"Hidden in your penniless hands, is treasure untold..."

Your Friday photo is honor of Avatar Meher Baba’s New Life...

Meher Baba started the period of His work known as the “New Life” on October 16, 1949.

Before embarking on the New Life, He asked Dr. Abdul Ghani Munsiff to write this poem, “Song of the New Life,” — which describes the conditions of the New Life. Dr. Ghani was a close disciple and childhood friend of Meher Baba.  

The photo of Meher Baba was taken during the New Life outside the Nalavala residence in Dehra Dun, India. The photographer is Keki Nalavala.

“Even if your heart is cut to bits, let there be a smile be on your lips.

Here I divulge to you a point worth noting.

Hidden in your penniless hands, is treasure untold;

Your beggarly life will be the envy of Kings (of the world).”

— "Song of the New Life," Dr. Abdul Ghani Munsiff

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The Song of the New Life

Listen to the silent words of Meher Baba;
The life of all lovers (of God) is based on the practice of these words
If you are serious about living this New Life,
Then whole-heartedly renounce this ephemeral existence.

We have taken to this life, in which we rely only on God;
In this, our Will (to do or die) is strengthened by the oath taken;
We are merrily singing the song of hopelessness;
We are inviting all calamities and difficulties.

We neither wail over lost hopes, nor complain about (broken) promises;
We neither covet honour, nor shun disgrace;
Back-biting we know not, nor do we fear anyone;
This is now the colour of our New Life.

No confusion in the mind, now, nor any ties left;
Pride, anger, lust and greed we know not.
We have no religion nor care for physical and mental fads.
The Sheikh and the Brahmin — typifying all castes and creeds — are now sailing in the same boat.

There is no small or great now, for us all;
The questions of disciple, Master or Godhood, no longer arise;
Brotherliness or fellow-feeling is the link that exists.
And this contributes to our present enjoyment of suffering.

This world or the next, hell or heaven, we no longer bother about.
Shaktis and siddhis, occultism and miracles, we no longer think of;
All these false impressions (thoughts) for us have been purged from the mind.
What has value and importance for us now, is to live in the active present.

Dear ones, take seriously the words of Baba when he says,
Although now, I am on the same level with you all,
Yet all orders from me, good, bad, extraordinary
You should all carry out immediately, leaving the result to God.

Even if the heavens fall,
Do not let go the hand of Truth;
Let despair and disappointment ravage and destroy the garden (of your life),
You beautify it once again, by the seedlings of contentment and self-sufficiency.

Even if your heart is cut to bits, let there be a smile on your lips.
Here I divulge to you a point worth noting.
Hidden in your penniless hands, is treasure untold;
Your beggarly life will be the envy of Kings (of the world).

God exists indeed and true are the Prophets;
Every Cycle has an Avatar and every moment has a Wali,
For us however, it is only hopelessness and helplessness,
How else should I tell you what our New Life is!

~Dr. Abdul Ghani Munsiff, Close Disciple of Meher Baba

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About Meher Baba’s New Life (October 1949-February 1952)

In the New Life, Meher Baba and His companions gave up all property and financial responsibilities. They traveled throughout India without money, begging for food, and living in strict accordance with Meher Baba’s conditions of the New Life. 

These conditions included absolute acceptance of the circumstances of their lives and consistent good cheer in the face of any difficulty. It was a time of complete helplessness and hopelessness, relying only upon God.

The New Life phase of Meher Baba’s life culminated in early 1952 after more than two years. “This New Life will live by itself eternally, even if there is no one to live it,” said Meher Baba.

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Notes

• Shaktis: Shakti in Vedanta means power.

• Siddhis: Siddhis refers to divine or mystic powers; also occult powers in Vedanta.

• Avatar: The total manifestation of God in human form on earth, as the Eternal Living Perfect Master; the direct descent of Reality into Illusion; the Savior, the Highest of the High, the Ancient One. Also called God-Man, the Messiah, the Buddha, the Christ, the Rasool.

• Wali: A friend of God. Frequently used in a more restricted sense to mean a saint.

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Sources

• “Song of the New Life of Meher Baba & His Companions,” by Dr. Abdul Ghani Munsiff. PDF accessed October 6, 2026. ©1980 Avatar Meher Baba Perpetual Public Charitable Trust, Ahilyanagar, India.

• “Baba Words — The Master’s Glossary,” compiled by Frank Davis, ©2000 Frank Davis. Accessed online October 6, 2026.

• “Meher Baba’s New Life,” Meher Mount Story Blog, accessed online October 6, 2026.

• Photograph: Avatar Meher Baba in 1950 outside the Nalavala residence at 36 Lytton Road, Dehra Dun, India. Photographer: Keki Nalavala. Courtesy of Meher Nazar Publications, Ahilyanagerar, India.

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"Why a tree?"

Your Friday photo is honor of Tree of Fire: A Story of Love and Resilience which is currently showing at film festivals...

This photograph of Baba’s Tree taken in February 2026 by Margaret Magnus, shows the regrowth eight years after high winds and the Thomas Fire destroyed the tree and felled the canopy. The heart rock, adorned with flowers, marks the spot where Avatar Meher Baba spent time alone under the tree in 1956.

The following is an interview for the 2026 LA Femme International Film Festival where Tree of Fire: A Story of Love and Resilience will be shown. Margaret Magnus is the producer, writer and award-winning co-director for the documentary on Baba’s Tree. She was interviewed for the LA Femme Festival by Aaron M. Sanchez, KMET 1490 AM host and producer. The comments have been edited for clarity and brevity.

“Q: Why a tree?

A: Because it’s a powerful story in and of itself, but it also becomes a metaphor. The tree was destroyed, and through its own resilience and the love and care of the community, it survived.

And with the support of those who love us, and our own resilience, we find a way to survive, even if parts of us are burned, or hurt, or wounded. And that becomes the tree’s story, but also the human story.”

— Interview with Margaret Magnus, Producer, Writer & Co-Director, Tree of Fire

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Aaron M. Sanchez: Margaret, I'm a fan, and I'm not going to lie, I don't know that tree, but I think I want to. A lot of people have said something about that tree. Where was this at, by the way? Where did the fire occur?

