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Source: thThe Hindu

(http://www.hinduonnet.com/2002/07/06/stories/2002070600620800.htm)

 

Miscellaneous

-

Religion

  

 

Spiritual effort is like a journey

 

 

 

 

CHENNAI

JULY 6.

 

For those who are often confused about the very necessity and the role of a

spiritual guide (Guru) and whether his intervention is of any purpose at all in

our religious exercises, a Sanskrit verse provides the clue: "You are wandering

from one forest to another, in search of peace but you are not taking refuge in

the holy feet of such a preceptor. Can a river be calm till it merges in the

ocean?" says the poem, pregnant with enormous meaning. A seeker of God is like a

river, which takes birth in the remote corner of a mountain. When it makes its

appearance it may be slim, but as it flows down it will take several turns as it

passes through hills and plains and widens. So too a devotee, in need of peace,

goes through turmoil and hardship in life in the beginning. The river does not

know where to flow but it cannot stop midway. A practitioner of religious

exercises is initially like the river, which may not clearly identify its

course, but influenced by some unseen force, rea!

ches the sea when its speed gets reduced. The spiritual effort is like a journey

and if there are disturbances in his mind (like the impediments during his

travel), he should find out the cause for the temporary obstructions in his

concentration.

 

Here steps in the Guru who will enable him to get over the turbulence in the

mind by revealing who the Supreme is, how He is merciful, in what manner the

aspiring person can experience His readiness to render guidance and His presence

within himself, said Sri Ganapathi Sachchidananda Swami, in a lecture. To

explain, the Swami gave the example of an enlightened man who initially could

not reach the stage of making his Guru co-eval with God, but later realised his

mistake. One monk who was austere in his habits and who was very disciplined,

was critical of another spiritual master for his ostentatious living. With his

powers, the latter understood what thoughts passed in the former's mind and

hence, accompanied by the ruler, he started in a palanquin on a trip to the

village where the former lived. Meanwhile, the monk experienced some type of

agitation within, could not resort to his religious chores and so shed tears

before the idol he worshipped. The "mind" then revealed to !

him that though he had equipped himself with knowledge, yet he did not take the

guidance of a teacher who alone will remove the ignorance and make him see God.

He then unconditionally surrendered to the latter (Guru) and obtained peace.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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