The Relationship with the Master in Spiritual Life – Value of darshan and sahavas

Baba discousing with lovers 1954

For an aspirant to see a Perfect Master does not yield its full significance except in the context of all the corresponding happenings of the inner planes of consciousness. The rishis, or sages, attach great importance to having the darshan (contact through sight) of Perfect Masters. For they are the source of the constant flow of love and light, which emanates from them and makes an irresistible appeal to the inner feelings of the aspirant, even when he receives no verbal instructions from them. The effect of darshan is dependent upon the receptivity and response of the aspirant, whose reaction is determined by his own sanskaras and past connections.

Often the aspirant is completely satisfied with the darshan of a Master, and he desires nothing further from him. To derive bliss and contentment from the mere darshan of the Master is a great thing because it indicates that the aspirant has desirelessness and love, which are the two essentials of spiritual life. Having had the darshan of the beloved Master, the aspirant naturally desires nothing except to have more of his darshan and is thus impelled by his inner spiritual urge to seek the sahavas (company) of the Master as often as possible. Further sahavas of the Master implements and strengthens the purifying effect of darshan, and also results in drawing the aspirant closer and closer to the Master on the inner planes.

– Discourses 7th Ed., p 187

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