Symbols of the world's religions

HEORINES OF THE PATH

Baba's Work with Women in the West
Part 4C

Filis Frederick

JEAN ADRIEL

As her drift from Baba accelerated it became a puzzle to the rest of the Baba world. But Baba, tender as always, arranged that a group of us send her financial aid as her poor health continued. She travelled from the East to the West Coast several times and also went to France. Marguerite Poley, her friend of many years, reminisces:

"I met Jean Adriel in September, 1947. I had driven a mutual friend to Meher Mount in upper Ojai, California. This friend of mine purchased the recently published Avatar. Subsequently it was loaned to me and it revealed to me who Baba is. Through correspondence I became more and more acquainted with Jean, also seeing her quite often and driving her about when she resided at the Highland Hotel in Hollywood. I found Jean regal-looking, strong-willed, witty, endowed with a great sense of humor, and not in the best of health."

"I particularly enjoyed driving her to Meher Mount on several occasions as I would hear all those Baba stories, some quite awesome as to how a Master works. Naturally humorous ones too. Then Jean went to India in 1948 in seventh heaven to be reunited with the Beloved. Back she was at the Highland Hotel in December of that year. During all of July, 1949 a group of us stayed at Meher Mount to observe silence as Baba had prescribed, Jean and Agnes Baron, presiding. We all kept quite busy with various tasks. The daily highlight happened in the lovely evening when we gathered to meditate at the end of which Jean would play a beautiful rendition of the "Song of India". I assure you, this was very stirring.

"It was when Jean decided to go back East that she asked me to purchase name lists in order to sell her book, which I did for some time and also was in charge of collecting monies for her support monthly. As no doubt you know, Jean drifted away from Baba and as you also know Baba had said all happens by His will. Not only that, He also declared that even those who were against Him were serving his cause. When Jean told me in the early 50's that she was leaving Baba it came as a great shock. First she said no true Master would declare 'I am the Highest of the High'. Where is the humility a Master should command?! She also confided she was hurt because Baba had not chosen her for the role Mehera holds. I know this has happened to others, but it grieved me. How could she refute Baba? Now that I am older and a little bit wiser, thank you, it would not hurt as it did then.

"Now Jean did a lot of travelling from the U.S. and Europe, back and forth, England, France. In the meanwhile we kept in touch. Jean and I had a visit at her apartment near Western and Hollywood Boulevard. She had composed some songs in regards to her inner "twin soul" and accompanied herself with the autoharp. She had a melodious voice. We had tea, and just as I was leaving I mentioned that perhaps I would go to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for the upcoming Sahavas with Baba, upon which she said to me "What for?" This incident took place in the Spring of 1958. I left, once more heavy-hearted for Jean. My Baba got me over it. I had to learn to leave things be. Jean had moved when I returned from Myrtle Beach. To obtain the new address I contacted her friend Evelyn Blackshaw. In replying Evelyn said Jean no longer wished any contacts with Baba people, so I just hunched my shoulders and felt, So be it."

"There is now a lapse of 17 years 'til seeing Jean again. This was in 1975 after she suffered some strokes. To my knowledge, and since 1975, Jean has moved 19 times, including the various hospital stays. In spite of brain damage, Jean can astonish one with glorious lucid moments in which she seems to dwell in another realm. The reverse can also happen. Her eyes sparkle at mention of Baba, for yes, Jean has reaccepted Baba. Surely visits from Baba lovers have made impact in heart-to-heart contacts. In passing I mention Liam Mullen, because Jean was very impressed with the way he speaks about the Beloved and she listened to him more than anyone else.

"Jean was 90 years old September 21, 1982 (sic). She is now in a convalescent hospital in the Valley.

"The foregoing is but a scratch on the surface. What an incarnation, Jean's, what a way to go! In conclusion, and as I reflect back, I am grateful for the contacts with Jean Adriel. I thank Baba and Jean too for these insights in Baba's cosmic circus."

In 1952 Jean came to New York to see Baba. I was present in the room. I am not sure, but I think that was the last time she physically saw Baba. When I moved to California in 1960 I was invited by a small "New Age" group to give a talk on Baba. Imagine my surprise to find Jean Adriel on the program! She sang her "celestial" songs and played the autoharp. But she walked out when I showed a Baba film. I felt very sad. Outside the hall she had a book table for Soaring Sunward, a novel which is a thinly veiled autobiography. When I approached her she greeted me with her usual charm and said to give Meher Baba her love when I wrote Him. I did so at once. She also wrote Him a letter saying she loved Him but could not accept Him as Avatar. Baba sent me a copy of the letter and a cable for her:

'I love you and I am with you until the end.'

I think that says it all. Of course, no one "leaves" Baba. Where can you go? The whole world is Baba — only, clouds can temporarily cover the Sun, the clouds of our own sanskaras, and sometimes their thickness is uncontrollable. In telling Jean's story there is a happy ending. This most frail of the early women disciples is still alive at 90 (sic), and has turned again to Baba. Her sunny inner awareness of His love and divinity breaks through in an amazing way and touches the hearts of those who visit her. Her book still draws new lovers to Baba.

For a postscript I quote her dedication of Avatar:

"To the living Christ whose beauty the very heavens can not contain but whose presence may be found in every humble loving heart."

THE AWAKENER, Vol. XX, No. 2, pp. 26-27
1983 © Universal Spiritual League in America, Inc.

Heroines of the Path
Introduction
Princess Norina Matchabelli: 2A, 2B, 2C
Margaret Craske: 3A, 3B, 3C
Jean Adriel: 4A, 4B,
Elizabeth Chapin Patterson: 5A, 5B, 5C
Nadine Tolstoy: 6A, 6B, 6C
Ivy Oneita Duce: 7A, 7B, 7C
Kitty Davy: 8A, 8B, 8C
Delia DeLeon: 9A, 9B, 9C
Summary

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