Our present Guru correctly teaches us what to practice and what to abandon like a mother instructing her child and, in dependence upon these instructions of holy Dharma, we begin to distance ourselves somewhat from the abodes of samsara; this is due solely to the Guru’s kindness. If we don’t forget the instructions given to us by the Guru and continue to practice them, it is certain that it is the Guru who will eventually set us onto the dry land of Liberation’s eternal bliss. If we have no faith and devotion, even if we spend our whole lives with the Guru, or even with Buddha himself, there will be no benefit; instead, we will see more and more faults in him. For example, like a stone in water, although the stone and water are together for the moment, the stone remains an ordinary hard stone. If your mind just becomes more and more rigid and jaded the more we sit before the Guru receiving teachings, it is as if the medicine of Dharma has become a poison. The effect of relying on the Guru and receiving Teachings should be that our mind can improve from its previous state. If that occurs the purpose of relying on the Guru and receiving teachings from them has been well served. If we ourselves have faith and devotion, the Guru’s compassion knows no bias; it is certain that we will definitely receive blessings.
Excerpt from longer blog post by Khenpo Karten Rinpoche: READ MORE
