"Step into my heart, leave your cares behind..."
Meher Mount
Your Friday photo is honor of Country Music Month…
One Meher Baba’s favorite Western recording artists was American country and western singer Jim Reeves (1923-1964).
“…Baba said that listening to the music of Jim Reeves was his relaxation,” noted Mani S. Irani, Meher Baba’s sister and close disciple. “While Baba was having breakfast, we always began with ‘There’s a Heartache Following Me.’’”
In the 1960s, "’Every day Baba listened to the songs of Jim Reeves… Baba said there was great 'dard' (pathos) in Jim Reeves' voice, and these songs helped to relieve the strain of His work,’" wrote Arnavaz Dadachanji in her book Gift of God.
Another of Jim Reeves’ songs, “Welcome to My World,” which Meher Baba also enjoyed, has become a popular song at artis (a time of devotional songs and prayers) sung around the world in remembrance of Meher Baba.
This photograph of Avatar Meher Baba was taken May 1954 at Arthur’s Point in Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra, India. Mahabaleshwar is a place of pilgrimage because the Krishna River, which is considered sacred by Hindus, has its origin here along with five of its tributaries. It’s also one of the hill stations where Meher Baba would visit to escape the heat of India’s hot summers.
This photograph just says, “Welcome to My world.” Click here to listen to "Welcome to My World."
“Step into my heart
Leave your cares behind
Welcome to my world
Built with you in mind”
Lyrics “Welcome to My World”
Welcome to my world
Won't you come on in?
Miracles, I guess
Still happen now and then
Step into my heart
Leave your cares behind
Welcome to my world
Built with you in mind
Knock, and the door will open
Seek, and you will find
Ask and you'll be given
The key to this world of mine
I'll be waiting here
With my arms unfurled
Waiting just for you
Welcome to my world
Waiting just for you
Welcome to my world
~Composers/lyricists: Johnny Hathcock, Ray Winkler; Singer: Jim Reeves
Sources
David Fenster, Mehera-Meher: A Divine Romance, (Ahmednagar, India: Meher Nazar Publications, 2016 PDF Version), Volume III, pg. 438. ©David Fenster.
Arnavaz N. Dadachanji, Gift of God, (Edison, NJ: Beloved Books), pp. 184-185. (c) 1996 Meherazad Trust for Avatar Meher Baba.
Country Music Month, accessed September 28, 2026.
Photo: Avatar Meher Baba, May 1954, Arthur’s Seat, Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra, India. Photographer: Jangoo Irani. Courtesy of Meher Nazar Publications, Ahilyanagar, India.