How God Speaks Was Written
by Chris Ott
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Introduction and Overview
God Speaks is Meher Baba's principal book. It can be purchased at Amazon.com or downloaded free in PDF form at the site given above. Here is a short history of how Meher Baba conveyed this book for those who are interested. Meher Baba was silent and spoke on an alphabet board or by sign language. His style of working was often collaborative. Therefore, how Baba conveyed God Speaks is of particular interest to many who have studied the book. Below is a short bulleted overview, followed by a more detailed chronology of events. Unless otherwise noted, page numbers refer to Lord Meher by Bhau Kalchuri, Manifestation, Inc. 1986.
From August 1953 until June 1954 Meher Baba dictates the first eight parts of God Speaks to Eruch Jessawala using his alphabet board. This dictation takes place in Dehra Dun, Mahabaleshwar, and Satara over ten months.
In October 1954, Baba stops using his alphabet board forever.
Eruch writes Part 9 (The Ten States of God), interpreting a chart by Baba. Eruch also writes Part 10 (Conclusion).
The Supplement is gathered from notes by Dr. Ghani Munsiff collected over several years.
Feram Workingboxwala and Bhau Kalchuri organize the book into chapters and type the manuscript.
On 18 March 1955 Baba begins signing approximately five hundred title pages.
On 26 December 1955 Baba gives special copies of the newly released first edition to the mandali.
In July 1956 Ivy Duce (head of Sufism Reoriented in San Francisco) suggests to Rano Gayley that she illustrate the process of evolution and involution described in God Speaks. This becomes the primary fold out chart in the second edition.
In December 1959 Baba begins discussions with Don Stevens about publication of a new edition of God Speaks.
In May 1965 Baba checks and corrects the glossary of God Speaks witten by Lud Dimpfl. It becomes part of the second edition.
Work on God Speaks finally comes to an end on 10 September 1965.
The first edition is reprinted in 1967, 1968, and 1970.
The second edition of God Speaks is published in 1973, four years after Baba passed away. It is reprinted once in 1975.
In 1990 Dodd, Mead and Company goes out of business.
A third edition is published in 1997.
1953 - 1954 (Dictation)
Meher Baba began dictating his book about the purpose of creation, God Speaks, in Dehra Dun, August 1953. He would dictate "points" every day to disciple Eruch Jessawala, who would jot them down and write them out at night. The next day Eruch would read to Baba what he had written. This writing of God Speaks was not, however, completed at this time but was continued for months in Mahabaleshwar and also subsequently at Satara. (LM 4208)Baba had dictated a portion of the book God Speaks to Eruch in Dehra Dun and in January 1954 in Mahabaleshwar he began dictating more "points," which Eruch would write down. Usually the next day, Eruch would read back what he had written to Baba for clarity, then Baba would dictate more "points." (LM 4254)
Baba's dictation of God Speaks to Eruch continued throughout the month of June 1954 in Satara, and Eruch completed his writing work in July. (LM 4407)
In October 1954, Baba discarded his alphabet board and began using only hand gestures from then on. (LM 4557, 4562, 4564)
“Part 9: The Ten States of God" and the “Part 10: Conclusion,” were written by Eruch B. Jessawala alone in elaboration of notes dictated to him by Meher Baba, and are a recapitulation of the previous sections dictated directly by Meher Baba. (from God Speaks, Preface to the First Edition)
The "Ten States of God" ... was written by Eruch B. Jessawala under the direct supervision of Meher Baba, describing and interpreting an original diagram, “The Ten States of God,” devised by Meher Baba. (God Speaks, Editor's note, p. 157 of the online edition)
When Baba had finished his "dictation of points" and Eruch had finished his writing work, Feram Workingboxwala and Bhau Kalchuri coordinated the typing of Eruch's handwritten pages. Bhau also was partially responsible for dividing the book into chapters. (LM 4600)
English author and Meher Baba biographer Charles Purdom was given a copy of the manuscript of God Speaks to edit, but wrote Baba that it would take him two to three years to edit and prepare the book for publication in England. (LM 4600)
