Book Title: Wisdom Roads Author(s): Lorrence G Muller Publisher: Continumm New YorkPage 40
________________ SWAMI SATCHIDANANDA the Bhagavad Gita and even build temples for the book, but they don't know one verse. L.M.: They're not living those truths of the scriptures. S. SATCH: Mere worshiping of the ladder will not make it go up. L.M.: The book, or the teacher. S. SATCH: It's just a ladder. You say: "Oh, this is the ladder my teacher gave me. I worship it, I adore it. How can I step on it?” Because it's a holy object, no. Then what is the point of giving a ladder to you? L.M.: The teaching is there to be used. S. SATCH: You have to go up; and once you reach the top, you go on your way and leave the ladder for somebody else. You don't keep on holding onto the ladder saying: this is the ladder that brought me up. L.M.: We learn to let go. S. SATCH: Let go—you even have to let go of the teacher himself. L.M.: That can be difficult, since a certain devotion to the teacher is also necessary. S. SATCH: In the beginning, it is necessary. After some time however, even that should be discarded, renounced. Because you're attached then to that form. L.M.: The teacher's outer form and personality. Does the teacher also have an inner form—the true, eternal form in God? S. SATCH: Yes, yes. L.M.: We shouldn't get caught up in the external. 39 Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.orgPage Navigation
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