Swami Shivapadananda on the role of the Guru

SWAMI SHIVAPADANANDA

DAILY READINGS

Taken from Mother Radha's notes, written at Swamiji's feet.

Day 395

I ask you to touch the ocean. You do not go everywhere to touch it, you touch it in one place only. That is like the guru. You touch one manifestation of God (though all are manifestations of God), you touch the guru's feet.

You think the guru, the stupid fellow, just comes into your life, sits, eats and goes away. But you do not know what he comes with and what he leaves with. [Swamiji has tears in his eyes.] But I know it is She [the Divine Mother] who works in these hands, it is She who speaks through the mouth and so on.

See the guru's form on the top of the head and cling to his feet always.

The guru is the one to suffer, but he knows it is only the mind that suffers.

They say the Shiva mantra is the strongest, but the guru mantra is stronger.

Be like a child in front of your guru.

What is the guru? The gateway to the kingdom of God. Who is greater, God or guru? The guru, because he takes us to God.

All the great ones, Krishna, Rama and so on, all had gurus. So who do we think we are that we do not need a guru?

Just be, do not try to become.

God-realisation is control of the mind and senses, and fearlessness.

Spiritual life is suffering. Be hurt, but do not hurt others.

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