Before leaving the Three Incredible Weeks, on the final day of the sahavas, 30 September 1954, Baba gave American Sufi Lud Dimpfl the manuscript to deliver to Ivy Duce and Don Stevens in America to determine if they could fix the grammar and punctuation and prepare it for printing. They enthusiastically rushed to take on the task. (LM 4551, 4600)
Correspondence began between Baba's sister Mani in India and Ivy Duce in America regarding the preparation and publication of God Speaks. (LM 4600)
After Ivy Duce and Don Stevens had done their grammar and punctuation work, the manuscript was mailed back to India for Baba to check and correct and add any additional points of interest. (LM 4600)
Eruch Jessawala and Ramjoo Abdulla did the final corrections and writing work according to Baba's dictates. (LM 4600)
The Supplement to God Speaks was compiled from Dr. Ghani Munsiff's notes over several years. A Muslim, Ghani was an expert on Sufism and familiar with the various Islamic Sufi cults. (LM 4600)
On 10 January 1955 at 4 P.M., Baba broke a fast with rice and dal. During this period, Baba would trace letters with his finger on either a stool or any other convenient surface. But it was very difficult for the mandali to decipher them quickly. Yet Baba had unlimited patience and would literally spend hours to convey something. Even if the mandali failed to follow what he meant, Baba would keep repeating it through this "unwritten writing" until they understood. This method of gestures was also used to correct the supplement sections to God Speaks, which Ivy Duce had sent to Baba for his approval in early December 1954. (LM 4590)
The following is a 1955 letter from Mani to Ivy Duce describing how Baba checked the manuscript which eventually became the book God Speaks. (LM 4600)
Dear Ivy,
Returning herewith the remaining half of the Supplement (entire). The delay in returning this has been unavoidable as will be noted from the corrections and additions Baba has had made. Some of the pages needing many corrections or overhauling (as pages 279, 284, 289, 294, footnote for 297, 302, 311) or complete additions (such as 270 (1) to 270 (6) have been retyped in blue.) Baba has wanted me to type the notes as taken down and worked on by Ramjoo and Eruch under Baba's direction and guidance. He therefore wants you to note these pages carefully and make all necessary grammatical corrections or alteration in the English for greater clarity or expression, keeping the sense entire. Your original pages (corrected) are attached correspondingly to the freshly typed ones. On many other pages the corrections were done in red pencil, red or blue ink (not retyped for lack of time) and the mandali concerned with to convey their regrets about these corrections not being inserted more tidily – one of the reasons being great rush of, and lack of, time (specially in the case of Eruch who had also to see to his other multifarious duties in spite of; and Ramjoo working on it far into the night at times).
The contents were read out to Baba by Eruch, with Ramjoo to help incorporate points in question, and another Hindu disciple (Bhau) playing a strange role. For overcoming the impossibility of conveying through ordinary gestures the terms or names in Sufism or Vendantism, and sometimes a work or essence not to be grasped through Baba's patiently repeated gestures, Baba would have the Hindu disciple recite the alphabet A B C D, stopping him with raised hand when he had reached the first alphabet of the work Baba had in mind. Starting all over again Baba would stop him at the second letter; and so on laboriously, until the work or sense or sentence was complete. This is why is took so much time to return it to you. Baba worked 4 to 5 hours at it daily, listing, correcting adding. I am only writing this for I know it will interest you and Don [Stevens] to know now in spite of his self-imposed handicaps Baba has minutely attended to this book that you both are working on wholeheartedly.
I think it would have done dear Ghani's heart good to see the numerous points Baba has corrected, changed and added. I also see now more than ever why Baba wished the Supplement ascribed to the efforts of "some of the disciples" ….
You will be happy to note I am sure that Baba has touched on your question of a previous letter regarding "angels and archangels" (in the new 6 pages Baba has added).
