 MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRLoving Greetings to each one of you, With Baba’s guidance, it is possible to embrace change and to pivot quickly. With the goal of acquiring our certificate of occupancy for Meher Archive, the acceleration of this change process came into focus when we hired a roofing company to complete the roof project on the building; specifically, above the auditorium. Over a period of three weeks, I watched the project unfold with amazement. Day after day, the sounds of hammers and nail guns rang out over the property while the fifteen men worked tirelessly as a team. They pulled things apart, getting rid of rotten wood and old substructures, and added new materials in various layers and stages. It was all possible because of the generous financial support from the worldwide Baba community. Thank you! When I stood on the rooftop during one stage of the repairs, I had a 360-degree view—across the sky, the mountains, and the trees, and the large soccer field below. I was standing on a surface originally built to protect the inside of the original Red Oak School building, once a fine protector from the elements that had become unserviceable. The time had come for something new and stronger to replace the old. This project reminded me of the sometimes significant inner work that change can ask of us, both as individuals and organizations. As Baba lovers, we can practice acceptance of Baba’s will as being revealed in the change itself. I'm reminded of the Avatar’s work over the course of His lifetime—erecting schools, shelters, centers, dispensaries, and mast enclaves, all to be dismantled in His perfect timing. Our Archive's mission is to preserve the treasures of Meher Baba’s life and those close to Him. Just as we commit to safeguarding these invaluable historical records from the elements with a sturdy new roof, we can enjoin ourselves, individually and collectively, to be prepared to pivot and awaken to change as it presents itself time and again. In my conversations with Baba lovers from various parts of the world, what I hear in each interaction is that we are here to love our Beloved in our own unique ways, to hold onto Him through change, and to come out on the other side, grateful for having committed to the process of replacing our "old roofs" and building something stronger that protects the priceless treasures within the Meher Archive building and within ourselves. We express immense gratitude toward Peter Nordeen for all of the planning, effort, and creative work he has dedicated over the past six years, all in service to Meher Baba. In His Loving Embrace, Evie [email protected] 203.915.8017 BUILDING RENOVATION PROGRESS |
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The crew installs a new roof over the auditorium
ARCHIVES CORNER
Barbara McReynolds’ Collection
by Irene Holt, Guest Contributor
Meherabad, 22 May, 2025
Recently the Baba community lost two long-time and stalwart Baba lovers from Los Angeles. Barbara McReynolds and Gai Gherardi were friends in high school, and best friends for life. They found out about Meher Baba in the late 1960’s and were involved with the early Baba group in southern California, under the tutelage of Filis Frederick. Barbara and Gai became opticians and together founded LAEyeworks, achieving over 40 years of business success and renown in the designer eyeglass world. Remarkably, the two friends went to Baba within two months of each other, in March and May this year.
Meherabad, 22 May, 2025
Recently the Baba community lost two long-time and stalwart Baba lovers from Los Angeles. Barbara McReynolds and Gai Gherardi were friends in high school, and best friends for life. They found out about Meher Baba in the late 1960’s and were involved with the early Baba group in southern California, under the tutelage of Filis Frederick. Barbara and Gai became opticians and together founded LAEyeworks, achieving over 40 years of business success and renown in the designer eyeglass world. Remarkably, the two friends went to Baba within two months of each other, in March and May this year.
Both women had made many trips to Meherabad and Meherazad over the years. They developed special relationships with the mandali and with the residents living there. Soon they began to provide LAEyeworks glasses to the mandali. Prescriptions would be made by the eye doctors in India and sent to L.A. to have the glasses made. The mandali were thrilled with their new glasses, and of course Gai and Barbara were thrilled to be able to contribute in this personal way to Baba’s closest ones.
Recently I had the chance to help Karin Levitas sort through and document Barbara McReynolds’ Baba treasures which she had saved over many years. Karin was entrusted by Barbara and Gai to take responsibility for these things and she has donated them to Baba archives, including a portion to MAC.
Recently I had the chance to help Karin Levitas sort through and document Barbara McReynolds’ Baba treasures which she had saved over many years. Karin was entrusted by Barbara and Gai to take responsibility for these things and she has donated them to Baba archives, including a portion to MAC.
A collection of written materials donated to MAC includes many notes and letters between Barbara and various mandali. Often the notes include details about these eyeglasses! And most are quite expressive in love and appreciation, exuding the sweetness so reflective of how the mandali related to the next generation of Baba lovers, from the 1970’s onwards. I think the collection paints a picture of that sweetness, of the natural way in which we learned of the Master’s remarkable ways from His mandali.
Also included in the donation are two pairs of handmade “sapats”, given to Barbara by Mani. Sapats are Irani women’s slippers which were favored by the women mandali. Mani used to have sapats made to order from a shoemaker in Ahmednagar who specialized in the style. She would periodically give pairs of sapats away to Baba lovers. At one point Barbara and Gai brought some leather and velvet material from America to be used for Mani’s sapats. These unique slippers are a type of footwear now nearly extinct, but very common in the early years.
