Visiting Saints and Masters

VISITING SAINTS AND MASTERS

Book Two

Meher Baba often warned those who followed him not to visit saints and masters, whether real or false. He said that the great majority of spiritual teachers were false, and that it was very hard to recognise the few who were real. Contact with even a real master, he said, could be harmful to someone who already followed Meher Baba. Baba did not give the same advice to those who did not follow him.

One of Meher Baba's followers, Vibhuti, lived several years with Baba at Meherabad, and then went to Nasik. He began to tell people that he was Meher Baba's chief disciple, and would instruct them to bow down to him. On February 7, 1927 Gopal Swamy came to Meherabad and told Baba what Vibhuti was doing. Baba commented,

"What earthly use is it misguiding and making others believe a person is a mahatma or saint, when he is not really so? To be a Master, a person has to be one with God. He must be Realised. From the spiritual standpoint, it is a great sin and a crime to make people believe one to be a guru or a Master when one has no experience. This is misleading people, and the worst possible fraud.

"A person should first be one with God and experience divinity; then it is appropriate to be called a Master. But to do so without experience is so great a sin that it is unimaginable. By such acts, a person is never able to realise the Truth, and however intense his desire for Realisation, it remains unfulfilled. Such acts isolate a person from his Master's sight and his grace is then never acquired. On the contrary, he invites the Master's wrath upon himself, which in the end proves terrible for him. Such people should be cut to pieces."

Meher Baba, 2 February 1927, Meherabad, LM3 p904

Another version:

"What earthly use is it to make believe that one is a mahatma or guru or saint when one is not? To lay claim to such a state and station one must be one with God. If one isn't, it is a very great sin, a spiritual crime of the worst kind. First become the Dev (God), and then become a guru."

SW p335

Baba told Minoo Pohowala, who was in the habit of visiting saints,

'"When you sink a well, you first select a spot before beginning the drilling. But if you stop drilling halfway, and start anew at a different spot, you will never find water, and all your labors will be wasted.

"But if you keep drilling at one spot, you will surely find water one day. A spirit of fortitude is required. If you are easily disappointed and keep trying at different places, you will never succeed.

"Similarly, if you continue running from one saint or Sadguru to another, you will never gain anything. Stick firmly to only one Master and carry out his wishes. Dig, dig and keep on digging, and one day you will get the water of Realisation."

2 June 1928, Meherabad, LM3 p1051

Baba remarked about a group of sadhus and sanyasis,

"Look at them. They wear long hair, apply ash to their bodies, put on robes and give spiritual discourses. This is only an outward show; within, they are merged in maya. They are hypocrites. It is a sin to pretend that one is away from maya.

"These so-called sadhus are full of desires, and have thoughts of eating, drinking and wearing fine robes. Outwardly they show themselves to be sadhus, but inwardly they are quite the reverse. Only he who has annihilated himself is a real sadhu."

13? May 1929, Rishikesh, LM4 p1157

Baba told Kaikhushru Pleader, who was in the habit of visiting saints and sadhus:

"Do not be after gatekeepers or watchmen. Catch hold of the Emperor. Never be after his servants. No minister or secretary will help. A king is, after all, a king, and his servants only servants. Once you have approached the king directly, it is of no benefit to maintain a friendly attitude with his servants. Your friendship with the king might precipitate any situation, but you should stick to him. Even if you were about to die, you should never let go of his hand.

"The Emperor is perfect knowledge. One should forget everyone and everything in his company. One should stop one's previous habits. One should not think of meditating or repeating God's name, or any other type of worship. The most that could happen with any of these practises is that you would enter samadhi. Such practises can never make you one with God.

"Instead, one should submit oneself to the Emperor's will, having only this thought: 'O God, when will you meet me?' This longing must be present twenty-four hours a day. If the feeling is intense enough, God will surely fulfill it.

"To help people is good, but service done under the guidance and according to the instructions of a Perfect Master is the best. Service to half-baked gurus and false saints will throw you into a gutter. You will be left hanging by those hypocrites. If you are unlucky enough to find a false guru, he will accept you and take you into his service. However, he will then give you up, and that will cool down your longing! Instead of losing, you will accumulate sanskaras, and become disappointed and disgusted.

