Meher Mount

Since staying in Ojai, for this CV-19 situation, a local friend took me there. Wonderful just wonderful - Meher Baba was a great Saint in the Hindu tradition in the mid 20th Century. I first came to know of him in the 1960s. He was influential in generating my interest in Indian spiritual traditions and I went to live there in 1971. I unfortunately never had his darshan in person but a number of close friends have & were very happy they did. This place was visited & blessed by him & is a wonderful experience in nature, with views westward to the Channel Islands off the coast.

If you are at all a sensitive or intuitive personality, and you visit this place with an open heart, your universe may be changed forever. There is a powerful vibration resonant there, and it is the vibration of Divine Wisdom and Love.

A magical place. Yes worship God in nature. Jai Baba.

Went there with open mind and heart. Did not feel vibrations. Beautiful

A very pious place. I will like to visit the mount on my next visit to USA.

If you want to know how to get to heaven... Jai Baba

Beautiful place to see the whole valley.

Absolutely spiritual!!! Must see Baba's tree!!!

When I arrived, it struck me that Meher Mount is very well cared for and maintained. It wasn't long before. I also saw that it's teaming with life. There are many bird species no doubt attracted by the six birdfeeders and five hummingbird sugar water nectar feeders. There are also two birdbaths and a small pond which seem to be enjoyed and appreciated. In addition to the hummingbirds, there are California Orioles, redheaded woodpeckers, wrens, doves, bluebirds, crows, hawks and a number of others. All are busy scurrying about landing, feeding, gathering and dispersing. Some of the hummingbirds chase others off, defending a given feeder. The lizards, butterflies, bees, and squirrels are also flying or running about. It is a dry climate, but there is also a wide variety of plants. I don't know the names of most. One is drawn to take time to listen to the sounds of the birds and a wind chime and feel the gentle breeze. Maybe just sit and watch a hummingbird leisurely feed at the feeder. Breaking away from my routines at home, a quiet leisurely pace emerges. At first, not sure what to do, but the day unfolds. Time to think and reflect without distraction. A new rhythm of the day comes about. After a few days, one sees that the colorful California Orioles, crows, and other animals have their daily rhythms and routines too. Birds begin stirring at sunrise. About one half hour before sunset they settle in and there is quiet, but for an occasional chirp. Sunrise, I look out the window, but I'm not getting up yet. I'm more of a sunset admirer. That said, the sunrise exudes serenity and awakening. There is no neglecting practical matters, just allowing a bit more space in between, managing to sit, listen and see what is around. Spectacular views! The Ojai Valley with agriculture, including orange groves in the base and Topa Topa on the other side, rising to an elevation of 6,738 feet. The elevation at Meher Mount is around 2,500 feet. On the other side of the property to the south, is a view of the Pacific Ocean and the Channel Islands. One also sees a spectacular view towards Santa Paula and Oxnard with rolling terrain and hills rising above the plane below in that direction. Is this a spiritual place? Everywhere is. This place just helps one see that.

I was here in 1965 as a 10 year old with my parents, fresh from London where we had lived for a year so my dad could get his Montessori credential. Because of the Montessori link we lived on the property with Agnes with a view to perhaps start a school. She had a big German Shepherd dog who would hurl himself at people and knock them over. The shower was brown with sulphur deposits and the water smelled so strongly of sulphur it was almost unbearable. We were only there a few months as the personalities of Agnes and my parents clashed, culminating in her deeming them "crystalized" They always laughed about that.

As a first-time visitor to Ojai, I sought out places that are described as spiritual or having a special energy about them. Meher Mount was on a short list. The drive here was a little hairy at times, with super narrow roads climbing up Sulphur Mountain Road. The few times we did encounter other cars, they were zipping by, super comfortable with the road, whereas we were a bit hesitant going around nearly blind corners and trying not to careen off the mountain! Our GPS has utterly failed us, but thankfully I had written down some directions I saw online. I was nervous if we were ever going to find it, but, we finally did. We were the only people there, except for some of the caretakers who live on site. The space was beautiful, though it was a bit overcast so we didn't get some of the stunning vistas others mention. We spent some time at Baba's Tree and and Avatar Point. The wind rustling through the trees was incredibly peaceful. I didn't really feel much of the "invisible font of energy" at Baba's Tree, though one of the branches was oddly warm, especially considering that it was a bit chilly out. I'm glad we went, but we didn't get too much out of it, unfortunately. It's nice that the space is open and available for people to visit without any obligations.

The energy at this place was strange and confusing, a bit scary which I can't really explain since it has all the makings of a great meditation place. My friends and I went with an open mind but left quickly with strange vibes.

Interesting place, very peaceful...

I first learned of Meher Baba when studying the Dunites who were individual free thinkers who lived in the Oceano sand dunes, many during the 1920s and 1930s. The spiritual master from India visited the Dunites in 1934. Sulphur Mountain Road was one of best drives in Ventura County; it traveled between Highways 150 and 33 separating Ojai from the ocean. Today the easily drivable part of this road is 4.6 miles of pavement heading west off of Highway 150. Meher Mount is located on Sulphur Mountain Road and it is probably the only property on that historic road to allow public access for us to wander, enjoy nature, and think about things. Meher Baba visited here in 1956. Avatar Point has great views, to include Point Mugu and Anacapa Island. This large property hosts the Ventura NEXRAD radar which does its part in letting us know if it is raining on our roofs or not, via a WEB page. When driving on west Highway 126 you can look to the mountains and see the spherical radome and know what is there. Our hosts were Buzz and Ginger, a delightful couple who live at the Mount; both as docents and maintainers the grounds. My wife and I had them to ourselves and we talked of many things and learned much. There was no attempt to convert anyone to anything. We left with good feelings about Meher Mount and our hosts. From what I have found out, Meher Baba did not have a religion that he was trying to convert people to. He pushed "Don't Worry, Be Happy" and "Nothing matters but love for God". Pretty good goals! Meher Mount welcomes visitors of all faiths, or of no faith at all.