Guru

Guru is a Sanskrit word meaning “one who dispels the darkness of ignorance from the mind.” Although loosely used in today’s society, in the deepest sense it means an enlightened spiritual master; one who has realised oneself as the Cosmic Self; one who completely identifies their own consciousness with the Universal Consciousness.

This identification with Universal Consciousness means that the guru is one with the Universal Consciousness. In the guru, consciousness is fully manifest. As such, the guru is a direct channel of all cosmic knowledge and inspiration; a perfect reflection of Cosmic Consciousness. So the Guru is not the physical form but the entity behind the physical form; the Cosmic Entity.

The Guru’s teachings stem from the deepest realm of realisation, inspiring and elevating each and everyone to the attainment of their own self-realisation. Guru is the Supreme Self within you; your self; guiding you back to yourself; back to the realisation of your Self: that’s Self-Realisation.

Only one who is a perfect reflection of consciousness, beyond the scope of duality, can from that transcendent state of pure consciousness enlighten others, just as the rays of the sun are the ultimate source of light and warmth.

“Liberation cannot be effected by one’s own strength. Is is only a greater power than one’s own, from outside the range of ignorance, that can cut the final knot of bondage, and that power comes from the grace of Guru.” (Kularnava Tantra)