable when alone in

the wilderness.Maya in its purest form with only the

human consciousnessOf the Pilgrim at its center.The purity of undiluted Sanskaric Waves

moving forthFrom the desert expanse.Each mountain crest reflecting the beige

white wavesOf cold fresh sanskaras,As can only be experienced in the purity of

nature.

Yet following the desert eruptionThe waves again recede in exquisite

stillness.Peace reigns as never before,But alas--the inevitable return to the

clutches of Maya.

Peace, War.I, You, Mine, Thine.Countless goals.Juggling the manyfold personalities of

Maya.The Sanskaric Wave again builds to sizeUntil the being is crushed in false death.

But then, a calm lake surface--a deepslumber

Caresses the being until...Once more the wave calls forth the

allurements of Maya.

The being cries and knows not from whereconsciousness emerged

Or to where it journeys.It knows not the ultimate destiny of the

vesselWhich seems to toss interminably on the

surface of the ocean,Unaware that it is destined to merge with

the ocean depthsOf its origin.

Until the goal is reachedThe being is chained to innumerable

lifetimesEach with its own special beauty and

message.Yet the prison remains.

So the being grows into its now lifeUntil on misty morning a little child is play­

ing with his friends...The Sanskaric Wave moves again.

Fred Wiseman,Farmington, New Mexico

13

Understanding the Middle EastCarl Ernst, who wrote this issue's lead arti­

cle, and who recently spoke at the L.A. Centeron background issues of the Gulf War, agreedto provide the Lamp Post with the followingMiddle East bibliography to help those whowish to deepen their acquaintance with the re­gion's religion and culture. We are inundatedwith reports of current events and quick politi­cal analyses which, as Carl says, " is oftensuperficial and also prone to bias and stereo­typing". These readings can help us sort outthe fact from the fiction. .

In the light of the truth of the unity of all, aco-operative and harmonious life becomesinevitable. Thus the chief task for those whoset out to rebuild humanity after a great waris to do their utmost to dispel the spiritualignorance that envelops humanity.AVATAR MEHER BABA

BOOKSTORE from page 10

safekeeping (unlike Margaret Craske's letters,which were all lost in the London Blitz.) Luck­ily for us, Delia did this, because these lettersare all reproduced in full in her book.

A well known compatriot of Delia's, PeteTownsend, has written a great introduction forher. Send for it now, The Ocean ofLove, paper­back, 240 pages, $10.

Those of you who live far away from BabaCenters, can not fly to India, and do not makeit to any of the Sahavases held around thecountry throughout the year, have had no wayof seeing all the delightful pictures, paintings,key chains, jewelry, T shirts, etc., that we havein our Bookstore. Well, if you have access to aVCR, all of that is now changed! We havemade a video tape that is a tour of our Center(all two rooms of it!) giving you closeups of allthe goodies we have for sale. The jewelry itemsare mostly inexpensive trinkets from Joy Me­her, that wonderful little shop in the Trust

14 Compound at Ahmednagar. They range from

A. J. Arberry, Aspects ofIswmic Civilization, Uni­versity of Michigan, 1971, frequently reprinted. Anexcellent anthology of texts in translation.

Hamid Enayat, Modern Iswmic Political Thought,University of Texas, 1985. A very in depth study ofpolitical theory.

John Esposito, Islam: The Straight Path, Oxford,1988. A good .introduction to Islam.

Marshall G. S. Hodgson, The Venture ofIslam, 3Vols., University of Chicago, 1974. By far the bestand m~t sophisticated work available.

James Kritzech, Anthology ofIslamic Literature,NAL, frequently reprinted. An enjoyable collectionof readings.

John Voll, Iswm: Continuity arui Change in theModem World, Westview, 1985. Especially goodon modern history.

5O-cent Baba buttons, $1.50 and up Baba pen­dants, and $4 key chains, to real peridot,garnet, and lapis lazuli necklaces for $12. Justin is a beautiful sterling silver, handmade pinthat says "Meher Baba" in a simple script andmeasures 1-3/4" long by 3/4" high. It sells for$15.95, and we have 25 of them.

We have many, many photos of Baba andHis Mandali, some black and white, some col­ored, many of them already beautifullyframed: We also have numerous posters, and afine collection of photographic reproductionsof the paintings of our East Coast Baba Lovers.Especially well represented are the wonderfulportraits by Charlie Mills, the whimsicalbrightly colored paintings by "Wodin", and themystical paintings by Tom Riley.

If you would like to see this video to helpyou choose your purchases, drop us a line (at­tention Dina), and we will be happy to send itout to you - free of charge, of course. But wedo ask of you - please keep it no longer than aweek. and return it with your order.

See you at the bookstore! --Dina Franklin

LettersExcerpt from a letter from Mani to KittyDavy, 25 January 1991:

...listening to radio news is always anadded reminder of you, Kitty. Right now welisten to it quite faithfully - beginning with the5-30 A.M. BBC broadcast in the World service.(I"m up at 5. I turn on the pre-eommentaries,too.) We naturally look at it from the angle ofBaba's words which we can recall. You remem­ber, Kitty, how in Bangalore when the 2nd Warwas on, in answer to a comment from Norinaduring discussion among us, Baba said, "Doyou think I would allow such a thing to hap­pen if it were not absolutely necessary?" ?!And now at least one thing seems clear - thehelplessness and hopelessness of today's warand its horrific possibilities will make peoplerealise the dead-end of illusion and make themturn to God - nothing else has worked. When?We don't know. But our Beloved has told us ofthe time to come when the world will recog­nize Him, and its voice will in unison calloutto Him for help and redemption...

Much love Kitty dear from us each - toyou and all our loved ones with you -

--Mani

An OpinionThe Avatar Meher Baba Center of South­

ern California exists in Meher Baba's name.All members and in general all people shouldbe considered equal in their relationship toBaba. All functions and meetings connectedwith the Center should be open to to everyone.

The programs as quarterly published inthe Lamp Post, and special events posted onthe phone tree or through flyers and an­nouncements carry the intent that a certaineffort is made to let each and all know thatthey are personally invited to every Center­sponsored event.

These simple ideas of equality for all,open meetings for all, and effort made to inviteall should not be overlooked. Each and everyone of us should make an effort to be open andclear in our goals when we carry out an activ­ity in his name. These are Baba's activities forall to enjoy.

--John Stout

Even the worst sinner can become a greatsaint if he has the courage and sincerity to

invite a drastic and complete change of heart.AVATAR MEHER BABA

You 5'1.re :Free You 5'1.re Cjo[a"No one can understandGod's purpose to His slave"

I wrap You in my blanket of darknessI carry You with me, marching boldly to my

grave.I grieve, I mourn, I endure the scorn of the

world, as I weep,You are awake! I am asleep!

Lost in the marketplace of life,All humanity is screaming and yelling,Buying and selling,You stand naked with the key to all Reality.

Above the storm, beyond timeI live out the ridiculousYou are the sublime.

Above the anger and frustrationAbove the strife of eve!)' nationYou are the Lord of all Creation.

You are the Golden Sun, I am the cloud,You are the Body, I am the shroud,

In the marketplace of life,I am bought and sold.You are Free! You are Gold!

-Lynda Anne Van der Lynt15

DRAWING BY ROCKY RODGERS

AVATAR MEHER BABA CENTEROF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA10808 Santa Monica BoulevardLos Angeles, California 90025

ADDRESS CORRECTIONREQUESTED

goais everywfzere anadoes everytfiing}goais witfiin us anak-nows everytfiing}goais witfiout us anasees everytfiing}goais 6eyonaus ana IS everytfiing.

MEBEll.BABA

BULLETIN BOARD from page 7

Mail Order Cassette Library ,For followers of Meher Baba in the u.s,

The Ubrary contains talks from Sahavases andCenter meetings. For more information writeto AMBC-CL, p.o. Box 3233, Redondo Beach,CA 90277.

Contributions for the Lamp PostPlease share your artwork, poetry, letters,

articles, and ideas with us, We are especially in­terested in contributions from children for anupcoming issue. Send sumissions to our newaddress, Greg and Gay DulU\ 3401 Dow Ave­nue, Redondo Beach. CA 90278. Deadline forSummer 91 issue: May 24. Thank you for yoursupport and participation. Jai Baba!

Non·Profit Organization

U.S. PostagePA I D

Redondo Beach, CAPenn it No. 196

DATED MATERIALPLEASE EXPEDITE

THE AVATAR MEHER BABA CENTER OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIANEWSLETTER & CALENDAR FOR SUMMER 1991

Bhaustock '91Bhaustock '91 - The Second Intermittent

Sierra Sahavas - took place May 26-'29 atMeher Alx>de, the residence of Chris,-Christi,and Zack Pearson, in Mariposa, California.More than 160 people attended, with themajority camping on the grounds in tents, orsimply under the stars.

The guest star of the gathering was, ofcourse, Bhau Kalchuri, who gave severallengthy talks, several question and answersessions, and commentaries during the sing­ing of quawwalis by Johnny Quawwal (JohnConnor) and the Gopis (who variously includ­ed Rosalie Dunphy, Sarah Dwyer, Teri Adams,Lynn Maguire, Raine Eastrnan-Garmett, KarenSterkin, and--mysteriously-Steve Berry).Harry Thomas, Herman Loew, and othersaccompanied on tablas.

Jeff Maguire, a.k.a.Robert ("Bobby') Mano­nash, was Master ofCeremonies, and kepteveryone richly enter­tained as he presented hisunusual view of events,persons, and circum­stances. He was accompan­ied by Ed (Fred Stankus)McMaya, who alsodoubled as the camp'shuman loudspeaker,perfecting the armouncer'sart with actual mini-

renditions of forthcoming events. Particularlynoteworthy was his preview limitation of aperformance by Johnny Quawwal.

A special treat was the performance of anexcerpt from Francis Brabazon's play, "Being isDying by Loving" by the Love Street Singersand Players from Northern California.

Bhau, of course, related many stories fromlife with Baba, including one involving theProphet Mohammed which Baba had used toclarify the relationship between individual freewill and divine pr~rdination. A follower ofMohammed's, the story goes, was questioningthe Prophet alx>ut free will. This person wasunconvinced that he and others did not havecharge of their actions and destinies, andchallenged the Prophet to convince him with

an explanation.Mohammed, after

ignoring the man for someperiod of time, finallyresponded to his insistentdemands by asking him tolift one leg in the air. TheProphet then resumedaddressing the businessand concerns of the daywith his other followersand circle members. Aftera time the questionergrew perturbed withMohammed and again

continued on page 13

26

29

3 I

2

AVATARSby Georgene Tarbox

ACROSS

1. Blessed Virgin Mary was one.

3. No Avatars encouraged build-ing this.

6. An Om point of the world per7th Avatar (abbrev).

8. Someone from one of those17999 other worlds (abbrev).

9. Person new to the game.

11. Bhau's self-description of hismind state.

12" 'incaITIalion.

13. Poet of the 7th Avatarmight see this flightlessbird.

16. Each Avatar does thisto man's mind.

18. A regulator of thosewho spread God'sWord by TV in theUSA (abbrev).

19 Possessive pronounwhich could never ap­ply to the Avatar.

21. " is free to think ofme and interpret mywork. .. " -MB (abbrev).

22. Name of God-Man.

26. Place visited by the 7thAvatar six times (ab­brcv).

27. "_ premarital sex"­MB.

28. "_ befitting a fortu­nate slave' -Hafiz.

29. A favorite abode ofmany Avatars'.

30. Time of life when Ava­tars generally becomeenlightened.

31. 'God _ man, pro­claiming Himself_the Avatar' -MB, High­est of the High.

32. 'True Love is no gamefor the weak and faint-

hearted. is bom... ' -MB.

33. Repetitive (suffix).

34. This organ was not neededby disciple's of the 7th Ava­tar in his later years.

36. Consort of a God-Man.

39. 'I _' -Jc.41. A spiritual help program de­

veloped during the 7th Ava­tars reign (abbrev).

42. Month in which the 5th Ava­tar was 3 months old in Hiscountry.

44. God-Marl-

45. God-Man.

DOWN

1. Consort of God-Man.

2. '_' one with god, a goal foreveryone.

3. A cycle of cycles.

4. Spiritual status of puzzle en­tries 22A, 44A, 100, 150,200, 220, 430, 41A.

5. Prefix for what the Mischie­vous Chicken began as.

6. All Avatars frown on theseacts.

7. Number of real Gods in Scot-land.

10. God-Man.

11. A hand warmer.

14. 'Don't try to understand ---'just love _" -MB.

