According to The American Heritage Dictionary, the Sanskrit word Guru refers to a personal spiritual teacher, a guide in spiritual and philosophical matters, and a trusted counselor and adviser.
Guru is very much connected with spirituality which deals mostly of things not material, of subjects beyond life and death: of life after death. Having said that, a Guru is not an ordinary person, and finding and choosing a Guru is not an easy task. And from what I heard, from spiritualist believers of the existence of a Supreme Being, a Guru is a living representative of God. Furthermore, it is written, "with God's grace a person will find a Guru, and with Guru's grace a person will find and know God".
Spirituality's basic teaching is that we are in essence not material but spirit soul, which is deathless and eternal. Hence anyone's relationship with his spiritual teacher is also eternal which is watched with utmost care by the Supreme Spiritual Being, by the ever-existing all-knowing God.
Pleasing a Spiritual Master is pleasing God, and pleasing God is pleasing the Spiritual Master. But we should also carefully consider the fact that a similar situation will occur when a person commit an offense against a Guru or God. With a Guru, one may thread a camel through the eye of a needle; however, similarly with a Guru (by committing an offense), one will thread a delusional easy road to hell. (Fortunately for us rascals, both of them are merciful, tolerant, and not easily offended. And their actions are always based on love. Nevertheless, spiritual life is a razor-edge path by which committing offense to a Guru is the greatest fall and the ultimate cut).
Being a sinner and a risky freedom loving carefree rebellious fool, I cannot claim that I have a Spiritual Master; but I do listen to one who does not even know me but who is the guiding light of my thoughts, words and actions. And protected by his wisdom: although alone, I am fearless; and even with nothing, I am complete.
