HEROINES OF THE PATH

In 1948, Delia and Jean Adriel were called to India for a short visit, before the "diaspora" of the New Life began. Delia's record of this trip is most interesting. (It begins on p. 54, The Awakener, Volume XX, Number Two).

At last, in 1952, Baba returned to the West, and Delia was the only one from England summoned to be with Him in America, on His first visit to the new Spiritual Center in Myrtle Beach, dedicated to Him. It was in April, 1952 that I first met Delia, who believe it or not, was dabbing eau de cologne on her forehead! (I'd heard so much about it from Norina and Elizabeth). The trip and the American climate — our heat always surprises the English — had affected her. I told her to expect much more heat in Myrtle Beach. In fact, she sent me an S.O.S. from the Center for some cool clothes. I bought her a white seersucker suit with a collarless jacket, and she wrote me it just fitted Baba and He had appropriated it!

It was Delia who, standing on the steps of the Lagoon Cabin at 9:30 a.m., May 10th, 1952, said, "Shri Meher Baba, this is Filis Frederick," (I was "Phyllis" before Baba shortened my name on His alphabet board). What a precious link to have with someone — they were the one who introduced you to "the Highest of the High." (Today is May 10th, my 31st anniversary of that wonderful day!)

During the following week I got to know Delia a bit, and again on Baba's second Sahavas at Myrtle Beach in 1958. In 1952 Delia was one of those who were travelling in the second car behind Baba's car (Sarosh driving) when the accident occurred near Prague, Oklahoma. I recall she told me how, as she looked down on Baba lying injured and bloody by the side of the road, His eyes were blazing "like stars" with indescribable bliss, as if He had accomplished some infinite goal. One can imagine that the eyes of Jesus on the cross might have had such a look.

With an incredible smile, Baba said to me (in July '52 when He returned to N.Y.) "America was after My blood for a long time." In Glimpses of the Godman, Vol. II, Bal Natu quotes Baba as saying, years later, that He "got His physical bones broken so as to break the backbone of the Machine (Age), keeping intact its spiritual aspect." Delia very kindly donated the small pillow she put under Baba's head, which is stained with His blood, to Meher Center, where it's kept in His house.

Delia, like Anita Vieillard, had that delightful capacity to be able to amuse Baba on the spur of the moment, with some light-hearted folderol, just as Mani and Naja did in India. Dr. Kenmore and Harry Florsheim were also excellent spontaneous jokesters who could bring a smile to the Beloved's silent lips.

One of my favorite Delia stories — to which I can relate personally — is this: Baba often called the group to go to the cinema in Ahmednagar dressed in their best, very early in the morning. On one occasion Delia did go, but had a cold. Later, when all joined Baba at the home of a disciple, Baba referred to it. Delia said her roommate insisted on an open window, blowing a draft over her bed.

"Why don't you fight her?" He queried.

"Baba, I thought we had to give in to others."

"If you don't stand up for yourself, you make Me stand up for you!" He replied. In other words, for Delia, it was necessary to learn to be more assertive.

Delia also attended the '62 East-West Gathering, and, as for most of us, this was her farewell glimpse of the Master. Since then she has continued being a strong "cotter's pin" in London, holding the English group together there. In the '60's, as everywhere the world over, a nouveau vague of young people washed over the Baba scene. In London, this included some English rock stars, notably Peter Townshend. He became close to Delia and helped her group by donating his studio for meetings and later, Oceanic, a renovated boathouse on the Thames.

When Delia first sent a news clipping of the "Who" to Baba, He put His thumb very strongly on Peter's picture. As a devotee of Baba, Peter brought many young people to Baba. He put "Producer — Avatar Meher Baba" on some of his record albums. His rock opera, "Tommy" is based rather obscurely on Baba's teachings (the Pinball Wizard is Upasni Maharaj!). Pete made a fine film of Delia, and also "O Parvardigar," in which he sings the Master's Prayer. Thus Delia's quiet work for Baba netted many new hearts for Him. But I myself remember her best for that soul-quickening moment when she introduced me to my Beloved.

P.S. In the Thirties, as He predicted, Baba contacted many Westerners in His Circle, of whom Delia was one. As always, He would praise them highly one moment and the next call them "second-hand furniture." He told them that everyone in His Circle was veiled and that no one either knew where they were on the Spiritual Planes, nor where anyone else is. It was Delia who said "But Baba, then we don't have any of the fun — just the miseries of ordinary people!!" Amen!!