Friday Afternoon
It’s a magnificent view from behind Meher Baba’s house. I stood gazing out, running my eye down the mountainside as it drops sharply away to the coastal plains far below, where velvet green forests sweep away into the distance to meet with a deep blue ocean. Cleared patches of land, and lines snaking through the forest, showed human’s intervention. Tiny white matchsticks could be seen standing where the land meets the ocean - the high-rise buildings at the coastal resorts.
I wasn’t sure what had drawn me here today, but an image had arisen while driving past of a view, fresh air and sunlight. Behind me, a short distance away was a peak, the top of a hill that was crowned in trees. The opportunity had never arisen to explore this site in previous visits. Now, I was suddenly curious.
A two-wheel track ran level with
the hill, cutting through the lawn. It didn’t go in the direction of the
hilltop but I was irresistibly drawn to walk it. I looked longingly up the
sloping hill to the unseen peak, but turned and calmly followed the energy
flowing along the tracks, gazing out over the panoramic view and feeling the
fresh cool ocean air on my face.
The light changed. A golden essence descended. I gazed around as the trees and the thick green grass became vibrant and alive, their colours glowing with vitality. My paces slowed as I noted the uniqueness of every tree, how each shone with it’s own individual spirit, its own personality, and its own awareness.
The golden light deepened the
further I walked along, as if an invisible line had been crossed on the track.
I stopped and walked back a few paces. The light diminished. I took a few steps
forward and it increased again. I peered back to where I imagined the line
began on the path, and then turned, and continued strolling along the path in
the golden light.
As I walked in this light, a glimmering image appeared beside me. It was a short man with dark hair, dressed in a swirling robe and, I thought, of an unusual facial appearance. He became more solid and, as we walked together, he looked up at me and began to talk earnestly. I had no idea what he was saying. I tried, but couldn’t concentrate on his words. Whether he was talking in another language, or because my mind was absorbed in this radiant light, I can’t say.
He paused, his eyes looking intently, almost fiercely at me, and then began to talk again. I realised he was repeating what he had just said. Still, I couldn’t make sense of his words. I mentally leaned into his aura and gently assured him that I was here with peaceful intentions. This seemed to satisfy him and he suddenly left, vanishing. I continued strolling along the path, wondering about such a curious event, yet unconcerned. I was feeling carefree and light hearted, intoxicated by the golden aura that flooded the landscape.
Another figure appeared beside the path, flickering in the shadows between the trees. This figure was instantly recognisable. It was Meher Baba. Wrapped in a shining gown of white. As soon as I had recognized him he solidified and, with a radiant smile, came over and joined me. We strolled leisurely along the path. He seemed to be listening intently, gazing up at me, perhaps waiting for me to speak but I was lost in the bliss of the moment, happy to be in his company again.
The pathway came to a bend. It turned and climbed up the hill in the direction of the top. I had been on the right track all along! Together we slowly walked to the top, passing the tall pine trees that lined the path.
At the top of the hill was a level area surrounded by trees. In the centre of this flat area was a series of large stones evenly spaced out in a circle. I was surprised when I saw them, yet the feeling quickly gave way to pleasure as I ran my eye over them. They looked just right.
Hesitating before the large rocks, I waited for Meher Baba to walk into the circle first, but he paused too, standing just behind me. Unsure, I walked slowly forward, and then he joined me, and together we entered the circle of stones together.
The energy was stronger within the circle – clearer, finer, like a still pool of white light. I moved to the centre of the rocks and slowly turned in a circle, gazing out through the trees to the hilltops in the distance.
Turning back to where I had entered, I was surprised to see Meher Baba still standing near the edge of the circle. I had almost forgotten he was there! Feeling slightly foolish, I looked around for a place to sit. Two rocks in the circle offered and, after a moment, decided to take the larger one with the flatter surface. As I turned towards the centre to sit down, I saw Meher Baba sitting down as well. I looked across at him, watching him swing one crossed leg over the other and smiling.
He looked thoughtfully at me and nodded, as if about to speak. Waiting expectantly, I wondered what he would say, yet he didn’t speak. ‘Perhaps, I should say something,’ I thought, and searched mentally for something to say - yet couldn’t. My thoughts were still suspended, the mind absorbed in the light.
I looked back towards him and he seemed to acknowledge my attempt. Again his eyes moved, as if he was speaking with them, yet his lips stayed still. I listened carefully, intently, straining to catch a glimpse of his voice. Perhaps I needed to change my mode of listening, I thought.
I searched my mind for an echo of his words, trying to find the place he was coming from. Slowly I worked my way up through layers of mind stuff until an opening appeared, like an expanding white circle in a clear blue sky. Beyond the circle was a space, where the light was clear, weightless and free. And I was absorbed in the light, my body dissolved, my awareness expanding into its awareness.
Within that light, a shining cloud swept towards me, greeting me as it neared. It was Meher Baba. A link was established, a flow of communication, warm, loving, and intimate. Perhaps a seed of doubt arose at the veracity of this contact for a gentle acknowledgement was returned.
Then I could feel myself sliding down out of the light. I willed myself to stay there but the amount of energy required was too great. Teetering on the edge I withdrew, and allowed myself to fall gently down through layers, to find myself sitting on the rock again, enveloped in that marvellous light within the circle. Meher Baba was there, looking at me, a gentle smile on his lips.
His eyes flickered. ‘Did I want to continue the conversation?’ he wanted to know. I looked inwards for something to say but felt drained, the mental effort required to form thoughts was too much. Yet there no pressure from him. I sat peacefully on the rock, gazing out from the hilltop view and enjoying his companionship as the golden afternoon sunlight fell through the trees, blending with the fine white light within the circle.