The guru mantra
We all are divine beings going through our individual journeys in the manifested Creation, some of us choose the path of sadhana and make an effort to rise or evolve from one dimension to the other. This process requires continuous and dedicated practice, which culminates into yoga. As the path of yoga is one of experience and not of the intellect, it requires a force — a guiding light to take you through those experiences. No book, no lecture, no discourse can give you those experiences like a guru can, because a guru is not just a physical being. One should not make the mistake of identifying the guru with a physical form.
When you embark on the path of sadhana, it is like venturing into a new territory, something similar to entering into an expansive jungle (the path of sadhana is a path of austerities). The jungle is dense and full of fierce animals; it is deep and dark and there is no path carved to walk upon. And if that doesn’t deter you from moving ahead, the need of a guide arises. Once you have made up your mind to move further, you have taken your first step. As you go ahead you find a river flowing in front of you and you need to cross it. As you are wondering what to do, how to do, you see a boatman bringing his boat through the mighty current of the river. You feel the boatman can take you across, so you get into the boat and request him to ferry you across. The boatman takes you through and in the process asks you your purpose and the various aspects of your background. The journey begins and before you realise you have reached your first camp, the other shore. Now you wonder what to do.
There are many paths in front of you, and each one seems good, but you don’t know where it will take you. You have two choices now — either you make your own decision based on your limited intellect, or you ask the boatman who knows the jungle and the various paths, including where each one goes, and he knows you, your capacities and limitations. A majority of the travellers (sadhaks) choose a path that seems most attractive to them, but the error has been made, for the path you have chosen is the one which appeals to your limited senses. Now is the time when you need the boatman most; for now you are in the middle of the jungle and there is no turning back. Now is the time when you need the experience of the boatman to guide you towards your destination.
This story portrays the journey of a sadhak when he takes the path of sadhana and the role of the guru. The boatman is his first guru because he aids his first steps; he knows what the sadhak’s limitations. He knows his background and knows the path, which is most suitable for him and he takes him through. Those who fail to reach their destination are those who are ruled by the ego.
Yogi Ashwini, the guiding light of Dhyan Foundation, is an authority on yoga, tantra and the Vedic sciences.
His recent book is Sanatan Kriya: 51 Miracles... And a Haunting. Contact him at dhyan@dhyanfoundation.com
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