Articles

He Said What?

By Ann Conlon

How many times have you heard someone say that Baba told us to stay out of politics? In some people's minds that also means not voting. Well, Baba did say a great deal about politics throughout his life, but most of it was directed at individuals or at specific groups. It seems to be one of those things that somehow grew into a "general" order over time, with its origins becoming more and more blurred.

But Eruch once told a young Baba lover of my acquaintance, "Of course you should get involved in politics! We need good people in office."

And I'm inclined to point out one quote from Baba in this regard, which seems to me to be very sensible. Speaking of the upcoming New Life phase in October, 1951, Baba told his "old life" and "new life" followers: "Baba never has had and never will have any concern with politics. He therefore desires that if any of you do political work, you must never involve him or make use of his name in connection with that work." He made a similar statement to two Indian followers running for office and using his name in the process.

There are of course other statements attributed to Baba which he never made. They're usually statements someone wishes he had made because they suit the individual. Like the rather widespread one that says everything Baba said was said in his language alone and we can't understand it and therefore, in our ignorance, we're free to do as we please. Of course that "my language alone" statement applies only to part of his Final Declaration, particularly the part about "three-quarters of the world will be destroyed." For some reason, many people are disappointed to learn that perhaps he wasn't describing the destruction of our physical world. And they only learn that if they have the brains to read the Clarification that followed the Final Declaration. But what fun is that?

I think when we hear someone quote Meher Baba — on any subject — it would be best for us to react first by doubting its authenticity and then to immediately start looking for the original quote. It takes some work, but could save us a lot of trouble in the long run. After all, how much time do you want to spend waiting for three-quarters of the world to be destroyed when it may well never happen? I would hope we all have better things to do.