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fast of 1949, including Marguerite Poley, Margaret Craske, and Agnes Baron, who ultimately acquired the property. Baba visited it in 1956.

 

In 1948 Jean and Delia de Leon were called to India for a short time before He began the New Life. It seemed Baba wanted to contact some of His Western women again at this time (He had also called Norina and Elizabeth). Like the gopis visiting Krishna in His palace, Jean found a Baba quite different from the early "honeymoon" days: He was more distant, more impersonal. The years of war and partition in India had required different work for the Avatar and His Circle had to share the changes.

 

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 been moved

 

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