“Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized soul can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the truth.” (Bg.4.34)

One thing we need to understand is that to make sure we are always going in the right direction, or whenever we have questions, or when there are problems to sort out while traveling the spiritual road, it is not always enough to depend on a book. But you need a spiritual teacher, a guru whom you can approach for guidance. A genuine guru can help in making sure we remain on the right path.

Sometimes people feel there is no need for a guru. But in this material world, we are all born in varying degrees of darkness. It takes a spiritual teacher to pull us out of the illusion. And no matter how a person acquires spiritual knowledge, whether it is through this booklet, or through a friend or some other way, it can all be traced back to a spiritual teacher somewhere. So accepting a proper guru or teacher is important. Only by being humble enough to accept spiritual knowledge from without can we become qualified to receive such knowledge from within.

A guru is one who should be in a proper sampradaya or chain of disciplic succession, and his teachings must also be in accordance with what the scripture verifies, and with what other advanced sadhus or devotees teach. This is the unique system of checks and balances that is used in the Vedic system. It is not that just anyone can claim to be a guru and say anything he likes. But the guru, scripture and sages must all corroborate each other to make sure people are not fooled or improperly instructed. If a guru says something that is not established in scripture, or is not advocated or approved by other knowledgeable sages, then his authority may be called into question. So following these checks a person can verify that he is following rightly.

Once a proper teacher is found, then you must approach him submissively. You cannot order him to give spiritual knowledge, which is rare to find anyway. In exchange for the guidance and instruction, traditionally it is expected that you offer some service in exchange, or some dakshina, which is an offering of money. This also purifies the time you spent making the money that is offered. A spiritually realized and experienced guru can guide you because he is accepting you to follow in his footsteps to the same spiritual reality that he has already entered. However, one needs to be careful because such a soul is very rare, and if we might find such a person, we should take it most seriously. As Lord Krishna explains:

“Out of many thousands among men, one may endeavor for perfection, and of those who have achieved perfection, hardly one knows Me in truth.” (Bg.7.3)