Conversations about Meher Baba

Late Night Chat with Jeff Wolverton: Effort and Grace, June 18, 2023, live on Baba Zoom

We have some informal chat after every arti, the "post-arti party"! But once a week, Jeff Wolverton joins us for some serious mining of the spiritual depths. Join us for conversation, more readings, songs, quotes - you never know what treasures will be uncovered! Dear folks of Baba, This Sunday we will again explore Darwin Shaw’s book, Effort and Grace, which is an in-depth inquiry into the inner life with Baba. It describes one of the major approaches to Baba by one who was devoted to Him for over 70 years, which culminated in a glorious intimacy with Him. Darwin was always so encouraging and optimistic in what we can do to open up to Baba’s immediate loving presence. He asserts that many of the blocks to this intimacy can be removed by our efforts and by inviting Baba’s ongoing intervention and grace. This Sunday we continue with the chapter on “Giving Our All” on page 49. Back in 1970 when I first moved to Schenectady, New York, near Darwin and Jeanne Shaw and began attending their meetings, I had very little concept of what it means to give things to Baba. I was basically going along meeting the various situations in my life as best as I could, trying to remember Baba and tuning into His loving presence. I had little idea of what is meant by doing inner work, especially with what was entailed in actively giving the desires, wants and emotional contents of my heart to Baba and creating, in Darwin’s words, "inner space.” As I made efforts to surrender the bindings of my heart, I began to experience some measure of inner freedom in which I became aware of Baba’s abiding presence within. Darwin introduced the method of withdrawing the “tentacles of consciousness” from being enmeshed in thoughts, desires and emotions—the river of sanskaras (our conditioning)—and climbing up on its banks and observing the raging waters. And then imagining the multitude of my thoughts, desires and emotions flowing energetically to Baba’s ocean and disappearing! How exciting it was to discover and experience this giving to Baba in my youth. Each session evokes invaluable discussion that does not require having attended the previous sessions; each section stands alone and provides a window into the inner life of the lover/Beloved relationship and is virtually independent, like facets of one diamond—Baba. For those who do not have a copy of the book, below is an attachment for following along:https://issuu.com/ompoint/docs/shaw_effort_graceTo join the email list for Late Night Chats, contact AngelaThis event was recorded live. To be first to be notified of a new video on this channel, please hit the red subscribe button, then the notifications bell. To join future live events, see www.babazoom.net. Please join our Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/meherbabafamily

Late Night Chat with Margi Connor &Peter Goodman: , June 15, 2023, live on Baba Zoom

Late night chat centered around our Beloved. A sharing of hearts led by Margi Connor and Peter Goodman.This event was recorded live. To be first to be notified of a new video on this channel, please hit the red subscribe button, then the notifications bell. To join future live events, see www.babazoom.net. Please join our Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/meherbabafamily

Late Night Chat with Jeff Wolverton: Effort and Grace, June 11, 2023, live on Baba Zoom

We have some informal chat after every arti, the "post-arti party"! But once a week, Jeff Wolverton joins us for some serious mining of the spiritual depths. Join us for conversation, more readings, songs, quotes - you never know what treasures will be uncovered! Dear folks of Baba, This Sunday we will again explore Darwin Shaw’s book, Effort and Grace, which is an in-depth inquiry into the inner life with Baba. It describes one of the major approaches to Baba by one who was devoted to Him for over 70 years, which culminated in a glorious intimacy with Him. Darwin was always so encouraging and optimistic in what we can do to open up to Baba’s immediate loving presence. He asserts that many of the blocks to this intimacy can be removed by our efforts and by inviting Baba’s ongoing intervention and grace. We continue with the section on "Cultivate Companionship" on page 45 in the chapter Changing Our Focus. As we persist in drawing closer to Baba within, the “eyes" of the heart begin to open, a refined latent faculty (awareness) we might not have realized we have. We begin to see how and where the forces and impulses within us arise and the directions they flow toward. We can choose which currents lead to Baba and which flow away from Him. We discover that Baba is not a static figure within us, but is the central dynamic flow of love ever-ready to inundate our heart if we gradually work to pull aside all veils and surrender all resistance. We are rewarded increasingly with moments where we experience a warm glow in the heart. In allowing love to flow through us from an inner level, whether or not it is expressed outwardly, there is a natural giving and emanation that takes place that is fulfilling in itself. As Darwin says, “When we love, we do not need to have our love reciprocated, because we are already experiencing fulfillment.” Truly inspiring words! Loving with no strings attached. We turn again and again to Baba with growing confidence—as well as our efforts—and rely upon His intervention. In Rumi’s words: Faith is the sail hoisted above the shipof your being. When there is a sail,the wind of the Beloved’s Love can carry youto place after place of Grace and Wonder.Without a sail, your ship will only drift with the tide of the world. Each session evokes invaluable discussion that does not require having attended the previous sessions; each section stands alone and provides a window into the inner life of the lover/Beloved relationship and is virtually independent, like facets of one diamond—Baba. For those who do not have a copy of the book, below is an attachment for following along:https://issuu.com/ompoint/docs/shaw_effort_graceTo join the email list for Late Night Chats, contact AngelaThis event was recorded live. To be first to be notified of a new video on this channel, please hit the red subscribe button, then the notifications bell. To join future live events, see www.babazoom.net. Please join our Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/meherbabafamily

