From the Guru Without to the Guru Within

On the pathless path to being here, there is a transition that is not often discussed. Perhaps it is a secret, but it can be confusing. I speak of the transition from the Guru without to the Guru within.

A seeker finds a Guru and takes initiation on the Guru's path. So far, so good. But at some point, if the Guru is a real Guru and not just a robe and a pair of sandals, the Guru without awakens the Guru within.

When the inward Guru awakens, seeking falls away. I no longer feel a compulsion to go to the ashram, take more initiations, or follow around the master's physical form. I no longer hunger for the master's glance, for I bathe in the golden glance of the Guru within, who irradiates the world from the sun in my heart.

Is the inner Guru me  or Thee? They are two in freedom, yet one in gratefulness: the beginning and end of a single, constantly pouring stream of gratitude.

The inner Guru is infused with the fragrance and emblazoned with the face of the Guru who awakened him. Thus every Master remains devoted to his or her Master, though they may no longer appear together in the outer work.

Bathe in the gaze of your Guru, until that gaze overflows your eyes, your heart. Then you won't need to get it. You can give it.

Jai Guru Dev