Fulfilment of life lies in the attainment of Self-realisation. But, how can we love the Self that is unknown, unseen, unexperienced and unfamiliar? We are not familiar with either the Self or liberation. We are completely unaware of something separate from and independent of the body called the Self. Looking at our present state, it does not appear that anytime soon the Self will be realised or liberation will be attained. Then how can the pursuit begin?
Faith in the Enlightened One
Here the Awakened Ones come to our aid. They say that even in the present circumstance and state one thing can still be done – meeting an Enlightened Master whose presence gives understanding of the unknown, a glimpse of the unseen and unexperienced Being. We can come in contact with such a Great One who has realised the Self, who is liberated while living and whose consciousness has transcended the body. In that Great One, we can get a glimpse and understanding of that unknown, unseen and unexperienced Self and in this way we start believing in the Self and liberation. Even though this belief is indirect because it is through a person, in the primary stage, there is no other way. The spiritual journey can commence by being in the proximity of such a Great One.
The experience of trust in such a Great One is called faith.It is the courage to enter the unknown realm with someone. Looking at the Enlightened One’s state of Self-abidance, contentment, freedom, non-attachment, unaffectedness, and selfless compassion conviction about the Self and liberation arises. He revels in such a state of immeasurable bliss where not even a ripple of misery can originate.
Uninfluenced by the Unfavourable
Looking at the lives of Great Ones,we find that there was no dearth of adversity; yet not even a wave of misery arose within. Many people tried to bring sorrow to them, but in vain.
Those who can never be made sorrowful are the Enlightened Ones. They have found something within that keeps them peaceful even when faced with difficulties and unfavourable circumstances. They are so well-established in the centre that even fatal trials or tribulations cannot move them from there. While we get disturbed by small things, they remain unmoved by the ordeals.
Untouched by the Favourable
In heavy rains, if a person is completely dry, it is easy to comprehend that he is in the house. In the same way, the tendency of the Enlightened One has reached its home, the Self. Adversity has no entry there and so He remains unaffected. Similarly, He also remains untouched by all that is favourable. The Enlightened One, as a result of His past meritorious deeds, may get favourable circumstances; yet, He does not pay heed to them because He has found a profound peace centre within.
Though we cannot perceive that centre, we can see the Enlightened One. Seeing Him and His state, we can infer that centre. That inference becomes our faith, and from faith arises the courage to take steps on that path. Thus, through faith in the Enlightened One comes faith in the path, the means, the goal, the Self and liberation. Hence it is said that faith in the Enlightened One is essential.
Gravitation and Levitation
Without faith in the Guru and without His grace, the Self cannot be realised. Two fundamental concepts of science help us to understand the importance of grace. Over three hundred years ago, when Newton observed an apple fall from the tree he wondered why the apple fell and did not go up. After a lot of reflection, he discovered the law of gravitation. Due to this discovery science progressed further. But this law is incomplete. Ruskin, a poet, thinker, and saint of Newton’s times, raised a question against this law. No doubt the apple falls when it separates from the tree, but how did it go up in the first place? In Lebanon, cedar trees grow to a height of more than 100 feet. The leaves at the top of the tree get water from the roots.
-Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshji
