For what reason should I accept a spiritual master?

You shouldn't accept a spiritual master merely as a matter of fashion-because all the big rock stars have spiritual masters, or because yoga and meditation are "in." Nor should you approach a spiritual master to find out how to get better grades, how to relax, or how to improve your sex life. These things have nothing to do with self-realization, the goal of real spiritual life. Of course, if you want something else, there are many so-called yogis and gurus who, for a modest fee, will be happy to oblige you. That may be big business, but spiritual life is another thing entirely.

The age-old Vedic literature of India tells us clearly how to enter into spiritual life: "One must approach a spiritual master if he desires spiritual realization" (Munḍaka Up.. 1.2.12).** Also, "The aspirant should surrender to a spiritual master if he is genuinely inquisitive about the highest goal of life" (Bhag. 11.3.21).** And in the Puranas, a more recent part of the Vedic literature, it is said, "There are many so-called gurus who are very expert in plundering the money of their disciples, but rarely can one find a spiritual master who can free his disciples from all material anxieties."

The highest goal of life, self-realization, puts you beyond the happiness and distress, the pleasure and pain, of this material world. Life in this material world is full of perplexities, and a person who sincerely wants to find a solution to the perplexities of life should search out a genuine spiritual master.

In approaching the genuine spiritual master, a person should show the same submissiveness as Arjuna did in the Bhagavad-gita, where he said to Lord Krsna, "Now I am confused about my duty and have lost all composure because of weakness. In this condition I am asking You to tell me clearly what is best for me. Now I am Your disciple and a soul surrendered unto You. Please instruct me" (Bg. 2.7).**