"These false saints cannot give you anything, while... Walis and Pirs of the fifth and sixth plane can raise you to a higher state with just one look. But that is not the Perfect state, as these advanced souls are not Perfect. At times, even Perfect Masters cannot help those caught in these nets. Therefore, except for the Perfect Ones, do not even be beguiled by the advanced souls of the fifth and sixth planes. Stick to the Emperor and don't leave him for any reason.

"I am in everyone. But if you catch hold of me, you will have the root of all creation in your hands. Then you will not need to go after the branches and leaves. If you are lucky enough to catch hold of the Emperor, you should never, never leave him. "Go on digging until you find water. Don't keep changing the spot. If you get impatient, by digging two feet here and four feet there, you will never strike water. If you only dig a shallow well, you will get impure water. Only patient, laborious digging will result in your finding crystal-pure water. And for that, you have to exert energy and dig deep.

"This Path is not easy at all, and if you enter it, you will not find joy here. Therefore, I warn, think seven times before entering it. If you are after God, you will have to give up everything - your father, your mother, the whole world. You have to renounce each and every thing. Therefore, ponder well, and then take your step. If not, leave this Path and attend to your worldly duties.

"Once you fall for the Path, don't be afraid of anything in the world. 'Who will look after my parents? How about my job? What will the world think of me?' All these thoughts are useless. If you had died, who would have looked after your near and dear ones? Those affected will care for themselves. God takes care of everyone. He is the true sustainer. Once you have entered the Path, you should desist from such thoughts.

"Try to be a lover of God. If you find out how to love him, you may go mad. The real lover is never influenced by the world or what people think of him. He will not even care for his life. He will remain what he is - totally indifferent to the world, unashamed of anything.

"All rivers flow in me. I am the ocean. Stop looking elsewhere, and look only at the ocean. By concentrating on me, you yourself will become the ocean. To look at the ocean means to carry out my wishes at all times."

Meher Baba, 6 September 1929, Bombay
to Kaikhushru Pleader, LM4 p1215-1216

Charles Norwood: What is your opinion of the Theosophists Annie Besant and Charles Leadbeater?

Baba: They have done some good work, but there is still much to be done. They are somewhat advanced souls. But at a certain stage of advancement, without the guidance and help of a Master, hostile forces are created, resulting in delusion. It all becomes a jumble, and there is confusion.

24 November 1931, New York, LM4 p1488

Q. Do you believe that ________ was an initiate?

Baba: How can I speak against anyone when I find the infinite in everyone? But why bother about names? You can be an initiate yourself. The same infinite is within you as within any initiate.

1930s, Europe, PM p251

"There are many on the Path who become self-deluded, and think they have reached the goal, and say 'I am God.' They are not charlatans, but self-deluded. They believe it genuinely, but when the time comes, it goes. Then they perceive it was a delusion. This is called Mukama Fasana, i.e., the Abode of Delusion."

Meher Baba, 9 January 1937, Nasik, Aw 16:2 p19

"The work of the God-man in the universe is fundamentally different from the kind of thing on which most of the priests set their hearts.

"Most of the priests of established religions attach too much importance to external forms, rituals and conformity. And since they are not themselves free from selfishness, narrowness or ignorance, they exploit the weak and credulous by holding before them the fear of hell or the hope of heaven.

"The God-man, on the other hand, has entered forever into the eternal life of love, purity, universality and understanding. And he is therefore concerned only with the things that really matter, and which eventually bring about the inner unfoldment of the spirit in all whom he helps.

"Those who are themselves in ignorance, may, out of self-delusion or deliberate selfishness, use the same language as that of the God-man. And they might try to imitate the God-man in many of the external things associated with the life of the God-man. But they cannot, by the very nature of their spiritual limitations, really imitate the God-man in possessing perfect understanding, experiencing infinite bliss, or wielding unlimited power. These attributes belong to the God-man by virtue of his having attained unity with God.

"Those who are in ignorance lack fundamental traits of The God-man. And if, out of self-delusion or hypocrisy, they try to pose as the God-man, their self-delusion or pretense is invariably exposed at some time.

"If a person gets committed to a line of life out of self-delusion, it is an unfortunate case. He believes himself to be what he is not, and thinks that he knows when he actually does not know. But since he is sincere in all that he thinks or does, he is not to be blamed, though he can become a source of danger to others to a limited extent.

"The hypocrite knows that he does not know, and pretends to be what he is not for selfish reasons. But in doing so he creates a serious karmic binding for himself. And though he is a source of considerable danger to the weak and the credulous, he cannot go on indefinitely with his willfull deceit. For in the course of time he gets automatically exposed for a claim which he is unable to substantiate."

