History

The Beads on One String Foundation grew out of two earlier organisations, founded by Don E. Stevens and companions, Majestic Foundation and later Companion Trust. In 2010 these were restructured into the U.S. as a 501(c)3 non-profit; The Beads On One String Foundation. The founder, Don E. Stevens, intended to establish a Trust “for the furtherance of the objectives embodied in the works and documents produced by Avatar Meher Baba during his lifetime.” Over the years this intention has been realized through various activities.

In the early years Majestic Foundation’s primary mission was to support the translation, publication, and preservation of Meher Baba’s words, specifically God Speaks, The Discourses and Listen, Humanity.

In 1993 Companion Trust was established in the U.K. and supported a wide range of activities. The first scholarship fund, known as the Alan Flax Grant, was established to support spiritual seekers that wished to devote themselves fulltime in service at the Meher Baba Ashram in Meherabad, India.

The Trust also supported several other projects including a rural hospital in India founded by Dr. Goher, the organization of seminars and group gatherings throughout Europe and USA and individual grants to seekers wishing to take pilgrimages to India.

During this time Companion Books was also established as a formal book publishing entity, whose mission is the furtherance of the teachings of Meher Baba and the preservation of his words. Through translation, publication, editing, and distribution Companion Books seeks to make a range of literary works by and about Meher Baba available to all. Visit companionbooks.org for more information.

In 2004 the Beads on One String project took a central focus for the organization. This project was again inspired by Meher Baba, with the realization that there are many paths to spiritual awakening and that they are all connected and informed by an underlying unity.

Since 2004 activities have been organized to explore the threads of unity at the heart of all religions through pilgrimages, gatherings, film & media, and scholarships. For a more extensive history, please see “A short history of the Beads on One String Project”. (at present, see Spotlight page. Will this go onto the same tab as this history?)

Starting in 2008 a group in Boston, MA began work to establish the organization as a U.S. based 501(c)3 and in 2010 the Beads on One String Foundation was granted this charity status. The organization was established with a volunteer board of 11 directors and has worked to preserve the legacy of the founder and expand the vision and scope of the organization.

The Beads on One String Project was inspired by the realization that there are many paths to spiritual awakening and that they are all connected and informed by an underlying unity. Since 2004 activities have been organized to explore the threads of unity through pilgrimages, gatherings, film & media, scholarships and grants. For a more extensive history, please see “A short history of the Beads on One String Project”.

Companions Books: the publishing arm of Beads on One String foundation, whose mission is the furtherance of the teachings of Meher Baba and the preservation of his words. Through translation, publication, editing, and distribution Companion Books seeks to make a range of literary works by and about Meher Baba available to all. Visit companionbooks.org for more information.
Grants and Scholarships: Since the early 1990’s grants and scholarships have been awarded to hundreds of spiritual seekers. These grants have a wide spectrum of focus including education, pilgrimage, spiritual work/study, group work, film & media, and conferences to name a few. To learn more about the current offerings visit the Grantmaking page here.

Conferences/Seminars/Gatherings: Beads on One String Group events have been organized in India, Germany, Spain, France, and the United States with the intention of fostering the exploration of creativity, companionship, and oneness amongst spiritual seekers from different walks of life.

Pilgrimage: Beads on One String Foundation has organized pilgrimages to sacred sites throughout India, Europe, UK, and the US for the last 20 years.
Over the last 30 years the Beads mission has evolved and broadened to explore the oneness that lies at the heart of all humanity. Inspired by Meher Baba, we offer opportunities to learn, explore, and celebrate this unity.