Meher Baba Books Los Angeles


 

  1928 : Meher Baba with Agha Beidul and Prem Ashram boy - MN Publication
 

"Do not be after gatekeepers or watchmen. Catch hold of the Emperor. Never be after his servants. No minister or secretary will help. A king is, after all, a king, and his servants only servants. Once you have approached the king directly, it is of no benefit to maintain a friendly attitude with his servants. Your friendship with the king might precipitate any situation, but you should stick to him. Even if you were about to die, you should never let go of his hand."


 

Meher Baba to Kaikhushru Pleader in 1929; Lord Meher online, p. 1084

Weekly Reflections No. 33
from Meher Baba Books
(Los Angeles, California)
June 26, 2015 
Hello Dear Companions:

Greetings from Los Angeles, California. Wishing you well in Beloved Baba's Love and Compassion.  

Well, it is time for us to meet again with our weekly appointment with Meher Baba -- this time to remember Him amid His early days again.  This mini-circular is now celebrating the 33rd week since its inception. A week more than eight months! Although illusory , yet time is running  fast. 

Last week we covered Baba's life during the period 1927-1929 in Meher Ashram.  This week's theme is Meher Baba's Prem Ashram at Meherabad. Baba started the Meher Ashram school for boys in 1927 (two years after he had begun observing silence). Later Baba picked some of the "gems" from this school and started the Prem Ashram, a new, more intensive phase of his spiritual education work.  This "School of Love" had a specific purpose for the Master. Meher Baba later explained, "I had implanted a spark of Love in the hearts of some of the boys ... Personal effort required for complete manifestation of the Divine spark of love." [Rajmoo Abdula, Sobs and Throbs (1929), p. 5.]

We plan to devote next week's circular to life of Dr. Goher Irani, who "went to Baba" on June 30, 2004. We will then continue more with the Prem Ashram period for at least one additional week.

The walls of the East room used by the Prem Ashram boys still has some traces of written inscriptions. The image below was likely written by one of the Meher Ashram boys on January 12, 1929, the day Baba unexpectedly announced the Meher Ashram would close and that all necessary preparations should be concluded that very day. Maybe it was written by one of the Persian boys who had come from Persia and were sent back to their parents.

East Room wall script
from On Sacred Ground, AMBPPCT.org, " The East Room Speaks"

Here is a translation:

"Goodbye Meher Baba. You brought me and all my brothers here and You taught us a thousand lessons. And it was in this spiritual room from every culture and every religion, and You brought us one by one closer to You, and after one year it is difficult to leave."

The building was originally a stone water tank used by the British military during World War I. Later, doors and windows were added, and the Prem Ashram boys slept inside. The Meher Ashram boys slept in the two tank rooms  which served as their dormitory (see the photo below). Today the building is used as a museum, study hall, and library.

View of  museum, study hall, and library. (This photo was taken 2 days ago)

On the other hand, as you may recall, we have also been reflecting on the topic of "Women In the West and their Roles" for the past several weeks. Filis Frederick notes in The Awakener Magazine (a periodical she edited and published) that "In the early Twenties, Meher Baba predicted His work in the West would be done by women, and in the East by men."  Filis wrote a great series of articles on this topic, from which we continue to draw. This week, we continue with Filis' account of the life of Nadine Tolstoy (part 2), who was the daughter-in-law of Count Leo Tolstoy, the Russian author of the novel  War and Peace.

We hope you enjoy these small occasions for reflecting on the divinity of Beloved Baba's words and life. You may email us at:
with any questions and/or requests. Keep Happy.


In His Love and Service,
Mahoo S. Ghorbani for Meher Baba Books
 
Meher Baba's Prem 
Ashram at Meherabode

 

"Childhood is the ideal period of life

in which to take an interest in spirituality" 

 

A class in progress taught by Raosaheb
  

From then on, every morning Edke (newly appointed teacher)  would walk from his home to Meherabad. The first day he met Baba coming down the hill around seven o'clock, with Kaka Shahane holding an umbrella over Baba's head. When Baba saw him, he instructed, "Never lay a hand on any of the students. Don't scold them either. Just teach them from the bottom of your heart and don't worry if they do not listen to you." 

