Guest guest Posted April 8, 2005 Report Share Posted April 8, 2005 Ian, The Bhagavad Gita describes what to look for in a " man of steady wisdom. " Of course, when the student is ready the appropriate teacher will appear. No one is immune from their own false expectations and illusions about a teacher or path. You have to take responsibility for your own sadhana and practice. All teachers and teachings are just " the finger pointing at the moon " and not the moon itself. Don't depend on anything external- even the most enlightened teacher. That teacher may become a demon if it means waking you out of your false perceptions. He will destroy your world as you know it now. How can you not have delusions about what the guru/path is? Aren't we all addicted to desire and aversion, even in spiritual matters? The true teacher is like a good doctor. He knows your symptoms and your illness and can prescribe the right medicine. Which is more important- having a suitcase full or medicines or a competent doctor? You may have hundreds of medicines but not know which one to take. To switch metaphors, the " surgery " has to take place to remove the ego. The doctor will choose to use anesthesia or not depending on your karma. It's painful surgery most of the time. Most of us are unwilling to go through with the operation. If you are open and willing, life itself will be your teacher in many, many forms. God speaks to us through everything and everybody if we have ears to listen. Let your heart guide you... Om Shanthi RD --- Ian McRae <ian.mcrae wrote: > Hello Jaganath. > > In your recent posting you said: > > >There are of course many false prophets, but that > is another subject altogether. The followers of Sri > Ramakrishna can never >be entrapped in their snares. > > > Can you explain this, please ? Why are Sri > Ramakrishna followers exempt from the possibility of > being taken in by a false guru who is only > interested in self ? There are a lot of them around > in every path. There were in the time of Jesus, as > he spoke of them. They have not gone away. How can > we know them and avoid them and why are Ramakrishna > followers so especially exempt from their wiles ? > > Sincerely, > > Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2005 Report Share Posted April 9, 2005 Dear Ian, I agree with you that anyone can be fooled. But, I have not really understood what is the problem in being fooled. Frankly I look at it this way. Let us say that a particular " guru " fools me by the virtue of his glib spiritual talk, I would as a person believe his words more than him. would I not? And since he cannot say anything wrong and impress anyone else, Iam always safe. The whole point is that if someone tries to fool others in the garb of a " GURU " then he actually is fooling himself. He may get some trivials like money to his credit but ultimately we have not fallen into bad ways have we? So I my opinion anyone calling himself a guru is fine, atleast he might inspire some one to look more closely into moral practices.. whether or not the guru might provide direction. And truly can you think of any entity which is not a 'Guru' in this creation? Can't we see that everything teaches us something.. just that we are blind towards the message. regards ********************************************************************************\ ************************************************** Chetan Yadati #229, North Duncan, Apt 6 Master's Student Phone: 405-533-2468 Department of Industrial Engineering and Management Oklahoma State University Stillwater OK-74075 Ian McRae [ian.mcrae] Fri 4/8/2005 4:34 AM Ramakrishna [sri Ramakrishna] Why Are Ramaakrishna Followers Exempt ? Hello Jaganath. In your recent posting you said: >There are of course many false prophets, but that is another subject altogether. The followers of Sri Ramakrishna can never >be entrapped in their snares. Can you explain this, please ? Why are Sri Ramakrishna followers exempt from the possibility of being taken in by a false guru who is only interested in self ? There are a lot of them around in every path. There were in the time of Jesus, as he spoke of them. They have not gone away. How can we know them and avoid them and why are Ramakrishna followers so especially exempt from their wiles ? Sincerely, Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.