RE: [Sri Ramakrishna] Guru

[Guest guest]

Dear Brad,

 

This list has individuals whose honest opinions gives a lot of solace and

understanding to the mind. I have observed in the past that satsanga acts

like a mirror which does not say anything new but makes you see that which

you would otherwise miss. Indeed, the answers brought me the peace I was

seeking. In some sense, lists like these serve as the guru till I get one in

the humnan form.

 

The path without a guru in flesh and blood is for those who are born with

the right sanskaras. Indeed, we have examples of Ramana Maharshi and Sri

Aurobindo. But I maintain that most of us do need a human form to teach us,

owing to our imperfections. Yes, as Dr. Shah says. " If the disciple is

ready, the Guru will appear, he will come to us. " If you ask me, I am happy

if I could even become a perfect Arjuna, who was ready to receive Krishna's

teachings. An Arjuna, who was self-controlled (jitendriya), courageous and a

disciplined soldier (in the battle of life).

 

Regards

Sanjay Chakravarty

 

 

Brad Stephan [brad]

Saturday, November 03, 2001 7:31 PM

The Ramakrishna List

[sri Ramakrishna] Re: Guru

 

 

Dear Sanjay:

 

It appears the various answers to your question have brought you peace and

resolve - I am happy for you. However, if your " impurities " are anything

like mine - someday your patience will run out as you continue to wonder,

" Where is my Guru? Am I still not worthy? " Surely, I would fall down on my

knees and wash his or her feet with my tears if I was ever so fortunate as

to be blessed with a Guru (as defined by c. s. shah). However, instead of

waiting for " flesh and blood, " I have found great comfort in satisfying

this desire - (oh, oh, I've re-surfaced that topic again! Methinks it is an

unavoidable topic for the spiritual traveler.) - for a Guru by seeking the

" inner " Guru through meditation (aka, the Holy Spirit for Christians on this

List). Let me quote from page 98 of The Gospel, " . . . one must live in holy

company, pray to God, weeping for His grace, and now and then go into

solitude. . . Anyone and everyone cannot be a guru. A huge timber floats on

the water and can carry animals as well. But a piece of worthless wood

sinks, if a man sits on it, and drowns him. Therefore, in every age God

incarnates Himself as the guru, to teach humanity. Satchidananda alone is

the guru. "

 

Therefore, both Christ and Ramakrishna teach me that meditation and holy

fellowship (such as this List) are more important than waiting for a

" Totapuri " who may never come.

 

God Bless Us All,

Brad

 

 

 

 

Sri Ramakrishnaye Namah

Vivekananda Centre London

http://www.vivekananda.co.uk