Meher Baba, 1941? India, Di v4 p20-21
Another version: Aw 2:1 p29-30

"Most masts and saints do not know me as the Avatar, but only recognise me according to their station. They do not see beyond where they are - beyond their state of advancement."

Meher Baba, November 1944, Ajanta, LM8 p2982

"At present, in the East and West, there are about seventy people who claim to be the Avatar. But I tell you, Bal, I am the real one."

Meher Baba, to Bal Natu, 10 May 1954
Mahabaleshwar, GG6 p43

"I have to come again and again in flesh and blood to bear the sufferings of humanity...

"I want to tell you one important thing which each of you must remember well. It is a fact that I am the Lord of the universe. I am omnipresent...

"I have come to make the whole world mad after love and truth. Only the Avatar, whenever he lives amidst mankind, has to undergo humiliation. When there are five Perfect Masters who are God personified and who control and look after the affairs of the universe, what need is there for them to precipitate the incarnation of God on earth? They bring him down to shoulder the sufferings of humanity. The five Perfect Masters are not as much vilified or humiliated as the Avatar is. I have been made to take this human form by the five Perfect Masters of this age to bear the cross and to undergo humiliation...

"I will start with the topic of saints... To say whether a saint is real or an imitation one is my right alone and not yours."

Q. Baba, we go to saints because we have a feeling that you are in everyone.

Baba: I am also in a thief and a murderer. Then what is it that prevents you from respecting and worshipping them? If you were really to see me everywhere as I am, there would not arise any need for you to go to saints, or even to come to me to pay your respects.

I have been saying all the time, age after age, that when I, the Ancient One, assume this human form, there are many false prophets who claim themselves as Avatars. For instance, a week ago I received a letter from Uttar Pradesh, from a devotee who writes that there are two persons in his town, and each proclaims himself as the Avatar of the age. This created a great deal of confusion in his mind. Also, in one of the towns of northern India, there is one social worker who claims, and has a genuine feeling for his claim, that he is the Avatar. I am telling you these things in detail for it is my right alone to say so, as all of them are my children.

As far as you are concerned, you should neither criticise nor indulge in backbiting. If you speak ill of a real saint, it will be harmful to you. You will create dreadful (sanskaric) blunders. You should avoid vilifying even the so-called 'mahatmas' who call themselves saints, because it is not possible for you to be certain whether they are real or not. The presumptuous saints outwardly act like real saints. You will not be able to differentiate between them, just in the same way as you would not be able to differentiate between the masts and mad persons. Yet what a world of difference lies in their inner states!

... I would like you to know that to become a saint is not child's play. The very word saint, when commonly used or made applicable to anyone, creates a lot of misunderstanding. I will tell you something that will clarify the misunderstandings regarding saints. There are two types of saints: real saints, and imitation saints. Just as an ordinary person cannot distinguish between a real and an imitation pearl, you cannot distinguish between a real saint and an imitation saint. I alone, like a jeweller, can make out the difference.

Particularly in India, we find a lot of imitation saints, and this is due to the superficial study of Vedanta. By studying Vedanta, one can say 'I am God.' Sadgurus also say 'I am God.' Imitation saints say the same thing, but with the help of Vedanta. Real saints need no such help; they say what they experience. There are also some who, after reading Vedanta, realise that they have no such experience, but they still say "I am God.' This is hypocrisy. Also there are some imitation saints who, after reading Vedanta, have a genuine feeling and say 'I am God,' though in reality they do not have any conscious experience.

If anyone confers greatness on you and begins to worship you, you know yourself that you do not deserve it. At the outset you are tempted to accept this greatness, which makes you feel happy. But your conscience will be constantly pricking you, and you will be always in a state of anxiety about future developments. You will be frequently in a fix whether to accept or reject the greatness which is thrust on you.

Once you accept this conferred greatness, it becomes very difficult for you to get out of the situation. After a time, even the pricks of conscience cease troubling you, for you get used to them. Then it becomes an addiction, and you cannot do without it. You then pose as a real saint. This posing will cause you to take innumerable additional births. So why pose as a saint without inner experience?

As for myself, I say I am the highest of the high. Had I not been the ancient one, I would have encouraged you to visit the so-called saints. I would have even praised them, and they too would have praised me in return. Thus a clique would be formed that would promote mutual praise to dupe the public.

