SUNSET VIEW of Baba's Tree looking toward the Pacific Ocean. (Brad Spurr photo.)

From the beginning of their tenure in 2002, Ray Johnston and Elizabeth Arnold felt that being volunteer Manager/ Caretakers at Meher Mount was a calling. 

To be a Manager/Caretaker at Meher Mount is to be willing to serve, to put oneself in the flow of Meher Mount's unfolding destiny, and to be part of the ongoing challenges and benefits of living on this land sanctified by Avatar Meher Baba's presence. 

One of the rewards of being at Meher Mount is enjoying the constant beauty of Meher Mount.  Every day is striking.  The beauty and power of this place are reminders of Avatar Meher Baba's admonition to "...try to love me [Meher Baba} through nature."

At Meher Mount, God's presence is felt by many.  Meher Baba said that this land is very old and that He had been here before.  Ray and Elizabeth are among the many who are drawn to Meher Mount's invisible fountain of spiritual energy. 

And they were drawn to be Manager/Caretakers for eight years. They continually demonstrated their connection to this special place by their loving attention to detail, respect for Avatar Meher Baba, and personal commitment to Meher Mount.

After their eight years - with a one-year sabbatical in the middle - Ray and Elizabeth are leaving Meher Mount.  Their time at Meher Mount has been marked by a number of projects and activities that are now part of Meher Mount's history.

VOLUNTEERS push an empty 5,000 gallon water tank up the hill and set it in place as part of the new water treatment system installed in 2004. (Sam Ervin photo.)

After Ray and Elizabeth arrived, one of the first items on the agenda was water. 

Meher Mount has a source of water - it's just not potable.  Water comes from a 2,500-foot well drilled on the property in 1929 by Conoco-Phillips, Inc. looking for oil. To Meher Mount's blessing, they found water instead.

The bad news is that there are traces of oil, sulfur minerals, and a number of other chemicals in the water.  Together Ray and Elizabeth, the Board of Directors, and the Weeds 'n' Water Committee raised $23,300 in 2004 to put in Meher Mount's first significant water treatment system. 

In 2010, Ray and the original vendor REMCO refurbished the water treatment system so that it can continue to provide enough potable water to support the equivalent of a household of four on a daily basis. 

NOT ALL WILDLIFE are in Africa. There's a bobcat that regularly makes an early morning visit to Meher Mount.  (Ray Johnston photo.)

In 2005, Ray and Elizabeth left Meher Mount - ostensibly for good.  They went to Kenya to manage The Desert Rose, an upscale, eco-.lodge in one of the remotest parts of the world.  Lilly, Laurent and Aspen Weichberger came to Meher Mount to be the Manager/Caretakers. 

Mid-way through their first year Lilly became pregnant, and they decided to move to Arizona.  While at The Desert Rose, Ray and Elizabeth continued to feel the pull of Meher Mount and indicated a desire to come back, returning in 2006.

At that time, Meher Mount began upgrading other types of infrastructure.  Elizabeth re-launched the Web site, upgraded the in-house computer, got broadband, and put into use the database/donor management software.  All this made her day-to-day administrative duties and fund raising support more streamlined.

THE NEW TRACTOR with four different detachable implements ushered in a new era of Caretaker capabilities and responsibilities. Sam Ervin, Board President, takes his turn posing at the wheel.  (Margaret Magnus photo.)

In 2007, thanks to a generous donor, Meher Mount was able to purchase a new tractor with four implements, and a  new era for Meher Mount opened up.  The tractor became one of Ray's favorite toys...errr, tools. 

He has used the tractor to mow large areas, to create additional fire breaks,  to grade roadways, to pull out dead trees and even to move equipment and set up for the annual Anniversary Celebrations the first Saturday in August.

Ray expanded fire abatement to a patch of land near a neighbor's house, an area that Meher Mount previously did not have the manpower or equipment to address.  In the same spirit of cooperation, that neighbor sent some workers to clean-up their property near Meher Mount's entryway.

EARLY DISCUSSIONS on the location of the agricultural shed location as part of the overall master plan. (Left: Glen Russ, Elizabeth Arnold, Ray Johnston, Byron Pinckert, Sam Ervin, Margaret Magnus, Jamshid Ebrahimzadeh.) (Nancy Pinckert photo.)

When funds were donated for the tractor, there was also a donation and a stipulation that it be housed in a fire-proof building. 

That donation and request became the impetus for long-range planning.  The Manager/Caretakers and Board launched a multi-year process for developing a master plan for Meher Mount.

