At some point, we may discover the loving presence of our inner being – silence – within ourselves: a presence that is eager to teach and guide us, to transform our human nature and our life, both inner and outer. Literally, we feel as though we are falling in love with an invisible and silent Somebody who dwells within. His self-giving, unconditional care for us utterly conquers our heart. Naturally, we shall treat this new and powerful Friend with the utmost love and devotion, almost religiously.

We may also have a spiritual Master or Guru, whether in the physical body or in spirit. If he is God-realised, he is inseparably one with our inner being; indeed, he is the silence itself. The experience of being in the presence of a spiritual Master while he is still in the physical is unparalleled. Nothing comes close; nothing can replace him. When he departs the body, we – his children – are left inconsolable. Yet he is not the finite body-consciousness but the consciousness of the Supreme Self. If the Master is no longer in the physical, to keep pace with him in spirit, what we need is actual meditation. In meditation, he can accomplish for us infinitely more than he could ever convey through words or recount in his books

You live in my eyes, in my sleep,

In my dreams, in my sweet wakefulness.

In the stupendous mirth of life,

In the abysmal lap of death,

You I behold.

Your Love-Play is my world.”

Teacher, Master. Our truest name for him is Gratitude, for it is he who works tirelessly and self-givingly behind the scenes to make us perfect and happy, inwardly and outwardly.

To understand the Master fully, we ourselves must become illumined. In the meantime, we simply offer him our love and follow him with devotion. His words are mystical, bearing multiple layers of meaning – hidden until the hour is ripe for their revelation


To be accepted by a late God-realised Master we have to follow his spirit and legacy. He will guide us through meditation silence. Real spiritual teaching is always silent and unconditional. Many can teach you outer disciplines. There is only one to guide us: silence.
To be accepted by a departed God-realised Master, we must follow his spirit and his legacy. He will guide us through the silence of meditation in precisely the same way he guides his earlier disciples. True spiritual teaching is always silent and unconditional. Many can impart outer disciplines, but there is only one who can truly guide us: silence.

What is better – to have a God-realised Master as our Tutor, or to be guided directly by one’s own soul or by God Himself? The answer is simple. It has already been prearranged, even before birth. We need only accept what the Divine has ordained for our highest good.


No matter whether your beloved Guruji is in the physical or in spirit, or whether you accept your own soul and silence as your Tutor, the essence of your inner bond remains the same: love, devotion, surrender, and gratitude.