It was a very special pleasure to go through some of these things of Barbara’s and to recall the years of all of our interactions together, for those of us who had never met Meher Baba, but who had the chance to be quite intimate with His mandali. And it was also a great pleasure to facilitate the transfer of these materials to your wonderful archive project, which, to my eye, is being approached with professionalism, dedication, and commitment to the future, in preserving the record of Baba’s advent.
Also included in the donation are two pairs of handmade “sapats”, given to Barbara by Mani. Sapats are Irani women’s slippers which were favored by the women mandali. Mani used to have sapats made to order from a shoemaker in Ahmednagar who specialized in the style. She would periodically give pairs of sapats away to Baba lovers. At one point Barbara and Gai brought some leather and velvet material from America to be used for Mani’s sapats. These unique slippers are a type of footwear now nearly extinct, but very common in the early years.
It was a very special pleasure to go through some of these things of Barbara’s and to recall the years of all of our interactions together, for those of us who had never met Meher Baba, but who had the chance to be quite intimate with His mandali. And it was also a great pleasure to facilitate the transfer of these materials to your wonderful archive project, which, to my eye, is being approached with professionalism, dedication, and commitment to the future, in preserving the record of Baba’s advent.
VOLUNTEERS CORNER
Honoring Deborah Nordeen, Our Friend and Teammate in Baba
by Gay Dunn
Debbie was a sparkling example of doing Baba work. “It’s really Baba getting it done,” she would remind us. Much of her training was shaped by her many seasons at Meherabad under the tutelage of God’s sister, Mani.
Mani on doing Baba Work
Debbie was a sparkling example of doing Baba work. “It’s really Baba getting it done,” she would remind us. Much of her training was shaped by her many seasons at Meherabad under the tutelage of God’s sister, Mani.
Mani on doing Baba Work
Like the jeweler who tests the metal to see if it is gold, test your acts and words with the touchstone of His pleasure, to see whether they are pleasing to Him. Remember, Baba does not need us. Baba only loves us, with that incredible love that He alone has to give. It is we who need Him.
Baba is not like anybody else. He has taken all of you, as you are. You have to take all of Baba, not just the parts that suit you, not just His compassion and love, but His fire and tests as well. He gives all these, and when He gives, He gives in large doses.
To work for Him you have to equip yourself with humility, tolerance, acceptance, and the will to serve Him with joy...and of course keep your sense of humor, an essential ingredient in life with Baba.” - Mani Irani
from The Joyous Path, Heather Nadel, p. 900, © AMBPPCT
Debbie was an invaluable member of Meher Archive’s Communications Team. In the back and forth of each collaboration, her email sign-off revealed her flair for the role Baba had entrusted her with: “In His Song, His Play, His Dance, His Fire, His Smile.”
Imbued with the qualities described in Mani’s message, Debbie’s example was a gift to us all, and, most assuredly, pleasing to Baba.
“Baba is getting it done thru you! His timing! His instruments.”
Jai Meher Baba!
Imbued with the qualities described in Mani’s message, Debbie’s example was a gift to us all, and, most assuredly, pleasing to Baba.
“Baba is getting it done thru you! His timing! His instruments.”
Jai Meher Baba!
MEHER ARCHIVE PROFILES
Susan McKendree, Part-time Archivist
by Michael Ivey
| In this quarter’s feature of the amazing workers and volunteers who serve MAC in various ways, we present Susan McKendree, a new staff member. I spoke to Susan in Weaverville, where she’s lived since 1989. Although having been interested in Eastern religion for years, Susan came to Baba in 2006 through a series of events that led her to the Meher Center, where she had a mystical experience in Baba’s bedroom. Susan worked at the Biltmore Estate for 16 years, honing her skills both as a researcher and archivist, making her experience and interest perfect fits for working with Meher Archive. Currently, she’s working on the digital system for cataloguing and making the collection searchable. |  |
Her skills as a historical researcher and writer became known to a larger audience with the recent (2020) publication of her book, Meher Baba’s Blue Bus Tours, which presents the definitive chronicle of Baba’s travels in India with His women disciples between 1938 and 1941.
Susan said she loves the Meher Archive mission and believes that the Asheville/WNC area is the perfect place for such an extremely important undertaking—the preservation of the legacy of Meher Baba, the Avatar of the Age.
Susan said she loves the Meher Archive mission and believes that the Asheville/WNC area is the perfect place for such an extremely important undertaking—the preservation of the legacy of Meher Baba, the Avatar of the Age.