 

Edke began teaching English and Marathi in the school, but he soon found that the boys would only write Baba's name over and over again in their notebooks and on their chalk slates. Not one student seemed to be paying any attention to the lessons, which seemed rather peculiar to the new teacher. [Lord Meher online, pp. 855-856.]

 

Another evening [November 26, 1927], Baba gave the following discourse to the mandali:



"Childhood is the ideal period of life in which to take an interest in spirituality. The impressions received at a young age become deeply ingrained. Divine beauty, grandeur and bliss should always be impressed upon children, so much so as to fire their imaginations to the highest pitch about God and His greatness.

 

"The boys' enthusiasm for God, however wild, should never be curbed. On the contrary, the best attempts should always be made to create in the boys a deep-rooted longing for divine upliftment. Never mind if all the boys go mad with uncontrollable enthusiasm and impulses about spiritual matters. The aim of this institution is more to create divine mad ones than academic degrees. And I prefer the former to the latter.

 

"Of course, all the boys could not be expected to become [saints] like Dhruva and Prahlad,  but certainly some of them will take to the spiritual life in the later period of their lives; the rest will also follow after some lifetimes, if not earlier. The result of the present training will fructify in the end in all cases. Even temporary impulses and sparks of enthusiasm about God-Realization hold some result. It is like a cash balance in one's account in the bank, which is utilized beneficially at sometime or other in connection with one's spiritual advancement."


[Lord Meher online, pp. 860-861]

 

   
Meher Baba in Kamli Coat and sandals
Meherabad 1927 (Photo courtesy MSI Collection)
  

 

 

 

 

Baba: "Some time ago, I had implanted a spark of Love in the hearts of some of the boys as well as in a few amongst the elder disciples, which makes you see this surprising result these days. With a mere touch, or a look, Saints can give indescribable thrills and novel experiences to anyone they like, but these last for a certain period. Such thrills and experiences are a sort of stimulant to aspirants and have no permanent results. But Qutubs and Sadgurus seldom do that. This is not a temporary gift of that kind. Bodies may come and go, but this spark will never die.  It will burst out into a great Divine flame one day."


 

Abdul "Ramjoo" Karim Abdulla Source: Meher Baba Travels website

"Then," I ventured to ask, "Why have you been often advising and insisting upon the boys to try to create love for You, and think of You as much as they can? And where is the need of individual efforts, since You have actually implanted the spark?"

 

"This spark," replied the Master through His usual gestures and alphabet pointing, "requires personal efforts for its complete manifestation. The more one would think of and try to love Me, the sooner and greater would be the out-burst. Through this spark there is a chance of one actually realizing God, let alone getting advanced in the spiritual planes." 


Ramjoo Abdulla,  Sobs and Throbs  (1929), p. 5   

    

 

Meher Baba with Ashram Boys
 
I shall make pure gold from your mixed alloy 
 

The next morning around 10:30, Baba called a special meeting on the tennis court and explained to the boys:

 

At first, it was my intention to advance you gradually on the path, but considering the spiritual outburst that takes place in the world during certain ages, I have changed my mind as that time is very near. From among you boys, I am going to immediately advance a few who are ready to be consumed in the light of love! So make your hearts restless to taste this wine of love. But your efforts should not be forced; they should be natural. 

 

During your spare time, exclusive of study, meals, plan and rest periods, create love by remembering me. Ask yourself again and again:When will the Master put me in the line? When will I see God and be united with God? What lies there in the path?

 

Several times in the course of the day, the Master would embrace, kiss or pat the boys. He would play with them, serve them food and also keep watch over them during the night.

 

Regarding the school and ashram, Baba remarked to Chanji, "Why all this bother? It is just to create a few real lovers of God and one real hero. And for only that, such a big headache! You will never be able to understand its worth."

 

Lord Meher online, pp. 862-863


 

One day, at the end of a discourse, Baba looked deeply into the faces of each child, one by one, and remarked, "Those whom I find worthy I shall attract to the mistress of love, and I shall offer them the elixir of life. Children, only Truth is real - all else is worthless. Try and be diligent; I shall make pure gold from your mixed alloy." 