Late Night Chat with Margi Connor &Peter Goodman: What is Love, June 8, 2023, live on Baba Zoom

Late night chat centered around our Beloved. A sharing of hearts led by Margi Connor and Peter Goodman.This event was recorded live. To be first to be notified of a new video on this channel, please hit the red subscribe button, then the notifications bell. To join future live events, see www.babazoom.net. Please join our Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/meherbabafamily

Late Night Chat with Jeff Wolverton: Baba in Your Lfie, June 4, 2023, live on Baba Zoom

We have some informal chat after every arti, the "post-arti party"! But once a week, Jeff Wolverton joins us for some serious mining of the spiritual depths. Join us for conversation, more readings, songs, quotes - you never know what treasures will be uncovered! Topic: How do you bring Baba into your day?Dear folks of Baba,Below are a number of questions on how Baba shows up in your day. Of course, in the interest of time, it wouldn't be possible for each of us to share an entire day, but are there one or two questions below that may be especially relevant to you in your experience of Baba that you would feel like sharing HOW DO YOU BRING BABA INTO YOUR DAY? When you wake up, do you think of Baba first thing? Or do you prefer to have a coffee and come to your senses first? What is Baba like to you? Playful, motherly, fatherly, urging you on, a confidante, etc.? Do you speak to Him, expressing your concerns, your uncensored complaints, your gratitude ? Do you go over your agenda for the day with Him? Does He have a clear and vivid personality? More human to you or more divine, impersonal, like a warm pervading presence? Is He up close or more in the background of your life? Does He communicate with you in the course of the day? Do you have certain practices in the morning? Are you drawn to saying the prayers? Or do have your own homemade prayers with Baba? Are you drawn to saying Baba’s name inwardly? Do you “dress your soul with Baba” as He suggested to a group of Western men? On the way to work, do you have certain ways you remember Him? Do you play recordings of Baba talks or songs to accompany you on the way to work? At work, do you usually have to keep Baba to yourself or are there co-workers that are accepting of your life with Baba? Or is there some negative reaction to your dedication to Baba?Do you dedicate your work day to Baba and in what ways do include Him in what you are doing? Are you able to connect to Baba in your fellow employees? Do you feel a connection in what you are doing to what Baba may be doing in the world? Do you lose yourself in your work and then remember Baba when you come out of your absorption? If you are retired, how does your day unfold with Baba? Or if you are home with the kids, how do you bring Baba into your day?At home after work, how does Baba show up in your evenings? Do you sometimes read Baba books or watch some of the videos? What kinds of recreation do you enjoy? Do you sometimes call fellow Baba lovers or spiritually-minded friends and even occasionally get together with them?Before going to bed, do you do some type of meditation or say a prayer with Baba and go over your day with Him?On your days off, do you just unwind and relax and just spontaneously think of Baba informally? Any practices that help you integrate your thoughts and feelings? How does Baba show up in your decision-making? Are you able to notice your natural impulses and allow yourself to think of Baba and have him help you in making decisions? Do you experience Baba’s companionship throughout the day and what helps you in this?What you have to share will be very interesting to all of us.In His love with help from dear friends, JeffTo join the email list for Late Night Chats, contact AngelaThis event was recorded live. To be first to be notified of a new video on this channel, please hit the red subscribe button, then the notifications bell. To join future live events, see www.babazoom.net. Please join our Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/meherbabafamily

