Sadhak who understands the importance of the Guru learns newer things every step of the way in life. As the experiences are established, he keeps coming closer to Guru. In the subtle-bhava there is nothing like near or far since Guru is in the form of Bhava only.
In the beginning sadhak needs physical nearness of the Guru since he has not made enough progress in his sadhana. Even then qualified Guru will physically stay near the sadhak only if is needed. The reason being, it may not be beneficial to sadhak since it may have effect on the understanding and respect that he has for the Guru. It is possible that sadhak may not maintain the attraction for the things that he wants to gain or where his mind needs to pay attention if that thing is present nearby all the time. For this reason, Guru plants the seed in the mind of sadhak and then watches with detachment. He continues to provide needed Bhava hidden from the sadhak. Just as the parents extend their arms and shows the child their fingers to help the child walk independently, the Guru does the same. He continue to create the occasions to attract the mind of sadhak towards him. The sadhak may not understand the importance and mystery of such incidents at that time but as he progresses in sadhana importance and mystery of previous incidents dawns in his mind. At this time whenever he gets the opportunity to be physically near the Guru, he begins to understand and experience the importance and mystic of such incidents right at that time. Such a sadhak does not need to be near the Guru after reaching such a stage. He experiences distant Bhava in his life in a very subtle form. To be Shiva from the Jiva one needs physical form of mind, chitta, intellect, prana, ego, senses and body, Guru is needed in life of the sadhak only for the time as described earlier.
Pujya Shree Mota
Jivan Sandesh
Edition 3; Pages 17 - 18.
