BABA’S FIREPLACE was part of the ‘Baba Room’ where Avatar Meher Baba gave darshan (His blessing) to His followers in 1956. The future Darshan Courtyard — the area in front of Baba’s Fireplace — is designed to evoke the ‘Baba Room’ and provide shade to all who wish to spend time here in His Presence. (Photo: Margaret Magnus, January 2019)
RSVP — The Darshan Dhuni, Saturday, June 12, 2021
The Darshan Dhuni
You are invited to be part of the Darshan Dhuni — a special dhuni (sacred fire) event on Saturday, June 12, 2021, to remember Avatar Meher Baba and launch the construction of the Darshan Courtyard at Meher Mount.
More than 150 individuals from nine countries have sent a personally meaningful Meher Baba quote to be part of the courtyard foundation — in the form of dhuni ashes.
The Darshan Dhuni at Meher Mount on June 12, 2021 will be lit with twigs from Baba’s Tree, followed by the voluntary recitation of the three prayers given by Avatar Meher Baba — the Universal Prayer (or Master’s Prayer); the Prayer of Repentance; and the Beloved God prayer.
Then, one by one, each Meher Baba quote will be read aloud and each piece of paper containing the individual quote will be placed in the dhuni fire.
Later, these dhuni ashes will be buried under the foundation of the Darshan Courtyard. The Darshan Courtyard — next to Baba’s Fireplace — is to be an intimate space evoking the ‘Baba Room’ where Meher Baba gave darshan (His blessing) to His followers in 1956. The actual building — except for the stone fireplace — was destroyed by wildfire in 1985.
Please note that Meher Mount will be filming this event to share with Meher Baba’s followers worldwide. In addition, Meher Mount will be following all current CDC guidelines regarding COVID-19. The actual dhuni will be contained in a barbeque pan.
Meher Baba lit the first dhuni in 1925, and later ordered, there is a monthly dhuni event on the 12th of each month in Meherabad, India (home of Meher Baba’s Tomb Shrine). At the dhuni, participants throw in a stick of sandalwood dipped in ghee into the fire, an act signifying the renunciation of some shortcoming.
DHUNI STICKS from Baba's Tree which will be part of the Darshan Dhuni on Saturday, June 12, 2021. (Photo: Jennifer Navarro-Marroquin)
The schedule for the Darshan Dhuni at Meher Mount on Saturday, June 12, 2021:
1:00 p.m.: Check-in & Tea
1:30 p.m.: Orientation & Gathering
2:00 p.m.: Darshan Dhuni
5:00 p.m.: Tea
5:30 p.m.: Closing
No-Host Dinner at Boccali’s After the Dhuni
There is a no-host dinner dinner after the event at 6:16 p.m. at Boccali's restaurant for all who are interested. Boccali's is located at 3277 Ojai Santa Paula Road, Ojai, CA. If attending the dinner:
Please arrive at the restaurant by 6:00 p.m. Seating is limited. Later, you might not get served.
Please bring cash or your checkbook.
With such a large group, there are no separate checks. The total bill - including tax and a 20% tip - is divided by all participants. Each person pays that portion of the bill.
The dinner is a delightful time of fellowship and relaxation after a Meher Baba-filled day at Meher Mount.
What to Bring
Bring a light jacket, as the temperature could change throughout the day.
Bring a hat, sunscreen, mask, and water.
Tea and light snacks will be served. You may want to bring something for yourself or to share.
Flowers — to be place at Baba’s Fireplace and Baba’s Tree — are always welcome.
Meher Mount will observe whatever COVID-19 protocols are in place at the time of the Darshan Dhuni.
Filming the Darshan Dhuni
There will be a film crew at Meher Mount on Saturday, June 12th to capture this event in remembrance of Meher Baba. The video will then be made available for all to see and share in this special moment.
You will be asked to sign a video release so that your reading of your quote and other special Meher Baba quotes can be captured on film.
A Touchstone of Meher Baba’s Presence
THE DARSHAN COURTYARD drawings. All the quotations (and the names of people who send them) will be part of a special dhuni at Meher Mount. These dhuni ashes then will be part of the foundation of the round pillar that represents and connects Baba’s Tree to the Darshan Courtyard.
When Avatar Meher Baba visited Meher Mount on August 2, 1956, He gave darshan (His blessing) to those visiting with Him in the ‘Baba Room’ of the guesthouse. He said, “You are so lucky to be with me so closely.”
In 1985, wildfire swept through Meher Mount destroying all the buildings, including the guesthouse and the ‘Baba Room.’ Yet, the stone fireplace-chimney — Baba’s Fireplace — remained as a touchstone of His visit and of His Presence in our lives.
The plan connects the Darshan Courtyard to Baba’s Tree by including a round pillar symbolic of a tree trunk. Coming out of the tree trunk is an asymmetrical covering that is layered to suggest the canopy of a tree. The Darshan Dhuni ashes will be part of the foundation of the pillar that represents Baba’s Tree.
A BONUS: In Meher Baba’s infinite timing, the construction of the Darshan Courtyard coincides with the 75th Anniversary of the founding of Meher Mount in 1946 — still one more reason to be part of the celebration of Meher Baba’s life and words.