The purpose of life is to realize God within ourselves. This can be done even whilst attending to our worldly duties. In the everyday walks of life and amidst intense activities, we should feel detached and dedicate our doings to our Beloved God. — Meher Baba
"Selfless service and love are twin divine qualities." — Meher Baba
Update 2020: Zoom. etc.
Avatar Meher Baba's Circle of Friends (CoF) is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to bringing forth truth, love, purity and beauty. Per our Bylaws, “We are aspirants who strive to remember Avatar Meher Baba through love, fellowship and service to one and all.” Almost 5 years ago, we acquired a 3600 sq foot space in the Myrtle Beach Mall, which we call The Circle Center, directly across the street from the Meher Spiritual Center. We are open to host meetings of just about any kind: we have hosted speakers and musicians traveling through the area on pilgrimage, crafting or dance parties, book releases, Sahavas and reunions, just to name a few… before COVID we were host to 8-10 events a week. Anyone with an idea for a meeting or with something to share with the community could reserve our space. We met our obligations entirely through donations from participants or through regular contributions from donors like you. Since COVID and concerns about meeting in enclosed spaces, we have moved our attention to Zoom, with the same universal mindset – that anyone with an idea for a meeting or with something to share with the community could create events on Zoom, and we would provide the platform to help them deliver it. The number and range of meetings has skyrocketed to over 35 meetings a week and growing, with everyone’s pooled creativity, energy and dedication. Just as in our physical space, most events are not “sponsored” by the Circle of Friends, and what happens within meetings is the responsibility of the event anchors. But, their enthusiasm, and the love and attention of those who participate, is what makes our Circle so dynamic. The Circle is YOU. Welcome to the Circle, friends. Make yourselves at home! For those who are intrigued, here is a link to the Guidelines for using Circle Zoom for your event: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1f4WCpiHftqMCnPPGoI7O3KyopDA2wkmWaHQQPsFeVnY/edit?usp=sharing Click "join group" for our very active FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ambcirclefriends See also our Facebook Page requested norms. Enter your email address for weekly updates: https://www.ambcircleoffriends.com/subscribe-to-the-circle-news.html Check out our online calendar: https://www.ambcircleoffriends.com/calendar-list-view.html
Join us in our work for Beloved Avatar Meher Baba! Donations of money or in kind are greatly appreciated.. Donations can be either recurring or as the spirit moves you. You can donate by clicking on the button. There are other ways to support our work for Beloved Meher Baba. You can volunteer as a Zoom host or at The Circle Center. Contact Angela Lee Chen at angelaleechen@gmail.com to volunteer for Zoom. To volunteer as a Circle Center host, contact Jim Knuteson at jknute2002@yahoo.com You can also designate Avater Meher Baba's Circle of Friends as a charitable beneficiary when you shop on Amazon Smile..
The Origin of The Circle of Friends
Meher Baba (1894-1969) was born to Zoroastrian parents in a Jewish hospital in Pune, India. He had a normal, active childhood, excelling in sports and studies and attending a Christian high school until, in his second year of college, his life-course was altered by his contact with a Muslim Saint, Hazrat Babajan. After seeking out several other Muslim and Hindu masters, he began his life ministry in 1922. Meher Baba gave up speaking in 1925. He let his actions speak for him, living a life of sacrifice and love for God by loving and serving his fellow creatures. Through his example, he encouraged his followers from East and West, from diverse religious backgrounds and also outside of organized religions, to do the same, no matter what their religious beliefs or spiritual inclinations were. Meher Baba served the poor, the ill, lepers, and the mentally ill with great compassion for most of his life, interspersing this work with world travels. During those travels he visited the Meher Spiritual Center, which had been established in his name in Myrtle Beach, SC. Avatar Meher Baba's Circle of Friends tries to embody his message of love and service.
When we came together in fall of 2005, it was because our hearts went out to the Katrina victims and we wanted to help. At the request of Baba lovers in the affected areas, we sent many boxes of donated materials relating to Meher Baba. As a result, a New Orleans Meher Baba Group started. A Meher Baba jazz gathering happened at the same time as the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in May 2006. People from the Myrtle Beach area attended, and helped clean homes in the 9th ward. In keeping with Baba's Wish, "Understanding that Baba is in everyone, try to help and serve others", we have continued these efforts. We are a community service organization serving the Myrtle Beach Meher Baba community, and other people in need, by providing information, fellowship, and services. We have worked with individual community members and other community service organizations. We also sponsor fellowship, arts, spiritual, service, and educational programs to nurture our remembrance of Beloved Meher Baba and our enjoyment of His company in our companionship with each other.