MEHERABAD DIARY Judy Stephens

#153 1-15 Aug 2012 Jai Meher Baba to you all! Wednesday 1 August 2012. I went up the hill early to take darshan in the Samadhi when the doors opened. I then went for a power-walk before returning to my room. After breakfast Karina and I drove to the Trust where I parked my car. We took a rickshaw into the bazaar and did some purchases for her house. After dropping the things at Karina's house I went home. Thursday 2 August. I went up the hill early to clean Mehera's shrine and then I took darshan in the Samadhi when the doors were opened. After taking a 'power walk' I went home to get ready for Meherazad. I drove to the MPC (Meher Pilgrim Center) and left my car. I had decided to ride our bus to Meherazad on Tuesdays and Thursdays when possible. As soon as we got to Meherazad I went to the main house and asked where they wanted me. I was needed in Mehera's room. Most of the Meherazad residents were busy dealing with the new road situation. So, Cindy and I mostly covered the main house — which is where Baba's Room and Mehera's room is located. When it was time to leave, Laurel, a resident who helps take care of Manu, was going home to Meherabad for a few days. She had her bags with her. When we got to the MPC I offered to give her a ride to her room, which she happily accepted. John Page arrived today. I am hoping he and Karina will stay at the house, thought their bathroom isn't finished yet. They would have to use a shower in the guest room. Friday 3 August. I went up the hill early to take darshan when the Samadhi doors opened. Near my room there is a path through lots of trees. This morning there was a big grandpa frog sitting in the middle of the path. I said "Jai Baba!" to it and walked around, as it didn't seem to want to move. After a 'power walk' I went home and later drove to the Page house. John & Karina were there. He was busy setting up the DSL with Sunil, the telephone man. In the evening, Kishore had a birthday for his daughter's one-year birthday. It seems it is the Indian custom, at least around here, when your child turns one-year old you celebrate. So he had a big party at his home. There were several Westerners. After singing Happy Birthday to his daughter, Kishore had us Westerners taken by car to a nice restaurant down the road so we could have meat and beer. It was so sweet of him to do that. At his home he had around 100 guest and they had the standard Indian thali plate food that is vegetarian. Saturday 4 August. I went up the hill early to clean Mani's shrine. On the way up, again the grandpa frog was sitting in the middle of the path. I again said "Jai Baba!" to it as it ignored me. When the Samadhi doors were opened I took darshan. After cleaning Baba's Room I went down the hill and gave a quick clean of the Jhopdi and Table House. I then got ready and went to the MPC to take anyone waiting on the Tour of Historic Meherabad. One man wanted to go on it. We finished the Tour at the Memorial Tower. I was surprised to see how much work has been going on at the Tower. I am going to have to take my camera over there to continue the updates. Sunday 5 August. I went up the hill early to take darshan when the Samadhi doors opened. I then went home to get ready for Meherazad. I drove my car and got there by 10:30 am. I went to the main house to see where I was needed. There were three of us helping and I was needed in Mehera's room. When the program started in Mandali Hall most of the pilgrims went to listen to the singing and then see a Baba movie. I stayed on the verandah of the main house in case anyone wished to go to Baba's Room. After the buses left I drove to Yash & Jali for lunch. There food is quite tasty. Two other residents came in for lunch and we chatted for a while. I was tired and needed a nap. I drove to the Trust and parked my car. I put something on a chair in Bhauji's Chat room, to save a seat, and then went into the Baba Center to take rest. I then got my sari on, with help from Asha, and went to the room for Bhauji's Chat. Other 'Chatters' as those attending are called, were already there. We visited until Bhau was helped inside to his chair. He first remains standing as Baba's photo is garlanded. We all stand and say 'Avatar Meher Baba Ki Jai' before sitting. ---photo of Bhau The Chat went on until 8:30 pm, with a thirty-minute break around 6:30 pm. We have so much fun saying hi to all who are on Skype, or singing, or dancing. I so much enjoy attending the Chat! Rama often comes during the second half of the Chat and sings. Here is a photo of her. ---Rama coming to Chat to sing. I had taken a photo of Amman and his fiancée' visiting Bhauji during a Chat, this was in June when they were here, and I had forgotten to include it. She is very lovely and they seem very happy. --Amman and his fiancée Monday 6 August. I went up the hill early to take darshan when the Samadhi doors opened. Then I quickly went back to my room to get ready to drive to the MPR. I was meeting Karina there. We are going to Pune and I wanted to save time by not having her come to pick me up. We left directly after breakfast. Another pilgrim named Nancy was going to visit a friend in Pune, and we were giving her a ride. When we got back to the MPR we dropped Nancy off, Karina and I each got in our separate cars to go to her house and drop off all the things she bought. Just as we got on the paved road from the MPR, I saw three deer bounding toward the road. As soon as they saw us they froze until we passed. It is such a beautiful sight