Sai message for the day

[Guest guest]

Much emphasis is laid on sadhana, spiritual practice. But we find it

tough to do any sadhana. What is the solution?

 

For achieving or attaining anything in life one needs to do sadhana

or practice. Walking, talking, reading, eating, writing, everything

in life you learn by practice. How does a child walk? It is clearly

by practice only. Singers practice a lot! Driving a motorcar for that

matter has to be practised. You have the steering at one place, the

brake at one point, the clutch elsewhere and so on. Yet, you will be

able to drive a car by practice only. So also, sadhana in the

spiritual field.

 

Swami! What is the role of a Guru on the spiritual path?

 

Sai Baba: One should have total faith in the Guru. Suppose you wish

to go to a city on a picnic. You do not know anything about that

city, as you have never been there before. What you do is to take the

help of a guide to go round the city. You do not question the guide

at any point since you are totally new to the place. So also, a Guru

who has vast knowledge and experience has to be scrupulously

followed. He should not be questioned, doubted, or disobeyed on any

grounds.

 

You also find signboards at cross roads indicating directions to

different places. This is your common experience. To reach the place

of your choice, you must follow the directions in the signboard and

reach the destination. You don't expect the signboard to carry you or

lift you to that place. You have to go along the way as directed in

the signboard. A Guru similarly shows the spiritual path, teaches you

the techniques to be followed, and explains in detail all that you

need on the spiritual path. You have to work for it and achieve it

all by yourself. No one can do that on your behalf.

 

`Guru', is a two-letter word in Telugu - `Gu' and `ru'. The word has

two meanings. `Gu' is darkness (ignorance), `ru' is the light

(wisdom) that dispels this darkness. The second meaning is `gu'

stands for gunatita, one beyond attributes and `ru' for rupavarjita

formless. So, Guru is one who teaches you about divinity which is

both attributeless and formless. A true Guru wishes the best for his

disciples. He tells them what is hita, good and not ista, that which

is liked. A true disciple follows the master implicitly.