Avatar Meher Baba Heartland Center

Multiple Earthquakes Hit Prague Square On

2011-12-04T16:50:00.001-05:00

Nov 5, I awoke in the early morning, that indistinct time between night and dawn. I lay listening and feeling the stillness. Prague is unusually quiet for a small town. I tossed restlessly hoping to go back to sleep when I heard a low rumble to the north. I started to think about whether it meant a storm coming, when the rumble rushed in and enveloped me before I could complete the thought. The house was shaking violently. It
was loud. I knew it was an earthquake but had no idea to expect anything of that sort in
Oklahoma.

The two overnight guests and I went downstairs as the house shook and shook and shook. Finally as it let go we sat and talked. Aftershocks came. Each one was frightening. I had no idea if we had had the ʻbig oneʼ and then would only have minor aftershocks or if we were working up to a larger one.

Richard had never been to a Baba Center before and never been in an earthquake. Having read some of God Speaks, he was feeling particularly drawn to come this particular weekend and find out more about Meher Baba. He awoke to the house shaking. Not feeling a spec of anxiety, his first thought was, “Oh Baba!” He felt enveloped in a strong presence and a feeling of elation. He told us he just wanted to
lay there and enjoy it! The concept of ʻenjoyingʼ a 4.7 earthquake escaped me. After we had tired ourselves out talking, laughing, processing; we went to bed.

The next night we had barely gotten in bed when another larger earthquake, 5.6 struck. Again we piled downstairs. This time even though things fell off shelves and it felt stronger, it was not as long in duration. A plaster cast of Babaʼs hand fell to the floor and shattered. At the other end of the house, Meheraʼs picture tumbled off the mantle, even though a faux flower in front of the picture remained in place, untouched.
Each morning we checked for damage. The greatest damage is to the side arches of the front portico area of the house. The guests left, thanking me and Baba for such a ʻmoving experience.ʼ That evening as I dared to let myself think that it was over, another 4.7 hit. It was quick, but had a decided ʻsnapʼ to it. In between the three main earthquakes were some 30 other ʻsmallerʼ quakes. And the quakes continued, for weeks, but fortunately not with such intensity. As I write this Dec 3 (a month after the first shocks), we are still having aftershocks.

The house has remained in good shape considering that it wasnʼt built for that kind of stress. The main part of the house has a strong foundation and full basement. So the parts of the house affected the most have been those add-ons: the library, front porch area, and sunroom. Most houses in the area are low, but this house has three floors. There was a lot more of it moving. Structural engineers that looked at the house later explained that the house is built as a wood frame structure. This is flexible and moves as the earth underneath moves. The problem is when that motion comes up against the immovable parts; brick, mortar, concrete. That was what I heard every time the house shook. It seemed to slam into the brick and mortar, making it seem like the house was going to fall down around my ears.

Some other neighbors, a little closer to the epicenters were not as lucky. St Gregoryʼs, a 100-year-old University and cathedral in Shawnee, suffered damage to statuesque buildings with high towers and turrets. Three of the four turrets on a classroom building either collapsed during the quake or have had to be dismantled because of damage to structural integrity.

The governor declared Lincoln County a state of emergency because some homes were not habitable and no one had quake insurance; including the Heartland Center. Six days after the first quake, a public meeting was held in Prague to help townspeople learn more about what was happening. A state geologist told about the Wilzetta Fault Line. This fault line had not previously been active in the last 300 million yrs. It also is
not the type of fault line where tectonic plates come together, but is called ʻan upliftʼ. He flashed a picture on a screen of the map of the fault line. It crosses Rt 62 west of Prague and east of Meeker. The line is approximately within one mile from the Accident Site where Meher Baba and Mehera were thrown from the car onto the dirt next to Stanley Moukkaʼs driveway in 1952. Almost all of the quakes followed that fault line both north and south of rt 62. Another interesting thing learned was that the largest quake before in Oklahoma (recorded) history was in April 1952, a 5.5 the epicenter being El Reno, next to Oklahoma City (not on the Wilzetta fault line). This was only six weeks before the accident Meher Baba called ʻhis crucifixionʼ.

There was very heated discussion at the meeting of whether these earthquakes were the result of an injection drilling technique used to find oil and gas pockets called ʻfrackingʼ. Liquid forced into the rock under pressure fractures it and allows oil and gas to come to the surface. There are companies in the area who employ that type of drilling. There was nothing conclusive either way but the geologist said he did not rule
out anything.

I feel very grateful that there were no serious injuries caused by the quakes. The turrets collapsing at St Gregoryʼs could have hurt any number of people. We have cracks in mortar and brick and plaster walls that were not there before. The portico will need substantial work at some point, but nothing collapsed or came down.

And isnʼt it interesting that now so many people in this country and in the world have heard of Prague Oklahoma. And whatʼs the significance of the fault line running across Rt 62, a mile from the ʻaccident siteʼ?

Lord Meher 4325
“For the sake of the overwhelming love of their Master, his lovers are unmindful of calamities and sufferings. Their whole stand on this earth is completely shaken to such an extent that nothing is left to cling to but the love for their Beloved Master. They seem to be like dust particles floating in the air. Ultimately, as soon as the love for the Master is established, that love places them on a rocklike foundation.”

Sometimes Heʼs so literal.
- Ginna

A photo of the damaged porch held up by Grady's good carpentry!

Humor returns: our local coffeeshop has a great take on the whole situation

Jeannie and I put flowers out on the fourth day at the accident site. A small aftershock went through as we stood there.

Home is where the Heart is!

2011-08-23T17:35:00.003-04:00

I have attached a picture of the little flower garden out the back door. Without much rain and with high heat every day I consider these flowers really special. They continue to pour out blossoms and magnificent color every day.

I thought it might be nice to share some of the goings on here. We have had a lot of guests. A steady stream. One guest spent a little extra time here and did some yard seva (volunteer) for the Center.
We have had some pot luck dinners with Baba lovers from Oklahoma City coming in to greet some of the visitors to the Center. These have all been great fun.

We will be having Discourses Meetings on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month. They will begin around 1:30PM. Arriving earlier is great and we will enjoy a potluck meal together before the reading starts.

The Center has been very busy as guests have flown in or stopped as part of pilgrimage from one coast to another. I have been blessed to watch an intriguing pattern unfold as Baba does His magic here..........

Guest #1 grew up in Ahmednagar (although came to Baba later). She was upstairs looking out the window. She came down and exclaimed. "This is the most beautiful place, it reminds me of Ahmednager. It was like this when Baba was still in the body. It looked just like this."

Guest #2 grew up in the midwest.... Illinois I think. She also comes downstairs exclaiming what a beautiful home. It also reminds her of her childhood home. The architecture, the staircase all make her feel 'at home'. She loved waking up and running down the stairs. It reminded her of running down the stairs as a child.I was so amazed. Baba had made each one feel 'at home' in His home -- for different reasons.!!

Guest #3 was a little different but the theme persisted. A Baba lover from the Asheville area. He arrived as another guest and I were just sitting down to eat .. so he joined us. In conversation he mentioned a connection with the Lakota Souix. As we kept talking he told about his connection with a Lakota spiritual teacher. I asked if he knew a friend I had met 35 yrs ago (when I had spent a year in Oklahoma going to Powwows) that was Lakota.... he said - that was his teacher!! Obviously we were all amazed but I couldn't help but see how
Baba had made another of his dear ones feel ‘at home’ here.

