MenoAZering; G = Guru

For April, I'm participating in #BlogchatterA2Z, and you will find original images created by me and some ramblings to go with them. I will capitalise words that begin with the featured letter (on first use only). Let me know what you think of the pics, words, or both in the comments! For more of this madness, you can visit Blogchatter.

The word 'GURU has been used rather freely, outside of its original purpose. Frequently, it is used in corporate circles, sometimes in educational establishments and certainly for 'new-age' leaders. It is often used where the other word of Indian origin would suffice and actually be more pertinent. That other word is 'pandit' (often spelt as 'pundit' for closer pronunciation).

I can feel the question... "what is the difference?"

Panditas are learned men, skilled in their field of knowledge. They are specialists. This can apply to any area of life and work. They seek to disperse their expertise, often for monetary gain, as well as for aggrandisement. They do not so much seek to lead and/or teach as to pontificate and be admired.

A Guru (literal translation is 'dispeller of darkness') is, strictly speaking, a revered practitioner of Hindu philosophy and dharma who can bring others along that path. He (or she) not only has deep knowledge that can lead to moksha (liberation or enlightenment) but also has direct experience of Divine vision, which has been assimilated into their way of being. They are masters at their practice and can draw the nectar of the experience from any willing to listen and learn.

India is plagued with false gurus - (one would be so bold as to suggest that the current PM is one such) - and that is bad enough. In the west, the number of true gurus could be counted on the fingers of one hand. To be a guru is to be so much more than a teacher, a professor. It is to become like a parent to the shishya - the student. The shishya, in their turn, must surrender much if they are to truly walk the path the guru offers.

This spiritual understanding is what perhaps points to Yeshu (Jesus) possibly having experienced Hindu life under a guru during his fourteen years in exile... for he says in Luke chapter 14, v25-27...

...“If you come to me but will not leave your family, you cannot be my follower. You must love me more than your father, mother, wife, children, brothers, and sisters—even more than your own life! Whoever will not carry the cross that is given to them when they follow me cannot be my follower."

It is not that the disciple must leave the physical home, but GROW in the understanding of what it is to be eternal (see two posts back). To understand the pure value of the teaching the guru can provide, one must understand the illusory nature of life.

The image you see here is of His Holiness Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda, who, although no longer with us, is my guru. I undertook GURUKULA study in the ashram he established at Powai - Sandeepany Sadhanalaya. I have his image up on my wall so that I can meditate under his GAZE. I seek every day to be worthy of his GRACE.