Ray and Elizabeth have been an integral part in developing all aspects of Meher Mount's master plan and have been involved in the first stages of its implementation. 

RAY JOHNSTON (center) points out the location of the corner post to Margaret Magnus (left) and Elizabeth Arnold (right) which Meher Baba had asked Agnes Baron about. (Sam Ervin photo.)

As part of the long-range plan, Meher Mount contracted for a Boundary Survey and Topographical Map.  As part of that project, the surveyors marked the cornerstones of the 173-acre property. 

One of those boundary monuments was in a very inaccessible ravine and at the corner of the property that Meher Baba had specifically asked Agnes Baron about during His visit in 1956. Ray joined the surveyors when they put the new marker in that spot.  That process created a small landslide.  Ray marveled to see the landslide funneling exactly to the one point Meher Baba had asked about.

DEMOLITION BEGINS on the temporary trailer lived in by Agnes Baron after the 1985 fire. (Ray Johnston photo.)

Clean-up is also part of planning and getting ready for the future. 

Over a several-year period, the Board and Ray and Elizabeth arranged for  and managed the disposal of a number of temporary trailers on the property.  One of those trailers had been the temporary home of Agnes Baron, after a fire destroyed all the buildings on the property in 1985.

RAY AND ELIZABETH (standing) share a pleasant moment with guests Diana and Bill Le Page who are visiting from Australia to  participate in the 2007 Anniversary Celebration. (Sam Ervin Photo.)

All of these milestones and special projects were in addition to the day-to-day job of caring for Meher Mount.

Continuously, Ray and Elizabeth maintained the visitor center/ house for guests, kept the building in repair, including patching the roof a number of times, managed the grounds, greeted visitors, handled the bookkeeping and paperwork,  and set up and took down equipment for a number of events with guest speakers.  And they still found time for their personal life and to work and earn a living.

Their dedication, commitment, and contribution are valued not only by the Board, but also by the many visitors who visit  Meher Mount for inspiration, rejuvenation, remembering God, and enjoying nature.

Ray Johnston is leaving Meher Mount at the end of June 2010.  He is planning a move to Mexico where he has friends and property in the Yucatan.

In the fall, Ray will lead a safari in Kenya through his company Ray Johnston International.

The photo is of Ray telling a  story at the 2009 Anniversary Celebration about a visitor to Meher Mount who was inspired to become a beekeeper while sitting under Baba's Tree. (Margaret Magnus photo.)

(Wayne Myers Photo.)

All Are Welcome

Meher Mount welcomes visitors of all faiths or of no faith at all. It is a universal center because Avatar Meher Baba is universal - accessible to all.  

Hours

Wednesday - Sunday:

12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Monday - Tuesday: Closed

Parking

After turning into the entrance to Meher Mount and going through the gate, please park in the designated grass covered parking area on the left.

Registration & Orientation

Immediately upon arrival, all guests are asked to register by signing the Guest Book in the main building. For new visitors, there is an orientation.

Retreat Atmosphere

Please maintain the serene atmosphere by keeping noise levels low. No smoking, drugs or intoxication at Meher Mount.

Children

Children are welcome. There are no special facilities on site, and parents are responsible for the safety of their children. There are wild animals (generally not seen during the day), snakes, and poison oak. Adults need to be with children under 12 at all times.

Drinking Water

Please stay hydrated by bringing a bottle of drinking water. There is also drinking water on site.

Safety

Meher Mount is a semi-wilderness area containing hazards.  These hazards include, but are not limited to natural hazards such as rough potted roads, gopher holes, and uneven terrain. There are also poison oak, poisonous snakes, and poisonous insects.  Visitors should watch for wildlife.

Hazards also include old farm equipment, old building foundations, maintenance machinery and equipment in the open and in enclosed storage areas, and a fenced-in and covered pool no longer in use. Depending upon the time of year, there are potential hazardous weather conditions.

For the sun, a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses are recommended. Close-toed walking shoes are suggested given the terrain. Please pay attention to where you walk and be alert for rattlesnakes.

Fire Danger

Fire hazard is a major concern. No open fires, candles, or incense are permitted anywhere on the property.  Smoking is discouraged on the entire property and may be allowed only in your car.

Pets

For the safety of your pets and the wildlife, please leave all pets at home.  If you are traveling with your pets, they are to remain in your vehicle during your visit.

Day Pilgrimage Only

Meher Mount is designed for day pilgrimage, and there are no overnight facilities. Visitors to the area can select from a number of places to stay in the nearby towns of Ojai or Santa Paula.