"Do you like tarantulas?"
A LATE AFTERNOON near Baba’s Tree. The tree is on the right and in front is Baba’s Path which leads back to the Visitor Center. (Photo: Wayne Myers, October 2010)
When Meher Mount asked for memories and stories of Baba’s Tree, Wayne Myers shared the following:
By Wayne Myers
It was a late Sunday afternoon at Meher Mount in early October 2010, warm, dry, and quiet. I was staying as a temporary caretaker. Visitors had been a trickle that week.
A family of three, husband, wife, and young son, had been enjoying the Ojai Studio Arts Tour in town. They took a break for a country drive and found their way up Sulphur Mountain Road to Meher Mount, somewhat inexplicably so they told me.
The husband and wife expressed inspiration by the discovery. They commented on Meher Mount’s serenity, were appreciative of its mission, and gladly received the pamphlet of Meher Baba’s Universal Message.
“Do you like tarantulas?”
While the parents and I conversed, their son, about 8 years old, seemed bored and restless as he sat in a rocking chair on the porch.
A TARANTULA SIGHTING at Meher Mount. (Photo: Ray Johnston)
I sensed a “why am I here?” vibe from the boy.
Just as they were about to head out to see the views and Baba’s Tree, I felt prompted for some reason to ask the boy, “Do you like tarantulas?”
He leapt up: “Yes! Where? Where?”
I had recently learned there was a tarantula migration at Meher Mount in the fall season.
His mother informed me that just that week their son’s schoolteacher had brought to class a large tarantula to show the students. Their son had taken a sudden and avid interest in tarantula sightings!
“Let’s go to the tree! Let’s go to the tree!”
I was happy to tell them I had spied a large tarantula on the move just outside Baba’s Tree that very morning. The excited boy exclaimed: “Let’s go to the tree! Let’s go to the tree!”
Baba's Tree
Avatar Meher Baba blessed Meher Mount with His presence in 1956, spending time under the Coast Live Oak now called Baba's Tree. Since then, it has become a touchpoint for visitors — a sacred spot to spend time in quiet contemplation to find inspiration, solace, and joy. And for others, a place to get closer to nature.