amritanubhava

[Guest guest]

The second chapter deals with praise of his precepter.

In the external world,there is a need of a precepter right from childhood a

guide in the form of parents ,teachers in various disciplines are necessary.As

one becomes knowledgable,a question arises in mind,do i need a teacherin the

first place?There are many books in the world now dvd`s tapes.Where is the need

for another human being?there are confusing statements even in the spiritual

field.the word spiritual also is used in different ways by different people.In

avadhutageeta,it is said that dattatreya learned from cobra,Abird and various

other forms of life.Krishnamurti insisted that there is no need for a guru.if

there is a need for a precepter,what does he do that is helpful?

dyanadeva has elaborated in this chapter,praises of the his precepter

Nivrittinath.

Ovi 2)

who out of compassion runs to the rescue of the pure consciousness whirling

wretchedly as individual beings in the forest ignorance

comments the guru helps to remove the ignorance that is veiling the true

nature of a sisya.Gurudev chinmayananda used to say that a guru is a guide for

the

sisya in terms of showing the correct path,but finally the sisya has to walk

this path.In the spiritual development the three factors,viz., guidence of a

worthy precepter,through understanding and knowledge of scriptures and self

efforts are considered to be important

ovi 4)

By his slightest glance,the fetters get loose and the learned one (who has

lost the state of his self)knows(his real state)

comment: by this comment,dyanadeva suggests that just a slight

sujession,the precepter is able to help the disciple.There is a story about the

Buddha

that at a big gathering,he held a flower in his hand and only one person smiled

as he understood the beauty of the flower and the meaning of showing the

flower.

Ovi6

In point of power he surpasses the greatness of Siva in which even and is(as

it were) the mirror in which the(individual)soul sees the bliss of Atman.

Through the agency of precepter the jivatma is assisted in understanding the

Absolute being which formless and unmanifest.A great example is given as a

professor can make a student get an idea of elctricity although electricity

cannot be seen or perceived as an energy.

Nirmala

[Guest guest]

Namaste Nirmalaji,

>There are many books in the world now dvd`s tapes.

>Where is the need for another human being [i.e. guru]?

 

I like the ancient wisdom which says that when the student is ready

the guru will appear.

 

I also like that other ancient wisdom which says that all of life's

experiences can be our 'teachers', provided we are open and receptive

and willing to reflect honestly and learn.

 

The problem is not the presence or lack or a guru but our closed

minds and hearts.

 

A man once asked Ramana, 'Can you give me enlightenment?'

Ramana said, 'Yes, but can you take it?'

 

On the other hand Ramana also insisted that the mere presence of the

jnana could induce wisdom. Here are some excerpts from 'Talks with

Ramana Maharshi':

 

 

"If you practice it [prajnayama] by yourself, without the help of

others, then the mind is controlled. Otherwise the mind comes under

control spontaneously in the presence of a superior power. Such is

the greatness of association with the wise (satsanga).

 

"Realization of the Self is the greatest help that can be rendered to

humanity. Therefore, the saints are said to be helpful, though they

remain in forests. But it should not be forgotten that solitude is

not in forests only. It can be had even in towns, in the thick of

worldly occupations.

 

"Who is a Master? He is the Self after all. According to the stages

of the development of the mind the Self manifests as the Master

externally. The famous ancient saint Avadhuta said that he had more

than 24 Masters. The Master is one from whom one learns anything.

The Guru may be sometimes inanimate also, as in the case of Avadhuta.

God, Guru and the Self are identical.

 

"A spiritual-minded man thinks that God is all-pervading and takes

God for his Guru. Later, God brings him in contact with a personal

Guru and the man recognizes him as all in all. Lastly the same man is

made by the grace of the Master to feel that his Self is the Reality

and nothing else. Thus he finds that the Self is the Master."

 

 

Hari Om!

Benjamin