 MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR We hope this finds you all well and enjoying the arrival of summer. We are all thirsty for contact and connection these days. Really, our thirst is for His Ocean, this is at least partially quenched through our time with each other and celebration of our shared love for our Beloved. It was very moving to see and feel the community reconnecting in person at a recent outdoor performance and gathering at MAC. We are looking forward to more events as we move into summer. We are actively engaged with processing new collections at our Asheville office, while work on the building renovations continues to progress (more details on both below). We would like to take this opportunity to thank Jean Brunet for her years of loving service. Jean stepped down from her position on the MAC Board in May. Jean was one of the original board members when MAC was formed with an idea and a vision over six years ago. Throughout that time Jean has devoted herself to helping MAC, and her always cheerful presence and insights will be missed on the board, though she will continue to be involved in other roles with MAC. The work of the Board continues to evolve and expand, and we are currently in the process of recruiting new members. If you would like to share your passion and talents with us in this exciting project, please contact me or any other board member for more information. The Board is committed to furthering MAC’s outreach to the greater Baba community. We recently sent out a short volunteer survey to connect your interests with MAC’s needs. If you have not yet done so, please take a few minutes to complete this SURVEY. A second survey to solicit your input on the broader scope of MAC’s future activities will be emailed soon. We look forward to your involvement in the evolution of MAC as we continue the exciting work of preserving Baba’s legacy and building a home and community. In His Embrace, Scott Scott.Tower@meherarchive.org / 828.290.6972 NEW PROGRAM on Baba Zoom! |
| Steps to Assure Your Collections are Saved
|  This beautiful summer blouse of Mehera's was donated to Meher Archive Collective, given by Lisa Morice who received it from Meheru in Meherazad after Mehera's passing. |
FROM THE ARCHIVE COLLECTION
Mohammed the Mast Ink Drawing from the 1980s - 1990s
Will David’s story of acquiring a drawing created by Mohammed as related to Heather Masciandaro.
Eric Nadel (Erico) and I came to Beloved Baba together at Pepperland Commune in Santa Cruz California in 1968-9. Bif Soper was our Baba contact. We all had a good time in those heady days of Baba’s divine love. In Meherabad India in the 1990s Eric gave me this red and blue pen drawing on paper drawn by Mohammed the mast.
From Eric’s start of his residency in 1976 in Meherabad, he and Mohammed were close knit. Laughter, jokes, and mock anger were heard coming from the back verandah of the old Mandali Hall where they, with Eric’s wife Heather and Padri, lived.
Eric provided the art materials of pen and paper and came close to Mohammed and asked him to “draw the universe as it appears to you.” He has done exactly this, here in this drawing. There were numerous occasions from the late 1980s into the 1990s when Eric and Mohammed came together and these swirls of color were created. Mohammed always drew swirls, some singular swirls, some double swirls, and in this drawing three swirls. Peter Nordeen, who was a resident since 1978, was witness to this story.
I was the happy recipient of this drawing given to me by Eric in the late 1990s, treasuring this spontaneous art over the years before giving it to Meher Archive Collective.
Eric Nadel (Erico) and I came to Beloved Baba together at Pepperland Commune in Santa Cruz California in 1968-9. Bif Soper was our Baba contact. We all had a good time in those heady days of Baba’s divine love. In Meherabad India in the 1990s Eric gave me this red and blue pen drawing on paper drawn by Mohammed the mast.
From Eric’s start of his residency in 1976 in Meherabad, he and Mohammed were close knit. Laughter, jokes, and mock anger were heard coming from the back verandah of the old Mandali Hall where they, with Eric’s wife Heather and Padri, lived.
Eric provided the art materials of pen and paper and came close to Mohammed and asked him to “draw the universe as it appears to you.” He has done exactly this, here in this drawing. There were numerous occasions from the late 1980s into the 1990s when Eric and Mohammed came together and these swirls of color were created. Mohammed always drew swirls, some singular swirls, some double swirls, and in this drawing three swirls. Peter Nordeen, who was a resident since 1978, was witness to this story.
I was the happy recipient of this drawing given to me by Eric in the late 1990s, treasuring this spontaneous art over the years before giving it to Meher Archive Collective.
BUILDING NEWS
Spring Progress at the MAC Building
The Building team has made steady progress on several projects so far this Spring: These include the lift shaft, extensive plastering work and preparations for electrical inspection. Significant plumbing work is underway, with traps, drains and vent connections nearly completed. Additionally, all the original interior doors have been carefully repaired, and sound mitigation between floors is being meticulously carried out.
The Building team and Board have mapped out these projects for the next few months.
If you would like to make a one-time or monthly gift to MAC please DONATE here.
Thank you!
- Continued plumbing and build-out work
- Completing window stools and framing
- Insulation of exterior walls and the two vaults
- Sheetrock installed including soundproofing the walls
If you would like to make a one-time or monthly gift to MAC please DONATE here.
Thank you!
MAC TEAMS
Community Programs & Fundraising Events
For the first time in two years, Baba lovers enjoyed gathering together for a “live” performance of “Castles in Heaven,” a wonderful play, adapted from a story told by Baba to His mandali and later related by Eruch Jessawala. In April, more than 70 people attended the event on MAC’s field, which raised needed funds for MAC. Thank you to playwright and production manager Irma Sheppard and the cast for creating an entertaining event, and to musicians Jim Meyer, Jamie Zimmerman and Connor McCauley. The weather was perfect, refreshments were delicious and tours of the MAC building were part of the day’s activities. We look forward to seeing you at many more events in this beautiful space in the future!
