| A Guru is not merely a teaching but the divine touch. But the disciple has to be ready to allow this divine touch to really become a moment of deep transformation.There is a beautiful story told about a man who wanted to walk on water. He begged his Guru to give him a secret mantra or a special boon so he could complete this remarkable feat. The man was extremely pious and devoted, and he had been in his Guru’s service for many years. Therefore, the Guru gave him a leaf, folded many times until it was very small. He told his disciple, “Within this leaf is a secret formula which will enable you to walk on water. However,you must not open it because the formula inside is a secret.”So the man agreed, and he takes the folded leaf carefully in his hands and begins his journey across the river. He is walking fine on the surface of the water, when suddenly he is overcome by curiosity. What could be this secret formula that has permitted him to accomplish this feat? Is there really a secret inside? Is it a powder or a stone or some holy mantra printed? Where did his Guru get it? His doubts get the best of him and he begins slowly to open the leaf as he walks, careful lest any of the secret formula should spill out into the water. As soon as he unfolds the last piece to unveil the secret, he suddenly sinks into the water and drowns. Inside the leaf was written the simple word, “faith.”It was not the leaf, nor any secret powder or mantra that enabled the devotee to accomplish a miracle. It was the strength of his faith in his Guru and in the“boon” his guru had given him. As soon as that faith wavered and doubt crept in, his life was lost. This is the power of faith.At this time of Guru Purnima, we must look at what really makes up the Guru-Disciple relationship – what makes it so special, so unique, so powerful and life-transforming? That answer is faith. Faith can work true miracles and without it, much of life is futile. The Guru might be of infinite power, knowledge and compassion. Yet, without the faith of the disciple, the Guru can do very little for him/her.That “letting go” is the faith. If we can surrender to the Guru with complete faith, the Guru can transform our lives. However, if we “hang around” with doubt and suspicions, then we gain nothing. So at this sacred time let us renew our faith, let us replant the seeds of devotion in our hearts and allow them to grow into beautiful blossoming fragrant flowers of love and devotion, such that not just one day but every day becomes Guru Purnima. |