Magnus: The tree is at Meher Mount, which is a 172-acre spiritual center on Sulphur Mountain in the upper Ojai Valley in California. And the fire, known as the Thomas Fire, was in December 2017. High winds and the fire pretty much destroyed the tree, except for a little bit.

Sanchez: Fast forward, do you have an update on the tree?

Magnus: Part of the film is about the efforts that were made to help the tree recover, and also how the tree had life beyond the tree. The wood was salvaged, ashes were collected and distributed, and miraculously, the tree is doing very, very well. In 2017, we had no idea whether it would even survive or not, but it is surviving.

It was a very massive tree. It was often called a cathedral tree, because the branches spread out and then came down and created a little enclosure. Some people call it a church. Most of the canopy was destroyed in the fire, but the is recreating its canopy.

Sanchez: Why a tree?

Magnus: Because it's a powerful story in and of itself, but it also becomes a metaphor. The tree was destroyed, and through its own resilience, and the love and care of the community around it helped it survive.

And when the viewer sees it, very often people are touched, because we all go through difficulties, we all go through tough times. And with the support of those who love us, and our own resilience, we find a way to survive, even if parts of us are burned, or hurt, or wounded. And that becomes the tree’s story, but also the human story.

Why this tree was important is obviously because Avatar Meher Baba was there in 1956. Also since then, many people have gone to the tree. Sometimes they go to celebrate, to propose, to get inspiration, or for a moment of solace. There are so many reasons why people go to Baba's Tree at Meher Mount. It became a major touchstone for the community, the area, and people who follow Meher Baba.

Sanchez: I will say this about a tree, sometimes you feel like there's wisdom. I don't know how to explain that.

Magnus: Well, part of it is that when people go there, they're open and they're in this beautiful setting at 2,600 feet with views in all directions. There's this sense of silence. I think what happens is, you sort of turn down the noise in your mind and open your heart. Yes, it's a tree, but it's also an experience.

Sanchez: Tree of Fire: A Story of Love and Resilience. I mean, that right there says something, right?

Magnus: It does, because the tree has been through two major fires that we know of in our lifetime. And it's the love that the tree has given, and the love that the tree has received. It's about the resilience of the tree, and the resilience that we all have within us.

Some people say it's a place of great spiritual meaning for them because the Indian spiritual maser, Avatar Meher Baba, was there. He sat under that tree in 1956, and it became a touchstone, not only for followers of him, but for all the visitors who come to Meher Mount.

Sanchez: Is there any good information about Ojai since the fire? Because fires are devastating.

Magnus: Fires destroy homes and upset lives. There's no doubt about that.

What is so interesting is to have watched all the burned acreage, and how quickly nature recovers. Nature, particularly in Southern California, is built for fire. So, following the fire there were healthy rainstorms in the spring. It was amazing to see all the plants, and trees, and the shrubs, and the grass, and the flowers come back within six months.

It's people and their homes that take much, much longer to regenerate.

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Source

• “Tree of Fire — Filmmaker Interview.” 2026 LA Femme International Film Festival, October 16-19, 2026, Sherman Oaks, CA.

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"Love is dynamic in action and contagious in effect." - Avatar Meher Baba

Your Friday photo is a video related to the film Tree of Fire: A Story of Love and Resilience…

“I Have to Tell You” is the story about one visitor who found solace for her grief at Baba’s Tree. It is told by Ellen Kwiatkowski, a storyteller in the film and resident caretaker 2019-2022.

This 3:50-minute video is an outtake (a scene filmed for a movie but not included in the final version) from the award-winning documentary film Tree of Fire: A Story of Love and Resilience.

“Love is dynamic in action and contagious in effect. Pure love is matchless in majesty; it has no parallel in power and there is no darkness it cannot dispel. It is the undying flame that has set life aglow.”

— Avatar Meher Baba

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“I Have to Tell You What Happened to Me”

There are different types of experiences that people have here at Meher Mount.

Most of the people that come up here are not people that come for Meher Baba. They come because they heard there is a nice view or they heard that it’s a great place to meditate. They come for that. Or they come because they know there are wildflowers and nature.

“I often notice a difference in people from when they arrive versus when they leave. Some people will want to tell you about what happened while they were here. Some people won't.

A recent thing that happened was really moving for me and for the person who experienced it.  

A woman about my age came up. She had never been to Meher Mount before, but she had heard that it is a special place.

She had been having a very, very challenging couple of years, not just because of the pandemic, but because she’s caring for her older mother. Her sister, who was the primary caretaker of her mother, had died, and she was really close to her sister.

So now she was caring for her mom.  She was feeling the weight and the burden, her grief, and the tiredness of carrying all that. She spent a long time out at the tree.

When she came back, she started to tell me what happened and to tell me her story.

But first she said, “Thank you! Thank you so much for having this place open and free, taking care of it, and making it available. I have to tell you what happened to me.”  

When she was at the tree, she closed her eyes and was sitting there. She felt her sister take her hand, and she smelled her sister.

It brought her a lot of peace. It helped her process her grief. I think it also helped her know that everything was going to be okay no matter how hard life is. You can endure it and everything's going to be okay. She said she couldn’t wait to come back.

There are people who have those types of experiences. Then there are people who come and they’re just sightseeing and touring.  

When they leave, they’re brighter, lighter, and so happy. They don’t talk about the energy. They don’t talk about any of that, but they’re affected by it, and you can’t help but notice it.

~Ellen Kwiatkowski, Resident Caretaker 2019-2022

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Tree of Fire: A Story of Love and Resilience

This award-winning documentary about Baba’s Tree at Meher Mount is a story of heartfelt story of loss, survival, and spiritual connection. After a devastating fire, a once-thriving massive oak – blessed by Avatar Meher Baba – rises from the ashes to offer love and solace.

Against all odds, volunteers worked together to nurture the tree back to health.

The survival of Baba’s Tree becomes a living symbol of resilience and Divine love. Through personal testimonies and breathtaking imagery, the film invites you to rediscover your own capacity for healing, transformation, and spiritual awakening.

