FEATURE STORY

The Enlightened Path: How to Know If Someone Is Your True Guru

You have been following Sadhguru on social media; perhaps you completed Inner Engineering or even some advanced programs. But how do you know if Sadhguru is truly your Guru, and what does this mean? Read on to explore this topic in depth.

Questioner: What does it take for us to be able to say that you are our Guru?

Sadhguru: Once we start working on you, you may not even want to say that. You may actually hate the people around you for some time. Before it turns into love, it will take more time. Initially, no matter what you do, it hurts.

It takes some time to reap the benefits. When benefits come, you may fall in love with us again. We will wait until then. And do not try to choose your Guru – simply be present. If you find something truly worthwhile, it will happen. If you do not, it is no problem either. I am not longing to be anyone’s Guru.

Your GPS for Growth and Enlightenment

If you are willing, I will help you. If you want to do it yourself, I am fine with it. The only issue is that when you walk in an unknown terrain, you may go around the world and still miss it. Just like people using a GPS, following the voice instructions to get the right directions, you are already prepared for a Guru with a GPS, a “Guru Positioning System,” so do not go Guru-shopping. If something touches you, you will not have a choice. If nothing touches you, there is no need to waste your time.

The Guru is not the person you see. As a person, I may seem quite horrible to some because I am always poking at them about something. The Guru is not the person, but fortunately, it is happening through a certain person.

The Guru is not the person you see.

It is fortunate that it is happening through a being of your kind. If it happened through a rock, bird, or snake, you would not get it, even if they were offering the highest wisdom. It happened like this in the past, and it is happening like this even now, but people completely miss it.

Suppose a cobra came here as a Guru to teach, you would not get it. The best way for it to happen is through a form of life that is similar to you. Do not become lost in the person, and do not resist what happens through the person. A Guru is not a commodity that you take home.

The True Meaning of ‘Guru’

The word “Guru” means this: “Gu” means darkness, and “ru” means one who dispels the darkness. Your vision is made in such a way that unless there is light, you cannot see. It is like when you are on the ocean, a lighthouse gives you a sense of where to go.

Essentially, in Eastern cultures, if someone lights up something for you, they are referred to as a Guru. I am called Sadhguru not because of the knowledge I have; what I know is not based on scriptures, traditions, or the like. The only thing I know is this piece of life that I am, from its origin to its ultimate.

The word ‘Guru’ means this: ‘gu’ means darkness, and ‘ru’ means one who dispels the darkness.

I only know this one piece of life, and every other piece of life is made the same way. Because of that, everyone thinks I am talking about them, their problems, and their solutions. But actually, I am only talking about how this piece of life is made, and what we can do with it.

If you are touched by that dimension which dispels your darkness, it will naturally become part of you. You do not need to physically take me with you. If you allow yourself to be touched by this dimension, it will stay with you, and no one can take it away. That will be your biggest “problem” – you cannot get rid of me, no matter where you go.

How a Guru Helps You See Within

The need for a Guru arises because most people cannot see not only what is right in front of their eyes, but also what is within themselves. They simply cannot see it because they are invested in a different direction. People are perpetually immersed in various levels of survival, which are further complicated by social processes.

A Guru is not here to weave a philosophy or start a new religion. The spiritual process is about a deeper dimension of life. A Guru is like a doorway. When you are looking at a doorway from a distance with the intent to go through it, the doorway itself may appear to be the destination. Thus, if you are far away, the Guru is your destination.

A Guru is like a doorway.

You do not have to do anything or go anywhere – you are already there. You just need to settle in a bit. You must learn to breathe consciously and allow your heart to beat consciously. Every pulsation in the body should happen consciously. Above all, consciousness, which is the source of who you are, should become the front end of your life.

The role of a Guru, though mundane, is essential: to make you see what is always there. Some people may be a little better oriented, and because of that, they may find results more quickly. Others try to learn from the Guru, which can take lifetimes. If I live long enough and do my absolute best, seven days a week, I may be able to share a mere two percent of what I have perceived. If I can share two percent, it would be great. Learning is a long process.

Approaching a Guru: Learning, Embracing, or Dissolving

Some approach the Guru more closely and embrace him. As a result, they experience pleasantness, living joyfully and blissfully, regardless of their physical circumstances, because they have touched grace. Another approach is to dissolve into the Guru, which is at a deeper level. This dissolution can happen if your heart beats for your Guru, your breath feels like your Guru, or your Guru feels like your liberation.

A Guru can be your breath, your heartbeat, or your liberation. It is your choice.

So, how to approach a Guru? You can learn to bow down from a distance, embrace, or dissolve. Whatever choice you make, I am with you.