I have added a footnote 270 (1) for I think it is interesting. It is from remarks made by Baba at the time Donkin and I were working on Ghani's material, but he would not say more. I have read it to Baba and he says it is O.K., but won't add to it, saying that the subject would make a volume in itself . DO NOT PUT IN. (I also remember his saying something about the "brainy" inventions made on our earth are usually by some soul reincarnating from one of the other two worlds, but I am really not at all sure about this, so I have not put it in; and Baba seemed tired and disinclined to answer more.)
Do correct the English of the footnote as necessary dear Ivy; I do not know if a better explanation or line is necessary for the expression "head" and "heart." Anyway I leave it to you – put it in if you like and as you like.
--Manija
1955 (Signing and publication)
Dodd, Mead & Company of New York is chosen as the publisher for God Speaks. Sufism Reoriented pays for the printing.
On 18 March 1955 Baba began signing approximately five hundred title pages of the book God Speaks, soon to be published in America. The signing of the title pages was to raise funds to pay for the printing of the book. Although Dodd, Mead of New York was the publishing company, Sufism Reoriented financed God Speaks. (LM 4599)
On 26 December 1955 Baba asked for the received copies of God Speaks and gave some of them to the mandali – the signed ones to Mehera and Mani, one for Eruch, a regular one for Rano and one for the other men and women mandali. Baba, however, asked them not to read it before January 7th. Five thousand copies of the book had been printed for the first edition.
Copyright
In February 1956, Baba wrote a letter to Adi reconfirming that all of Baba's copyrights of his writings were vested in him, except for God Speaks, which Baba had permanently given to Sufism Reoriented in America. (4895)
Elizabeth and Marion left, and Don Stevens was called. Differences between him and Ivy Duce were laid before Baba, who decided how to settle them. At one point, Baba decided about the future of God Speaks:
"All the returns (profits from Sufism Reoriented activities) are to be utilized to spread God Speaks in every nook and corner of the world. I am not worried about publicity."
This is explained later in a letter from Lud Dimpfl to Elizabeth Patterson: (LM 5007)
November 14, 1970
Dear Mrs. Patterson,
I feel the time has come to put into writing the gist of an instruction which was given by Meher Baba to Sufism Reoriented. This concerns the division of net profits from the sale of his book God Speaks.
These instructions were given during his visit to Myrtle Beach in 1956. They were given in the presence (among others) of Murshida Ivy Duce, Don E. Stevens, and myself. Meher Baba there conveyed his wish that the net profits from sales of God Speaks were to be divided equally between the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc., and Sufism Reoriented, Inc. At an earlier date, Meher Baba had tentatively discussed another possible plan for division of profits. But the plan of equal division of net profits between the Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. and Sufism Reoriented, Inc. was his final decision and instruction to us on this subject.
This letter was read out at a meeting of the Board of Directors of Sufism Reoriented in San Francisco on this date, and is part of the minutes of that meeting.
With love in Baba, and greetings from all the Sufis,
Ludwig H. Dimpfl
President
Dr. Evans-Wentz's review of God Speaks
In 1955 the well known Oriental scholar Walter Evans-Wentz (far right) wrote a positive review of God Speaks. (LM 4599) W. Y. Evans-Wentz (1878–1965) compiled and edited the Tibetan Book of the Dead (the after-death experiences on the Bardo plane) translated by Lama Kazi Dawa-Samdup, published in 1960. (LM 5055)
The Uniqueness and Paramount Value of God Speaks
W. Y. Evans-Wentz (seen right)
No other Teacher in our own time or in any known past time has so minutely analyzed consciousness as Meher Baba has in God Speaks. Occidental psychology, especially under the illustrious leadership of Dr. [Carl] Jung, has made great advances in the study of the unconscious and of the dream-state, but because of its necessary adherence to conservative methods of scientific research it has not been able, as yet, to fathom the Deep of the Seer. So, for the science circumscribed psychologist, God Speaks should prove to be of paramount importance in inspiring further progress on the psychological pathway.