15. God-Man.

17. Only the last Avatar couldhave had this type of frozendrink.

20. God-Man.

22. God-Marl-

23. Worn by the 7th Avatar infront of the Sphinx, (Cairo,1933).

24. What the 'j.c. Superstar"cast would take down fromthe cross.

25. The 7th Avatar hit this witha stick.

35. Consort of God-Marl-

37. Type of pottery inventedduring the 5th Avatar's time.

38. Place in front of the 7th con­sort's porch.

40. Vehicle God uses to knowHimself consciously.

42. Leftover from Ohuni.

43. God-Man.

solution on page 15

Meher Baba Says:by Thomas Zimmer

This piece was originally printed in a "freeverse" layout in the June 1990 issue of MeherBaba Australia. Because ofspace limitations weare presenting it here as prose. We find Thomas'sthoughts potent in either fomzat, and hope you willenjoy them, too.

"DON'T WORRY -- BE HAPPY."... And people without knowledge of Himinterpret this wrongly (I think). They read:"Take it easy, be cool, you're not supposed tostruggle, just ignore whatever is troubling youand stay amused somehow.' But that is not itat all, really.

A better interpretation would besomething like this:

The 'practice' (to which we are being called)is to dlOose happiness: to do the 'yoga' of real,unconditional happiness: to deliberately, andintelligently, even bravely, through an internalact of will, exercise our innate spirit-power,which is to return, right now, and in everymoment, to a state of radiant sufficiency, alreadyhappy- even when confronted by everyapparent 'reason' why we should contractfrom that happiness into doubt and self­concern. It is to stand free, in the midst of allthat, by the conscious action of just turningour thoughts to God, by remembering ourinherence in God (and this through the mercyof having the God-Man to relate to.)

We should do this always, but especiallywhen negative experiences arise: rememberwhat is (even then) truly a cause for celebration:our Knowing (such as it is!) that God actually

exists, and that He has begun somehow toawaken we to His Reality. We must find thesensation of this remembrance -- this uncon­ditional OK-ness - and from this state, beginto function as happiness.

Not that we should close our eyes to whatis difficult or disturbing in life: If anything, weare more present, more aware of suffering. Butbeneath it all we are (primely) happy, buoyedup from within (by the mere feeling of our

existence - as consciousness), confident thatour own (real) needs will always be metsomehow, not upset because of what we can'tchange, or control, or have, not fearful aboutwhat might happen next, not dependent onany particular sign or response from life tomake us feel OK. And thus--being happiness-­we look with a full heart at the situation ofothers around us, and consider how we mightserve as a true expression, an 'instrument', 9f

continued page 16

Manonash & Kalchuri Square Off Over Missing SanskarasThough many are aware ofBhau's recent visit

to the West Coast, few know the inside story ofthevisit's origins. VVhat may have appeared to be a sim­ple spiritual mission inspired by love was, in reality,the culmination ofa complex intrigue oflegal feintsand thrusts, dtarges and counter-charges.

The parrying began with a leHer to Kaldturifrom Robert Milnonash, Attomey-at-large, (pub­lished in our VVinter '91 issue) accusing Bhau ofabsconding with several hundred thousand oftheL.A. group's sanskaras when he flew back to Indialast summer.

Gaiming that among the sanskaras inquestion were those required to make a decent livingin illusion and that Bhau's theft resulted in unpre­cedented unemployment and financial distress inthe LA. Baba community, Milnonash threatenedBhau with legal action and demanded that he appearin Los Angeles to answer the charges.

The Mimonash letter opened up a large andeffluvient am of "dirty stinking garbage" as isevident from the missives that followed, excerpts ofwhich are published here for the first time.

From a letter by Bhau, dated 6 November, 1990:Dear Mr. Manonash,

I received your official letter of Oct. 22through Unscientific Beaucoup. (Ed. Note: Thisis Bhau's nickname for Will David whodelivered the Manonash letter.) As the letterwas brought by an unscientific man, it becomesunofficial and it loses its effect. In the eyes ofthe law it is considered an illegal threat andtherefore you must be prepared to face theconsequences.

I am ready to appear before the AvatarMeher Baba Center of Southern Californiaalong with John Connor, but the warrant mustbe sent through official channels and theaccused persons must be arrested and broughtbefore the court. This provision you did notmake and therefore you have committed acrime punishable by law. The threat you madeis a big crime and because of your threat Johnand I cannot eat, cannot sleep, cannot do any

4 work, and cannot function normally. And

because of this the Trust is losing 1 milliondollars every day. The Trust will now file a suitagainst you claiming all the damages you havecaused through your threat.

Your case is without substance Mr.Man-o-nash and it is better now for you tocome to some compromise so that you may notface any headache and I may also not face anyheadache. You forget about worldly law andtake shelter under Divine Law. Under DivineLaw the loss is gain and gain is loss. Andtherefore the Joss of sanskaras is the gain foryou all. If you spend millions and millions ofdollars you cannot lose even a single sanskaraand you have already accepted that the LAgroup lost hundreds of thousands of san­skaras. Now imagine what a hardship it wasfor me to carrv hundreds of thousands ofsanskaras fro~ LA. to the t .reshold of theBeloved at Meherabad. Now 1 realize why Iwas having back rail., !'leek pain and severe

THE LOVE STREET LAMP POST

A 'I"""'riY pOOli':alial d tho~Mcb<.llol:o.a.­

d Soohan . ifaniaIlll1ll SaruMaOO. DoU.-....d

Las Ansd... CA 90025(213) 474-~54

This newslettCf iJ dc:aigned to keq> the Southern California MellerBoba community and friend> alreasl of Cen1er activities, and '0 pre>­vido a forum for contomp<Jl"y a<:colDl" of life wi1b Meher B.ba asGuide.

EdUorr: Greg and Gay DunnPrograJrt OllwpenOfi: Jeff Maguiroeo.IriJH;/on, Lynoe Iktry, Milee Dolan, Heidi Doll, Dina Frank·1in,Bhau KalcWri, loff Maguiro. Gc<qcne Tazbox, Adelo WoIkin,and Thomu ZimmerM<JiJi.,: ChriI and PriI Haffenden

PJ... _""ollrwwrJe_-'<riDJ Io,Gr<g and Gay Dum3401Dow AYtta.te

RoOOn:Io Beach, CA 90278(213) 371-&21

Pl.... -""~ doGItt:n;...buripIioft requna 10:

Ptis llalfcmcn3616-1/2 S. Ccuinda Avalue

Las Ansd... CA90066(213) 390-2779

NlIiIbod quonaIy (J.." Apr, lui, Qd)

All cooten.. copyrighl 1991 by the Avalar Moher Baba Center dSouthern California, oxcep' wbe<e DOted.

9{purisfimento Beloved Meher!Allow me a poem to express my heart. No

ecstasy or raptures do I ask,But only the consuming flame of Desire. In

Love's trials my heart basks.

Indeed there are realms of beauty unknown tothe human mind,

Yet, in my heart I shrink from them lest my eyeBeauty blind.

Only the chains of Love are relished by alove-sick soul

Who sees now clearer than day itself that Youare the Real Goal.

Let my heart be bound by Your Pleasure. Let itcrave to win Your smile.

What is time in the life of Love? Heart prays foracceptance of trials.

o friends!Within my heart He planted His Seed. By His

Grace nourisrunent I took.It courses through my soul as a gentle bubbling

brook.

headache from the time I boarded the plane inLA. It was because of the load of the burden ofsanskaras on me and when I reached the thre­shold of the Beloved and dumped all those san­skaras at His feet I was relieved from the pain.

Ifyou want these sanskaras to bereturned, you must observe fast and keepawake for 21 days. If you do this you willcompensate for the pain I suffered. You willnot get back your sanskaras because they areconsumed in the fire but you will get thesanskaras of African monkeys so that thosemonkeys may get liberation. This will be yourkind act and sacrifice for the monkeys.

Know well, dear Man-o-nash,. that I

The nourishment of His Words, His life, thenourishment from those dear to Him,

Remembrances and stories of Avatar loosen thehold world has within.

"0 Lover!Accentuate the positive to eliminate the

negative, an old tune I gave to all.Accentuate Me to eliminate you. Your journey

will not be stalled.

"Now hear these words of Love: How I yearnto find a friend

Who truly desires to know Me, who desiresReal relationship to tend."

Beloved!My heart and mind You have captured. Let me

be that one. Turn the key.Only Your Friendship is worth my time. I'm

beholden only to Thee.

Heidi! What a glorious day it will be when youbegin to love God.

There is no suffering too great for the prize oftrue love for the Lord.

H.M.Doll

collected the sanskaras of lust, greed, angerand selfishness and not the sanskaras ofmaking a decent living because, as I've toldyou all along, "Happiness is a dream andmisery is a dream. Then why not to see happydream?" But it appears you could not follow itproperly and you have the impression that Ihave taken away the sanskaras of making adecent living. This very impression is givingyou a lot of trouble and therefore I tell you thatyou forget about the sanskaras ¥,d you willenjoy the Wine. I know that the Wine is veryactive in you all and it is the effect of the Winewhich makes you think in this way. This is

continued on page 7 5

AnnouncementsRequest for Articles, Poems, Stories:The Journal for Psychological and SpiritualIntegration,. a sertu-annual journal addressingclinical, theoretiCal! and experiential issues inpsychology and spirituality in light of MeherBaba's teachings, is seeking articles fromBaba-lovers engaged in the mental health,helping professions, and related fields.

Contributors include professionals in themental health field (therapists, teachers,administrators), Baba-Iovers who are clientsand patients in therapy, members of themandali, and others. Our goal is to have aforum in print where Baba lovers who havesome connection with or interest in the broadfield of "mental health" can articulate andexchange their ideas, thoughts, insights, andexperience.

Please send your article or contact JasonSaffer for further information (271 SouthWildwood, Hercules, CA 94547, Phone:415/724-1571).

''It's not me helping you or you helping me, it's wehelpi1lg us. " --A VA TAR MEllER BABA

The Meher Baba Self-Help Network(formerly the Meher Baba Union for NewPsychology) is a phone-and-pen-pal network ofBaba-lovers and those: connected with Him,who have volunteered to make their "ears andhearts" compassionately available to those whomay be opening to Meher Baba with an accom­panying sense of isolation,. shame, or otheremotional trauma (or the coming-to-awarenessof previously buried trauma).

We are a group of lay men and women,. aswell a professional therapists, who function as"ordinary" volunteers. We claim no expertise,only a desire to be "Baba's ears and heart" forothers. Many of us have been through our owndeep traumas and wish to be as ·present forother sufferers as we can be, knowing that weare "nothing in ourselves", but can be"everything in Him", as He Wishes.

6 Those who would like to avail themselves

of our network may contact us at:Meher Baba Self-Help Network65 Royal Drive, #222Piscataway, New Jersey 00854,. USA

Welcome to My World is a catalog-in­pi-ogress of all the books, films, tapes, andorganizations in the worldwide Meher Babacommunity. We need researchers to identifyitems to be included and reviewers to writeshort descriptions of these items. If you wouldlike to recommend or review even one favoriteitem,. please write for our contributors'guidelines and current status. Welcome to MyWorld, Whitehorse Productions, 805 WestMoorhead Circle, Suite E, Boulder, Colorado80303, USA. (303) 494-5342.

Dana Field has moved. His new address is:Beverly Manor Convalescent Hospital850 South Sunkist Ave.West Covina, CA 91790(818) 962-3368

If you need further information call Mary KayShubat-Hage at (818) 918-7161.

DARLEGUNGEN lion MEHER BABAThe German translation of Meher Baba'sDiscourses is now available in a hardbackedition published by O.W. Barth Verlag ofMunich. The list price for the book, of 446pages, is DM 42, which we will quote for thefirst half of 1991 at USA $27.50 + $2.00 postage.It has been released by Companion EnterprisesLimited. Ifyou wish to place an order; makeyour check to Companion Enterprises Ltd.

and mail:

c/o Tureva Treuhand AGSplugenstrasse 10, CH 8002Zurich, Switzerland

Contributions for the lAmp PostPlease share your artwork. poetry, letters,articles, and ideas with us. Send to Greg and \Gay Dunn, 3401 Dow Ave., Redondo Beach,90278 CA. The next deadline is August 25. Senddonations directly to the AMBC of SC, 10808Santa Monica Blvd,. Los Angeles, CA 90025.Thank you!

Share Your Experiences ofGuruprasadDr. Hoshang Bharucha is gathering

accounts of notable experiences regardingGuruprasad from 1957 through 1969. If youwish to share your story, send it to:

Dr. H.P. BharuchaTashkentnagar, Navsare 3%445Guj. India

His Wish Is Our OpportunityMany thanks to all contributors to Meher

Baba's Trust. Several checks have beenforwarded recently on behalf of our L.A.group, with the names of all donors listed. Thefunds will go toward the living expenses of theremaining beneficiaries, as designated byBeloved Baba.

As Eruch says, it is the privilege of the

MANONASH vs. KAIJCHURl from page 5nothing but intoxication and I feel moved byyour intoxication.

