<p class="bodytext">The function of a spiritual teacher, as has been taught by my Master, is not to distribute lollipops. Everybody sucks on the lollipops and sits happily, thinking this is the world. One has to face reality, look at life, see where we stand, whether we have improved; are we moving forward, or are we still the same?</p>.<p class="bodytext">A Guru should be a polished mirror so that when you look at it, you see your actual reflection, not a distorted image. Only when you see yourself as you are, can you change. When one does not see one’s real picture, one actually thinks that one is fine. </p>.<p class="bodytext">A true spiritual teacher sometimes provides opportunities and situations, either deliberately or as they happen. He does not encourage people to run away from them, but to remain in those situations, and face them. For it is only when one is faced with a particular set of circumstances, that one begins to realize for oneself where one stands. </p>.<p class="bodytext">So the most important thing in sadhana is to look at oneself very carefully. Are you still unhappy when somebody else is happy? Are you scheming to pull somebody down? </p>.<p class="bodytext">If you have found that there are a lot of things to be improved in yourself, the first step is sitting down and doing your sadhana and the other is to see how you behave with people. Both are sadhana and they have to go side by side.</p>.<p class="bodytext">If we remain the same, years of meditation, japa, kriya or bhajans are of no use, unless the heart changes and begins to look outside oneself.</p>.<p class="bodytext">People usually think that spiritual realization is something that can be won for free. That spiritual realization comes without exchange, is not true. He who giveth, receiveth. I am not saying that we must give everything that we have, but to sacrifice some part of yourself. Try to help others. </p>.<p class="bodytext">In this world it is not possible to sort all your problems. If you don’t have money, you may have something else. If you have money, you may not have something else. This is the way of the world. If you get a big job you will find many jealous people looking at you. If you make money you will see people trying to figure out how to take it away. It is natural. </p>.<p class="bodytext">So, if you have to get out of this finally, once and for all, the only way is to find your own self. To find your own self, means to examine yourself, look at life as it is and try and become as selfless <br />as possible.</p>
<p class="bodytext">The function of a spiritual teacher, as has been taught by my Master, is not to distribute lollipops. Everybody sucks on the lollipops and sits happily, thinking this is the world. One has to face reality, look at life, see where we stand, whether we have improved; are we moving forward, or are we still the same?</p>.<p class="bodytext">A Guru should be a polished mirror so that when you look at it, you see your actual reflection, not a distorted image. Only when you see yourself as you are, can you change. When one does not see one’s real picture, one actually thinks that one is fine. </p>.<p class="bodytext">A true spiritual teacher sometimes provides opportunities and situations, either deliberately or as they happen. He does not encourage people to run away from them, but to remain in those situations, and face them. For it is only when one is faced with a particular set of circumstances, that one begins to realize for oneself where one stands. </p>.<p class="bodytext">So the most important thing in sadhana is to look at oneself very carefully. Are you still unhappy when somebody else is happy? Are you scheming to pull somebody down? </p>.<p class="bodytext">If you have found that there are a lot of things to be improved in yourself, the first step is sitting down and doing your sadhana and the other is to see how you behave with people. Both are sadhana and they have to go side by side.</p>.<p class="bodytext">If we remain the same, years of meditation, japa, kriya or bhajans are of no use, unless the heart changes and begins to look outside oneself.</p>.<p class="bodytext">People usually think that spiritual realization is something that can be won for free. That spiritual realization comes without exchange, is not true. He who giveth, receiveth. I am not saying that we must give everything that we have, but to sacrifice some part of yourself. Try to help others. </p>.<p class="bodytext">In this world it is not possible to sort all your problems. If you don’t have money, you may have something else. If you have money, you may not have something else. This is the way of the world. If you get a big job you will find many jealous people looking at you. If you make money you will see people trying to figure out how to take it away. It is natural. </p>.<p class="bodytext">So, if you have to get out of this finally, once and for all, the only way is to find your own self. To find your own self, means to examine yourself, look at life as it is and try and become as selfless <br />as possible.</p>
