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82 Family Letters
To the Western Family of Lovers and Followers of Meher Baba
Mani S. Irani
Paperback 366 pages
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Meher Baba's sister combines lively language and an observant eye to paint a bright, intimate picture of Meher Baba's activities from 1956 to 1969: stories of devotees' first meetings with Baba; the great outpourings of love that flowed continually to the thousands who contacted Him; His radiance during even the most strenuous darshans; the unforgettable sight of Baba bowing down to the feet of the “untouchable” poor and the lepers; the tales of unwavering faith in Baba's name; and the routines of daily life for Baba and his mandali.
Written at Meher Baba's direction and sent only after he had read and approved each one and often added a personal note of love, these letters were eagerly awaited during those years by Baba followers, for many of whom they were the only direct contact with the Avatar.
When Harry Kenmore was invited to visit Baba in November 1968, he brought with him a bound copy of the Family Letters which had been sent by Mani up until that time. Baba held it on his lap and expressed his pleasure with it and said that Harry should make enough for everybody. Harry said, “But Baba, we would have to make 1,000,” and Baba said “yes.”
So, after Baba's passing and after Mani had sent the last Family Letter, Harry and Annarosa Karrasch went ahead and had 1,000 made. Rano Gayley gave a drawing for the frontispiece. Many Baba quotes are included here that cannot be found elsewhere.
Published 1976
Mani S. Irani
Mani S. Irani became a Baba follower at her birth, when her brother, Meher Baba, held her in his arms. From that day forward, he was the center of her life. She went to live with him in his ashram as a young girl, and performed many roles in his service, including acting as his scribe and line of communication for many years to his Western followers.
She frequently traveled with him around India, and also went with him to Europe and the United States. Throughout her life Mani was the closest companion of Mehera, Meher Baba’s most beloved disciple, and considered this relationship her most significant service to her beloved. After Meher Baba dropped his body in 1969, she spent the ensuing 27 years welcoming pilgrims to Baba’s home at Meherazad, and also served as chairman of the Avatar Meher Baba Trust.
Mani wrote God-Brother, a charming account of her childhood with Meher Baba, and the award winning Dreaming of the Beloved, dreams of Meher Baba dreamt by Mani with colorful illustrations that bring the dreams to life. A book of letters she wrote, in her role as Baba’s scribe, are collected in her Eighty-Two Family Letters to the Western Lovers of Avatar Meher Baba. These letters give a vivid day-to-day glimpse into life with Meher Baba and his intimate concern for all his followers.
Mani had her brother’s quick mind, his sense of humor, his flashing dark eyes, and a physical resemblance that could at certain moments be startling. She loved jokes and was a master of the pun. In a crisis, she could cut to the heart of the matter, acting with the clarity and firmness Meher Baba had taught her. She had great compassion and wisdom, as many pilgrims to Meherazad over the years will confirm. The attention and care she poured out on those visitors is enduring testimony to the generous reservoir of love Baba gave to her to share with others.