I must say that I like the LA groupbecause this group belongs to the Beloved veryclosely. May the Beloved help all those whoneed help to serve His Cause and to serve thedear ones of the family who belong to Himand are working under the labor phase forHim.

In His Love,Bhau

On January 4, 1991, Manonash vo1lied back:ROBERT MANONASHAttorney At Large-"No Cilse is too small...No fee is too large. "

Dear Mr. Kalchuri,Sorry to take so long in responding to

your November 9 missive but it's taken methese many months to find a thoroughlyscientific person to serve this paper on you. Iam confident that Shari Johnston, who holds adegree in some kind of math or science ormusic or some such, is the person I have beenlooking for and so this letter becomes legal andbinding.

lovers or the Lord to fulfill His Wish in theTrust.

Any and all who are inclined to donate inHis Love may make checks payable to:FRIENDS OF THE MEHER BABA TRUST andforward to:

Lynne Berry, Trustwalla267 Hanover DriveCos ta Mesa, CA 92626

Needs for the Meherazad Free ClinicHere is a list for pilgrims travelling over

who wish to bring things-we need calcium­magnesium, vitamin e, vitamin c. and vitaminb. Of course, the usual [needs for] pulmonaryand antibiotic medicines stand, but only fromsamples, for they are too expensive.

--Shelley (for Dr. Gailer)

In your letter you said that my threats hadprevented you and Mr. Connor from. eating,sleeping, and getting work done and that thisis costing the Trust a million dollars a day.Well, I have it on good authority that you havebeen eating and sleeping quite well and, as fornot getting work done, everyone knows JackSmall does the bulk of the legal work overthere. How else could you have taken all thoseextended vacations to the west over the years?

You went on to say in your letter that yousuffered neck and back pains on your trip backto India, pains which you attribute to theburden of carrying huge stacks of the L.A.group's sanskaras. Well, lest you contemplatesueing our group for your mental and physicaldiscomfort, let me advise you that I havewitnesses who are prepared to testify in acourt of law that the sanskaras that caused youpain were almost certainly your own whichhad been immeasurably increased by all thatrich food, strong coffee, and non-alcoholicbrew that you consumed during your stayhere.

Obviously this case is mach too complexto be settled through the mails. We have nochoice but to summon you and Mr. Connor to

continued on page 14 7

CalendarAll events, unless otherwise noted, are at

the Center, 10808 Santa Monica Boulevard, LosAngeles, (213)474-9454.

All are invited to share at the Saturdaynight meetings. If you have music, art, ideas,or requests for future programs, please contactJeff Maguire at (213)545-3671.

JULY EVENTS

July 6. This is the one Saturday night of theyear that the Center is closed, due to the an­nual Silence Day Sahavas at Pilgrim Pines withspecial guests Katie Irani, Jehangir Sukhad­walla, and Rick Chapman. For info call DavidMcNeely at (213) 258-9887.

July 13, Saturday, 8pm. A FAREWELL VlSITWITH KATIE IRANI, longtime intimate disci­ple of Beloved Baba. (She first met Baba at theage of 3!) Katie leaves L.A. tomorrow.

July 20, Saturday, 8pm. SPECIAL GUEST! AS­PANDIAR VESALI was one of Baba's PremAshram boys. Visiting from Iran, Mr. Vesali'stales of his childhood with Baba are not to bemissed. Music by Frank Fariborz.

July 27, Saturday, 8pm. MOVIES OF BAllAWITH FAMED RACONTEUR CHARLIE

MORTON who will tell fantastic tales andshow colorful slides of refurbishing Baba'sSarnadhi.

AUGUST EVENTS

August 3, Saturday, 6pm. FARSI LANGUAGEMEETING devoted to discussion of BelovedBaba. All are welcome. Coordinated by Dr.Mahmoud Ajang.

August 3, Saturday, 8pm. ART INSPIRED BYWVE. ESPECIALLY FOR CIIlLDREN! (Chil­dren of all ages of course). Will David, Teri Ad­ams and Lynn Maguire will help the kids drawBaba (in all His many forms). We'll bring thepaper; you bring colored pencils, crayons orfelt pens. Special singalong by Gay and GregDunn, the only Baba-Newsletter-PublishingGuitar and Cello Duo in the World!

August 10, Saturday, 8pm. SPECIAL GUEST!ADELE WOLKIN REMEMBERS IT ALL,PART ll. Last May, Part I was so highly-ac­claimed that we had to have a sequel. So onceagain,. Jeff Maguire interviews Adele about herremarkable meetings with Meher Baba. Musicby Louise Bower.

August 17, Saturday, 8pm. MANDALI HALLNIGHT. Capture the feeling of Mandali Hall.Share yo~r favorite stories or readings; wear

KATIE'S POST-SARAVAS SCHEDULE

8

July 8, Monday,IO:OOam. UNIVERSALSTUDIOS tour.

July 9. Tuesday, 7:30pm. POTLUCK DES­SERT at Jacko Caraco's. 2243 E. live Oak,Los Angeles, (213) 462-7602.

July 10, Wednesday. Rest.

July 11, Thursday 1:30 -4:30. LUNCHEONin the Rose Garden Room at the Hunting­ton library. $10.00 per person.

July 12, Friday. Rest.

July, 13, Saturday, 12 - 4:30pm. POTLUCKLUNCH at Dr. Mahmoud and NasrinAjang's. 3466 Hightide Dr., Rancho PalosVerdes, (213) 544-2878.

July 13, Saturday, 8:00pm. RECEPTIONFAREWELL at the Center.

July 14, Sunday morning. FLIGHT TOTUCSON, time to be announced.

clothing suitable for floor sitting. Chai servedat 7:30pm. Kawali music singalong with "TheGopis". Coordinated by John Stout.

August 24, Saturday, 8pm. NUCLEAR PHYS­ICS, ILLUSION, AND SUFFERING. Only theinimitable Rocky Rodgers would tackle thesethree themes, much less try to link them. Comefind out how and why he does it. Cosmic mu­sic by Richard Stermer.

August 31, Saturday, 8pm. A SPECIAL MOVIENIGHT. Special because guitarists extraordi­naire Rob Thornbum and Rich Peikoff will im­provise a soundtrack to tonight's silent films ofour Silent Master, Meher Baba.

SEPTEMBER EVENTS

September 7, Saturday, 6pm. FARSI LAN­GUAGE MEETING devoted to discussion ofBeloved Baba. All are welcome. Coordinatedby Dr. Mahmoud Ajang.

September 7, 8pm. PORTRAITS OF TIlE AVA­TARS. Judy and Carl Ernst offer slides and dis-

cussion on the ways the Godmen have beenportrayed in art throughout the ages. A veryspecial night, assuming the Ernsts can make it­they are in Europe at the time of this printing.If they can't, we'll come up with something al­most as exciting...

September 14, 8pm. AD! K. lRANI REMEM­BERED BY STEVE BERRY. Adi was an inti­mate disciple of Baba's from 1922 until hisdeath in 1980. Steve Berry spent many hourswith him and edited a book of his talks. Sureto be a night of humor and warm reminis­cences. Come share any stories you haveabout Adi.

September 21, 8pm. TIlE RETURN OF GU1TANIGHT! Yes, Fred Stankus is back to share hisample food, humor, heart, and love for his Be­loved Baba!

September 28, 8pm. MOVIES OF TIlE nE­WVED. Charlie Morton unspools some cork­ers. Music by Michael Campagna who's liableto try just about anything.

AREA MEETINGS

There an> area group meetings in OrangeCounty, and in Pasadena. For meetings inOrange County, call Shirley Kelley at (714)548-2072. In Pasadena, call Diana Good­heart at (818) 791-1078.

Fresno Daba GroupThe Fresno Meher Baba group meets everyfirst, second, and third Wednesday eachmonth. For location and time call Sharon orPhil Scott at (209) 449~877.

Ojai naba GroupThe Ojai Meher Baba group meets everyother Sunday evening at 7pm. For locationand other information call Marta Flores at(805) 646-8501.

Santa narbara naba GroupThe Santa Barbara Meher Baba group meetsevery other Friday. For meeting informa­tion call Donna Bayet at (805) 682-1877, orLeslie Tejada at (805) 967-4796.

San Diego Daba GroupThe San Diego Meher Baba group meetsmonthly. For meeting times and locations,call Scott or Anne Makeig, (619) 481-2941.

Portland Daba GroupThe Portland group meets every Fridaynight. Disrourses meetings are held everyother Sunday afternoon, and a Q'onthlymeeting is held every month at the Wil­son's house in Scotts Mill, (503) 873-2048.

9

clothing suitable for floor sitting. Chai servedat 7:30pm. Kawali music singalong with "TheGopis". Coordinated by John Stout.

August 24, Saturday, 8pm. NUCLEAR PHYS­ICS, ILLUSION, AND SUFFERING. Only theinimitable Rocky Rodgers would tackle thesethree themes, much less try to link them. Comefind out how and why he does it. Cosmic mu­sic by Richard Stermer.

August 31, Saturday, 8pm. A SPECIAL MOVIENIGHT. Special because guitarists extraordi­naire Rob Thornburn and Rich Peikoff will im­provise a soundtrack to tonight's silent films ofour Silent Master, Meher Baba.

SEPTEMBER EVENTS

September 7, Saturday, 6pm. FARSI LAN­GUAGE MEETING devoted to discussion ofBeloved Baba. All are welcome. Coordinatedby Dr. Mahmoud Ajang.

September 7, 8pm. PORTRAITS OF THE AVA­TARS. Judy and Carl Ernst offer slides and dis-

cussion on the ways the Godmen have beenportrayed in art throughout the ages. A veryspecial night, assuming the Ernsts can make it­they are in Europe at the time of this printing.H they can't, we'll come up with something al­most as exciting...

September 14, 8pm. ADI K. IRANI REMEM­BERED BY STEVE BERRY. Adi was an inti­mate disciple of Baba's from 1922 until hisdeath in 1980. Steve Berry spent many hourswith him and edited a book of his talks. Sureto be a night of humor and warm reminis­cences. Come share any stories you haveabout Adi.

September 21, 8pm. THE RETURN OF GUTTANIGHT! Yes, Fred Stankus is back to share hisample food, humor, heart, and love for his Be­loved Baba!

September 28, 8pm. MOVIES OF THE BE­WVED. Charlie Morton unspools some cork­ers. Music by Michael Campagna who's liableto try just about anything.

AREA MEETINGS

There an> area group meetings in OrangeCounty, and in Pasadena. For meetings inOrange County, call Shirley Kelley at (714)548-2072. In Pasadena, call Diana Good­heart at (818) 791-1078.

Fresno Baba GroupThe Fresno Meher Baba group meets everyfirst, second, and third Wednesday eachmonth. For location and time call Sharon orPhil Scott at (209) 449~877.

Ojai Baba GroupThe Ojai Meher Baba group meets everyother Sunday evening at 7pm. For locationand other information call Marta Flores at(805) 646-8501.

Santa Barbara Baba GroupThe Santa Barbara Meher Baba group meetsevery other Friday. For meeting informa­tion call Donna Bayet at (805) 682-1877, orLeslie Tejada at (805) 967-4796.

San Diego Baba GroupThe San Diego Meher Baba group meetsmonthly. For meeting times and locations,call Scott or Anne Makeig, (619) 481-2941.

Portland Baba GroupThe Portland group meets every Fridaynight. Discourses meetings are held everyother Sunday afternoon, and a ~onthly

meeting is held every month at the Wil­son's house in Scotts Mill, (503) 873-2048.

9

At the Bookstore predominant color scheme, so if you have acolor preference, state first and second choices.

When I first showed these. cards at ourCenter, everyone was ooohing and aaahingover them, and someone suggested a lovelyidea: when giving one as a gift, give a frame togo along with it! They are so beautiful, it's ashame to let them languish in a drawer afterthe occasion is over. Teresa tells us she is nowworking on Christmas cards, so keep that inmind for those special people come December.

As a "stop the press" bulletin in our lastissue we flashed the news that we now takeVisa and Mastercard. However, we do ask thatthe minimum order you charge is $4.0. (Tomake all the added costs to us from the cardcompany worthwhile.) We hope our "creditcard readiness" will make it easier for you toget up a library of the video tapes of ourBeloved, now that the prices have dropped sodramatically. We are also getting quite acollection of reminiscences of life with Baba: byHis sister Mani, His chief interpreter Eruch,His driver Padri, and the "Frivolous Three", asBaba called Delia DeLeon, Kitty Davy, andMargaret Craske.

Also in the Spring issue, we had piquedyour interest with news of the forthcomingpublication of the memoirs of Delia DeLeon,entitled Ocean ofLooe. Unfortunately, thatnews was a little premature; we apologize tothose of you who were disappointed. How­ever, we believe we can say, barring any otherunforeseen happenings, that the book shouldbe available late July. Paperback, 240 pgs. $10.