If any one of you meets an imitation saint or an imitation Avatar, what would he say to you? He would say the same thing as I. If you tell him that Baba is the Avatar, he may even say, 'I am the real one, and that Baba is a fraud!'

When anyone approaches an imitation saint and is attracted by the outward atmosphere which he creates around him, and if, owing to his faith in the imitation saint, he gets experiences, he is likely to attribute them to that imitation saint. This creates confusion.

Now I will tell you about an incident. During my recent visit to America, a gentleman, who has been staying in America for a long time, remained by my side during some of my programs, and particularly when the films and photographs were being taken. This gentleman has studied and intellectually grasped what I have said, but misused it. From one of the letters from the U.S.A., I hear that this gentleman has started telling people that he is Baba's representative. Those who know me for so many years are not affected. But the new lovers, though educated, are very much impressed and flock around him. Just see how even the Westerners are misled.

What is the remedy for this? I will tell it now. It will be very useful only if you grasp it thoroughly. If all of you are convinced that Baba is the Avatar, God incarnate, the question of confusion does not arise at all. In this case, just hold fast to my damaan (the hem of the Master's robe) and close all doors for confusion and conflict to enter your minds. If you are not convinced, leave me. Seek someone else. But if you try to stick to me with a wavering mind, without being convinced of my divinity, you will be just like a nut caught in the crusher.

I will also tell you a few instances of those who pay too much attention to masts, though they have been connected with me for so many years. One of them went to the extent of drinking wine whenever offered by a mast. The other used to carry a certain mast on his shoulders to his home and serve him daily. Had I not warned them in time, they would have got themselves involved seriously. When God himself has descended on the earth, and you have the good fortune to come in personal contact with him, why run after his children, the masts and the saints?

In Uttar Pradesh and the Punjab, there are saints of both types, real and imitation. There, men put up a big show of spirituality by performing homa-haven, bhajan-kirtan, yadna-yagna, arti-puja, etc. From external appearances one cannot make out who is a real saint and who is an imitation one. Anyone is easily impressed by the so-called outward spiritual atmosphere.

You do not find these things here with me. On the other hand, you find me sitting among you, sometimes telling jokes and letting you laugh. The real Path is totally different from the conventional bhajan-kirtan, etc. On the contrary, when one gets entangled in these rituals and ceremonies, one gets off the real Path.

When I tell you these things and ask you not to visit saints, perhaps some of you may think, 'Is Baba feeling jealous of others?' But I, being one without a second, have no rival. I am matchless. Being the one reality, the question of rivalry does not arise for me at all. If I am to be jealous at all, I will have to be jealous of my own self.

When a man sees an ant moving on the ground, will he ever feel jealous of it? Both the ant and the man move on a level on the ground. But there is a world of difference in their consciousness. The ant can never understand the intricacies of this machine age. The ant, the ordinary man and myself move on the same land, but there is as much difference between the consciousness of an ordinary man and mine as there is between the consciousness of an ant and that of an ordinary man. Even in the animal kingdom, there is vast difference between the consciousness of an ant and an elephant. Has the elephant ever purposely walked over an ant feeling jealous of it?

... I do not mean that there are no real saints in India. (Baba mentioned a few well-known saints) There are also some real saints unknown to the masses. Compared to the known saints, these hidden saints are far more advanced. In this respect, however, I want to tell you with authority that both the hidden and the known saints have not realised the Self. Do not be misled by the use of certain words and phrases. If anyone addresses you as 'dear Self,' do not be under the impression that he has achieved the goal of Realisation.

The sum and substance of this long talk is that you either hold fast to my damaan only, or leave me altogether. Do not make any compromise.

However, you are free to visit and pay homage to the shrines of my five Perfect Masters: Sai Baba, Upasani Maharaj, Babajan, Tajuddin Baba and Narayan Maharaj. Of my five Perfect Masters, four do not have any representatives. Only Upasani Maharaj has a representative. She is Godavari Mai. She has a very pure heart, and there is no equal to her in this respect. You can go to Sakori and pay your respects to her. She is dear to me. She loves me very much. She is my beloved Yashoda.

This does not mean that my five Perfect Masters do not each have a Chargeman and a Circle. Invariably, without any exception, every Perfect Master must necessarily hand over his charge to one whom he makes as Perfect as himself. Such a one is called the Chargeman of a Perfect Master.

