Rano Gayley recounts her first encounter with Meher Baba in London in 1933. Despite initial skepticism and nervousness, she was deeply moved by Baba’s presence and beauty. After a brief meeting, she felt a strong connection and decided to stay in London to be near Him during His visit. During a stay, Quentin Todd and Ruano sought permission from Nonny to purchase a pastel drawing of Baba, which Baba had requested. Nonny agreed, and Baba instructed her to carry the painting everywhere. Later, Baba invited Nonny, Ruano, and Rano to India for His birthday, but later changed His mind, asking only one of them to meet Him in Marseille. Baba’s disciples experienced His displeasure when Quentin failed to obey His command to transfer a bird, leading to a tense moment. Later, Baba instructed them to return the birds and purchase new ones, which were cared for by Kaka on the boat. Baba’s actions, though sometimes puzzling, were believed to be part of His spiritual work, and His disciples trusted His guidance. In 1936, a group of Baba’s followers, including Rano, were invited to join Him at a new Western ashram in Nasik, India. Despite initial concerns about the ashram’s readiness, they arrived to find it fully equipped and luxurious. Baba divided His time between the Nasik ashram, Meherabad, and the mast ashram in Rahuri, while the followers engaged in daily duties, fasting, silence, and Urdu lessons with Ramjoo.

Rano Gayley recounts her experiences living with Meher Baba at the Nasik ashram. She describes Baba’s talks, games, and the household dynamics, including Kaka’s speeches and the group’s interactions with Baba. Rano also shares a profound spiritual experience she had, witnessing a blinding light and feeling a deep connection with Baba. Rano recounts the journey from India to Cannes, describing the challenging conditions on the ship and the subsequent training she received from Baba. She details the strict schedule and limited interactions she was allowed, highlighting the significant shift in her role compared to previous trips. Despite the initial difficulties, Rano expresses her eagerness to return to India with Baba, reflecting on her past experiences and the unexpected turn of events. Baba often tested his disciples’ patience and obedience, sometimes calling them for seemingly trivial reasons or giving them cryptic instructions. Despite the confusion and frustration this caused, the disciples learned to accept Baba’s ways and prioritize obedience over personal desires. This period of obedience marked a significant shift in the ashram’s dynamics, particularly between the eastern and western disciples. During the Blue Bus tour, Rano learned to control her temper through Baba’s guidance. Baba would create situations to highlight her temper, encouraging her to recognize and improve her behavior. Despite the challenges of the journey, including cramped conditions and limited resources, Rano’s experiences with Baba helped her grow and mature. Baba was told that the trip to the shrine was not necessary, but Baba insisted on going.

Rano Gayley

Rano Gayley

Rano Gayley

Rano Gayley recounts her life with Meher Baba, highlighting the diverse tasks she performed in the ashram, from carpentry to managing water supplies. She emphasizes Baba’s instructions to prioritize God, spiritualize the world, and prioritize others’ happiness. Rano also shares a touching story about Baba’s concern for four young dancers who experienced a harrowing flight to receive His darshan. During a cross-country trip to Meher Mount, Baba’s car was involved in a collision with another vehicle, resulting in injuries to Baba, Mehera, and others. Despite the severity of the accident, Baba remained conscious and composed, even as He was treated for a broken arm, leg, and nose. The injured mandali members were cared for at a hospital in Prague, Oklahoma, with Rano and Nilu taking turns on night watch duty. After Baba’s accident, Dr. Burleson provided expert care, earning Baba’s respect. Rano, accompanying Baba on a trip to New York and England, struggled with obedience, often doing things that displeased Baba. Despite these challenges, Rano cherished the time spent with Baba, especially during outings to plays and sightseeing. While in Switzerland, Rano experienced a strange occurrence where Baba’s clock mysteriously advanced by an hour overnight, twice. Rano speculated that a young boy, tasked with waking Baba, might have accidentally set the clock ahead. Later, during Baba’s travels in India, she worked on the “God Speaks” chart, receiving guidance and approval from Baba.

Meher Baba suffered a serious car accident in 1956, resulting in a fractured hip and a need for medical attention. He was taken to Poona for treatment, where his leg was put in traction, causing him discomfort and pain. Despite the severity of the accident, Baba refused surgery and eventually returned to Meherazad, where he continued his seclusion work. In the 1960s, Baba Meher Baba conducted separate darshan programs for Eastern and Western devotees, with the latter taking place in a large outdoor pandal. Rano, who was staying at Bindra House, experienced a health scare in 1959 when Baba’s father passed away. Despite Baba’s occasional aloofness, Rano found solace in the understanding that Baba’s efforts to ignore her were a sign of His awareness of her presence. In the late 1960s, Meher Baba enjoyed listening to Jim Reeves’ music, particularly the song “There’s a heartache following me.” During Baba’s seclusion in 1968, the household maintained complete silence to avoid disturbing his work. After Baba’s passing, his devotees were encouraged to rely on their inner connection with Him for guidance, as he had always emphasized the importance of inward guidance over external advice.

Rano recounts a time when Irene Conybeare, a visitor at Meherazad, questioned Baba about her father’s reincarnation in India. Rano explained to Irene that Baba preferred the company of those who served and loved Him, rather than those seeking intellectual answers. Rano also shares a story about giving her shawl to a mast, a gesture that brought her great pleasure, and another about translating medicine instructions for Baba in Marseille. Baba often asked repetitive questions, like the time of arrival on a ship, to test patience and persistence. Rano, initially apprehensive about nursing Margaret and Valu, overcame her fears and successfully cared for them under Baba’s guidance. This experience, along with Baba’s insistence on killing snakes, helped Rano develop courage and resilience. Rano recounts her experience painting the ten circles chart for Baba, a process that took from 1937 to 1943. Baba provided detailed instructions for the painting, including the placement of figures, animals, and objects, and even specified the colors for certain elements. The painting was kept secret throughout the process, with Rano working in secluded areas and taking precautions to prevent anyone from seeing it. Rano painted a chart for Meher Baba, who provided specific instructions for its creation but did not explain its meaning. Rano followed Baba’s instructions without question, even when the process was challenging. The chart was completed in 1943, but its meaning remained a mystery until Rano discovered that enlargements had been sent to the West.