Click here to see the trailer for Tree of Fire.

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Quote Source: Filis Frederick, editor. The Path of Love (North Myrtle Beach, SC: Sheriar Press) p. 67. ©2000 by Avatar Meher Baba Perpetual Public Charitable Trust, Ahilyanagar, India.

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"Let me walk in beauty..."

Your Friday photo is in honor of Native American Day, September 25th...

This Native American prayer was a favorite of Meher Mount co-founder and lifetime caretaker Agnes Baron.

The photo of a sunset, as seen from Meher Mount, was taken by Juan Mendez, photographer and guest caretaker.

“Let me walk in beauty, and make my eyes ever hold the red and purple sunset.”

— Great Spirit Prayer

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Oh, Great Spirit,
whose voice I hear in the winds
and whose breath gives life to all the world.
Hear me! I need your strength and wisdom.
Let me walk in beauty, and make my eyes
ever hold the red and purple sunset.
Make my hands respect the things you have made
and my ears sharp to hear your voice.
Make me wise so that I may understand
the things that you have taught my people.
Let me learn the lessons you have hidden
in every leaf and rock.

Help me remain calm and strong in the
face of all that comes towards me.
Help me find compassion without
empathy overwhelming me.
I seek strength, not to be greater than my brother,
but to fight my greatest enemy: myself.
Make me always ready to come to you
with clean hands and straight eyes.
So when life fades, as the fading sunset,
my spirit may can come to you without shame.

~Translated by Lakota Sioux Chief Yellow Lark in 1887

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NOTES

• There are slightly different versions of this prayer all with the same message. This version is sourced from Xavier University, Jesuit Resource, Native American Prayers.

• Native American Day is observed in California and other states to honor the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Indigenous peoples.

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"I felt a strong sense of transformation, rather than loss."

Your Friday photo...

This photo of a mirror, framed in the fallen wood from Baba’s Tree, was taken by Agnes Montano, board secretary and guest caretaker at Meher Mount.

The mirror is reflecting the tree leaves overhead as it is perched on a bench, made from Baba’s Tree wood, next to the Darshan Courtyard at Meher Mount.

“As I reflected on the framed mirror sitting on this bench — both made from Baba’s Tree Wood reclaimed after the 2017 Thomas Fire — I felt the strong sense of transformation, rather than loss. ”

— Agnes Montano, Board Secretary & Guest Caretaker

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Photographer Agnes Montano Shares Her Impressions:

As I reflected on the framed mirror sitting on this bench — both made from Baba’s Tree Wood reclaimed after the 2017 Thomas Fire — I felt the strong sense of transformation, rather than loss.

The wood tells a story — it has been through fire and can still bring forth beauty, life, and a reminder of the Divine.

The frame, made by Ryan Lang, an Ojai-Based woodworker, is visibly connected to the suffering Baba’s Tree endured when it was engulfed in flames. Yet, the wood has been given another life. Just like the individual soul that evolves through individual acts, Baba’s Tree has evolved to new capacities and contexts.

The little metal leaf in the upper-left corner of the frame serves as a small reminder of the living tree from which the wood came. In the mirror, the incredibly vibrant reflection of green leaves of another Coastal live oak are reflected against an intensely blue sky.

There is something deeply moving about this image, a sense of resilience, renewal, and the continuing cycle of life.   

The cracks and burnt areas in the bench also show that this is not ordinary reclaimed wood. The scars are part of its beauty. They tell us that this wood has experienced something profound and carries a story with it.

Behind the mirror and bench, the flagstones of the Darshan Courtyard add a quiet sense of solemnity and reverence.

Together, the natural elements, stone, wood, tree, and sky, reflect the profound love, peace and deep connection to nature that Avatar Meher Baba shared when He sanctified Meher Mount with His visit on August 2, 1956.

 ~Agnes Montano, Board Secretary & Guest Caretaker

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“The voice that is heard deep within the soul is my voice – the voice of inspiration, of intuition, of guidance.” -Avatar Meher Baba

Your Friday photo is a video…

“I would like to share a story that speaks to the enormous purpose and connectivity, not only of Meher Mount, but also of Baba’s Tree,” said caretaker Ray Johnston in telling this story of “The Bees.”

This 4:07-minute video “Tree of Fire Stories: The Bees” is an outtake (a scene filmed for a movie but not included in the final version) from the award-winning documentary film Tree of Fire: A Story of Love and Resilience.

“The voice that is heard deep within the soul is my voice – the voice of inspiration, of intuition, of guidance.”

— Avatar Meher Baba

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“The Bees”

During my tenure here, I had to travel quite a bit. I was called to travel a lot to Santa Fe, New Mexico, as part of my work. One thing that I liked to do was go to the Santa Fe flea market each year.

I noticed there a gentleman that was selling honey and bee pollen. And the bee pollen was extraordinary. His bee pollen was almost psychedelic in color. I was really drawn to this guy, his honey, and his bee pollen each year.

Each time I travelled through Santa Fe, I purchased some of the honey and pollen and brought it back to Meher Mount. After a few years, the gentleman, whose name was Gary, explained to me that this was going to be his last year in Santa Fe.  He was moving to Australia to be a beekeeper.

It shocked me. Where am I going to get such quality honey and bee pollen?

“Well, maybe I can help you find it somewhere else,” he said. “Where do you live in California?”

“It’s a small town you probably don’t know it. It’s called Ojai in Southern California.”

He said, “I know Ojai. Where in Ojai?”

“You may or may not know, but there’s a mountain range and a mountain called Sulphur Mountain,” I explained. “It’s up on Sulphur Mountain where I live.”

“Well, I'm kind of familiar with Sulphur Mountain. Where on Sulphur Mountain?”

I replied, “I'm sure you wouldn’t know, but it was part of the property there of Agnes Baron and Meher Mount.”

He exclaimed, “Oh! I know the Agnes Baron property!”

“Amazing! How?” I asked.

And so he told me the story. It was in the early 1970s, when he was at a crossroads in his life, trying to decide what he was going to do for his profession. He made a pilgrimage to Meher Mount, much the same as a lot of people do. He felt drawn and guided to sit under Baba’s Tree and to reflect on what decisions he needed to make for his future.

