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It was in 1952 that Meher Baba first came to his “Home in the West,” to visit the place that his devotees had lovingly built for him in Myrtle Beach and called the Meher Spiritual Center . This was a joyous time … an event that was many years in preparation.
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It was in 1952 that Meher Baba first came to his “Home in the West,” to visit the place that his devotees had lovingly built for him in Myrtle Beach and called the Meher Spiritual Center. This was a joyous time … an event that was many years in preparation. Meher Baba is pictured here along with with Adele Wolkin, Filis Frederick, his sister Mani, Rita (Sparkie) Lukes, Ivy O. Duce, Mehera, Delia DeLeon and Meheru.
After several weeks visiting with Baba lovers old and new, it was time for them to go. On May 21, 1952, Meher Baba and the women mandali left in two cars for California to visit devotees waiting for him there. (The men mandali had been sent on ahead, the day before.) Perhaps no-one realized the significance of it then, but the route Baba chose very closely followed the Trail of Tears. Trail of Tears Map source: U.S. National Park Service
“Kitty Davy writes in Love Alone Prevails… “Elizabeth drove the blue Nash, Baba seated beside her; Mehera, Mani and Meheru behind…. On the night of May 23 we stayed at Pond Crest Motor Court in the Ozarks [Arkansas]…. We were up early as usual. …After breakfast the group stood waiting in front of the motel for Baba’s signal to step into the cars. This morning Baba delayed starting, however. He came out of his room and stood quite still for some minutes on the doorstep, withdrawn, sad and unusually still. No last minute questions, no haste to be off…. Ten minutes elapsed before Baba walked to the car, followed by the eastern women…. After a short distance, Baba’s car stopped suddenly and Baba got out and paced up and down the right-hand side of the road. We too got out and stood by the car. Not a word was uttered.” (pp. 397-398.)
The automobile collision occurred later that day on this stretch of road 8.8 miles away from Prague, Oklahoma. This photograph was taken from the collision site, facing east.
“With lightning speed we jumped out of the car and rushed forward. The anguish of that moment is unforgettable…. Baba’s face with blood pouring from his head, the extraordinary expression on Baba’s face, his eyes just staring straight ahead as if into unfathomable distances. He made no sound or sign...just lay there motionless…. Elizabeth was in the car doubled over the wheel. Her first question had been, ‘Is he alive?’” --Kitty Davy, Love Alone Prevails, p. 398.
The injured are rushed to the Prague Clinic When the ambulance came, they went to Baba with a stretcher, but he motioned toward Mehera, asking that she be helped before him. After arrival at the hospital, again he refused assistance until Mehera had received attention. Mehera was unconscious at the time, having received a very serious head injury. This image shows the emergency room entrance looking about the same as it did in the early 1950s. Kitty recalled, “The whole Prague Clinic was turned upside down to make the party comfortable.”
Dr. Ned Burleson later wrote: “When I finally got around to attending to Baba, I was surprised to see an individual who was injured as badly as he was still smiling. I was also astounded to find that he did not speak a word, or make any sound denoting discomfort…. The most attractive quality of his personality that first day was the way he looked at me with those big brown eyes as if he were reading my mind. Later, I determined that the most astounding quality was that something which made it possible for him to receive such profound devotion and loyalty from so many fine and educated people. That quality cannot be forced. Such devotion can only be possible because he deserved it or earned it.” (p. 400, Love Alone Prevails) Dr. Burleson standing in front of the Emergency Room entrance in 1959.
During the twelve days that Baba, Mehera, Meheru and Elizabeth were cared for in Prague, the townspeople expressed such loving helpfulness that all the party were deeply touched. Baba’s connection with the Burleson family continued through the years primarily by way of correspondence through his sister, Mani. Baba did not forget the Burlesons. Once, much to the delight of Mrs. Burleson and the children, he sent the family a leopard skin from India. Mani and Mehera
