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The Press Interviews Avatar Meher Baba During His 1956 Visit to Southern California
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ONE OF THE FOUR PHOTOS published in the Los Angeles Times on Wedesday, August 1, 1956, describing Avatar Meher Baba's visit to Southern California. (Los Angeles Times photo.)
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"India Leader Silent for 31 Years Pays City a Visit"
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AVATAR MEHER BABA talking to the press in Southern California, 1956.
(Los Angeles Times photo.)
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The above headline along with four photographs of Meher Baba were published in the Los Angeles Times on Wednesday, August 1, 1956. Meher Baba, who was staying at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, met with the press on July 31st to answer questions. The following article appeared at the top of the front page of the local news section of the Times .
"Meher Baba, an Indian spiritual leader who has been observing a rigid self-imposed silence for 31 long years on spiritual grounds, arrived here yesterday for a two-day visit.
"The Indian, who has followers on all five continents, is on a round-the-world trip to meet the faithful and reiterate his message. Arriving in New York July 20, he has already visited strongholds of his following on the East Coast. His American disciples are said to number in the thousands."
"Baba is a short, stocky man with striking features, penetrating eyes and flowing hair. Placid, smiling and affable, the spiritualist in exotic Hindu costume presented yesterday a marked contrast to his Hollywood environment.
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AVATAR MEHER BABA in Southern California, 1956. (Los Angeles Times photo.)
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"Meeting the press in his Roosevelt Hotel suite, he answered queries through the medium of an alphabet board.
"What message does he have to our world and our times?
'Philosophers, atheists and others may affirm or refute the existence of God. But as long as they do not deny their very existence they continue to testify their belief in God.'
"Baba maintains his mission is not to found a new religion but to revitalize the existing ones. He formulated the kernel of his message.
'God is existence, eternal and infinite. He is everything. The one aim in the life of man is to attain unity with God.'"
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AVATAR MEHER BABA in 1956. (Los Angeles Times photo.)
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The article noted that "Baba will leave for Ojai today."
Meher Baba actually visited Meher Mount in Ojai, Ca, on August 2, 1956.
The Times article described Meher Mount as one of the two "institutional centers of his American following" with the other being Meher Center in Myrtle Beach.
Every year on the first Saturday in August, Meher Mount hosts a celebration in honor of Avatar Meher Baba's 1956 visit.
This year, the Anniversary Celebration is on Saturday, August 2, 2014 - coincidentally the exact date of Meher Baba's visit 58 years later.
For more information on the 2014 Anniversary Celebration, click here.
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Celebrate the Anniversary of Meher Baba's Visit - Saturday, August 2, 2014
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KHALED ALFAQIH talking with Adele Wolkin at Meher Mount, 2008. (Sam Ervin photo.)
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Place: Meher Mount
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Each year, in honor of Meher Baba's 1956 visit, Meher Mount hosts an Anniversary Celebration on the first Saturday in August.
This year, special guest Khaled Alfaqih will share his memories and stories of meeting and being with Meher Baba in India in 1962. He is an insightful, articulate and witty speaker. All are welcome.
Program Schedule:
11:30 a.m.: Potluck Lunch
1:15 p.m.: "My Life with Meher Baba" - Khaled Alfaqih
3:30 p.m.: Arti (prayers and songs) under Baba's Tree
4:30 p.m.: Tea & Closing
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CASH or CHECK ONLY at Boccali's. The bill is divided evenly among all diners.
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NO-HOST DINNER AT BOCCALI'S AFTER ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
There is a no-host dinner after the event at Boccali's restaurant in Ojai for all who are interested. If attending:
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More Upcoming Events at Meher Mount
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BILL LE PAGE relaxes after his talk in 2013 while Diana enjoys the swing overlooking the Pacific Ocean. (Stephanie Ervin photo.)
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TEA & TALK WITH BILL & DIANA LE PAGE - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2014
Place: Meher Mount
Time: 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Avatar Meher Baba "somehow comes alive in and through spoken words, as the speaker experiences again his coming to [the] God-Man or his moments with Him," wrote Bill Le Page in his book, The Turning of the Key.
By sharing stories of his life with Meher Baba, Bill brings us closer to the Avatar. Bill had the good fortune to meet Meher Baba in 1954 and spend time with Him in 1956, 1958, 1962, and 1967. Come spend time at Meher Mount listening and sharing in Bill's stories.
Diana Le Page is a well known artist who focuses exclusively on Meher Baba.
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FRED STANKUS hosts the Gutta Breakfast at Meher Mount, 2013. (Margaret Magnus photo.)
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GUTTA BREAKFAST - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2014
Place: Meher Mount
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The Gutta Breakfast is an opportunity to share insights, ask questions, and discuss Avatar Meher Baba and His life and words.
The event starts with breakfast hosted by Fred Stankus and Gigi Driessen (a former Meher Mount Board member).
After breakfast, Fred leads a heartfelt discussion of selected passages from Lord Meher, the multi-volume account of Avatar Meher Baba's life by Bhau Kalchuri, one of Meher Baba's close disciples. The event is free and open to all.
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Meher Mount
9902 Sulphur Mountain Road, Ojai, CA 93023 805-640-0000 www.mehermount.org
in...@mehermount.orgVISITING HOURS: Wednesday-SundayNoon to 5:00 p.m.
Meher Mount is a 172-acre universal spiritual center dedicated to Avatar Meher Baba. Visitors come to Meher Mount for pilgrimage, for celebrating Divine Love and Oneness, for loving God through nature, and for service.
Board of Directors: Sam Ervin, Ron Holsey, Jim Whitson,
Richard Mannis, Ursula Reinhart
Manager/Caretakers: Buzz & Ginger Glasky
Communications: Margaret Magnus, Stephanie Ervin, Wayne Myers, Tim Hurley
Copyright © 2014. All Rights Reserved.
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