Read Book - Avatar Meher Baba Trust

22 THE PATH OF LOVE
Although the Perfect Master remains in illusion as the center
of the cosmic periphery, and radiates his influence uniformly
over the entire universe, in his lifetime he gathers round him
twelve men to directly have their center of interest in his individuality.
These men, through their constant and close association
with him in the past, right from the evolutionary stages of
consciousness, reap the greatest benefit now when their past
close associate has become a Perfect Master.
Such a group of 12 men is called the “Circle” of a Perfect
Master. However, besides this group of twelve men, there is an
appendage of two women to complete the Circle of a Perfect
Master in all its aspects. These two women also owe their position
in regard to the Circle, to their past connection with the
Perfect Master.
One or more of these fourteen close ones associated with
the Perfect Master realizes the God-state during or after the lifetime
of the Perfect Master; and in some instances, after one or a
few more reincarnations. However, the Perfect Master fulfills his
obligations by establishing his Circle during his lifetime, and the
greatest good he bestows is God-realization with all its Perfection
to at least one from among his circle of twelve men.
In the case of the Avatar it is different. He has ten Circles
in all, as shown in the accompanying diagram. The first or Inner
Circle of the Avatar consists of twelve men with an appendage
of two women; and each of the following nine Outer Circles
consists of twelve persons, both men and women. In all there
are 120 persons in the ten circles of the Avatar, plus the two
women of the Inner Circle who are but the appendage to that
particular Circle (122 in all).