A sadguru possesses a visible physical form as well as an invisible spiritual presence. The visible form is important. However, the invisible presence is most important. When the wind blows, the branches and leaves of the trees move. That reveals the wind’s form. However, the presence of the wind is all-pervasive. This is also how it is when it comes to the sadguru’sphysical form and his spiritual presence.
The guru-disciple relationship becomes complete only when the disciple has faith and self-surrender. The guru-principle, the guru’s presence and the guru’s grace are always present, regardless of time and space. They are everywhere, pervading everything. Just as the mother’s womb expands to accommodate the developing baby, the disciple’s heart should also expand. Humility, faith and proper discernment should grow in that heart. Only then will the disciple be able to see the guru in everything sentient and insentient—people, animals, plants and trees, the stones, the wind, the ocean and in every grain of sand. But is not easy to cultivate such qualities. This is why it is said that only when the disciple manifests does the guru manifest.
Those who wish to be disciples should first be able to consider the guru as their closest friend. It is easy for us to listen to and follow the advice of a good friend. We listen to them attentively, with an open heart because we know they will only advise what is beneficial. Our understanding, love and faith in our friend will motivate us and give us strength. Such an attitude will help us to gradually develop disciplehood as well as devotion and surrender. From the perspective of the one True Self, the attitude of friendship is best. In a close friendship, there are no internal or external boundaries.
Initially, Arjuna and Krishna were intimate friends like this. It was only later, when the attitude of surrender arose in Arjuna, that he became Krishna’s disciple. We should be able to have that same attitude of friendship with the guru. For this, love is the foundation. In love, there are no two—only one. At the height of such love, Radha became Krishna, and Krishna became Radha. In that bhava, duality ceases to exist.
While school teachers and university professors educate their students about the visible physical world, the guru provides the knowledge and experience of the invisible world. In the former, no matter how much one teaches or is taught, and no matter how many degrees one attains, the teacher and student remain separate, with distinct perspectives and ideas. However, in the guru-disciple relationship, the disciple becomes identified with the guru and transforms into the guru. At the pinnacle of love, they become one in the world of spiritual knowledge. This wondrous state is the essence of the guru-disciple relationship.
The guru has nothing to gain, nor does he need to do anything in this world. Yet, due to his compassion, he comes to rescue those drowning in the ocean of worldly misery. The truth is that the guru lives in a completely different world than the disciples. Yet, in order to rescue them, he comes down to the disciples’ level, holds their hands, and guides them to safety. The guru is like the wish-fulfilling tree. If the disciple is industrious and has devotion, love and faith towards the guru, he will obtain everything he needs from the guru. The guru understands all the weaknesses of the disciples and teaches them how to overcome them. There is a great transformative power inherent in the guru’s glance, words, touch and presence. The guru can impart knowledge to the disciple by mere thought. However, the disciple should have the capacity to imbibe the guru’s blessing. When water falls on parched earth, it is immediately absorbed—not if it falls on rock. The disciple should be a fitting receptacle to receive the guru’s grace.
The guru-disciplebond is a deep, wondrous, sublime relationship. It doesn’t contain a hint of selfishness. The noblest worldly relationship is that between mother and child. However, the guru-disciple relationship is greater. On one hand, the guru’s selfless love and grace; on the other, the disciple’s deep love and servant-like surrender… This is the ideal guru-disciple bond. It is the unity of hearts. As the love for the guru grows, the disciple will have the attitude of belonging to the guru. This shouldn’t be misunderstood as physical attachment—an external relationship. Because the guru, in reality, is one with the all-pervading, formless consciousness. As disciple’s love grows for the guru, he will feel the guru’s ashram to be his own and the guru’s disciples to be his own relatives. There is no selfishness in this attitude, but there is a little ego here. When the disciple transcends this, he realises he belongs to the guru alone—that everything is pervaded by the guru’s divine presence. Then, the disciple is willing to sacrifice all comforts and desires for the sake of the guru. He wants to offer his body, mind, intellect, everything, in service. In that state of unification, there is no need even for the guru to say anything to the disciple. Even without speaking, the guru’s wish shines in the disciple’s heart. The disciple will also be enthusiastic to fulfil the guru’s wish. If this is the case with the guru’s unspoken wish, what of the guru’s spoken words?
There are many people who think it belittling to bow down and obey the guru. Yet, they are ready to relinquish their ego and bow down for so many trivial, worldly things. They are willing do this because humbly bowing down is the only way to get those material things. On the other hand, obeying the guru brings us the priceless treasure of self-knowledge. Ego is like debris that blocks the flow of water in a pipe. Our ego blocks the flow of grace from the guru to us.
If we invite a friend over and welcome him, saying, “Come in! Come in!” and yet we stand in the doorway blocking his entrance, how can he enter? In the same way, some people welcome the guru, but are unwilling to follow the guru’s instructions. They invite the guru into their heart, but never open the door. Only if the ego moves aside can the guru enter our heart. The attitude of “I” should perish; the attitude “You are everything” should dawn. Then the disciple ascends to completeness. May grace bless all to achieve this.
Amma, Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi
