Meher Baba Amartithi 2012 – Webcast

Meher Baba Amartithi 2012

The anniversary of the day when Avatar Meher Baba dropped his physical form is commemorated in a major gathering attended by a stream of visitors from 30 January to 1 February of each year. During this 48-hour period a program of song, dance, and film continues all day and through much of the night on the stage near Meher Baba’s Tomb. The climax of the event takes place on Amartithi day itself when, for fifteen minutes, the assembled crowd keeps silence for fifteen minutes in honor of the physical passing of the Avatar of the Age at 12:15 p.m. on 31st January 1969.

Download Amartithi 2012 Programme Schedule

If you would like to stay at Meherabad during Amartithi, you should make your reservations before 15 December of the preceding year. For further information contact Shri Jal Dastoor or Avatar Meher Baba Trust on Tel: +91.241-2343666

Please view the Amartithi Circular for 2012 Amartithi

Amartithi 2012 Circular in Hindi

Dr. S.V. Arya, Ex-Vice Chancellor, Agriculture University passed Away

Dr. S.V.Arya, Retired Vice Chancellor of Agriculture University Jabalpur, joins Baba on 15.01.2012 after short illness. Dr. Arya, 86, was a faculty at India’s prestigious Technology Institution, IIT Khadagpur, and later came to Jabalpur and became President of the State Agricultural University, for two consecutive terms.

Arya heard of Baba’s name through Mr. M. Appalnaidu, who gave him “God Speaks” to read. Prof. Arya used to say with great emphasis that, there is no other book in the world that explains metaphysics so beautifully. “God Speaks” and “Discourses”, jointly summarize, in most simple language, the most complicated ideas, used by all religions of the world, in a evolutionary order. The fundamentals of all Upanishads become particular cases of generalized frame work detailed in “God Speaks”.

Prof. Arya was born in the village Barwan, District Hardoi (UP), and he got his early education at Benaras and the nearby places of Uttar Pradesh, the largest State of India. He showed meritorious qualities right from the early age. He stood second in the State level Merit in Intermediate school exams. His father was a school teacher with a staunch devotion to social aspects of Arya Samaj’s philosophy. He was working hard for removal of untouchability and acceptance of the widow marriage by the society. Goverdhan Singh, Arya’s father, and his companions, regularly engaged in the discussions about Arya Samaj and the traditional Hindu religion. For young Prof. Arya These discussions were seeds of enquiry in to the aspects of God, Soul and Prakriti. It was later at Allahabad and during his higher studies in the USA that he came in to contact with Christianity, which enhanced the struggle in his mind, regarding the truth and life.

Later, while teaching Engineering at Kharagpur he felt that all these questions in his mind were not merely searching for an answer, but for someone who was a solution himself. He immensely felt that, he has enough of intellectual activity and what he had now needed was some one, with inner awakening. One event of younger days that influenced his thinking were related to me as following. Once Prof. Arya’s father took him to a theatre, which was playing the old mythological story of Ghantakarna, a mythological character, who wore little bells on his ears so as to prevent, the name of Vishnu or God from entering his ears. Every time Ghantakarna heard the name of God, he shook his head, in order to make the bells toll and prevent the God’s name entering the ears. In this drama, some artist in the make-up of Lord Vishnu appeared, and started performing his role. Young Arya was surprised to see the figure, which for him ment God’s presence. He wondered as to why people always said that God can not be seen. This moment he was seeing God in front of him in person. He resisted with difficulty the temptation of going forward to the stage to touch the feet of God in person. This disturbed the young child’s heart and he was restless for many days. As a child he had experienced the shadow of the inner joy and the craving that one goes through when he is in the presence of God, in human form.

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Amiya Kumar Hazra turns 81 today

Amiya Kumar Hazra Author of “Memoirs of a Zetetic” and “Of Men And Meher Baba” noted Philosopher and disciple of Meher Baba truns 81 today (Born 18 October 1930) His friends and Baba lovers gathered at his home in India to share the Birthday Cake. You can see some of the pictures taken on the occasion.

All friends and Baba lovers wish him a very happy and healthy life in Meher Baba’s love and Service.

