.... This New Life will live by itself eternally, even if there is no one to live it.

The New Life was an extreme test for Baba's followers, and for those who joined him. On their journeys around India and Nepal, his companions led an existence of "Hopelessness and Helplessness," depending only on God during their gypsy-like wanderings. Near the end of the New Life, Baba went into seclusion to achieve Mano-nash, or "annihilation of the mind." This was severely straining on him; this process brought a close to the period of the New Life.

We must lose ourselves to find ourselves; thus loss itself is gain. We must die to self to live in God; thus death means life... Being is dying by loving.

In 1952 Baba moved into a new phase that he labeled the Fiery Free Life. The goal of the Fiery Free Life was similar to the New Life, but ultimately would dissolve the freedom and bindings of every soul, and establish the world in the understanding that Meher Baba, everyone and everything, is one with God.

Finally, in 1952, Baba declared publicly what his followers had felt privately. Baba stated that he was the Avatar, the Messiah, the Saviour of all humanity; God in human form. Near the time that this statement was issued, immense spiritual activity developed: he had shed blood on American soil in a car accident in 1952; he was also to receive his worst suffering in India in a second car accident in 1956. Like Zoroaster, Rama, Krishna, Buddha, Jesus, and Mohammed, the crucifixion of the Avatar is inevitable.  

Baba dictated that he got his "physical bones broken so as to break the backbone of the material aspect of the machine age (Kali Yuga), while keeping intact its spiritual aspect." Even though he was terribly injured Baba still gave darshan (divine blessing, or viewing); in India tens of thousands would travel hundreds of miles to catch a glimpse of the Avatar.

In 1954, Baba stopped using the alphabet board, and began using hand gestures to communicate in a unique sign-language. From 1957 to 1965 Baba gave many darshan programs, one of them a joint gathering of his Eastern and Western disciples.

 ~~~~~~~

MERWAN SHERIAR IRANI IS BORN 

As to be expected, the whole family and even the neighbors anxiously awaited the birth of Shireen's second child. Shireen was more lovely and radiant than ever and all anticipated a beautiful baby.

"The most wonderful event in 1400 years is about to occur!" Age declared. "God Himself is incarnating!"

"The atmosphere of earth is surcharged, and it is emanating from a humble, narrow lane in Poona."

In the early morning of Sunday, 25 February 1894, the long-awaited moment arrived. Shireen was lying asleep in bed at the David Sassoon Hospital; Grandmother Golandoon was by her side. The midnight gong sounded twelve times in the distance. Nurses came frequently to look in on her; the expectant mother was relaxed in a deep sleep. Suddenly, Shireen awoke and told her mother that she had had a vivid dream.

"A dream?" Golandoon inquired. "What did you see? Tell me."

Shireen answered: "I saw seated in a chariot a person as glorious as the sun. His cool brilliance pervaded the atmosphere. A few people were pulling his chariot, while thousands of people led him in a procession. Tens of thousands of eyes were gazing at him, enraptured by his divine radiance ... I, too, was in the procession and marveled at the luster of his face. His light fell on the whole procession and people's eyes were fixed on him; they could not look away."

Tears of joy came to Golandoon's eyes, and she said, "Daughter, a very auspicious son will be born to you. His name will be spread all over the world. He will walk among thousands of people one day and be carried in grand processions, as you dreamt. He will be given special reverence and honor." Her mother's interpretation delighted Shireen and she soon fell fast asleep again.

 
Births and deaths are illusory phenomena.

One really dies when one is born to live as God the Eternal, Who is beyond both birth and death.

It is easy to love Me because I am Love. But it is difficult to love Me with that love by which I am attained.

In this age of mess, My message is:

Hold fast to My daaman and be one hundred per cent honest in every way; because God besides being infinite Power, Knowledge and Bliss is also infinite Honesty. And so, by being honest in everything, you will be able to love God honestly as he ought to be loved.

I will be with you all who gather for My birthday to celebrate My being among you. I am wherever My lovers are.

Let my Message of Love through you lead My children to the shore of My Ocean of Love.

My Love will draw them to Me whose hearts long to have a dip in the Ocean of My Love.