AVATAR MEHER BABA at Meher Mount on August 2, 1956. Co-founder and lifetime caretaker Agnes Baron is clearly delighted with His visit. (Photo: Darwin Shaw (c) Meher Nazar Publications)
Come celebrate on Saturday, August 7, 2021, two milestone events related to Avatar Meher Baba and Meher Mount.
The first event is the founding in 1946 of Meher Mount which is dedicated to Meher Baba. The second event is His visit in 1956 — 10 years later.
The in-person Sahavas will be outdoors at Meher Mount, and key events in the program will be streamed live on Zoom.
Special guest Joan Dimpfl Harland — who as a young girl met Meher Baba — will share her wonderful stories of being with Him.
Greg Harland — who spent three months living with Meher Baba’s close disciples (mandali) in India in 1969 — will tell his memorable stories of that time.
As a salute to the 75th anniversary of the founding of Meher Mount — there will be a dramatic reading describing the coincidences that led to finding the property now known as Meher Mount and how Agnes Baron — not then a follower of Meher Baba — devoted the rest of her life to caring for Meher Mount.
The in-person Sahavas will be outdoors at Meher Mount, and the speakers will be recorded for viewing later your convenience.
Anniversary Sahavas Program — Saturday, August 7, 2021
Sahavas (Vedanta) means close companionship or in the company of a spiritual master. It also refers to a spiritual retreat or gathering where Meher Baba’s followers meet to remember Him.
10:00 a.m.: Arrival, Sign-in, Fellowship
10:30 a.m.: "Growing Up with Meher Baba” — Stories from Joan Dimpfl Harland
12:00 p.m.: Lunch: Bring your own or something for a potluck lunch
1:30 p.m.: “There’s a place for Meher Baba…” — A Dramatic Reading of the Founding of Meher Mount
2:00 p.m.: "A Three-Month Darshan in 1969” — Stories from Greg Harland
4:00 p.m.: Arti (prayers, songs, poems, quotes) by Baba's Tree
5:30 p.m.: No-host Dinner at Bocalli’s (Ojai)
All are welcome. There is a suggested donation of $20 to help cover expenses.
No-Host Dinner
There is a no-host dinner after the event at 5:30 p.m. at Boccali’s Pizza & Pasta restaurant for all who are interested. Boccali’s is located at 3277 Ojai-Santa Paula Road, Ojai.
If attending the dinner:
Please bring cash or your checkbook.
With such a large group, there are no separate checks. The total bill - including tax and a 20% tip - is divided by all participants. Each person pays that portion of the bill.
COVID-19 Guidelines
Current guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19 will be observed. All the day’s events will be outdoors. The following are suggested:
Wear a mask in all indoor spaces.
Consider wearing a mask outdoors if you have not been vaccinated.
Pause a moment before hugging anyone to determine if that is the safest action for you.
For lunch, you have two options: Bring your own food or bring something for a potluck meal. Do what is most comfortable for you. Either way, eating utensils will be provided.
About the Anniversary Sahavas Program
JOAN DIMPFL HARLAND first met Avatar Meher Baba when she was four years old. With her family, she had subsequent opportunities to be with Him. She will share these stories at the 2021 Anniversary Sahavas at Meher Mount.
"Growing Up with Meher Baba” — Stories from Joan Dimpfl Harland
Joan Harland, the daughter of Meher Baba's Western followers Lud & Bea Dimpfl, will share her childhood memories and her family's stories of being with Avatar Meher Baba.
Joan first met Meher Baba in 1956 when she was four years old and walked with Him among the giant redwoods in Muir Woods.
Joan again was with Meher Baba in 1958 at the Meher Spiritual Center in Myrtle Beach, SC. Also, in 1958 while in transit to Australia, Meher Baba unexpectedly stayed overnight at the Dimpfl home in Marin County, CA.
Four years later in 1962, Joan traveled with her family to India and attended the East-West Gathering in Pune (formerly Poona) with Meher Baba. She has followed Him all her life.
Joan enjoys sharing her stories of her family's contact with Meher Baba.
“There’s a place for Meher Baba…” — A Dramatic Reading of the Founding of Meher Mount
This it the story of the serendipity of finding the property now known as Meher Mount and of Agnes Baron — who was not initially a follower of Meher Baba — devoting the rest of her life to caring for and keeping Meher Mount for Him.
Thespians Ron Holsey, playing the role of the narrator, and Erin Sommerville, playing the role of Agnes Baron, will give a lively dramatic reading of events — told primarily through the eyes of Agnes.
GREG HARLAND will share his stories — at the 2021 Anniversary Sahavas at Meher Mount — of living in Meherabad, India, and being with Meher Baba’s close disciples (mandali).
"A Three-Month Darshan in 1969” — Stories from Greg Harland
Greg Harland first heard of Meher Baba in 1967 in Berkeley, CA, but it wasn't until 1968 when he met Ursula Reinhart and Mik Hamilton (who both had met Meher Baba), that he became seriously interested.
When Meher Baba announced that He would give Darshan in Spring 1969, Greg worked three jobs to buy an airplane ticket to India.
After Meher Baba dropped His body on January 31, 1969, Greg's charter flight was canceled.
But Meher Baba gave him an even better darshan in 1969, as Greg will tell in his talk for the Anniversary Sahavas.
WHAT TO BRING FOR THE ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
The weather will be warm and beautiful. The Anniversary is a wonderful time to remember and celebrate the presence of the Avatar of the Age at Meher Mount.
Please bring:
Your lunch or something to share in the potluck - whichever is most comfortable for you. Your food should be ready to eat and not require additional prep or cooking. The group will be eating on the patio which has limited prep and cooking facilities. Plates, cups, and eating utensils will be provided.
A hat, sunscreen and water are recommended.
There is a suggested donation of $20 to help cover the costs of the event.
Please do not bring:
Please do not bring your pets.
There are no fires, incense or candles. The fire danger is extremely high.
For more information, see the Visitor Guidelines.
JOAN DIMPFL HARLAND (center in orange blouse) returns to Meher Mount on Saturday, August 7, 2021, to share her wonderful stories of being with Avatar Meher Baba. You’re invited to join the group and be part of the celebration. (Photo: Wayne Myers, Anniversary Sahavas 2013)