[From left : Standing Meera, Niket Kale, Amrita and Amiya Kumar Hazra)

[From left : Standing Hazra’s son Abeer, Daughter, Son-in-Law and Amiya Kumar Hazra)

For more information about the Book “Memoirs of a Zetetic” and Letters from Meher Baba to Amiya please visit the following links

Katie Irani Video Talks

A Brief Biography of Katie R. Irani

Katie Irani was born in her mother’s family home in Ahmednagar, India, in 1920 and passed away in Meherazad, Ahmednagar, India, on 29 May 2009, at the age of 89. Her sister Dr. Goher Irani was born in Quetta.

Meher Baba first contacted Katie and her sister Goher at their family home in Quetta when they were respectively 3 and 7 years old. He would visit their family in Quetta from time to time thereafter.

(Click to Read More ..)

Welcome to the Katie Internet Video series! Before her reunion with Meher Baba, Katie Irani initiated this series, by requesting that copies of footage and photos taken during her public talks worldwide be given to her estate (much of this is still coming in, and most welcome.) Katie herself gave the guidelines for this series, including her intention : “I feel that Baba wants this. It will draw people closer to Baba, and also people will come to visit Meher Baba’s Samadhi” located in Meherabad, 7 km from Ahmednagar, Maharashtra State, India. As per her wish, Baba willing, two videos are produced each year, for Beloved Baba’s Birthday and for Christmas. Jai Baba!

Copyright Information About Katie Irani Video Talks.

Copyright © 2011 by Avatar Meher Baba Perpetual Public Charitable Trust, Ahmednagar, India. All quotes of Meher Baba copyright Avatar Meher Baba Perpetual Public Charitable Trust unless otherwise indicated. All photos used by permission of Meher Nazar Publications and the Mani S. Irani (MSI) collection. All rights reserved to the copyright holder.

Part 6:Blue Bus Tours: Meher Baba Visits Holy Sites All Over India With The Ladies Mandali

In Part 6 video, when prompted by a young pilgrim to talk about Lord Krishna, Katie Irani recounts how during their travels on the Blue Bus Tours, they would often encounter advanced souls…, visit the tombs and shrines of Perfect Masters and Saints…, encounter masts…, as well as visit the sites of two previous Avataric advents : Lord Krishna and Lord Buddha.

Part 5: Singing for Baba… and Katie too! (in English)

Part 5: Singing for Baba…and Katie too! (released for Beloved Babas Birthday 25 Feb 2011) From footage taken a few months before her reunion with Baba (29 May 2009), Katie’s beautiful singing voice was tired, so pilgrims often lovingly sang to her (mid-Feb 2009)…this lively video includes darshan of many beautiful photos of Meher Baba.

Part 5: Singing for Baba… and Katie too! (with Hindi subtitles)

Part 4: “Baba Never Performed Miracles…Yet Miracles Often Happened…”(in English)

Part 4: “Baba Never Performed Miracles…Yet Miracles Often Happened…” (released for Christmas 2010) Eruch Jessawala begins with a narration of his own account as a driver of the Blue Bus for a dramatic 20+ minute crossing over a wooden pontoon bridge crossing the Indus River (in early 1940′s before the partition)…then Katie describes being one of the passengers who witnessed this amazing feat against all odds…although the image of the pontoon bridge given in this video is a short bridge, the actual bridge they crossed was much longer, and their harrowing crossing went on for more than 20 minutes.

Part 4: “Baba Never Performed Miracles…Yet Miracles Often Happened…”(with Hindi subtitles)

Part 3: “KATIE IRANI remembers Helen Dahm (1938-9)” (in English)

Part 3: “KATIE IRANI remembers Helen Dahm (1938-9)” (released 25 Feb 2010) Katie Irani, after living in the Trust Compound in Ahmednagar during most of her childhood years, joined Meher Baba’s Ashram in 1938 at the age of 18 yrs. She lived on Meherabad Hill next to what later became His Samadhi. During 1938 and 1939, Helen Dahm accepted an invitation that Baba had sent to some of His Western Lovers to join Him in India. Baba requested Hedi Mertens (Swiss artist) to assist Helen while Helen painted the colorful murals inside of Meher Baba’s Samadhi. Due to illness (colitis), Helen left the Blue Bus Tours and returned to her native Switzerland. Later in her life, Helen Dahm became an internationally acclaimed artist.

