What is Guru’s grace? How does it lead to Self-realization?

Questioner : What is Guru’s grace? How does it lead
to Self-realization?

Sri Ramana Maharshi : Guru is the Self. Sometimes
in his life a man becomes dissatisfied and not
content with what he has, he seeks the satisfaction
of his desires through prayer to God. His mind is
gradually purified until he longs to know God, more
to obtain his grace than to satisfy his worldly
desires. Then, God’s grace begins to manifest.
God takes the form of a Guru and appears to the
devotee, teaches him the truth and, more over,
purifies his mind by association. The
devotee’s mind gains strength and is then able to
turn inward. By meditation it is further purified and it
remains still without the least ripple. That calm
expanse is the Self. The Guru is both external and
internal. From the exterior he gives a push to the
mind to turn it inwards. From the interior he pulls
the mind towards the Self and helps in the
quietening of the mind. That is Guru’s grace. There
is no difference between God, Guru and the Self.

Questioner : In the Theosophical Society they
meditate in order to seek masters to guide them.

Sri Ramana Maharshi : The master is within;
meditation is meant to remove the ignorant idea
that he is only outside. If he is a stranger whom
you await, he is bound to disappear also. What is
the use of a transient being like that? But so long
as you think you are separate or that you are the
body, an external master is also necessary and he
will appear to have a body. When the
wrong identification of oneself with the body
ceases, the master will be found to be none other
than the Self.