A spiritual luminary whose silence spoke volumes, transcending words to awaken the world.
Meher Baba, originally named Merwan Sheriar Irani, was born on February 25, 1894, in Pune, India, into an Irani Zoroastrian family. His life took a transformative turn following encounters with several spiritual figures, starting with Hazrat Babajan at the age of 19, leading him into a state of divine bliss and eventual realization of his role as a spiritual leader. These encounters shaped his path, culminating in his adoption of the name Meher Baba, meaning “Compassionate Father”.
In 1922, Meher Baba established Meherabad, an ashram near Ahmednagar, which became the epicenter for his spiritual, educational, and charitable activities, including a free school, hospital, and dispensary open to all, irrespective of caste or creed. His teachings emphasized love, moral discipline, spiritual understanding, and selfless service, drawing followers from diverse backgrounds.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Meher Baba’s spiritual practice was his decision to observe silence from July 10, 1925, until his death on January 31, 1969. Throughout these 44 years, he communicated first through an alphabet board and later by unique hand gestures. He asserted that his silence was not a retreat from the world but a powerful means of communication and awakening, stating, “I have come not to teach but to awaken.” Meher Baba traveled extensively, both in India and abroad, to spread his message of love and unity, making significant visits to the United States where he established a dedicated following.
Meher Baba’s teachings and life work have left a lasting legacy, embodied in the Avatar Meher Baba Charitable Trust and various centers worldwide dedicated to his teachings. He is revered by followers as the Avatar of the Age, a manifestation of God in human form, with his teachings continuing to inspire a path of love and realization of the true Self.
His cosmology outlines a journey toward the realization of God, emphasizing the evolution of consciousness and the need for spiritual awakening to transcend the illusions of individuality and discover one’s true identity with God. Meher Baba’s work, particularly with the spiritually advanced “masts” and the poor, highlighted his commitment to serving as a conduit of divine love, aiming to awaken humanity to the oneness of all life.
Today, Meher Baba’s message of love, silence, and awakening continues to resonate, attracting those seeking spiritual depth and a connection to the divine beyond the confines of conventional language and form.
image via Meher Center