While he was sitting under the tree, he looked up and noticed that there was a bee’s nest inside one of the branches of the tree. And he felt the inspiration, or heard the voice, that he was supposed to be a master beekeeper.

It was so amazing to learn that this man had this inspiration years ago under the tree at Meher Mount, where I was now at the time, the caretaker.

He had moved to Santa Fe and had created this extraordinary product from his inspiration that all these years later ended up coming back and being a touchstone for me at Meher Mount, all the way from Santa Fe.

Gary never did make it to Australia. He actually passed away. I hadn’t seen a beehive in the tree for the entire period that I am talking about, but after his passing, there was the beginnings of a new beehive in a hole in the limb of the tree. I guess the hole had traditionally held bees.

This is one of the more fascinating stories of how Meher Mount and Baba’s Tree are like a magnet for many people.

~Ray Johnston, Resident Caretaker 2002-2010, Current 

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Tree of Fire: A Story of Love and Resilience

This award-winning documentary about Baba’s Tree at Meher Mount is a story of heartfelt story of loss, survival, and spiritual connection. After a devastating fire, a once-thriving massive oak – blessed by Avatar Meher Baba – rises from the ashes to offer love and solace.

Against all odds, volunteers worked together to nurture the tree back to health.

The survival of Baba’s Tree becomes a living symbol of resilience and Divine love. Through personal testimonies and breathtaking imagery, the film invites you to rediscover your own capacity for healing, transformation, and spiritual awakening.

Click here to see the trailer for Tree of Fire.

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"What could be more important and fulfilling...?"

Your Friday photo celebrates National Wildlife Day and the new wildlife pond at Meher Mount...

This photo of the deer at the pond was captured on the trail camera posted at the pond.

There’s an extra photo this week from Ray Johnston, resident caretaker, to show the beauty of the pond and the opportunity for visitors to sit in silence, enjoy the serenity, and listen to soothing sound of the falling water.

“What could be more important and fulfilling than providing a place of refuge and peace for people and animals these days?”

— Ray Johnston, Resident Caretaker

From Ray Johnston, Meher Mount Resident Caretaker:

Meher Mount serves an important purpose for all beings who come here. It offers visitors a place to find peace, renewal, and a sense of connection to something greater.

At the same time, Meher Mount provides essential habitat and refuge for the many other forms of life that depend on and live in this environment.

Water is especially precious here. The new pond, made possible through the generosity of donors, provides life-giving water for countless birds and animals. It creates a beautiful gathering place where visitors can experience the peaceful sound of falling water and reconnect with nature.

In this way, the pond is more than a water source. It is a gift that helps sustain all life at Meher Mount—wildlife and people alike.

What could be more important and fulfilling than providing a place of refuge and peace for people and animals these days?

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"No matter how dark the days are, there's always light."

Your Friday photo...

Where the Light Remains by artist Iryna Voinarovska was created during a personal time of healing, release, and gratitude. It’s the view at sunset from Meher Mount. She gave the painting to Meher Mount on the 2026 Summer Solstice in appreciation of the love and support she felt during her visits.

“No matter how dark the days are, there’s always light.”

— Iryna Voinarovska, Artist and Meher Mount Visitor

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Iryna Voinarovska tells her story:

In 2013, I emigrated from Ukraine straight to Ojai, California. On Christmas Day that year, I went to Meher Mount. As soon as I stepped out of the car onto the parking lot, I had a strange feeling that I had come home — even though I had never been here before.

Meher Mount became my sacred place, my church. I come to pray and to bring my troubles and worries. This is this place where I ask questions, ask for help, and somehow I always receive what I need.

Several years ago, I went through a major health crisis. I was feeling the life force leaving me. I came to Baba’s Tree and prayed to be shown the true path to my healing. I had to go through surgery and lose some parts of myself. And I asked Meher Baba, “Please, if you take this from me, open up my true talent instead.”

During my recovery, a message came to me that I needed to paint. I had never painted before in my life. I thought, “I’ll try, and if something looks like a painting, I’ll do it.” My first painting of a hummingbird came out pretty good. I realized there was something in me that knew how to paint. That was a year and a half ago.

In April 2025, I found myself at a crossroads in my personal life and came to Baba’s Tree asking to be shown the right path forward. I followed that guidance, letting go of the life I had known, and stepping into a new chapter.

I wanted to honor the life I was leaving behind, the new chapter unfolding ahead of me, and Meher Mount — the place that had given me so much love and support. I felt called to create something that could hold my gratitude and reflect the deeper meaning of this transition in my life. This is how Where the Light Remains was born.

To give something back to the place that had given me so much, I offered Where the Light Remains to Meher Mount. For me, this painting represents healing, letting go with gratitude, and trusting the path ahead.

The painting carries a simple message: “No matter how dark the days are, there’s always light.” And Meher Mount is exactly the place where, no matter what we are going through, love and light always remain.

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"You want to make something that speaks to hope..."

Your Friday photo is in honor of Baba’s Tree…

After high winds and the 2017 Thomas Fire toppled and destroyed Baba’s Tree at Meher Mount, the limbs and branches were salvaged for future use.

Soon after, woodworker Darrel Wilson was approached by Agnes Montano, board secretary and guest caretaker at Meher Mount, to see if he wanted to make items from the fallen wood of Baba’s Tree. The following is his answer.

This photo by Juan Mendez is of a vase made by Darrel Wilson.

“You want to make something that speaks to resilience and recovery and hope in moving forward.”

— Darrel Wilson, Woodworking Artisan

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Darrel Wilson from Tree of Fire: A Story of Love and Resilience

I think Agnes [Montano] sent me an email, if I recall. And it was an invitation to come to Meher Mount. And it just struck me as something unique and unusual, which always attracts me.

And you need to know something else. The Thomas Fire had such a profound impact on the Ojai Valley. You had people who were going to stay, stand, defend and burn up with the fire, if that's what it took.

And then you had people like myself. I walked out of my shop at 1:30 a.m. in the morning and looked at my tools, which I dearly love and said, “It's all stuff. I vote for my family. We're leaving.”

