The scriptures tell us that accepting a spiritual master
(Guru) is must for perfection in spiritual realization. But still, accepting a
guru is a matter of choice in multiple ways.
One, everyone has a choice to decide whether they want
spiritual realization or not. Basic information about the goals of various
spiritual paths is needed for one to get curious, and then attracted, to these
paths. A charismatic spiritual personality might also bias one to the path that
that person has accepted.
Two, even on the same path, different groups of
spiritualists, generally called sampradayas, exist. One chooses the sampradaya
that one feels more connected to or one finds most relevant due to the way they
present the practicalities of the path. And of course one sampradaya might be
more vibrant than another in a particular geographical location. The choice can
depend on many such factors.
Three, even within the same sampradaya, different people
get attracted to different Gurus. This is natural and in fact beautiful. The
same essential message is presented with a unique flavor by two perfect
followers of the same sampradaya. This variety in the presentation and practice
of the same authentic spiritual teachings is the very life of dynamic, joyful,
ever fresh, and increasingly profound spirituality.
In this arena of choice, sometimes a person may find
himself shackled by decisions others have made for him. For example, a family
Guru. Social pressure can force one to accept the same Guru that his parents
have accepted. Or the person underwent a 'Guru accepting ceremony' when he was
not old enough to take such decisions. This is not necessarily wrong; a person
might develop a natural attraction for this Guru due to his association over
the years. If that Guru is following a high spiritual path, birth in such a
family is glorious. But sometimes, a person might encounter spiritual
principles significantly higher than that followed by the family Guru. Or the
current Guru might be more official than transformational. Now what?
It's about choice - being allowed to choose and having
the courage to do so. One's spiritual journey is one's own. Others will guide, instruct, suggest, and help, or
even threaten; but they have no right to force. Force kills spiritual life.
Spirituality practiced against ones will is a farce; it's material, motivated
by fear.
Sometimes such decisions can be tough to make. This
hesitation is a good sign; that one is not taking the decision lightly. Quite
often, the choice between the two paths or two sampradayas is easy; the level
of realizations offered are evidently different. And often, there is not much
opposition from family or society for such decisions. But in some cases, the
choice is not so easy; either the two sampradayas don’t differ much, or there
is opposition. At these times, best is to give the decision some more time and
deliberation, and discuss the matter more with spiritually advanced souls who
are not motivated by material considerations.
Accepting a particular path and dedicating one's life to
a particular Guru is a serious decision. The better your choice, the more
serious it becomes; in other words, the more spiritually advanced the Guru is,
the more important it is to take that relationship seriously. Carelessness in
this regard can hamper spiritual progress, because taking a Guru lightly is
taking spiritual life cheaply. Thus, after accepting a Guru after intense and
prolonged deliberation, one must cultivate this relationship very carefully.
Neglecting this relationship now is not an expression of choice, but of
spiritual lethargy and disrespect towards an advanced soul. Such an attitude is
one's greatest misfortune and the biggest obstacle on the path towards
spiritual success.
The choice is yours.
