Discourses [Paperback]

Meher Baba (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Meher Baba's Discourses throw the light of true knowledge on many of life's most perplexing problems. Inspiring and practical, the Discourses provides an ever-fresh framework of spiritual perspective on the challenges of everyday life. As Meher Baba said, "Words that proceed from the Source of Truth have real meaning." Discourses bears eloquent testimony to that fact and after 50 years in print remains an incomparable companion for anyone seeking spiritual direction.

About the Author

(1894-1969) Merwan Sheriar Irani known as Meher Baba, was born in Pune, India, on February 25, 1894, of Persian parents. His father, Sheriar Irani, was of Zoroastrian faith and a true seeker of God. Merwan went to a Christian high school in Pune and later attended Deccan College. In 1913 while still in college, a momentous event occurred in his life...the meeting with Hazrat Babajan, an ancient Mohammedan woman and one of the five Perfect Masters of the Age. Babajan gave him God-Realization and made him aware of his high spiritual destiny.

Eventually he was drawn to seek out another Perfect Master, Upasni Maharaj, a Hindu who lived in Sakori. During the next seven years Maharaj gave Merwan "Gnosis" or Divine Knowledge. Thus Merwan attained spiritual Perfection. His spiritual mission began in 1921 when he drew together his first close disciples. It was these early disciples who gave him the name Meher Baba, which means "Compassionate Father".

After years of intensive training of his disciples, Meher Baba established a colony near Ahmednagar that is called Meherabad. Here the Master's work embraced a free school where spiritual training was stressed, a free hospital and dispensary, and shelters for the poor. No distinction was made between the high castes and Untouchables; all mingled in common fellowship through the inspiration of the Master. To his disciples at Meherabad, who were of different castes and creeds, he gave a training of moral discipline, love for God, spiritual understanding and selfless service.

Meher Baba told his disciples that from July 10, 1925 he would observe Silence. Since that day he maintained his Silence until his death in 1969. His many spiritual discourses and messages have been dictated by means of an alphabet board. Much later the Master discontinued the use of the board and reduced all communication to hand gestures unique in expressiveness and understandable to many.

Meher Baba has traveled to the Western world six times, first in 1931, when he contacted his early Western disciples. His last visit to American was in 1958 when he and his disciples stayed at the Center established for his work at Myrtle Beach, S.C.

In India as many as one hundred thousand people have come in one day to seek his Darshan, or blessing; from all over the world there are those who journey to spend a few days, even a single day, in his presence.

An important part of Meher Baba's work through the years has been to personally contact and to serve hundreds of those known in India as "masts". These are advanced pilgrims on the spiritual path who have become spiritually intoxicated from direct awareness of God. For this work he has traveled many thousands of miles to remote places throughout India and Ceylon. Other vital work has been the washing of the lepers, the washing of the feet of thousands of poor and the distribution of grain and cloth to the destitute.

Meher Baba asserts that he is the same Ancient One, come again to redeem man from his bondage of ignorance and to guide him to realize his true Self which is God. Meher Baba is acknowledged by his many followers all over the world as the Avatar of the Age.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 452 pages
• Publisher: Sheriar Foundation; 7th edition (February 25, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1880619091
• ISBN-13: 978-1880619094
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #106,587 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #97 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Other Practices > Mysticism

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You will never read another book like this., March 5, 2001

By 

M. Brummel - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Discourses (Hardcover)

This book gives you essential spiritual insight and answers to all the major questions and problems of life. Meher Baba helps you look at life from a spiritual point of view, allowing you to understand why the world is why it is and why you are the way you are... beware though, you may find the answers to be deceptively simple. Meher Baba speaks with divine authority.. there is no "my opinion is.." or "research shows.." or "..is probably because" written in this book. I cannot recommend this book enough! From a personal standpoint, the person I was when I started reading this book was not the same person who finished reading it... and believe me when I say I had wracked my soul in trying to find answers in life that were provided here. But most importantly, reading this was a catalyst for allowing me to feel God's love that unites all life. Can I logically explain this? No. Will this happen to you? Only if it's meant to. Should you read this book anyway? Absolutely. Did Meher Baba expect everyone to be able to follow these spiritual practices perfectly? I would most definitely guess not... I know I can't. Meher Baba basically wrote a how-to and explanation book about the journey to God.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The "Best of the Best" Book on spirituality and life, December 1, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Discourses (Hardcover)

Meher Baba's Discourses is clearly head and shoulders above the thousands of other books on the subject of life, spirituality, love, God, and religion. It has been the mainstay of clear, accurate, and unique counsel and guidance for me and my family for more than 30 years.

Buy it, you will certainly find it priceless (and that is an understatement!)

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A complete spiritual text, March 21, 2002

By 

Shawn Regan (marietta, GA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Discourses (Hardcover)

A spiritual reference. This book is similar to Aurobindo's book as a spiritual instructional manual. Unlike Aurobindo's book this one wasn't pieced together by letters to disciples. It's much more coherent and consise. The information is very similar to Aurobindo's. Meher talks about Reincarnation, Karma, Maya, Meditation, Sanskaras, Ego, God, Realization, Love and Happiness from his enlightened perspective. His insights and understanding seem to be right on the money.