Do not visit other places or saints, as you cannot distinguish between a real saint and an imitation one. I also want you not to criticise or vilify anyone. If you happen to meet saints, real or imitation, by chance, you may pay respects to them, but do not run after them. If you have full faith in me, stick to me. Otherwise leave me now altogether. Who will hold on to my damaan wholeheartedly to the end?

(all those present raised their hands)

Q. Baba, I tell others that you are the Avatar, but to be honest, I have no such conviction, though I crave it very much.

Baba: Have you come across anyone greater than myself?

Q. No.

Baba: Then why worry? Try to love me more and more. But remember one thing: never tell others what you do not feel yourself. Tell others only what you honestly take me to be. I am anything and everything that one can honestly believe...

It is a fact that I am God. I am the highest of the high. I wish that those who raised their hands should hold fast to my damaan for good. There is no need for my lovers to visit saints. Stick to me even during the phase of humiliation. Spread my message of love to all, and become like dust in Baba's work.

May 19 and June 7, 1957, Guruprasad Poona, Aw 5:4 p22-32

"I am infinite consciousness, interpenetrating and transcending all states of limited consciousness. The most primal and the most final categories of consciousness - say a stone or a saint - are equidistant from me. So I am equally approachable by all. I am the way."

c.1960, EN p70

"A saint is one who sees me as I really am. And seeing me as I really am means seeing nothing else but my effulgence continuously. He alone is on the sixth plane who sees my light without pause or break. He who sees me as I really am is also my true lover, who is on the sixth plane of involution of consciousness."

AO p217

Part of a message Meher Baba sent by letter to T. Dhanapathy Rao, President of the Avatar Meher Baba Andhra Center in Kakinada, on December 25, 1962, through Eruch Jessawala:

"My dear Dhanapathy Rao,

"Beloved Baba wants me to convey to you and to all his dear ones who played a prominent part to have the new set-up for Avatar Meher Baba Andhra Center as wished by him, that he is happy with what has been decided upon. Baba wants you, V.V. Narayana Rao, and the rest of his dear ones to know that next year is very important and critical from the point of view of his work, workers, and lovers, and as such, he wants Avatar Meher Baba Andhra Centre to remain ever vigilant, so that his lambs may not be devoured by wolves. This is what beloved Baba has been telling all his loved ones who have been burdened with the responsibilities of being group-heads of various Meher centres.

"Baba says that the time is such that his lovers should cling to his daaman under any circumstances. There will be many a howling wolf distracting his poor and simple lambs, donning the robes of sanctity and assuming the roles of saints, yogis, maharishis and mahatmas. Beloved Baba exhorts his loved ones to beware of such fakirs and fakes, for they will abound on the face of the Earth ever more, and like mushrooms, spring up unseen and out of nowhere. Hence it is of utmost importance that his lovers and workers remain vigilant, and pay heed to his repeated warnings to beware of so-called saints, sadgurus, munis, rishis, yogis, masts, fakirs, and above all, avatars of the yug!*

"... Baba sends his love blessing to you all.

Yours lovingly,

Eruch"

DV 2:2 p6-7
*yug: age

These false saints are fools who catch false-hearted lambs in their traps
Be careful - keep away from the deadly traps of these false saints.

How many false masters abound these days in every lane.
Lover of God, never go to them, even in your dreams.

False saints never kiss the dust.
No one should make them their master.

Meher Baba, April-June 1968, India
exerpts from ghazals 153, 160 and 161, 'Meher Sarod'
translated by Bhau Kalchuri from Hindi

The following two letters were written by Eruch Jessawala, one of Meher Baba's Mandali, in 1980 and 1981.

"Meherazad, 25th November 1980

"Through the past decade since beloved Avatar Meher Baba dropped his physical form on 31st January 1969, I have heard reports and received many letters from lovers of Avatar Meher Baba concerning the mushrooming of some self-appointed preceptors, guide, yogis, saints and sadgurus, who now act as 'masters' to the followers of Avatar Meher Baba.

"In addition, there is an increasing confusion in the minds of Baba-lovers over the indispensable need for an aspirant to have a living Perfect Master as revealed by beloved Baba in the Discourses, as against beloved Baba's timeless warnings not to approach gurus.

"Lest silence from the Mandali of Avatar Meher Baba be misconstrued by Baba-lovers as approval for seeking gurus, I find it imperative to speak now, being prompted from deep down within me to do so.

