Meher Baba at Brookgreen Gardens and the Delmonico Hotel
The first part of this offering is an informal recording by Mike Loftus of Meher Baba’s visit to Brookgreen Gardens. We hear highlights of the afternoon, including the joyful crowd moving through the gardens as Baba notes sculptural pieces; Baba stopping under a tree to describe a memory of Buddha’s enlightenment; and Tex Hightower giving Baba sandals he made. Later, the recording switches to a press conference at the Delmonico Hotel in New York. Baba covers topics including His silence, the Avatar, and God’s presence in everyone. At the end of the recording, Baba leaves the room and Adi K. Irani continues to answer questions.
Audio, 49:13
Brookgreen Gardens, Myrtle Beach, S.C. 1956
Delmonico Hotel, New York, N.Y. 1956
From the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. Archives
“God talking to Himself”
This program begins with a translation of a ghazal that Meher Baba wrote in Persian; Farhad Shafa reads the original, and Dot Pierpont follows with an English translation. Then, Dot speaks about a trip to Iran and her experiences with the Baba community there. Kitty Davy shares brief stories about her time with Baba, and about the experience of Katie Irani, one of Baba’s Mandali, in Japan. The program ends with another reading of Baba’s poem, and a heartfelt rendition of a song by Rumi.
Audio, 49:49
Meher Center, June 1, 1970
From the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. Archives
“Finding water in a desert”
Edith Bradbury had sensed the presence of God since childhood, but as an adult she began actively seeking Him. This search brought her by the late 1940’s to the Sufi leader Murshida Ivy Duce, who told her about Meher Baba. In this talk, Edith discusses her connection with Baba, including meeting Him for the first time in the Lagoon Cabin in 1952, when she fell tearfully into His arms.
Audio, 32:39
Meher Center Saroja Library, May 12, 1974
From the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. Archives
“He was the most appreciative audience”
Delia DeLeon, an actress and close disciple of Meher Baba since 1931, gives an informative talk about Meher Baba’s interest and work in the fields of art, theatre, dance, and in Hollywood with the film He had wanted to make. She covers a wide range of topics from Baba’s Paramount newsreel, to Shakespeare, to a group rendition of “Begin the Beguine.” It is a delightful look into Meher Baba’s work in the 1930’s, and this “great cosmic drama.”
Audio, 44:38
Meher Center Saroja Library, January 2, 1978
From the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. Archives
Radio Show 1967
This radio program about Meher Baba was broadcast on WFRM in New York City on July 9, 1967, to bring in Silence Day on July 10. It features a concise history of Baba’s life and mission, and shares memories from some of Baba’s Western lovers such as Kitty Davy, Elizabeth Patterson, Henry Kashouty, and Don Stevens.
Audio, 27:36
First Aired WRFM Radio, NYC, July 9, 1967
From the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. Archives
“Always be conscious of His Presence”
K.K. Ramakrishnan was a lifelong disciple with intimate contact with the Beloved. Here he talks about his coming to Baba, seeing Him for the first time and recognizing Him as the Christ. Baba’s message to him was to be cheerful and spread His message. Inspired by that, Ramakrishnan started the Poona Center with Baba’s permission. Baba personally opened this Center and gave Darshan to thousands. This sharing of his life with Baba is full of simple reflections on how to love Him and continue to remember Him.
Audio, 1:05:03
Meher Center, March 20, 1999
From the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. Archives
“I never come, I never leave”
This is an audio recording by Mike Loftus of a meeting that took place in the Barn one day after Meher Baba’s 1958 visit to the Center. In the glow of Baba’s continued Presence, Marion Florsheim encourages many of Baba’s lovers to share about their experiences, including Margeurite Poley, Darwin Shaw, Fred Winterfeldt, Elizabeth Patterson, Andy Muir, Charles Purdom, Fred Marks, and others.
Audio, 1:22:17
Meher Center, June 1, 1958
From the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. Archives
Meher Baba at the Delmonico Hotel
This raw, unedited audio of Meher Baba and His lovers was recorded at the Delmonico Hotel in 1956. Perhaps it will provide a glimpse of what it was like to be with the Master during that special time. Within the varied, everyday sounds, it is possible to make out Eruch interpreting Baba’s gestures as He moves easily from spiritual subjects to everyday logistics; laughter erupting as Baba tosses grapes as prasad; and lovers old and new being introduced to their Beloved.
Audio, 34:56
Delmonico Hotel, New York City, 1956
From the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. Archives
“He walked all through the forests of the Center”
Meherjee Karkaria first met Meher Baba in 1927 at Meherabad and went on to become a close disciple who exemplified obedience. He was one of the Eastern men who accompanied Baba to the Meher Center in Myrtle Beach in 1952 and 1956. In this rare audio, Meherjee is back at the Center in 1970. He is heard walking around the Center reminiscing about his time with Baba, pointing to places Baba had been, and answering questions of a curious group about lesser known things that Baba said about the Center.
Audio, 1:31:36
Meher Center, March 1970
From the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. Archives
“Such an all-pervading peace and joy in His presence”
Marion Florsheim of New York was nicknamed “Energy” by Meher Baba because she frequently said, “I wish you would use my energy, Baba.” Baba did appoint Marion to do significant work for Him, including making all the arrangements for His 1956 trip to the West. In this talk, Marion describes what it was like to be with Baba, and some of the unforgettable events of that 1956 visit.
Audio, 27:40
Meher Center, 1972
From the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. Archives