Francis Brabazon (January 24, 1907 – June 24, 1984) was an Australian artist, poet, and writer who became one of Meher Baba's closest Western disciples and is regarded as the poet laureate of the Avatar. His literary works, particularly the poetic masterpiece "Stay with God," are considered among the finest spiritual poetry of the twentieth century, with Meher Baba himself declaring that His love would touch all who read it.

The Spiritual Seeker

Born in London, England, Francis grew up in Australia where he developed a profound interest in metaphysical literature and the spiritual traditions of the East. He immersed himself in the study of Sufism, Vedanta, Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, seeking the ultimate truth that transcended all religious boundaries. His father ran a bookshop in Fitzroy, Melbourne, which likely fueled his literary inclinations from an early age.

Francis's spiritual journey led him to the Persian Sufi tradition, and he became a mureed (disciple) under Baron Friedrich von Frankenberg, the leader of the Sufi movement in Australia. Through the Baron, Francis first learned about Meher Baba.

Journey to Find the Master

In 1946, Baron von Frankenberg sent Francis on a significant mission: to travel to San Francisco and accompany Murshida Rabia Martin to India to meet Meher Baba. But Rabia Martin fell seriously ill with cancer and the trip was cancelled; she died in 1947, and Francis waited in America until her successor, Ivy Duce, returned from meeting Baba in India in January 1948.

In 1948, after Ivy Duce confirmed that Meher Baba was "The Qutub of all Sufis" (the spiritual pole around which all Sufi orders revolve), Francis wrote a heart-filled letter to Baba expressing his profound recognition. The following year, in 1949, land at Beacon Hill, Sydney, was purchased for Baba with money given by Baron von Frankenberg and other Sufis, and Francis set out to build a house there for Meher Baba's use.

When Baron von Frankenberg passed away in 1950, Ivy Duce appointed Francis as the head of the Australian Sufis, a position of significant responsibility in the spiritual community.

First Meeting with Meher Baba

The culminating moment of Francis's decade-long spiritual search came on May 9, 1952, when he first met Meher Baba at the Meher Spiritual Center in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Francis later described this encounter:

"This meeting was the culmination of ten years of spiritual study and search for that ideal Guide in whom I could unreservedly place my confidence ... During the previous ten years, I had studied the methods and practices of the great Sufi schools and had read fairly widely in Vedanta, Buddhism and other systems, including Taoism and Confucianism. In Meher Baba I found that person who not merely knew these things, but was the living embodiment of all these systems and knowledges. I was satisfied that if ever it were possible to see God on this Earth, I had seen Him."

The instant Francis saw Baba, his heart accepted Him as the Ancient One. He declared his wish to stay permanently with Baba. Yet Baba, in His inscrutable ways, kept Francis at Myrtle Beach for only three days before sending him back to Australia. For seven days after departing, Francis continually wept, caught in the net of the Divine Fisherman.

On May 11, Francis met Baba again along with Ivy Duce and Charmian Duce, where they discussed the future of Sufism Reoriented. Francis's surrenderance at Meher Baba's feet was absolute, but the Divine Fisherman would "toy with this prized catch" for seven long years before allowing Francis to stay permanently.

The Years of Preparation

In February 1954, Francis took part in Baba's historic Andhra tour, an experience that inspired him to write "Journey With God." From November 1955 he stayed at Meherabad for the Sahavas, after which Baba sent him back to Australia to write its account, which became "Stay with God." In August 1956 in Sydney, pleased with Francis's play The Quest, Baba gave him what He called a "reward": a 28-day fast for the whole of February 1957, during which Francis could consume only milk, tea, or coffee, and was not permitted to read. This austere practice deepened Francis's spiritual connection.

Avatar's Abode

In 1958, Francis discovered and purchased an 82-acre former pineapple farm on Kiel Mountain in Queensland, approximately 75 miles north of Brisbane. The property featured a 450-foot hill with spectacular 360-degree views extending to the Pacific Ocean. Francis used money from Baron von Frankenberg's estate to acquire this land.