Each of these people were entirely surprised and had not expected to feel Baba so strongly here or feel so connected to the Heartland Center; each in his own very personal way.
Jai Jai Baba!

Ginna

We now accept PayPal!

2011-06-02T18:20:00.001-04:00

Now we are able to provide the convenience of donating through paypal.

We accept PayPal!

2011-06-02T18:17:00.001-04:00

Now we are able to provide the convenience of donating through paypal.

Jai Meher Baba!

The Rhythm of the Heart

2010-05-25T22:49:00.001-04:00

The rhythm of the heart is slower than the rhythm of the mind

This past week, I traveled to Prague for a brief visit at the Heartland Center. My work as mentor, advisor, and student of the Sancta Sophia Seminary in Tahlequah, Oklahoma takes me from California to Oklahoma several times a year. During these trips to Oklahoma, I feel Baba calling me to visit the center, to spend time at the accident site, no matter how brief the visit may be.

My impression is that all connected with Baba are weaving threads of light and love to all we meet through our day. The Heartland Center has more meaning to me more than places to which Baba has been. I resonate deeply with Baba’s message to the west, and it seems that the awakening process in the west brings with it a new way of being and unfolding that has no precedent in previous advents. The western mind and personality unwind in a different way that the eastern mind and personality. The western mind is very active, and in many ways it seems western seekers are searching for someway to calm the mind, to slow down, and to detach from the hectic way of life.

In Prague, one slows down. Nothing is done in a hurry, and life unfolds in a different rhythm. The rhythm of Prague is similar to the rhythm of the heart. During my trip this May the center was full in preparation for the May Open House, so during that visit there was no place for quietude at the Center.

My nature is to regenerate in quietude. The Catholic Church in Prague is a national place of pilgrimage and is a place of quietude. As I drove into Prague after a long week in seminary class and a two ½ hour drive, I needed some quietude. I parked in front of the church and went in. No one was there, so I had the entire sanctuary to my self.

In the small alcove to the left of the church is a statue of Mary and candles below her. I lit a candle in prayer to the Divine Mother that through forgiveness humanity will transform. Then, as I sat in the sanctuary, I felt my exhausted self slowdown and revitalize. I wandered to the alcove at the right of the church and found a rack of CDs. One CD was of talks by Mother Teresa of Calcutta. I took the CD and left a donation.

I, then, headed to the Center to have dinner with friends and visit. Later, Lynn Wilhite and I drove to the accident site. It was a sacred evening, the twilight blue sky, fireflies sparking on and off, and the ever present mystery of Baba’s work where His Body lied shedding His Blood on the earth. There was nothing to do but, quietly bow and place my head and on the earth where the Beloved lay some years ago.

The next morning, Lynn and I made another trip to the accident site and recited Baba’s prayers. A brief visit, but I felt a sense of fulfilling the purpose for my visit. I am mindful of all the connections in my life. The visit to Prague is like passing through the eye of the needle. Baba is the needle and thread, Prague the eye of the needle, and my life the golden thread that weaves his light in His unknown ways as he pierces the veils with love.

Later that morning, I talked to Miriam about spending some time in Baba’s room at the Prague Clinic. She called but an ambulance was coming, so it was not a good time to visit. As several of us sat out in the Burleson House yard drinking tea, an ambulance silently drove by. I thought to myself, this is a time when at home I’m paged to the Emergency Department when I work as a hospital chaplain..

We visited for about an hour, and then Miriam called the clinic again. Now, it was fine to visit. We walked to the clinic, and as Miriam unlocked the door, she asked if I would like to be in the room alone. I’ve been in the room many times, but I couldn’t recall being in there alone, so I said, “Yes.” As I enter I’m greeted by Baba’s photo on the wall, and then stood in silence. Baba’s presence was in the room as I had never felt before. Baba’s presence was thick and palpable; I was stunned. His Silence is Silent, and His Eternity is Eternal, and the veils seem to lift. A few moments later, whatever reason Baba had called me to the room, was complete.

I feel deeply connected to the Heartland Center and ponder Baba’s work there. To use a phrase from one of Bhau’s books, in Prague, It seems Baba “scored the door.” I sense, somehow he rent the veils, and in time the little tear will grow larger and larger and more and more of Baba’s Love and Light will radiate out from Prague. It is a place of deep anchoring of Baba’s work. Time will tell.

Later that day, I later listened to the CD with the talk of Mother Teresa. She said, “Our vocation is to love and to be loved.” I often wonder “What is my vocation? Where do I serve Baba in this world?” Mother Teresa’s words resonated deeply in my heart, as her words so purely reminded me of Baba’s words and answered my question about a personal vocation. It is so simple. We are to love and be loved, and listen to and be guided by the Baba’s rhythm in the heart.

Submitted by Marilyn Buehler

Meher Baba and the Trail of Tears

2010-02-26T12:04:00.003-05:00

There has been much interest in Meher Baba's car route from Myrtle Beach, SC in 1952. If you look on the map of His route and compare it to one of the Trail of Tears routes it matches up pretty well. We have heard that there is a book coming out about this. It is an interesting point in Meher Baba's work in America during the time He was involved in the car crash in May 1952. Last summer we had pilgrims come to the Heartland Center via the Trail and they took some very nice photographs along the way and then some of the Heartland Center. (See their photos at http://kirkpatricks.org/).

Miriam and I have been out to the West coast lately visiting family and friends (and seeing spring flowering trees!). As we return to Prague, it snowed last night, and we are wondering when spring will hit us here! Even though this has been a cold winter here, we have had a few brave Baba souls come to visit His accident site. This photo shows a frozen rose that was encased in ice and buried under snow. It was at the site during our Jan freeze and looked like it was made of wax!

We are looking forward to this year's accident anniversary in May. Let us know if you are coming and we can help with travel and lodging ideas.

All the Love,

Ron Lansing, co-caretaker AMBHC

2010-01-11T16:39:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year everyone! Anyone know where we can find Elizabeth's car that Meher Baba was riding in before the 1952 accident? It was a 1951 Nash Statesman like this one. Mark Trapanese in Wichita, as some others before him, has recently been looking for news of the car. He reports that calling junk yards around Prague has not worked and he has had the thought that with the VIN he could track it down through the Nash Club if it has been saved. Mark has had another thought; "let's get one like it!"

So keep you eyes open and let us know what you find out. You can reach me at my personal email address: artesian4@allegiance.tv.

The snow is finally melting after the big blizzard of '09 and we are basking in the sunshine of Baba's Love and... the warmth of the Oklahoma sun once again. Only slight freeze damage on a drain trap in the M house and January is looking good again.

Just got news from the road that a pilgrim couple are on there way across country to Ashville, NC (which seems to be a BL magnet these days!) We are looking forward with open arms for their arrival tomorrow as Meher Baba always sends such wonderful folks here!

Give us a shout with your new from around the world,
In Beloved Meher Baba's Heartland,

Ron
Co-caretaker

HO, HO, HO from Prague, America

2009-12-27T18:08:00.002-05:00

So what’s new at Christmas time here at the Heartland Center in Prague, America? You might have heard that we had a Christmas Eve blizzard that buried Oklahoma, closed down everything! It has been beautiful but iced over ever since. Miriam and I were snug in Meher Baba’s Center house with a whole library of Baba books and videos (thanks to many generous givers over the last almost five years). The big news at AMBHC is that the M house (Mo house, Morrison house) next door is now at least semi-habitable. It has been re-wired, had the floor re-enforced and the heat and air re-installed. This year may be the time the second house gets re-furbished for pilgrim groups to come.

