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)
“Hell, fire and damnation” — Stories of Keeping Meher Mount for Avatar Meher Baba
Come celebrate on Saturday, August 6, 2022, the anniversary of Avatar Meher Baba’s 1956 visit to Meher Mount.
You will love hearing the stories of some of the people who have kept Meher Mount for Meher Baba through “hell, fire and damnation,” including co-founder and lifetime caretaker Agnes Baron (1907-1994).
Also sharing their challenges and joys as caretakers are Ray Johnston and Elizabeth Arnold, who were at Meher Mount from 2002 to 2010, and have returned, temporarily, since then when help was needed.
The property now known as Meher Mount was purchased in 1946 upon Meher Baba’s instructions to establish a center “somewhere one or two hours from a big city.” The group, which included lifetime caretaker Agnes Baron, selected the 172-acre farm estate atop Sulphur Mountain in Ojai, CA.
Within several years, everyone else had moved away except Agnes. In the many years that she cared for Meher Mount, Agnes faced one difficulty after another in managing and holding on to the property. She fought hard to keep it for Meher Baba and wrote to Him in 1952 describing the troublesome situation.
“If you want me to take care of Meher Mount, I will keep it for you through hell, fire and damnation!” — Agnes Baron to Meher Baba
Meher Baba replied that she should keep it for Him by all means, and He sent her His love. The program will include Agnes’ stories of keeping Meher Mount for the Avatar.
Since Agnes’ passing in 1994, many dedicated individuals have kept Meher Mount for Meher Baba. Two of the longest serving caretakers – Ray Johnston and Elizabeth Arnold – will share their experiences.
The in-person Sahavas will be outdoors at Meher Mount, and key events in the program will be streamed live on Zoom (see link below). The speakers also will be recorded for viewing later.
Anniversary Sahavas Program — Saturday, August 6, 2022
Sahavas (Vedanta) means close companionship of, 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.: "Hell, Fire and Damnation” — Stories of Founder & Lifetime Caretaker Agnes Baron, as told by Sam Ervin
12:00 p.m.: Lunch: Bring your own or something to share for a potluck lunch
1:15 p.m.: Music with Jim Whitson
1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.: “My Journey Caring for Meher Mount” — Former Caretakers Elizabeth Arnold & Ray Johnston
4:15 p.m.: Arti (prayers, songs, poems, quotes) by Baba's Tree
5:30 p.m.: No-host Dinner at Boccali’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.
Zoom Link & Times
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85298453961?pwd=ZTRzNHRHU0JFdVZqT2hFdDJGVHFLdz09
Passcode: 330088
Or One tap mobile :
US: +16699006833,,85298453961#,,,,*330088# or +16694449171,,85298453961#,,,,*330088#
Or Telephone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 669 900 6833 or +1 669 444 9171 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 929 205 6099 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 931 3860
Webinar ID: 852 9845 3961
Passcode: 330088
International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcuaStgtEY
10:30 a.m. (PDT) — “Hell, Fire & Damnation” by Sam Ervin
Honolulu 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Saturday, August 6, 2022
US MDT 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Saturday, August 6, 2022
US CDT 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Saturday, August 6, 2022
US EDT 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday, August 6, 2022
1:30 p.m. (PDT) — “My Journey Caring for Meher Mount” by Elizabeth Arnold
Honolulu 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Saturday, August 6, 2022
US MDT 2:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. Saturday, August 6, 2022
US CDT 3:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. Saturday, August 6, 2022
US EDT 4:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. Saturday, August 6, 2022
2:45 p.m. (PDT) — “My Journey Caring for Meher Mount” by Ray Johnston
Honolulu 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Saturday, August 6, 2022
US MDT 3:45 p.m.. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday, August 6, 2022
US CDT 4:45 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday, August 6, 2022
US EDT 5:45 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturday, August 6, 2022
About the Anniversary Sahavas Program
AGNES BARON (1907-1994) giving instructions to Sam Ervin for work to be done on Silence Day, July 10, 1982. At the 2022 Anniversary Sahavas, Sam will share stories about Agnes Baron keeping Meher Mount for Meher Baba. (Photo: Margaret Magnus)
“Hell, Fire and Damnation” — Stories of Founder & Lifetime Caretaker Agnes Baron, as told by Sam Ervin
Sam Ervin first went to Meher Mount in January 1968. His second visit on May 19, 1968, was for a day of silence and weed pulling.
Since then, he has been pulling weeds and volunteering at Meher Mount for 54 years, including serving as president of the board of directors.
During Agnes’ lifetime, Sam spent many hours hearing her tell her stories and observing how she devoted her life to caring for Meher Mount.
Sam will also share his view on how the spirit of Meher Mount carries on through time and into the future.
RAY JOHNSTON filling in a hole by the Topa Topa Patio after the 2017 Thomas Fire. At the 2022 Anniversary Sahavas, Ray will share his stories of keeping Meher Mount for Meher Baba. (Photo: Margaret Magnus, February 2018)
“My Journey Caring for Meher Mount” — Ray Johnston, Former Caretaker
Explaining why he continues to be drawn to Meher Mount, Ray said:
“I've been away from Meher Mount for quite a few years now, but it still acts as a beacon for me. I have places all around the planet that are places I plug into to recharge, to re-center, to reconfigure my life. But, there's no place like Meher Mount that provides that kind of transformational opportunity."
Ray Johnston was a caretaker at Meher Mount from 2002 to 2005. After a year’s sabbatical in Africa, he came back to again be a caretaker from 2006 to 2010.
Ray has since returned many times to visit and help care for the property, including helping with the 2017 Thomas Fire recovery.
After leaving Meher Mount, Ray continued traveling internationally as a healer and teacher conducting public presentations and private healing sessions. He recently built a home on Isla Mujeres in Mexico.
ELIZABETH ARNOLD at Baba’s Tree after the 2017 Thomas Fire when she came to stay at Meher Mount as an interim caretaker in September 2019. At the 2022 Anniversary Sahavas, Elizabeth will share her stories of keeping Meher Mount for Meher Baba. (Photo: Sam Ervin)
"My Journey Caring for Meher Mount ” — Elizabeth Arnold, Former Caretaker
One of the rewards of being at Meher Mount for Elizabeth was seeing how Meher Mount welcomed and affected the visitors:
“One of the benefits of being at Meher Mount is seeing individuals change as they visit. The stress of their daily life drops away as they glimpse the magnitude of what Meher Mount offers. The panoramic mountain views, the Baba Tree, the shrine at the site of the guest house where Baba visited, all contribute to creating a very special place.
“Agnes Baron’s vision and Baba’s essence affects all visitors on some level, including us. Being here for even a short visit is transformation.”
Elizabeth was a caretaker at Meher Mount from 2002 to 2005, and then after a year’s sabbatical in Africa was again a caretaker from 2006 to 2009.
When the call went out for temporary caretakers after the 2017 Thomas Fire, Elizabeth responded and came to stay at Meher Mount to once again care for the property.
Elizabeth currently lives in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, with her husband Sean Snyder, where she has an art studio on the island.
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.