Dear Meher Center Family and Friends,
Happy holidays in Meher Baba’s love.
At this time of year, I am reminded of a story told by Jane Haynes, a much beloved figure at Meher Center, that takes place during the period when she first met Baba in 1958. Baba had asked her to read a passage from Jesus, the Son of Man, by Khalil Gibran. It was a section of the book that Jane loved and had wanted to read to Baba.
“We [Jane and Elizabeth Patterson] entered the Lagoon Cabin. Baba had me sit in the chair opposite Him. I opened the book to the passage and began to read (although I knew it almost by heart, so I was able to look at the Beloved most of the time). As I read the words, I saw Baba’s beautiful hands moving very swiftly—or rather His fingers. His hands were on the arms of the chair. I thought: Oh, I am not doing it well, Baba is so bored—or a similar ignorant thought. In a split second, Baba became motionless, absolutely still, and His eyes never left my face. (In time to come Elizabeth explained that when Baba’s fingers flew in swift motion, He was working in a special way.)
“I continued, fully at ease, to my amazement. I had expected to be nervous as I always am; but I was at peace. I finished; the last lines are 'And I know not—I only know that on that day I became a woman. I became Miriam, Miriam of Migdel.'
“As I closed the book, Baba looked steadfastly at me with a serious look of sweet Compassion. He then gestured with His right hand towards His heart and said through gestures (Adi or Eruch must have spoken the words, as they were not with Baba’s inner voice): ‘The way that you have done this for Baba touches Me very much. For you see, Jane, I was Jesus Christ. Now, come.’ I ran into His arms and knelt at His feet. Baba’s embrace was indescribable. Even the greatest mystics and saints and close ones of the God-Man can never place in words this Divine Embrace. So how can I, the most miserable sinner of all? I only know that all was swept away—all that had gone before. There was only this now that told me: This is the Christ.” *
In Baba’s love and service,
Buz Connor
For Meher Center board and staff
Center Program Notes:
1. We will hold an outdoor concert at the Center this Saturday at 2:30 p.m.
2. Best to call in the mornings to get your name on the day visit list.
3. Also, tea will be served at the playground from 2 p.m. onwards on
Christmas day and New Year's day.
*Jane Haynes, Letters of Love for Meher Baba, The Ancient One, pp. 58-59
