MEHER SPIRITUAL CENTER
The Heart of Every Lover:
Youth Sahavas 2021
August 6, 2021
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MSI Photographic Collection |
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"All this world confusion and chaos was inevitable and no one is to blame. What had to happen has happened; and what has to happen will happen. There was and is no way out except through my coming in your midst. I had to come, and I have come. I am the Ancient One."
Meher Baba
Quote used for Youth Sahavas 2021, from Meher Baba's Universal Message
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Dear Meher Center Family and Friends,
I’m writing this still full from the powerful experience of spending time with Baba’s young lovers at Youth Sahavas. In this weekly offering we share some music and testimonials from the event. Additionally, I wanted to write about a few of my own highlights.
I am happy to report that we had no incidents of COVID during our event this past week. The whole staff really took our plans to heart and did such an excellent job of implementing the safety protocols.
Overall, there was a very powerful feeling of Baba’s presence throughout the Sahavas. Baba’s House was an especially important place this year—just filled with His love. It was like a big magnet, drawing His young lovers toward Him—noticeably more than past years.
For example, on the last day we all walk to Baba’s compound together, encircle the house and say the prayers, and then people are free to go inside and also sing Arti songs outside. Most wanted to go into Baba’s house to be in that presence. They lined up very respectfully to go into His bedroom; not more than six at a time were in the room. It was so poignant seeing them bow down to Him there, touching their foreheads on His bed. Such a sincere outpouring of love and surrender—and of deep connection to Him. That intensity of feeling was so clear, as was the feeling of connection to Him that has become familiar to us at the Samadhi and the Center. It felt to me to be the great miracle of His love, so simple, and so much alive.
All the normal activities also went off really well, with discussion groups well attended this year. These included: Baba 101, talking to your friends about Baba, drugs, and healthy relationships. The art tent, the beach, the dhuni and the celebration came together in great ways. The Barn program on the last night was also especially meaningful for the participants. We took our time to just savor the chance to be with Him there.
Now, we continue to plan for the opening of the Center later this year, with the Delta variant still raging. I deeply hope that we will be seeing Baba’s lovers of all ages at the Center soon, spending time with Baba at His home in the West.
In Baba’s love and service,
Buz Connor
For Meher Center board and staff
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Youth Sahavas 2021
Music
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Youth Sahavas 2021
Meeting Place
Music
1:07
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Youth Sahavas 2021
Baba's Compound
Experience
1:16
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Photos & Staff Testimonials |
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"This year’s Youth Sahavas was filled with love, happiness, and His presence. The attendees were so incredibly joyous to be able to attend and be together at the Center. So many of them were swept away in Baba’s love they were brought to tears by the closing of the event and spoke of how much those few days meant to them.
The work itself was difficult and Baba managed to create challenges while giving the volunteers the strength to overcome at the same time. I witnessed several staff members having life changing and healing experiences through their work just as the campers were through their experience. One staff member told me that being part of the event “felt like it was the first day they were alive in almost 2 years”. Looking back now, I believe this might have been the most important Youth Sahavas I have been part of due to the widespread impact I feel it had on all who were present.
Jai Baba"
-Michael Echeveste
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"This year has been a very tough year for many people including staff, but especially for the growing minds of young people. Most of the campers were closed off in the beginning of the week because they were stuck in the world in their heads. They all went to school during a time where they were required to take classes on zoom. They saw the divide between our nation and our communities as adults, in doing so we discussed very intense conversations. Racism/White Supremacy, living in a pandemic, plus a lot of the campers had a lot of personal things going on as well outside of Sahavas. What Meher Baba talked about for Drugs. What healthy relationships look like (this was the most powerful conversation we had with many of the campers opening up and supporting each other in a very loving way). They grew up very fast the past couple years. We helped them I believe have more loving confidence in the world.
It was an honor and appreciation for myself to learn to love through a community with Meher Baba and supporting and loving everyone. Spiritually I think so many of us opened up our hearts and were so grateful for being able to connect and feel emotions again. My judgment is that we held a container for the staff and the campers very well. Personally it wasn't long enough. (I don't think it ever is, :) )
We also made this happen with zero positive covid tests!
Thanks SO much for supporting us and letting us have our time with Meher Baba.
MUCH LOVE!"
-Dylan Wheeler
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"It is really hard to express in words what happens during that week, because it is hard to find words (specially in a different language :) ) that match the feelings and the atmosphere created in that bubble. For me personally, this past week has brought an immense joy and hopefulness that I longed for the whole past year and honestly didn't expect to find anymore. With everything that has been happening in the world, and all the loss and grief that I went through I was feeling really disconnected and angry and alone. I felt Baba's presence throughout the whole week and in every corner of the center and in every person that walked by in a very special and soothing way. To experience how this group of people can come together, and support each other, and love each other in all of our differences, and bring Baba in all that love and lightness, is a very powerful thing. A lot of these campers and workers need a safe and caring space that cannot be found anywhere else, where they can share all their struggles and also all of their creativity and power. I'm amazed by all the talent in each and one of them and all the meaningful discussions that happened this year. The sensitivity of these kids, and the way this sacred place brightens that up is just unbelievable. They take in all this love and bring it back home and spread it around, and it's an experience that really changes our lives and helps us be more present and bring Baba in our everyday lives. The more Sahavas happens I think the world in general becomes a better place and I'm eternally grateful for having experienced that. I would fly across the globe again, any time, without questioning, to experience all this once more.
:)
Much much love to all of you and THANK YOU, so so much, for letting me be a part of this.
You have no idea how much this means."
-Luna Nuñez
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"Sahavas this year was amazing. Despite the covid restrictions, I loved the whole experience and thought that everything went pretty well. While I didn’t get to interact with the participants that much, I heard from some that there was a great energy this year. I think Sahavas was just what everyone needed after this year, and it was great to be a part of it.
Jai Baba"
-Aria Irani
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"The Youth Sahavas this year was powerful as ever. Meher Baba never fails to respond to the needs of the teens. The teens experienced Baba through each other, the songs and prayers, play on the beach and dance floor, and His palpable presence all across the center.
While all of the above was apparent to all at the event, given my role working with the worker wallas, I had less interaction with the teens than usual. I got to more closely watch the staff and their experience of the event. This year, I was particularly proud of them. They arrived ready to serve Baba and the youth. It was clear that they were all working through their own experiences that they've had through quarantine however they put their work and the experience of the teens first. They jumped right in to help when they were required to start work an hour earlier than they had planned because the rain destroyed the popup tents. They talked vulnerably with each other when difficult situations arose. They supported other staff groups when they needed more hands to get the work done. The list could go on and on. To me, their efforts and willingness were an expression of their deep love for Baba.
This event and the experience of those that attend never ceases to amaze me."
-Allie Lawton
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