One of the leading designers of MeherBaba T-Shirts is now residing on the WestCoast. Myrtle Beach had Andrea Winzimer fora long time, but she is now with us, happilypainting her exquisite tees. The"Andrea Tees"are recognizable the world over. I saw anumber of them at the Pilgrim Center inMeherabad: there is now a certain cachet toowning one! "Oh, you have an Andrea's Tees,too...aren't they beautiful?!" <

Some friends in England placed an orderwith us, saying "I want one just like shepainted for _." Andrea remembered which itwas and painted it for them.

,

f~~I~ 1R~ ~.,

~ ~ , [}jJ@!UJ~ ®..,,~ ~ ~r;t~ .....

.11"MMWll~[Q)

. \ .. ~.>~~ ..1'. '"l",

'" ~

~i~~~ ~~~ ~~1rl

-':

gives us the "kiss", I~ ~

A wonderful surprise came to us a fewweeks ago. (Working in the Bookstore certainlyputs me in a great position for seeing what'snew and exciting in the Baba world!) Teresaand Michael Kiser, a young married coupleliving in Missouri, have been Baba lovers forsome years now. Recently they foundthemselves somewhat on the down side of oneof life's rollercoasters. But along with the

"kicks" Baba always

and thus the Ideawas formed that they should make available toall the very beautiful and artistic cards thathitherto only the Mandali and other dearfriends had seen.

Teresa tells us she gets much pleasureworking on these greeting cards, so much Babalove goes into making them. The inside of the 5x 7 cards is blank "-so they are suitable for alloccasions, but oIl, the outside! Each card takesabout an hour to make. The reproductionabove doesn't begin to do justice to them--theyare so colorful, with intricate embossed goldscroll work around the letters and designs,painted in watercolors, with glitters, sparkles,and sometimes photos of Baba. Each one isdifferent. The "Have a Baba Filled Birthday"cards sell for $3.25 and the others, with suchsayings as "Lord Meher", "Baba is Love", "BabaI love you", "Meher is Lord", and "Baba LovesYou" are $2.75 each. All are done on white card-

10 stock, and include an envelope. There is often a

11

A song of flame? No, a few dropsfrom His Flood of compassion

That have over-spilledand my cup filled

and drowned me in its ocean.

I'i. ) ~

~~.

~···~I

So listen kindly to my song ­it/s all I have to give you:

These drops of flame <of Meher's Name --

when I have done I'll leave you.

A song of flame, yet very cool,as is an evening sky:

A song that leaps,yet love's seal keeps

imprisoned in a sigh.

And from the ashes of my songarose a Phoenix singing --

A song of flameof Meher/s Name:

to you this song I'm bringing.

I sang again - a smoldering tunein a new key and fashion -

Till summer's heatchanged to winter's sleet,

and with it died my passion.

I Sang a Song. by Francis Brabazon

I sang a song in early spring,a song each lover sings.

Then summer camewith its hot flame

and burnt my young song/swings.

price list with all our stocks ofbooks, videos, t-shirts/ tapes/and other items, drop me a lineor call me at (213) 837-6419. Tillnext time...See you.

At the Bookstore-Dina Franklin

When out in public wearing "Baba'sGarden"/ which is a wonderful rendering of theMeherazad garden. I am stopped frequently bystrangers who compliment me on it. Andrea/stees are $24 for M. L, and XL, and $18 forchildren/s sizes. They cover such subjects as theSarnadhL Seclusion Hill, Baba's Garden. andBaha/s Chair. Incredibly beautiful is the nighttime version of the Samadhi, (done on a blackT-shirt) with the stars overhead. SometimesAndrea adds writing: "Begin the Beguine"/"Baba is Love", "Don/t Worry Be Happy"/ etc.She also can create a design just for you. Whenordering specify firSt and second choices ofsubject matter and predominant color.

Our other t-shirt painter extraordinaire,Bob Fredericks of Chicago, is working on aconsignment for our Sahavas in July. H wehave any left over, we will run a special pageof tees in our next issue, for those of you whowere not able to attend.

When my mother, Diana Snow, came forher yearly visit to Los Angeles from her homeon Keil Mountain (atop which sits Avatar'sAbode), she brought with her some lettersfrom, and papers of, Francis Brabazon. Amongthem was a very beautiful poem which webelieve has never before been published. In theearly days the poem was put to music, andMother told me she was singing it when hercar ran off the road and rolled over threetimes!!! She fervently believes she is alive todaybecause she was singing to the Beloved! Maybewe have discovered a novel form of lifeinsuraoce-always have a Baba tape playing inyour car! It is also "after life" insurance, as Babahas said,"Whosoever takes My name at thetime of breathing his last comes to Me." Whatinso/aoce company can give such a guarantee,whpe offering so much pleasure, and at such alo~ cost?! We have at least 36 singing andSNaking tapes to choose from. plus anextensive lending library of talks that weretaped at past Sahavas" and at the Center whenwe had visiting luminaries. Larry Fletcher is incharge of the library, so you can write to him atthe Center for full information as to what isavailable and for procedures.

H you would like a copy of our April /91

Nerd's CornerBy Greg Dunn

In the great traditionof counting angels on pin­heads, we offer the follow­ing exercises for thosedesiring to exhaust thoselast few mathematicsimpressions. They mayalso prove useful to those aspiring to assist theAvatar in the counting of universes in somefuture Advent. The source for the numbers inthe following material is God Speaks by MeherBaba. 2nd Edition, pp. 271-273.1. According to Meher Baha, time in the Cosmic

Illusion is divided into Cycles measured inhuman terms as "about 700" to "about 1400"years. In each cycle of time there are elevenAges of 65 to 125 years each.a. If every Age in a given Cycle were 125

years long, how long would that Cycle be?b. If every Age in a given Cycle were 65 years

long, how long would that Cycle be?2. Baba said there are 7000 members of the func­

tioning spiritual hierarchy for a particularage. Of that 7000, 5600 are either on the firstplane or between planes.

What percentage of the spiritual hierarchy re­sides on a definite plane other than the first?

3. Only eight members of the spiritual hierarchy(three Majzoobs in the body, and five PerfectMasters) are God Realized. In the AvataricAge of a Cycle, this number rises to nine byvirtue of the Avatar's incarnation.a. What percentage of the spiritual hierarchy

is God-Realized in a non-Avataric Age?b. By what percenhlge does the percentage of

God-Realized souls in the spiritualhierarchy rise in an Avataric Age?

4. According to Baba. there are 56 God-realizedsouls (Shiv-Abnas) in human form on earth.at all times and in all Ages. Of these 56 onlyeight have public recognition and functionas active members of the functioning spiri­tual hierarchy.

How many non-hierarchy God-Realized12 souls are there for each hierarchy God-Real-

ized soul, in a non-Avataric Age?5. According to Baba. the number of Perfect Ma­

jzoobs (non-Sadguru God-realized souls) al­ternates in number between seven and threein each successive Age of a Cycle. There areseven Perfect Majzoobs in odd-numberedcycles and three in even-numbered cycles.The 11th (Avataric) cycle is an exception:this cycle has only six Perfect Majzoobs.a. How many Perfect Majzoobs are there in a

Cycle?b. What is the ratio of Perf~tMajzoobs in an

average Age to God-realized souls inhuman form in any given Age?

6. According to Baba. there are always exactlyfive Perfect Masters in every Age. Besidesthe Perfect Masters, there are 56 Majzoobs-e­Kamil whom Baha describes as the "sleep­ing" or "inactive" partners in the conduct ofthe divine sport (lila) of Creation.a. What is the ratio of Perfect Masters in a

cycle to Majzoobs-e-Kamil in a Cycle?b. Considering that the Avatar, like the

Perfect Masters, is an active participant inthe lila, what is the relationship of activeto inactive partners?

7. Dro~souls come into their illusory existencewhen God's whim to know Himself rocksthe Ocean of Unconscious Divinity. They de­part that existence when they becomemerged into Conscious Divinity at the endof their spiritual journey.a. If the rate of entrance (ingress) of

dro~soulsinto the musion exceeds therate of exit (egress), what happens to thenumber of dro~soulsin the illusion?

b. If the rate of exit (egress) of dro~soulsinto the illusion exceeds the rate ofentrance (ingress), what happens to thenumber of dro~soulsin the rn~sion?

c. During the process of Mahapralaya. theinbreathing of the musion by God, whichwould you expect to be higher, the rate ofegress of dro~oulsfrom the musio", orthe rate of ingress of drop~soulsinto themusion?

d. Is the destruction of illusion a good thingor a had thing? •

Answers on page 14

BHA USTOCK from page 1

demanded an explanation. this time with hisimpatience rising.

With the questioner still holding one leg inthe air, Mohammed instructed him to lift hisother leg!

"What do you ask!" the man said. I comefor an explanation and you give me this sillyexercise! Again I ask, and you respond byasking me to lift my second leg, which ofcourse I cannot do. I would fall on the ground!What is the meaning of this!?"

Mohammed then proceeded to explain tothe man that an individual's free will is "like thequestioner's power to move the first leg he hadlifted in the air. He can move that leg all about,but actually all his movement is constrained bythe requirement that his other leg be firmlyplanted in one spot. This, Mohammedexplained, was the relationship betweenindividual and divine will: The man's ability tomove one leg was like his free will; the require­ment, enforced by by natural law, that his

other leg remain firmly planted, was like theexpression of divine will.

The individual appears to have greatfreedom to move about, but in reality hismovements are firmly connected to and con­strained by the divine will. He is as incapableof freeing himself from the constraints andprotection of that divine will as he is of liftingboth legs into the air at once!

On Sunday night, before Monday'smidday close of the gathering, a dhuni washeld, highlighted by Ehau's invocation to Godto place his blessing upon the gathering.Music was provided by David Miotke, HughMacDonald, Margaret Bernstein, RaineEastman~annett,and several others; and thecelebrations continued well into the night. Atsix the next morning this reporter discoverednearly a dozen campers rolled up in sleepingbags and lined up like so many premiumcigars on the ground surrounding the dhuni. Itwas almost as though they were awaiting their

continued on nextpage

-.

EVENING QUAWWAU SINGING

ANSWERS TO COSMIC MATH PRIMERfrom page 11

Sa. 55/56 - 0.9821428571429.b. 56/56-1

7a. It goes up.b. It goes down.c. I'd say the rate 01 egress.d. This is a political issue and therefore outside the pur­

view of Nerd's Comer. Happy calculating!

1a. 11*125-1375.b.ll*65-715.

2. (7000·5600)!7000 - .2 - 20%3a. B{7000 - 0.001142857142857 - .1143%; slight more

than 1/10 of 1%.b. The increase is (9/8)· 1- .125 • 12.5%

4. 48/8 - 6Sa. 7 Majzoobs* 5Ages + 3 Majzoobs *5 Ages +6 Ma­

jZoobs * 1Age - 56

b. No.PertectMajzoobs in avg.

Age 56/11 - 5.090909

MANONASH ..s. KALCHURI from pg. 7

Los Angeles where we can deal with this face­to-face. In the interest of expediting this matterso that we can all get on with our work, Iwould like to propose a plea bargainingarrangement. U you agree to plead guilty to allcharges against you, I can arrange for you toserve an extremely light sentence. All you haveto do is appear in Los Angeles before June 1,1991. You will be met at Los Angeles Inter­national Airport and taken into custody. Fromthere you will be transported to a minimum­security cell in the Hollywood Hills in thehome of Jacko Carraco. After a brief trial beforethe L.A. Baba Community which will lastperhaps a week, you will be sentenced to threedays of hard oratory in Mariposa, California.Having served your time there, you will be

continued nextpage

1156No. God-realizedsouls in any given

age

Ratio -

BHA USTOCK from page 13

opportunity to be lit once again by the fire oflonging!

Mark Palmer from Palmerazad, illinoiswas also found in attendance at Bhaustock '91.He remained quiet and unassuming through­out the event, but one could not help butwonder what wheels were turning inside thathead. Others came from as far away as France!

The gathering was, of course, amply atten­ded by the New Humanity. Children wereeverywhere in evidence, lending their energy,innocence, and mischievousness to the ambi­ence. A "Nintendo tent" was provided for theexpenditure and winding up of digital con­quest impressions. This tent had rather the airof a military field headquarters, and thereseemed always to be a good deal of seriouswork taking place behind its canvas flaps.

Three open-roof privies and a pair of out­door showers expertly constructed by Chrisand Zack Pearson, supplemented by tworented port-a-potties, provided for the bodilyneeds of the attendees. One had only to visitany of the privies on the last day of the sahavasto appreciate in a highly tangible way themagnitude and significance of the event- (SeeBhau and Bobby letters, page 14, bottom.)