When Meher Baba visited the property in June 1958, He named it "Avatar's Abode" and made a remarkable prophecy: "In 700 years, Avatar's Abode will become a place of world pilgrimage." This declaration transformed the Australian property into one of the most sacred sites in the Meher Baba movement.

In 1967, following Baba's instructions, Francis transferred ownership of Avatar's Abode to Bill Le Page, ensuring its preservation for future generations.

Life at Meherazad

On January 27, 1959, Francis's long-awaited dream was finally realized when he arrived at Meherazad to live permanently with Meher Baba. Upon arrival, he laid the manuscript of his poetic masterpiece "Stay with God" at Baba's feet—an offering of his life's artistic work to the Beloved.

Francis lived with Baba's mandali at Meherazad for ten years, until Baba dropped His body in 1969. During this period, he maintained a unique daily routine: after the other men retired, Francis would prepare tea at 9:00 PM and write until 1:00 or 2:00 AM. He would then prepare more tea and sleep. Each morning, Baba would hand him "half-a-moon" (a stimulant) to prevent drowsiness. Later, at Guruprasad in 1967, Francis would read one of his ghazals to Baba every morning, and Baba would ask him to repeat it three times.

In August 1959, Francis received permission from Baba to restore the historic Blue Bus and New Life Caravan—vehicles from Baba's significant spiritual journeys.

Literary Legacy

Francis Brabazon's literary output stands as one of the most significant artistic contributions to the Meher Baba legacy:

Stay with God - His poetical magnum opus describing the 1955 Indian Sahavas. About this work, Meher Baba declared: "My love will touch the heart of all who read it, as no book has ever done. It will appeal to the highest intellects and to those with simple hearts."

The Silent Word - A biography of Meher Baba that is considered a masterwork by Baba lovers worldwide.

The East-West Gathering - An account of the historic 1962 gathering, which Baba praised as excellent.

Journey With God - A chronicle of his experience during the Andhra tour.

Let Us, The People, Sing - A collection of 25 songs composed for Baba.

Three Talks on Meher Baba - A collection of talks about the Avatar.

The Quest - A play about the search to find the Beloved, performed for Baba with Francis himself in the role of the seeker.

Meher Baba made an extraordinary statement about Francis's poetry: "Just as now, in My present advent, I use the ghazals of Hafiz to cite examples of love's ways, similarly when I come back after 700 years, I will quote from your ghazals." This places Francis's poetry on par with the great Sufi poet Hafiz.

Baba's Words to Francis

Meher Baba's communications to Francis reveal the depth of their connection:

"I've known you for ages, but you don't remember it, do you? You will come to know it is true."

"Baba-time is something different. Remember that!"

"Don't get discouraged; you are really doing well, and I am quite satisfied with you."

And to Bill Le Page in 1967: "Yes, you love Francis very much, and he loves you very much — but I love you both very much more than you do each other."

The Arti

Francis wrote the words and music of an arti (devotional hymn) for Meher Baba, known as the Australian Arti:

"O glorious, eternal Ancient One, / your face is a bright, transcendental sun— / lighten this dark world and the tears I weep; / my heart, Meher, I give to you to keep."

Final Years and Passing

After Meher Baba dropped His body in January 1969, Francis continued to serve His legacy. He returned to Avatar's Abode where he spent his remaining years writing, painting, and sharing stories of his time with the Beloved.

Francis Brabazon passed away at 8:00 AM on June 24, 1984, in Woombye, Queensland, Australia. He was buried at Avatar's Abode on June 29, 1984, at 2:30 PM—the very land he had prepared for the Avatar. His grave remains a place of pilgrimage, resting on the property that Baba blessed and named.

Francis Brabazon's life exemplifies the transformation that occurs when an artist's gifts are placed entirely in service of the Divine. His poetry continues to touch hearts and illuminate the path of love, just as Meher Baba promised it would.