Part 3: “KATIE IRANI remembers Helen Dahm (1938-9)” (with English narration)

Part 3: KATIE IRANI remembers Helen Dahm (1938-9) (with Hindi subtitles)

Part 2: MEHER BABA’S BLUE BUS TOURS (1938-1941) MEMORIES OF KATIE IRANI (in English)

Part 2: MEHER BABA’S BLUE BUS TOURS (1938-1941) MEMORIES OF KATIE IRANI (released for Christmas, 25 Dec 2009) Pilgrims often asked Katie what it was like, what did the women mandali do everyday, while touring with Meher Baba on the Blue Bus Tours. Katie describes her role as a cook, along with Manu Jessawala during these tours, which includes a hilarious episode of the ‘dancing dal’, as well as some insightful glimpses into the spiritual life the women mandali lived with Meher Baba.

Part 1: Little Plays for Baba (in English)

Part 1: Little Plays for Baba (released for Baba’s Birthday 25 Feb 2009, and Katie’s too on 27 Feb 2009) The inception of this Katie Irani internet video series began with an event which occurred during the pilgrim season of 2007-8, when 4-5 Chinese people came and greeted Katie Irani on Mehera’s veranda in Meherazad (12 km from Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, India). Katie asked them how they came to know about Meher Baba. With great mutual surprise, they replied, “From you only! We saw you on the internet! So, we came to see His Samadhi, and to meet you!” Katie recognized the value of this exchange, for she had served as a personal private secretary to more than a dozen Japanese Consul Generals in their Bombay office for 28+ yrs. After some reflection, she started to give the stories for her biography as small vignettes, and also started requesting pilgrims to send to her or later on to her estate the photos and footage of her public talks given around the world during the 1990′s. (℅ AMBPPC Trust, Ahmednagar, India MS 414 001) This footage she set up to be used as part of her estate in order to create this ongoing series year after year, for the sole purpose to draw people closer to Meher Baba and to visit His Samadhi here in India. Katie did this because she felt “Baba wants it”. This first video was produced as a loving gift to her for her last birthday, 27th Feb 2009, and released on Beloved Baba’s Birthday. She loved it, and hoped that you would too, laughing heartily throughout and finishing with the endearingly humble query, “do you think anybody will like it?” Katie asked many pilgrims to ‘help me with this project’ in a variety of ways. More than 150 people regularly contribute with donations, or work according to their area of expertise, as well as screening, etc., for this ongoing series. This first video is comical and fun as Katie describes her roles in the plays that Mani wrote for Baba, in which Katie often collaborated with Mani for both the scripting and the costume designs during her 11+ years living in His Ashram before the New Life began. Katie would often reminisce how they would live near the tin shed on upper Meherabad Hill, with Katie cooking in Baba’s kitchen for the 40+ women in what later became known as ‘Mansari’s kitchen’. Mehera would be in the next room (later Mansari’s bedroom) cooking for Baba daily, and Mani would stand in the doorway between the two rooms, talking to both Mehera and Katie. During this time period when they lived on the Hill (1938-1949), Katie and Mani would often discuss together and script the plays and skits to entertain Baba on His return from the extended mast tours. (Katie Irani was born in her mother’s home in Ahmednagar, India on 27 Feb 1910, and joined Beloved Baba on 29 May 2009 at the age of 89+ yrs).

Part 1: Little Plays for Baba (with Hindi subtitles)

[Click here for more Tributes]

Silence Day is the name the followers of Meher Baba give to their practice of commemorating July 10th of each year by maintaining verbal silence for twenty-four hours.

While Meher Baba did not establish any special ongoing requirement of his followers to keep silence on this day, the majority make it a practice to keep silent, on an informal and voluntary basis. Some stay in seclusion for the duration, while others attempt to engage in their typical activities; there are therefore many humorous anecdotes associated with keeping silent on Silence Day.

[Source Wikepedia]

How Meher Baba Began His Silence – From Lord Meher Volume : 3: 734-38

On July 8th [1925], Meher Baba convened a meeting of the men mandali at Meherabad and for an hour instructed every person about their duties during the coming year of silence. A few close ones, like Chanji, Naval and Barsoap, had come from Bombay to consult with him regarding certain work.

On July 9th, final decisions were made in all matters. Besides verbal directions, general instructions were written down and posted at the Hazrat Babajan School. Behramji was appointed the head superintendent and Rustom K. Irani was named vice-superintendent; together they were to control the management of Meherabad property. Arjun Supekar was made the school superintendent and was also given the duty of improving the students’ conduct in class. Gustadji was placed in charge of the storerooms that supplied food for the Meherabad populace and met the various needs of individuals. Padri’s duty was to supervise the work in the hospital and dispensary.

Only these five men were allowed to speak to Meher Baba at a specified time each day in regard to their assigned duties; all others were prohibited from talking to him. The Master had said that the other mandali could speak to him only when he expressed a desire, through gestures or in writing, to communicate with them. He was to work the flour-mill two hours daily, and those who were doing this work with him were also not allowed to speak with him.

Later, in the afternoon, the Master met with the parents of the children at the Hazrat Babajan School and explained about his upcoming year of silence. Meher Baba impressed upon them the spiritual significance of allowing their children to remain in the school during this period. They, in turn, promised not to remove their children from the school during the next year under any circumstances.

Meher Baba then gathered the men mandali and spoke to them at length about the future; they listened attentively, since these would be his last utterances for one year. They knew that this would be the last opportunity to hear his voice again for a long time. Baba’s last verbal discussion with his mandali covered three topics. Baba’s general advice to all: “You have to live for others and use your bodies for the benefit of others.” This implied the labor or service the mandali had to continue doing.

Then he explained that one reason for him no longer speaking concerned Hazrat Babajan: “I must keep silence for some excessive spiritual work that will result when Babajan drops her body in the near future.”

He explained that his self-imposed silence related to the future of the world: “There will be religious hostilities, riots, wars and natural disasters. These events will cause the shedding of blood of millions of people throughout the world in general, and throughout India in particular. But, thereafter, peace and brotherhood will come back into the world.”

Meher Baba turned to Gulmai K. Irani, one of the few women present, and added, “There will be another world war; it will be much more destructive and extensive than the one before. Rivers of blood will flow! I will dip my kerchief in that river of blood and tie it around my head! Not until the world cries out for God will I give up my silence!”

The teacher Pandoba then pleaded with Baba that if he became silent, people would no longer have the opportunity of hearing what he had to declare, and the world will be deprived of his teachings. Meher Baba replied, “I have come not to teach, but to awaken!”
These were to be his last words to anyone outside of his circle, and this message was the meaning of his divine mission to the world.

“I have come not to teach, but to awaken!”
During the evening of July 9th, Meher Baba walked to the women’s quarters at the Post Office building to convey his final instructions: “Now listen to my last words, because from tomorrow I will keep silence for one year. Attend to your duties with love and fulfill them with all your heart. Cook for the children at the school as if they were your own.
“I have much work to do for the world. When my work is done, I shall speak.” Meher Baba left them at eight o’clock in the evening and, accompanied by Masaji, went to visit the men mandali’s quarters. He told them, “I am going to be silent from tomorrow for one and a half years. All of you take care of everything at Meherabad as usual. And take care of your health.

“Whenever you go out during the night, always carry a lantern with you. Always beware of snakes! I will save you from every calamity under the sun, but I won’t help you if you are bitten by a snake. So be careful! “Keep on doing your work. I have given you all of your duties. Continue doing them — every one of you. There will be no hitch in the work; although I will be silent, everything at Meherabad will run smoothly. You don’t have to worry. I have my own reasons for keeping silence. I must do it.
Stick to your jobs and do as I instruct you. Don’t deviate from the work and don’t worry about it. If you obey me, nothing will be difficult.”

