________________
Guru: The Qualified Teacher
A guru is the one who gives Knowledge. In this world there are many types of knowledge. There are also many types of teachers, each proficient in their own field. For our purposes we are discussing spiritual knowledge, and our concern is with the relation to a spiritual teacher. The worldly teachers possess knowledge concerning the physical and material world. The spiritual teacher, however, is proficient in spiritual knowledge. The spiritual teacher gives knowledge of the Self, reveals the true form of the Divine, and thus brings blessing into our lives. Therefore, the seeker of spiritual knowledge must get associated with satsang and seek a true spiritual guru.
Maharishi Mehi emphasizes the importance of teacher on the path of spiritual knowledge:
Do satsang, search for a teacher, and choose an accomplished spiritual teacher. Without finding a true teacher one can not tread the path of knowledge.
The teacher is not merely a human body. He/she is knowledge incarnate. Therefore, it is only the one who is able to give the knowledge of God should be qualified as a spiritual teacher. Sant Kabir Sahab sees the guru as the manifestation of divine wisdom:
The Guru is a manifestation of wisdom, and an aspirant should acquire this knowledge. Without the
322
