The Advent (Page 1 of 4)
by Eruch Jessawala

In the Arti (hymn of praise) that Francis Brabazon wrote, he used the expression "Truth and Truth’s body, divine Avatar," which to my mind beautifully defines the Advent. Although the Sanskrit word "Avatar" somewhat explains the Advent as the descent of reality into illusion, to the people of this era, "Truth and Truth’s Body" makes the whole concept of reality in the midst of illusion clearer. Truth is reality and reality is Truth; and the body that is taken on by Truth is the body we see in the Advent, the figure of Meher Baba, or Jesus Christ, or Gautama Buddha.

Each time the Advent takes place, as explained to us by Meher Baba, it was pre-ordained in the previous Advent. So what we find as Meher Baba, is nothing but the projection or the unfolding of the plan which had been drawn up at the time of Muhammed. And all we can say, from what we have been given to understand by Meher Baba, is that the times and the circumstances suited his Advent as they did all previous Advents. The Avatar comes when the presence of reality in the midst of illusion is most necessary.

Whatever we say about the Advents and Avatars is a simple and obvious thing but we make a big issue of it. It is reality descending into illusion and functioning as such. However, reality is so spread out in the realm of illusion, that for itself to function in illusion is a rarity, and that is why the Advent is known as the springtide of creation. It is the greatest act of compassion of Reality that it should condescend to come down and function in illusion.

Now in order to function in illusion, reality adorns or masks itself in a male human form, the form, which is then referred to as the Advent or the Avatar. Meher Baba has said that illusion is total darkness and Reality is total brilliance, effulgence, and if reality were to descend into illusion, i.e., the total light were to descend into total darkness, the darkness would be shattered. So the only way total light can be received by total darkness is to camouflage that light and that camouflage is nothing but the form of the Advent, which is always in a male human form. It is so ordained. None can say for certain why it is so, or whether it is timely that the Advent has taken place for we have no capacity to sit in judgment. The Advent takes place because it was timely that it happened.

Meher Baba has given us to understand that he is the same Ancient One, who comes again and again in our midst as a man amongst men, and whatever difference may exist among the appearances of the Avatar is not a difference in substance but in the mask he has to wear each time Reality descends into illusion. Only the material of the camouflage is different. Sometimes he seems to be a great warrior, sometimes a great peacemaker, sometimes he is the one who promotes brotherhood, purity and honesty, and according to circumstances, he manifests the traits which are required for the times.

This has happened millions upon millions of occasions, but we stick to a handful of Advents recorded in the past, and we try to compare them. But the only comparison that can be made is the external form, which keeps changing; otherwise he is the same Ancient One who functions as Redeemer, Saviour, Messenger, Messiah. He may be called by different names but he stations himself on all planes of consciousness. He is the Highest of the High and the lowest of the low, simultaneously. He is on all levels; all planes and his functions vary according to the circumstances and the needs of humanity.

In each Advent it is the same one Truth, which becomes the message. If there were two Truths, the Truth would not stand its ground because Truth by itself is one and only one. It is spoken in different languages in different Advents and explained according to the level of consciousness that humanity possesses at each particular time, and for this the Ancient One uses metaphors and parables to fit the particular circumstances of the Advent and he also shows us different ways to live that one Truth according to the times.

The Avatar is always referred to as He — instead of It — or the Reality — and this is so because the Reality always dons the male human form. Therefore we always use the masculine gender in referring to the Avatar; we say his coming again and again in our midst.

Now what need is there for the Avatar to come so many times? It is all his Divine Game. It is the divine game of hide-and-seek that takes place wherein he continues to remain hidden. There is a continuous process of seeking and being sought, and he being infinite, the whole of existence revolves around this reality which is infinite. The game goes on and on without any end except at the time when there is total dissolution (mahapralaya), and even then it is not the end because there is no end to this beginningless beginning.