Dear Baba Lovers,
We invite young adult Baba lovers from around the world to the International Meherabad Young Adult Sahavas – 2024.
Embrace this precious occasion to come together in His Divine Companionship at Meherabad. This special event provides a unique opportunity to find ways and avenues to enrich an inner relationship with Meher Baba for young adults.
For any questions concerning the International Meherabad Young Adult Sahavas email mbyas1894@gmail.com.

IMbYAS 2023 – Group Picture during Flag hoisting ceremony

What:

In June, 200 young adults from around the world gather at Meherabad for seven days to bask in the presence of Beloved Meher Baba and celebrate his love through art, music, drama, service and more.

This year’s theme is: “Pleasing Meher Baba”

Kindly Note:

The Sahavas program is purely focused on Meher Baba and His messages.
It will be beneficial if you have some knowledge of Avatar Meher Baba while enrolling.

 Who:

    • Young Adult Baba lovers from age group of 17 years to 35 years. For 17 years of age, parent or legal guardian consent is required
    • Special Exception: Anyone in the age group of 35 to 40 years who has never attended a Sahavas before, may apply. This opportunity can only be availed once.
    • First priority to newcomers: Each year, we receive an enthusiastic response from both first-time participants and those who have previously attended Sahavas programs.  It is our endeavour to extend the soulful experience to more and more spiritual aspirants. In order to do so we would give first priority to newcomers.
    • We welcome Baba lovers from outside India and request them to send an email to mbyas1894@gmail.com for any enquiry, advance intimation and information to make travel arrangements for Meherabad to attend the Sahavas.
    • You can only be a part of Sahavas program for 3-4 years as a participant or volunteer. This condition does not apply for the workshop-walla, arrangement-walla and counsellor categories

When: Program begins: Saturday, June 8th, 2024 and concludes with lunch on Friday, June 14th, 2024

Where: Sahavas participants will be staying at MPR. (All other family members or friends must make their own separate arrangements for stay).

Important Dates:

Sahavas begins: Saturday, 8th June, 2024
Sahvas concludes: Friday, 14th June, 2024

 

For Participants from outside India:
Kindly send an email to mbyas1894@gmail.com for early confirmation and to make travel arrangements.

New change – Based on the request of many parents, this year minimum age changed to 17 years which was earlier 18 years.

Programs include:

    • Service Projects for Meherabad and Meherazad.
    • Workshops, which may include drama, music, song writing, poetry, painting, drawing, dance, mosaic, pottery, rangoli, photography, etc.
    • Discussion Groups and Presentations.
    • Special Guests, talks by senior Baba lovers.
    • Sports, such as volleyball, badminton, cricket, football/soccer, yoga, dance, table tennis/ping pong, seven tiles, etc.
    • Evening Programs, welcome and closing program, films of Meher Baba, music programs, performance night, etc.
    • Meherazad visit, sahavasees will have the opportunity to visit Baba’s home.
    • Offsite trip: Visit to a Baba place (Transportation cost to be paid by sahavasee)

Final schedule of Sahavas program will be shared during registration. Programs may change with constraints in time and situations.

OTHER CATEGORIES

Apart from the Participant category (criteria mentioned in Who) there are other categories like Volunteer, Arrangement-walla, Workshop-walla and Counsellor in the IMbYAS program under which eligible applicants can apply. Following are the details of these categories and their eligibility.

VOLUNTEER

An important and exciting role in Sahavas, from start to finish.

  • Duties: Planning activities, facilitating events, leading projects, set-up, and ensuring participants have a great experience at Baba’s Home.
  • Eligibility: To apply as a Volunteer, prior attendance at a Sahavas program is a required.
  • Application: Attendees interested in volunteering should complete VOLUNTEER section of application.
  • Selection: IMbYAS organizing team will choose volunteers.
  • Age Requirement: 18 to 35 years.
  • Training: Scheduled from 10:00 a.m. on Friday, June 7th until 6:00 pm and 10.00 am on Saturday, June 8th until 12.30 pm.

Selection Criteria:

We wish to give this opportunity to young and enthusiastic returning participants who have never worked in this role and at the same time we wish to keep a balance of experienced and new volunteers for the smooth functioning of Sahavas.

  • Self-motivated individuals.
  • Good Communication skills (English, Hindi) and good listening skills.
  • Collaborating, Coordinating and Courteous with fellow participants
  • Skills to manage groups
  • Good and Cheerful Attitude 
  • Feedback from previous Sahavas.

Only individuals who seriously wish to take additional responsibilities and willing to help and sacrifice in some program participation should apply.

