What is the grace of the Guru

[Guest guest]

Devotee: What is the grace of the Guru?

Bhagavan; The Guru is the Self. At some time a man grows dissatisfied with his

life and , not content with what he has , seeks the satisfaction of his desires

through prayer to God. His mind is gradually purified until he longs to know

God, more to obtain His grace than to satisfy worldly desire. Then God's grace

begins to manifest. God takes the form of a Guru and appears to the devotee,

teaches him the Truth and, moreover, purifies his mind by association with him.

The devotee's mind thus gains strength and is then able to turn inward. By

meditation it is further purified until it remains calm without the least

ripple. That calm Expanse is the Self.

'The Guru is both outer and inner. From outside he give a push to the mind

to turn inward while from inside he pulls the mind towards the Self and helps in

quieting it. That is the Grace of the Guru. There is no difference between

God, Guru and Self.'

D: In the Theosophical Society they meditate in order to seek masters to guide

them.

B: The master is within; meditation is meant to remove the ignorant idea that

he is only external. If he were some stranger who you awaited, he would be

bound to disappear also. What would be the use of a transient being like that?

But as long as you think you are separate or that you are the body, so long is

the outer master also necessary and He will appear as if with a body. When the

wrong identification of yourself with the Body ceases, the master will be found

to be none other than the self.

D: Will the Guru help us to know the Self through initiation, etc.?

B: Does the Guru hold you by the hand and whisper in your ear? You may imagine

him to be what you are yourself. Because you think you have a body, you think

that he has also and that he will do something tangible to you. He work lies

within, in the spiritual realm.