to see them; they are small and delicate. Tuesday 7 August. I went up the hill early to clean Mani's shrine. After taking darshan in the Samadhi when the doors opened I cleaned Baba's Room. I then went back to my room and got ready for Meherazad. I drove my car to the MPC and parked. Karina & John came to pick me up. They had work to do at Meherazad and had to be there by 10:00 am. Since they were staying there for lunch, I planned to take the bus back to Meherabad. This was the first time I had opened up Baba's room. I felt very happy to be allowed to do it. I went in the door from inside the main house and removed all the dark curtains that cover the windows when no one is in there. I opened the door to the outside so pilgrims could enter and take darshan. Cindy had been staying at Meherazad for the past month. She lives in Meherabad. She showed me where to turn on the lights for the different rooms. She and I stayed at the main house while the Meherazad residents had a meeting. After the meeting Kacy came onto the verandah and greeted pilgrims with us. Manu, Eruch's sister, had been very ill but it seems she is slightly better. Mehera Arjani has an internet blog where she keeps us posted on Manu. After Meherazad was over I took the bus back to Meherabad to rest before my Samadhi duty from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Wednesday 8 August. I went up the hill early to take darshan at the Samadhi before taking a 'power walk'. When I got back to my room I did a DVD workout for the first time in a couple of weeks. For me it is important to exercise with weights as it helps keep me healthy. I had been sick from a stomach virus for over a week, and then I was so busy I simply didn't do the exercise. It is so easy to let other things interfere with a workout routine. After a bath I drove to the Page house. I got stuck at the railroad crossing, meaning I had to wait for the train about ten minutes. There were two motorcycles in front of me. Both had large bundles of alfalfa tied to the back. A chicken was behind one jumping up and stretching its neck to peck at the green leafs. It was very amusing to watch. When a dog came by the chicken sauntered away. When the dog pasted, the chicken came back and this time it jumped on top of the bundle of green alfalfa. I was wondering what the reaction would be if the motorcycle man saw the chicken. Sure enough, his friend must have told him because he turns around and saw the chicken. Then in so typical an Indian responds, he just turns back to his friend and continued to talk. To him it was the most natural thing in the world, just part of life. We in the West, however, would have shooed the chicken away. John & Karina were there. John said Saturday Joshi's son and the plumbers would come and find out why there isn't much water pressure in the house. John said the pipes probably would need to be cleaned out where they join. After so long still we have trouble getting the plumbers to finish the work. It saddens me that John & Karina may once again not be able to stay at their house because the plumbing isn't finished. Or more correctly, the plumbing isn't working, as it should. Thursday 9 August. I went up the hill early to clean Mehera's shrine and then take darshan when the Samadhi doors opened. I went home and got ready for Meherazad. I drove my car to the MPC and parked so I could take the bus to Meherazad. I helped in Mehera's Room. When there were no pilgrims around I sat on the verandah. Some of Manu's helpers came by. It seems Manu is not doing very well. Before going home I went to see her. She was sleeping so I just kissed her on the head and left. After lunch I went to Page house to help John & Karina. They are setting up things. Karina had purchased some throw rugs and bamboo furniture. She put most of the bamboo furniture up in the Sun Room. The house was getting more of a feeling of a home. However, there was still carpentry work and mason work while there were there. John was overseeing the plumbing situation. I sure am glad they are here. Sometimes I get so exhausted trying to get work done, or get it done properly. It is very stressful. I try to stay detached, but that only last so long until I get down right frustrated! So, with them here I feel like some of the load is off my shoulders. Friday 10 August. I went up the hill extra early because I was cleaning for two residents who had gone to a Baba Sahavas program that is almost two days drive away. I first cleaned Mehera's shrine and then Mani's before the Samadhi doors opened. When I was getting ready to clean Baba's Room, Archana, another resident, came by to say she was asked to clean Mehera's shrine and I was only to clean Mani and Baba. I was happy to hear this because the other women won't be back until Tuesday. I guess I misunderstood. I drove to the Trust and parked my car. I took a rickshaw to the bazaar to look for a pair of shoes. Instead I saw a sari sale in one of the big stores. I found a beautiful green sari at 40% off! I also found a purple sari that I bought. I tell you, after so many years not really liking to wear them I sure have changed! It is fun to wear them — but for Bhauji's Sunday Chat. I had Samadhi duty from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. I had switched this week with Kiram, a woman resident, with her doing my Monday and I would do her Friday. Saturday 11 August. I went up the hill early to clean Mani's shrine before taking darshan in the Samadhi when the doors opened. I then went to clean Baba's