"Having spoken, it is left for each heart to heed the warning, or act as you would wish, but know well that 'Whosoever has not the eye for the Sultan cannot go to the Sultan.'

"Our love for the God-man is the response to the greater love which he has for us. Through lifetimes of striving, longing and seeking comes the rare opportunity for a few to accept the advent of the God-man, while millions upon millions are yet unaware that the expected one has come again as Avatar Meher Baba. What untold fortune is our inheritance that beloved Meher Baba has drawn us to him - closer and yet closer into the orbit of his love.

"This circular letter is being issued in response to the written and verbal enquiries of people who wish to love Meher Baba, and who are confused at Avatar Meher Baba's statements concerning the need for a 'living Perfect Master,' as contrasted with his repeated injunctions against chasing after gurus. The statements that follow are from what I have gathered from beloved Baba in my years with him, and are intended for all.

"For those firm in their love for Avatar Meher Baba, and whose only wish is to hold fast to his daaman, the conflict regarding the need for a living Perfect Master does not exist. There is no conflict, because for them Meher Baba was, is, and remains the eternal Perfect Master, eternally alive in their hearts. These people do not seek spiritual guidance, and are not interested in spiritual progress, because they have firm faith and trust in beloved Meher Baba's continuing guidance, and they rely on him alone. Their only wish is to be completely resigned to his will, and to efface themselves in love for him.

"Beloved Avatar Meher Baba is veritably God in human form, as revealed to us by him. When he dropped his body on 31st January 1969, and passed away physically from our midst, the Avatar did not 'die' - he simply dropped his man-form, to continue to remain as God - the eternal presence in our midst.

"The Avatar, God manifest in human form, makes the inconceivable and unapproachable reality conceivable and approachable. God makes his being, his love, his compassion, his charity, etc., more tangible to mankind when he is physically among us as the Avatar of the age.

"When we say that beloved Avatar Meher Baba dropped his body, we thereby mean that he withdrew his man-form, and left in the hearts of his lovers the longing for his reality, by which one may see him as he really is. God is not 'dead' - rather he is no longer visible in that man-form so dear to us all. He has not ceased being immanent and active. As Avatar Meher Baba withheld his voice so that we might hear his silence, he now withholds sight of him so that we may seek him within ourselves, and by his grace find him as the only beloved.

"Meher Baba revealed to us time and again that at the end of each avataric advent, his avataric impact, influence or force, and the fragrance of his presence, continue to remain active for 100 to 200 years, exactly as though he were physically present. If the next advent is to take place after 700 years, then his avataric impact, influence or force, and his divine presence of the advent, continue to be felt for 100 years and a little more. Similarly, if the advent occurs after 1400 years, his impact and divine presence pervade for 200 years and a little more.

"The five Perfect Masters of the time precipitate the advent of the Avatar in our midst, and relinquish their charge to him during each Avataric period, and then remain 'backstage' as the Avatar shoulders their duties. They remain inactive during the avataric advent while he is in man-form, and for as long as the avataric impact or force continues to pervade. The divine influence of the Avatar after he drops his physical body is in no way diminished or different from when he was physically among us.

"Blessed is mankind during each advent, as each advent is the springtide of creation, when the God-man is present among us. And doubly blessed is man when he becomes aware of the Avatar's presence, and remains under the influence of the Avatar's love for him. When man learns to love the Avatar and continues to stay in the orbit of the love of the Avatar, it is redundant for him to go in search of a spiritual guide or a Perfect Master! The Avatar is for him the eternal Perfect Master, even after the Avatar drops his man-form. So it is absurd for any lover of Avatar Meher Baba to be in search of a Perfect Master, as long as he continues to remain in the orbit of the Avatar's love.

"When you read in the Discourses by Avatar Meher Baba that it is essential for a spiritual aspirant to have the grace of the Perfect Master to realise God, remember that beloved Baba has revealed this as a general guideline for posterity when the avataric impact begins to fade out, and for those who will not have been fortunate enough to have come into the orbit of the love of the Avatar. Time and again he has revealed to us that he is the way and the goal. Whosoever loves and obeys the Avatar, and whosover is blessed by his grace, what need has he for any spiritual path? The spiritual path then follows such an aspirant, instead of the aspirant following the path! A true lover of Avatar Meher Baba has no concern with advancement on the spiritual path; he is continually concerned with effacement of himself in the love of the Lord. A lover's goal is to become like dust at the feet of the beloved Lord!

