Just as one thorn removes another...

[Guest guest]

Baba explained,

'Just as one thorn removes another, the Guru's teaching, which is verbal, begins

as Ajnana and removes the Ajnana of the Sishya which is but a cover over the

Sishya's knowledge, and the result is Jnana. Therefore, what the Guru teaches

is primarily Ajnana, which tends to result in Jnana. Jnana is not created, but

is always there, unuttered. The uttered word, like an optician's instrument,

simply removes the cataract from the eye of the pupil who, thereafter, sees and

recognises himself in a state of pure knowledge.'

(The Life and Teachings of Sai Baba of Shirdi, SUNY, 1993; 130)