It was eight-thirty when he concluded: “I am going to the Jhopdi now. All of you go to bed.” There were about twenty men around him. A few men made some comments, and within a few minutes the group dispersed. The men began unrolling their bedding, and Padri went to urinate. He had only gone a few steps when he spotted a three-foot long cobra. Lifting his lantern, he shouted, “Snake! Snake!” The other men came running with the bamboo staffs, which were kept for this purpose. There was shouting and the whacking of staffs as the snake was being killed.

Meher Baba heard the commotion and came out of his hut. “What is all the noise about?” he asked.
“Baba, we have killed a snake!”
“Who saw it?”
“I did,” said Padri.
“Were you carrying a lantern?” Padri nodded yes, and Baba was pleased that he had done so. Padri then handed him a staff, and Baba smashed the head of the cobra with one blow.

He ordered Padri to wash his hands several times after burying the snake. Then he repeated: “I am warning you all again. Be careful of snakes! Always carry a lantern and take care. Now I want everyone to go to sleep.” Meher Baba then walked over to the women’s quarters and spoke with them briefly: “How fortunate you are that you have heard my voice so many times today! This incident with the snake took place to allow you to hear me speak for the final time.” He then departed and retired for the night, while Masaji kept watch.

Meher Baba came out of his Jhopdi as usual at five o’clock in the morning of July 10th, 1925. After a bath he went to the men mandali’s quarters. Everyone thought that Baba would not make his usual inquiries, but to their surprise, the Master questioned the mandali, the teachers and children about their health, sleep and the food for the day — all in writing. Thus from that day onward, in spite of his silence, Meher Baba was found to be quite alert to and mindful of all matters, especially regarding the duties of the two superintendents of the property.

From that day on for several months, Baba had a new companion; constantly with him was a young boy named Bal to whom he had taken a liking. Bal, an Arangaon village boy, would accompany the Master around Meherabad with a pencil and paper, or chalk and slate so that Baba could convey whatever he wished.

Since Meher Baba’s nature was so outgoing and voluble that he often spontaneously broke out into song or poetry, many of the mandali doubted that he would be able to keep silence for one full year. But as the days passed, they were greatly impressed to observe that the Master never once spoke and remained silent in all circumstances, showing that he was in perfect control of himself. Although he would still participate in the bhajan programs, Baba’s beautiful voice no longer was heard. Yet his hands would be heard playing a drum, accompanying the singers in harmony.

If Baba were to get angry at any of the mandali for their negligence, he would take his slate and whack it on their biceps or thigh, and they dared not say a word of protest or question why. There were three slates and once, in a moment of irritation, Baba flung all three at someone! Pesu, who was Baba’s orderly at the time, took the major share of the sudden raps.

Meher Baba had observed silence three times before, but the silence of July 10th, 1925, was to last until the end . He never uttered another word the rest of his life.

—Source: Bhau Kalchuri, Lord Meher 3: 734-38

[Note: Meher Baba' remained Silent from 10 July 1925 to 31st January 1969 for 44 long years]

Meherabad Young Adult Sahavas 2011.

Meherabad Young Adults Sahavas 2011 was held in the Month of June. Some pictures of the occasion in the form of a slide show can be seen here by all ..

What is Young Adults Sahavas

What: IN JUNE, 100 young adults from all over the world between the ages of 18 and 35 will gather at Meherabad to spend seven days together in the company of the Ancient One. The keynote of the “Sahavas” is the celebration of Meher Baba’s love through sharing, creative expression (such as art, music and drama), and service at Meherabad.

Who: Young Adult Baba Lovers from ages 18 to 35.

When: The Sahavas starts on Monday, June 20th and continues through lunch on Monday, June 27th. Registration for the Sahavas is scheduled for Monday, June 20th from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

Where: Sahavas participants will be staying in Lower Meherabad (Hostel C).

Visit – http://ambppct.org/events/sahavas.php site to send your applications for MBYAS-2011.

Those who would like to take part in this year’s 2011 Meherabad Young Adult Sahavas should submit applications as soon as possible, as space is limited to 100 participants.

