Community News

Brian Darnell  recently published his latest book of poems, Spoken For, a collection of over 200 inspirational and thought provoking poems about love, spirituality and the Divine Beloved.  It's a beautiful book, available at Amazon, Avid Bookstore and Sheriar.

Charlie Gard'ner's collection of Baba paintings and illustrations are on display this month at the Meeting Place at the Center.

SJ Ursery just released her new CD called Surrender. Surrender Download.  Also, The Darnell Boys will soon release a new CD.

Summertime in the City. Jai Baba!

The Athens Baba community has been rather quiet lately. We still meet weekly at Hendershots for coffee and conversation. Recently friends from Myrtle Beach -- Maraiya and Keren -- joined us at our "Baba Breakfast" and we were regaled with funny and touching stories of Keren's time in the Israeli Army and how she came to find Meher Baba.  We also heard from Bobbie who is fairly new to Athens but not new to Baba.  Bobbie lived in Myrtle Beach years back and spent time with Elizabeth and Kitty.

Many of us from Athens will be traveling to Myrtle Beach for Silence Day.  It will be hot, crowded and wonderful. Definitely wonderful.

In other news, rumor has it that our very own SJ will be emceeing next year's SE Gathering. More to come on that.

In the meantime, here are some random photos featuring faces and places we know and love:

Baba Breakfast CHANGE in Time and Location

Beginning this Sunday, May 4, our weekly Baba Breakfast gathering will take place at Hendershot's in the Bottleworks Complex off Prince beginning at 9:30 AM.  Brunch begins at 10:00 AM at Hendershot's. They also have great coffee, plenty of seating (indoor and outdoor) and their chef is phenomenal (Famous of Famous & Honey fame).  Hope to see you there on Sunday(s). 

Thayer Sarrano performs this Friday, May 2, at The World Famous in Athens

Thayer Sarrano is amazing and she will be performing this Friday, May 2, at The World Famous in Athens. On May 14, 2014, she'll be performing at Flicker (in Athens), and then she's off to Augusta and Nashville. Don't miss seeing her. Like I said, she is an amazing talent.

CALEB & SJ PERFORMING MAY 3 in ATHENS

Fresh from the Southeast Gathering,  Caleb and SJ (a/k/a Famous & Honey) will be performing live  at 8 PM, Saturday, May 3, at Hendershot's in Athens.  It promises to be a great show! 

Happy, Happy Easter from ABG!

It's a wrap!

The Athens Baba Family has been very busy this spring.  Diana and Bill LePage spent a few weeks in Athens before heading to the Southeast Gathering. Bill gave several talks while in Athens and also headlined the Gathering. Charlie once again worked his magic to provide for a beautiful stage featuring artwork by Thom Fortson. Brian organized the musical acts and also shared his music with us every morning at Arti and during the musical showcase. Caleb and SJ (a/k/a Famous and Honey) left us wanting more after their fine performances.  It was a good Gathering filled with family, friends and Baba's love and grace.  For those who did not have a chance to spend time with Bill and Diana, they will be at the Center in Myrtle Beach all summer.

Ringing the bell

Famous & Honey

Bill and Naosherwan

Brian

Due Inheritance

For L.

Due inheritance

Soon after birth, left beside a bridge.  
They had not the heart like so many others

to throw her into the river.  It's easy now -
and then - to trace the royalty of her blood,

the inherent beauty, the glow of her holiness.
In fact, it's evident in all their faces -

everyone born into this realm is abandoned at birth.
Who, then, dares implant such a longing -

that each child should expect sheltering
and nourishment, indulgence and praise?

O fellow children of God, heirs to the kingdom,
when shall we accept the mantle of our nobility?

When shall we demand 
with trembling voice and shaking fist

our due inheritance - and nothing less?
The heart will hold its tongue

for millenniums, submissive to the senses,
to circumstances, ignorance and death,

but, it knows, it knows, it knows ...
and once it begins to unfold, to strengthen and rise,

our demeanor and likeness to the King become
ever more transparent, self-evident and undeniable.

O children of God, assume the kingdom's throne
by becoming who you already are

 -- by Brian Darnell (December 2013)
 www.ghamelayoga.blogspot.com

Charlie Gard'ner performing "Babajan" in India, February 15, 2014

Charlie Gard'ner traveled to India in February for Baba's birthday.  While there, he performed his song "Babajan" at the Avataric Legacy Program. The portrait of Babajan in center stage was painted by Charlie.

News: the Southeast Gathering, the LePages, Aubrey's Vigil and a Song

THE SOUTHEAST GATHERING will take place this year April 10 through April 13 with special guests Bill LePage and Naosherwan Anzar. Click here to go to website for SE Gathering for more information and to register for the gathering.

Photo from last year's Gathering

THE LePAGES will soon be in Athens. They arrive in Athens from Australia on March 28 and will be here until they leave for the Southeast Gathering.   If you are interested in hosting an event with the LePages, please let Bob know. 

The LePages at Big City Bread, Athens, 2013

AUBREY's VIGIL, a novel by Brian Darnell, was recently released and is available at Amazon. Brian has also shared excerpts from the novel on his blog, aubreysvigil.blogspot.com.  

I Look At You, written and performed by Brian Darnell

The Center, March, 2014

A few pictures from the first weekend in March at the Center.

Sunrise at the Boathouse

Friends on the path (the Briarcliff Path).

