The darshan at Ashiana was a wonderful occasion, affording a chance for the Master's old and close lovers to have his intimate contact for the first time since the New Life began in 1949. Goher's sister Katie had been residing in Nariman and Arnavaz's apartment since the beginning of the New Life, and Soonamasi and Khorshed were now staying at Tafti Mansion, where Baba had stayed in 1923. Baba directed these women to continue to live as they were doing.
During this period, Baba visited Dina Talati's home in Bombay along with Baidul. She had two daughters and one son, but only one of the daughters, Jeroo, was home.
Baba told her, "I want to bring a mast here. Can you prepare a room?"
Baba stipulated that the room must have a separate entrance and its own bath. There was only one such room in the Talati's house: the room that contained the prayer nook where the entire family assembled to pray to Baba.
Jeroo cleaned the room thoroughly. Baba went through the house selecting the articles of furniture he wanted moved into the room. Jeroo moved all of them, except for the bed, which Baba said was too heavy for her. He told her to wait until other family members would be there to help her.
"Baidul will be bringing the mast in a day or two," he stated. "How will you manage with one fewer bed?"
Jeroo said, "My sister and I will share a bed."
But a few days later, Baidul came and informed Jeroo that Baba's work was done, and no mast would be coming.
According to Baba's instructions in 1944, Norina Matchabelli and Elizabeth Patterson had established a spiritual center in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The Center was to serve as a retreat and also as a source of information to spread the message of Meher Baba's love to the world. Several American lovers helped Norina and Elizabeth, chief among them being Darwin Shaw, Frank Eaton and John Bass. Darwin and his family had moved to Myrtle Beach to look after the Center for a year while Norina and Elizabeth were in India in 1948.
When Norina and Elizabeth returned to America, they began preparing for Baba's visit. A house for Baba was constructed, almost entirely by a local contractor named Truman Moore, along with a Guest House for the women, and several other cabins for his lovers.1 Roads were created, and a large barn where Baba could give darshan was moved onto the property.
Footnotes
- 1.Baba had specified the site for his house, which proved to be the highest point on the Center. The walls of his bedroom were to be fourteen inches thick to make them virtually soundproof.