Speaking of pilgrims, we had a father and son drop by (whiz by really) the day before the storm hit. They were on their way to Myrtle Beach from California and wanted to outrun the weather. They had just enough time to drop in early in the morning, walk through the Burleson House and go out to Meher Baba’s accident site with me.

We have had a great year of pilgrims coming staying from 15 minutes to a week. We love how Baba sends people here and enjoy sweet moments with those coming.

Please drop us a note at the email address below if you are reading these messages, it would be nice to hear from you.

In Him,
Ron and Miriam

ambhc@allegiance.tv

Sweet Words of Encouragement from Bhau Kalchuri

2009-12-15T19:26:00.002-05:00

Email from Bhau to Debbie and Peter Nordeen ("Daughter D." and "Air Compressor") about the Heartland Center

Debbie has just passed on this email that she and Peter received recently from Bhau Kalchuri, one of Meher Baba's last living men Mandali (close followers). It was slightly edited for personal content. Enjoy!

Beloved Avatar Meher Baba ki Jai!

My dearest Daughter D. and Air Compressor,

The magazine “Heartbeat,” that you sent is really very, very, beautiful. The pictures are so beautiful and all the contents in the magazine are very heart- touching. I find that you are doing such a work which will be well-preserved by His lovers and you will see: Heartland Center will become famous all over the world.

We are also trying to develop the site of the accident here in India. It was also horrible, but we cannot do anything because of the strict rules of the road and also it requires a lot of money. We also want to develop Mandla, but we could not do anything because money is not there. But now we have courage that Beloved Baba will see that it is all done and these places will become famous for His lovers to go there and to bow down.

They will be coming for Meherabad and Meherazad and when all these places are there also, they will come to know about these places. They will be going here and there and bowing down wholeheartedly and lovingly to serve His cause.

A great change will take place, and your work will be appreciated by all who love Baba. [...] So there is no question - everyone will take part in development. [...]

I feel as if I should bow down to the love of all those who are working in the Heartland Center, to you dear Daughter D. and Air compressor, my dear Sister Queen of Forest Garden [Jeanne Felknor], Miriam Rose and Ron Lansing, dear Saint John Poag, Jim Watson, Michael Ivey, Julia Margaret, Michael and Kathrin Burleson, Angela Lee Chen, Leah Johnston, Cliff Hackford, and all who have come to work and serve there. Their work is really most appreciated.

I bow down to all those, who go to Heartland Center, to see their love. After the opening of Myrtle Beach Center, Beloved Baba was passing through Prague, Oklahoma and the accident took place. Elizabeth was injured and also Mehera and Baba and they shed their blood there. What work Baba must have done there while shedding His blood!

I liked my Dr. Burleson and that their children would come to Baba, particularly Julia Margaret and Michael. Even in that state of His health while lying down in the bed in their hospital, Baba would play with them while in bed, and give them chocolate every day. Though they did not know who He was they would come everyday, very regular, and go to Baba direct.

Afterwards, on every Christmas Dr. Burleson would send Christmas greeting to Baba for years, and he stopped when he passed away. Christmas greeting to Baba he would send - very, very, sweet.[...]

With all love and Jai Baba to you, my dearest Daughter D. and Air Compressor and all dear ones there. [...]

From this year I stopped visiting the West and the East, and I just sit on the chair dictating, dictating so many things.

With all love and Jai Baba to you my Daughter D. and Air Compressor,

In His Love and Service,

Bhau

Back Again to Prague!

2009-11-28T12:02:00.003-05:00

Hello friends of Meher Baba's Heartland Center,
Miriam and I are back from our trip to India. Thanks so much to Elizabeth and Hettie for standing-in while we were in Meherabad!

Actually it has been about a month since we got back. We thought that we did very well in not getting sick during our month in India, but, alas, I brought home an Indian infection that showed up a few days after we touched down and lasted until just this week! (a week of fever that about put me in the hospital, followed by very low energy, an outbreak of sores and fever blisters, boy was I ugly! I know TMI!) I am back to health and work now. Digging the grass up from the garden beds etc. Going to Cedar Rapids, IA for work on Monday.

Miriam is back at work in her medical clinic in downtown Prague. Things are going slow for her as people in our small town are slowing learning that there is another doctor in town and that she does weird long term health (and alternative) medicine.

Thursday was T day and Miriam's B day both. We hung out in the Center Library smelling the turkey cook and Miriam is putting together her favorite jig saw (a round butterfly puzzle). Miriam made eight pies with her friend Jean on Wednesday; it looked like they had a really good time and the place smelled great! Pies were yummy too! Lynn Wilhite, Jean and her husband Randy all came for dinner. We had planned for pilgrims to come also so we had a huge turkey; but alas left overs.

Fall is still wonderfully in progress here, sunny days, falling leaves and cooling nights. Prague is having its "Christmas in the Park" celebration tonight with hay rides and Christmas treats and cider from the church booths. It is nice to go over to the park (part of land donated to the city by Dr. Burleson) and meet neighbors and watch the kids enjoy it all. Miriam and Lynn really liked the draft horses that pulled the hay wagon last year.

Lots of little fix-it projects always need doing around the Center houses. We are keeping a list for us and for pilgrims who come and want to do some projects while they are here. Raj and Rashmeta were here in early November and they did a huge job of leaf raking and covering the AC units for winter; Thanks, thanks, thanks!!! (Oh, and Rashmeta made everyone a huge Bombay-style Indian fest!)

Also, we have room for pilgrims to spend time here during the Christmas/New Years holidays. We will be here and probably have another big fest meal to share!

Elizabeth's final thoughts

2009-10-16T18:30:00.001-04:00

Greetings ...

I'm back at home now, reflecting on my caretaking time at the Heartland Center. As I sit to write something about the ending of my stay, I find myself a little wordless. My time there was rich, serene, healing - such a bountiful opportunity to be closer to Baba in daily life. I could spend time gardening (my gosh, those front beds look happy!) or cooking, reading or writing, visiting with the local folks or pondering Baba's plans for my life. But all of it was infused with the sense of being very intimately connected to a place where Baba was present.

Touching my forehead to the ground at the accident site was profoundly moving. I found myself drawn there almost daily - including one day when it was raining and all I could do was sit in my car and know I was "nearby" that blessed spot!). Gazing at the hospital, knowing our loved ones were right there spoke to my heart. And knowing some of the mandali were often in the very house where I was staying - it all was quite touching. Out there in the gently rolling farmlands of Oklahoma, Baba has given us a place to be close to Him in a very intimate, immediate way.

During my stay, the weather blew through in constant waves of change - sunny and bright, then days of rain, then plummeting temperatures towards the end. When I first arrived, the windows were all thrown open and it was a little too warm in the house - by the end of the stay, the furnace was on and I was scrambling for a borrowed jacket (thanks Miriam!). I enjoyed my daily walks around town - even had a few folks who I saw regularly while out on my walks and we'd exchange easy greetings. It's a lovely little town - don't miss the city park with it's pecan trees, innumerable benches and a creek running right through the middle of it. Lynn Wilhite and I viewed the quilt show during the annual Pumpkin Festival, and giggled at the pumpkins local kids had decorated (with anything and everything available - paints, sparkles, ribbons, curly strings ... anything!).

