Do you know the most prevalent issue faced by spiritual gurus or mentors? The jealousy factor among their disciples/mentees. Even the Buddha, who preached only compassion, couldn’t avoid this problem.

Unlike the guru or mentor, the disciples are not as spiritually mature. As a result, it’s natural for them to want their mentor’s attention or love. In the process, they constantly strive to impress their guru.

While pleasing the spiritual mentor works as a motivator to grow, it can also turn into an unpleasant rat race. The mentees, blinded by their egos, want their spiritual guide to appreciate only them. They become possessive and, in many ways, exhibit the traits of sibling rivalry.

Beware of wanting to be The Only Disciple or The Best Disciple or The Foremost Disciple or whatever. Such tags are nothing more than your ego at work, which is detrimental to your spiritual growth.

What are the traits of an excellent student?

Trust me; a genuine spiritual guide will love you regardless of who you are or what you do for them. If they cannot do so, they are not fit enough to be a spiritual guide.

Nonetheless, as Sri Krishna says in Srimad Bhagavad Gita, some individuals force their spiritual guide (or Ishta) to admire them. What characteristics make a student admirable?

Being open and enthusiastic about learning. Even though I’m no longer a student or disciple, I don’t go to bed without learning at least one new thing daily. This habit was instilled in me by my father, and it has become the anchor of my life.
Valuing the mentor’s suggestions. One of my mentees meticulously records everything I say to them. They’ve already considered or executed it by the time we meet again. Such individuals force their mentors to admire them.
Pursuing the spiritual path you’ve chosen with commitment. You will experience doubts and perplexity regardless of which path you take. Put aside your apprehensions and honestly pursue the route you have chosen. In my opinion, the only reasons to leave a mentor or guru are if there is physical abuse or if you feel stuck on your path.
Making a sincere effort in your Seva or spiritual growth task. A genuine spiritual guide will always assign tasks that align with your spiritual growth. They may encourage you to work for a cause, but it’s primarily growth-oriented activities. Sometimes, you may be given Seva tasks that wipe away your Karma, speeding your spiritual journey.
Not succumbing to laziness or excuses. This is difficult until you’ve significantly advanced, and a true spiritual mentor recognizes that. Nonetheless, growth requires hard work. Personally, I’ve never given up on any spiritual growth task, no matter how difficult or painful it is, which is why my friend-mentor spent so much time guiding me.

Make yourself an excellent student.

Jealousy is highly detrimental to your spiritual growth. In the long run, this can even ruin the mentor-mentee bond, which is what happened with the Buddha’s disciples.

Rather than succumbing to jealousy or envy, strive to channel it toward being an excellent student.