Inspire Your Inner Artist
“Art is one of the sources through which the soul expresses itself and inspires others.” - Avatar Meher Baba
During your visit to Meher Mount, you might just inspire your inner artist. It could be photography, painting, poetry, music, or any other creative endeavor that is awakened and nurtured. See how others have taken inspiration from Meher Mount and the connection to Avatar Meher Baba.
“my prayers were the photographs”
THE FIELD and path to Baba's Tree at Meher Mount in Ojai, CA, on a windy, stormy day in January. (c) Edward Brooks, 2016.
Whether it’s a bright, sunshine-filled day… or one when the mountain is enshrouded in the clouds…. or a day filled with rain and wind, you can find photographic inspiration on a visit to Meher Mount.
On one stormy day of rain, wind and wildness, photographer Eddie Brooks drove to Meher Mount. “On the way, it rained all the way.” Then “the skies opened up. It was incredible; it was beautiful. I was overcome,” he remembered.
“My prayers were the photographs. What came through me, I put into the photos. They are my response to Meher Baba’s energy that was so full that day. Baba’s presence was everywhere.”
“Don’t forget the smaller creatures that are part of Meher Mount’s beauty,” said photographer, Agnes Montano. “How can you not think of perfection and tenacity when you see the delicate web spun by the funnel-web spider around its burrow for protection?”
“This Poem began to take shape as a small thing i could offer”
UNDER THE LIMBS of Baba’s Tree before the 2017 Thomas Fire and high winds toppled the tree. Baba’s Tree continues to recover from the fire with tender loving care and prayers from around the world. From the fire emerged Baba’s Tree Grove which continues to welcome and inspire visitors. (Photo: Margaret Magnus, 2015)
As preparations were being made to celebrate an anniversary of Avatar Meher Baba’s 1956 visit, Sam Ervin was inspired to write his poem, “What the Hawk Saw,” about Meher Baba’s time at Meher Mount.
“As I reflected on the events and significance of Meher Baba’s day at Meher Mount, this poem began to take shape as a small thing I could offer,” Sam remembered.
Another visitor remarked on the privilege of being at Meher Mount. “It is truly a sacred space. Every time I return from Meher Mount, I am never the same,” said Yolanda Koumidou. She was inspired to share her feelings of being “Under Baba’s Tree.”
“painting is somewhat of a spiritual experience for me.”
THE EN PLEIN AIR painting at Meher Mount and the subject of the painting. (Photo: Buzz Glasky)
“Going outdoors allows artists to capture the fleeting light. It’s more spontaneous. There is movement. It’s not the details,” says en plein air painter and instructor Jennifer McChristian. “There is the essence because there is less time to be precise, hence more impressionistic.”
When she visited Meher Mount, McChristian said, “I fell in love with the place right away. It’s one of my favorite places to go.”
“Painting is somewhat of a spiritual experience for me. Although challenging at times, the end result evokes within me a sense of elation, nostalgia and harmony.”
“It was My Way of Expressing Gratitude”
MUSICIANS in the United States, India and England gathered virtually to record two beautiful and uplifting songs in celebration of Avatar Meher Baba and the anniversary of His visit to Meher Mount. “You just might want to sing along,” said one viewer.
During the coronavirus pandemic, a group of talented and creative artists came together virtually to offer the heartfelt and inspiring music videos — “Open Up the Door” and “Dhun: Singing Meher Baba’s Name” — in celebration of the anniversary of Avatar Meher Baba’s 1956 visit to Meher Mount.
“I really enjoyed working on this project,” said producer, composer and performer Billy Goodrum. “It was my way of expressing gratitude.”
Over the years, musicians have preformed at Meher Mount in remembrance and praise of the Avatar of the Age, Meher Baba.