How does one distinguish the eternal from the perishable, and what does Baba say about the relationship between the Guru, God, and the Self?

Chapter 19 explains that the world's flux is like the waves and foam on the sea—all are temporary forms of the same water, a display of Maya. Those with discrimination understand this and strive for the eternal rather than the perishable. This chapter further clarifies the nature of the eternal by stating that the Inner Self is God, and God is the Guru. There is absolutely no difference between these three. To try and find a distinction between the Guru, God, and the Inner Self is a futile effort, as they are one and the same unchanging reality.