One of those Meher Baba 'coincidences' that makes you smile
By Margaret Magnus
In October 2020, treasurer Robert Turnage and his wife Kristina Somma were in Ojai, visiting from their home in Sacramento, CA, to spend some time at Meher Mount.
They stopped in downtown Ojai (population 7,496) for lunch. When they finished eating, they wandered into the nearby Porch Gallery Ojai to browse. In the very back of the gallery was a rack of postcards. They were drawn to look closer.
One particular postcard stood out.
Postcard (front side) at the Porch Gallery Ojai. Concept-Design: Lisa Casoni of Porch Gallery Ojai and P. Lyn of P. Space/Ojai, CA. 2014 Series.
The front side says "Ojai," but it look like "O Jai" which caught their eye, as many Meher Baba followers use the greeting "Jai Baba."
Jai is a Sanskrit, Hindi word meaning hail, victory, glory. It is a common greeting in India when followed by one of the names of a Divine Incarnation, as in "Jai Ram" or "Jai Baba."
Even more interesting, on the flip side is the well-known Meher Baba quote, "Don't worry, be happy."
Postcard (flip side). "Don't worry, be happy." Meher Baba - Lived in Ojai for one day, a self-described Avatar.
Following the quote is the line, "Meher Baba – lived in Ojai for one day, a self-described Avatar."
Yes, you can probably say that Meher Baba lived in Ojai for one day on August 2, 1956, when he visited Meher Mount. And He certainly left His Presence for all of time.
"Avatar" is the descent of God into human form. As Meher Baba said at Meher Mount, "I come down to your level so that we can laugh and be free together; but do not forget at the same time that I am the Highest of the High."
In these trying times, the "Don't worry, be happy" postcard is just one of Meher Baba's ways to remind us to always be cheerful. He said, "It is a divine art to always look cheerful. It helps others." (Love Alone Prevails, Kitty Davy)