And it was all of this tension — stand and defend versus flee and come back — that was the history in front of Agnes calling me and saying, “Are you interested in making something that relates to this fire?”

Coming out of that history, you want to make something beautiful out of it. You want to make something that speaks to resilience and recovery and hope in moving forward.

~ Darrel Wilson, Woodworking Artisan & Tree of Fire Storyteller

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Tree of Fire: A Story of Love and Resilience

The story of Baba’s Tree is the journey of a seemingly ordinary oak tree blessed by the presence of the Avatar of the Age, Meher Baba.

For decades, Baba’s Tree fulfilled its role of inspiring others — drawing seekers from around the world in search of inspiration, silence, joy, and solace.

Then one night Baba’s Tree is felled by fire and high winds. Its very existence is threatened. Through love and the tree’s own resilience, it is transformed by fire to emerge even more powerful in radiating Meher Baba’s love.

Click here to see the trailer for Tree of Fire.

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"Why should misery perpetually exist...?"

Your Friday photo is in honor of the 70th Anniversary of Avatar Meher Baba’s visit to Southern California and His return to India on August 17, 1956...

This photo of Meher Baba was taken in Hollywood, California, during His three-day stay in Southern California, from July 31 to August 2, 1956, including a day at Meher Mount.

Meher Baba left Satara, India, on July 16,1956, to give His "Sahavas" or company to His dear ones in Europe, the United States and Australia.

During the course of the 30-day tour there were many interesting and intelligent questions put to Meher Baba, recalled Eruch Jessawala, Meher Baba’s close disciple who traveled with Him.

“Q: Why should misery perpetually exist on earth in spite of God’s Infinite Love and Mercy?

A: The source of Eternal Bliss is the Self [God] in all and the cause of perpetual misery is the selfishness of all. As long as satisfaction is derived through selfish pursuits, misery will always exist.

Only because of the Infinite Love and Mercy of God can man learn to realize, through the lessons of misery on earth, that inherent in him is the source of Infinite Bliss and that all suffering is his labor of love to unveil his own Infinite Self.”

— Eruch Jessawala, Close Disciple

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Excerpted from “Round the Globe with Baba in Thirty Days” by Eruch Jessawala:

The great love of some of His followers in Europe, U.S.A. and Australia compelled Baba, the Lord of Love, to pay heed to their silent and profound yearning to have Him physically in their midst, even though it be for a very short while.

Hundreds of hearts that glowed with the warmth of love for God burst into so many flames as they contacted Baba.

Many others who approached Baba indifferently felt some spark of love descending into their benumbed hearts enlivening them as they contacted Baba.

Into whatever country He stopped to give His "Sahavas," there was a spontaneous outburst of love near and around Baba.

Day after day, for one full month, the same scene repeated itself.

Of course, with every flight that carried Baba over different continents and oceans, every time it was a different day from the other under the new settings of different lovers of different nationalities and of different countries. Baba, the Ancient One, remained the same one eternal Divine Beloved, to be loved and served by thousands.

Baba carried with Him an atmosphere so surcharged with love that just a loving glance towards His lover would suffice to fill the heart of His loved one with all that he could long for.

Whether one approached Baba with love or with curiosity, for genuine search after Truth or for news, each one felt satisfied and delighted to have come in contact with Baba.

The lover of God felt the tremendous impact of Baba's love; the philosopher accepted Baba's wisdom and was filled with admiration; the scientist, the psychologist, the doctor or the professor could not help loving Baba once he found himself in His august presence. All realized their limitations when faced by the Unlimited One and all felt the force of love that radiated from the Infinite Ocean of Love.

During the course of the whole tour there were many interesting and intelligent questions put to Baba [such as]:

Q. Why should misery perpetually exist on earth in spite of God's Infinite Love and Mercy?

A. The source of Eternal Bliss is the Self in all and the cause of perpetual misery is the selfishness of all. As long as satisfaction is derived through selfish pursuits, misery will always exist.

Only because of the Infinite Love and Mercy of God can man learn to realize, through the lessons of misery on earth, that inherent in him is the source of Infinite Bliss and that all suffering is his labor of love to unveil his own Infinite Self.

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Sources

• Eruch Jessawala, “Round the Globe with Baba in Thirty Days,” The Awakener, Fall 1956, Vol 4, No 1, pp. 1-7, ©1956 Circle Productions, Inc.

• Photograph: Avatar Meher Baba in Hollywood, 1956. Meher Nazar Publications, Ahilyanagar, India. Used with permission.

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"You felt very held and very embraced by Meher Baba..."

Your Friday photo is a video…

Visitors to Meher Mount are often drawn to Baba’s Tree at Avatar’s Point. They are embraced by the silence, by the beauty, and by a special feeling. Over the years, Baba’s Tree has been called a cathedral tree.

This 1:56-minute video “Tree of Fire Stories: Cathedral Tree” is an outtake (a scene filmed for a movie but not included in the final version) from the award-winning documentary film Tree of Fire: A Story of Love and Resilience.

“You felt very held and very embraced by Meher Baba, by God, by all that is in nature.”

— Elizabeth Arnold, Resident Caretaker 2002-2009

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Cathedral Tree

The storytellers in this short video are: Agnes Baron, Meher Mount Co-Founder and Lifetime Caretaker; Sam L. Ervin, Meher Mount Board President; and Elizabeth Arnold, Resident Caretaker 2002-2009.

Agnes: So, Baba and I are here, and He’s still holding onto my arm, and I said, “This is Your tree, Baba.”

I think He commented about the cables. I explained that the farmer who was here was planning to hold up limbs, and I was very concerned because the weight was so heavy. I decided to let the limbs come down to the ground and rest, which they have, and over the years, you see, it makes a complete little enclosure.

Sam: The canopy was very big, even the limbs, some of them were four-feet thick. And it was very high. It was a very tall tree. Some people referred to it as a “cathedral tree.”

Elizabeth: And there were typically two areas that one could enter the tree, and the rest of it was a full canopy. So, you felt very held and very embraced by Meher Baba, by God, by all that is in nature.

