Guru is merely an excuse for the Trust to arise in the Disciple

Trust is a state of being – it can manifest but it cannot be measured directly. Trust is essentially a matter of choice and inner growth showing how to deal with spiritual challenges that outgo rationalistic reasoning. Osho’s insight is: “…Trust, is the greatest quantum leap. To come from the head to the heart is the longest journey. Man can reach the moon — that is easier — and soon man will reach to the stars; that too is not very difficult. The only problem and the most difficult journey is: to move from the head to the heart, because they don’t exist in the same dimension — their ways of existing are so different. (Darshan Diaries, The 99 Names of Nothingness, Ch.20)

The most profound manifestation of such a “quantum leap” can be visible in the dynamics of how a disciple relates with the Master. According to Osho, a disciple is one who has an open mind, a receptive mind so he is not just learning from the Master but receiving, and thus continuously evolving. That is why in the spiritual world trust is seen as a basic component for being a disciple. Osho explains:

“The relationship between the disciple and the guru is a relationship of intimate trust. That doesn’t mean blind faith, because the guru never expects you to believe in him — that is not an expectation. But the very nature of the unknown is such that you cannot go a single step further without trust. Trust is required of the disciple because he will not be able to take a single step into the unknown without trusting the guru. The unknown is dark, the field is uncharted — it is not bliss, it is not the ultimate — and the guru is always saying, “Jump into it! Do it!” But before you can jump, trust is needed, or you will not jump.” (The Great Challenge, Ch.7, Q.1)

The ultimate choice before the disciple is that of surrendering totally. The very phenomenon of surrender brings transformation and crystallization in the individual. The attitude of the disciple needs to be always one of total surrender. Then the guru can do anything because only through such total receptivity to him, one can be in communion with him. In Osho’s words:

“If you understand it well, Trust is the Guru. Guru is merely an excuse for the Trust to arise within you. So sometimes such incredible things have happened that the Guru was not really a Guru, but the disciple reached to the ultimate state. Although, it happens daily that the Guru remains a Guru, but the disciple never reaches. Trust is really the key.” (Trans. from Hindi, Suno Bhai Sadho).

Trust, in the context of disciple hood, is not the same as when one applies it in social or business relationships. It is not just creating confidence and achieving perceived goals or desires. It is more like annihilation of one’s ego to merge with the luminous presence of the Master – it is essentially and truly falling in love with the Master. 

Discipleship is basically that of attitude and gratitude. Guru shows the unconscious and the wounded state of a seeker; he un-masks the seeker so that the person may see the true, the ‘original face’ is how the Zen Masters put it. The disciple’s attitude is that of total receptivity and a deep gratitude towards the guru for showing the way, unravelling the mystery, and pointing at the truth.

There is no guru-disciple relationship as it is between two individuals. One may say, it is a relationship of no relation; because it is based on total freedom. The guru is, of course, a free person, but he keeps the disciple also free to be—to grow, to find, to seek. A relationship implies dependency. An authentic guru would never wish a disciple to be dependent on him. A guru’s greatest joy is to see the disciple find his/her own path and move on, all alone. It is a path of the alone to the alone. There is only love from the disciple and grace from the guru.

Swami Satya Vedant

(Dr.Vasant Joshi)