EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

The Gathering is a great place to share heart-to-heart with your Baba family.
 . . . enjoy reconnecting and hanging out with your friends . . . at the rocking chairs, the Toddy shop,
Lover’s Lounge or in the Dining Hall . . .

The following activities are interwoven throughout the weekend – enjoy!

Special Guests

Every year our special guests share their personal experience of Baba’s love and the ways His presence has shaped their hearts and minds. Whether its a smaller ‘fireside chat’ or a large evening talk they can’t help but renew and ignite our love for Him.

Music, Music, and more Music

Our musical guests come to share their talent,  lift our spirits and move our hearts.  There is also a ‘Musical Round Robin’ and spontaneous jamming going on throughout the weekend with all the talented musician in our community. Bring your instruments and your voices!

Focus Groups 

The Focus Groups have long been a wonderful, unique and much loved part of the Southeast Gathering.   It is a rare time to share with fellow Baba lovers, both old and new  friends.
Focus Groups take place both Friday and Saturday mornings and they cover a variety of areas:
  • Interactive sharing and discussion: Feel free to share a discussion on any topic that is meaningful to you and others,  perhaps what ‘cutting edge’ is up for you.
  • Art:  writing, sculpture, painting etc.
  • Movement:  Yoga, Brain-gym, Thai chi.
  • Baba World:  Working in India, history of Meherabad, Baba’s travels, etc.
Please feel free to contact Damien with your ideas for leading a Focus Group:

Arti

Morning and evening Arti are held each day – which occurs at Baba’s Tomb in India twice daily. For many saying Baba’s prayers as a group is a rare opportunity and the music is sublime.

The Japa

The Japa is a twenty-four hour long continuous repetition of Baba’s name, which we do every year at the Gathering.  It runs from Saturday morning through Sunday morning.  Be sure to sign up to take part in this sacred practice!

Dhuni Fire

The Dhuni fire symbolizes the purifying inner fire of Divine Love. Initiated by Baba in 1925 He invited  followers to throw attachments, symbolized by sandalwood sticks, into the fire. By Meher Baba’s order, the Dhuni continues to be lit on the 12th of each month at sunset at Lower Meherabad, Ahmednagar, India.  Our Dhuni is lit Saturday night after the evening program.

Talent Show

Shed your fear and share your ‘shower song’, read a poem, juggle, play music, tell a joke or a story, do a skit or a magic trick – anything goes!  You have a most loving audience to be brave and vulnerable with.  Get on stage and shine!

Auction Fundraising Activities for SEG Charitable Donations

Audacious Auction

All proceeds raised from our Oral Auction are given by the SEG to the Trust in India and one other Baba project in need.

The auction is an event that is always filled with excitement and laughter!  Don’t forget to dig into your closets and attics for unused items you might contribute.  In the past, people have brought precious items; Baba memorabilia, rare original photos or personal items belonging to the mandali.  There are also Baba crafts, art, and treasures of all kinds.  

If you have something to donate – we want to know in advance the items history and significance.  Please send an email to  auction@southeastgathering.com

If you intend to attend the auction (of course you do!), please remember to bring your checkbook with you to the auction.  (We also now can accept debit or credit cards.)

The Silent Auction – New for SEG 2024

Proceeds raised from the Silent Auction will be diverted to our Financial Assistance Program to help fund our “Children Under 12 for Free!” program and our long-standing sliding scale assistance.

In order to streamline our Oral Auction, for the first time, we will shift some of our auction donations into a Silent Auction.  This will open for bidding at 2:00 on Friday afternoon and remain open until 2:00 on Saturday afternoon.

The Bazaar 

The Bazaar is an opportunity for Baba artists and craftspeople to showcase their creations for sale. Vendors are responsible for collecting their own proceeds. The Bazaar functions on the honor system. The only contribution necessary for having a table in the Bazaar is to contribute an item, of your creation, to be sold at the Auction.

The Bazaar will be regularly attended by Roger Stephens and his daughter Ada. Roger can answer your question about being a vendor. Venders should bring any set up materials they have, and Roger & Ada will help with tables, easels, materials for signage, as well as some lights and display accessories.

If you are interested in offering your arts or crafts for sale at the Gathering send an email to Roger at rogerbstephens@yahoo.com

The Bazaar room will also include the Free Will Offering table, with items such as Baba materials and miscellaneous gifts. A donation jar on the table is there for monetary donation for these.

Childcare

SEG volunteers generously contribute their time at the Gathering  in caring for your kids & teens with art projects, hikes in the woods and games.

We are always in need of folks who will help with this.  To volunteer,  please contact Janet Files – childcare@southeastgathering.com

Toddy Shop/Sheriar’s Cafe

The Toddy Shop is a coffee and tea shop for Baba lovers, where scrumptious goodies magically appear. Who brings these goodies?  You do!  Please bring a generous supply of fruits, veggies, snacks, cookies, brownies, breads and other delicious items—homemade is great!  Healthy drinks and  snacks are especially appreciated.   Coffee and teas provided.