“A well-informed mind is the best security against the contagion of folly and of vice. The vacant mind is ever on the watch for relief, and ready to plunge into error, to escape from the languor of idleness.”
– Ann Radcliffe, The Mysteries of Udolpho, 1764

Kabir – The couplet

??? ???? ?? ?????, ?? ???? ????? |
???? ???? ?? ?????, ????? ??? ????? ||

transliterated:
Hari kripa tab janiye, de maanav avatar |
Guru kripa tab janiye, mukt kare sansar ||

Translation:
It is God’s Grace that gives us human birth (life) |
But is the Guru’s (teacher’s) grace that frees us from human bondage ||

My understanding:
Life, explained in all the complexity of science, still remains a miracle of creation. Without devolving this into a discussion on evolution versus creation, human life, we have to agree, is still magical in it’s nature. Our ability to reason and understand is still way beyond science’s ability to explain.

For allowing us to partake in and participate in this miracle of Life, we have to thank God. However, (and this is the crux) we have to first thank the Teacher(s) who gave us the ability to evolve our reason an understanding to be able to fully understand and grasp the miracle we have each been presented with. In “The Spirit Guide” (http://www.myhometownnews.net/index.php?id=20982 ), James Tucker explains that “Every living person has a dual nature.

We have the lower earthly nature ruled by the mind or ego, and physical needs and hungers ruled by the body.

At the same time, we have the higher spiritual nature ruled by the heart, soul and instincts.”

The higher spiritual nature that he refers to is latent in all born humans, but needs to be brought to the conscious forefront and used appropriately – and this is the job the Teacher has inherited through the mists of time.

We are born closer to the animal nature in us, but grow and evolve to the higher human experience, guided by the various Gurus life brings us into contact with. These Gurus include parents, teacher, siblings, acquaintances, elders, friends and even our enemies – for enemies teach us and sharpen us more than friends ever can (does that not make enemies our closest friends and dearest teachers? Why do we hate them so much then when we only benefit from them? Reflect on this, and shake their hand in gratitude the next time you meet – this is another way to rid the world of the deceptive maya of hate and prejudice!).

So, awake to the reality that we are what our teachers mold us into, and thank them for the wonderful job they continue to do!