We all, I am sure, want to express ourappreciation to Bhau for coming; and also toecho the appreciation he expressed to all whocontributed to make this event possible: Chris,Christi, Zack, Jacko (Bhau's Los Angeles host),Jeff Maguire, Lois Jones (dinner set up andcleanup coordinator), and the many otherswho made this event possible. Chris, Christi,and Zack, of course, particularly extendedthemselves by hosting the gathering, sparingno effort to make both guests and attendeescomfortable and happy, and trusting Baba tokeep their relations with the local townspeopleon an even keel.

Only He knows what is in store for MeherAbode and the Sierra Sahavas in the future. Uit were left to a vote of the Bhaustack '91 atten­dees, we'd be back every year! Jai Baba! •

14

KALCHURI ACCOMPANIED BY A PAIR OF STERN~OOKING MARSHALS

released to Mr. Connor and yourfreedom will be restored.

I believe that if you think hardabout this offer, Mr. Kalchuri, you'llsee that it is a generous one. I doubtif you'd get this kind of leniencyfrom, say, the Myrtle Beach Babacommunity or the Sufis.

Please let me know if youchoose to accept this offer so that Ican stop extradition proceedingsbetween the U.s. and Indiangovernments.

Thank you. Have a nice day.In His Love,Robert Manonash, Esq.

Bllau's reply 0/2 Feb. 1991:

My dear Robert Manonash,

I received your letter throughyour representative, Shari Johnston,who holds degrees in Math, Science, andMusic. I am amazed to see that your legalrepresentative has become a mastaru. She has

forgotten the math,science, and music

SOLUTION TO AVATAR and it appears as ifCROSSWORD she is in the astral

world.I therefore

presume that youlost the case andthere is no caseagainst me. leannotappear before theLA group for thepassing of a lightsentence, but I amreally very gen­erous. I feel thatbecause you havelost, you are heart­broken and there­fore to assemble thepieces of your heartI decide to visit LA.You have lost your

case but do not feel miserable. I will not bringback the sanskaras and therefore you need notworry. I will bring empty suitcases and youhave to fill them with coffee, non-alcholicbrew, and rich food so that I may not eat thefood from European countries and empty thebags there so that I may bring their sanskarasto Meherabad in my suitcases. You preserveyour sanskaras and I think it is a good deal.This time there will not be any talk aboutsanskaras. We will talk about food so that youmay not have any room to file a suit againstme. You have made my path clear and therewill be no binding on you.

But I must admit that in a way you havewon the case because I am visiting LA becauseof your persuasion. You are victorious andalthough I have won the case I have lost it.

FDSTSCRIPT: On May 13, 1991, Bhau andJohn Connor arrived at LAX and were takeninto custody. After an eight day trial, Bhaupleaded guilty. For his sentenc~Bhau wasordered to take to Baba's Sarnadhi a paper baginto which the members of the LA groupdumped thousands of horrible sanskaras

continued on last page 15

IXJN'T WORRY from page 3

this wonderful prospect, or process, ofAwakening, so that it becomes just a little bitmore accessible for everyone."

This is the practice then - this inner action ­this choice -- and it is a struggle, it is not anegation of struggle. It is the very struggle thatleads to the goal (of mastery, and union withthe Divine.) Moreover, we find that to do anyless than this, to forget to remember (and abidein) the' all-sufficiency' of God, when facing thecrush of events and circumstances, is to allowworry (which is the pull of personal thinking,desires, and reactions), to dlOose us, so to speak.And itll.il/: catching us up in endless compli­cations, maintaining its control over us by akind of natural law, until (at last) we realize:the problems are never solved, circumstanceswill neper be made perfect, Life is never' fixedup'. Only: we decide to choose_happiness -- now- and by this practice build ourselves a wholenew life there, in that "already harpy" rlace,

which (in time) outshines the old, dissolves the'dream' (the illusion of separation) perfectly.

And if death intervenes before the processis complete --

So what?! "Don't worry - Be happy." •

MANONAS/f vs. KALC/fURJ from page 15

(Note: We were careful to hang onto thosesanskaras required to make a decent living andshortly thereafter a member of our Board who'dbeen tmemployed for over a year got a job')

Since Bhau is carrying our bag alloverEurope for six weeks prior to his return to India,we express our sympathy to all those EuropeanBaba Lovers who must be wondering where theawful stink is coming from

Meanwhile, rumor has it that RobertManonash is contemplating another suit againstMr. Kalchuri on behalf of the Big Oak Septic Coof Mariposa, CA •

Those who do not dare to love Me, seek saJety all the shores. You who have been loving Me areswimming in this Diville DeeaT'. Love Me more alld more tiU you get drowned ill Me.

Dive deep alld you will gain the priceless pearl oj infinite OIIeness.

AVATAR MEHER BABA CENTEROF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA10808 Santa Monica BoulevardLos Angeles, California 90025

ADDRESS CORRECTIONREQUESTED

Non-Profit Organization

U.S. PostageP A I 0

Redondo Beach, CAPennIt No. 196

DATED MATERIALPLEASE EXPEDITE

AVATAR MEHER BABA CENTER OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIANEWSLETTER & CALENDAR FOR FALL 1991

~veStreet,Camp:Posu

by Hilda Lee Dail, Ph.D.[Editor's note: The following is an abridg­

ment ofan article which first appeared inAlternatives magazine following the occasion ofKitty Davy's 98th birthday. Kitty, much to thedelight ofall who have the good fortune to know orknow ofher, has recently attained the remarkableage of100. So that Kitty's many friends andadmirers may, on this magnificent occasion, payher at least an inner visit, we reprint a portion ofDr. Dail's beautiful portrait here.]

Love Holds The Key...A Profile ofKitty Davy

where she had been living for 18 years asresident of an ashram (a spiritual retreatcenter) founded by an Indian spiritual masterof Persian background known as Meher Baba.

Kitty's father was a prosperous publisher.Early in her life she decided to be a musicteacher. In London,. at St. Paul's School, herpiano pupils were seven to 13 years old. In de­veloping her career, she came to America forspecial training in Boston in the Fletcher

method, focusing on inspiring alove of music in pupils andencouraging spontaneity and en~

thusiasm. She loved her"chil­dren" and enjoyed teaching.

In 1931 a big change tookplace in her life: she met MeherBaba. She was struck by his

message of love as translated in service toothers. "When I saw him for the first time, Ifelt I wanted to de something. Baba told usthat he had not come to teach but to awakento a new consciousness of Truth. 'Mastery inServitude' was his motto. We were taught toobey first, and that love is the only reality.Knowing what is illusion and what is reality isour task. Baba did not come to start a newreligion but to increase our conStiousness.Christianity means much more to me now.life is giving out, not taking away."

continued on page 16

On August 28, 1988, KittyDavy began the 98th year of herlife. In preparation for this eventI found her on a recent morningdressed carefully in slacks and asoft lavender blouse with ajaunty scarf across her shoulders. A tiny -greendesign in the scarf coordinated with theChinese jade necklace and dangling earrings.She sat with a quiet dignity behind the desk ather home that borders Briarcliffe Acres andthe Meher Spiritual Center. She has beenliving here since 1952 when she came to assistElizabeth Chapin Patterson in operatingMeher Spiritual Center.

Born in Lpndon, England, Kitty stillspeaks with a cultured English accent andmaintains her British citizenship. She came toMyrtle Beach directly from Nasik, India,

Beacons in the Smog

2

By Greg Dunn

Every summer Baba reminds us in South­ern California why we endure the chokingsmog, gang wars, stratospheric housing costs,we-never-close traffic jams, freeway shootings,and taxes which constitute the considerablethorn of life in the Golden State. There areplenty of places where you can send your kidsto better schools, play in better parks, breathebetter air, and drink better water. You candrive home to a bigger, or newer, or better­looking house (or just a house to begin with!)through uncluttered neighborhood downstreets where you can actually see the curbs.You can park without fear of missing anobscure and convoluted parking restrictionposted on a sign half a block away and hiddenbehind a truck.

Just when the accumulated aggravation isabout to boil over, Bhau Kalchuri pays a visit.Or may-be it's Espandiar Vesali (one of thePrem Ashram boys); or Katie Irani; or FraneyIrani. Or perhaps, as happened this summer,it's all four of the above! Almost continuouslyfor the entire summer, one or more of theseBaba messengers were here sharing themselveswith us. Suddenly L.A. became beautifulagain!

We have previously reported the visit byBhau. For the annual Silence Day Sahavas wehad the great pleasure and inspiration of thecompany of both Katie and Espandiar. Katiearrived nearly two weeks in advance of theSahavas and prOvided the impetus for numer­ous and varied gatherings in Baba's name,love, and light. She seemed to embody theloving, gentle, jamali side of our Master, andmany people commented upon the specialquality of gentle love that characterized thisyear's Sahavas.

A physical barrier of language provedlittle obstacle to communication when Espan­diar spoke with us. Espandiar's early educationwas marked, not by a deification of the "threeR's", but by the Diety Himself teaching thefundamentals of love for God! Imagine the

change in our planet if this were made theuniversal educational priority!

Franey Irani, the widow of Adi Jr., Baba'syounger brother, is in the process of movingfrom London to Albuquerque, New Mexico, sowe hope to see more of her in the future. It wasinteresting to hear her stories in combinationwith Katie's, since both were close ones of

Nasreen Ajang ~eft) and daughter Pam (right) with Katie. TheAjangs have hosted many gatherings with our guests.

Baba's who nonetheless lived a "westernstyle" life in the world: Katie with her longcareer in the Japanese diplomatic organizationin Born-bay, and Franey with her varied life inLondon. Katie related how Baba would ask,during her periodic visits to Meherazad, fordetails of her life at work in Bombay. Hewould want to know about her relationshipwith her bosses, and about any amusinghappenings. It was as if He were emphasizingthat she should keep herself constantly atten­tive and alert to the spice of life in whateverform He chose for her.

We all express our heartfelt thanks toKatie, Franey, Espandiar, and Bhau for givingso much of themselves to us. They are theleavening of our Baba loaf; they are our light­houses in the smog. All please come againsoon! Thanks also to all those in our localgroup who saw to their needs, dedicatingtheir time, money, talents, and energies tomake the visits and gatherings a success.

31.1@1".*~ ~@1".*~ 31S~t.*~ ~@1".*~

Letter from Bhau 13 August, 1991

Now it is for the Beloved togive you all His prasad of

Love and make a roadfor youall to walk easily and

comfortably to His Abodewhile eating ice cream.

My dearest Jeff (Bobby Manonash) and all thedear ones of LA Center,

We arrived here on 26th July in the after­noon and immediately went to Beloved Baba'sTomb at Meherabad. We stayed at Ahmed­nagar with the packet of sanskaras from theLA group and two garlands...The sanskaraswere offered at the feet of the Beloved in HisTomb with a wholehearted prayer that Heshould keep His loving nazar (glance) on allwho had sent their binding sanskaras.

The packet of was empty but the stink ofthe sanskaras was in it, and I had to retainthat packet till 12th of August to consume it inthe flame of the dhuni.

...Yesterday was the 12th and we were atMeherabad when the dhuni was lighted in theevening. I took that packet with me and Isprinkled one bottle of perfume on the packetso that no one would smell the stink there.. .Idropped the packet into the fire with a prayerto Beloved Baba that He should see that allthese sanskaras are consumed in the flame ofHis fire so that His dear ones should be freefrom the bindings of those sanskaras.

I did my duty and nowit is for the Beloved to giveyou all His prasad of Loveand make a road for you allto walk easily and comforta­bly to His Abode whileeating ice cream.

.. .I cannot express howhappy I was in LA andMariposa. I can only saluteyour love for the Beloved. I simply feeltouched and I cannot imagine how you allremained free during my stay there. Youforgot your work, you forgot your responsi­bilities and you forgot the world and re­mained thirsty to drink even a drop of Winefrom His Tavern. I found there that it wasraining and the house was burning! Who willbelieve this? But this was a fact. This was myexperience in Mariposa and LA.

I should say that you all are not onlyfortunate but also blessed, and though the

drops are getting holes by the needle of theBeloved this process is there to merge thedrops in the Ocean. The Ocean is very activein you all and because the Ocean is active thedrops are facing difficulties and hardships.But what a game the Beloved is playing! HeHimself is suffering within you all and He islonging to manifest Himself within you.

Know well that the Beloved is verypleased with you and therefore do not forgetto offer your smile and the tears to Him andHe will then be most happy.

One can offer tears to Him very easily buteveryone forgets to offer his smile to Him.And therefore you all loved ones of theBeloved remember - you offer your smiles aswell as your tears to Him. Submit the accountof Your daily life to Him everyday and do nothave the headache of keeping the longaccount. Just offer Him the account everydayand He will balance your account mostwillingly.

