On the path of devotion, we have spiritual role models who can teach us the way to eternal Vrindavan. We connect with them on a deep level because of the example they have set, and we wish to follow in their footsteps; but instead, we often gather bits and pieces from various books, and from things we have heard people say, to form the basis of our spiritual knowledge.

 

If we are serious spiritual aspirants, we will make the effort to truly learn from our role models; to follow their teachings without mixing our own confused ideas into the learning process. Similarly, we can always boast about how knowledgeable we are spiritually, but if our ideas have no solid foundation, in the way that they do for our spiritual masters, then it is of no use. We cannot delude ourselves into thinking that we can inspire the right changes in ourselves, let alone in others, without that depth of understanding and realisation. This superficial “knowledge” only helps to boost our ego, as we sit at our computers, in our living rooms or in coffee shops, sharing our “experiences” to get some recognition.

 

But the real difference between the common man and true spiritual masters is that they work for the betterment of mankind. They never use their knowledge to prove something or to gain recognition. That’s why the Buddha says, “Those who are good and pure in conduct are honoured wherever they go. The good shine like the Himalayas, whose peaks glisten above the rest of the world even when seen from a distance.”