The Gutta at Manzil-e-Meem

–The Gutta

 From 1922 to 1923 Baba and his Mandali lived in a house in Bombay they called Manzil-e-Meem (House of the Master).

          On 3 January 1923, Baba called all the mandali to his upstairs room and said, “Somehow let us manage to spare an hour or two every evening to discuss domestic matters of the Manzil, and then to devote some time to recreation.” All agreed to this, and a few rules were laid down for the nightly meeting. After a long discussion, this meeting was dubbed the Gutta — meaning the Wineshop.

Each of the men was allowed to voice his opinion and vote independently on matters. Ghani was elected secretary and kept a record of the proceedings, while Baba was the chairman. All were free to make suggestions irrespective of, and without fear of, others’ opinions, and they were to vote on issues independently. One speaker was to follow another, but only after getting the chairman’s permission. No one was otherwise allowed to speak — lest it turn into a normal tavern where uproar and disorder usually prevail. Each man had to raise his hand before speaking, and thus the Master established an official body of government in the Manzil.Baily described the Gutta as follows:

 All kinds of discussions took place in the Gutta. If anybody wanted to say anything — important, unimportant, worldly, or spiritual, pertaining to a close one or to others — anything and everything was discussed openly, freely, and frankly without any hesitation, shyness or fear.

All were given such freedom of speech to such an extent that even matters pertaining to Baba were permitted — if anyone felt reason to complain against him, about his orders and opinions, or if anyone felt hurt by him. All such issues and anything else could be openly and frankly brought up in the Gutta.

 Quite often the discussions would lead to heated arguments, and whenever the situation seemed to be getting out of control, Baba would intervene and, bringing the house to order, would settle the issue. At other times, Baba would sit quietly, enjoying all the proceedings with a smile on his face. After the discussions, Baba would give his own opinion and there would be further discussion on that and the matter would be put to vote for the majority decision. At times, when Baba was not in favor of the majority decision, he was obliged to give his final vote, and everybody had to obey it.

There were two rules of this Gutta that were to be always followed. The first was that irrespective of how excited or angry one may become during the course of the discussions, deliberations, arguments, etc., one should refrain from using unparliamentary and abusive language. One should not use words that were insulting, hurtful, or humiliating to others. Under no circumstances should such heated arguments be allowed to take a serious turn. No trace or vestige of ill-feeling should be retained in the heart, nor should one create enmity with another. The second rule was that any matters discussed and decisions arrived at, or thoughts and ideas exchanged within the Gutta should not be mentioned outside the Gutta.

 Here Bailey captures the very essence of the Gutta.  The Gutta is not bound by a set of rigid rules & regulations.  Instead, it is guided by a certain Spirit–a spirit of freedom if you will.  This is the essential Spirit of Meher Gutta.