All the scriptures of Sanatana Dharma unequivocally declare the indispensability of having a Guru in the search for self-revelation. Finding a Guru is the result of the effort of the seeker; the more intense the effort, the better the result! Coming under the guidance of a living master is exclusively the result of Divine Grace. This is the most precious gift that a human being can receive in a lifetime.
Our scriptures are repositories of profound truth precisely because they are very subtle. Their declarations have to be understood at multiple levels of abstraction because the ability to understand them depends largely on the temperament and conditioning of the seeker.
 The bedrock of this effort is devotion or surrender. Mata Amritanandamayi says: "If you have faith, you can leave everything in the hands of the Guru, whatever the situation may be. The Guru's hand will be there to protect you."  What do we need to do to acquire this Grace? Amma explains: "Selfless service and utter dedication are the two things that will make one fit to receive the Guru's Grace."
  How does a seeker distinguish a genuine Guru? "A real Guru", said Amma, "is one who is endowed with all the divine qualities, such as equal vision, universal love, renunciation, compassion, patience, forbearance and endurance. The guru's mere presence will give a feeling of protection and safety and an assurance to the disciples that they will reach the goal."
“You may see a person who really wants to surrender and become a disciple undergoing a lot of difficulties and problems. This is because such a person is going through a process of purification. The sufferings and problems you witness in their life are actually speeding up the exhaustion of both the seen and unseen vasanas (subtle tendencies) accumulated in many lives including the present), and karmic bondages."
  Of all relationships, the relationship between the Guru and disciple is the most sacred. If the biological mother gave us physical birth, the Guru gives us spiritual rebirth. Amma explains: "Mother is not a guest. She is your mother. There is no need for elaborate preparations to receive her. Your love for her is more than enough. Whatever you offer with your own hands is like ambrosia to Mother."