Room. When I finished, I went down the hill to clean the Jhopdi and Table House. After all that was done I went to my room to get ready to give the Tour of Historical Meherabad. I drove to the MPC and parked my car. There were a couple of pilgrims waiting for the Tour. We had an enjoyable time going to the different places in Lower Meherabad where Baba did some of His work. We ended the Tour at the Memorial Tower. I am always amazed at how carefully they are doing each step of the Tower. I had tea when I woke from my nap. I then drove to the Page house with my computer. John and Karina were there. I wanted John to check some things on my computer and so I left it with him. I would be gone all day Sunday and didn't need it. I would get the computer back Monday morning. Sunday 12 August. I went up the hill early to take darshan when the Samadhi doors opened. On the way up the hill I passed 'grandpa frog' again. This is the fourth time I have seen him on the pathway. I don't know what it is that makes it a precious experience, but it touches my heart to see 'grandpa frog'. After taking darshan, I did a power walk before going home to get ready for Meherazad. I drove my car; I would not be coming back to Meherabad until after the Chat. When I got there I went to the main house and asked where I would be needed. There were not as many pilgrims as I would have thought since it was Dhuni Day. I helped in Mehera's room. When no one was around I would sit on the front verandah and visit. It seems the road situation has settled down somewhat. Nothing more has been done by the villagers. It is almost like a waiting game, wondering what next and when. When everyone boarded the buses and left, I too left. I stopped at Yash & Joli for lunch and then drove to the Trust to rest before the Chat. I had decided to attend Bhauji's Chat and not go to the Dhuni. Since they both fell on Sunday this month, I choose Bhauji because the Dhuni will always be here; Bhauji will not. Monday 13 July. I went up the hill early to clean Mani's shrine before the Samadhi doors opened. Archana was going to clean Baba's Room, so I took darshan and went for a power walk. Later I went to the Page house to help with some things. In the evening, I had Samadhi duty for 5:00 to 7:00 pm. There were so many pilgrims still here. I was kept busy. It was very windy. Lots of clouds that just pass overhead. Tuesday 14 July. I went up the hill early to clean Mani's shrine before taking darshan when the Samadhi doors opened. Sometimes I get up the hill before the Caretaker is up. Then I get to open the Samadhi windows from the outside. There are two that open, one on the East side and one on the West side. It is like a special treat when I get there first and open the windows. It is the first thing I look to when I reach the top of the hill. I have been doing this for years — and always I feel a happiness seeing the windows are still closed; knowing if I hurry it will be me who will get there first and opens the windows! After taking darshan I cleaned Baba's Room. I took a short walk before going back to my room and getting ready for Meherazad. I left my car at the MPC and took our bus. It is noisy on the bus. I have been driving to Meherazad for years and had forgotten how noisy it gets with so many people on a bus. But, I had decided to take the bus on Tuesday and Thursday and only drive on Sunday. I think I may rethink that idea. I had my IPod so I listened to music all the way. There were two buses. The big blue bus and the smaller bus. I quickly went to Mehera's room to help out. It was busy for a while. Christine Pearson is here, helping with Manu, who is getting closer and closer to going to Baba. Christine had time to sit on the verandah and visit. There are several people taking care of Manu and she had some free time. When I got back to Meherabad I took a nap and then went back up the hill for Samadhi duty from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. It has been windy and cool. So many clouds that simply pass overhead. Once in a while we get a drizzle or a very light rain. It is enough to make the trees and plants green. So, everything is very green; yet we are in a severe drought. Wednesday 15 July. I went up the hill early to take darshan at the Samadhi when the doors opened. The mornings are usually cool and a slight breeze blows most of the time. It is such lovely weather. I know we need rain, yet I am enjoying this cloudy and cool, breezy weather. This is a non-scheduled day. I decided to just take it easy — with chores in my room. I logged in a book I keep some of the videotapes I had taken of Bhauji and others. Karina said she would be able to take some back with her to Los Angeles. She will turn them over to Charlie, who handles the Archive department at the LA Baba Center. I was not able to reach Karina by phone. My cell didn't have coverage, and she wasn't answering her phone when I called by my landline. So, I drove to their house hoping they would be there. Yes, I saw the car a resident is letting them use. I gave her the tapes and we called Sunil, the phone man, to come and check why their landline was not working. We took some photos of us upstairs in the sunroom that I wanted to send my daughters. Then I said goodbye, as they are leaving tomorrow morning for the States. I will see them in October when I visit my daughter in Irvine. She lives only one hour away from John and Karina. ---photos of John, Karina, Bif, and myself. ---Kishore, John, and Bif In Beloved Baba's sweet love, Judy