Lord Meher online, p. 895

  


 

 

Prem Ashram boys with Meher Baba, Upper Meherabad, late 1928 to early 1929 
(Photo courtesy MN Publications)

 

After each discourse, Baba would urge the boys:

 

"Love me and you will realize me. I am ready to make you like Vivekananda, Ramtirth, Ali and Arjuna. The price I ask is only love. Spirituality is being plundered here, but only real love unlocks the treasure store. Godliness is on auction by me. Be ready to bid everything you own to acquire it!"

 

Lord Meher  online, p. 958

 


  

Meher Baba with Prem Ashram boys, with  Abdulla Pakrawan sitting on the left side of Baba. 
Photo courtesy:  Lord Meher  

 

Abdulla Pakrawan's inner experience in the Prem Ashram 

 

[Among the boys  who had the "vision", Abdulla Pakrawan's experience stands out. Here begins a narrative on his wonderful experience.]

 

On January 11th, while Baba was discoursing to the boys and mandali who were seated on the platform outside his cabin, he disclosed, "Those whom I find worthy I shall attract to the mistress of love, and to them I shall offer theelixir of life. Children, only Truth is real - all else is worthless. Try and be diligent. I shall make pure gold from your mixed alloys."

 

Suddenly, coming from Baba's window, Abdulla saw an extraordinary flash of light. Overpowered, he fell down unconscious and at Baba's direction he was removed to the hospital. Baba gazed compassionately at him as the men carried Abdulla away.

 

Although the weather was quite cold, when Baba removed his jacket, his chest was covered with perspiration. He was outwardly perspiring as he inwardly worked to change Abdulla's consciousness. Baba was working to raise Abdulla to the sight of God - to the sixth plane in the mental world.

 

Resting at the hospital, Abdulla's eyes looked empty - he had lost his normal consciousness. He was actually seeing God! And he remained in this elevated state for four days.

On the third day of Abdulla's unconscious state, one of the Persian boys, Espandiar Vesali, went to see him in the hospital. "Abdulla, do you know me?" Vesali asked.

 

Abdulla, semiconscious, opened his eyes and replied softly, "Yes."

"Who am I?" Vesali asked.

 

"You are Baba."

 

A matchbox was lying nearby and Vesali picked out one match and held it up to him. "Do you see this? What is it?"

 

"It is Baba," Abdulla answered.

 

Whatever Abdulla was asked he would answer with only one word, "Baba." He saw Baba everywhere. On the fifth day, Baba directed that Abdulla be given an enema. After this was done, he slowly regained some consciousness of his surroundings.

 

Cf. Lord Meher online, pp. 883-884 
 

 

 

Abdulla Pakrawan in blissful state -  Photo courtesy: Lord Meher

 

Abdulla Pakrawan had experienced Meher Baba's love. Abdulla's inner experience was unique among the Prem Ashram boys. The following is his account of what happened to him when the Master lifted him to the sixth plane of consciousness:

 

One day, at the end of a discourse, Baba looked deeply into the faces of each child, one by one, and remarked, "Those whom I find worthy I shall attract to the mistress of love, and I shall offer them the elixir of life. Children, only Truth is real - all else is worthless." Although I did not have the strength to look into Baba's radiant countenance and lowered my eyes, he glanced at me, addressing me thus: "Try and be diligent; I shall make pure gold from your mixed alloy."

 

The profound effect that his remark had upon me put me in a most bewildered state during that night and the next day. While playing field hockey, my schoolmates were puzzled as they noticed my manner of standing, running, and also the color of my face change.

 

At lunch, after taking a few morsels, I suddenly felt a change overtaking me. I began to feel extraordinary heat and everything began to get dark around me - things actually began to vanish. Suddenly, beyond my own volition, a weeping welled up from the depth of my being and I began to wail. Within moments, I lost all consciousness of the people surrounding me and became insensible. After a short while, I found myself conscious again, repeating, "I am far. I am far. Where is He? And where am I?"

