Meher Spiritual Center

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A series of articles on Meher Baba
Terms and Concepts Perfect Master Mandali · New Life
Prayers and Practices Silence Day Amartithi · Dhuni O Parvardigar Prayer of Repentance Beloved God Prayer
Major Publications God Speaks Discourses God in a pill?
Organizations Avatar Meher Baba Trust Sufism Reoriented
Retreat Centers Meher Spiritual Center Avatar's Abode Meher Pilgrim Center Meherabad · Meherazad
Major Figures Hazrat Babajan Upasni Maharaj Mehera Irani Sheriar Mundegar Irani Norina Matchabelli Eruch Jessawala Faredoon Driver Bhau Kalchuri Francis Brabazon
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The Meher Spiritual Center is a 500 acre spiritual retreat nestled in a pine forest along the Atlantic Ocean in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The Center was established by Elizabeth Chapin Patterson and Princess Norina Matchabelli in the early 1940s to provide a place for spiritual renewal to visitors and to provide information about Indian spiritual master Meher Baba. Its stated purpose is to exist as a retreat for “rest, meditation, and the renewal of the spiritual life.” The Meher Spiritual Center is also a state wildlife sanctuary with two lakes, acres of unspoiled land with trails, and a mile of beach. The original name for the Meher Center, suggested by Meher Baba, was "The Abode for One and All."

The Center has a house built for Meher Baba which is still called "Baba's House." Meher Baba stayed there during his three visits to America in the 1950s. Meher Baba inaugurated the Meher Center in 1952 and also visited in 1956 and 1958. Meher Baba called the Meher Spiritual Center his "home in the west."

1 History
2 Cabin names
3 See also
4 External links

[edit] History

Meher Baba insisted that the land for his Center in America meet certain criteria including that it have moderate climate, fresh water, arable land, virgin soil, and that it be a gift of love. Elizabeth Patterson and Norina Matchabelli originally sought land in other parts of the United States including California. But no land met all the requirements. Eventually Elizabeth Patterson's father, Simeon B. Chapin, who was one of the original developers of Myrtle Beach, gave her the land as a gift. He felt that it was not suitable for his resort plans since its lakes obstructed access to the beach.

Meher Baba at the Meher Center

[edit] Cabin names

All the buildings on the Meher Center have names, including residences and maintenance buildings. These include Meher House, Happy House (now burned down), Dilruba, Sheriar Gate House, the Cove, Cedar Nook, the Original Kitchen, the Meeting Place, Caretaker's Cabin, Lake Cabin, Log Cabin, Cabin On the Hill, the Lantern, Near Cabin, Far Cabin, Studio, the Bungalo, Twin Cabins, the Hermitage, Farmshed, Green Cottage, Look Out, the Boat House, the Coop, the Barn, the Garage, the Refectory, Saroja Reading Room, Lagoon Cabin, Guest House, and Baba's House.