Correlatively, noteworthy in particular is Part VIII, on the Evolution of Consciousness, and Part IX, on the Ten States of God, to which is attached a diagram linking together "the most generally accepted Sufi, Vedantic and Christian mystical equivalents." As a whole, the book marks clear the at-one-ment of the essentials of the various historic religions in the light of the gnosis of the Sufis.
Meher Baba's enlightening treatise adds much to the sum total of learning and contributes incalculably to the enrichment of mankind for, as the sages of Asia teach, the most intrinsically valuable of all riches, and greater than all mundane wealth, is Right Knowledge.
Nowhere is Meher Baba's wisdom more succinctly set forth than in his Conclusion, on page 176: "To understand the infinite, eternal Reality is NOT the Goal of individualized beings in the Illusion of Creation, because the Reality can never be understood; it is to be realized by conscious experience."
In Los Angeles on 1 August 1956, Dr. W. Y. Evans-Wentz finally met Baba. At that meeting, knowing of his review of God Speaks, Baba asked him if he would write an introduction to the collection of his messages entitled Life At Its Best. The doctor agreed. (LM 5055)
1956-1965 (Promotion and second edition)
In May 1956 a copy of God Speaks was hand delivered to Kirpal Singh, spiritual leader of the Sikhs. Kirpal Singh had met Baba in Delhi in November 1952 and again met him on 18 May 1956 after receiving the copy of God Speaks. (LM 4924)
On July 20th, 1956, at New York's Hotel Delmonico, Baba met Raymond T. Bond, a vice-president, and S. Phelps Platt, president of Dodd, Mead & Company, the publisher of God Speaks. (LM 4957)
The interviews then began. Everyone waited outside, and Ella Winterfeldt checked off each one's name in her interview book as they went inside to meet Baba privately. Ivy Duce, John Bass, Darwin Shaw and Filis Frederick introduced those who came. The first persons introduced were Mr. Bond, a vice-president, and Phelps Platt of Dodd, Mead & Company, the publisher of God Speaks. Both men were greatly impressed. Emphasizing the importance of God Speaks, Baba commented: "When I break my silence, that book will be priceless. It will be treasured by the whole world." (LM 4957)
Rano Gayley's Chart
Before Baba had gone to the West in July 1956, Ivy Duce wrote to Rano Gayley casually suggesting that she illustrate the process of evolution and involution described in God Speaks, specifically for children. At first, Rano was not taken with the idea; but after thinking it over, she sought Baba's permission, asking if she could work on it while he was away, and Baba indicated to go ahead. (LM 5123)
Rano told him, "I think I can depict the evolution part of it, but what about the planes?"
Baba laughed and gestured, "Do your best."
When Baba returned, Rano had a preliminary sketch waiting for him. Baba approved it and gave all the wording around the chart: "Formless and colorless, God's creative and impulsive imagination to know himself as Omnipresent, Infinite and Eternal." (LM 5123)
Eruch suggested that she include more than one person on the planes (she had shown only one figure), because people might get the impression that only one person at a time could traverse the planes. Baba agreed. After the painting was finished, at the end of October, it was sent to Ivy Duce, who later had it reproduced. (LM 5123)
Baba directed [Rano] often: telling her to add this, alter that, write this, arrange something just so, alter the color of this figure or that bird. It is wonderful how Baba notices the tiniest details which one can often miss. (LM footnote p. 5123)
Second edition
In December 1959, in the mornings, Baba would discuss with Don Stevens publication plans for a new edition of God Speaks. (LM 5675)
Don Stevens discussed some questions about various subjects in God Speaks which the Sufis and others had been asking, and Baba promised to elucidate these for the second edition. Baba also stated, "I will not break my silence and manifest until this new edition of God Speaks is published." It was reprinted in 1967. (LM 6319)
In May 1965, during the war between Pakistan and India, in Guruprasad, Baba was checking and correcting a glossary of God Speaks, which Lud Dimpfl had prepared. Bal Natu would read out every word and its meaning and, when required, Baba would correct a point. The glossary had been compiled with Baba's approval to aid the reader in distinguishing the terms. (LM 6369)
Editing of the second edition ends on 10 September 1965. (LM 6527)
Translations
A Telugu translation of God Speaks was done by lieutenant governor of Rewa, Thirumala Rao, by Baba's request. (LM 4863) Thirumala Rao delivered his translation to Baba on 26 March 1957 and Baba urged him to publish it. (LM 5162)
A Hindi translation of God Speaks was done by Professor Dastgir. (LM 5712)
Dr. Deshmukh's wife Indumati translated God Speaks into Marathi and daily read to Baba the portion she had translated. (LM 5751)
Knowledge Vs. Understanding
The following are quotes by Baba in which he differentiates between knowledge and understanding in regards to God Speaks.