I want to add a note of thanks to the Board for the opportunity of staying at the Heartland Center. And a huge thanks to Ron and Miriam for making my stay there very smooth and secure - their direction and guidance regarding the tasks and upkeep were impeccably clear and easy to follow. Thanks for all the post-it notes! Hats off to Hettie, who'll be staying there for the next couple of weeks. I hope she also finds the quietude and intimacy I found there.

When you get the chance, make the trip to the Heartland Center and spend some days where our Beloved rested and recovered; reside for a while in the setting where the mandali cared for Him and watched over Him. It's a holy place.

- Elizabeth

Interim Caretaker Elizabeth's notes

2009-10-02T19:00:00.002-04:00

I've been here in Prague for several days now, interim caretaking while Ron and Miriam have headed off to India. It's really been a remarkable experience - I find the peacefulness here at the Heartland Center reminiscent of the quietude of Meher Center; and the holiness very reminiscent of India. The house is lovely and serene, surrounded by huge trees and little flower beds and green lawns. The town is gentle and the people here seem so warm, so embracing.

I was warmly welcomed at a church pot luck last weekend that I went to with Ron and Miriam, and this weekend I'll get a chance to attend the local high school football game. I've walked all over town, and enjoyed the vast skies over central Oklahoma. One day, I found myself thinking: "Meher Center is near the ocean, but this place has oceans of sky." I could spend endless hours watching the billowing clouds scudding along up there. I was adopted for a couple of days by a sweet stray dog that was ecstatically happy to trot along next to me while I wandered around Prague - tail wagging, glancing up at me every few feet, full of joy. (The last time I saw her, she was trotting after a young boy who gave her some great pets in the park - maybe she found her human ...)

I have relished some long moments at the accident site, too. Yesterday, I went there and spent time sitting where Beloved Baba's body lay when thrown from the car. I noticed the sun getting hot on the back of my neck, and looked around for shade. Directly across the road, I climbed up an embankment and sat in a small circle of trees - hidden from the view of passing cars, but able to gaze down on His site for as long as my heart wanted.

Oh, I hope folks feel drawn to make a pilgrimage to the Heartland Center. Baba has blessed this place such a great deal of His Grace and Presence.

Jai Baba ...

Elizabeth

Off to India! Heartland Center in Capable Hands.

2009-09-26T08:12:00.002-04:00

We (Ron and Miriam, co-caretakers) are off to India this next week for the month of October. We are leaving behind caretaker Elizabeth for the first two weeks and Hettie for the last half of the month. They will have the experience of soaking up the radiant feeling that Meher Baba left behind here in Prague in His hospital room and the stunning feeling at His accident site. There will also be some "fix-up" work going on across the yard at the M house while we are gone and the on-going care of the Heartland Center.

This year we have had so much rain and cooler weather in late August and through September that everything has grown wild! The grass on this now almost a 1/3 acre site seems to need constantly cutting. The yard shrubs are becoming tree and the Oklahoma strangle vines are trying to.... strangle them. It is the perfect time to visit however, now the rains are over, as the days are pleasantly warm and sunny with beautiful sunrises and sunsets.

So this weekend is really busy, just before we go, with pilgrims coming to stay over Saturday night, Elizabeth arriving on Sunday and our packing for the trip (oh, and I must mow the back yard one more time!)

Sweet Baba wishes to y'all!

Ron

New Life Work Week Planned for October

2009-09-04T18:14:00.000-04:00

Jai Baba, one and all,

The whole Baba world is rocked by the shocking news of dear Meherabad residents, Heather and Eric Nadel, and the attack they suffered. Baba is helping every step of the way with their care and recoveries. Baba did not spare Himself or His beloved Mehera, and other close ones in the accident of 1952, and later in Satara. He alone knows what work is done thru suffering. We know He is the preserver and protector of all....and He alone does His work. He alone understands His work. We hold to His damaan.

By now you all should have received the HeartBeat, our annual newsletter. Thanks to all who contributed to the publication. Baba's love pours thru it. You may have read about the May work week and what was accomplished. It was amazing. There's more to be done!

I'm writing to announce that the Heartland Center is planning a work week sometime around New Life week. The dates aren't firmly set yet. Could be from Oct 7- Oct 17 or so. We are interested in knowing if there are 3-5 skilled, or semi-skilled buidling trade type workers with good stamina to work some long days helping with ongoing basic infrastructure repairs and updates at the Morrison and Burleson Houses of the Heartland Center. We'd like it if you could commit for the whole week, but if not, how about at least a full 3-4 day stretch. You would need to make your own arrangement regarding transportation, etc. It's a close drive if you live in Texas or Arkansas or even Illinois! Some airfares are very reasonable this time of year. Flying into OKC, there is a Baba lover who offers a shuttle service to Prague.

Please email for more information or call Peter Nordeen directly with questions about the nature of the work, etc. His number is 828-274-0307.

Thanks so much,
In Beloved Baba's plan for us all....Debbie Nordeen, for the board

The HeartBeat newsletter is in the mail!

2009-08-27T08:49:00.004-04:00

Hurray for Angela and her helpers all!! The Avatar Meher Baba Heartland Center HeartBeat newsletter is in the mail! Printed (yes, printed on real paper) once a year, the HeartBeat is a beautiful color collection of stories and news from the past year. See what has been happening with the new Mo House, pictures from the May Accident Day Tea and everything Baba here in Prague (except for Jeanie's recipe for cherry pie!)

If you received a copy that means you are on our snail mailing list and if you didn't get one let us know and we will put one in the mail to you. The AMBHC Prague email address still is: AMBHC@allegiance.tv and our phone number is 405-567-4774; snail mail is 7804 NBU, Prague, OK 74864. If you would like extras copies for your group we can do that also.

We would love to hear from you or your comments to the blog.

In Baba's Love,

Ron

PS Photo of Baba's Photo in His hospital room.

Is this Oklahoma !??

2009-08-19T13:42:00.003-04:00

We woke up to 75 degrees and gentle rain, I thought I had been transported back to Oregon! Baba has been giving us pleasant days with thunder storms to cool things off. In the past few weeks things around the Heartland Center have been more relaxed then the busy days of June and July. Buzz and Ginger stopped by for lunch on the way across the country and we are getting ready for our get-away to Baba's home in India coming up in October. Also, caretaker things have been getting done (slowly in a Prague kind of way!) We now have most of the new awnings up on the Burleson House, the softwater heater is working again (thanks, John!) and some of the siding was replaced that blew off in the frequent high winds.

Notice that the grass is green! All the rain has keep things green into the middle of August. The grass is still needing mowing and seems to be growing all night long as well. If you have time and want to stop by and help with gardening, the peripheral bushes, trees and flower beds are growing and growing, AAAAAh! There is always small inside jobs to be tackled also. For example, the old place has wood window sills and years of rain damage have left its toll. Most things are in great shape however.

Miriam and I are happy to be here, by Baba's Grace!