Late Night Chat with Margi Connor &Peter Goodman: Being and Doing, June 1, 2023, live on Baba Zoom

Late night chat centered around our Beloved. A sharing of hearts led by Margi Connor and Peter Goodman.Jai Baba all!I am back from a bit of a crazy hiatus. Lovely Peter took on the role of host the past few weeks, but I am back and looking forward to reconnecting with all of you.Jeff has done a topic similar to this but in different wording. I believe he called it the balance of masculine and feminine on the path. I hope to dive into that but from a slightly different angle. masculine energy achieves, initiates, and pushes us forward along the spiritual journey. Feminine energy is what allows us to be, receive, feel, and hold space for others. So how do we know when we need to lean into one more than the other?Life with Baba can feel like a beautiful whirlwind. As the Avatar of the Age, He puts us on a speed track to Him. He is always sending circumstances the way that propel us in His direction. When this happens, it can be easy for our humanness to kick in and identify with the path as an overly masculine, goal-oriented process. I can at least say this is my experience. Have you felt the same? That sometimes it is hard to sit, be, and receive His love because we feel there is a new triumph to conquer to get us closer to Him.Masculine energy is absolutely necessary but without the equally integrated qualities of the feminine, we lose the ability to be in the present moment, where He is eternal. The ability to just be is what holds space for connection, devotion, and the ability to help or support others. How are we to know when Baba wants us to lean into the being state or when it is time to dive head first into the change He is bringing into our lives?Can we get stuck in one or the other? Do you oscillate back and forth between "being" too much in your own stagnation and "doing" too much in pursuit of some perceived spiritual goal? Is your pursuit of that goal taking you out of the moment and creating disconnection from others? Or is your connection to others and denial of your own need for expansion not allowing you to get closer to Him? How do you catch yourself in these moments?We are the whole journey; beginning, middle, and end. How do we learn to never look outside of ourselves for the answer, but create that inner longing to dive deeper into Him within ourselves? Can we do this while still maintaining connections to the people who are walking the journey simultaneously? Isn't the goal for the being and the doing to be to exist together in harmony allowing Baba to dictate which one will lead the way in the eternal?I am looking forward to what this topic brings, as it is juicy. In His Love,Margi and PeterTo join the email list for Late Night Chats, please contact AngelaThis event was recorded live. To be first to be notified of a new video on this channel, please hit the red subscribe button, then the notifications bell. To join future live events, see www.babazoom.net. Please join our Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/meherbabafamily

Late Night Chat with Jeff Wolverton: Effort and Grace, May 29, 2023, live on Baba Zoom

We have some informal chat after every arti, the "post-arti party"! But once a week, Jeff Wolverton joins us for some serious mining of the spiritual depths. Join us for conversation, more readings, songs, quotes - you never know what treasures will be uncovered! Topic: Discussing Effort and GraceDear folks of Baba, This Sunday we will again explore Darwin Shaw’s book, Effort and Grace, which is an in-depth inquiry into the inner life with Baba. It describes one of the major approaches to Baba by one who was devoted to Him for over 70 years, which culminated in a glorious intimacy with Him. Darwin was always so encouraging and optimistic in what we can do to open up to Baba’s immediate loving presence. He asserts that many of the blocks to this intimacy can be removed by our efforts and by inviting Baba’s ongoing intervention and grace. This Sunday we begin the chapter on Changing Our Focus on page 45 in which Darwin turns to the inner work that Baba encourages us to do on ourselves. Baba is ever ready to personally work with us from His side throughout the day. It’s not that He only visits our heart once in a while and then only when it has been purified to a certain degree. One of the chief obstacles to this inner work is our delusion that we are not worthy or deserving of His attention. We often project on to Baba the conditions that the world (our parents, teachers, employers and friends) expects of us for its approval, and in doing so, we are not fully open to Baba’s unconditional love for us. The work we do within in time awakens our companionship with Him, and this companionship, Darwin would always say, is the doorway to “the unlimited freedom and beauty and sweetness of God.” Feel free to share examples of how you experience Baba’s work in you. What resistances and challenges do you find in yourself that get in the way of this inner work? Each session evokes invaluable discussion that does not require having attended the previous sessions; each section stands alone and provides a window into the inner life of the lover/Beloved relationship and is virtually independent, like facets of one diamond—Baba. For those who do not have a copy of the book, below is an attachment for following along:https://issuu.com/ompoint/docs/shaw_effort_graceTo join the email list for Late Night Chats, contact AngelaThis event was recorded live. To be first to be notified of a new video on this channel, please hit the red subscribe button, then the notifications bell. To join future live events, see www.babazoom.net. Please join our Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/meherbabafamily

