Once a student came and after respectfully saluting his teacher, said, “Guru-ji, it has been a privilege to observe you give counsel to many people. Would you grant me some insight into how this guidance arises?”

The guru replied, “Humans can only follow guidance that they find within themselves. So the wise have a method. Perhaps you have seen how men teach a parrot to speak. The bird-seller who wishes to teach the parrot holds a mirror before his face. From behind it he speaks words to the bird, and the parrot, thinking that another parrot is teaching it to speak, begins to imitate it. In this way, the bird finds it natural to speak like a man.

“When the seeker comes with his questions and confusions, the wise holds up the mirror of truth to show the seeker his own radiant being,” the guru continued, “and then lets the voice of guidance speak. Therefore, the seeker hears wisdom that comes from himself, and thus has no difficulty following it.”