The human being has a twofold nature i.e. lower nature and higher nature. Lower nature is material nature and higher nature is spiritual nature.

Material Nature : It is dominated by the senses and it is characterised by these features:

1. Eat
2. Sleep
3. Defend
4. Mate

This is called as lower nature as all animals are doing these things in their lives.

Spiritual Nature : It is dominated by reasoning and intelligence. This is called higher nature, as most of the animals don’t have it or, have it in a very faintly developed state. Reasoning is a unique gift by which one can distinguish right or wrong. Intelligence is also a unique gift, which if enlightened controls the mind which in turn controls the senses.

Enlightening of intelligence is possible only in humans, and Guru, Satsang, and Shastras are its means of enlightenment.

Guru

A genuine spiritual master never claims to be God but,he is the most confidential servant of God. The prerequisite for understanding a scripture is surrendering to God. Anyone who teaches how to surrender to God is called a Guru.

Spiritual knowledge or transcendental knowledge is imparted and received through disciplic succession. The scripture - Srimad Bhagavatam tells us that, the Lord spoke Vedic knowledge to the first living being Brahma, who gave it to Narada and from Narada the knowledge succeeded to sage Vyasa Dev - (Vyasa Dev is considered to be the first preceptor who lived thousands of years ago. He taught orally the four Vedas to four disciples) - a process of transmission and flow of knowledge.

An ordinary man can’t interpret the laws of the state himself. For correct interpretation, statements of expert lawyers and judges are required. Similarly, only a Guru or spiritual master can interpret the spiritual knowledge.

Satsang

An association with a representative of God, who can be called as Guru or Sage is known as Satsang. It forms a very important part of the spiritual path and can be understood by following example :

A bottle which once contained perfume will retain its particular odour even when empty. Similarly the representatives of personality of God head are more potent than perfume, whose heart is ever burning with compassion, charity, love and forgiveness. With such association, one can find profound spiritual help in proportion to frequency of one’s approach.

Shastras or Scriptures

Shastras or Scriptures are knowledge texts, which provide an insight into the various spiritual paths. A Guru can help a subject to select a Shastra most suitable for him/her.

Reading of scriptures is greatly recommended in the Hindu religion, since they provide a wealth of knowledge on spiritualism, Yoga, Meditation and Self Realization.

The feeble minded, who do not make earnest effort through well directed meditation and control of mind and senses, can’t hope to realize the self within.