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101 Acres of God

Meherana purchased 188 acres in Mariposa County, ten years ago, to establish a retreat center, dedicated to Avatar Meher Baba, in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, five miles from the historic town of Mariposa. This year, Meherana was able to purchase a 101 acre parcel of land adjoining the existing center on its western border. We had been waiting for an opportunity for many years to secure this land and had always referred to it as "the 101".

The number 101 has been significant to lovers of God of the Zoroastrian faith for thousands of years. There is a beautiful Zoroastrian prayer from the Avesta called, "The One Hundred and One Names of God", representing the many attributes of God the Infinite. The ancient prayer was originally recited by Zarathustra in Persian. Avatar Meher Baba valued this prayer and so the number 101 has always had a special significance for His lovers.

At our first Sahavas in 1994, our guest speaker Bhau Kalchuri, who has been instrumental in the establishment of Meherana, commented when seeing the property line marked by a fence near our kitchen and meeting pandal, that the neighboring property should be secured as a buffer for our development area. Two years later this property, totaling 101 acres, went on the market. Several of us worked on putting together a partnership of individuals to buy the 101 acre parcel but it never came to completion, although some private purchases were made of land close by Meherana totaling over 300 acres. We never forgot the significance of this 101 acre piece of land, as it bordered along the entire part of Meherana that we planned to develop. A concern was ever present that the owner could develop it in a way that would disturb the tranquility and peacefulness of Meherana. Bhau, during his annual visits, would often mention the importance of securing this property. He knew from the development of Meherabad and Meherazad that securing a buffer area was vital in maintaining a quiet and peaceful atmosphere in the areas used by His lovers.

Then last March, we noticed a "For Sale" sign on the property, with a big 101 on it. A call to the realtor revealed that the sign had just gone up and that it had already been sold, in two days, and was in escrow. The realtor said that the new owners were planning to develop the property. We accepted it as Baba's will and told the realtor to let us know if it fell out of escrow, or if any part of it became available for sale. We were hoping that if the owners split the property into smaller parcels, Meherana could possibly purchase the parcel near our development area. At our Board Meeting in April, we discussed the situation and agreed to do what we could to obtain a parcel that bordered Meherana, if one was created and became available. But we felt helpless as we had no idea how the new owners would split the land, what price they would ask, or whether the new owners planned a commercial development. Suddenly, something that had been "on the back burner" was in the forefront. We imagined the worst - a motocross park or unattractive storage facilities with bright lights on all night.

On Thursday, June 12th, the day before our Spring Sahavas with Bhau started, we noticed that a new "For Sale" sign had gone up. Again, we called the realtor. The land purchase deal had fallen out of escrow and the 101 acres was for sale again. This time, we felt we should really do something, but we weren't sure what. We tried to think of someone, dedicated to Avatar Meher Baba, who could buy the land. We discussed the situation with Bhau telling him, with some desperation, that we needed to find someone to buy the 101 who understood Meherana and what we were trying to accomplish. Bhau gave an unforgettably intense look and said, "Your screws are loose, you buy it!", meaning that Meherana should buy it. It seems unbelievable now, but only at that moment did the purchase of the entire 101 acres seem possible. Obviously, a buyer was not going to materialize out of nowhere and take care of everything. We had to do it, but how? The asking price was $295,000. The board members were enthusiastic and so we began to contact those who we felt might be able to help. By Saturday morning, with the Sahavas going full tilt, we had put together a plan, and in the afternoon, we put an offer in to purchase the 101 acres for $250,000 with a 25% down payment ($62,500) and a note for the balance at 6 1/2%. We were aware that several offers were in on the property, with several lower offers already rejected, and some higher offers, with complicated contingencies, being considered. The owners live in South Dakota and it took several days to receive their counter offer to sell at $290,000 with $100,000 down and a note for the balance at 7% due in three years. We had stretched all of our resources and donors by making the first offer, and this counter offer seemed out of reach. Nevertheless, we stretched a little more and countered the counter offer with a purchase price of $290,000 with $70,000 down and a note for the balance at 7% due in three years. To our heart's joy, this offer was accepted and the purchase was made. Escrow closed on July 25th and Meherana, with this additional 101 acres, now owns a total of 289 acres. In reviewing our notes from seven years ago, we were able to purchase the land for less than the $300,000 asking price in 1996.