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Tree of Fire: A Story of Love and Resilience

This award-winning documentary about Baba’s Tree at Meher Mount is a story of heartfelt story of loss, survival, and spiritual connection. After a devastating fire, a once-thriving massive oak – blessed by Avatar Meher Baba – rises from the ashes to offer love and solace.

Against all odds, volunteers worked together to nurture the tree back to health.

The survival of Baba’s Tree becomes a living symbol of resilience and Divine love. Through personal testimonies and breathtaking imagery, the film invites you to rediscover your own capacity for healing, transformation, and spiritual awakening.

Click here to see the trailer for Tree of Fire.

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"He just floats over the air."

Your Friday photo celebrates the 70th anniversary of Meher Baba’s day at Meher Mount on August 2, 1956…

Artist Charlie Mills captured the long, swift strides of Avatar Meher Baba walking across the field at Meher Mount. His followers are hurrying to keep up with Him.

“For me, this painting speaks eloquently of Meher Baba’s beauty, energy and guidance for those fortunate enough to travel in His wake. It can be a wonderful aid in helping to visualize and feel Meher Baba’s presence at Meher Mount," said Sam Ervin, Board President.

“So, Baba was walking up this hill, and I tell you, you could not keep up with Him. It’s impossible.

He just floats over the air.

And many people fell behind, including me, and we just couldn’t follow the way He was going.

He was just going and going on. And His men even were running, and it’s just a walk with Him.”

— Marguerite Poley, A Visitor in 1956 with Meher Baba

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Source

• “I can’t imagine a better painting for Meher Mount,” by Margaret Magnus. Meher Mount Story Blog, accessed May 31, 2025.

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"With far seeing eyes the hawk glides up the wind."

Your Friday photo is a video in honor of the 70th Anniversary of Avatar Meher Baba’s day at Meher Mount…

“In 2002, preparations were being made at Meher Mount to celebrate the anniversary of Avatar Meher Baba’s visit here on August 2, 1956,” explained Sam Ervin, poet and Meher Mount board president. 

“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.”

“Meher Baba, the Tree and the Hawk” is from the award-winning documentary film about Baba’s Tree at Meher Mount, Tree of Fire: A Story of Love and Resilience.

“With far seeing eyes the hawk slides up the wind
To improve her view of the God-Man
Once again treading this earth, this mountain.”

— Sam Ervin, Poet and Meher Mount Board President

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“Meher Baba, the Tree, and the Hawk”

With far seeing eyes the hawk slides up the wind
To improve her view of the God-Man
Once again treading this earth, this mountain.

Treading? No. Floating, fluid, with matchless grace,
Yet strong and gliding strides
Toward the green canopy of the great live oak Agnes called “Baba’s Tree.”

On strong wings, the hawk beats closer, glides, rises above the tree
Like an eyebrow of God in surprise,
As the Beloved One of the universe enters alone the emerald tent.

Silence! Except the sweet sighing of the wind playing among the leaves
To turn their green and silver facets to reflect the sunbeam jewels.

Hanging impossibly still, on high, the hawk,
Outside the tree the breathless expectant lovers,
And for an eternal moment the universe
Await His gesture, marking the completion of …what work?

What seeds by Him were planted in this ancient land, under this long waiting oak?
We know not.

Yet as surely as generations of hawks feather the air
Above Meher Mount and Baba’s Tree,
He has poured out His all-knowing love and compassion here,
And makes eternally accessible that sacred moment.

~ Sam L. Ervin, July 28, 2002

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Tree of Fire: A Story of Love and Resilience

This award-winning documentary about Baba’s Tree at Meher Mount is a story of heartfelt story of loss, survival, and spiritual connection. After a devastating fire, a once-thriving massive oak – blessed by Avatar Meher Baba – rises from the ashes to offer love and solace.

Against all odds, volunteers worked together to nurture the tree back to health.

The survival of Baba’s Tree becomes a living symbol of resilience and Divine love. Through personal testimonies and breathtaking imagery, the film invites you to rediscover your own capacity for healing, transformation, and spiritual awakening.

Click here to see the trailer for Tree of Fire.

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"Sing for the forest, sing for the sky, sing for the moments that are passing you by."

Your Friday photo…

This photo, by former resident caretaker Buzz Glasky, captures the view from Meher Mount of the 2,600-foot Topa Topa Bluffs beneath clouds illuminated by the setting sun. 

"Sing and Surrender" is written as a prayer by singer-songwriter Adrienne Shamszad. 

“It is a wish,” she said, “that when more of us express ourselves, the world becomes a more healed place for everyone to live. It is an invitation to lift your heart up to the sun, the moon, and sing your song.”

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“Sing for the forest
Sing for the sky
Sing for the moments that are passing you by”

— Adrienne Shamszad, Singer-Songwriter, "Sing and Surrender"

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“Sing and Surrender”
By Adrienne Shamszad

Sing for the forest
Sing for the sky
Sing for the moments that are passing you by

Sing for the animals
Sing for your friends
Sing for the beginning and sing for the end

All of our days
Are endlessly numbered
while the clock runs, time stands still
Tomorrow’s never promised
To anyone
And the empty stage of life is yours to fill
So sing

Sing and then surrender
Sing and then let go
Sing for your happiness and for your sorrow

Sing because you can
Sing because it’s good
Sing for all the people in the world who wish they could

All of our days
Are endlessly numbered
while the clock runs, time stands still
Tomorrow is never promised
To anyone
And the empty stage of life is yours to fill
So sing

Sing for your healing
Sing because it’s right
Sing your warmth into the cold dark night

Sing for your homeland
Sing for your soul
Sing for your brokenness, sing until you’re whole

All of our days
Are endlessly numbered
while the clock runs, time stands still
Tomorrow is never promised
To anyone
And the empty stage of life is yours to fill
So sing

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Singer-songwriter Adrienne Shamszad performs her original song “Sing and Surrender.”

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"Right side up!" - Avatar Meher Baba

Your Friday photo is in honor of Silence Day, today July 10th, and the silence Avatar Meher Baba observed for 44 years of His incarnation. 

