Dear Baba Lovers,
Mark your calendars!

International Meherabad Young Adult Sahavas – 2025
will be taking place from:

8th JUNE to 14th JUNE  2025

 Inviting young adult Baba lovers from around the world to come
and experience His Divine Companionship at Meherabad!

 For participants from outside India:

 Kindly send an email to
mbyas1894@gmail.com
for early confirmation and to make travel arrangements.

IMbYAS 2024 – Group Picture at Meherazad

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.

The the theme for the 2025 Sahavas will focus on Beloved Baba’s Silence,
to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Baba’s Silence

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. We endeavour to extend the divine experience to more and more spiritual aspirants. In order to do so, we will 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: Sunday, June 8th, 2025 
Program concludes on Saturday June 14th, 2025 (til lunchtime)
Participant Registration for the Sahavas is scheduled for Sunday, 8th June, from 9.00 am to 4:00 pm. At the MPR, Upper Meherabad.

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

Cost:
The total cost is for six nights & seven days (lodging and food) for sahavasees (participants). Cost per night stay during Sahavas is Rs 80, and 3 meals per day cost Rs 310. The approximate cost for food and stay will be Rs 2500. (subject to change as per AMBPPCT guidelines). In addition to this, sahavasees will also be required to pay for bus/train tickets for any offsite trip during the Sahavas.

 

Programs include:

      • Service Projects for Meherabad and Meherazad.
      • Workshops 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.
      • Evening Programs, welcome and closing program, films of Meher Baba, music programs, performance night, etc.
      • Meherazad visit – an opportunity to visit Baba’s home.
      • Offsite trip (tentative): Visit to a Baba place (Transportation cost to be paid by sahavasee)
      • Sports, (tentative)such as volleyball, badminton, cricket, football/soccer, yoga, dance, table tennis/ping pong, seven tiles, etc.

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

Important dates:

Application forms will be available – 15th March, 2025
Last Date of application submission – 30th April, 2025
Apply early to ensure a spot!

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

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. At the same time, we wish to keep a balance of experienced and new volunteers for the smooth functioning of Sahavas. This role requires the arrangement-walla 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). It 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 be completed during the Sahavas period.
  • Application: Those interested in conducting a workshop are required to write a proposal for their workshop and submit it to the organizing team at least 45 days before the start of the Sahavas program. The proposal must state all details.
  • Selection Criteria:
    Proposals by applicants to be sent to the IMbYAS organizing team.
    Their skills will be evaluated by organizers, who will then choose the final workshops and workshop-wallas.
  • Workshop Expenses and Material Details:
    – Workshop facilitators are expected to conduct the workshop at zero charge. They cannot collect any fees.
    – Facilitators are responsible for bringing and purchasing all necessary materials.
    – Costs for all materials are to be covered by the facilitators. No reimbursements will be provided.
    – However, if you are facing challenges related to expenses or obtaining materials, please include these details in your proposal and inform the organizing team in advance. While we cannot guarantee it, we will try our best to accommodate your needs.

COUNSELLOR

  • Responsibilities:
    – Ensure all participants and volunteers comply with AMBPPC Trust discipline guidelines.
    – Interact with participants and build a homely atmosphere for them.
    – Provide necessary support and guidance to participants and volunteers.
    – Maintain discipline and decorum.
  • 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 the necessary relevant skills, maturity and experience in people management.
    – Well-versed in Baba literature.
    – Good and cheerful personality.
    – Compassionate and non-judgemental attitude.
    – Should be approachable and available to the participants during the Sahavas program.
    – Should have very good listening and observation skills.
    A professional counselling background is preferred but not mandatory to serve as a counsellor. However, one needs to be good at communication, be willing to follow and implement guidelines, and be a people person.

 

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 2025 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 Rules:

  • Participants should attend the complete Sahavas program from Saturday afternoon, 8th June up till lunch on Friday afternoon, 14th June 2025.
  • 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 the 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.
  • 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 projects, outings etc.
  • 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