Spiritual master, a
Is first and foremost an example
December 13th 2011
You can see from the way the word ‘master’ is used in everyday life that it can have several meanings. There is the master who passes on knowledge to his pupils, the master who exercises power over servants or slaves, the master who excels in a discipline, who masters a subject, whether physical, intellectual or artistic.
But a spiritual Master does not seek to become an expert in any subject. He seeks to control, to master, only himself, as his own subject, whether physically or psychically. He does not impose himself on his disciples; he is content to be what he is. It is up to the disciples to find out how to obtain his friendship, his protection and his light, for he is never far from them; he walks beside them and speaks to each one in a language they can understand. What language is that? The language of example. He says, ‘Love’, and he himself gives the example of selfless love. He says, ‘Work’, and he himself works. He says, ‘Bear suffering’, and he himself accepts all the pains of soul and body without rebelling. If he is persecuted or unjustly accused, he does not seek revenge. He responds to evil with goodness.