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In the most powerful and natural Guru-sishya relationship it happens like “love at first sight”. In other cases, it is guided by the need of the seeker’s mind, and the confidence felt in the guide.

Swamiji, pranam,

…I have been hesitant to bring up this question that has been in my mind for some time. It is: How do I recognize my Guru?

Most often the answer given is that the Guru will appear when the student is ready. It appears that both have to accept each other in this relationship, so my question really is – what is it that I need to do to prepare for and receiving guidance?

We do practice a form of meditation. Recently we started doing daily japa as well, on a mantra. All of these different paths do seem to help us. But, as a seeker, at some point, do we need to just follow one path, one guidance? How do we know which one is the most appropriate and correct for us? …

R

05 Aug 2016

Dear R.

You are free to ask anything; no question will offend me.

As long as we are satisfied with whatever we are doing, following the knowledge gained from different sources, it is ok. A time comes in the life of a serious seeker, when he eagerly seeks the ultimate and feels the need for one path guided by one Guru.Holding on to one is important in making the divergent mind convergent.

Above all, embracing somebody as the Guru and feeling that the Guru knows better than me where lies my ultimate auspicious goal, helps to sublimate the ego, which is the greatest hurdle on the path of spiritual growth and unfoldment.

How do I know who will be my Guru? Well, in the most powerful and natural Guru-sishya relationship it happens like “love at first sight”. In other cases, it is guided by the need of the seeker’s mind, and the confidence felt in the guide.

Shastras describe the qualities of a Knower. They also specify that the Guru should be “shrotriya” and “brahma-nishtha”, which means he should be a realized knower of the ultimate Truth and exclusively dedicated to the Truth alone. But, how will the seeker judge such a transcendental person?

– Nutan Swamiji