Every spring at Meher Mount, amid the stirring of new life – nesting birds, blooming wildflowers, tender new leaves on the ubiquitous Coast Live Oak trees swollen from recent rains – volunteers from far and wide gather to perform the rituals of weed abatement.
It is mandatory in Ventura County, CA, that by June 1st a strict protocol of reducing hazardous vegetation and creating defensible spaces around buildings and roads must be completed by all property owners in anticipation of the upcoming fire season.
This year, 21 volunteers arrived in shifts from May 11 through May 24, 2019, to help. Some were young, some not so young. Some new to Meher Mount, others who mark their calendars for this time of year. Some who were a few hours’ drive away, others who came from across the country. It is the joy of working with such enthusiastic and friendly folks that makes volunteering such a memorable event.
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Just after dawn this morning – as with most mornings – three or four California quail coveys drink at the pond, followed by hordes of Dark-Eyed Juncos, three different species of Goldfinch, and several Spotted Towhees. All are gathered for their morning ablutions and chatter fest.
This morning there is a special guest among the avian visitors. As a cool mist envelops the top of Sulphur Mountain, there is a rarely seen Hooded Oriole, the latest addition to the Meher Mount bird family. He repeatedly makes his appearance at the Hummingbird feeders to the delight of onlookers. The Oriole balances precariously on the feeder rim while sipping the sweet nectar with his long slender beak.
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The news coverage started with Perry Van Houten, who had written an earlier article “Ojai’s Trees” for the Winter 2014 edition of The Ojai Valley Visitors Guide, which included Baba’s Tree as one of six trees featured. He approached Meher Mount for a story for a story about Baba's Tree after the Thomas Fire. His article, “Group mounting significant effort to try to save Baba’s Tree,” was published on February 2, 2018, in the Ojai Valley News.
Later, Claudia Boyd-Barrett, an Ojai resident and journalist who had visited Meher Mount before, contacted Meher Mount to set up an interview. She talked with Board President Sam Ervin, Manager/Caretaker Buzz Glasky, arborist Michael Inaba, and Interim Caretaker Cassandra Bramucci. Her story for the Ventura County Star, “Baba's Tree, burned in Thomas Fire, fights for survival in Ojai,” was published on February 18, 2018.
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Amartithi - or Eternal Day - marks the day, January 31, 1969, when Avatar Meher Baba dropped His physical form. Tens of thousands of pilgrims gather in Meherabad, India, at His Samadhi (tomb shrine) and elsewhere around the world to commemorate this event.
Mehera J. Irani was his closest woman disciple whom Meher Baba described as the purest soul in the universe. Meher Baba said she loved Him as He ought to be loved.
At the first Amartithi in 1970, approximately 1,700 of His lovers gathered on Meherabad Hill. Mehera, fighting back the tears, read out this message.
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With an open invitation to all, a delicious Thanksgiving meal was served to over 70 on a bright, magical day at Meher Mount in Ojai, California [1998].
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In 1995, Fred Stankus and Gigi Driessen hosted a Thanksgiving Dinner at Meher Mount with special guest Katie Irani. Katie, one of Avatar Meher Baba's close women disciples, was visiting Southern California at the time. This account of the day was written by Marguerite Poley.
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The following is excerpted with permission from “Musings on the Young Adult Sahavas,” by Ryan Brown, Love Steet Lamp Post, October-January, 2001 (1st Quarter 2001), pp.4-5. ©Avatar Meher Baba Center of Southern California.
The Young Adult Sahavas at Meher Mount from June 23-27, 2000, was a time of fellowship, service, and remembrance of Avatar Meher Baba.
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The first Young Adult Sahavas (for ages 18-35) was held August 7-9, 1998 at Meher Mount.
Organizers pulled the Sahavas together in three weeks after close-Meher-Baba-disciple Bhau Kalchuri told them, “Enough talk, talk, talk – it is time to do, do, do!”
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Individuals share their thoughts about Meher Mount in letters and on social media. Here are few inspiring comments from individuals who feel a connection to Meher Mount.
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Manzil-e-Meem was the Bombay residence Meher Baba used for His work with His close disciples (mandali) for about 10 months from 1992 to 1923. Generally translated, the term Manzil-e-Meem means "the House of the Master."
Taking inspiration from Meher Baba's gutta at Manzil-e-Meem, Fred Stankus has for years hosted a "Gutta Breakfast" in different venues.
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The idea for the patio first came about when the Board was planning for the Workshop. An early concept called for a workshop/garage built into the side of the hill with a rooftop patio in view of the Bluffs.
That concept proved to be too expensive, but the idea of a patio with a view of the mountains stuck.
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The weather report for Sunday, April 14, 2013, said “mostly sunny, 69 degrees, 10% chance of rain.”
Invitations to the event that day - the "Don’t Worry, Be Happy” Ojai WordFest After Party - had invited everyone to come see the 360-degree views from atop the 2,500-foot level of Sulphur Mountain Road.
However, when volunteers arrived to set up for the event, Sulphur Mountain and Meher Mount were enshrouded in the clouds.
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In 2002, preparations were being made at Meher Mount to celebrate the anniversary of Avatar Meher Baba’s visit there on August 2, 1956. As I reflected on the events and significance of Meher Baba’s day at Meher Mount, this poem began to take shape as a small thing I could offer.
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