The voice that is heard deep within the soul is my voice. The voice of inspiration, of intuition, of guidance, through those who are receptive to this voice, I speak eternally. My outward silence is no spiritual exercise. It has been undertaken and maintained solely for the good of others. I bind myself with silence and when I break it, mankind will realize what real freedom is. — Meher Baba
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Avatar Meher Baba — AN INTRODUCTORY BIOGRAPHY CHILDHOOD – MEETING BABAJAN
Meher Baba was born Merwan Sheriar Irani on February 25th, 1894 to Irani parents in a Jewish Hospital in Pune, India. He had a normal childhood and was educated at a Catholic school where He was a natural leader, loved and respected by his peers. Merwan excelled in sports as well as in poetry and music. At 19 years of age, He felt magnetically drawn to the great Perfect Master, Hazrat Babajan. After some months she kissed Him on the forehead and He was flooded with the awareness of God-consciousness that was so intense He lost any sense of His body or of the world. MEETING PERFECT MASTERS – EARLY DISCIPLES He was drawn to meet the other four Perfect Masters of the age: Sai Baba of Shirdi, Upasni Maharaj, Narayan Maharaj and Tajuddin Baba. A number of disciples from diverse backgrounds began to gather around Merwan, referring to Him as “Meher Baba,” which means “Compassionate Father.” Meher Baba trained these early disciples over the coming years as He began to carry out His universal mission. Meher Baba and His close disciples maintained a lifestyle of purity and high moral standards. MEHERABAD – MASTERY IN SERVITUDE In May of 1923, Meher Baba established “Meherabad” in the rural district of Ahmednagar. Within two years Meherabad became a thriving colony whose residents followed a disciplined life, exemplary of Baba’s motto “Mastery in Servitude.” By Meher Baba’s direction, a hospital and dispensary, and schools were established providing a variety of free services to the needy local population, irrespective of caste, creed or religion. 
HIS SILENCE – GOD SPEAKS
On July 10, 1925 Meher Baba began His great long silence, which He maintained for the rest of His life. This was not undertaken as a spiritual exercise but rather, a limitation He assumed in His Work for the benefit of humanity. His silence continued for nearly 44 years. For many years He communicated by pointing to the letters on an alphabet board. In 1954, He deepened His Silence by giving up the board, and communicating through His unique, eloquent hand gestures and expressions. However, in His Silence Meher Baba gave unparalleled explanations concerning the spiritual Truths of the universe and authored several books. God Speaks (1955) offers comprehensive explanations of the fabric of the universe and depicts the journey of individual souls through creation, evolution of consciousness, reincarnation, involution of consciousness, and realization. Discourses (late 1930s-40s) provides thorough, practical, and inspiring spiritual perspectives on life and existence. WORLD TRAVELS – WORK WITH GOD-INTOXICATED In 1931 Meher Baba began traveling to meet additional disciples and to implement his universal work. These spiritual contacts were made in Europe, North America, Australia and Asia. Another significant part of His work was to contact and serve people who were absorbed in the inner planes. Known as ‘masts,’ these advanced souls were lost in their spiritual intoxication of God. Meher Baba gave them inner guidance, and, in turn, they helped Him with His universal work. THE NEW LIFE 1949 Meher Baba went with a few companions on what He called ‘the New Life’ of complete renunciation, absolute helplessness, and sole reliance on God. By living this New Life, which included wandering and begging phases, Meher Baba became the ordinary seeker on behalf of all humanity, and along with His companions, re-established the clear path to God. 1950s – TWO AUTOMOBILE COLLISIONS – MASS DARHAN PROGRAMS During the 1950s Meher Baba travelled three more times to the West and visited Centers in America and Australia that were established for Him there. In 1952 in America, and in 1956 near Satara, India, Meher Baba was injured in two serious automobile collisions. He explained that in each advent the Avatar takes on physical and spiritual suffering as part of the work He does for humanity. During the mid-1950s Meher Baba travelled to different parts of India to give mass darshan programs to over a million people, sowing His love “deep in their hearts.” Through the 1960s Meher Baba continued to do His Universal Spiritual Work, often fasting in strict seclusion just as He had done since the early years of His life’s mission. DROPPING HIS BODY The purpose of Meher Baba’s life was to fulfill His Work of giving the great ‘spiritual push’ to the universe. In July of 1968 Meher Baba announced that He had completed His Work 100% to His satisfaction, but His health was shattered, and on 31st January 1969, Meher Baba dropped His physical form “to live eternally in the hearts of all who love Him.” In keeping with His directive, His body was brought to Meherabad and placed in His Tomb-Shrine. Today, Meher Baba’s Tomb is a site of world pilgrimage to many thousands who journey there to pay homage to the Avatar of the Age. |
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