How true is your Guru?

It is believed that a life lived without a teacher is a life unlived. They say that to seek growth a Guru is must. It's the teacher which helps us seek new horizons and create the already existing vision in us invisible to our closed senses. Having said that what do we percept by the term Guru?

First let us understand who a True Student is. In my opinion the one who has no eyes and ears for applauses or insults is the true seeker. He/she has ears only for the wisdom- reply that must come out from his Great Guru. All other talk to him is meaningless and dull silence.

The student in us seeks the Nature of Reality. We already know that neither a mere book knowledge nor a mere experience can be a complete  qualification for a Guru. Similarly, to gain the knowledge the student must have a conditioned mind to gain, when delivered, instantaneously.

This has been clearly explained by Sri Adi Shankaracharya ji in four different meanings. (1) When the Atman is taught by someone who has become one with the Absolute, the student shall have no doubts in the explanation. (2) When the Atman, which is none other than the disciple's own Self, is taught, there can be no more doubt. (3) When the Atman, not different from the Self, is taught, there shall be no more travelling in the Samsara. (4) When the Brahma Vidya is given by one who is well established in truth consciousness there will be no lingering doubts in the bosom of the student.

These four explanations simply conclude to, "Not taught by another, there is no way thither."

It is said, "Wonderful is the man who is able to teach" - Indeed, if fit students are rare, real Masters are also rare. The true Guru is the one who is well versed in the text-books of the Upanishad. The one well versed in Shastra and God - consciousness is described as a quality Teacher. 

However, today we see in every nook and corner the Great Pundits who have the qualification of the texts but they lack supreme experience of the direct perception of the Truth, on the other hand we come across the Saints and Sages who have an intimate personal experience of The Truth but have, unfortunately, not the mastery over the text - books. Both these classes cannot claim the right to "Gurudom". Hence said, "A true teacher is a wonder."

Do not ever construe because of the length of his 'Jata'(dreadlocks) or because he sleeps not, eats not or goes about naked he is a true teacher. Beware! Many aspirants have fallen for this outer - show.

Friends, from the above you should not conclude that it is rare and difficult to become a good student and moreover to find an appropriate Guru. Why not? No true seeker has a right to be pessimistic; he should ever be consciously optimistic. 

Be optimistic; if you cannot, each of you may take it from Chinmaya-

"Thought art a fit Adhikarin,  and with a little self-effort thou shalt reach, in this very birth, the Supreme Success and the Godly achievement. Never hesitate - Never doubt, but sincerely strive and achieve."