Ashley Lowe, Administrative Assistant
by Evie Lindemann
| A new staff member has come on the scene at the Archives in the form of Ashley Lowe, who is our Administrative Assistant. So far, she has been involved in IT, taking careful minutes at meetings, insurance, organizing data files, and behind-the-scenes help to each of us with particular needs. Ashley comes to us with an undergraduate degree in experimental psychology and most recently worked at a brain clinic with children and adults on their processing and behavioral issues. She has a broad lens for understanding organizational needs and individual personalities, which are so unique in this Baba community. Ashley first heard Baba's name in a book of spiritual literature she was curious about. She loves hearing the stories told by Baba people from many parts of the world about how they came to Baba. A warm welcome to Ashley! |  |
LIBRARY UPDATE
See You at the Movies
by Anne Barker
Meher Baba showed a keen interest in films. He traveled to Hollywood to meet with directors, screenwriters, and actors. Recently, Philip Creager donated two screenplays to the Meher New Life Library as a resource for future researchers.
In 2000, Liam Mullan wrote The God-Man: A Screenplay, based on the book Sobs and Throbs by Abdul Kareem (Ramjoo) Abdullah. Originally printed in 1929, the book gave a vivid account of the lives of the boys in the Prem Ashram and of their intense love for Meher Baba. In 1987, Liam collaborated with Michael Shepard, Christopher Ott, and Patrick Myers on an earlier version of the screenplay with the same name.
What creative ideas do you have to delight and to intrigue the general public with the incredible story of Meher Baba’s life and work among us?
Meher Baba showed a keen interest in films. He traveled to Hollywood to meet with directors, screenwriters, and actors. Recently, Philip Creager donated two screenplays to the Meher New Life Library as a resource for future researchers.
In 2000, Liam Mullan wrote The God-Man: A Screenplay, based on the book Sobs and Throbs by Abdul Kareem (Ramjoo) Abdullah. Originally printed in 1929, the book gave a vivid account of the lives of the boys in the Prem Ashram and of their intense love for Meher Baba. In 1987, Liam collaborated with Michael Shepard, Christopher Ott, and Patrick Myers on an earlier version of the screenplay with the same name.
What creative ideas do you have to delight and to intrigue the general public with the incredible story of Meher Baba’s life and work among us?
PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES
The Nordeen and Jones families invite you to join them in Asheville to celebrate the life of Baba's dear songbird, Deborah Nordeen.
Saturday, June 14, 2025, 11am
Center for Spiritual Living Asheville
2 Science of Mind Way, Asheville, NC 28806
Livestream link: https://youtube.com/live/Vvu7XFkpgY0
VOLUNTEER TEA: The Board of Directors expressed their appreciation to volunteers for their time, energy, and support of Meher Archive with a delectable tea party on May 8, hosted by Jean Brunet.
DHUNI: Calling all musicians, poets, storytellers, and lovers of God! You are welcome to share at the dhuni with whatever form of expression that inspires you. If you wish to lead in the sharing following arti for this month or in the future, please email [email protected]. Our next Dhuni will be on Thursday, June 12, at 4 p.m. on the lawn of the Meher Archive building.
IN TOUCH WITH MEHER ARCHIVE: The program “In Touch with Meher Archive Collective – Cherishing Meher Baba’s Legacy” is a bi-monthly program featuring a variety of topics related to preserving Baba's legacy. All are welcome to join us on BabaZoom.net for our next live program on Saturday, August 23, 11:00 a.m. Details to come.
YOUTUBE: Go to Meher Archive Collective’s YouTube Channel and check out our recent videos. Coming soon is a video of our most recent “In Touch with Meher Archive” program from June 7th. Christine Pearson and Bob Ahrens share stories of Mehera and Meherazad, hosted by Evie Lindemann.
DHUNI: Calling all musicians, poets, storytellers, and lovers of God! You are welcome to share at the dhuni with whatever form of expression that inspires you. If you wish to lead in the sharing following arti for this month or in the future, please email [email protected]. Our next Dhuni will be on Thursday, June 12, at 4 p.m. on the lawn of the Meher Archive building.
IN TOUCH WITH MEHER ARCHIVE: The program “In Touch with Meher Archive Collective – Cherishing Meher Baba’s Legacy” is a bi-monthly program featuring a variety of topics related to preserving Baba's legacy. All are welcome to join us on BabaZoom.net for our next live program on Saturday, August 23, 11:00 a.m. Details to come.
YOUTUBE: Go to Meher Archive Collective’s YouTube Channel and check out our recent videos. Coming soon is a video of our most recent “In Touch with Meher Archive” program from June 7th. Christine Pearson and Bob Ahrens share stories of Mehera and Meherazad, hosted by Evie Lindemann.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Evie Lindemann, President: [email protected]
Hugh Huntington, Secretary: [email protected]
Anne Barker, Director: [email protected]
Bruce Felknor, Director: [email protected]
Evie Lindemann, President: [email protected]
Hugh Huntington, Secretary: [email protected]
Anne Barker, Director: [email protected]
Bruce Felknor, Director: [email protected]