25 May 2015 - QA 1

In Hinduism, it is believed that one cannot obtain liberation without the Grace of the Guru. Why is this so?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: This belief is not limited to Hinduism alone. In fact, even in Buddhism, Jainism and other religions of the world, it is a widely held belief that one cannot progress and find liberation without the Guru. You will find this in Christianity also. Jesus Christ has said, “If you wish to go to my Father, then you have to go through me”. It means that if you wish to meet and unite with God, you have to go through him (here meaning the Guru, or the Apostle). The Guru Tattva is present everywhere and at all times.

If you wish to learn driving a car or to get a driving licence for yourself, you need an instructor; a guide. When you learn how to play football, you need a good coach to teach you. At times, we also bring a coach from another country to teach our Indian cricket players. Just think: to just to toss a ball from one end to another, or to learn how to hit a puck with a stick, we need a coach or a guide. Then how can one not need a guide for Spirituality? A Guru is definitely needed.

What happens when you have a Guru in life?
1. Sorrows diminish when the Guru is there
2. Happiness and contentment overflows in life
3. A Guru also helps preserve and protect the knowledge
4. All talents and skills blossom in the presence of the Guru
5. You experience total abundance in life in all aspects

Now when you has a Guru in life, how can there be lack of any kind? When you have a Guru, then you do not go about crying and complaining about little things in life. You gain such strength and stability, that whatever you think of starts to manifest and happen. How many of you here have had this experience? Raise your hands (Many in the audience raise their hands).
See, with the Guru, one’s very sankalpa (intention) starts to manifest for sure. Seeing all these positive things, our wise Rishis and ancestors have correctly said, “Guru bina gati nahi” (Meaning: there can be no progress without the Guru).