There are some people who are not satisfied however much they are taught.
They do not seem to grasp anything. In fact, they will start understanding
when the teaching is stopped. This is silent teaching. As long as the trainer
is holding the bicycle, the learner will never learn to ride indepenently.
The trainer then takes his hand off the bicycle and says "dont worry, I am
holding your bicycle from behind". Now the boy starts riding on his own.
Similarly, the preceptor should allow the disciple to do sadhana on his own
after some initialisation. What is sadhana? Practising concentration itself
is sadhana. Many people struggle for peace. They do intense sadhana for that.
In reality, as long as they struggle and strive, peace eludes them. Only
when they stop making any effort peace will set in.
A disciple who was allowed to carry on the sadhana on his own once asked
his guru - "Oh ! my revered master, what are you doing, closing your eyes?"
''I am thinking about you and your progress. I am pondering as to how you
will succeed in your endeavor" replied the Guru. The disciple said - "why
do you bother about me? Give it up".
The Guru said - "You are a part of the universe. I am thinking about the
whole universe. You are a part of it. How can I exclude you?"
"If it is so, why do you say that you are thinking about me?" asked the
disciple.
The Guru replied "You are thinking that you are independent of the universe
and therefore you have bondages. You will come out of this shakle only when
you realise that you are a part of the universe. That is what I am asking
on your behalf". The disciple fails to understand this and goes on asking
for different things. How then can he realise the truth?
During the Rama Avatara (incarnation of Rama), the sages desired for an embrace
by Rama. They subsequently took birth as Gopikas during the Krishna Avatara.
Lord Krishna embraced them many times. Still they were not satisfied. Instead,
they indulged in jealousy. Because of this, Krishna had to take the trouble
of assuming a thousand bodies. Seeing this, two Gopikas - Radhika (not Radha)
and Shymala - prayed to the Lord - "Oh Lord, we did not exercise caution
when we spelt out our desire at the outset. Because of us, you had to take
another birth and assume a thousand forms just to fulfill our desire by embracing
us. We are still not satisfied. Jealousy and hatred among ourselves has caused
us to think egoistically that you belong to us. Please take back the boon
you granted to us and give us wisdom".
This is a proper request. "Give as you want to give" should be your attitude
when you beseech the Almighty.