Late Night Chat with Margi Connor &Peter Goodman: the1952 Accident, May 25, 2023, live on Baba Zoom

Late night chat centered around our Beloved. A sharing of hearts led by Margi Connor and Peter Goodman.Hey Baba friends & familyAs the 24th was the anniversary of Baba’s accident in Oklahoma, I thought it would be a good idea to have a chat about what the anniversary of Baba’s accident means to you? Do you have any experiences you’d like to share from the Sahavas? Have you been to the accident site and landmarks in Prague, Oklahoma and if so do you have any experiences you’d like to share? Anything else that anyone would like to share on what the significance of Baba’s accident in America means to you. In Baba’s lovePeter & Margi To join the email list for Late Night Chats, please contact AngelaThis event was recorded live. To be first to be notified of a new video on this channel, please hit the red subscribe button, then the notifications bell. To join future live events, see www.babazoom.net. Please join our Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/meherbabafamily

Late Night Chat with Jeff Wolverton: Arsenio Rodriguez, May 21, 2023, live on Baba Zoom

We have some informal chat after every arti, the "post-arti party"! But once a week, Jeff Wolverton joins us for some serious mining of the spiritual depths. Join us for conversation, more readings, songs, quotes - you never know what treasures will be uncovered! Guest Speaker: Arsenio RodriguezDear folks of Baba, Normally we would continue with the next session of Effort and Grace, but I thought as a change of pace, we would have something entirely different: a very touching coming to Baba story. Our guest is the warm and engaging Arsenio Rodriguez, a dear friend, who grew up in Puerto Rico in a large extended Catholic family. He came to Florida in the early 1970s to further his education, and even though he was raised in the Catholic Church, as a young college student he was now a self-proclaimed atheist, studying oceanography. He swam alone in those waters for some time, but then Baba unexpectedly caught him in His net for all time. Little did he know that he would spend the rest of his life studying and swimming in the Ocean of Love. To his great good fortune, he went on to work with the United Nations, which enabled him to visit Meherabad and Meherazad sometimes on a monthly basis. An extraordinary dream by his mother was instrumental in his coming to Baba and is intimately linked to Mehera, a very touching story that I’ve asked him to share. Be prepared to hear a very colorful and heart-felt account of one man’s journey to the feet of our Beloved Baba, in His love, Jeff To join the email list for Late Night Chats, contact Angela

Late Night Chat with Margi Connor &Peter Goodman: Sharing Mehera, May 18, 2023, live on Baba Zoom

Late night chat centered around our Beloved. A sharing of hearts led by Margi Connor and Peter Goodman.Greetings Baba Zoom Family & Friends,For this Thursday, May 18th, our late night chat will be on Mehera as May 20th, (just 2 days after May 18th), she had joined her Beloved Meher Baba in 1989.Please come and share any memories of Mehera for those who have met Mehera may have, if you haven't met Mehera feel free to look up your favorite Mehera story and read any stories, poems, sing any songs, tell any jokes that Mehera might have enjoyed, etc.I'm looking forward to hearing what everyone has to share in whatever form that anyone would like to regarding Mehera.Much Love in Baba & MeheraPeter & MargiTo join the email list for Late Night Chats, please contact AngelaThis event was recorded live. To be first to be notified of a new video on this channel, please hit the red subscribe button, then the notifications bell. To join future live events, see www.babazoom.net. Please join our Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/meherbabafamily