Swamiji on the True Guru

What does Swamiji ask that you measure him by? Character. If you want to understand who Swamiji is, only look at his actions. When meeting another Swamiji, likewise, observe his actions to measure his evolution. You are free to go anywhere, but use your discrimination. That Swamiji’s life must be of the highest moral standard. It is so easy to act like a teacher; we have many actors today. They don an orange robe and a smiling face and sing nice bhajans. The voice is not spirituality, but so many people fall for the voice. The long locks of hair are not spirituality, but so many people flock to the look. Anyone can look like a Swamiji, but only a spiritual being can live like one.

If one does not want true bliss and happiness, if one does not want out of this world of suffering and illusion then one will never accept the words of the Guru. They will say that that Guru is mad, that Guru does not know what he says. They’ll say, “I will find someone else.” And they will find someone else, another Guru that will smile and not challenge them to evolve.

The enlightened Master has no association with his past. He does not even associate himself with yesterday. That is how much in the present he is. Minute to minute, second to second, he is disconnected from his identity. He is continually disconnected from I-ness.

— Swami Sai Premananda