Meher Baba
From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Meher Baba born Merwan Sheriar Irani (February 25 1894 - January 31 1969) was a spiritual master born in India, but his family was Persian (now Iran), and he identified himself as "Persian." His father Sheriar Irani lived the life of a mystic and Meher Baba said his father was "matchless."
Many who follow Meher Baba think he is the Avatar of this age. "Avatar" is a sanskrit word that means 'descent of God.' In 1954, when he was 60 years old, Baba publicly declared himself to be the Avatar (Christ, Rasool, Buddha) of this age (Kali-yuga). He said that the Avatar is born on Earth every 700-1400 years, and is actually brought to this gross (material) world by the five living perfect masters (known in the east as sadgurus or qutubs) of the time. Based on Meher Baba's messages and explanations, his followers think that in the past Meher Baba was here as Prophet Zoroaster of Ancient Persia, Lord Rama, Lord Krishna, Lord Buddha, Lord Jesus Christ, and Prophet Muhammad, and other people who were "incarnations of the Avatar." He said there is only one Avatar who returns to visit humanity age after age, each time in a new human form, born naturally to a woman, as all men are born.
He is most famous for the quote "Don't Worry, Be Happy" and for inspiring the song "Baba O'Reilly" written by Pete Townshend who is a follower of his. Another famous quote from Baba among his followers is, "Real happiness lies in making others happy."
He showed his followers that the best path is to love God at all times by loving your fellow man. Because of this, he has followers who are Zoroastrians, Christians, Jews, Hindus, Muslims, Sufis, Buddhists, and Sikhs. He also has atheist and agnostic followers, who do not necessarily believe in God, but who are attracted purely to his simple philosophy of leading an honest and loving life.
For most of his life Baba did not speak, having started his silence in 1925 and maintaining it until 1969 (44 years later) when he died. He communicated with an alphabet board at first, and then used his own form of sign language.
He is considered by many around the world to be the Avatar, by others a sadguru, and still others to be a very good man who helped people and lived as he taught.
