The guru exists only because the disciple needs him. The guru does not exist from the side of the guru himself; it is the disciple’s projection. When the disciple has understood, there is neither disciple nor guru. When the disciple is in the need to understand, there is a disciple and a guru. The guru and the disciple both exist in the mind of the disciple.
It has to be understood: I exist not as far as I am concerned, I exist in your mind. You also exist in your mind. It is your NEED to know that projects gurudom, that you start thinking of me as the Master, as your Master; it is part of your disciplehood. The day you will have understood, awakened, and your disciple disappears, in the same moment the guru will also disappear.
Tao: The Pathless Path, Vol 1, Ch 12, Q 7 (excerpt)