For further information, send letters or e-mail to:

Meherabad Young Adult Sahavas
c/o Avatar Meher Baba P.P.C. Trust
King’s Road, Post Bag 31
Ahmednagar, M.S. 414001 INDIA
Email: mbyas(at)ambppct.org and cc: jaibaba(at)ambppct.org
(Note: please replace the (at) with the “@” sign; (at) was used in place of the “@” sign to prevent spam)

Don Stevens Farewell Service on 19 May 2011 London

[Don's farewell Service gathering 19 May 2011 London. Farewell images received through email from Kitty Vijay]

DON STEVENS’ FAREWELL SERVICE will be held on May 19, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM at ST. JAMES CHURCH PICCADILLY, LONDON, UK. The reason for this delay is that it was the one and only possibility with all the numerous holidays in the UK.

Dear Friends,

The Farewell Service for Don Stevens will take place on Thursday, 19th May at:

St James’s Church
197 Piccadilly
London W1J 9LL
11:30am to 1:00pm

Please note: we can enter the church from 11am – but no earlier – and we are requested, by the church, to be seated by 11:15am.

(Click to Read further)

Subject: Bhau’s Message on Don Stevens: His whole life…in service to the Beloved
Date: Wednesday, 11th May 2011

From an email Bhau dictated to Keith Ashton on Friday, 6th May 2011

Beloved Avatar Meher Baba Ki Jai!

My dearest Keith,

I am sorry that Don Stevens passed away, but there is no place for him in heaven or hell. So where will he go?

He will go direct to Baba. Now whatever you want to do – all these ceremonies you may do. Don will be unconcerned, as I am unconcerned, with all ceremonies. You are free.

He selflessly did what is necessary for Beloved Baba’s Wish and devoted his whole life in service to the Beloved. So I should say Jai Ho! Jai Ho! Jai Ho!!! Jai Ho! Jai Ho! Jai Ho Don Stevens, Jai Ho yours!!! Jai Jai Kar! Jai Jai Kar Ho!

Really speaking, I informed Meherabad, and they had a good program there in memory of Don. Anyway, for one who is blessed by Him – whether their last memorial service is in the church or anywhere else, they have no concern. They are happy with the Beloved.

Don Stevens earned, of course, the last earning with the world. Now he is free from all that.

So dear Don Stevens, now direct to you: Please, you are with Beloved Baba, and you did real service for the Beloved. You served Him properly. Jai Ho! Jai Ho!! Jai Ho, Don Stevens!!!

The last time I met Don was at the Meher Pilgrim Centre where I was giving a talk.

I was told, “Don Stevens is waiting for you.”

Immediately, without any delay, I went to him. He was in a rickshaw with Glenn Russ, whom I have nicknamed “Doctor.” He saw how I met Don Stevens, and immediately after meeting me, Don left. At that time, I could not say, “Jai Jai Kar Ho, Don Stevens, your Jai Jai Kar Ho!”

No.

And that was my last visit with Don Stevens.

I thought I would follow him, but no. Now he is following me in the Circle.

Jai Jai Kar Ho!

With all love and Jai Baba to you, my dearest Keith, and to dearest Universal Mummy (Marion), Universal Doctor (Alfred), Universal Queen (Susie), and all dear ones of the Meher Baba Association U.K., Companion Enterprises, all those who will attend Don’s Farewell and all those who would like to attend but are unable to do so.

In His Love and Service,

Bhau

The Trust Office
King’s Road
Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, India

Tuesday 26th April 2011

This morning, at approximately 6:15 London time, our very dear Don Stevens passed away, peacefully into Baba’s arms.

Rachel Dymond and Jan Baker were called to his hospital bedside. They said the prayers, sang ‘Amazing Grace’, ‘Morning Has Broken’ and ‘Welcome To My World’. After this they both whispered “Meher Baba” to him and Don slipped peacefully away.

A short while ago I asked Don what was his most precious memory of all his times with Baba. He said that it was the occasion when Baba came to him three times to say goodbye. After that Don never saw Baba in the body again.

Dear Don,

We will always remember your very loving devotion and surrenderence to our Beloved. You are a great inspiration to us all. God Bless and much love to you from us all., Thank you for all the loving kindness that you have shown to us throughout the years.

In Baba’s Love and Service.

Keith Ashton
Meher Baba Association Chairman UK

In Baba’s Love and Service.

[Visit the link for detailed News]