Thoughts on 'Guru'

WHO IS A GURU?
According to Ma a guru is one who you can love trust and say 'yes' to. He is on the path that you are most comfortable in, just ahead of you, lighting the way, with your hand firmly in his/hers.

WHY SHOULD WE HAVE A GURU?
Just like one requires a teacher for anything in life that one wishes to learn. It makes it easier rather than experiment by trial and error, specially in the Spiritual path. But most importantly he/she is one who is able to point out where you are straying from your god-given mission.

WHEN SHOULD ONE HAVE A GURU?
You cannot decide that. The Life Spiritual does.

IS GURU REALLY ESSENTIAL?
Not if you can be extremely aware of your shortcomings, and you can be your own guru. Everyone has a family doctor. Even doctors do.

SHOULD THE GURU SELECT HIS DISCIPLES?
There are no 'shoulds. Most of these happenings just 'happen'

OR, DOES AN INDIVIDUAL SELECT HIS GURU?
Mostly a guru selects his disciples, but then again these are pre-destined relationships

WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES OF A GURU?
Depends upon what you are looking for. What are the qualities of a prospective bride/groom?

WHAT IS EXPECTED OF A DISCIPLE?
Faith and receptivity

DOES A GURU LIMIT THE INTELLECT OF HIS DISCIPLE BUT INSISTING ON THE DISCIPLE TO REMAIN WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES DEFINED BY THE GURU?
Most real gurus teach and give you the freedom to choose. Some however have their conditions like the Radhasoamis. But then they are very clear about what they expect from disciples, from the very beginning. You have the freedom to decide whether you want to follow that path!

WHAT SHOULD BE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE GURU & HIS DISCIPLE?
Faith, Love

A Reader (Sudhakar Naidu) asked:

Q1:  I want to know is it mandatory for every one , that only guru can help in complete transformation?
A:  No! If you are brutally aware about your shortcomings and have a clear direction, then you can be your own guru.

Q2: Can a person with self realization and knowledge from literature of Vivekananda, Buddha, Aurobindho and Rabindranath Tagore help transform himself in to a realized soul? These questions are raised considering "Myself " as an example. I did not encounter any guru, but I consider my true self as my guru and when ever I found myself stuck up with the problems of materialistic world, I look to my inner self and ask question and I get the answer. And I follow according to the advice from inside. Now Please enlighten me the need for guru in my case.

A:  If you are absolutely sincere then you probably don't. But I would still ask a Spiritual Master who knows you personally. Read my thought on Guru Purnima