Swami Shivapadananda on the Guru’s role in your realisation

SWAMI SHIVAPADANANDA

DAILY READINGS

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

Day 283

There must be humility, questioning [but not as in arguing with], service,
and respect, of the guru’s instructions. Empty your cup, the guru will fill it.
The guru is ever present, he never dies.

Whether in or out of the body, he is
invisible only to our senses. The mind picks up the thought of the guru, the
heart picks up the faith of the guru. You are never lonely, he is always there.

The veil [of Maya or illusion] is [like] an iron grid [i.e. very difficult to penetrate] – and beyond it is peace
eternal, light everlasting.

To a Devotee: Enjoy the peace at the ashram [hermitage, monastery]. If
you spend three hours a day here, the mind stills. Study the slokas [scriptural verses, mantras, prayers], the
scriptures, and write how you feel. This opens you up. This is what I do. Then
compare your writings with Master’s [Sri Ramakrishna]. If they are the same you
will feel, ‘Ah yes, this is real.’

Sometimes I sit in my room and forget you all. When will you awake and
remember what you have forgotten? The guru cannot give you realisation; he
shows you; he teaches you; he even takes you there. But he cannot give it.
You have to do that yourself. This is your freedom.

Learn forbearance [patience] and love for the guru.

Mother Sarada [Sri Sarada Devi, nun-wife of Sri Ramakrishna] tells us
that one day after havan [ritual fire worship] Master’s food fell on the floor.
She scooped it up and offered it to him, against all tradition, saying, ‘Here
is your food, Lord. This is what you prepared for yourself, Lord.’ Be intimate
with God. Fear nothing. Be intuitive.