In His Love and Blessings,

Ron Lansing, Co-caretaker

Kirkpatricks did the Trail

2009-08-15T15:48:00.002-04:00

Jai Baba Everyone!
Want to see some great photos of the Heartland Center, Hospital and site go to the Kirkpatrick's blog.
http://kirkpatricks.org/

Jim and Bridgitte visited on their way through at the beginning of the month. They were driving the Trail back from MB to Walnut Creek, both of them photographers and taking lots of shots.

Miriam and I really enjoyed their visit as with Peter and Mary Brooks who also came through driving over from Little Rock after a family reunion. Both couples are west coast sufis and shared their love of Baba and art with us. Mary and Peter "performed" singing and speaking along with a video of 1956 footage of Baba in the states; a very sweet devotional time. We had our little Prague Baba group over for the "show".

Hope all are having a wonderful day!

In Baba's Sweet Love,

Ron

Michael adds:
I sent a correction to Jim about one of the details in one of their photo captions – it said that it was 400 miles from Altus, AR to the accident site (Baba’s last day of driving before the accident). It’s actually almost exactly 200 miles between those points.

Jim Kirkpatrick adds:
We had a blast doing the trip and we're going to put it all in a book, eventually. I put an album of all the shots we thought usable up here:

http://www.leftcoasteventphotography.com/

In His Infinite Mirth, Jim

Summer at the Center

2009-08-12T15:32:00.001-04:00

Sunday August 9, 2009

Well, June and July have been busy pilgrim months! We have had four couples and six single pilgrims come since the May anniversary day. They have come from east and west as well as East and West! Jehangir Daver from Sydney, Australia and Bob Fredericks and his wife Toktam Mashad from India came followed by Mark Choi from LA (newly back from the Phillipines) and Don and Margaret Euker from New Jersey (Baba House in NYC).

The houses are both basking in the summer heat and the yards are growing like crazy even in July as we have had lots of rain to keep everything green. Unfortunately this means the grass is still needing to be cut ($) and vines and bushes are getting overgrown. Where the garden has been wonderful this year yielding many greens, roots and herbs it is now getting overgrown with squash vines and tomato bushes and heading toward the “dormant” hot month of August before time to plant the fall garden in late September.

Yeah, partial success!! The B house has two more of the four awnings up, thanks to Dan Sparks coming out from OKC yesterday (Saturday) to help Ron put them on the back of the house. That makes three and leaves only the hardest one, two stories up, to finish mounting. The one that went up last fall made it through the winter with only light hail dent damage, and it stayed up!

We had a great Baba meeting with the Euckers a week ago Friday, reading Mehera Meher, and then a fish barbeque with Lynn Wilhite, Dan and the Euckers yesterday. We had local ripe, ripe watermelon and watched “When Meher Grew Up” by Bob Fredericks and the Meher school on the tube.

The week before that, Mark Choi came roaring out from LA non-stop to light the Dhuni at the accident site. He was out at the site that Thursday afternoon with his little white car, doors thrown open, and a red carpet laid out in front of the Dhuni brazier ready to light it when the next door neighbor (who’s parents lived there at the time of the accident) came along mowing the grass. Mark reported that they talked and “she was cool” with his lighting the fire there. We came along later and it was quite nice to honor Baba with the Dhuni there. Does any one remember the Dhuni being lit at the site before?

Personally we have been busy also. Miriam has opened her clinic on Main St., Prague (eighteen people in her first weight management class!) and, in mid July, Ron just spent a week in Charlotte, NC with time for a side trip to the Meher Center. We are looking forward to our October trip to Meherabad, India when there will be temporary relief caretakers coming to be here at the Heartland Center.

Be well, and we will try and write more often,

Ron & Miriam at the Heartland Center

Pix of May work retreat

2009-05-28T17:46:00.002-04:00

http://www.flickr.com/photos/38946904@N08/

Hey All!

Some of the photos from the May Board/Work retreat!!! It was a lot of work, but what a great time to be working together for Baba's cause! And the weather was great... and so was the food!

Jai Baba!
: )
angela

Coming to the Anniversary Gathering? May 23

2009-04-26T11:21:00.002-04:00

Hello again everyone!
May is starting this week and Miriam and I are getting excited about visitors that are coming for the Anniversary Meher Baba's Auto "Accident" outside of Prague. If you haven't heard, there will be a gathering at the Center on Saturday May 23rd. We will also be Dedicating the Morrison House to His service. All are welcome to come and add to the celebration in their own way.

You can meet our Board of Directors and us, "the new caretakers", and enjoy the beautiful "Prague" spring. (It's pronounced Pray-egg!) There will be a tea and tours of both the accident site and hopefully the hospital room where beloved Baba stayed in 1952.

Let us know if you are coming and also if you would like travel and lodging assistance. We know have a "shuttle-wala" in OKC for the hour's drive East to Prague. There are many places to stay in near-by Shawnee, OK, a wonderful retreat center up by Tulsa with cabins in the woods and, if there is still room, a bed and bath in downtown Prague. Camping is available out by Prague Lake (closer to the accident site).

We would love to see as many of you come as possible (Memorial Day weekend).

Hope to see ya'!

JB
Ron

Spring is Here and Annual Open House is Coming!!

2009-03-19T17:26:00.007-04:00

See, flowers do grow in Oklahoma!! We are excitedly getting ready for the up-coming commemoration of Avatar Meher Baba's 1952 auto accident here in Prague. There will be a one day gathering here at the Heartland Center on Saturday, May 23. Our whole board of directors will be here and a formal dedication of the newly purchase Morrison House next door will take place. A tour of the hospital is planned, trips out to the site of Baba's accident and tea, cookies, music and camaraderie will ensue!

The M house will not be open for pilgrims yet as it is still an empty shell of its former grandeur. It has great "bones" though and plans are underway to re-do it. Thanks to all of those who so lovingly donated funds to help the AMBHC plan for the future. Prague property doesn't change hands very often so getting this place right next door was a real Baba-find.

What I heard, Speedy Morrison, who owned the house, was a friend and business associate of Dr. Burleson and helped finance the hospital back in the fifties. His heir, son Scott, met Baba when he was here. Scott really went out of his way to pass the house along to the Center.

For those who are coming for the Baba Memorial Day Weekend, let Miriam and I help with travel and lodging plans. NEWS: A new Bed and Bath is now available in downtown Prague just a few blocks walking distance from the Center.

Around the place, there are tiny little lupine all through the grass. They are beautiful!

See them under the big old tree out front!

The garden is getting planted in the twelve beds Michael set up and we are looking forward to sharing fresh veggies with those who come and stay.

Any stories about past visits to the Center would be appreciated (let me know if I can post them here).

Baba's Love to y'all!!

Ron & Miriam, co-caretakers, AMBHC

Springing into March

2009-03-01T09:29:00.002-05:00

Good Day March!
It may not be quite the first day of spring but the first day of March has dawned bright and sunny here in the Heartland, though below freezing again! This week we saw the daffodils start to bloom and trees budding in 70- 80 degree sun shine but the old North wind has blown in again for a few days.

Miriam and I are looking forward to the annual commemoration of Meher Baba's car accident in May. There will be a tea and day of activities on Saturday, May 23, here at the Heartland Center in Prague, America. Last year, I am told, there were 30 plus people who came. If you would like to come and need local travel and lodging information you can drop us a line or give us a call (ambhc@allegiance.tv. 405-567-4774).

