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Is physical proximity to the Guru necessary? || Acharya Prashant (2018)
Acharya Prashant
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7 years ago
Truth
Thought
Guru
Mind
Service
Self-observation
Tendencies
Devotion
Description

Acharya Prashant addresses a seeker's desire to reach a state of no-thought and her wish to relocate to India to be in his physical proximity. He clarifies that targeting a state of no-thought is neither necessary nor advisable. He compares thoughts to waves in an ocean; just as waves give dance to the ocean's substance, thoughts are an expression of the mind. The crucial question is not whether one is thinking, but who the thinker is. If the thinker is devoted to the truth, thoughts become a divine dance where the formless comes to life in time and space. Thought is only problematic when it is circular, constrained, and sick. He emphasizes that thought is a helpful tool for self-observation, as it makes hidden tendencies palpable and detectable, allowing one to understand what is brewing within. Regarding the seeker's desire to move to India, Acharya Prashant explains that the primary focus must always be the service of the truth, not the person of the Guru. He advises that one should relocate only when the mission of truth requires it and when serving becomes impossible in one's current location. Seeking personal permission suggests that the intention is still centered on the person of the Guru rather than the ultimate destination. He uses the metaphor of a guide to explain that those who target the guide instead of the destination miss the point entirely. He encourages the seeker to first maximize her efforts for the truth in her current location in Europe. Only when she has done the absolute maximum and finds that her physical location is obstructing the cause of truth should she consider moving.