Guru - A chapter from ‘Wonder’ by Gurudev Sri Sri

Ravi Shankar
Q. Gurudev, what is Guru Tattva?
Gurudev: You asked this question because you want to know something. So this
thirst to know is disciple-ship. The one who answers is the Guru. The
source from which you get all the answers in life is the Guru Tattva. We need
answers to feel complete. The knowledge makes you complete. The element that
brings fullness in you is the Guru Tattva. In whose presence
you don’t feel any deficiency is Guru Tattva.Guru Tattva is viveka -discrimination.
It does not matter who the Guru is. It is enough to take the knowledge and move
forward.

Q. If happiness is already inside us, what is the role of a spiritual teacher

or teaching?
Gurudev: You have answered your own question, my dear! You want an answer. You
want someone who answers. Anyone who answers this question for you becomes a
teacher! If the question is not there, then no need for an answer. The moment you
have come with a question, you are looking for an answer and anyone who gives one
becomes a teacher. You can say, “I have a question but I am not a student,” and a
teacher can say, “I will give you an answer but I am not a teacher.” Then both of
them are insincere.

It’s like a doctor saying, “Iwill give you medicine but I’m not adoctor. Don’t call me
a doctor.” It is like a patient saying, “I want medicine but I’m not a patient.”

Q. How do you recognise that somebody is your real Guru and for you? How
do you know if someone is a true disciple?
Gurudev: I don’t test anybody nor do I let anyone test me. If anyone will ask me, I
will say, “No!” and move on! Divine really doesn’t test anybody. We think we are very
good
people and when difficulties arise weassume that the Divine is testing us. Wedon’t get
into trouble because of ourgoodness. It is because of ourfoolishness. Some things are
your karma. Some difficulties teach you lessons. Look back and see all
those problems you have come out of. You will see that
you have become stronger. This is what you should recognise.

Q. Gurudev, please tell us about the relationship with a Spiritual Master.

Gurudev: The Master is a doorway. The Master is a presence. The world is
relativity and relativity has limitations. Presence is
unlimited. If you are notfeeling close to the master, it is becauseof you, your mind
and your ego concepts. A master is like an ocean.
Theocean is there, readily available. It doesnot reject anybody. If a Master is not
hollow and empty, he is no Master at all.

Q. Does one need to have a Guru or spiritual leader to seek enlightenment?

Gurudev: You are asking a question and you want
an answer. You want amedicine and anyone who gives it toyou becomes a doctor. T
he seeker wants an answer - wants someone to tell him; to guide him. If someone
says, “I’m not a patient but I need medicine,” and another says “I’m not a doctor
but I’ll give you medicine,” what do you call both of them?

Anyone can tell you what you want to hear but a little guidance does help. Someone
should be there to give you assurance. When you learn swimming and the trainer
says “Go ahead”, you get that confidence to do so. Someone who can give you such
a confidence can become your guide.

Q. How does one locate one’s true Guru?

Gurudev: Before looking for a Guru, it is important to know who a true Guru is,
and who will guide you to the path of happiness. One who says he is a Guru is not a
true Guru. A Guru is not one who claims authority on you. A Guru is not the
one who dictates terms to you. A Guru is just the one who brings
more joy, alertness and awareness into your life. He is the one who helps you get in
touch with yourself, who reminds you to live in the present moment, who pulls you
out of your guilt, agitation, sorrow, anguish and allows you to be yourself. And, a
Master lives the values heteaches.

Q. Gurudev, the world knows you as a spiritual leader. Would you please
share your experiences of your knowing that you are endowed with such
spiritual power?
Gurudev: What do you want to know? I am like this from the beginning and I will
continue to be like this in the future too. Usually, people come to the spiritual path
when they have some disappointment. This is not always the case, but usually it is
so. People take sanyas (renounce the world) when they have had failures in their love
lives or some other problem.
 There is nothing like that, at all for me. In fact, every child is born with spiritual
knowledge but when it grows up, it starts losing it. Becoming a yogi is turning into a
child again and getting in touch with your pure essence.

Q. Does the master find disciple or disciple finds the master?

Gurudev: How does it matter whether you find master or the master finds you? It is
sufficient that both have met.

Q. Guru, I often see people bow down to you. Is doing all that necessary?
Gurudev: No, no, not at all. These outer gestures are insignificant. Don’t give too
much importance to them. All these gestures don’t matter. We are all connected at a
deeper level; at the level of the heart. That’s how we have met and we are all here.

Q. How should be a disciple’s relation with the master?

Gurudev: What is the relation you want to have with yourself - a relation in which
you are natural and don’t have any hesitation.