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Guru is not for the faint-hearted

Om Vishnupad 108 Tridandi Swami Sri Srimat Bhakti Sravan Tirtha Goswami Maharaj ki Jai !!

 

Purnima is the full moon, which represents the highest point of realisation, when the light shines in absolute and utter darkness. Likewise, guru is the one who shines like the full moon on a dark night. Therefore, once a year, on the full moon of July, we get together and celebrate Guru Purnima and rededicate everything to guru.

The guru-disciple relationship is one of the most ancient in the world. All the traditions, arts and sciences have been handed down generation after generation from guru to disciple, master to apprentice, father to son.

The relationship between guru and disciple is always one of the heart. The heart has to experience the relationship, not the mind. Never allow the mind stuff to percolate down to the heart because if it does there will be a mess. Do not allow the heart stuff to affect the normal functioning of the mind because if it does then again there will be another mess.

We observe Guru Purnima each year in order to remind ourselves of our spiritual heritage and to re-establish our link with the higher forces that guide our evolution. The word guru does not mean a master, teacher, or guide. The word guru literally means something having great gravity. Someone with great gravitas is called a Guru. 

Guru is the one who has completely transformed his own consciousness. He lives in this world, but his spirit is always soaring in the highest dimension beyond space and time. Having completed his/her evolutionary cycle, there is nothing left for them to do but help raise the consciousness level of humanity. Motivated solely by compassion the guru will bring himself down to the level of the disciples in order to lift them up.

Guru is certainly a mysterious power. Some say he is God. Others say definitely not just a guide, a light in the dark. To the disciple all these concepts are meaningless. Guru is the powerhouse whose immensity is beyond imagination or conception. It is not easy to accept the guru as an immense powerhouse until his energy waves are actually felt.

When the guru accepts and initiates a disciple, he actually connects him to the powerhouse of his super-conscious awareness. This new infusion of energy opens up many channels of interest; creative ideas start to flow and the disciple begins to feel a more balanced attitude towards himself and the world.

Guru Purnima is an auspicious day for taking a new and firm direction in your spiritual life. The blessings and energy of the guru and all the great saints are particularly strong on this day. It is only necessary to open oneself up and we will receive their blessings and grace.

How to serve the Guru? By performing every action, every work, only with the purpose of serving guru, our mind and heart can be completely open at all times to receive his grace and to experience his presence constantly.

How to find a true Guru is the main issue. In these times of instant messaging and social media, fake gurus and swamis get maximum publicity and genuine ones remain in the shadows.  It’s a tragedy for true seekers.

Baba used to say people find it easier to believe in a saint or guru who has passed away rather than a living one. But if that departed saint were alive, they would run miles away. Because not everyone can stand the glaring light of the “truth-mirror” that the guru points on his disciples. 

It is not difficult to have faith in the gods, who are regarded as superhuman celestial beings. They are above all human imperfections and weaknesses. Therefore, the faith one has in the gods goes unchallenged and remains undamaged, but faith in the guru is very fragile and vulnerable because the guru lives in a human body and is subject to the laws of prakriti or nature. 

Therefore, the guru is the ultimate test of one's faith. When faith is placed in the guru in human form, there is a hassle. If one's faith remains intact in spite of all the assaults and challenges, then one attains real unwavering faith. A disciple of such deep faith can even win over God. The guru's place is thus considered to be the highest.

Jai Gurudev !!

Jai Sri Radhey !!