A Note About Meher Baba's Words, by Laurent Weichberger (2003)

A Note About Meher Baba's Words by Laurent Weichberger From the book, A Mirage Will Never Quench Your Thirst (Myrtle Beach: Sheriar Foundation, 2003).

It is important to note that from 1925 (when he was 3thirty-one years old), until 1969, Meher Baba did not speak at all, although he had long stated that he would one day "break his Silence." Therefore, what he "said" and wrote, or any words attributed to him have come to us through one of the following communication methods: 1. He spoke the words before he started his silence on July 10, 1925, and someone wrote down what he actually said. The book Mehera, by Mehera J. Irani, shares many such occasions when Mehera heard Baba speak and even sing. Also, Lord Meher by Bhau Kalchuri shares many such occasions.

2. He wrote the words himself, in his own handwriting. This was very rare. The book In God's Hand

by Meher Baba is a good example of this.

3. He dictated the words on an alphabet board, to be written up and published. The book God Speaks, by Meher Baba is a good example of this.

4. He dictated specific points on a given theme, which were given to a writer chosen by him to expand the points. The expanded writing was brought back to Baba for his correction, clarification, and approval. Some of the material in Discourses by Meher Baba was written in this way.

5. He gave written material authored by him to an individual author to be used in the preparation of a book or message, which was brought back to Baba for his correction, clarification, and approval before publication or distribution. The book Listen, Humanity by Meher Baba is a good example of this.

6. He "dictated," using either the alphabet board or unique hand gestures, in the form of a discourse or a conversation with those present. This was then interpreted and recorded (or remembered) by someone present. It was Baba's habit to correct anyone who acted as his interpreter when he found any errors in the delivery of his communication. Baba went through great pains in his efforts to ensure that what was conveyed by an interpreter was true to his intended meaning.

However, sometimes what was actually recorded of Baba's statements was written by a disciple in a personal diary or memoir, and remained unknown or unpublished until after Baba passed away in 1969. Many of the quotes and statements we have from Baba came to us in this way. The twenty volumes of Bhau Kalchuri's biography of Meher Baba, Lord Meher, are a good example of this.

7. While it is an unusual case, the work that Baba did with Princess Norina Matchabelli, with Thought-transmission, resulting in her "speaking" on Meher Baba's behalf at public gatherings, is a case that deserves to be mentioned. The book, Norina's Gift, gives examples of this type of work, and she attributed the words to Meher Baba himself. There are many other examples of people who claim to hear Baba's words, either during Baba's life or after, and they are fraught with considerations outside of the scope of this document.