by Swami Rama
Living with the Himalayan Masters
Of the many swamis and teachers of all faiths I have known, only a few have been fully enlightened. I once raised this question with my master. I said, “Sir, so many people call themselves Swami or sage. The people of the world are deceived. Why are there so many inadequate teachers who are not really ready to be teachers and who should themselves still be students?”
He smiled and said, “You know, a flower garden often has a hedge around it to protect it? These people are the hedge created for us by the Lord. Let them pretend. One day they will actually become fully realized. For the time being they themselves are deceived.”
If you want to meet a genuine teacher with complete knowledge, you must first prepare yourself. Then you will be able to pass through the hedge.