August 2, 1987
by Eruch Jessawala
Mandali Hall
Meherazad
India
Transcription Instructions
1.) Find the BOLDED title below; select and click to open the pdf transcript.
2.) On the right side of this webpage, select and play the talk with the same title.
3.) Read along as you listen to Eruch’s talk.
Note: Only BOLDED titles have transcriptions.
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Baba advised to be natural, not complacent, in striving to love Him more. This involves a struggle to maintain the essence of love while expressing adoration and exaltation.
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The conversation centers around the design and construction of a superstructure at Meherazad, India, to accommodate millions of people for Baba’s darshan. While the structure’s design is important, the primary concern is ensuring it can handle large crowds without disrupting the atmosphere. The discussion also touches on the importance of the Memorial Tower project and the ongoing expansion of the Trust, emphasizing the need for continued support and the unpredictable nature of Baba’s plans.
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An emergency gong at Meherazad, used to summon Baba’s disciples, mysteriously stopped ringing after Baba’s passing. Despite attempts to revive it, including X-rays and repairs, the gong remained silent until a piece broke off, causing it to ring again. The broken piece was later glued back, silencing the gong once more, until a replica was gifted.
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The stones used to build Meher Baba’s tomb came from a dismantled military post office near the railway lines. The post office was demolished after the government threatened to charge for its removal. Meher Baba instructed the stones to be used for his tomb, preserving the history of the site.
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Louis van Gasteren visited Meherazad to film Baba, who had emerged from seclusion to spend the day with lepers and the poor. Despite a disagreement with Jagat Murari, the director of the Film Institute of India, over filming, Baba resolved the conflict and allowed van Gasteren to film him at the Seclusion Hill. The filming session, which included a discussion on the dangers of drugs, was a positive experience for both van Gasteren and Baba. Eruch recounts how Louis Van Gasteren wanted to film Meher Baba in silence. Despite Eruch’s initial confusion, Louis clarified he wanted to capture the silence of Meherazad without the flour mill’s noise. Louis later showed the footage to Mary Lloyd Dugan and Jim Wrobel, expressing his deep respect for Meher Baba and his struggle to edit the footage due to its emotional impact.
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A superstructure is being planned for Meher Baba’s tomb to accommodate the increasing number of pilgrims and to fulfill Baba’s wish for a covered resting place. The structure will cover the entire Upper Hill, including the tombs of the women disciples and Baba’s cabin. The challenge lies in designing a structure that respects the existing monuments while providing a functional space for darshan.
