How To Test The Guru.

I came across a comment where the seeker asked "How can we test and know a true Guru?"

This is written for those who are in touch with Guru's or are seeking one.

First and foremost just ask yourself these questions- Does spiritual knowledge exist in books? Am I interested in knowing some body contortion exercises or am I truly a seeker? Do I need to join a gym or some Guru who charges me less to do the same yoga at a lesser cost? If I need to understand Pranayam or some other breathing exercise, do I need an expert? Does the Guru whom I want to go to boast of a million students and when do you think will I get a chance to meet that Guru alone and that too more often?

Is he trying to sell some ayurvedic or some such preparations to one and all? Does he enrol me for a class and tells me to enrol a few more in that class? Does he take part in political or social activities? Does he have ambitions about being the only God in this world and sell his photographs by millions? Does he pander to other religious types and say that there should be harmony of religions? Is he acting politically correct? Does he give diksha like we give chocolates to kids on a birthday? How much time has he spent on you so far?

Does he tell you to do some homework and come back the next day and checks up whether you have read or done the job advised?Is he trying to sell you some cassettes or cd's or some books and enrol you in some programme for further development of your spiritual life? Does he tell you to come for a retreat or some weekend classes?

Now there are many more questions but I know these are enough to test the Guru of yours thoroughly.

Remember no Guru wants to build an empire or temples or some edifices to commemorate someone or anyone. He is a simple soul who does not perform miracles and produce ash or shiny watches. I have not heard of Ramakrishna Paramhamsa or Saibaba of Shirdi produce ash or some such thing, neither have I heard them speak of building a temple or an ashram for themselves. They wore the cheapest of clothes and lived a frugal life without any wants or needs. They never encouraged any political activity. They never wrote treatises and sold them by millions, they never asked a person to practice pranayama or some yogic exercises.

There were many others like Meerabai, Kabir, Tukaram, etc who never expressed that they want to make money or name or fame. They lived a very simple life without any frills and fancies.

So now you must have understood how it would be good enough to check on a guru and find out for yourself whether he is suitable for your attention and worthy enough to be your Guru. So what do you have to say now...is it enough or do you want to have a Youtube sleazy video of his for proving his Godhood?