Dear Meher Center Family and Friends,
Greetings from Meher Spiritual Center.
The Horry area is currently assessed at a "High" community level of COVID infection. According to the CDC, people in this level should: "Wear a well-fitting mask indoors in public, regardless of vaccination status."
Following CDC guidelines, we are beginning to require that all guests and visitors wear masks while indoors in the Center 's public buildings, including: the Gateway, Library, Reading Room, Meeting Place, Lagoon Cabin, Meher Abode, Original Kitchen, Recreation Room, Refectory and Lakeview Kitchens (except while eating). During the Sunday Artis in the Barn, masks must be worn, but otherwise they are not required in that building.
We have begun the shift to masked protocol this weekend: posting signs, having extra masks on hand, making announcements at the programs, providing information at the Gateway to help everyone understand the need for the new mask guidelines. As we move forward, we ask for your support in this effort to help keep the Center, its guests and visitors, safe and healthy.
Today is the birthday of one of Baba’s devoted mandali, Pendu. There are many wonderful stories about Pendu, but the one that first comes to mind involves his devoted service in helping to build and update the structures on Meherabad Hill in the late 1930s, including what would someday become Meher Baba’s tomb.
As was often His way, Baba didn’t give Pendu very much time to complete the project—and not only that, He would come by frequently, both distracting the workers and invariably adding more or different construction work. Finally, when Baba gave Pendu a new deadline for completion, Pendu agreed … under the condition that Baba did not make any more visits before it was done! Baba said that He wouldn’t come back until 8 a.m. on August 25, 1938, the morning of the deadline. Before He left Pendu that day, He made this statement about the difficult task:
"Be brave! Don't feel dejected or despondent with difficulties and inconveniences. Face it all — that's manliness, that's heroism. I don't like things to go smoothly or easily. There is no credit in doing things easily. One must experience resistance, difficulties, and pass through awkward situations. These are real tests and bring out the best and worst in men. The more opposition you have from maya, the more you should resist and face it with fierce determination. Don't feel anxious. Do your best."*
When Baba finally showed up with the Eastern and Western women Mandali at 8 a.m. on the 25th to take up residence, He saw that, against all odds, the work was fully and carefully completed. He left the women standing outside the Water Tank building with their luggage and immediately walked back down the Hill to kiss and embrace Pendu.
In Baba’s love and service,
Buz Connor
For Meher Center board and staff
*Lord Meher, Online Edition, by Bhau Kalchuri, p. 1934
