Jade said:No, it’s not that those masters weren't great while they were alive; it's more that they aren't useful to us anymore because they're gone. The idea is that true "knowledge" can only be transmitted from a living master. And I don't mean knowledge in terms of concepts, theories, or religious rituals... I don't know if that's actually true, but I've come across people who believe that.
People often say it's impossible to reach the finish line without a master or guru, and there's truth to that. For instance, in the lives of many yogis—whose goal is reaching nirvakalpa samadhi through practice—it's often said their teacher "gifted" it to them. Basically, they might be able to reach savikalpa on their own (though they still need help), but some believe nirvakalpa is almost always something handed down by a master... but hey, what do I know? We're talking about things like savikalpa and nirvikalpa as if we actually understand them, when really, I haven't a clue. 😬
It's true that someone like Raman achieved everything without a guru, yet he insisted it was impossible to hit the mark without one (he basically argued that just because he didn't have a physical guru doesn't mean he didn't have one in spirit).
But 😕
do you honestly think these kinds of people just pop up out of nowhere and happen to stumble upon us just to pull us out of our mental messes?
It's not for nothing they say a guru appears only when the student is ready.
Just the other day, I read this about the student of Tat Wale baba, a famous yogi from last century who still looks after his ashram/cave today:
I was seven years old when I left home in search of Shiva. I wandered all over America and finally, a yogi told me to go perform tapas (asceticism, penance, spiritual work) in the Himalayas, where I might find God. So, in 1965, I headed to Rishikesh and stayed at Swargashram. While there, I read in a book that it is impossible to achieve moksha (liberation) or realize Brahman without a guru. My search for a guru became an obsession. I went to Manikut Mountain to dedicate myself to Tapas, still hoping I would encounter Lord Shiva. As I climbed the mountain, I came across Tat Wale baba sitting on a rock in front of his cave. He looked just like Mr. Shiva to me. When I saw him, my heart and body started shaking so much that I ran into the woods in fear, hiding under a tree until evening before returning to Swargashram. For the next three days, I sat by the Ganges, played the guitar, fasted, drank only water from the Ganges, and prayed to God for guidance. Finally, I returned to Tat Wale baba's cave. This time, I wasn't afraid. We locked eyes at the same moment. He smiled at me, and I immediately felt a profound connection. That's how I ended up staying with him.
Someone who left home at seven years old to hunt for a guru and spent all those years in intense spiritual practice clearly didn't just stumble into this by accident; opportunities like that don't just fall into your lap.
So, how do you become ready, and how do you even recognize a true master? Honestly, we should follow the teachings and spiritual discipline of the "departed" masters and try to make the absolute most of our own lives and spirits. What more could a guru possibly want from us?
IMHO