A Few Notes On Finding A Spiritual Guide

[I also invite you to read: Strike a Pause: Science And Spirituality: Is There A Conflict? (strike-a-pause.blogspot.com)]

It is important to bear in mind that it is completely possible to make spiritual progress while pursuing your career goals, extra curricular interests, family life, etc. Some people choose the path of renunciation. They give up everything to go and live at an Ashram or take Sannyaas. That is simply *their* choice, it is just one way. It is *not* the only way. A true Guru will be able to give you spiritual instruction that you can incorporate in your day to day life as you pursue your goals.

The notes below are most important to bear in mind vis a vis finding an authentic Guru:

Fake Gurus and fraudsters abound today and one has to be extremely careful about becoming someone's disciple. Extremely careful. Do not accept anyone as your Guru till you are convinced of their level of knowledge, enlightenment, humanity, compassion and perfection of character. Meet, observe, ask questions, clear doubts, take your time. A delayed start in your spiritual journey is better than moving in incorrect directions. If you have read a text such as the Bhagavad Gita (I recommend Swami Ranganathananda's translation), you might have a better reference frame to observe, question, inquire.

Secondly, even if (and when) you accept someone as your Guru, you have to remember that the voice of your conscience is more important than anything else. If you feel an instruction is wrong, don't do it - no matter whose instruction. It is the Guru's responsibility to explain why his/her instruction is correct and remove your doubts. Till that happens, stand firm on your conviction, express your doubts politely, and wait patiently for the Guru to clarify. A true Guru will not mind this. In fact, such authentic questioning is encouraged at every stage in our spiritual tradition. If a Guru is not willing to clarify your doubts even after due effort and patience from your side, politely thank them for their time and walk away. Seek spiritual guidance elsewhere, from someone better. This is your right and nothing to be hesitant or afraid of.

If you see that a Guru or an Ashram is engaged in immoral activities, then most certainly, and immediately, walk away. No true spiritual guide engages in immoral activities at any time. These things just cannot go together.

Once you have found a Guru who is authentic, knowledgeable, enlightened, compassionate, perfect in character, willing to resolve your doubts and guide you step by step : give him/her the highest respect and seek guidance and knowledge humbly. Listen to such a Guru with attention. Incorporate his/her instructions in your life.

It is said in our spiritual tradition that the highest fortune one can have in life is getting the spiritual guidance of a perfected Guru. An example that is often used to highlight this is the following: If your Guru and God were to be standing in front of you, touch your Guru's feet first. For it is only through the Guru's guidance and grace that you can even have God's vision. [This is of course just a way to express a sentiment. Our spiritual traditions do not even require you to be a theist or a believer in God. You just have to be someone extremely intent on knowing yourself in all depth, extremely intent on attaining enlightenment.]