When I first came to write this blog, I started a twitter account (of the same name) at the same time. It was at that time, someone reached out to me and sent me a private message on Twitter, saying "You are your own guru." He had a link to his website, which I went to. He had some great philosophy and some good ideas. His thinking was sound and he had his own interpretation of spiritual doctrines.
However, as time has passed, I've determined that although one is their own guru in time, right now most of us are not. What I mean is, yes in an eternal sense, we are our own guru. But at this moment are we? Right now, my life is about my children, my video games, my art. If I was truly my own guru would I do all those things? some?
The thing that turns people off the concept of a Guru (and bothered me for some time) is the various abuses of the title "guru" that we've seen. Similar abuses are from "priests" and "ministers." It seems people with spiritual credentials sometimes are wolves in sheep's clothing.
Many of us, also are reluctant about the concept of a Guru, because we think it means giving up free will. Or being "controlled." Neither is true, when working with a true Guru (at least according to Swami Kriyananda.)
In the book Handbook for Discipleship, the search for a Guru is likened to finding a master artist, to learn from. Or a master Violinist to teach you the art of the Violin. It's having someone who knows the pitfalls, see's your inner being and can guide you through that which you must endure, and help show you ways to work your life in the best spiritual way.
Swami Kriyananda writes in Handbook for Discipleship:
The goal, is to be our own guru. Actually the goal, for most spiritual paths, is to return to the Divine and unite with the Divine. Through a process growth, we can become our own guru, find God, and become one again with the Divine source.
However, as time has passed, I've determined that although one is their own guru in time, right now most of us are not. What I mean is, yes in an eternal sense, we are our own guru. But at this moment are we? Right now, my life is about my children, my video games, my art. If I was truly my own guru would I do all those things? some?
The thing that turns people off the concept of a Guru (and bothered me for some time) is the various abuses of the title "guru" that we've seen. Similar abuses are from "priests" and "ministers." It seems people with spiritual credentials sometimes are wolves in sheep's clothing.
Many of us, also are reluctant about the concept of a Guru, because we think it means giving up free will. Or being "controlled." Neither is true, when working with a true Guru (at least according to Swami Kriyananda.)
In the book Handbook for Discipleship, the search for a Guru is likened to finding a master artist, to learn from. Or a master Violinist to teach you the art of the Violin. It's having someone who knows the pitfalls, see's your inner being and can guide you through that which you must endure, and help show you ways to work your life in the best spiritual way.
Swami Kriyananda writes in Handbook for Discipleship:
Is it still necessary to have a guru? It is not necessary only if you have come into thisIn the West, we like to do things "on our own." The idea of having a "guru" seems like having a crutch, or giving up your free will. But neither is true. It's the ego identification that is being given up.
incarnation so advanced that you are already your own guru. Remember the purpose of
the guru is to make you your own guru. He’s only there to help and guide you to the point
where you can take over on your own. He isn’t there to continue to keep you as a
disciple. He’s there to make you as great or even greater than he. There is no jealousy in
God. A guru is trying to make you strong enough, wise enough, to be able to tread a
straight path yourself, without any further help on his part.
The goal, is to be our own guru. Actually the goal, for most spiritual paths, is to return to the Divine and unite with the Divine. Through a process growth, we can become our own guru, find God, and become one again with the Divine source.
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