Receiving a bona fide spiritual master etc;

[Guest guest]

How will we receive a bona fide spiritual master?

 

The Supreme Lord is present in our heart as the internal spiritual master

and outside our heart as a pure devotee. If we are sincere, the Lord will

guide us to a pure devotee. We may approach Him and beg for such mercy, but

He is the sole in-charge for granting our wish. We cannot question Him if He

refuses to grant it. Krsna is not the caretaker of our garden. Our duty is

to wait patiently for His mercy. In the meantime, we should give up material

desire and engage in His service. If we sincerely seek His mercy, He will

certainly bestow it upon us. Simply by His mercy we will obtain a bona fide

spiritual master. Sri Caitanya-caritamrta states, krsna yadi krpa kare kona

bhagyavane, guru-antaryami-rupe sikhaya apane: "Krsna is situated in

everyone's heart as the caitya-guru, the spiritual master within. When He is

kind to some fortunate conditioned soul, He personally gives him lessons so

he can progress in devotional service, instructing the person as the

Supersoul within and the spiritual master without." (Cc. Madhya 22.47)

 

How will I understand whether or not a spiritual master is bona fide?

 

The spiritual master we choose, or a person who, according to our

consideration is qualified to be guru, may not be bona fide. Only a person

sent to us personally by Krsna will manifest before us as the spiritual

master.

 

In spite of accepting mantras, why are our minds still unregulated?

 

If our minds remain unregulated after having received mantras, it means we

have not actually received the mantras. Giving mantras is more than

whispering something or blowing air into someone's ears. Accepting mantra

initiation means to accept transcendental knowledge. This transcendental

knowledge smashes to pieces the pillars of the nescience we have accumulated

since time immemorial, then builds pillars of eternal truth out of

transcendental knowledge. When Lord Krsna gave Brahma transcendental

knowledge, he said, "I am the Absolute Truth." Only an empowered personality

can reveal the Absolute Truth. This empowered personality is the spiritual

master. Many insignificant agents or messengers come into this world, but

the most powerful messengers are sent by God. Krsna adapts them to the needs

of the recipients and calls them spiritual masters. Such expert

personalities reveal the Absolute Truth. Only such spiritual masters can

destroy our mental speculation and bring about a radical change in our

spiritual propensity.

The knowledge we receive from the spiritual master is not mundane but

transcendental, spiritual. This transcendental knowledge is Krsna. Krsna is

eternal and full of knowledge and bliss. Mantra is fully cognizant. Mantra

can definitely regulate our mind. It can deliver the mind from both vice and

virtue and award us the qualification to cultivate real spiritual life.