I went up to Osage Forest of Peace (near Tulsa) yesterday to hear Marilyn Buehler give a Baba talk to the folks who hang out there. The talk was well received and Marilyn did a wonderful job of presenting Baba to this group of Christian-based spiritual seekers. Osage used to be a Benedictine monastery until a year ago and has been transformed to a more eclectic spiritual retreat center. It is a beautiful wooded spot on a hill (yes, Virginia, there are hills in Oklahoma!) with little cabins like at Baba's Meher Center.

Also, for anyone looking for a Spring Break retreat, we have rooms available and this is a very pleasant time to visit OK. We put fresh flowers out at the accident site recently and sitting in the grass next to where Baba so profusely bled and suffered moved me deeply; reminding me why I moved here.

Over at the hospital things continue as usual though we hear that the operating group has been bought by a company that will be building a new hospital on the edge of Prague. The newspaper says that ground-breaking will begin soon. The City of Prague owns the old hospital building. We are keeping an eye on progress of things.

Drop us a note here on the comments if you want, I plan to start watching this blog more regular like.

Love In Him,

Ron

It's a New Year and Things are Stirrin' !

2009-01-16T18:51:00.005-05:00

It's half way to Meher Baba's Amartithi and this is my first journal entry of 2009! Miriam and I have both been busy with personal work stuff; she is hoping to get her medical clinic open in the next month and I just got back from the cold, white north of Hartford, CT on a business trip. The Center "complex" (now the two houses) is doing fine, a little heater problem with the Morrison house (upper left) and some plumbing fixes and a new basement door at the B House, right photo.

The OK weather runs, as they say, "hot and cold" and it does it quickly! We had 65 to 70 degrees last weekend and went out on Sunday to put fresh flowers on Baba's site next to the highway. Then the temp dropped so that we had a high of 16 yesterday and we will be seeing 50's and sun for the next week! Baba's flowers take a beating. We went out and found the water in the vase frozen solid and His red roses gallantly standing tall!

We have just heard from the Board that this year's Accident Anniversary Open House is definitely happening so mark your calenders to be in OK the weekend of 23 and 24 May! A special treat should be coming out in a letter from Debbie Nordeen soon.

Please let Miriam and I, the AMBHC Board members and the rest of the Avatar Meher Baba Heartland community hear your comments and ideas here or through the web site email, http://www.ambhc.org/ and ambhc@allegiance.tv.

Happy Meher New Year!

Ron,

Caretaker in Prague

Christmas in Prague

2008-12-27T10:38:00.005-05:00

Hello Everyone! Seasons' Greetings from the Heartland Center in Prague!
Lynn Wilhite invited Miriam and I over for Christmas dinner at her house (see her beautiful table with Baba at the head). We all enjoyed the roast chicken and got stuffed! Miriam fell in love with Lynn's new kitten, Cream Puff, and enjoyed playing with her as Lynn and I worked on getting dinner on the table. In another photo, back at the Center in the Library, take a look at the Christmas spread laid out in "Michael's Corner". Our little Rosemary bush Christmas Tree will get planted outside later. Also, we were excited to find that Santa had brought a new ping pong table to the Burleson House basement on Christmas morning! And it fits!

Surprising to us transplants from Oregon, the day-after-Christmas temperature jumped up to 75 degrees and we enjoyed going out in the balmy wind and planting bulbs by the tree between the carport and the garage. We had been having below-freezing days and nights!

We invite you all to excape to Baba's Center in the Heartland this coming year and relax and refresh at His well-spring of Love.

Best Wishes in Meher Baba's Love,

Ron Lansing and Miriam Rose, Caretakers @AMBHC

Happy Birthday to Lynn!

2008-12-13T19:09:00.004-05:00

For all of you who know our "Prague Angel", Lynn Wilhite just celebrated her XXth birthday. We had a party with a cherry pie instead of cake, sparkling juice and a big meal. Presents and Presence, aw Baba! Kittys R Us card!

It is getting brown all around this time of year here in Prague, we all went to the Christmas in the Park pageant and took a ride on the draft horse drawn "sleigh". It was a cold, clear night, a good time was had by all.

As everyone has noted below, the newsletter has been a big hit! We did get a couple dozen back for snail mail address probelems and if you didn't get one or know someone who missed out, send us an email with address at the Center, ambhc@allegiance.tv, we will send one out.

Much Joy in Baba!

Ron, AMBHC Caretaker with Miriam in Prague USA

HeartBeat

2008-12-03T11:29:00.000-05:00

hi guys, JAI BABA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i'm just taking the opportunity to look thru and read the fall publication with all the lovely pictures and heartfelt stories. we are all so blessed to have this place established in Baba's heartland for anyone who wants to visit. thanks for your hard work!!!!

i would like to request that photos have captions underneath for those of us who don't recognize or know some of the people shown. as i grow older, my memory bank shrinks and my eyes dim to detail!! so any help is appreciated.

i do hope to return someday to prague and experience His Power and Love and Pain everpresent in the soil and brick and air there. in the meantime, know that your work and dedication is so very appreciated by the larger Baba community :-)

with gratitude and His Love,
vicki alberts in tucson

HeartBeat

2008-12-03T11:25:00.003-05:00

Dear Angela,

It was great seeing the Fall 2008 issue of HeartBeat! It brought back Tim's and my wonderful visit to the Heartland Center in May of this year! We practically burst at the seams telling our companions back home about our trip and the power of Meher Baba's presence -- this is a MUST SEE! It was especially sweet joining you and other board members for lunch upon our arrival. Thank you, thank you, thank you and everyone who pours your heart and souls into this precious opportunity to anchor His love on this most sacred site. I've attach a photo I took - and wished I'd take more!

Rose petals at the accident site

Much love in Baba's wide embrace,

Jenny Letzkus

Indian Heritage Festival, Tulsa OK

2008-11-07T17:15:00.004-05:00

Michael Ivey volunteered us for a booth at last year's Indian Heritage Festival in Tulsa. There were so many great photos he had taken, but only one of them made the newsletter... Can't help it, we have so much news! So here are some of those shots!

check out the tattoo!

: )

angela

Falling into the OK Fall!

2008-10-21T21:35:00.005-04:00

Well we made it back to Prague! Miriam and I took a trip back to the Northwest for a couple of weeks with the family, friends and to celebrate our 22nd anniversary. We had a little fog, a little rain, some sun and gorgeous mountains! Once back in Oklahoma we’ve had to readjust to life in Baba’s Heartland. Though the grass is starting to turn brown and most of the trees are dropping their leaves it is still 75 degrees during the day and we haven’t had a frost yet. The kids are all back in school and high school football (the Prague Red Devils) is all the rage. The town paper has proclaimed that Halloween (evidently not as hallowed as football) will be celebrated on Thursday night before the Devils’ Friday home game.

Devils and cats. The town of Prague seems to be over run with them! Everyone wearing a school’s red (either the high school or the OU Sooners’). And then there are the cats. Unlike the city, there is no Humane Society here in Prague. Cats are feral and plentiful. It seems that three women in the neighborhood (Miriam included) have formed a “catch-neuter and release team”. One woman from the hospital feeds the wild cats out of an old garage next to the hospital, Miriam is working on the catch a cat part and a third woman is financing the vet bills. So far most of the felines are gray and tabby; no black cats for Halloween.

