Meher Baba: Origin, Life, and Teachings
Origin and Early Life
Meher Baba was born as Merwan Sheriar Irani on 25 February 1894 in Poona (now Pune), India, into a Zoroastrian (Parsi) family. His father, Sheriar Mundegar Irani, was a spiritual seeker who had wandered as a dervish before settling in India. From an early age, Meher Baba displayed a sharp intellect and artistic sensitivity, yet outwardly lived a very normal life—studying at Deccan College, enjoying poetry, music, and sports.
The decisive spiritual turning point came in 1913, when Merwan met Hazrat Babajan, a revered Muslim saint. With a kiss on the forehead, Babajan awakened his inner spiritual consciousness. This experience plunged him into years of intense inner states, followed by guidance from other masters like Upasni Maharaj, who helped him balance divine realization with normal awareness. By his early twenties, Merwan had attained what he described as God-realization, later becoming known as Meher Baba.
Life and Spiritual Mission
In the early 1920s, Meher Baba began gathering a close circle of disciples, later called the mandali. During this period, he adopted the name Meher Baba, meaning “Compassionate Father.”
One of the most defining acts of his life occurred on 10 July 1925, when he began observing silence, a vow he maintained for the remaining 44 years of his life. Communication thereafter was done through gestures, an alphabet board, and later hand signals interpreted by close disciples. According to Meher Baba, this silence was not withdrawal but an active universal work for spiritual transformation.
His life was marked by:
* Extensive travels across India, Europe, and the United States
* Work with the poor, mentally ill, and outcasts, whom he called God-intoxicated souls
* Long periods of seclusion and fasting
* Establishment of spiritual centers such as Meherabad near Ahmednagar
Meher Baba passed away on 31 January 1969, and his tomb at Meherabad has since become a major place of pilgrimage.
Core Teachings and Philosophy
Meher Baba’s teachings were universal, practical, and deeply mystical, yet expressed in simple language.
1. God Is Love
At the heart of Meher Baba’s message was a single truth:
“God is love, and love must be lived.”
He emphasized that intellectual knowledge or rituals are secondary to selfless love and sincere inner transformation.
2. The Illusion of the Ego
According to Meher Baba, human suffering arises from identification with the ego, which creates the illusion of separateness. Spiritual growth involves gradually dissolving this ego through love, service, and surrender.
3. Karma and Reincarnation
He explained life as a journey of the soul through evolution, reincarnation, and spiritual realization. Experiences—pleasant or painful—are results of past impressions (sanskaras) that must be exhausted to realize God.
4. The Avatar Concept
Meher Baba declared himself to be the Avatar, meaning the divine incarnation who appears age after age to guide humanity (like Krishna, Buddha, Christ, and Muhammad). He stated:
“I am not this body, I am not this mind — I am the eternal One.”
This claim was never pushed for belief; instead, he encouraged people to test truth through inner experience.
5. Silence as the Highest Teaching
His lifelong silence symbolized that ultimate truth cannot be spoken, only realized. He believed his silence worked more powerfully than words, preparing humanity for a deeper spiritual awakening.
Legacy and Influence
Today, Meher Baba’s influence continues through:
* His books such as God Speaks and Discourses
* Annual gatherings like Amartithi (his death anniversary)
*Devotees across cultures who follow his path of love, honesty, and service
His enduring message remains simple yet profound:
“Don’t worry, be happy, and love God.”