"Volumes abound in Hindu philosophy about Knowledge. In God Speaks I have explained it very clearly. After you read the book, you will come to the understanding that there is nothing besides "I." This is not Knowledge, this is understanding. From the beginning to the end, there is nothing but God. After reading about it, you will come to the conclusion that you are God. But this is not even mental knowledge: it is only mental or intellectual understanding. What is mental knowledge and what is mental understanding? We come to the understanding that we all are one. When you finish reading God Speaks, you will say what Baba has said is true. Mental understanding is that which makes you understand that God is everywhere and nothing exists but God. But, within a few minutes, this understanding is disturbed by a sense of suffering, or by some insult and so on. What is mental knowledge? Suppose a man has read many books, even God Speaks, and he comes to the understanding that I am all in all. He takes it for granted that Baba is one with God. But even when he suffers some insult or humiliation or suffering, he says it is all God's will, and has no thought of revenge or hatred or anything of the sort. This is mental knowledge. And even this mental state very few gain." (LM 4681)
"God Speaks is perfect in itself, but even it can never be compared with Truth. It is explained in God Speaks how all of creation happened. Scriptures say the same thing." (4730)
"Remember one thing: However much I may explain to you about spirituality, love and God, you will never be able to experience what I say. Intellectually you will grasp it. If you read God Speaks from cover to cover, you will understand it intellectually. But after all that, to love God is quite different, and what love is, I will explain. God Speaks has nothing to do with love, but it gives a clear picture about what God is and how one can love God." (LM 4762)
"I have made it quite clear in God Speaks about the mind and its activity, and after reading it, you will know what I mean." (LM 4783)
"It is very difficult for one to understand the spiritual path, and still more difficult to be on the path. If you merely want to hear and understand about this path, there are volumes written about it. You can also go to saints and sadhus and listen to their explanations. But the path is beyond intelligence, beyond mental understanding, beyond mind itself. God Speaks narrates this from the beginning to the end. Anyone who reads it from the first word to the last will understand it mentally, but that does not mean that thereby he has become God or has caught hold of God." (LM 4799)
"After reading God Speaks, you will understand that you are God, but this understanding will not give you the authority to say that you are God. In the book, a clear picture of this is given. Never before have such truths been revealed. And when Vinoo Kher reads it, he will know that he is God, but he will not have the authority to declare that he is God. For that, he must have the experience as I have, just as he knows himself to be a man." (LM 4803)
Baba's desire for people to read God Speaks
"Do read God Speaks. I would like everyone of you to possess a copy. If you cannot buy it, borrow it and read it. If you cannot read, get the book explained to you by someone." (LM 4698) Baba asked C. E. Dubrunfaut if he had read God Speaks and urged him to do so. (LM 4940)
Baba reminded a man named Vilayat to read God Speaks. (LM 5534)
Dana Field brought Mr. Miller and his wife, Mary, from Miami to see Baba. They, too, were told to read God Speaks. (LM 5010)
To the next woman who saw him privately, Baba urged, "Love me. You will see me within you. Read God Speaks, and don't worry about anything." (LM 5009)
Baba ended by instructing Vilayat Khan, "Please yourself, but you should at least do one thing for me. You must read God Speaks from the first to the last page." (LM 5531)
To one man who was highly educated, Baba advised, "Read God Speaks. It will test your intelligence and also open the heart. It will provide food for the mind and for the heart, too." (LM 5829)
