Keeping the company of Saints

With regard to the importance of keeping the company of the Saints:

The association with Saints helps destroys all doubts, along with one’s established mindsets, etc. Self-Realization is thereby attained directly. Just as a cocooned caterpillar is transformed into a butterfly, so it is with a devotee. The devotee, by virtue of association with Saints assumes his "True Form" (Swaroopa) and reaches the state of the Sadguru. The association with Saints elevates devotees to such a status that they are worthy of worship even by the Guru. To reach the Self, there is no other means but to keep the company of Saints.

Renunciation (Sannyasa) alone, does not drive away the pride associated with the body. It is your duty as a devotee to sacrifice everything that you think belongs to you at the feet of the Master. Give up all of your belongings, give up the desire for everything, and strive hard for Self-knowledge. Do not simply give things up in charity, as charity brings nothing but pride.

The whole world is lost in empty rituals and superstition. Nothing is achieved by all the various rituals involving Mantra and Tantra.

- Shri Siddharameshwar Maharaj June 06, 1933 from a talk on Eknati Bhagwat