"In spite of Avatar Meher Baba's 'Last Warning' of July 1968, it is surprising to get news from different countries, especially from India and the USA, that quite a number of people who follow Avatar Meher Baba, and some of them who ae very close in their love for him, have fallen a prey to some self-appointed saints and sadgurus who operate as immaculate persons, full of modesty, professing to have been installed overnight by some spiritual hierarchy to act as 'masters' to followers of Avatar Meher Baba.

"The astute modus operandi of such masters is the very cause for many innocent hearts and susceptible minds to believe that their love for and obedience to such saints and masters will help them to love Avatar Meher Baba all the more, and will get them closer to him, now that Avatar Meher Baba is no more physically in their midst.

"Some of these teachers and preceptors are also vitiating the minds and hearts of the innocent, saying that Meher Baba is not their master, but their master's master! It sounds so ridiculous, and at once so apt. Such is the divine leela!

"These masters diligently promote the image of one another among themselves, and establish a mutual admiration society or clan. They savor homage, obeisance and admiration of their followers. They begin to imitate Meher Baba's ways and mode of dress, even imitate his silence and hand and finger movements. Such people are indeed perfect mimics, rather than spiritual masters and saints. Beloved Baba would draw our attention to such mimics and call them his spiritual clowns!

"They sham an aura of sanctity, allow people to prostrate before them, bless Baba pictures and lockets, bless the people, and lead their followers to believe that they are stationed on higher planes of consciousness or are Realised 'Perfect Masters,' and that obedience to them is imperative. Some of these Gurus are going to the extent of telling their followers that as Meher Baba's tomb is now 'inactive,' and as a number of the Mandali are dead or gone senile, there is no use going to Meherabad and Meherazad. Where beloved Baba's photos adorned the walls, now pictures of these gurus are seen! 'Sahavas' is now also held by these masters, imitating beloved Meher Baba, but taking great care to see that their atmosphere is maintained, and not superseded by Meher Baba atmosphere.

"Sufism Reoriented, now re-reoriented (in the West), and Vedantism reoriented (in the East), are beginning to raise their heads in direct defiance to beloved Baba's timeless warnings. Such spiritual jingoism leads me to recall what beloved Meher Baba had said to one such master who came to him:

'Of what avail if you were to gain the whole world and lose me...?'

"Such masters have gone to the extent of ordering their groups to shun the 'Last Warning' given by beloved Avatar Meher Baba in July 1968. The printed leaflets have been destroyed by the orders of some of these masters. In the 'Last Warning' beloved Baba has warned all who love and follow him, and would want to do so, as follows:

'It is equally important at this critical period of the avataric age to beware at all times of persons who lead others into believing that they are saintly and pious, and profess to possess supernatural powers. However pious such persons appear to be, a Baba-lover must never mix such piety with the divinity of the Avatar.

'A true Baba-lover must remember the repeated warning given to all Baba-lovers time and again, to stay away from persons who feel and assert that they are masters and saints, and possess powers to help human beings...'

"I have been witness to these words of beloved Baba warning all who wish to be helped in loving him with one-pointed devotion, and wanting to get closer to him, to realise him as their own self.

"Again and again, for our own highest benefit, beloved Meher Baba cautioned his lovers against running after yogis, gurus and saints, or visiting their ashrams or shrines, as there is no longer any need for these pursuits. Avatar Meher Baba was and is the living God. It is he who is the fountainhead of grace, and he is eternally the way and the goal at one and the same time for his lovers.

"Share this letter with all, and let all lovers of Meher Baba know once for all that it is beloved Meher Baba who remains responsible for their spiritual welfare as long as they continue to love and obey him, and that they should hold fast to hid daaman, as he exhorted us to, till the very end. There are no intermediaries required on the path to love him, for he says again and again that he is the supreme Sadguru and the divine beloved. We have his lasting assurance on this when he says:

'I am already yours when you become mine.'

Yours brotherly,

Eruch

(A letter from Eruch Jessawala circulated at his request to the various Meher Baba centers around the world)

"Meherazad, 15th January 1981

"Jai Meher Baba

"Dear brothers and sisters,

"Many of you in the East and West may have read the printed circular letter dated 25th November 1980 issued from Meherazad.

