The role of the Guru

Guru in Sanskrit means, remover of darkness and ignorance. Guru removes the mental blocks and obstacles that stand in the way of our awareness and realization of our true Self. The scriptures, the shastrapramana, again and again, mention the need for a guru.

Gurus use different ways to remove the mental blocks from disciples. It can be by personal guidance, scolding, instructions, teachings, action. Regardless of the method used, the goal is to raise the disciple to higher awareness. Because the guru resides in the highest state of awareness and consciousness, he is able to see where we are, and guide us.

It is essential that the guru is a true guru, one who is fully enlightened and with the highest vision. The guru appears in your life when the time is right.

 

Today, there is a great need for an authentic, living master who can impart and transmit the knowledge and experience of super-consciousness. The 10,000 year old Brahma Sutras and Shiva Sutras, the 5000 yrs old Bhagavad Gita, the 3000 year old Patanjali Yoga Sutras, the 1000 year old Hatha Yoga Pradipika, all the way to recent history with Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and his disciples, including Vivekananda, RamanaMaharshi, or ParamahansaYogananda, again and again, stress the importance of the guidance of the guru as a vital component of any spiritual path.

 

Like water is to the fish, and air to the animals, the guru is the pulse of the spiritual aspirant and yogi. With the help of modern-day technology, Paramahamsa Nithyananda has become the most accessible guru and profound source of knowledge and wisdom.