A Zen master once recalled an incident from his life. 'When I first visited my master, I sat beside him for three years and he did not look even once in my direction. One day, he gave me a loving glance. That moment filled me with immense joy. Three years passed and then one day, he looked at me and smiled. His smile seemed like the most extraordinary blessing. After three more years the Guru stroked my head lovingly. How miraculous that moment felt. Another three years went by and then one day suddenly, he held me tight. That was it. I disappeared and so did he. All that remained was oneness'.

(How did this union occur? Over the twelve years, the Guru dissolved the disciple's ego completely, purified his mind and made him empty. Slowly, the disciple began to cast away his beliefs and attachments and develop feelings of love, faith, and ultimate surrender).