"On reading the circular letter, many lovers of Avatar Meher Baba felt that the warning given to the Baba-lovers in the East and the West was very timely and helpful. While some Baba-lovers requested clarification on certain points on the issue of the warning, some others were surprised or most upset, and responded accordingly.

"To them my reply is as follows:

"Please do not feel surprised or upset. We the Mandali have simply done our duty to sound the bell of warning for all concerned, either to pay heed to the warning, or remain indifferent about it, or totally ignore it.

"It is left to the individuals either to live their lives solely for the love of their beloved Avatar Meher Baba, or to love him for material and spiritual benefits.

"We do not wish to enter into any further correspondence on this subject.

"I repeat, we have no intention to dictate to anyone the way one should choose to lead one's personal or spiritual life. It was our duty to just sound the bell of warning to alert Baba-lovers everywhere; and we have done so - pay heed or ignore it; it is one's own lookout, what truly matters is love for him.

"The bell of warning that you and others heard is not directed to the ones who love, and would want to love, only Avatar Meher Baba, but it is directed to Baba-lovers who also do love Baba wholeheartedly, but are misled into believing that one who fervently imparts Meher Baba's messages and discourses to them must be a saint, guru or Perfect Master, and is therefore to be revered as such. This attitude unfortunately creates diversion of focus and bifurcation of homage, which Meher Baba discouraged always by warning his lovers time and again. Hence the bell of warning.

"There are always five Perfect Masters at all times, as revealed to us by our beloved Avatar Meher Baba. He has also revealed to us that even after the Avatar drops his physical body, the five Perfect Masters are not known publicly nor function openly, because they do not come into public prominence during the period of 100 to 200 years, as the Avataric influence and impact continue to be at their height as if the Avatar were physically present.

"Hence, we the Mandali do not know who are the presently living five Perfect Masters - as they remain completely backstage, according to what beloved Avatar Meher Baba said to us.

"The role of the Mandali is to strive to be, by beloved Baba's grace, the perfect slaves of their Lord Avatar Meher Baba, without any desire for material gain or spiritual advancement. None of us Mandali is either a Perfect Master or an illumined saint; and none of us long to become one. Beloved Meher Baba is the ever-living and guiding supreme Perfect Master for all times, for his Mandali, and also for his lovers whose lives are directly linked to him since many lifetimes.

Yours lovingly,

Eruch

"P. S. No further correspondence on this subject will be entertained."

Meher Baba explained that, at any one time on earth, there are 56 people of the fifth plane, and 56 people of the sixth plane in the functioning Spiritual Hierarchy. There are many other people on the fifth and sixth planes, or between them, who are not part of the hierarchy - 8,400,000 (LM8 p2884).

The functioning Spiritual Hierarchy consists of 7000 people on and between the higher planes. In Avataric periods the Avatar is the 7001st person in the Hierarchy. For more about the Hierarchy, see 'Spiritual Hierarchy' in Book Two, and GS p271-274.

Filis Frederick quoted Baba as having said,

"My four favorite saints are St. Teresa, St. Catherine, St. Francis and St. Augustine."

These are Teresa of Avila, Catherine of Siena, Francis of Assisi and Augustine of Hippo. Baba probably meant these were his favorites from among the well-known Christian 'saints'. Francis of Assisi was, Baba explained, a Perfect Master. (Aw 20:2 p42, HM p170)

The great majority of those who claim to be spiritual masters are not real masters. Some are deluded, really believing in their own advancement. Others know they have not experienced God or Truth, but nevertheless pretend to be advanced or Realised.

A few genuinely advanced (but not yet Realised) souls do act as spiritual guides. The Wali of the fifth plane and the Pir of the sixth plane can help seekers to advance up to their own level. For more about them see EN p29-32. There are other souls on the fifth and sixth plane who have no Gross or Subtle consciousness. For more about them see EN p101-104. For what can happen to imitation saints and their followers, see Be p49-54.

For another version of the explanation on 'opiumised' saints, see AO p214-216.

AVATAR MEHER BABA'S MESSAGE

"To love me for what I may give you is not loving me at all. To sacrifice anything in my cause to gain something for yourself is like a blind man sacrificing his eyes for sight. I am the divine beloved, worthy of being loved because I am love. He who loves me because of this will be blessed with unlimited sight and will see me as I am."

(Meher Baba, on the occasion of his 75th birthday - 25th February 1969)

Index - Book Two