Yogananda / Ramana Maharishi / 2

The Guru

When one has found his guru there should be
unconditional devotion to him, because he is the vehicle
of God. The guru’s sole purpose is to bring the disciple
to Self-realization; the love a guru receives from a
devotee is given by the guru to God.
–Paramahansa Yogananda, “Sayings of Yogananda”

It is because God wants you that I am here with
you, calling you to come Home, where my Beloved
is, where Christ and Krishna, and Babaji, Lahiri
Mahasaya, Sri Yukteswarji, and the other saints are.
“Come,” the Lord is saying, “they are all rejoicing in
Me. No worldly joys–the taste of food, the beauty of
flowers, the passing pleasure of earthly love–can
compare with the divine joys of My home.”
There is only one Reality. It is He. Forget every-
thing else.
–Paramahansa Yogananda, “Sayings of Paramahansa
Yogananda”

O my Guru! If all the gods are wroth, and yet
thou art satisfied with me, I am safe in the fortress
of thy pleasure. And if all the gods protect me by the
parapets of their blessings, and yet I receive not thy
benediction, I am an orphan, left to pine spiritually
in the ruins of thy displeasure.
–Paramahansa Yogananda, “Whispers from Eternity

Devotee: How can I obtain Guru’s Grace?

Ramana Maharishi: Grace is the Self. That also is not to be acquired; you only need to know that it exists.
The sun is brightness only. It does not see darkness. Yet you speak of darkness fleeing on the sun’s approach.
So also the devotee’s ignorance, like the phantom of darkness, vanishes at the look of the Guru. You are
surrounded by sunlight; yet if you want to see the sun, you must turn in its direction and look at it. So also Grace is found by the proper approach you make, though it is here and now.

Obedience to the guru is necessary for attunement
with his wisdom. It is not slavery to follow the wishes
of a God-realized guru, because his wish gives
independence and freedom. A true guru is the servant
of God, carrying out His plan for your liberation.
Realize this, and you will always obey, until you find
perfect freedom in Spirit.
–Paramahansa Yogananda, “Self-Realization Magazine”