Protector and Protection

IV

The ways of Masters are often misunderstood, through lack of Spiritual Growth. At times the disciples would perpetrate wrong deeds – it is very easy to fall – but when They came to Hazur He would show special Love and say,

It is good you have come.

This special attention was given particularly to save them from themselves, but many would foolishly think, ‘If we sin, our Guru is very happy with us!’ This is our intellect misguiding us. Fortunately for us, the Master’s purpose is always the same: to save the child, that he may stand erect. The road is very long, but He gives His time to each individual; after all He has Great Love for each and every one – what can He do?

If, after all these means are applied, the disciple still does not understand and progress, He uses yet other means to keep him on the straight Path. Forgive me, but when He pulls the rope, the soul writhes in torment. When the child does not obey and wastes his life, the Master shakes him hard, and though he might be a hopeless case the unceasing Love of the Master will infuse a breeze of enthusiasm into his heart eventually. If you go on sitting at His feet, you will come nearer to realisation.

That is why it is advised,

Don’t leave the Satsang – whatever has gone wrong will right itself.

Why is your condition today so appalling? Because of the mind and the senses overpowering the soul, and too much living for outer enjoyment. There are grievances in your hearts against others: you cut each other’s throats and squeeze the blood out. In this condition, what is the saving factor? Go to the Satsang regularly: one day you will think a thing is right, another day you will think a thing is wrong, but do not cease to attend and your condition will right itself. The more a child is obedient to the Guru’s every wish, the quicker will be salvation.

A certain Mahatma by the name of Panap Das has said that a man should have three blessings: first God’s, second the Guru’s, and third your own soul’s. God’s blessing you have already got; He has given you the human form and to come across a Perfect Master is His very special blessing. The Guru’s blessing you received when He gave you rebirth by taking you above the senses and rejoining you to the Sound Current within, which will take you back to the source of all Life. But what about the third blessing, which is your own? What is that? Having received the experience and connection with the Truth from the Master, then whatever He advises, you should do. Give whatever is the time requirement necessary to your Inner Progress. This is your own blessing on yourself. When the child learns with interest, he benefits from the teacher’s pleasure also.

These days, most teachers are just paid, but when I used to study as a child, they were people dedicated to humanity in children. If a child was promising, the teacher would wave aside the question of fees and call him to his own home for extra tuition. We often went to our teacher’s home. He did not have any water laid on there, so we used to bring it in buckets and do other work around the house, purely out of Love for him. He loved us and taught us with Love.

There are Satsangis and near Satsangis. By near Satsangi I mean one who has come in closer touch with the Guru. This teaching is the same for all children, but those who become receptive come closer to the Master; they get a special protection. Though His protection is extended to everyone – all are fed and eat the same bread – yet the child who is more hungry will receive more food. Oh Lord, we are your ignorant children. The Guru teaches us and makes us open up into awareness. Today you may do one thing, tomorrow something else; you are unstable and always wanting new things, from which you go on desiring other new things. The Master always gives permission for what you want, and remains with you in all you do, but gradually continues turning you towards the Truth, that your interest in It becomes more and more powerful. When He has your interest well established He will make a new life for you and take you into a new world. Now, tell me, is there anyone who would not like to have such a Guru?

When the world turns its back, the Guru is standing beside you. Through desert and forest, over seas and mountains, in this world and the next, He is with you. In the other world the Guru is called Guru Dev – the Radiant Face of the Master – which appears within the Light. A man’s face cannot appear inside, only the God-Power. When the Guru Dev comes, the disciple will know that he has become a True Disciple. If you would all keep daily diaries and honestly note in them all happenings, you would see what a grand treasure you would accumulate; but we listen to the Master’s advice and then forget it. We even forget the subject of the Satsang after a few minutes. How can we expect success?

Christ said, If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Satguru’s words – Words are Satguru.

The words of a Master are the Master Himself, and those who respect His words will most certainly get salvation. Generally we respect Him only when we see Him, and when not in his presence we do what the mind tells us; but remember, He sees our every action. Our Hazur used to say that when a man comes to the Master, He sees him just like a clear glass bottle, and knows whether it is pickle or preserve. But no one knows what goes on behind His bland expression; He is completely unfathomable, and will not show what He sees in a person but will try and wash him clean. Some think He knows nothing, but He gives them his protection always. Those children who are in a dangerous condition get extra care – though very often they think they have succeeded in hoodwinking the Master. What foolishness this is!