The difference in the future development of Meherana, with the addition of the 101 acres, is monumental due to the new acreage being relatively flat and a road, although rough, is already in existence. Meherana's first parcel of 188 acres is beautiful and wild, thickly wooded, with a large creek running though it for over a mile. Although parts of it are steep, it is secluded and home to a variety of wildlife. However, only a relatively small part of it can be developed without a high cost due to the terrain. In contrast, the 101 is more open and less secluded, but most of it is accessible and useable. There is a reason for this. Originally, one large parcel of nearly 2,000 acres had been split up, of which Meherana's 188 acre parcel was part. The owners at that time had carved out the 101 acre piece and retained it, because they felt it was the most valuable part of the property, being open and level, and they had plans to develop it. Meherana's original parcel has an irregular western border because they had cut out the large, flat meadows for the 101 acre piece.

So, as the saying goes, this changes everything. We will be able to protect the wildness of the original property and keep it more natural and secluded for camping. The location of the buildings will be able to be spread out over a larger area with less destructive road building. The 101 acres has its own entrance from Highway 140, which has better visibility than the existing entrance, and the future meeting hall could be placed closer to this entrance, with plenty of adjacent parking, enabling the retreat part of Meherana to remain more private. The potential sites for future buildings are substantially increased and with two entrances our fire safety is greatly enhanced.

The challenge before us now is to keep our development plans on track along with servicing the debt on the new note. We had originally planned to build Meherana with volunteer labor, but that has proved impractical, and as a result progress has been slow. Recently, we decided to move forward using paid labor with individuals who are willing to dedicate the next few years to building Meherana. A year-round retreat center can not be established until overnight accommodations are built. This is our priority along with finishing Baba's Cabin.

Of the $70,000 down payment for the 101, $35,000 was from Meherana's general fund and $35,000 was immediately donated by individuals. No money from Meherana's development fund was used for the 101 purchase. The development fund was depleted by the projects already completed, most notably the encroachment from Highway 140 and the road and grading work. We need to replace the monies from these funds so we can move forward with our development plans. In addition, we now have monthly payments of $1,464 for three years and then the balance of the note, around $220,000, will be due. There are several options to be considered. After three years, we could refinance the note, or as a last resort, we could sell part of the land that is furthest from our development areas. It all depends on the financial support Meherana receives over the next two years.

After the purchase, we walked the land again and the beauty and potential for its use grew upon us. As with all that has happened in the history of Meherana, our Beloved Baba is always there helping us to develop His center. When Bhau said that Meherana should buy it, it suddenly seemed so obvious. Once it was clear to us, we acted immediately and secured it, with the generous help of those dedicated to His work at Meherana. Now, we not only have the buffer we needed, but more acres for our development to progress in a much more economical and less disruptive way. If we are able to hold on to all of the 101 acres, an important legacy will be created for future generations. This legacy will be to have the land to expand the development of Meherana as the need requires, while leaving plenty of forest and woodland, for a buffer from neighboring parcels, and space for quietude and contemplation.

Meherana could not have taken this important step in acquiring the 101 without the generous contributions immediately given so we could make our offer. Our sincerest thanks and gratitude go to all those who have contributed their resources and energy to Meherana's development, and to all who have a vision of the future and the role Meherana will play, as the Advent of Avatar Meher Baba unfolds.

There are many ways you can help in the growth and establishment of Meherana as a year-round retreat center dedicated to our Beloved Meher Baba. Every donation of time, energy, and financial contribution helps. You can give your time and energy and work on a specific project, volunteer to help work before, during, or after a Sahavas, or give a financial contribution to help pay for the purchase of the 101 and build the retreat center. Please consider how you can help Meherana financially to fulfill our shared vision of the future.

Avatar Meher Baba Ki Jai!

"In the spiritual life it is not necessary to have a complete map of the Path in order to begin traveling. On the contrary, insistence upon having such complete knowledge may actually hinder rather than help the onward march. The deeper secrets of spiritual life are unraveled to those who take risks and who make bold experiments with it. They are not meant for the idler who seeks guaranties for every step. He who speculates from the shore about the ocean shall know only its surface, but he who would know the depths of the ocean must plunge into it." - Avatar Meher Baba