Without
an understanding of ourselves and our intrinsic characteristics, we are left in
darkness. The guru serves as one who eliminates this lack of knowledge by
imparting wisdom. On Guru Purnima, we honor the role of the guru. My teacher
consistently reminds me that "God is the ultimate guru." Both human
beings and God embody both formlessness and form. This shared attribute is
encapsulated in the view that humans were made in the image of God. God
transcends gender and components, yet has the capacity to manifest in any
shape. As the prime mover, God initiates action without being affected.
Unchanged, God influences the rate of transformation. While widely recognized
as the creator, the challenge for many lies in acknowledging that God also
dwells within creation.
Observing
a predator's hunt is common on wildlife shows, where sometimes the prey's
mother can only watch. Though heart-wrenching for her, all creatures involved
possess souls—a fragment of divine essence. In a state of detached observation,
these natural occurrences play out transiently against a backdrop—the 'screen,'
which here represents God at a sublime level, a presence that remains constant
amidst change. In the absolute sense, this screen too is illusive, with
existence itself being the paramount reality.
Human
life comes with a variety of lifestyle choices. We might live predominantly
attending to our physical, social, spiritual needs, or seek higher aspirations
seeking gods or the absolute reality. With free will, we have the freedom to
follow any chosen pathway.
Many of us are in this world simply to experience creation, not necessarily to seek lessons, as we originate from the highest plane of being. Evolution isn't a necessity for us; our primal state doesn't entertain time. Possessing immense potential, our true nature is impervious to fear or anxiety—there is nothing apart from us to dread. Bliss dominates, rendering us content without the compulsion towards worldly thoughts. Our ignorance drives us to search for peace and contentment in relationships, activities, and ideologies. Once enlightenment occurs, one's inner self radiates like the sun.