ALUNA TEMPLE MAGAZINE Edition No3 'INITIATIONS' | Page 16
And of all yogis, the one with great faith who always abides in Me, thinks of Me
within himself, and renders transcendental loving service to Me — he is the most
intimately united with Me in yoga and is the highest of all. That is my opinion.
— Bhagavad-Gita (6.47)
Try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him
submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized souls can impart
knowledge unto you because they have seen the truth.
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— Bhagavad-Gita (4.34)
The first link on the path of yoga, or the linking process with God, is a guru, a spiritual mentor who
leads the spiritually unskilled person to the right path. While the initiative to embark upon the path
of self-realization has to come from the inside, the guidance, direction and counselling comes from
the outside as well. Not excluding the critical thinking or study of books of knowledge to progress
in spiritual life, tangible advancement of spiritual understanding, the Bhagavad-Gita affirms,
happens when one approaches a guru. To understand, as the world itself implies, one has to
literally stand under and accept the authority of a guru. As in any field of knowledge, or life
for that matter, to acquire new skills, knowledge and values one needs to learn from
persons who are skilled in the spiritual subject matter.
Therefore, the ability to recognize who is a guru is of the utmost importance
for the prospective student. In fact, it is the responsibility of a prospective
student to examine and test his or her potential guru prior to initiation.
Besides the factual spiritual understanding and deep transcendental realization, an essential
quality of a guru is the ability tolerate various bodily urges—self-control. Grey hair, long beard,
personal magnetism, mystic powers, or even being born in India, are not on the list of qualities
required of one who assumes the responsibility of being a guru. Mere ability to control the forces
of different senses, as well as the mind, will do.
It is the strength of will exercised over one’s impulses, emotions, and most importantly, desires,
the underlying causes of actions. Without being absorbed in attraction and repulsion, as the
senses are moving toward their objects, with self-restraint the self that can be governed attains
calmness. In calmness the cessation of all one’s suffering occurs. Indeed, for one whose thought
has been calmed, one’s understanding is soon well established.
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