The Master-Disciple Relationship🔗

'It is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma', said Winston Churchill about Russia during World War II.

Without any reservation one could use this expression to describe a master's behavior. Perhaps even: a puzzle in a riddle in a mystery inside an enigma!

Master once said to us, 'To each one of you I am different. The way I interact with one person depends on the needs of the being of that person, which even that person may not understand. Do not discuss how I treat you with one another. You will only cause misunderstanding and confusion. Do not try and put me in a frame. 'You are Krishna; you are Shiva; you are Mother…'. I will not allow myself to be put in a frame. The moment you box me in a frame I die. I am a living master. I change every instant. Do not try to predict my actions, my words, my thoughts; you will only have suffering.

There was a far deeper meaning in what the master said than was obvious. He wanted each one to flow with him as he was at every moment; savor him here and now. People worry about when they will see him next while still in his presence. He says, 'What foolishness! Just enjoy my presence. By thinking about when you will see me next, you are wasting the opportunity to be joyful now!'

It is not for the disciple to unravel the mystery of his guru; not even to try and understand; the proposition is sure to be a failure. All one can do is to BE, and enjoy the bliss of that moment.

Master explained:

'Who is a guru? A guru is a being in whom Nithya Ananda, eternal bliss, is expressed; one who creates and transmits a formula and the space for others to experience the same eternally. From time immemorial, the guru-disciple parampara (master-disciple lineage and relationship) started in the Himalayas. It is the oldest of relationships. The very idea of relating with one another started only after this relationship. It is also the last relationship before enlightenment. Before this, humans were like animals, barbaric, in whatever culture and religion; all civilizations started with the advent of the guru-disciple relationship.

Even Masters who taught that there was no need for a guru became gurus themselves, despite themselves. All knowledge, not just spiritual knowledge, needs a guru, the person who leads us from darkness to light, from ignorance to knowledge.

In this modern day, people tend to question the need for a spiritual guru, but not the other kinds of gurus. One respects those who teach a skill that helps you earn money, but spiritual masters are optional. If you respect spiritual knowledge you will not question the need for a spiritual master. If you are not guided by your master, some one will guide you even if that person is not capable. Man needs a master. It is your choice whether to select a spiritual master or an unenlightened person.

If you choose a political person as your master, he will rule you by fear. If you choose some other celebrity, that person will rule you by greed. Only a spiritual master rules you with love and liberates you.

A small story:

A doctor, an engineer and a politician were arguing about whose profession was the oldest. The doctor said his was the oldest, because God created Eve from Adam's rib. The engineer did not agree because as an engineer he first had to create Adam from chaos. 'Ah', said the politician, 'who created the chaos?'

You will be ruled by those who create chaos. They infuse fear, greed and fantasies in you. They present these as a fulfillment of your desires - the way you want to live, onstage, on-screen. A spiritual master liberates you from greed, fear and fantasies.

You are all courageous, intelligent and fortunate to follow a spiritual master. When you follow others they do not present themselves as your teachers, yet cunningly control and direct you, whereas a spiritual master liberates you from bondage with no vested interest whatsoever.

Asatoma Satyamayaha/ tamasoma jyotirgamayaha/ mrityorma amritamayaha:

He who leads from tamas - darkness - to jyoti - light, is the guru.

The word Upanishad means 'sitting with the master'. The Upanishads are the essence of our Veda, knowledge. We expand in universal consciousness by sitting with the master. When we fall in love with the master we rise in consciousness.

guru-disciple relationship cannot be destroyed by the advent of science and knowledge, because it is the means to Truth, and anything that leads to Truth is eternal and cannot die. Masters deliver Truth to humanity.

When a mother teaches you to say 'mother', she is your first guru. It is only after that that you understand she is your mother. First you only know her as your guru. That is why the guru is placed before mother, father and God, and your relationship with him is your first relationship. His is also the last relationship; upon enlightenment the guru and disciple merge into energy.

You are fortunate to be listening to a master who is interested in teaching you. I talk a lot during our meditation programs. But what I have always wanted to say has always been on this master-disciple relationship. However, unless you had done some of my courses, you would not have understood me in the right way. Now at least some of you are willing to listen. And so many more will come in the future.

Either qualify, listen, enjoy, and transform or relax and disappear. You are taking the jump now. If you connect, then relax and celebrate.

There are three levels: in the Life Bliss Program, our first level meditation program, you are introduced to me. In the Nithyananda Spurana Program and Healing Initiation Program, you relate with me. Here in the Himalayas, you are actually being with me! Watch the body language of the master. Through the body language, you can pick up the thread of enlightenment.

A disciple asked a Zen master, 'Can you teach me to swim?' The master said, 'No, I cannot teach you, but you can learn from me. You can gain courage by watching me; then you can jump in and swim!'

I can't teach you enlightenment, but you can learn.. You gain trust by watching the master. You feel, 'If he can be enlightened why can't I?' Be with the master. Behave like the master, with the deep intense desire to seek. It's not imitation; it's imbibing. Imbibe Nithyananda, eternal bliss.

To imbibe something, you have to do nothing; just be present, that's all. I am such a strong personality that no gate will not open for me! Even the strongest gate inside you will open for me to enter if you are simply present. You will imbibe Nithyananda. Relax, relate and celebrate.'