Working for Meher Baba

Bill LePage talks about working for Meher Baba drawing on his many years of devotion and service to the Avatar of the Age. Bill reads from his notes in answer to the question of: How to work for Baba?" As Bill explains: Baba has given us the work, has explained about and shown us how to carry out His work and has explained the importance of the work. Avatar's Abode, September 2020

Chivalry and the Spiritual Life

In this first of six talks in the Summer 2015 series, Bill LePage speaks at the Meher Center's Dilruba Reading Room on May 27, 2015. Bill begins with a spiritual definition of chivalry: Generosity, consideration and thoughtfulness toward others based on love for God; for that One in the many and steadfastness of such love in the face of suffering and in the pursuit of that ideal. Bill relates two stories in the life of Meher Baba that illustrate examples of heroic chivalry. One story features the free medical care Baba established at Rahuri in 1936. The other story is also from the 1930s and involves Gaimai's sister, Manu Kerawala, whose child was very ill. Bill segues to circumstances surrounding Meher Baba's visit to Avatar's Abode in Australia on June 3, 1958. He continues with stories of his interaction with Baba and the simple, yet profound life lessons in obedience and love that Baba gave him through the years.

Impressions of Meher Baba

In this second talk in the series of six in the Summer 2015 series, Bill LePage speaks at the Meher Center’s Original Kitchen on July 13, 2015.

The topics, incidents and history Bill touches on include:
•Baba conveyed so much just by his very presence.
•I’m as present now for a hundred years and a little more as I was when I was in the body.”
•No compromise in spiritual life… either the world or Baba; you can’t have it both ways.”
•The story of an English woman who bowed to an “empty chair”.
•Baba appointed Bill responsible for the Australians coming to the East-West gathering.
•Ritual and ceremony vs. recognizing His presence.
•Living in Baba House, Sydney––Bill and Francis Brabazon building that house.
•It is helpful for harmonious work to remember that Baba is in each one.

Coming to Baba & Three Incredible Weeks

In this third of six talks in the Summer 2015 series, Bill LePage speaks at the Meher Center's Original Kitchen on July 22, 2015. Bill tells the story of how he came to Baba. He speaks of his life in Australia, his upbringing in a Protestant family, his professional life as a psychologist, reading the teachings of Ramakrishna, later joining the Sufi Society where he met Francis Brabazon and then coming to India for the Three Incredible Weeks experience in 1954, which is the real topic of this talk.

During the Three Incredible Weeks, Bill tells particularly of his experience in the crypt at Baba’s order and what he felt and the meaning of that experience as it has been revealed to him through the years.

Meher Baba Visits Australia-1956 & 1958

In this fourth of six talks in the Summer 2015 series, Bill LePage speaks at the Meher Center's Original Kitchen on August 26, 2015. Bill relates that during the Three Incredible Weeks, he asked Baba to come to Australia; it was the last question Bill ever asked Baba. Bill tells of Baba’s 1956 visit and makes these points: • Baba arrived August 9, 1956; Bill hired movie cameraman to film Baba’s arrival at Sydney airport. • Baba walked in the most beautiful way, striding across the tarmac. • Driving Baba to Bill kept looking at Baba who told him to, “Keep your eyes on the road”. • Baba planted the seed of Divine Love in Australia. • Baba told Bill to obey Francis, so it was a very challenging 2 years. • Lesson: Motives of actions done out of love are important, as is harmony in group work. Bill segues to Baba’s 1958 visit: • After the 2nd car accident, Baba’s 2nd trip was more serious. • You can’t have it both ways; it’s either God or the world. • Baba’s fragrance lingered; his presence lingered. • Baba told Bill to live in Meher House and he is still there.

1962 East-West Gathering

In this fifth of six talks in the Summer 2015 series, Bill LePage speaks at the Meher Center's Original Kitchen on September 16, 2015. The topic of this talk is the 1962 East-West Gathering in Pune, India with Meher Baba. Bill reads from his book, “The Turning of the Key”. • Baba gave Bill the task of shepherding the Australian lovers. • In working for Baba, the impossible becomes possible. • The big drama of the bookings and travels of all 23 from Australia to Pune. • Awaiting His Will: “The Slow Slaughter”--story of a Lover from Lahore, Pakistan. • Baba gives manuscript of The Everything & The Nothing to Bill to publish. • Bill fell in love with the obedience and grace of Baba's Eastern Lovers. • Lesson in obedience: Baba’s look of intense disapproval. • It is impossible to obey Baba. • The story of Bill leaving his family at the Pune hotel so Bill can be on time for Baba. • Baba’s pain during Bill’s Meherazad stay of 14 days in 1967.

Bill’s impressions of Meher Baba over the years: 1956: Loving compassion 1958: Stern yet loving master 1962: Loving father 1967: Baba in terrible pain

Stay at Meherazad-1967

In this last in the series of six talks in the Summer 2015 series, Bill LePage speaks at the Meher Center's Original Kitchen on October 7, 2015. The topic of this talk is Bill’s 1965 14 day stay at Meherazad. The following are some highlights of Bill’s stay: • Baba gives Bill responsibility to shepherd Australians for proposed 1965 Gathering. • Baba gives Bill 14 days at Meherazad; not a darshan, but a sahavas. • Bill taken with Meherazad’s incredible stillness; absolutely peaceful; calmness. • He felt alive in every part of his being; absolutely restful; contented and self-sufficient, focused on him. • Bill aware of Baba’s age and suffering: deterioration of the physical cloak. • Baba tells Bill the Flame of love for him everywhere in world, except Australia. • Bill grows despondent at lack of results of his efforts. • Baba gestures “turning the key” and suddenly 7k miles away young one begin coming. • Bill commits to getting even more dedicated to spreading Baba’s name. • Discussions in mandali hall re: development of Avatar’s Abode between Baba, Bill, Francis, Eruch. • Bill taken with Baba’s loving attention to & consideration with the human side of life. • Baba discusses Robert & Lorna; John & Joan Bruford • Baba transfers development of AA from Robert to Bill. • Inquiring about Bill’s health, Baba tells him to eat meat, more protein, fish, eggs, cheese, take vitamins. • Bill feels Baba accepted him as a worker. • The Mandali’s beautiful naturalness.

Eruch urges Bill to become naked in the work; keep your focus on him; disregard insults, humiliation Baba remarked in 1967: "My work is Bill’s rest". Bill: "I like being given work".