Afternoon Tea and Outdoor Concert with Beverly Smith
June 12, 3-5:30pm
146 Estelle Park Dr, Asheville, NC, 28806
Please RSVP as space is limited to alisagenovese@gmail.com
Donations gladly accepted to benefit MAC
June 12, 3-5:30pm
146 Estelle Park Dr, Asheville, NC, 28806
Please RSVP as space is limited to alisagenovese@gmail.com
Donations gladly accepted to benefit MAC
MAC’s benefit concert, “Musical Soiree” featuring musicians Randy Hale; and Greg and Gay Dunn originally scheduled for May 22 has been postponed. We will let you know when this has been rescheduled.
Have ideas for a fundraiser? Please contact Evie Lindemann Evie.Lindemann@meherarchive.org so that we can coordinate dates and offer appropriate support. If you would like to help organize a community event at MAC, contact Winnie Barrett of the Programs and Activities Committee at info@meherarchive.org
Have ideas for a fundraiser? Please contact Evie Lindemann Evie.Lindemann@meherarchive.org so that we can coordinate dates and offer appropriate support. If you would like to help organize a community event at MAC, contact Winnie Barrett of the Programs and Activities Committee at info@meherarchive.org
BUILDING TEAM MEMBER
Meet James Spivey …
James, a craftsman and custom builder, is using his talents at MAC. Since last summer, James has repaired the building’s interior doors and milled lumber for its windows.
When asked what he enjoys about his time at MAC, he responded, “Oh, it’s the people who I work with here.” James toured MAC the previous year and liked the project. And when a friend told him MAC needed a skilled worker, he signed on.
James has worked on other Baba projects, spending two years at the Heartland Center renovating the Burleson and Morrison homes. Three years ago, James and his wife Ginna moved to Cullowhee, NC.
James has known Baba for 67 years! It began when he was 5 years old and enduring a difficult childhood. Whenever he felt sad, he would go for walks in nearby woods, where he started getting “internal heart messages.” The voice was reassuring and said I would be ok,” he explained. James would ask “the voice” who it was, and the response was always, “You don’t need to know right now.” But he received his answer when he was 7 years old.
James’ family bought a TV in 1956. One Saturday, rather than go shopping with his mom and brother, he was prompted to stay home. “I turned on the TV and the Dave Garroway Show was on. As they were going to a commercial, the announcer said ‘and when we come back we will have an interview with a man who says he is God.’ It was Meher Baba at Myrtle Beach.”
“Baba answered my question about why there is meanness and suffering in the world. I knew THIS was who had been comforting me. The Sufi leader (Ivy Duce) asked Baba ‘why does suffering exist on the Earth if there is a loving God?’ And Baba said that as long as there is selfishness and greed there will be suffering.”
After the interview ended, James was reluctant to turn off the TV. “I wanted to squeeze every bit of juice out of the moment. Afterwards, I went outside and walked down our dusty street saying, Meher Baba, Meher Baba, Meher Baba. It was a gift from Baba that I have carried with me the rest of my life.”
When asked what he enjoys about his time at MAC, he responded, “Oh, it’s the people who I work with here.” James toured MAC the previous year and liked the project. And when a friend told him MAC needed a skilled worker, he signed on.
James has worked on other Baba projects, spending two years at the Heartland Center renovating the Burleson and Morrison homes. Three years ago, James and his wife Ginna moved to Cullowhee, NC.
James has known Baba for 67 years! It began when he was 5 years old and enduring a difficult childhood. Whenever he felt sad, he would go for walks in nearby woods, where he started getting “internal heart messages.” The voice was reassuring and said I would be ok,” he explained. James would ask “the voice” who it was, and the response was always, “You don’t need to know right now.” But he received his answer when he was 7 years old.
James’ family bought a TV in 1956. One Saturday, rather than go shopping with his mom and brother, he was prompted to stay home. “I turned on the TV and the Dave Garroway Show was on. As they were going to a commercial, the announcer said ‘and when we come back we will have an interview with a man who says he is God.’ It was Meher Baba at Myrtle Beach.”
“Baba answered my question about why there is meanness and suffering in the world. I knew THIS was who had been comforting me. The Sufi leader (Ivy Duce) asked Baba ‘why does suffering exist on the Earth if there is a loving God?’ And Baba said that as long as there is selfishness and greed there will be suffering.”
After the interview ended, James was reluctant to turn off the TV. “I wanted to squeeze every bit of juice out of the moment. Afterwards, I went outside and walked down our dusty street saying, Meher Baba, Meher Baba, Meher Baba. It was a gift from Baba that I have carried with me the rest of my life.”
MAC BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Board Contacts: Anne.Barker@meherarchive.org; Evie.Lindemann@meherarchive.org; Hugh.Huntington@meherarchive.org; Ron.Kantor@meherarchive.org; Scott.Tower@meherarchive.org
Board Contacts: Anne.Barker@meherarchive.org; Evie.Lindemann@meherarchive.org; Hugh.Huntington@meherarchive.org; Ron.Kantor@meherarchive.org; Scott.Tower@meherarchive.org