Philosophy Of Liberation Interfaith

Author(s): Paramhansa Maharaj, Donald Howard, Veena Howard
Publisher: USA Santmat Society of North America

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activity, the consciousness of a true master remains uninvolved, and remains poised in the Essential Divine Sound.
81. The various systems of knowledge do not compare to the spiritual science by which knowledge of the Supreme Sovereign is attained. Other teachings have little benefit compared to the teaching for the attainment of the Supreme Sovereign. Clearly, a teacher of science cannot be compared to a spiritual teacher owing to the preceptor's ability to guide one to the Supreme Sovereign. It is not necessary for the other teachers or scholars to have broken through the various Realms of Non-Conscious Nature (Gross Realm, Subtle Realm, etc...) or to have shattered the illusion of the material plane. However, it is essential that the spiritual teacher has penetrated the Realms and shattered the illusion of the material plane. Even the spark of a little teaching of Shabda-Yoga for the attainment of the Supreme as learned from a teacher will be of far greater value than the worldly teachings.
82. The recognition of a true spiritual master is the most difficult of tasks. However, the one who has purity of character (rectitude), who practices diligently the Yoga of Sound, and who can explain clearly Sant Mat (the path of saints) can be accepted and trusted and given devotion as a spiritual master. A person without rectitude or purity of character, regardless of the other qualities just mentioned, should not be regarded as a true master.
If one has accepted a spiritual teacher and later finds him or her lacking in rectitude, that teacher should be abandoned. In spite of the teacher's exquisite
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