Page 184 - Wisdom Unfurled

Way to Realisation(Role of the Guide) Introduction
The Master discusses in this section the indispensability of a worthy guide for ensuring success on the path towards Realization. The real Guru is the connecting link between God and man. It is through his medium alone that man can reach God. He is the only power that can extricate us from the intricacies of the path. Selection of the right type of person as the Guru comes after one has determined the goal and the proper means which will lead him to it. It is clear that in all cases including even mundane instances we stand in need of a capable guide who has practical experience in the relevant field; even when one proceeds apparently by his efforts he goes only by what he hears from or reads in books on the subject written by those having sufficient experience in the field and thus is indirectly guided by them. Books are of no worthwhile practical utility whatever in the field of spirituality, while they may help one in achieving superficial knowledge of things, becoming a learned teacher or eloquent speaker in that field and winning arguments in debates. Quite often the information gleaned from the books on yogic sadhanas and attainments can be misleading and even harmful if followed indiscriminately. The Master has quoted elsewhere Viveka Chudamani of Sankara in this context to say that books are of no help in realization and they are of no relevance after realization. However books containing the practical wisdom and the teachings of great souls who have themselves traveled the path and secured higher spiritual attainments are invaluable as inspirational motivators to the beginner encouraging him to walk the narrow path of God- realization.
But the seeker should keep all the books aside once he has found his Master and be guided strictly by the instructions he receives from the Master on the path. The need for continuous help and support of the guide of practical attainments on the path for securing the final objective can never be overstated.
The Master gives the instance of the celebrated Persian poet and author of eighteen books on spirituality Maulana Rumi, who was asked by a great saint whom he had approached for spiritual training to throw all his books into the river if he really wished to have practical training at his hands. Reluctant to part with his books which were products of great labour, Rumi approached the saint seven times to be turned away empty handed each time. Finally he threw away all the books as demanded and was accepted by the saint for training. Actual realization comes only after training in the realm of practice