To Chandra Roy's questions about metaphysics, Baba replied, "You will find all the answers to your questions in God Speaks. Study the book thoroughly and absorb it." (LM 6233)
On October 10th, 1964, Baba to Cohen through Adi K. Irani in response to a letter about LSD: Meher Baba wants you to study the book God Speaks, for it will help you to understand the mystery of life ephemeral and the Truth of Existence Eternal. (LM 6282)
To Phyllis Ott Baba said, "Read God Speaks three or four times. Your eyes will weep and weep and weep. Your heart will burn and burn and burn, and be consumed. And you will experience the Real." (6294) On seeing Baba for the second time, Phyllis had read God Speaks three times as instructed. (LM 6391)
At one point, Baba startled his mandali by saying, "No more reading. I want you all to stop reading – it confuses the mind! Don't even read anything Baba has written!" The very next moment, he playfully turned to Margaret Craske and asked, "How many times have you read God Speaks? Read it ten times, one right after another!" (LM 5066)
Baba said to a Parsi general in the Indian army, "If you were to read God Speaks, you will have an idea of how Infinity can be bottled up in human form. You will also know that for God, Who is infinitely powerful, it is possible to do anything. Do not worry. Read God Speaks and you will understand that nothing exists but God. You are also God, but you are under the hallucination that you are a human being." (LM 6358)
The following is an account by Tom Riley in which he describes a discussion with Baba in October 1962 about his reading God Speaks.
Baba then asked me where exactly I lived in New York and who I knew amongst his people there. He asked me what of his works I had read. I said I was sure I had read almost everything that was published.
He asked, "Have you read God Speaks?"
I answered, "Yes, Baba, I have read it three times."
There was a quiet rumbling sound from the men. He asked,
"Can you sum up for me in a nutshell the essence of God Speaks?"
My focus had been so entirely upon him that my response manifested itself so simply and so reasonably and I said, without hesitation, "The whole of creation exists so that the Soul can find its way back to you."
Baba beamed, his eyes flashing as he made the sign of perfection with His right hand. (LM 5948)
Baba on the effects of reading God Speaks
"If you read God Speaks you will have a wider view of the spiritual panorama of the Divine Drama which reveals the secret of creation." (LM 5724)
To one man who was highly educated, Baba advised, "Read God Speaks. It will test your intelligence and also open the heart. It will provide food for the mind and for the heart, too." (LM 5829)
Baba heard a part of a Hindi translation of God Speaks that day, done by Professor Dastgir. Afterwards, Baba cryptically remarked to him, "You are dry in heart but soft in mind. Whatever you have written by your intellect will make many weep. In making others soft-hearted, you, too, will become like them. (LM 5712)
"Even if your faith is wrong, I wish you to say what you feel about me. Remain steadfast in your faith. Hold on fast to your sincere and honest convictions. Whatever you feel in your heart, openly declare it. Do not pose. That is the most important point. In God Speaks I have explained every point." (LM 4771)
"Whatever I am is due to the Five Sadgurus. Not only in this incarnation, but in every age when they bring me down. This is all made clear in God Speaks. After reading the book through, you will understand to some extent who you are. But that will not make you see me as I am. For that, you must have intense love for me. I dictated the book myself on the board. Don Stevens has brought a few copies here. The book is on sale in America. People who have read a few chapters feel interested in me. They think it is unique for such a big volume to be dictated on an alphabet board. They wanted to see on television how I used the board." (4799)
Baba on the value and importance of God Speaks
"So, take my advice and accept God Speaks as the final authority. Nothing of its kind has been recorded before."
