by Swami Rama
Living with the Himalayan Masters
The life of a Swami is one of constant persecution. People believe that he is above any ordinary human being. In India a “Swami” is one who is all-powerful, a healer, a preacher, a doctor, and much more. A Swami is put in such a difficult position that it can drive an ordinary person crazy. People do not realize that some Swamis are still beginners on the path, that others have come a long way, and that only a very few have reached the goal. This lack of differentiation creates expectations that bring confusion both among the world and among the Swamis.
It is not easy to get out of this confusion. Whenever I was honest and told people, “I am still a practitioner; I have nothing to share. Please leave me alone,” they interpreted these words in their own way and more and more people started coming to me. When I lived in the forest for a long time I was still disturbed. Sometimes I was fed up with this life of a swami.
It is not necessary for one to wear the robe of a renouncer to attain enlightenment. What really matters is the constant spiritual sadhana of disciplined mind, action, and speech. How wonderful it is to be a swami, but how difficult it is to be a real one.