Is the Guru a friend

[Guest guest]

Home Base: Sri Mayapur Candrodaya Mandir, Navadwip Dhama, Nadia, WB, INDIA

 

A letter from an unnnamed devotee:

 

Actually, I

> don't know what is the relationship between guru and disciple. I don't

> understand their status, rights and duties. Everything I know is that the

> disciple is always in the mood of serving the guru. In ******* temple I

> was spiking with one initiated devotee and she told me that guru and

> disciple could never be a friend in classical sense. I didn't understand

> her completely, what she wanted to say, because, I see You first like a

> fried, wellwisher. I need someone who will lead me in spiritual life, some

> support, to lift me up when I fall, to encourage me when I am afraid, to

> praise me when something is OK., to worn me when I am making a mistake.

> Can I ask and expect this from spiritual master?

 

 

Yes! Leading, supporting, lifting, encouraging, praising, warning and

correcting----these are all to be expected from a Spiritual Master at

different times in the relationship. Even more! Caring for the disciple in

various ways is possible. How it is done may vary from Spiritual Master to

another. Some are more formal and strict, while another may be more

personal and concerned---just like different parents are different. That is

why a disciple can chose which Spiritual Master he/she wants to accept since

each may be a bit different.

 

Of course the initiative is normally to come from the disciple who must ask

and inform the Spiritual Master. How will I know what is happening if you

don't tell me? Sometimes one knows intuitively, but that is not to be

depended on according to Srila Prabhupada. That is some special mercy. The

guru is also the best friend, but in this material world we always treat him

with some respect since over familiarity can cause one to become envious or

offensive in behavior. The guru loves the disciple so much that he is

willing to take the chance to return to this material world for delivering

this disciple. Isn't that an extreme level of love!?

 

I hope that this finds you in good health.

 

Your ever well wisher,

 

Jayapataka Swami