In the aftermath of Guru Purnima, I would like to share my opinion on two questions about Gurus that have occurred to me and which may be nagging at some of you. But this is just my opinion. Do seek verification from a learned authority.
1. Does one need a Guru?
The vague history reports that Adi Shankara, who was 8 years old at that time, was discovered wandering around in the Himalayas looking for a Guru. A sage asked him who he was. He responded with the recitation of the Nirvana Shatakam.
I was informed that Adi Shankara in fact went directly to Guru Govindapadaal in Maharashtra. The Wikipedia entry on Adi Shankara admits that reliable information about his life is scant. What is important is his impact on advaita vedanta. In the context of this Blog, the importance is the reality that, no matter how spiritually advanced one is, a Guru is needed to take the final step.
At that tender age, he had already understood the Upanishads, had pondered about himself and had realised that, on his own, he could only discover more about this material realm, which he had already realised was nothing but a shell of illusion. In order to discover who he really was, he needed a Guru to guide him further. That's why he had gone in search of a Guru. That a seeker as advanced, both intellectually and spiritually, as he was also needed a guru is very telling.
I am also reminded of Swami Vivekananda recounting how, when his Guru touched him, he was launched into an awareness he had never had before. He was able to perceive things as he had never imagined. That encounter opened up his perception into knowledge of his true self.
It is clear to me that, while we can make tremendous progress in intellectually understanding the concepts of self and awareness, to actually experience it, there is a barrier to be crossed for which we need a boost from a person who has already gone there. A Guru is more than just a teacher.
2. Should one depend on a Guru?
I recently had the pleasure of reconnecting with my cousin whom I had not met in a long time. I was happy to discover that he was also on the spiritual path. During our exchanges, he shared a very interesting conversation with his Guru.
His Guru asked him a question, “Indran, do you practice the techniques of knowledge I taught you?
He replied, “Not as much as I need to, Maharaji.”
With a look of concern, he asked, “Why?”.
“Because I am quite happy with the privilege of being in your presence and serving you”.
Then his Guru gave him an illustration that blew his mind.
“Have you ever sat on a stationary train which was standing beside another train which was also not moving? After waiting for some time you suddenly think that your train is moving away from the next train. But soon you realise that your train is still stationary - it never moved. It was the next train that moved away from yours."
"Your reason for not meditating because of the satisfaction derived from watching me move is like the illustration I gave you. I will not be there for you all the time. Then what?
A Guru is not a vehicle one rides to a destination. The Guru is merely a guide who shows you the way. Gu Ru can remove the darkness that blinds you. Your Guru may even stand watch over you and bestow you with his blessings to help you on your way. But only you can travel the journey.
Finding the right Guru is a very important step in the journey to self discovery. One may need to go through several gurus, each at different stages of one's growth. That may not be so much a measure of how advanced each Guru was but more about how ready one is to make the advancement. The interconnectedness of all consciousness will ensure that, when one is ready, the appropriate guru will become available.
Be aware that your Guru may not be wearing saffron robes or even speaking spiritual words. Your guru may not even be human. A guru is any influence that guides you to take steps that help in your spiritual evolution.
May you be successful in your journey.
No comments:
Post a Comment