Do you really want to become a Rocket Scientist?
This is in response to the grumbling I hear from time to time, and the carrying on of some people in response to my earlier post (Remember how it was?)
Here's Baba talking about being sent away from his Guru:
"...One morning I remained standing after the darsan of Sri Gurudev. He uttered 'hunh,' gave me a fruit and asked me to go. But I still remained standing. Gurudev spoke again: "Go...to your hut...at Yeola...Pursue knowledge...meditation there...Go." I went away feeling aggrieved and anxious, but entirely willing to obey the Guru's mandate. I attached greater importance to obedience to the Guru than ever before. Obedience to the Guru's command is the highest austerity; it is the most effective mantra repetition; it is true sadhana; it is, in fact, one's supreme duty. For a disciple there is nothing more rewarding than obedience to the Guru." ...
These words are very powerful. Notice that Baba says he "went away feeling aggrieved and anxious, but entirely willing to obey the Guru's mandate." Very real and honest! You can see how Baba as disciple, regards the Guru's command. There's no ambiguity about it. The Guru gives a command; the disciple does whatever he or she can to follow it. This is not rocket science, people- this is very clear and simple.
What's NOT always clear and simple is who your Guru is. That's a different issue. And that's a very, very personal thing. Nobody can tell you who your Guru is. That's something you and only you can really know for sure. It's the most personal of all personal decisions you can make.
After meeting Baba and receiving his blessing, I would proudly tell everyone that I had found my Guru! I was so proud because Baba was so unique, so authentic and so cool- cool in the sense that Ram Das had toured with him; and introduced him; and told everyone what an "incredibly high Being" Baba was! And Ram Das' word had a lot of influence in those days as far as being cool was concerned. Anyway, I went to Ganeshpuri shortly after Baba returned to India from his tour and then came back to do seva in the Ashram being set up in San Francisco. When I was with people I always proudly refered to Baba as my Guru, but in those moments alone- staring at myself in the bathroom mirror, I would sometimes question the authenticy of this claim. If the Guru and my Self were really one and the same then I couldn't really say for sure that Baba was my Guru until I had that experience. It took a whole year until the conviction came. Then I knew without a doubt who my Guru was.
Once you know and accept that, then there's no need to cause yourself further anguish. If Gurumayi is not your Guru and you have problems with something she does or doesn't do, then stop trying to figure her out and move on! You'll be doing yourself a favor and doing a favor to others. It's a win-win kinda thing. As for those who have devotion for Baba but problems with Gurumayi, then I suggest you think about who put her in the Chair. If you want to figure something out, then figure that one out. If Gurumayi is not your Guru, then stop carrying on. One thing I know Baba never commanded anyone to do is harbor anger and bitterness. His wish for us is much higher than that.
A lot of what needs to be said is just plain old common sense. When we are able to detach ourselves from the emotions of things, common sense arises. This process is called contemplation. It all seems quite easy to me. I don't think we need to become Rocket Scientists to figure it out!
Here's Baba talking about being sent away from his Guru:
"...One morning I remained standing after the darsan of Sri Gurudev. He uttered 'hunh,' gave me a fruit and asked me to go. But I still remained standing. Gurudev spoke again: "Go...to your hut...at Yeola...Pursue knowledge...meditation there...Go." I went away feeling aggrieved and anxious, but entirely willing to obey the Guru's mandate. I attached greater importance to obedience to the Guru than ever before. Obedience to the Guru's command is the highest austerity; it is the most effective mantra repetition; it is true sadhana; it is, in fact, one's supreme duty. For a disciple there is nothing more rewarding than obedience to the Guru." ...
These words are very powerful. Notice that Baba says he "went away feeling aggrieved and anxious, but entirely willing to obey the Guru's mandate." Very real and honest! You can see how Baba as disciple, regards the Guru's command. There's no ambiguity about it. The Guru gives a command; the disciple does whatever he or she can to follow it. This is not rocket science, people- this is very clear and simple.
What's NOT always clear and simple is who your Guru is. That's a different issue. And that's a very, very personal thing. Nobody can tell you who your Guru is. That's something you and only you can really know for sure. It's the most personal of all personal decisions you can make.
After meeting Baba and receiving his blessing, I would proudly tell everyone that I had found my Guru! I was so proud because Baba was so unique, so authentic and so cool- cool in the sense that Ram Das had toured with him; and introduced him; and told everyone what an "incredibly high Being" Baba was! And Ram Das' word had a lot of influence in those days as far as being cool was concerned. Anyway, I went to Ganeshpuri shortly after Baba returned to India from his tour and then came back to do seva in the Ashram being set up in San Francisco. When I was with people I always proudly refered to Baba as my Guru, but in those moments alone- staring at myself in the bathroom mirror, I would sometimes question the authenticy of this claim. If the Guru and my Self were really one and the same then I couldn't really say for sure that Baba was my Guru until I had that experience. It took a whole year until the conviction came. Then I knew without a doubt who my Guru was.
Once you know and accept that, then there's no need to cause yourself further anguish. If Gurumayi is not your Guru and you have problems with something she does or doesn't do, then stop trying to figure her out and move on! You'll be doing yourself a favor and doing a favor to others. It's a win-win kinda thing. As for those who have devotion for Baba but problems with Gurumayi, then I suggest you think about who put her in the Chair. If you want to figure something out, then figure that one out. If Gurumayi is not your Guru, then stop carrying on. One thing I know Baba never commanded anyone to do is harbor anger and bitterness. His wish for us is much higher than that.
A lot of what needs to be said is just plain old common sense. When we are able to detach ourselves from the emotions of things, common sense arises. This process is called contemplation. It all seems quite easy to me. I don't think we need to become Rocket Scientists to figure it out!
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