Rainbow over the Center (photo taken by Brian Darnell from Boat House)

Damage from February's ice storm

More storm damage

Beautiful markings on these trees.

Flowers outside Meher Abode

The new gate at the beach  (and Brian)

How to Love God

To love God in the most practical way is to love our fellow beings.
If we feel for others in the same way as we feel for our own dear ones, we love God.
If, instead of seeing faults in others, we look within ourselves, we are loving God.
If, instead of robbing others to help ourselves, we rob ourselves to help others, we are loving God.
If we suffer in the sufferings of others and feel happy in the happiness of others, we are loving God.
If, instead of worrying over our own misfortunes, we think ourselves more fortunate than many many others, we are loving God.
If we endure our lot with patience and contentment, accepting it as His Will, we are loving God.
If we understand and feel that the greatest act of devotion and worship to God is not to hurt or harm any of His beings, we are loving God.
To love God as He ought to be loved, we must live for God and die for God, knowing that the goal of life is to Love God, and find Him as our own self.

THE PATH OF LOVE, p. 109, ed. Filis Frederick
1986 © Avatar Meher Baba Perpetual Public Charitable Trust

A Birthday Celebration, Sunday, February 23, 2014

At 7 PM on Sunday evening, February 23, 2014, there will be a gathering in Athens to celebrate Baba's 120th birthday. Cake, coffee and other celebratory beverages will be served. Please feel free to bring your guitar or musical instrument of choice, if you are so inclined.  For more information about the event (address, etc.) and to RSVP, please e-mail athensbabagroup@gmail.com. 

 

Baba's "First Real Birthday" -- February 12, 1952

On February 12, 1952, We Celebrate Baba's "First Real Birthday" 

Cherie Plumlee www.belovedmeherbabaartcards.com

From Bal Natu in GLIMPSES OF THE GOD-MAN, pp. 395-396:

On February 6 [1952], Baba dictated a profound, matchless message which was issued as the first "Life Circular". It combined the characteristics of the three main phases of His Avataric mission — the Old Life, the New Life, and the LIFE. I quote below a relevant passage from this particular message, relating to the invocation made by Baba in January 31. He stated:

For these last four months, according to ordinary human standards, and by ways and means known to me, I have tried my utmost for the achievement of Manonash, and I can say in all truth that I feel satisfied with the work done. This satisfaction is due to the feeling I have, of having regained my 'Old Life Meher Baba state,' yet retaining my 'New Life ordinary state'. I have regained the Knowledge, Strength and Greatness that I had in the Old life, and retain the ignorance, weaknesses, and humility of the New Life. This union of the 'old and new life states' has given birth to LIFE: Life that is eternally old and new.

My efforts for Manonash have been positive and the result of Manonash will be positive. But the actual and concrete manifestation of this result, I leave entirely to the Divine Sanction; where, how, and when the result will be, I leave entirely to the Divine Decree.

And within a week the mandali had one of the most delightful surprises of their life with Baba. It was the celebration of Baba's "First Real Birthday" on February 12, 1952, at Meherazad in a very simple yet buoyant mood. By this time the partition had been taken down, and the four companions — Gustadjee, Baidul, Pendu, and Eruch — were allowed to greet and meet the rest of the men disciples in Baba's love. Kitty Davy who was staying with the women mandali at Meherazad wrote a short, graphic account of this festive occasion:

As Baba came over to our quarters at 5 a.m. on the morning of February 12th exactly to the minute, bells and gongs were rung, drums beaten and guns fired, and in the midst of all this tumult, the voices of the mandali rose clear and loud repeating the different names of God. The evening before, prayers were intoned and the dhuni (sacred fire) was lit and kept burning for twenty-four hours. Baba called this day, February 12, 1952, his "first real birthday", the beginning of the period called "Life", and He sent the following message by cable and otherwise to all His devotees:

GOD'S BLESSINGS AND MY LOVE TO YOU ALL ON THIS, MY FIRST REAL BIRTHDAY.

GLIMPSES OF THE GOD-MAN, pp. 395-396
1979 © Avatar Meher Baba Perpetual Public Charitable Trust

Meherwan Jessawala on Saying Baba's Name

Meherwan Jessawala on saying Baba's Name

Interview conducted by Diana Le Page (Bill Le Page seated next to Meherwan). 

Amartithi Gathering, Friday, January 31st, in Athens, Georgia

Baba lovers and likers are invited to gather at 7 o'clock p.m., Friday, January 31, 2014, at Siri Thai restaurant located in the Bottleworks complex on Prince Avenue, Athens, to celebrate the eternal life of Avatar Meher Baba.  Also, a reminder, this is the last week you will be able to see Charlie Gard'ner's paintings of Meher Baba displayed at Earth Fare as the show ends February 1st.

January 18th Benefit Concert for the Children at Pumpkin House

Brian Darnell, Trudy Budd, Perry Flinn and Rick Flinn

From the Board of Pumpkin House, USA:  Please join us at 8:00 p.m., Saturday, January 18, 2014, at the Healing Arts Centre in Athens for an evening of poetry and songs to benefit the children of Pumpkin House in India. Brian Darnell, Trudy Budd, Perry Flinn and Rick Flinn will share their music and poetry in support of the children at Pumpkin House.  Tickets are $20.00 and all proceeds go directly to support the children at Pumpkin House, India.  For more information, click on the following link: A Concert to Benefit the Children at Pumpkin House.   

Pumpkin House, February, 2013

Pumpkin House, February, 2013