Day 2: Reflection
Discuss / Reflect Guru and reaching the Guru; and the path forward with the Guru’s guidance.
One person once went to Pujya Gurudev, Swāmi Chinmayānandaji and said, “You see, why Guru is required? Are books not sufficient?” Gurudev in his impeccable style, said, “Why don’t you ask the same question to the books? Why are you asking me?”
The Guru is:
• Not a person. He/She is supreme reality in form which you can understand
• Brahmā – Creator of knowledge in your heart
• Vishnu – Removes all doubts & sustains knowledge
• Shiva – Gives us 2 slaps when required
• Shrotriya – Master of the scriptures
• Brahma Nishtha – established in the supreme reality
• Prashāntam – never agitated
• Dayālu – embodiment of compassion
• Gu/Ru – one who dispels darkness of ignorance
• Ref: Guru Gita: Gu/Ru – one who is beyond Guna – qualities & Rupa – form
Various Sanskrit terms for ‘teacher’:
• Upādhyāyaha
• Adhyapakaha
• Achāryaha
• Guruhu
How does one approach such a Guru?
• You can never find a guru – Guru discovers the shishya
• Guru upasadana – process of approaching a Guru
• Ref: Prashna Upanishad – Samit pāni – with proper offerings in hand
• Ref: Prashna Upanishad – Ready to serve the Guru
• Ref: Mundaka Upanishad – Vidhiwat – with due process
• With an attitude of complete surrender
• Ref: Katha Upanishad – Without fear & with jidnyāsā or deep desire for knowledge
• Samarādhya – Worshipping the Guru. Recognize that you are blessed
The path forward with the Guru’s guidance: The Guru gradually takes us away from the petty things of the world.
What efforts should you put in?
• Realize that every moment is priceless
• Focus your mati or intelligence on swaroopam vichāram
• Shravana – Listen with the intent to comprehend the main message
• Manana – Ensure every doubt is removed in presence of Guru
• Niddhidhyāsana – Start changing the whole thinking process from within
When knowledge is thus digested, it becomes firm & by the grace of the Guru, one puts an end totally to the notion that I am the body & attains realization.
