According to Wikipaedia a “guru” is
“a mentor, guide, expert, or master" of certain knowledge or field. ... A guru is also one's spiritual guide, who helps one to discover the same potentialities that the guru has already realized “
Guru is a Sanskrit word. “Gu” means “darkness” and “ru” means “to remove” so together a guru is one who removes darkness.There is a beautiful verse from the Bhagavad Purana which we used to chant during ceremonies at Shekinashram Glastonbury.
“Om ajnana timirandhasya
Jnananjala shalakaya
Chaksur unmilitam yena
Tasmai sri gurave namah “
Translated as
“I was born in the darkness of ignorance and my spiritual
Guide [guru] opened my eyes with the torchlight of
Knowledge. I offer him my respect and gratitude”
Lovely words but how do you find a genuine guru in the tangle of modern charlatans’ keen to take your time and your money?
It is often said that when you are ready your guru will appear so there is no rush just keep an open mind. But when a potential guru turns up what should you look for?
If you are looking to study with a guru above all ensure that your guru is experienced in their field and lives what they teach. Anyone can memorise texts and regurgitate their content, but do they actually live by the principles they teach? In the case of yoga - ahimsa, satya and brahmacharya for example? Knowing that they live what they teach should give you some confidence as to their competency to share knowledge.
A guru should not be motivated by money. They should do what they do because they believe in what they teach. They should not do it to earn lots of money or increase their own profile and fame. If earning lots and being famous is a bi product of what they do then that is fine – but look closely at their motivation. But be realistic. Here in the West it is unlikely that you will get it for free all the time. Even gurus need to pay their bills and eat!
Bear in mind that a guru does not need to be connected to any particular tradition or faith. Many people live honourable good and charitable lives without ever setting foot in a church or a temple.
Sometimes you do not choose your guru – they choose you. You may not feel an affinity or connection with a guru. Sometimes you may not even like them and you might find that your guru is closer than you think. You all have that toxic person in your lives who saps your energy and takes up your time. Or what about that colleague who is only out for themselves and steals your ideas and promotions that are rightfully yours? Instead of letting them get to you and push your buttons just think how you can learn from them, how they teach patience, tolerance and forbearance. I am not of course saying that this is easy – it isn’t- and it takes a fair degree of work on yourself before you are able to take that step.
And look at what you can learn from your pets? That sense of equanimity, seeing that inner light within us all, loving everyone unconditionally. Something which comes so naturally to them yet can be so hard for us – remember that toxic colleague? Are you really in that place yet where you can be open and accepting of everything that they are recognising that inner light and the fact that like you, all they want to be is happy? If not be more dog or cat!
In short take your time and be honest with yourself. Your guru will appear when you are ready. In the meantime, be open minded and live your life to the best of your ability.