Mani S. Irani

Mani S. Irani

Mani recounts a humorous incident in a New York Indian restaurant in 1952. Baba, not in a good mood, was joined by Mani, Goher, and Rano for lunch. The situation escalated when the waiter spilled curry, prompting Mani to suppress a fit of laughter by hiding under the tablecloth.

Mani shares a profound realization: God should be placed first in our lives, not as an afterthought. After Baba’s passing, Mani and others struggled to make decisions without His direct guidance, learning to discern what would please Him. This understanding, even for children, emphasizes the importance of aligning actions with Baba’s teachings.

Mani recounts how Meher Baba would instruct the mandali to go to the cinema, often at inconvenient times, emphasizing that enjoyment should come from Baba’s will, not personal desire. This principle extended to other requests, like telling jokes, highlighting the importance of surrendering to Baba’s timing and guidance. Baba illustrated this with a story of a Parsi man who, inspired by a spiritual meeting, impulsively renounces his life, only to be brought back to reality by his wife.

Mani recounts a conversation with Baba, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to ask questions. Mani inquires about the fate of Baba’s devotees after death, to which Baba assures them they will continue their spiritual journey from where they left off. Mani emphasizes the importance of self-love, inner discipline, and obedience to Baba’s teachings, highlighting that future generations will be better equipped to fulfill the ideals outlined in the “Discourses.” Mani reflects on the profound impact of Meher Baba’s presence and teachings, emphasizing the importance of consciously remembering Baba amidst the fast-paced modern world. She then highlights the significance of Baba’s assurance of continuity and the need for personal reminders, like “speed breakers,” to pause and remember Baba. Mani also shares a personal anecdote about a clock that serves as a constant reminder of Baba’s presence.

Mani S. Irani, who joined Baba for good in her teens, always wanted to be a nun. Although she attended a Catholic convent school and admired the nuns, she meant something different by “real nun” when she was a child. Mani was a serious student when she first joined Baba, and she recalls the seriousness of early photography, where subjects had to remain perfectly still for long exposure times.

Mani recounts a story of a villager’s longing to see Meher Baba, which was fulfilled when Baba, passing by in his lift chair, allowed the woman to glimpse him. This experience highlighted Baba’s awareness of each individual’s longing and His ability to fulfill it. Another story illustrates Baba’s attentiveness to longing, as He requested a song to be repeated, emphasizing that longing for Him is never in vain.

Mani S. Irani