Parents are not responsible for your salvation

We act like they are.

If only mother weren’t so X, then I’d be X.

If only dad didn’t X, then I wouldn’t be so X.

It works in the future tense too.

Parents have one primary responsibility and it’s a big one. To care for your biological well being, in other words... to keep you alive.

If you are alive and reading this post, your parents did their job.

Anything above this, such as a good moral upbringing, education, toys, allowances, etc. was a bonus, not a requirement. Any perceived deficiencies in those areas is a result of your personal karma—they are perfect deficiencies in a way.

When we are talking about your ultimate salvation: total unity with the present moment, effortless reality, where there is no separation between I and experience, no doing... your parents have nothing to do with this.

Nothing.

At a certain point on the journey, your parents cease to be parents—you outgrow that recognition—but become, rather, very close associates, close souls indeed. And you hold both dear in your heart for the  sacrifices they made for your life and who they are.

Typically, the responsibility for your ultimate salvation falls on the shoulders of the Guru. Illuminated masters, the Earth’s saviors, beings completely at one with the present moment, who through their work at becoming nothing, have become everything—an overflowing reservoir of bliss, beauty, ease, and love.

Yet this isn’t exactly correct either.

The Guru’s job is to awaken your inner Guru, your inner guidance system, your inner values, your true Self. Once done, the Guru’s work is done. They are catalysts of a kind.

Now it’s your turn. You're on your own (though not totally).

You are responsible for your ultimate salvation.

Not your Guru.

Not your parents.

You.

But you already knew that.