Just because they have read a few esoteric books, people increasingly seem to believe they can take on the role of a spiritual master

Just because they have read a few esoteric books, people increasingly seem to believe they can take on the role of a spiritual master. As if it were like being a teacher of geography or maths. Well no, to become a true master capable of educating disciples, you need to have worked on yourself for many years, incarnations even. You too will one day be able to have disciples and educate them, but when? Once you have rid yourself of all your weaknesses and have learnt to control yourself. In the meantime you must do all you can to improve yourself so that you may have the best possible influence on the people around you and all those you come to meet. Because whoever we are, there are always people on whom we can have a good influence. So, before putting yourself forward as a spiritual master, try to practise in the situation in which you presently find yourself. Wherever you have a responsibility, you can use it as an opportunity to act beneficially on others through your patience, your self-denial and your generosity.