Although the original idea was to create a center there for Baba, the plan never materialized.1
Returning to Boston in the afternoon, Baba boarded the SS George Washington at 5:00 P.M., taking an overnight boat ride back to New York. They arrived the next morning at 10:00 A.M. and stayed at the Astor Hotel on Broadway where Norina had booked rooms. It was an expensive hotel, frequented by a wealthy and influential clientele — yet which other guest could be more distinguished? Nevertheless, to arrange his stay, Norina had to use her influence with the proprietors, who were reluctant to accommodate a "silent Indian Master."
The rector (chief pastor) of St. Bartholomew's Church, Rev. Dr. Robert Norwood, came to see Baba at the Astor on 24 November. Norwood, 57, was a well-known Canadian poet who held a doctorate in theology. A devout soul in search of Truth, Norwood had written extensively, and was a dynamic preacher "who brought large crowds to the church week after week."2
Although Norwood held a prominent position at St. Bartholomew's, he was disillusioned with organized religion and had little faith in any sect, dogma or doctrine. Baba gave Norwood a long interview and the following is their conversation:
"Love is the only real religion," Baba informed him. "People are now fed up with dogma, doctrines and principles. They want something real, which explanations can never give. They must feel Truth, see Truth and experience Truth. Only then can one feel oneself in harmony with everything and everyone. Only then can one, though living in the world, not be of it. I am eternally happy. I see myself in everyone and everything."
Norwood asked, "Do you preach any specific precepts or do you belong to any particular creed?"
"None absolutely," Baba answered. "Religions, castes, sects, dogmas, creeds, doctrines and rituals are all hindrances in the path of Truth. Truth is all-pervading and infinite."
"Is going to church of any help?" Norwood asked.
"Yes, to a certain extent; but not much though. The church that advocates and nourishes sectarianism renders no help. Truth belongs to all churches, temples and mosques. To attain the Truth, no obstacle should be put in anyone's way, such as present-day religions and cults do. "
Footnotes
- 1.Catharine Gardner gifted the Greenfield property to Baba in 1931 and, other than Myrtle Beach, it was the only land that Meher Baba ever owned in America. Two years later, however, the land was given back to her. Further details are to be found in Glow International, February 1996, pp. 4–11.
- 2.One of Norwood's books, titled The Man Who Dared To Be God, is described as "a very human view of Jesus Christ and his life."