Guru and spiritual progress towards self-realization

"When one is ready, the 'Guru' (master) comes".  

As and when the inner process of purification advances, the Brahmachari is assured of the right degree of knowledge by the Grace of God. Our's is only to try and persevere in the right direction through honest effort and Sadhana (practice). When one is ready from within to receive the grace of a spiritual master, God sends forth such a master. Sometimes, God himself directs and guides the aspirant through intuition or while in meditation.  As and when the time becomes right, things happen on their own accord.

It is not mandatory to have a Guru in flesh and blood. If one strives hard & rests one's faith on any one of the self-realized sages taking them to be a Guru, their grace and blessings eventually shine forth. Realized sages do not bless, guide and accept any random person as a disciple. One has to prove one's merit and worthiness to receive their grace. There must be honesty, love, surrender and complete devotion for attaining self-realization from within. One's attitude should be - "There is nothing more important to me in this existence other than attaining to self-realization. This body, mind, emotions...nothing matter. Reaching that Supreme state alone matters. For this, I shall be ready for any sacrifice and any amount of effort. Let what happens happen. Nothing will dampen by efforts away from this quest". Then, after many tests & trials, one gets a Guru by the grace of God or God himself guides.

Only a self-realized soul can become a Guru. Others cannot be called a Guru or become Guru-s. The Guru is the personification of God on the Earthly plane. Having attained to liberation and having dissolved his individuality & ego, he has become one with the Brahman (Almighty). A self-realized master is none other than God himself in flesh and blood, so say the scriptures:-

।। ग़ुरुब्रह्म, ग़ुरुविश्णुहु. ग़ुरुदेवो महेश्वरह।

ग़ुरुसाक्षात परब्रह्म. तस्मै श्री ग़ुरवेनमह ।।

|| The Guru (master) himself is the Trinity (the Gods Brahma [creator], Vishnu [maintainer] and Maheshwara [destroyer])|
The Guru is the personification of the 'Parabrahman' (Almighty). I bow to that auspicious Guru with devotion and humility ||

He is a 'Sarvagnya' (all knowing), and hence knows the problem of the disciple even before it is expressed. He knows the exact path which is required for the spiritual progress of the particular disciple towards liberation. He see's the past karma-s, present state and future of the disciple as one see's a photograph. Such is the power and ability that are within his reach. Only a self-realized being has complete and unhindered access to such knowledge. He has 'Thrikaala Gnyana' (knowledge of the past, present and future of the whole world including the disciple, being in a state of merger with the Almighty). He does not have expectations of materialistic things such as name, fame, flattery or money from the disciple or from the world. He is completely self-sufficient and self-content. He is selfless and wishes nothing but good for the disciple, for he see's the same 'Atman' (self) everywhere, in all beings.

But he will expect unfailing devotion, surrender, faith and an insatiable hunger from the disciple for the attainment of self-realization. He will test a person severely for worthiness before accepting him as his disciple. If such qualities exist in one and there is cent percent honesty and dedication to the objective, the Guru comes. When one has reached this state where one wants nothing else except self-realization and is ready, the Guru comes. Only the very fortunate who have proven their genuineness get blessed with a Guru by God. Others have to strive further till they are ready to receive and attract a Guru.

Swami Sivananda is a realized sage. Since you are influenced by his writings and find them appealing, keep a photo of Swami Sivananda with you, pray to him for guidance and knowledge to reach God through spirituality. At times of difficualty or when tempted by the senses, mentally think of him asking him for help. One who is searching for a Guru can do this as regards to any self-realized sage whom one finds appealing or connecting with. If the disciple proves himself honest and deserving of guidance, realized souls send forth their help from the cosmos through knowledge and assistance. But one should have genuine intentions and an unbreakable tenacity for attaining liberation. Then, the Guru comes.

The best place to travel is into one's own pure consciousness by meditation on the Atman (self) through Samadhi (super-consciousness). This is the greatest pilgrimage and the most sought after deity, this Lord who rests within us as the Atman (self). Realizing ourselves as no different from HIM is the greatest accomplishment.

Till then, continue with spiritual practice through the concept of Yoga and Brahmacharya as has been explained in past answers. Read each and every past answer from the profile page to get clear with the path. By the grace and blessings of the Almighty Lord, all things happen at the right time. HE is watching each and every action of ours and knows all. It is for us to prove our deserving, following which HIS grace shines forth either directly or through a Guru.

ॐ तत् सत्
(That Supreme being is the absolute truth)