Exciting news last night. One our Board members is coming for a visit next weekend and with her will be one of the few Baba Lovers in OK coming down from the big city of Tulsa. I suppose that just being back from the NW and our long time friends we are a little lonesome for company this week. If you are going to be in the center of the country around Thanksgiving we are inviting folks to stop in for a T day feast featuring Miriam’s now almost-famous pies.

Well happy fall to you all wherever you may be,

Ron Lansing and Miriam Rose, AMBHC Prague Caretakers

After the dhuni rain

2008-09-14T22:30:00.002-04:00

The sun is rising on a beautiful clear blue sky in the Heartland. We have had a day and night of heavy rain, the remains of Ike that hit Texas yesterday. We sat out yesterday afternoon under the back carport awning watching the torrent as it beat on the metal roof over our heads. Baba has thoroughly watered this place after we lit a dhuni fire Friday night!

This weekend our local Baba buddy from OKC has come out for a visit. We were going to attack a couple of caretaker maintenance type chores but mostly got “rained out”. The old house has lots of wood doors that warp and stick during humid times, the basement door needs to be changed and there is some moldy furniture in the basement that needs to be removed. Stuff.

Looking forward to two new pilgrims who are coming this week. One early in the week coming from the East coast, DC, and a second by the weekend from Washington state. Washington to Washington! Baba keeps attracting people to His place here. My friends back in Oregon keep asking, why anyone would move to Oklahoma! It just gives me a chance to tell them about Meher Baba and His Center here.

Don’t forget to write!

In Meher Baba’s Love,

Ron Lansing, Caretaker, AMBHC

Gustav Blows through Prague and so do Baba's Pilgrims

2008-09-04T11:27:00.003-04:00

Hi again, sorry for the absence. We have been busy, if you can imagine that in sleepy Prague, OK. Since Labor Day weekend the weather has been overcast, wet and very bluster as the remains of Gustav swirls into town. It is nice to have 70-80 degree weather in September but everything is soggy!

We had a pilgrim unexpectedly come to the Avatar Meher Baba Heartland Center early this week. We all went out to Baba's "Crash" site (she said she didn't like the word "accident" when it came to Meher Baba!). As everywhere the grass was green and soggy, the state highway guys had just mowed leaving the vase of flowers, a Baba picture and a metal cross in the culvert depression next to the driveway cut. We all sat on the grass and marveled a the "blasts" of silence in between trucks roaring by. Our pilgrim, a meditator who came out from Norman for the day, was just hearing about Meher Baba and she was quite drawn in by the feeling at the site and (it seemed to me) in awe of His spilling His blood here.

It is always such a joy and Baba blessing when He sends someone here!

Love in Him,

Ron
AMBHC caretaker

Greetings from the Heartland Center!

2008-08-21T19:52:00.000-04:00

This week we received a very sweet package of Baba stuff being donated to the Center Library. This box came from a Baba Lover in Massachusetts. The box was very lovingly secured with twine from India and each and every item had a note attached describing the book or pamphlet. One of the nice things was a bunch of Baba photo cards that had been laminated that we can give to people that come to the Center. Baba’s rich bounty of Love coming to His Center in paper form!

The plants and garden are recuperating from the heat we had early in the month. Plants that I thought were not going to make it are showing signs of new life. We even have so plants flowering again! The broccoli plants that I planted in early July are growing better and the every present Oklahoma grass is green and perking up and spreading from every crack and crevice of the driveway.

We are ready for more visitors. During the hot spell (and maybe the fuel price “crisis”) we have not had any new pilgrims come to stay. If you would like to venture into the center of the country and experience this wonderful Baba spot, please give us a call and plan a trip. We look forward to meeting more and more people who are attracted to Baba’s Love.

Jai Baba to you all,
Ron & Miriam,
Heartland Center Caretakers

Baba’s Accident Site in August

2008-08-09T22:10:00.000-04:00

Saturday morning our local Baba posse (Jean, Lynn, Miriam and Ron) made a trip into town to the Shawnee Farmer’s market. Lots of tomatoes, cantaloupe and okra plus “homemade” fried pies, cinnamon rolls and other Oklahoma delicacies were for sale. We all had a good time and as we headed back to Prague we stopped at the ubiquitous Wally’s (WalMart) and found some beautiful pink roses to take to Baba’s accident site.

For those of you who have been to the site, you know that it is 3 miles east of Meeker next to two-laned US 62 on the way to Prague. This time of year, particularly after the last weeks triple digit temperatures, the grass along the road’s shoulder is dying back to brown. For a country highway which parallels the Interstate to the south, there is a surprising amount of traffic speeding by the site where Meher Baba lay bleeding in the grass in 1952.

As we pulled over and walked up to the little culvert and driveway pipe next to the site, we see that the yellow daisies from a week ago are still hanging onto their color. These valiant flowers are still marking the spot even after the intensity of the days. Lynn Wilhite, who has attended the site for so many years, lovingly cuts and arranges the roses in a vase and all four of us stand, bow, pray and take in Baba’s presence in the mid day heat.

Baba’s site never fails to move me.

In His Love,
Ron

Presentation on Meher Baba at Sancta Sophia Seminary

2008-08-07T09:37:00.003-04:00

Dear AMBHC blog readers. I wrote this article for the upcoming Heartbeat. But, with so much news about the Morrision House, there's not room for this in the newsletter. I'm posting this on the Blog. Blessings and Jai Baba! Marilyn Buehler

In November 2007 several board members gave a presentation about Avatar Meher Baba at the Annual Homecoming conference held at Sancta Sophia Seminary in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Tahlequah is about two hours east of Prague. Here's the story of how that came to be.

I’ve been giving public presentations about Meher Baba for over 20 years. It all started when I lived in Redding, California. I had this idea to give an introductory talk about Baba. In the mid-70’s, I’d been a teacher of Transcendental Meditation (TM), so I was experienced in advertising and speaking about spiritual topics to the general public. By the mid-80’s, I was no longer involved with TM, and Baba had given me skills that he could put to use.

I wasn’t sure how to approach this Baba presentation. I mailed Filis Frederick for insight. My idea was to rent a space, advertise, then show up and introduce Baba and show a video. Filis mailed back and noted, “Keep cooking!” So, that was it. I set about my task, and showed up at the motel in Redding where I’d rented a small conference room. A gentleman, his wife, mother, and children came into the room. He mentioned that he was staying in the motel, and that he saw the kiosk with “Meher Baba Lecture” He said that he had met Meher Baba in Persia in 1932. Well, that sort of thing makes all the moments in your life stop, as you stand in silent amazement how things will work out when you follow your intuition.

Over the years, I’ve continued to give presentations. Usually, I arrange the entire event by myself. A few people attend. Seems when others offer to assist, they don’t show up, or offer a litany of excuses of why they can’t help after all. So, I usually just go ahead everything myself; “rely wholly and solely on God”, works best.

Since May of 2002, I've been a student of the Sancta Sophia Seminary. The event at the Homecoming Conference at Sancta Sophia Seminary was actually prompted by John Poag. He previously visited the seminary and had a long visit with Carol Parrish, the academic dean and founder. We communicated about that visit, and he mentioned it would be great to give a presentation at the seminary. I had already given two talks on Baba, and a sermon based on “How to Love God.” I talked to Carol about a presentation on Baba during the Annual Conference. Originally, she offered a time slot on Wednesday, November 7th. That date didn’t work for John. We could have kept that date, and it was likely more would have attended on Wednesday, but this was an opportunity to work together with two other Heartland Center board members. I asked to have the event scheduled on Monday, November 5th. That worked for John. Michael Ivey was available any time. So, the date, time, and team had come together.

