"...a fresh dimension of Baba's spiritual work has commenced."
Meher Mount
Your Friday photo is in honor of Amartithi — January 31st — the day Avatar Meher Baba dropped His physical form...
Why do followers of Meher Baba celebrate this day? See what Bal Natu (1919-2003), a close disciple of Meher Baba, has to say about this important event.
The photo is from the first Amartithi on January 31, 1970 on Meherabad Hill, India, near Meher Baba's Samadhi (Tomb Shrine). Close disciples Mehera J. Irani (Meher Baba's closest woman disciple) (right) and Mani S. Irani (Meher Baba's sister) (left) are shown remembering Meher Baba.
“My personal feeling is that... a fresh dimension of Baba’s spiritual work has commenced. The veiling of Meher Baba’s body heralded the beginning of a new adventure in love.
It was as if Baba had decided that the time had come to hide His physical form from our sight so that His divine presence could blossom all the more in our hearts.
The Ancient One, in each of His Advents, veils His form at an appointed time, so that humanity may be able to experience His formlessness in a multitude of beguiling ways... ”
Note - Avatar
"When God manifests on earth in the form of man and reveals His Divinity to mankind, He is recognized as the Avatar - the Messiah - the Prophet. Thus, God becomes man," Meher Baba explained.
Meher Baba declares He is the same Ancient One known in the past as Zoroaster, Rama, Krishna, Buddha, Jesus, and Mohammed.
“Nothing is real but God. Nothing matters but love for God,” says Meher Baba, affirming the timeless message delivered by the Avatar, age after age.
Sources
Quote: Bal Natu, The Samadhi: Star of Infinity. (North Myrtle Beach, SC: Sheriar Press), pg. 76. ©1997 by Sheriar Foundation.
Photo: Meher Nazar Publications, Ahilyanagar, India. Photographed by Meelan. Used with permission. Painting of Avatar Meher Baba by Srimati Sarala Devi.