 

Lord Meher online, pp. 895-896

 


 

 
 


Bob & Jane Brown (1988 Sahavas). This is segment from the complete two-hour music event recorded in 1988.
The same song is also found on The Best of Bob and Jane (CD)


"Victory Unto Thee"

Words: Bengali poet Ramprasad Sen (1723-1775),

 

as translated by Swami Nikhilananda in

The Gospel of Sri Ramakhrishna (1942)

Music: Bob Brown

 

In wisdom's firmament the moon of love is rising full

And love's floodtide in surging waves is flowing everywhere!

Oh Lord! How full of bliss thou art! Victory unto Thee!

 

Victory unto Thee! Victory unto Thee! eeeeee....

Ah, Ah-ah-ah, Ahhhhhhh (last verse: ahhhhhhhhhhhh)

 
 
On every side shine devotees like starts around the moon,

Their Friend the Lord all merciful joyously plays with them.

Behold! The gates of paradise today are open wide!

Victory unto Thee!

 

The soft spring wind of the new day raises fresh waves of joy,

Gently it carries to the earth the fragrance of God's love

Till all the yogis, drunk with bliss, are lost is ecstasy!

Victory unto Thee!

 

Upon the sea of the world unfolds the lotus of the new day.

And there the Lord sits enshrined in blissful majesty!

See how the bees are mad with joy, sipping the nectar there!

Victory unto Thee!

 

Behold the Christ's radiant face which so enchants the heart

And captivates the universe about his Lotus feet

Bands of ecstatic holy men are dancing in delight!

Victory unto Thee!

 

They're lost in ecstasy! What matchless loveliness is Meher,

what infinite content Pervades the heart when he appears

Oh brother! I humbly beg you one and all ..

to sing the Master's praise! Victory unto Thee!

  

 

Heroines of the Path

By Filis Frederick

 

        
Photo courtesy of MSI Collection; India. Nadine is on the far left - 
from the Meher Baba Travels website

 

Filis continues her account of the lives of notable Western women disciples of Meher Baba, Nadine Tolstoy:

 

... I had introduced my best friend, Adele Wolkin, herself of Russian extraction, to my new-found Master and to His women disciples. It was her "karma" to be chosen to care for Nadine in her last days (she, too, later became a professional nurse). I will let her describe her experiences:

 

Adele Wolkin standing on left - Courtesy of AMBCSC Archives in concert with meherbabalibrary.com

"A dear friend, Filis, phoned me one day, excited to share the news that I might attend a talk by a disciple of a Perfect Master  Norina Matchabelli. That was the first time I heard of Meher Baba. I vividly recall that evening. As I travelled on the bus from my uptown home, I was enveloped by a rare new feeling. I felt suffused by a current which switched my inner being into a high gear. Reflecting on that feeling after many years, I identify it as the beginning of an enhanced consciousness, as Baba's way of rending a tiny bit of the separatist veil. My memory of that transitional period of deepening consciousness is integrally tied in with meeting Nadine Tolstoy, Norina Matchabelli, and Elizabeth Patterson. It was one of the happiest events of my life, next in significance, perhaps, to that supremely happy event of meeting God Himself, Meher Baba in 1952.

 

L-R: Mehera, Meher Baba, Filis and Adele

 

"The first talk given by Norina by 'thought transmission' I found to be a momentous experience. As a philosophy student at Columbia, I had a habit of mind that was skeptical, objective, and analytical, which often results in a rather negative feeling and omits the most important function, making use of the intuitive heart. But there was no doubt about my feelings when I left that first talk or the others that followed; my heart was very joyful and light. Of course, I wanted to return again and again. The Beloved One had made it a very positive experience for me. I said to myself, I want to feel like this all the time!

 

"Nadine's role was to meet newcomers. I flatter myself if I say she seemed like an old friend. As I am too of Russian extraction, there was an ethnic element which accentuated the ease and pleasantness I felt with her. She was a Countess and had a noble bearing, along with pure blue eyes and a contagious sweet smile that drew me to her immediately. Someone has said "We learn best from those we love," and she inspired love. At a second meeting she invited me into her private quarters, upstairs in the duplex. She was waiting to receive me with extended arms. Her manner, so spontaneously loving, touched my heart deeply. Just entering into the ambience of Norina, Nadine and Elizabeth was truly coming into an enlightening world of brighter values. 