Whenever a Baba presentation is scheduled, I feel this call going out in the inner world, connecting those people who are to show up. I have to keep my intention pure and focused on Baba. It’s the only way this sort of things works. I can’t have my own agenda.

Emails flew back and forth; decisions were made. Ed Flannigan sent some newly designed Universal Messages. Baba connections were being made with the seminary. Then, some Baba lovers expressed interest in being there. That was pretty amazing.

The day of the event, Baba was filling me with his presence. Michael, John, and I spent a few moments at the Prague hospital room, where Baba spent 14 days. Soon after, John and I drove on to Prague. I could feel Baba’s Silence being carried from Prague to Sancta Sophia Seminary.

We arrived at Sancta Sophia Seminary; many of my seminary friends where there. We were greeted with so much love. People were telling me they’d be at my talk, and they were excited to hear about Baba. Most folks knew me as the "Baba lady", and this was their chance to learn about him. We set up the room with Baba photos on all the walls. My new and old Baba friends showed up, and we were having fun.

Around 3:00, people started filing in to the room. I honestly expected only five to ten people. Over 20 seminary students showed up. We had to pull out a few more chairs. Carol sat in the front row. Here was a group primarily made up of Esoteric Christian ministers. The concept of an avatar means something else that what Baba explains The Avatar to be. I don’t know how it works, that there are some many explanations and paths to God. I do honor everyone’s path, and the furthest thing from my heart is to ever convince anyone who Meher Baba is. I just figure this “the story” I bought, when I was 19; it works for me, and it is an amazing thing to share with others.

I generally have an idea of what I’m going to say and some quotes on hand to read. It seems important to share Baba’s message of love, and to read his saying on “How to Love God.” What will happen is driven by this unseen force. I generally sit down, because it is easier to talk to a group informally when I’m sitting. I’ve heard stories that Jesus taught sitting, so I like that idea. There were so many people in the room; I had to stand up to see them all. I could feel this column of energy guiding my words.

I read the quote on Baba sowing the seed of love in our hearts in spite of superficial diversity. That’s what all these varied explanations of creation are to me, “superficial diversity”. Then, I read Baba’s explanation of the Avatar. That’s when the silence started coming down. This vibrating quality was somehow stilling people’s minds. I just kept going and trusted what was happening. We showed the DVD, "The Eternal Beloved."

After the DVD there was discussion. It was fun to let go, and watch others answer questions, and add their comments to mine. A thought was floating before me, and it seemed one I needed to verbalize. I shared my experience of Baba being the Awakener, that his word awakens truth within me. He didn’t “come to teach, but to awaken.” That is when Carol added her esoteric take on avatars; how some avatars do have the task to awaken, some to teach. Her explanation was a bridge for those in the room; it gave everyone a context of how Baba could fit into Esoteric thought.

At the end of the presentation, I mentioned to Carol, “I always wonder what people think when I say, Meher Baba was Jesus. But, they’ll get over it”. I’m terribly detached from this process and often wonder why Baba has me doing this. I’ve had dreams of telling people about Baba. One dream was about talking to a huge stadium full of people about Baba. Everyone in that stadium wanted to hear about Baba and was hanging on every word. When ever I share Baba’s message with a group in person, or in a dream, it is like a portal opens and the world stops for a while. Then, people go on with their lives, somehow changed.

yahoooooramazda!

2008-08-06T19:03:00.001-04:00

a wonderful happening.

thanks to everyone who has made possible the expansion of Heartland Center. Welcome to the new caretakers. thanks for letting us in on the process step by step. And thanks to You, Baba Dear, for allowing us to swim in Your wonderous Love.

Jai BAba to All,

Winnie Barrett

Baba Turns Up the Heat!!

2008-08-03T11:55:00.003-04:00

Hello from the Heartland Center!

Miriam Rose and I (Ron Lansing) have taken over caretaker duties here at AMBHC as of last month. We like the vibe that Meher Baba left behind in 1952 and the slow pace of life in Prague, OK? Yes it is OK!

Now that it is August and the temperature is hitting triple digits for the third day in a row we ex-Oregonians are either melting outside or trapped indoors. What to do? We have been going through the library cataloguing the many wonderful books that people have donated by and about Avatar Meher Baba. One real spectacular find was "Tales of the New Life" signed by Eruch, Mani, Mehera and Meheru! When she was here last month Marie Concannon (Librarian Extraordinaire) suggested the we catalogue the items in the library and decide which ones can be loaned. We persuaded her to become a member of the Library committee! We are running out of shelf space in the Library room and are trying to get the duplicates stored and another book shelf in place. (Please don't take this as a "don't send any more" message!)

Also new as of last month, Meher Baba meetings are being held in the Library each week (we have just shifted to Friday nights). So if you are planning a visit we would love to include you in the meetings. We have had up to five people, care to make it six? Lynn Wilhite, Miriam and I are being joined by a local woman, Jean and her husband Randy who live north of Prague on property next to the Sac and Fox Nation. (Jean and Randy have a meteorite hit on their land and Randy says that the ancestors of the Sac and Fox come there.) In the meetings we are reading the Discourses and talking about living in Baba's Love .

Oh, hey, the really big thing is the Morrison House next door is now part of the Center property! Yesterday we braved the heat going over to the house to test the AC and change the locks, etc. Lynn donated two beautifully framed photographs of Meher Baba and we put them up in the Living Room and over the Study fireplace to dedicate the place to Baba. The house is old and hasn't been occupied for a few months so it is stale. The upstairs has hideous blue shag carpet and water damaged wall paper. The kitchen is all built-in Fifties stuff with a stainless steel counter next to the sink. The wide open LR, FR and Study on the main floor all have nice wood trim and built-ins with a serviceable beige carpet. This lower floor is big and open just begging for a group to gather!

Hope that this note finds you all well!

In His Love,

Ron Lansing

Newsletter is out!

2007-08-15T16:40:00.000-04:00

Hi Everybody!

The new newsletter is out! And it's in color! And it was a lot of fun to put together. We've been getting nice reviews... Here's one from our latest pilgrim, Elizabeth Heaney of Tucson, AZ:

"I wanted to be sure to let you know I got the newsletter in the onslaught of mail I picked up yesterday. Fantastic!! It is really, really well done. Clear that someone (or many of you) put a lot of work into it – and I very much enjoyed sitting down and slowly reading my way through it. You know, I sometimes expect a newsletter from a group to look like a little badly-xeroxed, stapled mess of a thing. So, to see the quality in this one was both surprising and assuring – you guys must have made Baba proud with this one! Congrats on that."

Barbara Roberts in Colorado says “A beautiful, breathtaking, tears of joy inspiring newsletter!”

So. Drop us a line if you want to receive one - or if you thought you were on our mailing list but haven't gotten yours yet. Or any variation on that theme!

Love and Jai Meher Baba!

: ) angela

Welcome to our Heartland Center Journal!

2007-07-15T22:50:00.000-04:00

From time to time it would be nice to share with the world the experience of having a Center in Prague, Oklahoma! Check in here to read anectdotes and reactions from the Caretaker, pilgrims coming through, and Board members...

See you in cyberspace!

Love from all of us at the Heartland Center!