Guru's teaching a sacred path
By Kavita Maharaj - Nanaimo News Bulletin - March 16, 2009
The word guru literally translates into “Gu” meaning “darkness of ignorance” and “Ru” meaning “one who removes.”
Thus, a guru is one who removes the darkness of ignorance.
A yogi may have many gurus throughout his/her lifetime. For a guru can be any ‘teacher’ who is able to spur the student unto greater spiritual growth.
In particular traditions however, the term guru is a hallowed term retained only for spiritual masters, or ones who have attained samadhi (oneness with God). This guru is usually referred to as a satguru or sadguru, and is considered to be sacred.
My father once said, “You do not find guru, guru finds you.”
The truth of this statement is a guru is of no use to a student until the student has reached a point of openness to the lessons.
To seek a guru before this point is not only useless, but can in fact be counterproductive to your spiritual progress.
When you are ready, you yourself will draw the guru to you. Hence “guru finds you.”
Different gurus have different styles of removing the darkness. My father’s guru, for example, is tremendously hard on his student’s ego, pushing the ego to the point the student is able to transcend it.
Another guru might be softer in approach.
If you seek a guru without being ready, there is a great chance you will find one in-appropriate to your spiritual needs.
A ‘hard’ guru can be off putting, to say the least, if you are not ready for that. A ‘soft’ guru may be ineffectual at best if it is not where you are at.
A guru, acts essentially as a physical manifestation of your higher self.
The guru voices that which you internally know, but are unable to see because you are obstructed by the darkness of ignorance and ego.
A proper guru knows what you are not ready to face and works to bring you to the point of readiness. A true guru knows a student’s dependance on him/her is counterproductive to the student’s spiritual growth, and as such will always maintain a level of distance. Gurus will sometimes leave, if that is what is needed.
Upon the yogic path, whether you subscribe to the idea of a guru or not, it is important to note the world is your teacher and no one else can walk the path for you.
Becoming attached or averse to the idea of a guru is not helpful.
Attachment and aversion in any form seeks only to take you further from your goal.
