| A Chela is one
who has offered himself or herself as a pupil to learn the "the
hidden mysteries of the Universe and the psychic powers in
man." The spiritual teacher is called in India, a Guru.
A true Guru is a master of the esoteric who to varying degrees has
developed in himself both the power and the will to deal with true
metaphysics. One of first qualifications to be a chela is:
"Perfect physical health." It does not mean we are
required to have body of an athlete or an acrobat, but it should be
strong enough to take the stress which is involved in tearing away
the lower from the Higher Self. Next, we need to develop our mental
and moral abilities and the power of will. A true chela does
not run to the nearest temple and make offerings, or resort to
ceremonies and rituals to be relieved of the life's pain, but he accepts
whatever troubles and trials come our way, and thereby
strengthens himself spiritually.
Moral strength is the capacity to
follow the dictates of Spirit even though it may run contrary to the
so-called morality of the world.
In a sense, a school teacher, who has taught us our alphabet, is
our guru. A child does well, if he holds this teacher in reverence
and tries to follow what he teaches, faithfully. This attitude of
reverence is very important. In the East, a Guru is regarded as with
the respect reserved for one's parents.. The relationship between
Guru and chela is deep. In the eyes of the chela, the Guru
represents the Higher Realms.. In the East, to be disrespectful to
one's Guru, even in thought, is considered to be a great moral lapse
by the pupil.
The proper function of the Guru is to readjust the chela with his
presence or with his knowledge expressed in clear and easily
comprehended terms. The love which exists between them acts as a
stimulus and purifier for the mind of the chela.
A Guru tests his chela in various ways. The test consists in
seeing how well he responds to it. The attitude with which he
responds decides everything. A story is told that a disciple, when
he saw men merry-making and drinking, felt disgusted and also proud
that he was not indulging in such things. The Guru of this disciple
made him work through the brain of a drunken person, i.e., the
disciple had to work through the physiology of another person with
the drunkenness problem.
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