In casual usage, "Master" is merely the appellation used
by most abhyasis in referring to the gurus of the Sahaj
Marg lineage, and in particular, to the living Representative.
Truly speaking, however, the external Master or Guru can
be described as the reflection of our own inner Teacher.
This is true not only for Masters of Sahaj Marg, but for
the Masters of all the great traditions. Along these lines,
the words of Tibetan Lama Sogyal Rinpoche can hardly be
improved upon: "The master whose human shape and human voice
we come to love with a love deeper than any other in our
lives is none other than the external manifestation of the
mystery of our own inner truth. What else could explain
why we feel so strongly connected to him?"
Officially within the Shri Ram Chandra Mission (SRCM),
the Master is the spiritual Representative announced by
his Master, who carries on the spiritual duties as guided
and instructed by his Master. As such, there is only one
living Master at a time, who also accepts the responsibilities
of President of SRCM.
... Chariji** has often explained that the use of the word
"master" in Sahaj Marg has nothing to do with some external
hierarchical relationship, in which one person acts like
a "boss" whose every order must be obeyed, and all others
are mere lowly slaves.
In fact, Sahaj Marg Masters rarely give direct orders to
others, and then only to advanced abhyasis, or when absolutely
necessary. Instead, they tend to give subtle hints or general
suggestions. Masters, as Babuji always insisted, come not
to rule, but only to serve. The most striking characteristic
of our Masters are their utter ordinariness, their lack
of self-consciousness, their playfulness, and their genuine
humility.
... Chariji has explained that in Sahaj Marg, the word
"master" can refer to a person who has mastered himself
or herself. Most of us will admit that this is no common
feat. As already suggested, it is this mastery over self,
not mastery over others, that makes one a true master. Secondly,
in the living tradition of Sahaj Marg, a Master is one who
has the ability to transmit from the center of his own existence
to the center of another's existence, who can thus awaken
and nurture the Master in others. In short, a Master is
able to create not just disciples, but others like himself,
that is, another Master.
** Chariji refers to current living Master, Parthsarathi Rajagoplachari whom his associates affectionately call Chari or Chariji.
