[Tavern-Talk] HEART TALK - Baba's letters to Delia DeLeon (and to her sister Minta): Introduction and First Letter

[Tavern-Talk]

HEART TALK - Baba's letters to Delia DeLeon (and to her sister Minta):
Introduction and First Letter

We now begin a selection of letters in the Trust's Archives from Avatar
Meher Baba to Delia DeLeon.

Delia DeLeon was born in Colon, Panama on 10 February 1901. After being
educated as a child in Jamaica, she returned with her family to England 
in 1911, where she came to study theatre and acting, eventually 
setting up the experimental "Q" theatre at Kew Bridge, London. Early 
in 1931, with the "Q" theatre collapsing, she visited a retreat at 
East Challacombe, Coombe Martin, Devon, run by Meredith Starr, and 
here Delia heard of Meher Baba and His proposed visit to the West.

She first met Baba in London at the White Horse Theatre, in September 
1931. With her was her sister Minta, and together with Kim Tolhurst, 
Margaret Craske, Kitty Davy and Mabel Ryan this group of women became 
known collectively as 'Kim and Co,' later abbreviated by Baba to 
'Kimco'.

In December 1931 Baba summoned Delia to Paris for a few days, then in 
April 1932 He revisited London. Later that year, Delia was part of a 
group accompanying Baba to Italy, including Portofino and Venice. In 
March 1933 she sailed with Minta, Margaret, Kitty, Mabel and others to 
India, hoping to live alongside Baba forever. They visited Kashmir, 
Agra, Kandivili, Srinagar, Bombay, then were sent back to England and 
Delia lived and worked some time in Spain. In December 1936 she was 
part of another group called by Baba to share in His ashram life at 
Nasik. This time they expected to stay five years, but had to return 
after only six months. August 1937 took Delia to Marseilles and Cannes 
to meet Baba there; this time when Baba left for India, He was not to 
see Delia again until 1948.

During their various periods of separation, Baba and Delia exchanged 
letters, Baba dictating correspondence through his secretary Chanji, 
then signing them. All Baba's personal letters to Delia are addressed 
to 'Leyla', the Persian name Baba gave to her: Leyla, who was the 
beloved of Majnun. 

Some of these letters were published in whole or in part in Delia's 
autobiography, 'The Ocean of Love: My Life with Meher Baba' (Meher 
Baba Books, 1991). Others are appearing here for the first time.

============================================

Meherabad
Ahmednagar, 22nd May [year unknown]

My darling Leyla,

I had all your letters full of your deep feelings and love for your 
Beloved Baba.

I know how you feel and suffer physical separation, though trying so 
boldly and quietly to keep cheerful for my sake. Bravo darling. You 
truly are worthy of the name of the "ever-faithful" Leyla, and I am 
glad you have that name which you so richly deserve.

But perhaps there will be another happy meeting and soon too. I so long 
to see you all, my beloveds. But has this separation not brought you 
closer to me in Love, and made you stronger in faith and devotion! 

I loved to read your remarks re: your millionaire friend. But isn't 
Love richer than millionaires and their millions! Then why worry! To 
me your love, faith and devotion are much much more valuable than 
millions of such millionaires! 

All my love,
MSIrani [signed]

===================================

Jai Beloved Baba!
Archives Team
Avatar Meher Baba P.P.C. Trust

Other Heart Talk letters can be selected at:
http://www.ambppct.org/archives/collections/written_materials/correspondence/heart_talk.htm

To learn more about the Avatar Meher Baba Trust
Archives go to: http://www.ambppct.org/archives

Heart Talk, Letter 241, 19 June 2008
Copyright 2008 Avatar Meher Baba Perpetual Public Charitable Trust