28 Jul Why a Guru?

Yesterday was Guru Purnima, a festival which was celebrated by Hindus, Buddhists and Jains in India. Guru Purnima in itself is a paradoxical term, with ‘Gu’ meaning darkness and ‘ru’ standing for the removal of darkness. A guru is believed to be someone who removes all darkness from your lives. A guru is your teacher, your mentor.

It is believed that Lord Buddha gave his first sermon on this day. Even Shiva is known to have transmitted the learning of yoga to his disciples the ‘Saptarishis’ or seven sages on this day.

In the Great Indian Epic – Bhagvad Gita, when the warrior archer Arjuna is confused and does not want to fight the war, his friend and mentor Krishna reminds him of his duty as a warrior to fight the Dharma Yudhha or righteous war. Krishna then leaves it to Arjuna whether he wants to fight the war or not. Arjuna decides to fight and wins the war.

Traditionally in India, the guru-shishya tradition was followed for many years where the students learnt experientially from the guru. On Guru Purnima disciples thank their guru for enlightening, educating, empowering them.

Even today we need gurus aka mentors. I can’t less emphasize the need for a guru, a mentor because you need someone to challenge you, show your blind spots, push you out of the comfort zone and be the best self that you were meant to be. You need to bring in an outsider who can give you a different perspective and show the light within you!

This is one of the best investments that I have made. I am grateful to all my mentors for showing the light within me. Without their support I would not be who I am today.

If you are on fence, I would push you to seek a guru – a mentor! You would notice how your perspective, how your life changes!

Until Next,

Keep Smiling..