The religious teacher: Part II

Many are the ones who descend deeper into the mire of self deception. The media is never tired of sensationalising the fall from grace of these self proclaimed spiritual teachers. Some create dens of carnal crimes, power and money corruption that are unbelievable even by worldly standards. The gullible are the simple, even some educated, as well as rich people who flock to them for easy solutions to worldly problems. Promises of easy methods of redemption are sold to such vulnerable souls by the millions. No wonder such stories tend to paint all spiritual teachers with the same brush. That is the tragedy. Due to such reports one sometimes discards a diamond, mistaking it for mere glass. The true master does not grow horns. He looks like you, behaves like you, talks, walks, eats and sleeps like you. One cannot recognise him unless one deserves to. Only an Adhikari (one who is ripe in the process of evolution) to take the final leap is acceptable to him. A true guru reveals himself rarely. There is a rare Vivekananda, and a rare Chinmayananda who are chiseled by masters such as Ramkrishna and Swami Tapovanam. Swami Chinmayanandaji had many a time cautioned such self-styled teachers who begin with a good intent, but slowly and steadily the wily Maya throws her nets around him and he is enmeshed in the invisible threads of his own self importance and brittle ego. Gradually throwing all discipline and humility into the raging fire of mistaken self importance they lose the sight of what they sought and then the fall is often pathetic. Gurudev Chinmayanandaji always instructed the teachers: “Teach as though you are doing loud Manan (introspection). You are just reminding yourself and measuring yourself against what you are preaching. You cannot teach anyone. He is using you to uplift others. If they benefit it is their prarabdha and purushartha (destiny and self effort).” When can a chisel snatch the glory from a sculptor?