Grace Purifies

Sri Lakshmana Swamy

Q: What is the role of the Guru?

LS: The Guru is the Self in the Heart of each devotee. When the devotee makes an effort to be without thoughts or to surrender to the Self, the Guru within responds. He watches the efforts made by the devotee and transmits the grace of the Self. This grace purifies the devotee's mind and pulls it towards the Self. Eventually, if the devotee is ripe, the Self pulls the mind into the Heart and destroys it.

Q: You say that a Guru is essential. Does that mean that one has to be physically near him, or does his grace operate at a distance?

LS: There is no question of distance for the Self. You are never away from the grace of the Self. On the other hand, it is good to be in the presence of a Guru because grace is channelled through the form of the Guru. If the Self is everywhere, why did people flock to see Ramana Maharshi during his lifetime? It was because he was channelling the grace of the Self to the people in his physical proximity. The grace of the Self flows from the physical form of the Guru. In his presence devotee's minds are automatically quietened.