(LM 5665)
"God Speaks and Stay with God [by Francis Brabazon] are the two most important books to read." (LM 6431)
After Don Stevens had worked several months on the Discourses, on a subsequent visit to Meherazad, Baba asked him how the work was progressing. As sometimes happens in any project, Don Stevens was apparently at a low ebb in his vitality, and without thinking he blurted out,
"Almost finished now, Baba, but I don't know how much good all this work will do."
Baba looked surprised by his comment and made his accustomed gesture for Don to continue his thought.
"Well, I hear so many people say that words, if anything, obscure Truth, and the mind finally cannot grasp Truth. Even some of the people who love you most dearly say that even Baba's words can well be left aside in the pursuit of God-Realization."
"People say that about Baba's own words?" [Baba] almost exploded, he was so angry.
Don nodded mutely, "Yes."
Quite upset, Baba continued his gesticulations rapidly as Eruch spoke them to Don.
"You must understand that whenever Baba gives out words for his lovers to use and read, he attaches a spiritual energy to them – something like an atomic spiritual bomb! This is especially true in God Speaks. Then, when one reads those words, even if he does not understand even one word of what he reads, a part of the spiritual energy will be absorbed by that person. And this energy will be very important for that person in his spiritual progress." (LM 6289)
The man with the monkey brain
Baba sends a copy of God Speaks with a cover letter and request for immediate response. to Dr. Robert White of Cleveland, Ohio (That article was in Look magazine dated November 28th, 1967), a neurosurgeon doing research on monkeys to determine where the soul is located. (LM 6651)
"Let him read this article, because, at the end of it, Dr. White had described an experiment which he had done many times of keeping a monkey's brain alive outside the body."
Briefly, what he did is to cut the skull open completely and try to isolate the brain. The main arteries going into the brain are connected to another monkey and the brain receives the blood from the other monkey, the donor monkey, and then he completely removes the body. The blood coming from the veins from the brain is taken out and dripped into a container, is purified, and sent back to the donor monkey. And, in that way, this isolated brain is kept alive separately, completely outside the skull.
Then the article says, it was possible for Dr. White to keep the recordings of the donor monkey's brain through the electroencephalogram (EEG) in the same way as brainwaves are recorded in a living monkey's brain. Dr. White thought he could keep this brain alive for a long time. (LM 6641)
TV review of God Speaks
November 1955
After the poor program, Baba walked to his cabin, where he discussed matters with Nusserwan Satha. Soon he came out and used his alphabet board for the television film. Several different angles were shot by the cameraman hired for the occasion, before Baba held up his hand signaling it was enough. Baba handed Don Stevens the alphabet board for him to take back to America and joked, "The next time Don says something will take ten minutes, I'll know he means thirty!" The professional black and white film was subsequently viewed by the public on the California television program "Cavalcade of Books," on which God Speaks was reviewed. Don Stevens also took some 8mm color shots during his stay. (LM 4692)
Key to images on this page
Clicking on any one of these images will make it larger. After doing so simply hit back on your browser to return to this page.
The first image shows Baba dictating to a mandali, but it is not Eruch who he dictated God Speaks to. Though I am not certain, I think the mandali in the picture is Dr. Ghani Munsiff, author of the supplement of God Speaks.
The second image is actually of Baba signing title pages for God Speaks. He signed approximately 500. These were then sent to New York where they were stitched with the first printing. Signed copies had a special white cloth cover, but the same dust jacket.
The third image is of a signed copy of God Speaks held at the Heartland Center in Prague, Oklahoma.
The fourth image is of Walter Evans Wentz in Tibet (right). In 1919, the Oxford educated anthropologist and folklorist travelled through the Himalayas and reached Tibet. There, in a Buddhist monastery, he became the first Westerner to see the Book of the Dead. (ref)
The fifth image is of Rano Gayley's chart of Baba's theme of Creation found in the second edition.
The sixth image is earlier than 1955. However, it is illustrative of Baba discoursing to his close disciples and followers in India.
The final image is from about 1962 when Baba met with Tom Riley.
