Page 48 - Wisdom Unfurled

also of the difficulties if any. I may assure you that you can achieve the goal very easily if you go on persistently with constant remembrance.
Learned teachers of religion generally induce people to worship gods and deities. He alone who has travelled the path up to the final point, can guide successfully. Learned teachers are more like roadside signposts which tell you where the road leads to. This is all the purpose they can serve. It is no doubt very strange that one aiming at freedom from materiality should fall upon material forms and grosser conceptions.
The word mahatma has been defined in several ways, not perhaps without some reasonable basis. But my definition of it as a “Not-being Being”, though somewhat peculiar, is meaningful. It may also be interpreted so as to relate to one who has been away from spirituality. But that may not be acceptable to those who aspire for spirituality. But if we go deeper to explain its real significance I fear it will not be understandable so it is better that I hold over the topic. We know that it is not royal robes alone that make a real king. Similarly it is not the form or dress that makes a real saint or a yogi. Outward physical features are not the sure indications of the heart within.
Gurus of today might conveniently be classified under the following heads:
1. Quacks: Those who go about advising and conducting the worship of trees, animals, insects, diseases, ghosts and spirits.
2. Book-Moths: Those who prescribe practices and methods which they have picked up from books.
3. Practical teachers: Those who prescribe to others that which they do or have done, not taking into account the merits or demerits thereof.
4. Inspired teachers: Those who guide people on the basis of their inner inspirations.
5. Inspired experienced teachers: Those who guide people on the basis of their practical experience supported by higher inspiration.
In the same way disciples may also be classified as follows:
1. Self-seekers: Those who take up the pursuit for the fulfilment of the yearnings of their senses (needs).
2. Time passers: Those who take it up as a pastime (kalakshepaka). 3. Followers: Those who try to follow the guru’s directions.
4. Earnest Disciples: Those who try to follow in the steps of the guru and try to copy him.
5. Devout Disciples: Those who become the focus of Master’s attention.