Who Is a Real Guru?
Among the naïve , of course, one may pass for a spiritual master by wearing robes and a beard, bearing a twinkle in one's eye, performing some magic tricks, or speaking riddles. But intelligent people won't settle for these outer trappings... Related Articles (Article by BTG Editors)

Knowledge is the solution--First Find A Bona Fide Guru (MP3 Audio from 1966)
For knowledge we have got to go to the right person, one who has actually seen or experienced the Absolute Truth. Unless we find such a person who has actually seen the Absolute Truth or who has in his experience what is Absolute Truth, there is very little chance of our spiritual advancement. (MP3 Audio by Srila Prabhupada)

The Guru Is A Pure Devotee!
During Srila Prabhupada's physical presence there was no confusion in ISKCON over the qualifications and qualities of a bona fide guru. Srila Prabhupada was personally present and he exhibited all the qualities perfectly and all the devotees understood the spiritual master was a pure devotee. Related Articles (Article by Madhudvisa dasa)

Srila Prabhupada's July 9th. Letter.
An important point is that Srila Prabhupada's final written instruction on initiations is a system whereby new devotees are initiated by a ritvik priest on his (Srila Prabhupada's) behalf. Many new devotees are not aware of this nor have they read the letter that Prabhupada sent out to all temples on July 9th 1977. This letter very clearly states that henceforward all new devotees would be initiated in this way. Related Articles (Article by Sudama dasa)

The Blind Man and the Cow's Tail
A blind man was once trying to negotiate the path to his father-in-law's house with the help of only his walking stick. In a field nearby he heard a cowherd boy humming a tune to himself. The blind man hailed the boy and asked, Kindly lead me to the house of my father-in-law. It is nearby, but I can't find the way myself. (Article by Sudama das)

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Prabhupada's Disappearance Day, Lecture (1)
Now, you American boys and girls who have taken to this movement, please take it more seriously and... That is the mission of Lord Caitanya and my Guru Maharaja, and we are also trying to execute the will by disciplic succession. You have come forward to help me. I shall request you all that I shall go away, but you shall live. Don't give up pushing on this movement, and you'll be blessed by Lord Caitanya and His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Prabhupada. (MP3 Audio by Srila Prabhupada)

Sri Vyasa-puja Hyderabad, August 19, 1976 [MP3 Audio]
So anyone of you, you can become guru. It is not that I am an extraordinary man, an extraordinary god coming from some mysterious place. It is not that--it is very simple thing. Caitanya Mahaprabhu says yare dekha tare kaha krsna'-upadesa. So I request you follow the Caitanya Mahaprabhu's instruction that you also, you become a guru at your home. (MP3 Audio by Srila Prabhupada)

Sri Vyasa-puja Lecture London, August 22, 1973 (MP3 Audio)
One who is doing this humble service of preaching work, Krishna consciousness, nobody is dearer than him to Me [Krishna]. So if you want to become recognized by Krishna very quickly, you take up this process of becoming spiritual master, present the Bhagavad-gita as it is. Your life is perfect. (MP3 Audio by Srila Prabhupada)

Srila Prabhupada's Vyasa Puja Offering--1961
If everyone just initiates then there will only be a contradictory result. As long as it goes on there will be only failure. O shame! My dear brothers, aren't you embarrassed? In the manner of businessmen you increase your disciples. (Article by Srila Prabhupada)

Spiritually There is No Difference Between Appearance and Disappearance
Although this is the disappearance day of Om Visnupada Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, so there is nothing to be lamented. Although we feel separation, that feeling is there, but spiritually, there is no difference between appearance and disappearance. There is a song, Narottama dasa Thakura's song, ye anilo prema-dhana. Do you know, any one of you? Can you sing that song anyone? (MP3 Audio by Srila Prabhupada)

Questions About Initiation and Preaching
When someone is initiated they have received transcendental knowledge and their past karma is burned up, they must be a bit like a new born baby. Why is it they still appear and behave the same and even fall down, where has that divine knowledge gone? Related Articles (Article by Madhudvisa dasa)

The Importance of Receiving the Guru (MP3 Audio Arrival Address Los Angeles)
Spiritual master is the official collector. This is the Vedic system, to receive knowledge through the transparent medium, guru, and to receive Guru means the honor goes to Krishna. So this is necessary. This is not an artificial thing, but spiritually it is necessary. (MP3 Audio by Srila Prabhupada)

Does the Spiritual Master Have A Material Body? Is He Omniscient?
Some devotees have said to me that Srila Prabhupada's form is spiritual. Now with my physical senses I perceive that Srila Prabhupada has a physical body. So how can it be possible that I can perceive a spirtual body? One can notice that Srila Prabhupada's body was changing from youth to old age as do material bodies... Related Articles (Letter from Khan)

Prabhupada on his Disciples Becoming Gurus
It is not that you have become a student and you'll remain student. No. One day you shall become also guru and make more students, more students, more. That is Caitanya Mahaprabhu's mission, not that perpetually... Yes, one should remain perpetually a student, but he has to act as guru. That is the mission of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. (Article by Srila Prabhupada)

Srila Prabhupada on Initiation [compilation of quotes]
Please be happy in separation. I am separated from my Guru Maharaja since 1936 but I am always with him so long I work according to his direction. So we should all work together for satisfying Lord Krishna and in that way the feelings of separation will transform into transcendental bliss. Related Articles (Article by Srila Prabhupada)

Who Is Representing Srila Prabhupada Now?
The ISKCON living gurus are advising their disciples: You can't understand Prabhupada's books or classes, you have to hear from me instead. You can't understand Prabhupada... So that's hardly being Prabhupada's representative. Related Articles (Article by Madhudvisa dasa)

PHALGUNA KRISHNA PANCAMI (Srila Prabhupada's 1961 Vyasa-Puja Offering
A Vyasa-Puja offering of five prayers glorifying special characteristics of Srila 108 Bhaktisiddanta Saraswati Goswami Thakura. Presented on the commemoration of his appearance, by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, at the Radha-Damodara temple, Vrindavana, India, in 1961. Related Articles (Article by Srila Prabhupada)

Unless One is a Pure Devotee He Should Not Become A Preacher
Unless one is situated as pure Vaisnava in his dealing, in his behavior, inside and outside, he should not become a preacher because it will not be effective, neither one should hear from such person. Those who are preaching, they must be very sincere. They should read the literatures, just like The Nectar of Instruction. We should follow, strictly follow. Then you'll be able to preach and make disciples all over the world. (MP3 Audio by Srila Prabhupada)

The "Living Guru" Concept
I have been reading the articles on this website for at least a few years now and it has given me great spritual benifit. I do agree that there are so many bogus guru's out there I am looking for a guru as well, but I still think that there must be a living guru to approach. (Article by Madhudvisa dasa)

First You Must Know What Guru Is, "You cannot search after a school and go to a cloth shop"
One cannot deny the order of a spiritual master. Therefore one has to select a spiritual master whose order, carrying, you ll not commit a mistake. You see? Now, suppose if you accept a wrong person as spiritual master, and if you, if he guides you wrongly, then your whole life is spoiled. So one has to accept a spiritual master whose guidance will make his life perfect. (Article by Srila Prabhupada)