Definition of a Guru or an evolved spiritual guide

There are various aspects to the Supreme God Principle. These various aspects of God perform specific functions in the Universe. This is pretty much akin to the government of any country which has various departments to facilitate the smooth governing and functioning of the country as a whole.

Just as we have a department for education in a government, which facilitates teaching of modern sciences throughout the country, the aspect of God that looks after spiritual teaching and spiritual growth in the Universe is known as the Guru. This is known as the unseen or unmanifest Guru or the TeachingPrinciple of God. Out of the entire population of the world, few take up spiritual practice that is universal and beyond the confines of formal, organised religion. Among these, very few people through their spiritual practice (regardless of their religion of birth) attain a spiritual level of over 70%. The unmanifest Guru then works completely through some of these evolved individuals who are then known as the manifest Guru or the Guru in the human form. In other words, a person has to be at least of the 70% spiritual level, to qualify as a spiritual guide or a Guru.

Literal Meaning of Guru

The word ‘Guru’ is derived from the Sanskrit language and has a deep spiritual meaning. Its two syllables Gu and Ru stand for the following: Gu denotes the spiritual ignorance that most of mankind is in. Ru represents the radiance of spiritual knowledge that dispels the spiritual ignorance. In short, the Guru is the One who dispels the darkness of spiritual ignorance in man and bestows upon him spiritual experiences and spiritual knowledge.

Some salient features of a Guru in the human form:

• A Guru is beyond organised religion and he looks on all of mankind as the same. He does not discriminate on the basis of culture, nationality or gender. He only seeks the student who intensely desires spiritual growth.

• Whichever spiritual path or religion one follows, they all finally lead to the path of grace of the Guru.

• He lifts the student to be able to access the Soul knowledge within. This is as opposed to some people with sixth sense (ESP), as mediums access knowledge from subtle bodies (spirits) in the subtle dimension. When one acts only as a medium, one cannot make spiritual progress.

• The relationship between Guru and student is pure and the love that the Guru has for the student is without expectations and unconditional.

• The Guru is omniscient and is therefore able to take care of the student even when he is not with Him physically.

How do we recognise and acquire an evolved spiritual guide?

It is difficult for a student of Spiritual science to judge the ability of a Guru. This would be like the student testing the teacher. To test someone, one has to be of a higher calibre than that person. More importantly, the ability of the Guru is in the subtle or spiritual dimension, i.e. beyond the understanding of the five senses, mind and intellect. It can be gauged only through a highly activated sixth sense. This leaves the average person in a quandary of whom to follow.

The Spiritual Science Research Foundation (SSRF) recommends that one should not go searching for a Guru. In almost all cases, one will not have the spiritual maturity to be able to discern as to who to choose as a spiritual guide.  To grow one’s capacity to discern one needs to do regular spiritual practice according to the five basic principles of spiritual practice. This will ensure spiritual growth and development of a sattvik intellect. The all pervading unmanifest Guru or the Teaching Principle of God keeps a constant watch on all of us. When one achieves a spiritual level of around 55%, a Guru in the human form comes into one’s life.  (The mode spiritual level of present day people is 20%). At the spiritual level of 55%, a student of Spiritual sciences has the spiritual maturity to have a sense for whether the Guru is genuine with their sattvik intellect itself.

If you would like to read more about this topic or any other topic on Spirituality, please visit: Guru- Who is a Spiritual Master

Author bio
Sean M. Clarke has been studying and practicing Spirituality with the Spiritual Science Research Foundation (SSRF) over the past 9 years. An MBA graduate from Monash-Mt Eliza Business School, Australia. Sean gave up his regular career as a Strategy and Business Analyst in the technology sector to help co-ordinate dissemination of SSRF research material as a full-time volunteer.

Copyright (c) Spiritual Science Research Foundation Inc. If you are interested in reprinting any of the content of this article elsewhere on the web, please make sure that along with the content, you provide a visible active link back to SSRF's website  www.spiritualresearchfoundation.org or to one of its pages.