The following excerpt is from a family letter sent on September 10, 1966, by Mani S. Irani, Meher Baba's sister and close disciple, to His Western followers. This photo of Meher Baba was taken in Meherazad, India, in 1949, by close disciple Faredoon (Pardi) Driver.

“Illustrating for us the completeness of the transformation that will take place in the world after He breaks His silence, Baba cupped His left hand loosely over His right as though He were holding a big ball, then with a deft movement brought his right hand over His left [hand] in an absolute turnover of the imaginary ball’s position.

’Upside down,’ one of us interpreted. With a half-smile Baba gestured, ‘Right side up.!’”

— Mani S. Irani, Close Disciple

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The last they [Meher Baba's disciples] heard of His beautiful voice was on the eve [July 9, 1925] of His Silence when He said to them: “Hear well my voice; you will not hear it for a long time.”

That was four hundred and ninety-four months ago.

Recently the Beloved has been telling us not so much of the close-at-hand breaking of His Silence, but of the monumental change that will come about on earth when He does so.

One morning while we were sitting at breakfast with Baba, and a humming bird was hovering before a window-pane in ecstasy of its own reflection, we got to talking of His Silence.

Illustrating for us the completeness of the transformation that will take place in the world after He breaks His Silence, Baba cupped His left hand loosely over His right as though He were holding a big ball, and then with a deft movement brought His right hand over His left in an absolute turnover of the imaginary ball's position.  

“Upside down”, one of us interpreted. With a half-smile Baba gestured “Right side up!”

 ~Mani S. Irani, Family Letter, September 10, 1966

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Sources

• Manija Sheriar Irani, 82 Family Letters to the Western Family of Lovers and Followers of Meher Baba, pp. 263-264, “Family Letter Seventy: 10 September 1966.” (North Myrtle Beach, SC, Sheriar Press) ©1976 Avatar Meher Baba Perpetual Public Charitable Trust, Ahilyanagar, India.

• Photograph: Faredoon (Padri) Driver, Meherazad, India, 1949, MSI Collection. Used with permission.

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About Manija S. Irani 

Manija (Mani) S. Irani (1918-1996) was Avatar Meher Baba’s younger sister, joining Baba’s ashram at the age of thirteen. Mani lived her life completely surrendering to His will. She was chairman of the Avatar Meher Baba Perpetual Public Charitable Trust from 1973 until her passing in 1996.

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FREE eBOOK - Why Meher Baba Observed Silence

Why did Avatar Meher Baba observe silence for 44 years? Was there a spiritual benefit? What is the deeper meaning of His silence?

Why do Meher Baba’s followers observe Silence Day on July 10th every year?

This eBook provides perspectives on Meher Baba’s silence. It’s a collection of stories about Meher Baba’s silence including comments by Him and His close disciples.

Click here to download your free eBook on Meher Baba's silence.

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"And what is needed for this awakening is love for whatever God one likes.” ~Avatar Meher Baba

Your Friday photo recognizes the 250th anniversary on July 4th of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence by the 13 American colonies…

Avatar Meher Baba (1894-1969) visited the United States six times between 1931 and 1958.

In 1952, He was at the Meher Spiritual Center in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, when the following conversation about America’s great spiritual potential took place.

This photograph of Meher Baba in Washington, DC on July 30, 1956, was taken just before He traveled to Southern California and Meher Mount.

“America now leads the material side of the universe and has such infinite possibilities that it can lead the world spiritually, if awakened.

And what is needed for this awakening is love for whatever God one likes.”

— Avatar Meher Baba

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During His 1952 stay at the Meher Center, Meher Baba conducted a number of interviews, including one with Toni Roothbert, a well-known fashion and commercial photographer. She was a social activist and benefactress who had a house in Myrtle Beach. 

When Ms. Roothbert saw Meher Baba, she told Him, "I think, as you well know, you will do extraordinary work in the United States."

Meher Baba replied:  

"America now leads the material side of the universe and has such infinite possibilities that it can lead the world spiritually, if awakened."

Toni said, "Under the surface and unknown, there is great longing for spirituality."

Meher Baba responded:

"And what is needed for this awakening is love for whatever God one likes. In the form of Jesus crucified, or another. God will do it. He can do it. And now the time is near, very near, when this spiritual upliftment has to take place. Yes, absolutely. It has to be and will be."

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Sources

• Meher Prabhu: Lord Meher, The Biography of the Avatar of the Age, Meher Baba, by Bhau Kalchuri, "Manifestation, Inc.", 1986, pg. 13823. Copyright ©Avatar Meher Baba Perpetual Public Trust, Ahilyanagar, India.

• Photograph: Avatar Meher Baba, July 30, 1956, at the home of Ivy Duce in Washington, DC. Photographer Harold Cash Davis. Courtesy of Meher Nazar Publications, Ahilyanagar, India.

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"The bell worn by the leading camel of a caravan is symbolic progress."

Your Friday photo is in honor of the newly arrived bell at Meher Mount…

During Avatar Meher Baba’s lifetime, He would often summon His followers by ringing a bell. It would signal a start, an end or a change.

In a more metaphorical sense, the ringing of a bell serves as a wake-up call to the seeker. The bell signifies mortality, time passing, and God the Beloved gently calling the soul to stop lingering on earthly desires and resume the journey back toward the Divine.

This photo of the new bell at Meher Mount was taken by caretaker Ray Johnston at sunrise.

The quote is from Mani S. Irani, Meher Baba’s sister and close disciple, describing the symbolism of a bell worn by a camel that was with them during the New Life.

“Our camel of the New Life had a Persian silver bell round its neck ... The bell of the camel is mentioned in the verses of Hafiz, the perfect Master whose poetry Baba loved so much.

The bell worn by the leading camel of a caravan is symbolic of progress. It tolls to remind a caravan which has halted at an oasis and is unwilling to move on in the desert again, ‘Move on. This is not your destination. Forward, forward!’”

— Mani S. Irani, Close Disciple

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About Meher Baba’s New Life (October 1949-February 1952)

In the New Life, Meher Baba and His companions gave up all property and financial responsibilities. They traveled throughout India without money, begging for food, and living in strict accordance with Meher Baba’s conditions of the New Life. 

