It is helpful to remember the following analogy, to avoid reaching a negative or prejudiced conclusion about Gurus or Saints: Just because we come across quacks does not mean that there are not any good doctors in the field of medicine. Similarly, even though it is a fact that today almost 97% of the so-called ‘Gurus’ are fake, it does not mean that there are no real Gurus.

    If we take a close look at the reason behind the increasing number of incidents involving fake Gurus, it will become clear that the main factor responsible is the number of vulnerable people who desperately want to get rid of their problems. Here vulnerability is in terms of the lack of subtle perception or the ability to recognize the subtle Guru principle active or not within an individual. Such vulnerability, unfortunately, ends up promoting fake Gurus.

    The only way to develop the subtle perception and the divine qualities like intense and selfless desire to reach God, obedience, sacrifice, servitude, perseverance, etc., is regular and progressive spiritual practice. When one develops the “spiritual readiness” in terms of these spiritual qualities, a true Guru automatically enters one’s life to guide one further on the spiritual path.

    According to the science of Spirituality, about 80% of the unhappiness in a person’s life is partly or totally due to spiritual factors like Destiny, distressing energies, etc. Only with the appropriate spiritual practice, and in case of severe problems, only by the grace of a Saint can the problems be overcome lastingly. Further, spiritual practice helps in increasing one’s tolerance or inner strength for undergoing unhappiness.

    Unfortunately, not many have the patience and perseverance so essential for doing spiritual practice to face one’s problems or to acquire a Guru’s grace*. Many would much rather take a “quick fix,” such as offering money to God or ascetics in a vain attempt to solve their problems. If God wanted or needed money so badly, the richest man in the world would be liberated! On the spiritual path, what counts is the devotion to God, not the monetary offering.

* Spiritual practice according to the various steps of the Path of Guru’s Grace bring about rapid spiritual progress to not only face one’s problems, but also to acquire the all-important Guru’s grace.