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WNC Meher Baba Info & News
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Western North Carolina

 

 Meher Baba News and Information 

 

 

 

 

 

Western North Carolina is home to many people who are interested in and love Meher Baba.

On this website we will post invitations and information about events

in what is commonly called the Asheville Meher Baba group,

although we find ourselves in various locations centered around Asheville.

 

First, an introduction about the one who says:

 

“No one requres an introduction to Me, for no one is a stranger to Me.”   

~ Meher Baba

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Avatar Meher Baba (1894 -1969)

Merwan Sheriar Irani, known as Meher Baba, was born in Poona, India, on February 25, 1894, of Persian parents. His father, Sheriar Irani, was of Zoroastrian faith and a true seeker of God. Merwan went to a Christian high school in Poona and later attended Deccan College. In 1913 while still in college, Merwan experienced a momentous event…a meeting with Hazrat Babajan, an ancient Muslim woman and one of the five Perfect Masters of The Age. Babajan gave Him God-Realization and made Him aware of His high spiritual destiny.

Eventually, He was drawn to seek out another perfect master, Upasni Maharaj, a Hindu who lived in Sakori. During the next seven years, Maharaj gave Merwan “gnosis” or divine khowledge. Thus, Merwan attained spiritual perfection. His spiritual mission began in 1921 when he drew together His first close disciples. It was these early disciples who gave Him the name Meher Baba, which means “Compassionate Father.” 

 

 

After years of intensive training of His disciples, Meher Baba established Meherabad, a colony near Ahmednagar. Here, the Master’s work included a free school where spiritual training was stressed, a free hospital and dispensary, and shelters for the poor. No distinction was made between the high castes and the Untouchables; all mingled in common fellowship through the inspiration of the Master. To his disciples at Meherabad, who were of different castes and creeds, He gave a training of moral discipline, love for God, spiritual understanding and selfless service.

 

 

Meher Baba told his disciples that from July 10, 1925 He would observe Silence. He maintained this Silence until the end of His life, January 31, 1969. His many spiritual discourses and messages were dictated by means of an alphabet board. Much later the Master discontinued the use of the board and reduced all communication to hand gestures unique in expressiveness and widely understood.

Meher Baba traveled to the United States six times, first in 1931, when He met His early Western disciples. His last visit to the U.S. was in 1958 when He and His disciples stayed at the Center established for His work at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

In India as many as one hundred thousand people have come in one day to seek His Darshan, or blessing; there are those who journeyed from all over the world to spend a few days, even a single day, in His presence.

 

 

 

An important part of Meher Baba’s work through the years was to contact and personally serve hundreds of those known in India as “masts.” These are advanced pilgrims on the spiritual path who have become spiritually intoxicated from direct awareness of God. For this work He traveled many thousands of miles to remote places throughout India and Ceylon. Other vital work included the washing of lepers, washing the feet of thousands of poor, and distribution of grain and cloth to the destitute.

Meher Baba asserts that He is the same Ancient One, come again to redeem humanity from the bondage of ignorance and to guide individuals to realize their true Self which is God.

 

Meher Baba is acknowledged by His many followers all over the world as the Avatar of the Age.

 

About the Western North Carolina Meher Baba Group — It’s more than just Asheville.

 

Western North Carolina has one of the largest contingents of Meher Baba Lovers in the US. 

 

Although many call this the”Asheville” group, its members come from many different towns and cities across Western North Caroina — Places like Weaverville, Black Mountain, Biltmore Forest, Hendersonville, Fairview, Mills River, Flat Rock, Woodfin, Fletcher, Mars Hill, Swannanoa, Waynesville, Arden, Avery Creek, Brevard, Tryon, Bent Creek, to name just a few.

 

Most of our meetings, activities, events happen in Asheville, or close to it. We want to make it easy for anyone to get to them — and almost everyone in Western North Carolina thinks of Asheville as the hub of Western North Carolina.  (Check our Calendar and Events for more details. Our monthly email newsletter has the latest information.)

 

Our area is well known for being friendly and inviting, and you’ll find a warm welcome at all our gatherings. We don’t evangelize or proselytize. We simply get together to enjoy each other’s company in the spirit of Meher Baba’s open hearted love. 

 

If you’re new to the area, or new to Meher Baba, the  Western North Carolina Meher Baba Group (the “Asheville Group”) is waiting to welcome you.

 
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We’re close to an amazing place

One of the attractions for living in the WNC Asheville area, especially for those interested in Meher Baba, is its prozomity Tto Myrtle Beach — home of the Meher Spiritual Center. The Center is a retreat founded in 1942 for spiritual healing and deepening of prayer life. Their website will give you a glimpse into the nature of the place and the events occurring there. On practically every visit you’ll meet people from the WNC Meher Baba group. 

 

Find out more:

A listing of other Baba centers around the world and in the US can be found here.