Question and Answer Period

Question: After the Master has inspired the seeker, and the seeker has chosen this path, how does the person know what his function is?

Sri Chinmoy: After you have chosen the Path, once you are sure of your Path, then it is the responsibility of the Head of the Path to tell you what you should do and what you should not do. But the choice lies with you at the beginning; it is your choice. First of all, you have to make the choice as to whether that Master and that particular Path are really meant for you. Once you have decided on the Path — and naturally each Path will have a Head or a Master — then it is the responsibility of the Master to give you specific spiritual instructions. He may give you a specific meditation, or an inner meditation, inspiring you silently and inwardly, telling you also what to do or not to do. He may not speak to you outwardly; he may not stand right in front of you, but he will establish an inner connection with you. He will create a free access to your soul. Your soul, at that time, will develop a free access to the Master's soul. Then he will be able to communicate, to speak to your soul. He will guide you and mould you. He will inspire you in your day-to-day activities in your outer life; he will also help you in your inner life.

When the inner commitment has been made by the soul and by the Master, then, at that time, the Master takes full responsibility for the individual soul. But when one is in the Centre on a trial basis, the Master is not fully responsible, and he cannot make a commitment at that time.

If the Master makes any commitment prematurely, he will be misunderstood. The seeker may find some "motive" behind the acceptance. He may say, "I come from a very rich family," or "I am a great singer. The Master needs me." This type of wrong idea may be harboured in the mind of the seeker. So the Master gives full authority to the seeker to make the decision.

Once the seeker makes the decision and once the Master approves of it, he accepts the seeker. When there is mutual acceptance, then, at that time, the Master is bound to be responsible for the seeker, inwardly and outwardly. He will inspire that disciple inwardly and he can also, if the seeker wants it, give him specific instructions outwardly.