LAURA GLENN - SISTER DEVAMATA

BORN :

DIED :

Meher Baba's 1st Visit to the West

22nd November 1931 - Vendome Hotel, Boston, MS.

A monk from India named Swami Paramananda, 47, arrived to meet Baba, accompanied by his niece and three of his students. Paramananda had come to America in 1906 as the youngest disciple of Swami Vivekananda and three years later founded the Vedanta Center in Boston.

During the interview, Paramananda invited Baba to visit the Ananda Ashram in Southern California, a retreat he had established as an extension of the Boston Vedanta Center in 1923 on 120 acres of land. Baba replied, "It is not possible on this trip. When I visit America again after six months, maybe I can."

The niece (Laura Glenn) also requested that Baba come to California, promising to prepare Indian food for him.

Baba smiled, gesturing, "After six months."

CONTINUED ...

Paramananda had brought a bottle of honey for the Master and after he presented it to him, Baba dictated, "There is nothing but for one, infinite Existence, and I am one with it. I continuously enjoy eternal bliss and see myself in everything and in everyone.

"Mere intellectual conviction is not enough. Reality is a matter of illumination, inner sight and experience. All this is within you; but for that, 'death' is necessary — to become dead to maya in order to be born in Reality."

After hearing this, Paramananda put the several books that he had written about spiritual knowledge on a nearby table. The monk had intended to present them to Baba but realized the foolishness of his idea. He said, "Even though I have philosophy and may be able to explain things to others, all these [books] are worthless pieces of paper unless Infinity is experienced." Humbly he said, "This I have not attained. I require a Sadguru like you, Baba, and your grace. I bow before you. Push me forward, Baba!"

Paramananda then prostrated himself before Baba, who placed his hand on the man's head, blessing him. The monk then turned to his students and said, "One can never attain spiritual perfection without a guru. Meher Baba, being a Perfect Master, finds the content of these books playthings. What we discuss with the intellect, this bliss Baba is constantly experiencing." Paramananda was an accepted spiritual leader of several hundred American Vedantists. By declaring this, his followers understood the spiritual status of Meher Baba.