Mast (Meher Baba)

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Mast in the teachings of Meher Baba, an Indian spiritual master who declared himself to be the Avatar of the age, refers to a unique category of spiritually advanced souls. These individuals are said to be absorbed in God to the extent that they have lost normal social awareness and often exhibit behavior that may seem eccentric or insane to the average person. Meher Baba devoted a significant portion of his life's work to contacting, serving, and working with these beings, whom he described as being "God-intoxicated" or "intoxicated with God."

Definition and Characteristics

According to Meher Baba, masts are not ordinary people; they are souls who are on the spiritual path but have become so engrossed in their inner journey towards God-realization that they have become indifferent to the external world. This state of divine intoxication differentiates them from mentally ill individuals, as their detachment from worldly matters is due to their deep longing and connection with the divine rather than any psychological disorder.

Masts are characterized by their disregard for social norms, personal hygiene, and sometimes even basic survival needs. Despite their often disheveled appearance and unconventional behavior, Meher Baba emphasized that masts possess an inner purity and are closer to God than most people. He categorized masts into different types based on their spiritual advancement and the nature of their experiences.

Meher Baba's Work with Masts

Meher Baba's work with masts began in the 1930s and continued for several decades. He traveled extensively across India and occasionally beyond, seeking out masts to offer them care and spiritual aid. Baba and his close disciples would provide the masts with food, clean their living spaces, and attend to their needs in an effort to help stabilize their physical condition, which would, in turn, aid their spiritual progress.

One of the key aspects of Meher Baba's work with masts was the use of his spiritual authority to effect internal changes within them. He often described performing a "spiritual operation" on masts, which involved making adjustments to their inner spiritual state to help them advance towards God-realization. This work was considered highly significant in Meher Baba's spiritual mission, with the welfare and spiritual advancement of masts being a major aspect of his life's work.

Legacy

Meher Baba's approach to masts has left a lasting legacy within his spiritual community. His teachings on masts challenge conventional views on spirituality and mental health, suggesting a profound connection between certain forms of what might appear as madness and deep spiritual states. The care and attention Meher Baba gave to masts are seen by his followers as an example of selfless service and compassion.

See Also

• Meher Baba
• God-realization
• Spiritual path