Meher Center Podcast

In this presentation, Jamie Newell examines the facts, meaning and stories of the New Life. In October of 1949, Baba relinquished nearly all of His physical possessions, cut off external contact with His lovers throughout the world, and set off across India with a small group of His mandali. Jamie quotes many of Baba’s direct words about this unfathomable period and weaves in stories recounted by the mandali. He leaves us with questions to dwell on and different avenues to explore within our limited understanding of the Master’s undertakings.

Video, 57:27
Meher Center Meeting Place, October 14, 2022
From the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. Archives

Mehernosh Mehta grew up in a Baba family and has been involved at the Avatar Meher Baba Bombay Center for over two decades serving in many roles. One of those roles includes being a Key Speaker. Here, he shares stories from the New Life and his own reflections on how the Master continues to inspire us to live this life—right here and right now.

In the last talk of this well-loved series, Jamie Newell speaks about Meher Baba’s passing of the body, the great darshan, the Mandali Era, the preservation of Baba’s legacy, and the worldwide growth of the Meher Baba movement as it continues to grow today.

In part nine of this series, Jamie Newell explores the final decade of Meher Baba’s life in His physical form. He focuses on Baba’s continued physical suffering resulting from his automobile accidents, His intense seclusion, and a look at His stated goal of completing His universal spiritual work for humanity. In addition, Jamie touches on the significance of the East-West Gathering, as well as Meher Baba’s message on drugs.

In part eight of this series about Meher Baba’s life in historical perspective, Jamie Newell explores the phase of Baba’s life from 1952 to 1958. After sharing an overview of the historical context of the world in these years, Jamie focuses on Baba’s three final visits to the West, including His inauguration of the Meher Center in Myrtle Beach as well as Avatar’s Abode in Australia. He delves into Baba’s public announcement that He is Avatar of the Age. And lastly, he examines Meher Baba’s two automobile accidents, one in America and one in India, and the lasting impact they had on Baba’s life and work.

In part seven of this ongoing series about Meher Baba’s life, Jamie Newell focuses on one of the most enigmatic phases: the New Life. During this phase, Baba left behind His old life and took twenty companions on this inexplicable journey where His perfect divinity was replaced by perfect humility. Jamie explores Baba’s words, the different phases of the New Life and the accounts of Baba’s companions.

In part six of this series about Meher Baba’s life in historical perspective, Jamie Newell explores the next phase of Baba’s work from the years 1939 to 1949. This phase focuses on the World War and Baba’s unique work with Masts. Here, Baba differentiates between madness and God-intoxication and starts His work at the Rahuri ashram before setting out all over India to work with the God-intoxicated souls whom He loved so much. Baba said that He worked for the entire humanity through them.

In part five of this series about Meher Baba’s life in historical perspective, Jamie Newell explores the next phase of Baba’s work from years 1931 to 1939. Merwan, the boy who was awakened by the Perfect Masters, is now Meher Baba. In this period, one sees His journey from being a fakir to the toast of Hollywood. Jamie goes through all of Baba’s trips to the West in the 1930s and their salient features, including the start of His association with western devotees who would become very close to Him for rest of their lives.

Gathering of Disciples, Early Ministry, and Silence: 1922-1930

Part 4 of 10

A series of ten biographical talks by James Newell

This series will provide a broad overview of the life of Merwan Sheriar Irani, known affectionately as Meher Baba, in the context of history. Meher Baba’s Persian ethnicity as expressed through his love of the poet Hafiz will provide an explanatory frame for understanding much of Meher Baba’s life and activities. Additionally, central to any understanding of Meher Baba’s life is the importance of his relationship with the Muslim holy woman Hazrat Babajan and his experience of what he has described as his realization of his role as a spiritual master. The emphasis throughout the series will be on Meher Baba’s lifelong mission of bringing his own personal vision of spiritual beauty into the world. Many people in the Meher Baba community are familiar with the details of Meher Baba’s life as told by those who knew and loved him as their spiritual master. But how do academics and religious scholars understand Meher Baba? How would their telling of Meher Baba’s life story differ from the narratives that we know? Join Dr. James Newell as he explores these questions and the life of Meher Baba from the perspective of the history of religions.

This excellent introduction to Meher Baba includes an overview of His life, work, and spiritual message. Compiled and edited by Peter Booth, a long-time resident of Meherabad, India.