Interpreting Meher Baba’s Words
Baba has said, “I am not limited by this form. I use it like a garment to make myself visible to you; and I communicate with you through words best fitted to your understanding. If I used the language of my own consciousness you would not know what I was talking about. Don’t try to understand Me. My depth is unfathomable. Just love Me. I eternally enjoy the Christ state of consciousness and when I speak I shall manifest my true Self; besides giving a general push to the whole world, I shall lead all those who come to Me towards Light and Truth.”
Source: Mani S. Irani, 82 Family Letters, letter no. 7, March 7, 1957, p. 17
My every word will come true, but I alone know how, when and where. You will not be able to understand them. To talk about and understand such subjects requires special ears and a different tongue. [14 October 1922, Bombay]
—Source: Quoted in Bhau Kalchuri, Lord Meher 2: 442
Another version:
The world is against spirituality, and so against me, as I have so often told you. Don’t be hasty in forming opinions regarding my words and deeds. My words will prove to be true, but I alone know how, when and where. You will not understand them, because to understand mystical statements supernatural intelligence is required. [1922, Bombay]
—Source: Quoted in C. B. Purdom, The Perfect Master, p. 57
One may interpret my words as one likes. When an earthquake takes place, it is possible for many other things to happen, such as fires, floods, destruction of buildings, et cetera. . . . It is equally possible for one interpretation or another to prove to be correct.
—Source: Quoted in Bhau Kalchuri, Lord Meher 10: 3719
. . . my lovers and others have been confused, trying to interpret my words in different ways.
Everyone is free to interpret my words in any way they think and feel. But one thing I tell you, that whenever I say a thing, I naturally use my own “language,” and whatsoever is said by me is truth. But, my “language” is such that none can understand or grasp the underlying meaning of what I say; therefore, when I want to say a thing I have simultaneously to make use of your language also, knowing well that you would understand nothing whatsoever if I were to make use of my “language” alone. . . .
—Source: Meher Baba’s Final Declaration. See Principal Statements section.
People generally remain indifferent when I am present among them. They understand and appreciate me more after I drop my body. That is the way whenever I come. [November 1955, Meherabad]
—Source: Listen, Humanity, p. 14
It seems to all that I give promises, and break all of them. But I fulfill all of them…
I am master of the art of telling lies, of giving promises and not fulfilling them. But remember, I am beyond all that too, and therefore I fulfill every promise given. [26 January 1956, Sakori]
—Source: Glow International, Aug. 1993, p9
Not a single thing that I have said is untrue. Not one thing that I have stated will fail to occur. It is only that you cannot and do not understand the language I use. And if I do not use the language to suit your understanding, it is from my true compassion and mercy. [Before 19 August 1957]
—Source: Quoted in Ivy O. Duce, How a Master Works, p.301
… That which you as individuals know at this moment, I knew aeons ago. And what you as individuals in ages to come will be knowing at a particular moment, I know now.
[c.1960, India]
—Source: The Everything and the Nothing, p. 58
Unaware as you are of my reasons and purposes for the ever-repeated postponements in the breaking of my silence, and for my apparently giving vague promises — which are likely to create doubts in the weak ones, but add strength of test in the strong ones — you should be aware of my methods of working.
It is that I always allow things to shape themselves out in the natural course, and I seldom put my mind into bringing about merely mundane results…
I therefore emphasize, and repeat once again, for you to have full faith in the accomplishment of what I have stated, and to remain brave in heart, even if God’s ways, for the time being, seem inscrutable. [5 August 1943, Lahore]
—Source: Lord Meher 8: 2911
Being the highest and becoming the lowest, I manifest knowledge and assume ignorance at the same time. Even though I know a certain thing will happen within a month, I may chalk out plans as if it was not to occur for years. Again, knowing that an event will not take place for years, I appear to expect it to happen shortly.
In dnyan (knowledge) there is adnyan (non-knowledge or ignorance). But in adnyan there cannot be dnyan. Having all knowledge on the highest level, I can assume full ignorance on your level. In fact, I am infinite knowledge, and as such, I know what is to happen even after hundreds of years. Yet I profess ignorance while I am on your level…
I who am knowledge itself manifest ignorance of knowledge. Knowing all, I seem not to know, at one and the same time.
[c.1960, India]
—Source: The Everything and the Nothing, p. 61
To love me for what I may give you is not loving me at all. To sacrifice anything in my cause to gain something for yourself is like a blind man sacrificing his eyes for sight.
I am the divine beloved, worthy of being loved because I am love. He who loves me because of this will be blessed with unlimited sight and will see me as I am. [1969, Meherazad]
—Source: Kitty Davy, Love Alone Prevails, p. 686.