Of all the books I have read this year, this one has surprised me the most. I hadn't heard of Meher Baba previously, yet he was clearly a hugely significant figure, so it was quite a revelation for me to learn about him.

The first section of the book describes Meher Baba's life. Born in Poona, India, in 1894, he worked with the poor of India and with disciples in Europe, Australia and America. He described himself as an avatar - the Hindu word for a godman. He specifically said that he was not trying to establish a spiritual society or organisation but that he wanted to bring together people from different religions. He devoted his life to teaching and spreading a message of love, through which we all have the ability to find a happiness and tranquility which goes beyond the 'earthly' pleasures we seek through our egos.

He kept silent for nearly 44 years until his death in 1969, yet he seemed to have an amazing ability to draw people to him and to communicate his message. He created free schools, shelters and dispensaries, but was clear that this was simply a way of moving forward his real work which was to spread his message of transcending human experience.. He was tolerant of religious practices but not of rituals which may become a distraction or a means unto themselves. His message was that we can realise our ideals through our every day lives.

The second part of the book briefly describes Meher Baba's teachings, although these are also entwined in the biographical section of the book. The third, brief, section explains how the authors came to learn of Meher Baba.

This is a remarkable narrative. If you are already aware of Meher Baba, then this account of his life and work will certainly be of interest. If you have not come across him, I can only invite you to read the book and discover him for yourself. Whether or not you agree that he was an avatar, Meher Baba certainly lived an extraordinary life and touched the lives of many thousands of people around him. His message of creating understanding between religions seems so relevant in this time of religious conflict.

I am very grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book.

This is well done. The first part is Baba's biography. Like many messengers, he had a lot of challenges. The second part was more interesting to me, which was a summary of some of his teachings, which are great. Recommended.

I really appreciate the NetGalley advanced copy for review!!

I wondered if reading this book would bring up a slew of bad memories, which unfortunately revolve around my own personal relationship with Meher Baba. As a child/early teenager I was force-fed the words of Baba by an adult figure who, rather than spread the word of unconditional love, used his love for Baba in a way to control others (I think the best word for that is fanatic?!). But that fanaticism also took me to Ahmednagar in India as a 15 year old, for a month long trip that I will never forget. It took place in 1993, and I stayed in the pilgrim center in Meherabad with my family, and spent time in Meherazad with Mani and Eruch who were still alive at that time. I met so many amazing people, and for the first time in my life felt in touch with a spirituality that was my own, not something imposed on me. I am not a Baba follower, and I don’t believe in a god, or spiritual planes, or anything like that, but I do believe in unconditional love, and spreading this love.

Having spent time with some of Baba’s close mandali members (Mani, Manzani, Eruch, Dr Goher, for example), as well as the mast (holy man) named Mohammed, and on the ground where Baba spent so much of his life on earth (Meherabad and Meherazad), I still feel blessed to have experienced this. After having rejected any Baba-related material or information for so long, reading this book has helped heal a rift that was present in my mind, and for that I am grateful. While I may not actually believe in a god, I think that Baba’s message is one that would help humanity live more harmoniously together, rather than the pit of pain and suffering we seem intent on causing each other. There are many things that I question in his discourses (especially the role of women and/or the importance of marriage for example), but the essence of striving towards a purer self, rid of ego is important in my opinion.

The Silent Messenger provides a great overview of Baba’s life and message, and would be a perfect starter book for those interested in understanding more about the person and his journey. The larger part of the book is based on Meher Baba’s life, and the remainder on his message to the world. It’s well-written and deeply researched, and also provides information on Baba’s work in a way that makes it easy to understand and explain to others. Tom and Dorothy Hopkinson, now deceased, both spent time with Baba, and originally wrote the first version of this book in the 1970’s. Highly recommended read to those interested in spirituality, Meher Baba, and those searching for meaning in their lives (even though they will not find it, because who does ever find real meaning?!). I really appreciated how the book explores the differences between the western approach to holiness and religion, and the eastern approach, and how western culture wouldn’t (and still isn’t) receptive to someone like Meher Baba. It’s a very accessible and interesting read.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the advance copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

This is the story of the so-called Silent Prophet, Meher Baba, a well-known Persian guru of the previous century. This detailed biography of a self-styled avatar was interesting, not least because the names Tom and Dorothy Hopkinson were so familiar: they turn up in the autobiographical and biographical works of Antonia White, of Frost in May fame.
Whilst bearing his self-imposed silence, Baba was neither unapproachable nor uncommunicative: first a keyboard, then gestures and facial expressions were used by the great one to get his messages across.
To begin with, a bolting revelation took some time to assimilate; then Baba began to visit other gurus and to gain a following. Apparently there is one group of advanced souls always on hand to help starting humanity find their way: one was a woman who also claimed the title 'Baba', meaning 'father', because the Feminine 'Amna' seemed demeaning - luckily today, 'masters' in female form have been known to come out as an Amma too. Then there emerge the so-called 'masts' who don't speak because they can't, they are too intoxicated with their spiritual visions. Baba is reported to have sought these out and cared for them, because he saw them as important gateways to the divine.
Similarly, it is inferred that Baba himself felt himself to be a gateway between the divine and humanity, active as he was between and after two world wars, and then the Cold War. It is inferred that he allowed himself to suffer two serious car accidents towards this aim. It's to be wondered what any serious Baba or Amma would make of today's world of strife and lunacy.
Towards his disciples, he was known to be strict in imposing rules connected to property and money, ownership and socialising: for example the writer recounts she dearly wanted to catch up and chat to an old friend at a chance meeting during the commute, but didn't because it was against the rules set by the great guru. Baba was known to work some of his followers into the ground with endless criticisms and to insist on gruelling marches through inhospitable terrain. He was also known to dismantle an ashram and community almost before it was complete. It seems that Meher Baba believed that once any place of good works becomes an institution, the original spirit is lost.
It is worth remembering however, that as far as penances went, Baba appears to have been just as strict on himself, even when being partial to enjoying visits to Hollywood. He didn't keep fleets of rolls Royces, nor abused his followers beyond what has already been described: he looked after those closest to him, the writers insist.
Apparently Meher Baba left behind written works of poetry and mystical insights of great beauty and coherence, though these are not really explored in this biography, other than there being the me too that some of these were transcripts into more readable form by one if his followers. It has to be remembered that it would probably be impossible for someone like Baba to emerge in the West, as the culture would be so unreceptive to this. That in itself names a biography such as this so interesting: what reality is deemed to be can vary so much in different ambiences, therefore what is given credence and acceptance can vary so much, too.