On Sacred Ground

Under the Tin Shed, Part 3 – The Later Years

After the New Life, Baba’s infrequent visits to Meherabad included three large sahavas programmes in the 1950s. At these times Baba often took the participants around Meherabad to show them the places of His life and work there. On the Hill, sometimes they would sit under the Tin Shed where Baba would give messages and talk about the places to be seen.

On 14 September 1954, during the extended gathering that would become known as the Three Incredible Weeks, it was under the Tin Shed that Baba first met with the seventeen men who had come from around the world at His invitation. From a diary kept at that time, Baba’s visit was described: “Baba arrived early in the morning of the 14th. The first thing He did was to embrace each of us in turn. … He then led us into the refectory [Tin Shed] and asked us to introduce ourselves, as there were some among us whom He was meeting outwardly for the first time.” (The Awakener Magazine, Vol 2, No. 3, p. 7-9)

The diary further recalled that on the 28th there were very heavy “elephant rains” and when Baba came the next day He said, “I asked Myself, whether I was the Avatar; and the clear and definite answer was ‘Yes, I am the Ancient One, the Highest of the High.’ Then I asked Avatar Meher Baba, why this rain—this inconvenience to the lovers who have come all the way to meet You! Avatar Meher Baba replied, ‘Those who really love You would come with their heads on their palms, and this inconvenience would be a happiness to them.'” (The Awakener Magazine, Vol 2, No. 3, p. 72)

At the end of 1955 Baba held another Sahavas attended in turn by different language groups from India. On one of the days, “Baba led the way into his Tomb, which the men entered in batches. … As it was almost 10:45 A.M., there was no time to show them the other spots on Meherabad Hill, but under the tin shed Baba remarked, ‘How lucky you are that you have Baba physically in your midst. A few years after I drop my body, thousands will come here to pay homage at my samadhi.'” (Lord Meher, revised online edition, p. 3807)

In 1958 both men and women were invited to Meherabad for Sahavas and again Baba took them up the Hill in groups. He was carried in His lift-chair, stopping under the Tin Shed, and then on to the Samadhi, where He told them, “Baba, the living figure, has led you up this Hill, his final resting place. You can have no idea of the unique privilege you are having today.” (Lord Meher revised online p. 4334)

That unique privilege of visiting Meherabad continues today. The Tin Shed remains alive with His Presence, and a place for informal gatherings, programmes and talks.

—Meredith Klein for Avatar Meher Baba Trust, 21 May 2015