ARRANGEMENT-WALLA

  • Duties: Setting up equipment, stage and program areas, break-down and clearing of setup after programs, cleaning of MPR at the end of the Sahavas.
  • Eligibility: Must be a returning Sahavasee (attended previous Sahavas programs).
  • Selection: IMbYAS organizing team will choose arrangement-wallas.
  • Age Requirement: None
  • Training: Besides the entire Sahavas period, arrangement-wallas need to also be present for the training period scheduled from 10:00 a.m. on Friday, June 7th until 6:00 pm and 10.00 am on Saturday

Selection Criteria:

We wish to give this opportunity to young and enthusiastic participants who have never worked in this role and at the same time we wish to keep a balance of experienced and new volunteers for the smooth functioning of Sahavas.

This role requires for the participant to be on their toes. They may have to miss some programs as they will be involved in various arrangements.

  • Individual has to be physically fit and should be able to lift heavy equipment
  • Should be willing to work in background
  • Collaborating, Coordinating and Courteous with fellow participants
  • Good and Cheerful Attitude
  • Work as volunteer when needed and manage groups

Only individuals who are physically strong and seriously wish to take this responsibility to ensure a wonderful experience for participants must apply.

WORKSHOP-WALLA

  • Role: Responsible for conducting a workshop for participants.
  • Eligibility & Age Criteria: Can be an individual or a team of individuals (not more than 3 people). Can be within or above the age limit and should have substantial potential to carry out the workshop.
  • Criteria for Workshop: The workshop must commence and complete during the Sahavas period.
  • Application: Those interested to take a workshop are required to write a proposal for their workshop and submit it to the organising team at least 45 days before the start of the Sahavas program. The proposal must state all details.
  • Selection:  IMbYAS organizing team will choose workshop-wallas.

 Selection Criteria:

  • Proposals by applicants and their skills will be evaluated by organisers

COUNSELLOR

  • Responsibilities: Maintain discipline and decorum. Ensure all participants and volunteers comply with AMBPPC Trust discipline guidelines
  • Eligibility:  Should have attended at least 1-2 Sahavas before.
  • Selection: Done by IMbYAS Organizing team with the consent of the Trustees.
  • Age Requirement: None

Selection Criteria:

  • Has necessary skills and maturity in people management
  • Interact with participants and should be able to build a homely atmosphere for participants
  • Well versed with Baba literature
  • Provide necessary support and guidance to participants and volunteers.
  • Good and cheerful attitude

Sahavasees get an opportunity to do tunnel painting
under the Meherabad Railway pass

Performing for Beloved Baba

Praising our Beloved at Meherazad

Gathering under the Neem Tree where Baba sat when
He arrived at Meherabad for the first time.

A moment during Group Discussion

Service Project at Meher English School

Seclusion Hill tour

Visit to Memorial Tower at Lower Meherabad

 

If you need to cancel:

  • Each confirmed participant is expected to be responsible for cancelling their application in case they have a change of plan and cannot participate in Sahavas.
    They must inform the IMBYAS Team immediately at: Email: mbyas1894@gmail.com
    no later than May 15th 2024 with a valid reason for cancellation.
  • Applicants who do not inform the IMbYAS Team regarding cancellation, their applications will not be accepted for future Sahavas programs.

 

Important notes:

1) Participants should attend the complete Sahavas program from Saturday afternoon, June 8th up till lunch on Friday afternoon, June 14th 2024.

2) All Participants have to strictly follow and abide by the guidelines/rules laid down by AMB Trust for Pilgrims in Meherabad and the Sahavas guidelines/rules framed by International Meherabad Young Adult Sahavas Team. In case of discipline issues, participants will not be allowed to participate/continue in the Sahavas program and in future their applications will not be considered for Meherabad Sahavas programs.

3) Children are not allowed to attend the Sahavas. Even if the child is staying with a relative in a different facility in Meherabad the child will not be allowed to attend any of the programmes, workshops, service project, outings etc.

4) No pets will be allowed during the Sahavas.

We look forward to seeing you at the Sahavas!

In His Love and Service,

International Meherabad Young Adult Sahavas Organizing Team,

For Avatar Meher Baba PPC Trust.

For further information regarding applications and any queries related to Travel/Booking or any other queries, send e-mail to: mbyas1894@gmail.com

The International Meherabad Young Adult Sahavas has been created in remembrance of the Sahavas programs that Meher Baba Himself inaugurated and took part in. In the opening address “My Dear Children” on the first day (2nd November) of the great East-West Gathering in 1962, Meher Baba welcomed His Sahavas guests and explained the significance of Sahavas:

 

“You have come from great distances, not for some convention or conference,
but to enjoy My company and feel afresh My love in your hearts.
It is a coming together of East and West in the house of their Father.”

Avatar Meher Baba