Miscellaneous - Religion   

Guru's guidance

CHENNAI : The preceptor (Guru) is revered in the spiritual tradition as God Himself. When an individual takes to spiritual life he generally adopts the devotional practices recommended for making progress and looks up to saints who have realised God for guidance and inspiration. But the Guru who personally guides the spiritual aspirant till he realises God is unique. When the seeker sincerely performs his duties as laid down in the scriptures and remains faithful to his goal the Lord Himself makes the Guru compassionate towards His devotee and take personal interest in his progress.

In his discourse, Swami Gautamananda said the relationship between the Guru and his disciple was unique. He teaches his disciple the truth and guides him along the path appropriate to his level of evolution and inclination. As there are many means to liberation a seeker will not know what is suitable to him and it is here that the Guru's intervention and direction become crucial to his development. It is due to divine will that a devotee develops ardent desire for liberation and yearns for a Guru. The meeting of the Guru and disciple is thus the turning point in spiritual life which must be understood as the manifestation of divine grace in human life. Appreciating its significance the spiritual seeker must revere his Guru as God.

Even the devotee who has inborn fear while approaching the Almighty will instead start developing love for God when he comes under the influence of a preceptor as he experiences his loving concern for his welfare. His faith in God will also intensify as he evolves under his care. Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamasa exemplified that there is no difference between Guru and God. He enabled his disciple to envision God which is possible only for the enlightened.

There are two types of devotees. The first is likened to a kitten, which is helpless. So the mother cat takes care of it completely. This kind of devotee submits to the Divine will totally and accepts both joy and sorrow with the faith that devotion gives him. It is important to remember while facing sorrows that these experiences are also necessary for spiritual progress. The other type of devotee is like the young one of a monkey, which clings to its mother. He believes in self-effort to progress spiritually.

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