These conditions included absolute acceptance of the circumstances of their lives and consistent good cheer in the face of any difficulty. 

It was a time of complete helplessness and hopelessness, relying only upon God.

Meher Baba and the companions traveled with animals at various times during the New Life including a white horse, an English bull, cows, calves, dogs, donkeys, and a camel.

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About the Bell at Meher Mount

The 62-pound “dinner bell” at Meher Mount was donated by Communications Director Margaret Magnus and her family – her cousin Kristie Grigg and sisters Elizabeth Hartzell and Catherine Hartzell. The bell had been in the family for decades, mostly recently at the family homestead in Riverton, Wyoming. In early 2026, the Riverton property was sold, and everyone agreed that Meher Mount would be a good home for the bell.

Caretaker Ray Johnston installed the newly arrived bell near the entrance to the Topa Topa Patio. It not only summons visitors, but it is also a reminder not to linger at the oasis, but to continue on one’s spiritual journey.

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Source

Tales from the New Life with Meher Baba, edited by D.E. Stevens, Rick M. Chapman, James J. Hastings, Gary and Patty Freeman, pg. 179, An Avatar Meher Baba Trust eBook, Updated. June 2013. ©Avatar Meher Baba Perpetual Public Charitable Trust, Ahilyanagar, India.

Books available from:

• Meher Baba Books (Los Angeles, California)

• Sheriar Books (Myrtle Beach, South Carolina)

• Meher Book House (India)

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"Meher Baba left continuously flowing fountains of divine energy..."

Your Friday photo celebrates the 70th anniversary of Avatar Meher Baba’s day at Meher Mount on August 2, 1956…

“An interesting point here is to reflect on what a great number of treasured and holy spots Baba has left with us to be revered by generations to come," noted Kitty Davy, a close disciple who was at Meher Mount with Meher Baba that day in August.

Darwin Shaw, also at Meher Mount on that August 2nd, took this photo of Avatar Meher Baba (blue coat) talking to Meher Mount co-founder and lifetime caretaker Agnes Baron (orange skirt).

The group is standing at the swimming pool — which is now used as a water reservoir for fire abatement.

“Amazingly, during his physical lifetime, Meher Baba left continuously flowing fountains of divine energy, or vibrations, in a great number of places throughout the world.

These attest to the timeless omnipotence of this Infinite Being.”

— Darwin Shaw, A Visitor in 1956 with Meher Baba

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Sources

• Darwin C. Shaw, As Only God Can Love: A Lifetime of Companionship with Meher Baba (North Myrtle Beach, SC: Sheriar Foundation, 2003), pg. xxvii. ©Darwin C. Shaw.

• Kitty Davy, Love Alone Prevails: A Story of Life with Meher Baba, (North Myrtle Beach, SC: Sheriar Press). ©1981 by Meher Spiritual Center, Inc.

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"This story reminds us that this spirit of possibility is always there..."

Your Friday photo is about a magazine article featuring the film Tree of Fire: A Story of Love and Resilience…

One of the storytellers in the film is Perry Van Houten who is also a reporter for the Ojai Valley News. Perry recently sat down with Margaret Magnus, producer and co-director of the film, and with Sam Ervin, Meher Mount board president and one of the film’s storytellers, to talk about the movie.

His article, “Baba’s Tree of Fire,” was published in Ojai Magazine Spring 2026 issue.

“This story reminds us that this spirit of possibility, of hope, of restoration, of beauty, is always there, and we can participate and contribute to it.”

— Sam Ervin, Meher Mount Board President

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“We live in a time of great change all over the world,” said Margaret Magnus.

“And it feels like the movie has come out at a time when we need something to feel good about, to feel hopeful, to look beyond our day-to-day ups and downs.”

Continuing on that theme, Sam Ervin noted, “Sometimes it’s easy to despair over the state of the world, or issues that seem intractable and impossible overcome.

“Yet this story reminds us that this spirit of possibility, of hope, of restoration, of beauty, is always there, and we can participate and contribute to it.”

Click here to download the article “Baba’s Tree of Fire.”

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Tree of Fire: A Story of Love and Resilience

This award-winning documentary about Baba’s Tree at Meher Mount is a story of heartfelt story of loss, survival, and spiritual connection. After a devastating fire, a once-thriving massive oak – blessed by Avatar Meher Baba – rises from the ashes to offer love and solace.

Against all odds, volunteers worked together to nurture the tree back to health.

The survival of Baba’s Tree becomes a living symbol of resilience and Divine love. Through personal testimonies and breathtaking imagery, the film invites you to rediscover your own capacity for healing, transformation, and spiritual awakening.

Click here to see the trailer for Tree of Fire: A Story of Love and Resilience.

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"It was an opportunity to step back in time..."

Your Friday photo is in honor of the Guided Nature Walk in April...

“I appreciated the chance to experience the Divine through nature,” said Ron Holsey, Meher Mount board vice president, after taking part in the nature walk at Meher Mount.

This photo of botanist Scott Tomkinson talking about the native plants at Meher Mount was taken by Ron Holsey.

“It was an opportunity to step back in time and imagine what the land was like hundreds or even thousands of years ago.”

— Ron Holsey, Guest

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When I think about nature at Meher Mount, my mind usually goes to the birds, the animals and the trees. It’s not often that we think about all the ‘little guys’ — the plants, grasses, and shrubs that we trample on or brush past as we walk from place to place.

That’s why Scott’s plant walk was such a unique experience. It gave me a whole new perspective and appreciation for these overlooked inhabitants of the land.

The guided walk was also a sensory experience. We took a closer look at some of the plants we might not normally notice. We smelled their crushed leaves, felt their velvety textures, and heard how their seed pods sounded.

I learned about a variety of native plants. There is the Southern California Black Walnut (Juglans californica) which differs from its European cousins and was used by the Chumash Indians.

Scott also talked about the natural deodorant, Cowboy Cologne (Artemisia californica) and other medicinal plants used by Indigenous Americans. 

It was an opportunity to step back in time and imagine what the land was like hundreds or even thousands of years ago.

~Ron Holsey, Guest & Board Vice President

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