I love you all; and my companion Johndid not forget the intoxication he had in LAand Mariposa. People talk about the happi-

ness of heaven but thathappiness was nothingbefore the bliss of paradisewe had in LA and Mariposa.The angels can only enjoy thehighest happiness, but thelovers of the Beloved enjoybliss, and there is a world ofdifference between happi-ness and bliss. Happiness

keeps one bound while bliss makes one freefrom the bindings.

So dear ones, go on singing in His Loveand go on dancing to the tune of His moodand wish, and remain intoxicated whileattending to your responsibilities in the worldin order to please Him. You are all blessedones. I love you all.

With all love and Jai Baba to you all inBelovedBaba.

In His Love,Bhau 3

"The Avatar Meher Baba Trust Runs on Love"by Mani S. Irani

4

(The following talk was given by Mani inresponse to a question about the Trust. It wasgiven in March, 1987 at Meherazad.)

Avatar Meher Baba Trust runs on love­Baba's love, and nothing else - which is whatmakes it tolerable for persons like me to spendso many hours working at the Trust Office inAhmednagar, conducting its administrationwith the help of the willing hands and heartsof His lovers whom He has sent here in HisCompassion for us. The wheels of His Trustare kept moving only by the donations givenfrom the hearts of His lovers, and which areutilized for the purposes specified by thedonors within the scope of the objects whichBeloved Baba has entrusted His Trustees tocarry out, as enumerated in the Trust Deedexecuted by Him in 1959.

THE LOVE STREET LAMP POST

A quarterly publication of th.Avatar Meher Baba Center

of Southern California10808 Santa Monica Boulevard

Loa AnSel.., CA 9002S(213) 474-94S4

This newsletter is designed to keep the Southern California MehcrBaba community and friends abreast of Center activities, and toprovide a fonnn for oomlempOruy accounts of life with Meher Baba.. Guide.

EtliIon: (hs and Oay DunnPro,,,,,,, Cltlliq<no.: Jeff Maauin>Co"trlbtdon: NURlCD AjlUliJ Lynne Berry. Elaine Cox, DinaFranklin, Jeff Maguire, Caroline McDonald, Georgene Tuba., aodAdele WolkinMIIilbo,: Olria aod Pris HalTendcn

~..,e ,e,ultJll".w,klkr 1IHJkrUll u,:(hS aod Oay Dunn3401 Dow Avenue

Redondo Beach, CA 90278(213)371-6321

PIca• ••"tllUltl,...., elltu1X.,/."6.m,tlo,, ,.,,,.," IQ:

Pris HalTendcn3616- 1{2 S. Centinela Avenue

Loa AnSel.., CA 90066(213) 390-2779

PubliJbed quarterly (Jan, Apr, Jul, Oct)

All contento copyright 1991 by the Avatar Moher Baba Center ofSouthern California, e.c:epl where noled.

The Trust is involved in no other businessthan the business (or busyness) of His Love.All moneys received for the Trust are placedimmediately in government-run banks asrequired by law and drawn as needed.Various amounts are placed in long-term fixeddeposits so that their accrued interests cancontinue to meet the yearly and growingexpenditure which the Trust's only mode ofinvestment. Unlike other Trusts or Compa­nies, the Trust does not involve itself inbusiness transactions to generate money - theonly business is Baba's Business which is Loveand just His Love. It is this which makesAvatar Meher Baba Trust totally differentfrom all other Trusts set up in charity or forreasons of evading taxes in their businessenterprises.

There has been all these years a Govern­ment provision for 100% Income Tax deduc­tion to those Indian donors who donated tothe scheme known as Rural Development, setup for the benefit of villages and projects inthe rural areas. Meherabad, by Arangaonvillage, is in a rural area and because of all themany charitable objects and works our Trustis fully involved in. we were found eligible tobe included in this scheme. We then feltinspired to invite donations from outsiders:large concerns and companies who we feltsure would be eager to avail of this opportu­nity to save on their taxes. HoshangDadachanji took up this project on a personalbasis. He collected and selected hundreds ofaddresses of hopeful candidates for contribut­ing to Avatar Meher Baba Perpetual PublicCharitable Trust, and sent out the appeals onvery attractive printed cards with gold-edging,and included an equally beautiful picture andmessage of Beloved Baba. The response wasindeed very disheartening, and the replieswere letters of regret saying they had theirown rural projects to sponsor. So it be.camevery clear to us once again that this Trust setup by Beloved Baba is born of His Love,

meant to be nourished and maintained by HisLove, through His lovers.

Each donation received, big or small, isentered in writing in five books in our Office.Giving from the heart in Baba's Love is whatcounts, not the size of the amount. Forexample, there is a poor school teacher inAndhra Pradesh (So. India) who would send amonthly collection (totalling less than $.50)from herself and her teacher-friends!

The part of the Trust known as "Firstly",which provides for the beneficiaries named byBeloved Baba in the Trust Deed, has a uniqueaspect too - and which I find not many Babalovers are aware of. There are a total of 41beneficiaries (in three categories) named byHim in the Trust Deed, with percentagesspecified for each category. The total amountreceived for disbursement to the Beneficiariesis each time divided in 41 parts according totheir respective percentages, and the shares ofthe single beneficiaries who have died (and 10years after the category of "family" benefici­ary has died) are transferred to the AvatarMeher Baba Perpetual Public Charitable Trust.Thus, by His grace, the dead beneficiariesbecome permanent donors to the charitableobjects of the Trust, until such time when allbeneficiaries have died and "Firstly" ceases toexist. At present, nearly 50% of what isreceived for the Beneficiaries, automaticallygoes to the charitable objects of the Trust.Even then, we continue to encourage dona­tions to the Avatar Meher Baba PerpetualPublic Charitable Trust whenever we find itfeasible to do so, as the charitable objectsrequire large funds.

The word charity takes on quite adifferent meaning when it is given outthrough the Trust. Because Baba has createdthe Trust and has laid down the objects, so the"charity" given is from Him, and His loversare given the opportunity to share in it. As wehave known Him to do during His many"poor-programmes", when the Belovedwashed the feet of the poor and gave each apractical gift (in the form of clothes, grains, ormoney), each received His unseen blessings

PAltrrlNG BY CHARLES MILLS

through the material means. So the help givenout in charity through the instrument of theTrust set up by Him, is more than the visiblematerial help; it is in effect an aspect of Hisunseen work.

We witness the work of the Trust and allactivities in Baba's Love expanding at a rapidrate, in keeping with the expanding circle ofHis worldwide lovers. In these nine months ofour Pilgrim Season we are made more andmore aware that Beloved Baba does His work,that it is all"out of our hands," that we aremoving along by the sheer force or momen­tum of His incredible pace, and that (thankGod) it is all in His dear hands as always. TheVictory is always His! JM BABA!

If you would like to contribute a lovedonation to Baba's Trust, please make checkspayable to:

Lynne Berry, Trustwalla267 Hanover DriveCosta Mesa, CA 92626This article is reprinted rourtesy of the

"Friends of the Avatar Meher Baha TrustNewsletter", dated Fall 1987. 5

SALE I , A.,.lll~~~I

~CT 1 to NOV 30

At theBookstoreBy Dina Franklin

Today I write mybookstore report 35,000'above the Pacific while winging my wayDown Under to join in the Sydney celebrationof the 35th Anniversary of our Beloved'sarrival on Australian shores.

It's hard to believe 35 years have passedsince I was privileged to embrace Him. I havewith me two sUitcases full of our Bookstoreitems to share with those in Sydney andAvatar's Abode. Two suitcases full, and itdidn't even make a dent in all the stock wehave still in our Bookstore! Boy, did I evergoof! When placing my orders in preparationfor our Sahavas in July, I totally underestimatedthe effect of the current recession and overesti-

mated the temptingpower of our Visa andMastercard. Conse­quently we are incredi­bly over stocked, butour loss is your gain.

Baba's "kick" to me is a kiss for you - all yourChristmas shopping can be done on the orderform enclosed and your savings will be tre­mendous!

All the videos listed on pages 11 and 12are going at just over cost. Take 15% off thelisted price. This will be until our supplies aredepleted, so it's first come first served. Youmight want to list a 2nd and 3rd choice in casewe've sold all of the ones you want. Put yourphone number on your order in case we needto talk.The East-West Gathering

This video tape, a hot seller at the

About Ocean of Love, Delia's MemoirsExcerptedfrom "The Sheriar Letter" by Ann Conlon

6

Delia, who still lives in England, metMeher Baba in 1931, along with Kitty Davyand Margaret Craske, and the trio came to becalled by Meher Baba "The Frivolous Three."

Ocean ofLove is a delightful set of mem­oirs, ranging between a breezy style and oneof great thoughtfulness and insight. One of thevolume's highlights is a collection of letters,postcards, and cables reproduced throughoutits pages, giving a very strong sense ofimmediacy, of being in that time when onecould be fortunate enough to receive directcommunications from Meher Baba. Thepostcards come from all over the world, fromMadrid and Cairo and the ships on whichMeher Baba traveled; the letters from Indiaand the United States. They are in turn warmand lov,;jng, strong, direct, and full of lessonsone would be hard put to find elsewhere, agold mine of information on what Meher Babawanted and expected from his followers.

Delia was an actress when she first sawMeher Baba's name in a letter written by

Meredith Starr to the magazine called TheEveryman. She clipped it and put it away. Afew months later, at a low point in her life, shecame across it again, and followed a suddenstrong feeling that she should go to Meredith'sretreat at East Challacombe. When later thatyear Meher Baba arrived in London. Delia metHim during a musical comedy performance atthe Coliseum in London. She describes themeeting: "I was stunned. I had seen His facebefore in my dreams. The eyes were startlingin their beauty; the face seemed luminous,honey-eolored, framed by a halo of long, darkhair. I hardly heard or said anything because Iwas only conscious of Baba sitting there."

Over the next 38 years, Delia devoted herlife to Meher Baba, seizing every opportunityto be with him in England and India, France,Italy, and the United States. She workedtirelessly to spread his message in Englandand was involved in the formation of theUniversal Spiritual League, forerunner oftoday's Meher Baba Association. •

Sahavas, has only just become available as avideo. If you have seen the movies at thePilgrim Center, Friday nights, you will befamiliar with this version of the "East WestGathering". It was filmed by the Sufi's, won­derfully edited by Ginny Katz, produced byPete Townshend. The sound track is thebeautiful Concierto de Aranjuez (music forguitar and orchestra) by Rodrigo. It is 22minutes of wonderful footage of the prepara­tions in Poona, the pilgrims streaming in fromEast and West, and of our Beloved, seated onthe dais, giving Darshan to the thousands oflovers. A very good value at $35.

Ocean ofLoveAlso popular is the new book Ocean of

Love, the memoirs of Delia DeLeon. My dearfriend, Andy Muir, who read the first copy tohit Los Angeles, exclaimed "Wow! It's anamazing book. I couldn't put it down - all thatterrific Baba information and so easy to read."

Song ofHumaThe magnificent tape entitled "Song of

Huma" is a collection of ghazals written byBaba in the 30's and 40's. Baba took the name"Huma", Persian for "Phoenix", as His penname. They are exquisitely sung by KatieIrani, one ot Baba's intimate circle of womenmandali; Mani, The Beloved's sister; ~dRhoda Mistry.

Kiser KardsRemember the beautiful hand-made cards

I told you about in our last edition? "KiserKards" we call them. Well, Teresa has verylOvingly told me to put the price down to asinfully low $2. "Sinfully" bec'-ause of thehours worth of labor that goes into makingeach card! The "Have a Baba-filled Birthday"cards are $2.50. This way, she says, morepeople will be able to enjoy them, and besides,she gets so much happiness out of makingthem. I've seen the samples of the Christmascards and they are exquisite. There are twodesigns; both say "Have a Baba-filled MerryChristmas" on top. One has a decoratedChristmas tree (both writing and tee areembossed in a single color -gole;., bronze,

The Story Behind "Song ofHuma II

by Elaine Cox[Note from Dina: When I first heard this tape

I was so bowled over by the sheer physical andemotional beauty of it, I called the producer,Elaine Cox, and asked her to tell us all about it. Itturns out there is quite a story behind its produc­tion. Elaine writes:]

"In August of 1989 I had just finished thedesign/production work on Mehera's book,published by Naosherwan Nalavala, bydelivering the first copies into the hands of thewomen Mandali. That project had takennearly a year and a half, and it was a hardrealization and difficult to accept that Meherawould personally never see the book, havingjust dropped her body three and a half monthsearlier.

Some two or three days later atMeherazad, I was sitting alone on the steps ofthe ladies' veranda, while at the other endnext to beloved Mehera's chair, Katie Iraniwas sitting with a pilgrim, singing to her.There was no one else on the veranda at thattime. She sang a beautiful ghazal I had neverheard before. Then she sang another one froma sro'\ll, well-used notebook filled with hercareful notations in Gujerati script. I wasstruck first with the beauty of her voice andhow much love emanated from her as shesang, even though I could not understand theexact meaning of the words. Then she re­vealed to the pilgrim that these were writtenby Meher Baba, and I was astonished that Ihad not heard these songs before in all myyea"s of coming to India. At my request, Katiesang a few more and each one was morewonderful than the last.