 

Courtesy of Naosherwan Anzar,  Best of The Glow  (1984) 
   

"After some months Filis and I were invited to live with these women disciples. Of course I felt unworthy of this grace. I never dreamt of sharing the life of such women, renowned not only in the worldly, sophisticated sense, but more importantly, in the spiritual sense, insofar as Baba had said they were members of His Circle.

 

"I found all three women had remarkably creative imaginations of a selfless nature, and Nadine, no less than the others. Particularly during the course of her illness, which began to deteriorate during my first year of residence with her, the intensity of her spiritual love showed in her daily life. Some friends who came with the intention to console her found themselves as I did, uplifted by an atmosphere of a purer, vibrant life, benevolent and harmonious in effect . . . one felt disarmed . . . who was there to console in the face of such good will and cheer? Her visitors would generally be greeted by her charming smile, her glowing eyes. She never lost her sense of humor, or lost touch with reality. Her physician explained that a characteristic of her illness was lucidity, no dulling of the mind's faculties.

 

Photo: Courtesy of  Lord Meher

"Caring for Nadine was Baba's grace - she was my instructor par excellence; as she had been chosen by Baba to be the matron in a maternity clinic He had established at Meherabad. She would show me how to massage her, how to prepare her food, and other services, not least of all, how to feed her canary with words of love as well as food: 'Baba loves you, Baba loves you!' In fact, Nadine's voice had been compared to that of a precious bird! Baba called her 'His nightingale,' after she sang for Him in the Nasik ashram.

 

"In serenity and faith Nadine seemed to transcend her physical travail. She had an ardent yearning to remain alive only to see Him again. But her spiritual victory lay in her complete surrender to His will. Ultimately, her breathing was cut off, and an emergency trip to Roosevelt Hospital was made. Elizabeth, Filis and I were present in her room when Norina clairvoyantly described Nadine's departing soul. We watched her pass away with a most relaxed expression on her beautiful face."

 

Nadine Tolstoy Shrine in upper Meherabad/India

 

That was in 1946. I too recall the moment of Nadine's passing, her blue eyes blazing, her lips silently repeating, "Baba, Baba, Baba," inside the oxygen tent. As He said, "Mine is the victory." A great soul came to Him that day. Her ashes rest outside His tomb, on Meherbad Hill, under a simple stone that says, "Her happiness was Baba."

 

P.S. Here is an interesting story Nadine told me. When she and Ruano Bogislav met, there was some immediate, unspoken antagonism that neither could understand, which made life together in the ashram - and Baba made them roommates! very difficult. Nadja asked Baba, "Is it something from another life?" "Yes", He said. She prayed for His help. And then one cold night in North India, she awakened to find Ruano tenderly covering her with an extra blanket. The "karma" was broken, and they were afterwards good companions. The End. 

 

The Awakener Magazine onlineVol. 20, No. 2 (1983), pp. 31-35, used by permission.  


 

Next week we will cover "VI - Ivy Oneita Duce"

 

Editor's Note :

Born  : 1884 , Odessa, Russia

Died   : 14th April, 1946 - New York City, USA

Married  1) Nickolai Pershina

                2) Count  Ilya Tolstoy

Nationality : Russian, then American

   




   

 

Oh, my dear nightingales, 

don't be disappointed with the old age 

of spring but keep on singing, 

and while singing become so thirsty 

that you drown in My Ocean of Silence. 

Then you will find My eternally new Song. 

When you sing this Song you will find 

that spring has become young once again. 

 

 Meher Baba, Letters From The Mandali, Vol. 2, p. 110 

 

 

 
    


 

The Lord of Love

4 Films of Meher Baba

By Jerry Watson

 

 

  

Good bye. See you at our next appointment, next week.
Keep Happy in His Love. Have a good weekend.
   
Jai Ba ba!


Meher Baba Books (Los Angeles)

 

www.meherbababooks.com

Avatar Meher Baba Center of Southern California 
1214 S. Van Ness Avenue 
Los Angeles, CA  90019 


Like us on Facebook