Who, after all, would not wish to receive a blessing, who would not long for the intercession of a well-wisher? Everyone would gladly enjoy the benefits of such a relationship. It is also well known that a person is more likely to become a good doctor, artist or craftsman by studying under a professor, a true master, than otherwise, though we do not dispute the possibility of God-given talent and of self-education.
Not long ago I was talking with a young lady who told me about her spiritual search. ‘I so love listening to So-and-so’s lectures. He is a famous yogi, a recognised teacher, and he says such good things. His message is well worth taking to heart. A wonderful spiritual guide, the teacher of many, and he always says that he never had a master, that he achieved everything on his own. Anyway, the truth is written in man’s heart. So there is really no need for a master. I love listening to his teachings,’ said the lady.
This is the teaching of this teacher: that there is no need for a teacher, and no need for teaching either… Just a moment! What are we really talking about? Think it through: ‘I am your teacher, here to tell you that there is no need for a teacher.’ Is that quite right? How strange people are… they revere as a teacher the one who tells them there is no need for a teacher. This is the teaching.
It is hard to be consistent. So do we need a teacher, or do we not? Must we learn from a master that we need no master? Or is a master there so that we can keep his picture on our shelf as decoration?
In the teacher–disciple relationship it is not a matter of idle curiosity or mere agreement in principle. It is a shared search, whose object is the ultimate essence, whose means are enquiry and service, and whose subject is the disciple as much as the master. A moment can change one’s life.
The person who has reached perfection is whole both outside and inside; he is full, like a jar plunged into water, and at the same time empty outside and inside, like an empty jar in the open air.
(Maitreya Upanishad 2.18.)
Perhaps more people want to become masters than disciples, and yet the wise hold that we are disciples and shall remain so for ever. Ever new insights and deeper experiencing await us, and the path leads through joys and sorrows, successes and failures. The inner guide is always with you, the presence of an outer well-wisher is a gift. When a man truly thirsts, he finds guidance; when the disciple is ready, the master comes. Yet we must always weigh this up: what can we learn from this person? A few tenets, intricate expositions? Perhaps how to live rightly? Or can we pick up the joy of the soul by watching him? When the master teaches, one must pay attention. Then the disciple realises that a true master is teaching all the time, so one must always pay attention. Both when he speaks and when he does not. His answers and explanations are just as precious as his silence and his secrets. For one who is in constant connection with the heavenly world, the word just spoken is always the most important. There is no bad master, for even a ‘bad master’ teaches you a great deal – about yourself. So be a teacher to yourself as well. Master and disciple exist by presupposing each other; without a disciple the master is no master, and without a master the disciple is no disciple. For in your disciple your master greets you back…
It is a rare blessing when you can hear the pure message from a pure source. With this, two thirds of the holy trinity of study are already in place: a pure source and pure teaching. Only the third third is still needed: a fit receiver.