— Can you comment on the notion that the student can surpass the master?

In arts, sports, or any other human activity that seems to be the case rather often.

Spiritually, the notion that the student can surpass the master is absurd. The true Master was never above anything or anyone, neither below; neither better nor worse. Neither was the seeker. Only the seeker made such distinctions, based on ignorance of self and unexamined imitation. Or the so-called ‘master’ was no master at all.

Do not mistake self-deprecation for humility. The former is an expression of a lack of clarity about our True Nature and engenders restlessness. The latter is an expression of truth and simplicity and service to this world.

spirituality-nonduality-advaita