From: Rick Archer (rickhome@cec-waterjet.com)
Date: Thu Feb 15 2001 - 10:57:13 PST
Date: Thu, 15 Feb 2001 12:57:13 -0600 Subject: "Gurus" From: Rick Archer <rickhome@cec-waterjet.com> Message-ID: <B6B17CE7.53FE%rickhome@cec-waterjet.com>
All this talk about "gurus" who drink and molest children reminds me of a
story I once heard about Adi Shankara. As the story went, he was walking
along some distance ahead of his disciples when they saw him stop and drink
something. When they got to the spot, they saw that it was beer and drank
some themselves. They continued walking a while and saw him stop and drink
something else. When they got to the spot they saw that it was molten glass.
I needn't elaborate the lesson implicit in the story.
The Yoga Vasishta says that there are enlightened beings throughout the
universe in all sorts of bodies, even insects. But I think that in choosing
a master, one should set certain standards. For instance, Maharishi's master
was born and raised in a wealthy, pious Brahman family. He left home at the
age of 9 to find a master and traveled up the Ganges for 5 years until he
reached Uttar Kashi, where he found a master who had attained the goals he
had set for his own life: he was fully realized, fully versed in Vedic
Knowledge, and was a life celibate. I suppose we all have different
standards, but I, for one, would steer clear of any teacher who drank,
womanized, or worse. Sure, his words may contain some wisdom. I said some
pretty profound things on LSD. But words and concepts are the least of what
a true master conveys. The essential nature of a master - the universal
spirit - is what really needs to be transmitted to the disciple.
Nisargadatta was and is an inspiration to many, including me. But he smoked
and sold cigarettes. Some people wouldn't have a problem with that. But my
preference would be to align myself with a master who at least lived up to
the ideals I hold for myself.
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