I said to myself, "Why are these notheard? Why hasn't someone recorded theseworks? What if these women who lived at theashram in the '30's leave us without recordingthis for all of us to live on?" The still, smallvoice within said, "Why don't y.pu do it,Elaine?"

The mind instantly came up with argu­continued on page 10

7

All events, unless otherwise noted, are at theCenter, 10808 Santa Monica Boulevard, LosAngeles, (213)474-9454.

OCTOBER EVENTS

October 5, Saturday, 6pm. FARSI LANGUAGEMEETING devoted to discussion of BelovedBaba. All are welcome. Coordinated by Dr.Mahmoud Ajang.

October 5, Saturday, 8pm. A SPECIAL VISITFROM THE JAPA BROTHERS Gacko Caracoand Bob Street). For years we've had requestsfor these guys and tonight they're finally here!(Or maybe we've had requests from theseguys-we forget, but they're here anyway.)We're told that the program will feature Jackointerviewing Bob about his many years inIndia with the Mandali and his visit this pastAugust; but knowing the Bros., anythinggoes ... Music by·the Haffendens.

KATIE IRANI RETURNS TO L.A.!

October 9, Wednesday, 2:52 pm. KATIE IRANIreturns to LAX on Delta Airlines FIt. 1708 fromSeattle.

October 10, Thursday,12 noon. PICNIC WITHKATIE AT THE DESCANSO GARDENS. 1418Descanso Dr., La Canada, Flintridge. Bring abag lunch to the picnic area outside of theentrance. If you wish to go into the gardensafter lunch there is a $3 fee. Also, there aretram tours of the gardens for $1.50. For moreinfo, call the Center (213)474-9454.

October 11, Friday. FAREWELL TO KATIE atLAX, midnight. Katie leaves on a SingaporeAirlines flight to Hawaii-Bombay.

October ~, Saturday, 8pm. SPECIAL GUESTlADELE WOLKIN REMEMBERS HER TIMESWITH BABA, PART III. The third part in thishighly-acclaimed series finds Jeff Maguire

8 interviewing Adele about Beloved Baba's trips

to the U.S. in 1956 and '58. Music by RobThornburn.

October 19, Saturday. SPECIALEVENTlFUNDRAISER DINNER AND AUCTIONat thehome of Margaret Magnus and Sam Ervin inLong Beach. If tonight is only half as action­packed and fun-filled as last's year's event,you'll be telling your grandchildren about ityears from now. You'll receive details in themail. Be sure to come enjoy a delicious Indiandinner, entertainment from Bobby Manonash,Ed McMaya, and others, and a fabulousauction, the proceeds from which we count onto keep our Center dancing to Baba's tune.

(There will be videos shown at the Centertonight, 8 pm, for those who can't attend theFundraiser.)

October 26, Saturday, 8pm. PORTRAITS OFTHE AVATARs. Judy and Carl Ernst offerslides and discussion on the ways the Godmenhave been portrayed in art throughout theages. This time your Program Guy was ableto check with the Ernsts before schedulingthem so, unlike last quarter, they will actuallybe here tonight. Sure to be a special night.Music by Frank Fariborz.

NOVEMBER EVENTS

November 2, Saturday, 6 pm. FARSI LAN­GUAGE MEETING devoted to discussion ofBeloved Baba. All are welcome. Coordinatedby Dr. Mahmoud Ajang.

November 2, Saturday, 8pm. THE AVATARMEHER BABA PERPETUAL CHARITABLETRUST. Tonight our Trustwalla Lynne Berryexplains the guidelines and objectives Babalaid down for the Trust which continues to doHis work in India. The program will includea video and slides updating us on the manywonderful Trust projects.

November 9, Saturday, 8pm. NUCLEARPHYSICS, ILLUSION, AND SUFFERING.(Rescheduled from last quarter.) Only theinimitable Rocky Rodgers would tackle thesethree themes, much less try to linkthem...Come find out how and why he does it.

3-,l} * 1" • (I ~ 3-,l) * T I Ca{encfar I• I) ~ .3') * 1" • I) ~November 16, Saturday, 8pm. THE BEST OFFRED STANKUS'S PUBliC ACCESS BABAPROGRAMS. For years now, Fred hasperformed a labor of love for his Beloved,producing TV shows about Baba for publicaccess television. TOnight he'll share some ofthe highlights, featuring many members ofour community. Music by Mark Choi.

November 23, Saturday, 8pm. BABA PICK­INGS: Pick out your very own message fromBeloved Baba, free of charge. There will be noswapping of messages, and no refunds. Mar­guerite Poley will provide the messages andcoordinate. She guarantees Baba will see to itthat each person gets the message intended forhim or her. Music by Debby and MichaelCampagna.

November 30, Saturday, 8pm. A SPECIALMOVIE NIGHT. Guitarists extraordinairesRob Thornburn and Rick Peikoff will impro­vise a soundtrack to tonight's silent films ofour Silent Master, Meher Baba. (Rescheduledfrom last quarter.)

DECEMBER EVENTS

December 7, Saturday, 6pm. FARSI LAN­GUAGE MEETING devoted to discussion ofBeloved Baba. All are welcome. Coordinatedby Dr. Mahmoud Ajang.

December 7, Saturday, 8pm. MANDAU HALLNIGHT. Capture the feeling of Mandali Hanwith hosts John and Patty Stout just returnedfrom India! Share your favorite stories orreadings; wear clothing suitable for floorsitting. Chai served at 7:30pm. Music byLouise Bower.

SPECIAL GUEST DON STEVENS! Don,a longtime disciple of Baba and the author ofmany books, including "listen Humanity"and "Man's Search For Certainty", visits ourCenter on or about December 9. Details willbe forthcoming by phone tree. If you're not onthe tree and want to be, call Steve Berry at(714)966-1078.

December 14, Saturday, 8pm. MEHERA. IRANI,BEWVED OF THE BEWVED would havebeen eighty-four on December 22. Tonight weremember her with stories and songs, coordi­nated by Nancy Merwan and Diane LaFleur.Music by Greg and Gay Dunn.

December 21, Saturday, 8pm. A MERRYMEHERMAS PARTY! We'll be lighting upthe proverbial yule log with Christmas carolsand festivities coordinated by Santa's favoritehelpers Pris and Chris Haffenden (What?You've never heard "Jingle Bells" played onan oboe before?) The winning ticket of theMehermas Sweeps will be drawn and there willbe a Gift Exchange -Bring an inexpensive(under $5) gift, suitable for male or female ifyou'd like to participate in the annual giftexchange. Parents of children should bringone gift per child. We always need extra gifts,in case you've got rewraps on hand after theoffice Christmas party!

December 28, 8pm. MOVIES OF THE BE­WVED. Charlie Morton kisses 1991 goodbyewith some of the only movies that reallymatter. Music by many of the finest musi­cians in the L.A. Baba community who will bejamming on "Auld Lang Syne" tonight.

AREA MEETINGSThere are area group meetings in OrangeCounty, and in Pasadena. For meetings inOrange County, call Georgene Tarbox at (714)953-3193. In Pasadena, call Diana Goodheart at(8188) 791-1078.

For information about the Fresno Baba groupcall Sharon or Phil Scott at (209) 449-0877.

For the Ojai Baba group call Marta Flores at(805) 646-8501.

For the San", Barbara Baba group call DonnaBayet at (805) 682-1877.

For the San Diego Baba group call Scott orAnne Makeig at (619) 481-2941.

For the Portland Baba group call (503) 873­2048. 9

10

silver, etc.) and the other has a beautiful,delicately painted angel with trumpet. Theyare $2 apiece, or $18 for a 12-pack (eithermixed or identical). Send them to the VerySpecial Baba Lovers on your list.

"Introduction to Baba" BooksI am often asked to recommend "~gin­

ning Baba Books". Two excellent paperbacksat$5.95 each are The Narrow Lane, containingexcerpts from God Speaks, Discourses, Life at itsBest, etc., and Much Silence - and The Life andWork ofMeher Baba, by Tom and Dorothy

The Story Behind "Song ofHuma"from page 7

ments such as "You/ve never produced arecording before, you wouldn/t know how.Books, yes, but sound recordings, no." So Ithought about it and left India still not sure ofwhat to do with my life. After some time backat home I realized that quiet voice was a clearinstruction and that I should not waste time. Ilistened to some private collection tapes madeby other Baba followers of some of the samematerial and was strengthened in my resolveto do it. I wrote the Mandali proposing theproject: to professionally record Baba/sownghazaIs as they were sung for Him by thosewho were there to do so. I received a letter ofacceptance for the project just before my nexttrip to India the following Spring. So in mid­February of 1990 I brought Philip Ludwigwith a portable DAT recorder, another back­up system, assorted high-quality micro­phones/ yards of wires and cables, and all ofPhil's technical skills to Meherazad andMeherabad.

We set up temporary studios in thedispensary at Meherazad during off hours,where Katie lovingly sat with her littlenotebook and gave us songs and stories andsome translations for hours. Later dear Manijoined us and gave of her time to sing for Babaand tell little details about the songs. It wasprecious moments for us all.There was noaccompaniment: all the singing by the ladies

Hopkinson. The Everything and the Nothing,gems from Meher Baba. is $6.95; Just to LoveHim by Adi K. Irani is $8.95; and Meher Babathe Awakener by Charles Haynes is $6.50. Allof the above are perfect for your own intro­duction to the Godman, or to show interestedfriends. . .

Audio CassettesAll cassettes are $10 each except where noted.

Baba Bolo. - Deborah Ash and MichaelCampagna incorporate rock, rhythm and

was a capella.Later we set up another studio at lower

Meherabad in the loving home of Adi andRhoda DuBosh where we recorded RhodaMistry/s wonderful voice doing the two songsshe contributed to the project.

More material was recorded than wecould fit on this tape and, Baba willing, therewill be another album in the near future, fromthe hear.

Once back in the U.S. we began theprocess of editing the tapes, and I begancondensing in my mind the types of instru­mentation needed to back up our ladiesvoices, and gathering the musicians to recordin studio. It was a labor of love and one byone the right people for the work appeared

It did not take very long for me to comeup with the name for my production com­pany: Veranda Studios. Where else had itstarted?"

[Note from Dina: Elaine told me Baba hadsaid at the time He didn't want these songspublicly sung. But listening to them now, one isstruck by how current these words are. (Elainereads the translation in English before each song.)It seems as though these are directives Baba isgiving us right here and now. As it becomes moreapparent tlult Baba's New Life is sweeping over usall with increasing intensity, these treasures are abuoy to help us all as we swim through His waves.The words are so poignant and meaningful, butwhy wouldn't they be? God wrote them!] •

blues, jazz and traditional Indian music,backed by a talented group of professionalmusicians. This soul-stirring collection ofsongs for the Beloved features high-qualityproduction. $11.Beyond Love by Raphael Rudd is a lovelyinstrumental featuring Raphael on harp andpiano, with Laura Renino on flute. Includedis the Gujerati Arti. $8.Blessingfor the New Soul. - Gabriella Tal,from North Carolina, has made two highly-ac­claimed appearances at the L.A. Center. Onthis tape of original songs, which is dedicated"to Meher Baba who gave me my new soul",she is backed by piano, flute, guitar, and per­cussion. A lovely contemplative audio expe­rience. Just in: Gabriella's new tape, "SoClose".Hymns To Him by Harry Thomas, pro­duced by Rob Thornburn, is a deceptive tapeof songs for the Beloved. Deceptive becausejust when the listener thinks he's got theseseemingly simple melodies figured out, theytake another jazz-inflected twist into a wholenew realm. A unique voice in Baba music. $8.I Dreamed I Saw My Savior. - JamieNewell, talented singer-songwriter-guitarist isbacked by mandolin, fiddles, and guitars onsuch favorites as "Sing a Song of Meher Baba"and "Mehera (In What Manner Do You LoveHim)." Bluegrass, blues, and ballads are allserved up in praise of Beloved Baba.I Sing ofMeher is a collection of warm,·melodic songs by a frequent guest andlongtime favorite of the L.A. Baba Commu­nity's, Ward Parks. Featuring many familiarvoices in the Baba family.Journeys of the Heart is Jim Meyer's latesteffort. Several people have commented on theblast of Baba's love they've felt while listeningto this tape. Supported by talented backupmusicians and vocalists, Jim's voice has neverbeen clearer or more inspiring than on thisexcellently-produced collection.Just One Dream. - Pris Haffenden dedicatesher work"to Avatar Meher Baba who took the

continued on page 12

Video CassettesThe follOWing videos are 15% off the listed price.The Ancient One. The major portion of thisfilm was taken at the Last Public Darshangiven by Meher Baba in Poona, India, 1965.The soundtrack features Meher Baba's Univer­sal Message and the 64th Family Letter. 30min. $39,%. $33.95Avatar. The film is the Australian group's in­troductory film of Meher Baba. The videoincludes footage of Baba in the SO's and 60's;intimate footage in Meherazad with mandali;dynamic scenes of Baba during '62 Darshanand '65 Darshan in Poona Center. Music andnarration. $19.%. $16.95Beholden to Him. -An interview withEruch Jessawala An intimate interview withEruch Jessawala taken in Mandali Hall,Meherazad, India on March 27, 1990 inter­spersed with film footage of Meher Baba.What makes this video so unique is howclearly it captures and conveys Eruch'shumility, naturalness. and his dedication toAvatar Meher Baba. 52 min. ~.$25.45Beloved With Us. This color film featuresscenes of Meher Baba in Guruprasad, Mehera­bad, and Meherazad in 1959 and 1960. Thesoundtrack includes some of Meher Baba'sfavorite western songs and is a lo-minutevideo cassette.~ $16.95The Future with Meher Baba. - An inter­view with Eruch Jessawala This 45-minutecolor video cassette taken at Meher-azad,November 12, 1981, expresses Eruch's viewsand reflects his life as a close disciple ofBeloved Avatar Meher Baba. $19.%. $16.95Godman. A film of the 1976 Amartithiobservance at Meherabad as experiencedthrough the eyes of pilgrims from all over theworld. Includes interviews with Rano, Padri,Eruch, and Mani.~. %25.45The Lord ofLove. - Four films ofMeherBaba This video cassette combines four filmsof Meher Baba with a soundtra& .of stirringmusic dedicated to Meher Baba:

Dehra Dun. 1954 - This silent color film 11

Video Cassettes (cont)shows Meher Baba giving Darshan in DehraDun with His close men mandali. Includedare some very touching scenes of Meher Bababeing garlanded by a group of deaf and mutechildren.

Avatar in Australia. 1958 - This historicsilent color film shows Meher Baba's visit toAustralia in 1956. Meher Baba is greeted byHis Australian lovers led by Francis Brabazon.

Happy Birthday Baba. 1958 - This silentblack and white film captures the celebrationof Meher Baba's 64th birthday at Meherabad,and includes many close-up scenes of Baba.

Walking with the Master. 1%1 - Thissilent color film shows Meher Baba at BundGarden, the zoo, and on children's day atGuruprasad, Poona. The scenes of this film aredescribed in the 41st and 42nd Family Letters.$34,%. $29.70How to Love YOtL This color video cassetteof Eruch Jessawala was taken in Mandali Hallat Meherazad, November 8, 1984. Eruchnarrates the story of th~ time Meher Baba toldsomeone How to Love Him. Approx. 45 min.~.$25.45

Audio Cassettes (cont)scattered notes of my life and made a mel­ody." On this tape, she makes thirteen lovelyoriginal melodies come to full life with thehelp of fine producer Rob Thornburn.The Lord and the Lady. is a collection ofsongs dedicated to Mehera, composed andperformed by a variety of artists. The widerange of styles serves to pay tribute to themany facets of devotion Mehera lived for herBeloved Baba.The One in the Many. is a collection ofsongs by some of L.A:s favorite musicianscompiled by Rob Thornburn who alsoproduced many of the tracks.Raine at the Samadhi. is the latest outpour­ing of praise to the Beloved from RaineEastman-Gannett - the Australian song bird

12 and protege of Francis Brabazon. John Stout

Mani in Meherazad Garden. This colorvideo cassette of Mani Irani was taken inMeherazad Garden, February 26, 1982. Manitalks about parts of her childhood. Approx. 35min.~. $25.45Meher Baba's Call. A major film productionprovided from the original 35mm footage shotin 1954 during the period known as "TheThree Incredible Weeks". Darwin Shaw, oneof the men who participated in "The ThreeIncredible Weeks", narrates and shares hisimpression of this special time. 34 min. $39;95.$33.95o Parvardigar. This ten minute color filmfeatures Meher Baba's Master's Prayer sung byPeter Townshend, with excellent film footageof Meher Baba.~. $16.95Padri. This video cassette of Padri was madefrom several different interviews with him.Everyone will enjoy the distinct personality ofPadri. Approx. 60 min. $29:99. $25.45Welcome to My World. This 60 minutecolor video cassette was taken in MeherazadMarch 6, 1983. Mani S. Irani explains anddemonstrates many of Meher Baba's uniquehand gestures.~. $16.95

helped her at the Pilgrim Center to record abeautiful collection of favorites, including Imany of Francis's songs. It's a two-tape set for ~

$18. Raine's other tape, "Raine Sings Raine ",contains 15 of her own lovely compositions.Songs of a Modern Disciple. is a collectionof poems by Josephine Ross set to music andperformed by Ron Greenstein. The songs arepassionate, often haunting, featuring violins,cello, oboe, flute, saxophone, and even aflugelhorn.

Finally, as our Merry Chrishnas to you,every order over $100 will get, free, the musictape 'One and the Many", which includes theever popular "Baba Bhagwan" by DeborahAsh and the beartiful "Love Be My Teacher'by Leslie Walsh. Happy Chrishnas shopping!

See you...at the Bookstore.

..:!/ l.-",-~

Left: This4"x7" insig­nia appearsover the left

breast. Availablein 5, M, L, & XL. $8.

White, green, cream, dark & light blue.

Left: It is impossible to render alikeness of an "Andrea Tees".If you've seen one youhow beautiful they are.jects include the 5amadhi,clusion Hill, Baba's GardeBaba's Chair. Text is "Be .Beguine", "Baba is Love","Don't Worry Be Happy'are hand-painted on a variecolors and are available in M, L,XL for $24, and $18 for children's sizes.

Right:Thesethreeare HanesBeefy T's,100%cotton,availableinM, L, & XL.$8. White, peach,butter, gray, green,blue, & black.

Always state 2nd and 3rd color choice for all shirts. 13

·SwS.te

Baba'ssignatures

Wear our Master'sHand upon

yourHeart

Below: This new design has a pocket­sized insignia (below left) on the front

over the left breast and concludes largeron the back (below right). The shirt is a

Hanes Beefy-T, 100% cotton,available in L & XL. $8.

Purple inkona

choice ofwhite,

gray, blue,soft pink,

brightpink, or

lavendar.

Above left:available inFrench cut, 5& M, dusty rose, pink, gray & black, only$8. Regular cut, L & XL, black, white, teal,& peach, $10.

Above right: Printed in a rainbow ofcolors, the shirt is white, gray, & darkblue, 5, M, L, & XL. $8.

Please CLEARLY print your naf7J9 and address and theitems you are ordering.

Name

Address

City

StatejZip

Phone

THE BOOKSTOREThe Avatar Meher Baba Center

of Southern California10808 Santa Monica Blvd.Los Angeles, CA 90025

(213) 474-9454

ORDER FORM

QUANTITY TITLE OR DESCRIPTION UNIT PRICE TOTAL PRICE

The Ocean ofLove $10.00

The East West Gathering 35.00

Song ofHuma 10.00

SUBTOTALMake your check or money order payable to:

Avatar Maher Baba Canter of Southern Califomia 8 'l.% tax(orAMBCSC) (California residents only)

Payment by Visa or Master Card: ($40.00 minimum)Shipping & Handling (S. & H.)CARD'

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I10% of subtotal

Expiration date S. & H. to countries outside the U.S.

Name on card(including Hawaii)15% of subtotal

SignatureTOTAL

Mail to:

Ava tar Maher Baba Canter of Southern Califomia • 10808 Santa Monica Blvd. • Los Angeles, CA 90025 • A TTN: Bookstore

2nd Annual Fall Midwest Baba GatheringA weekend gathering of fellowship, Baba

stories, singing, hiking, and general relaxationis planned for Friday, October 18 throughSunday, October 29, 1991, at Circle PinesCenter, Delton, 1.11 (in the woods of central,southern Michigan). For more information orto register, call UndaJones at (313) 761-2497by October 4th.

A Quick Message From Your Board OfDirectors

The rent for the Center was recentlyraised to $1325 a month, and nonprofit postalrates went up again which makes mailing thisnewsletter that much more expensive.Meanwhile, donations and pledges to theCenter are off, with only a little more than halfwhat we budgeted in so far.

Is your Board of Directors panicked?Hah, that'll be the day! We are, however,concerned. It's not easy running a non-profitorganization with an annual budget of over$32,000.

We all know Baba will see us through,but if you'd like to be an instrument of Hiswill and if you have the means and have notalready done so, this would be a good time tomake a donation or pledge. Thanks. Jai Baba.

Garage Sale - The AMBCSC will be holdinga fund-raising garage sale on Saturday,October 6th and Sunday, the 7th, from Sam to2pm, at the home of Shireen Vahidi, 11710Odessa Ave., Granada Hills. A truck, volun­teers, and items to donate for the sale areneeded. Bring those items to the center priorto Friday evening, October 6th. For more in­formation call Mehrnoush at (818) 363-8254.

Contributions for the Lamp PostPlease share your artwork, poetry, letters,

articles, and ideas with us. Send to Greg andGay Dunn, 3401 Dow Ave., Redondo Beach.CA 90278. The Mxt deadliM is Noyember 24.Send donations directly to the AMBC of SC,10808 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA90025. The Lamp Post is also looking for repor­ters to cover local events and special visits.

An Important Request from yourProgram GuyLooking for a great way to focus on Baba andforget your humdrum problems? Volunteerto coordinate a Saturday Night program at theCenter. The time it takes to research andpresent a Baba-related topic is better spentthan any number of hours logged watchingTV or playing Scrabble. It brings you closer toGod and enriches the entire Baba community.

Choose any format you like, from a solopresentation to leading a discussion. And youneedn't take on the whole project yourself;your Program Guy is glad to help and tosuggest others who might contribute.

Here are some topics your Program Guywould love to see someone take on:

A night devoted to Delia Deleon,recounting stories from her new book.

Nights that focus on various phases inBaba's life and work: the Blue Bus Tour, MastWork, the New life (this last should only betackled by an advanced soul), the Manzil-e­meem Days, etc.

Programs on the life stories of individualMandali Members-we've recently talkedabout Adi K. Irani and Kitty Davy, how aboutsome others?

Nights on the lives of the Avatars ­Would anyone out there like to do someresearch on Buddha, Krishna. Ram, Zoraster,Jesus, or Mohammed and tell us about one ormore of them? Or can you suggest otherswho might be able to do so in a lively fashion?

Finally, of course, if you know ofanybody who met Baba and would be willingto share the experience with us, let us know.We may even by able to pay the speaker'stravel expenses.

Take a moment, use your imagination,then call your Program Guy, Jeff Maguire, at(213) 545-3671 with any suggestions orofferings. Ahd remember, we always needmusic too.

Congratulations to Sahavas Fly-to-IndiaSweeps winner Christi Pearson. Watch for theMehermas Sweeps coming up soon. 15

Kitty has counseled literally thousands ofseekers who have come to the Center over theyears. She has a reputation for wisdom in heradvice.

"That is intuition/' she said, "a spiritualgift that can be cultivated. Before I go to bed, ifsome thought comes to me, I know I must fol­low it. A person's whole life is based on innerlight. Anything you do must be out of love.That is what makes it grow. Love is the key."

Kitty's work at the Meher Center is just tobe with about 2000 retreat visitors from alloverthe world who .come yearly for prayer, rest,meditation, and renewal of the spiritual life.There are also about 12,000 visitors each year.

Most devotees preferred to stay at Baba'sside, but some, like Elizabeth and Kitty, weresent on other missions. "Elizabeth and I learnedto live together in harmony. Before she died in1980, she told me that she had asked Baba to letme stay here with her rather than to go back toIndia to live. This was our work of loveassigned by Baba."

AVATAR MEHER BABA CENTEROF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA10808 Santa Monica BoulevardLos Angeles, California 90025

ADDRESS CORRECTIONREQUESTED

What message would Kitty give to otherwomen? "Growing older gives you the opportu­nity to grow in love," she spontaneouslyanswered. "When I was about 12 years old Ilearned a hymn that I think of every day:

The daily round, the common taskWill furnish all we need to ask:Room to deny ourselves, a roadTo bring us daily nearer God. "To be near a natural oasis and a human

resource like Kitty is to drink a cup of full hap­piness, and to know that "Love holds the key."

In a recent letter from Jane Haynes to AdeleWolkin, Jane describes Kitty. "She continuesvery weak and frail, but is loving having Katie[Irani] here. It reminds her of the early days onthe hill [upper Meherbad]. This morning Katiesang three songs to Kitty that Baba himselfcomposed, and she really loved that.

"It is hard for her to be helpless, but hersmile is radiant and we, of course, treasure eachday with her."

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