You are your own guru. Guru means "Gee You are
You!"
Long ago a friend gave me a book, "If You Meet the
Buddha on the Road , Kill Him" by Sheldon Kopp."
The principle of the book is do not give your power of
discernment over to another person. You are the
power and you are that source.
A few days ago I had the opportunity to attend a lecture
given by Gangaji, an American born teacher and
author, who has traveled the globe since 1990,
speaking with spiritual seekers from all walks of life.
Her message is powerful in its clarity and simplicity:
true peace and lasting fulfillment are the essential
nature of our being.
I had heard about Gangaji for a number of years and
looked forward to a time that I might meet her. I was
not
disappointed. I found her to be very pure, full of
wisdom and love. It was a pleasure to be in her
presence in a room full of over 500 people. Many of
her
devotees were in the room and several of them came
forward to receive a blessing from her. What I
noticed was that all the people who came up on to the
stage, had given their power away to her. They
believed that she had the power, not recognizing their
own power. It was evident of course that each one of
these people's lives had been transformed spiritually
by the association with Gangaji but still they did not
recognize that sacred principle that the guru or the
teacher is within.
As each person come up to the front, Gangaji (born
Toni Roberson) gently brought each person back to
themselves and encouraged them to see their own
essence, not hers. Each question was handled in
the most
gentle and complimentary manner. It was lovely to see
her interact with people.
My friend and I sat 3 rows
back. I had a direct line to her energy and that of a
photograph of an Indian saint Ramana Marharshi that
sat on the table beside her.
Ramana Marharshi's
photograph has spoken to me too when I was giving a
presentation in Portland Oregon at New Rennaisance
Bookshop.
There on the wall his photo seemed
to be
calling to me and I received a direct message from it
that has profoundly affected my work life.
Awakened at the age of 17, Sri Ramana
Maharshi, now deceased) is one of India's most
revered sages. Sri
Ramana lived his life of self-recognition at the feet of
India's holy mountain, Arunachala. Uncountable
numbers of spiritual seekers received his
transmission and essential teaching- who we are is
boundless consciousness, completely whole, and
totally free. To realize our true self, Sri Ramana's
guidance is pure and simple:
Be still. Be absolutely still.
Ramana
Marharshi
is one of Gangaji's teachers. She
has embodied this teaching and conveys it to others.
During the evening there were questions, a dharma
talk and a
meditation. All very lovely.
I thought to myself that it
would be quite beautiful to sit with her and chat with
her. Then suddenly just as we were about to get on
the elevator after the presentation, Gangaji came right
up to me and started talking to me. We had a lovely
heart felt connection - one being on the journey to
another.
A guru passes on energy, wisdom and tools to self
realization. A guru is not something to be worshipped.
Just like money or material posessions are not to be
worshipped. A guru, sage, wise being or saint points
the way to the truth for yourself.
Evaluate where you are giving away your power - to
people, places or things. Draw that power back into
yourself and go deeply within to the still small voice
that is your true nature guiding you
forward.
Gangaji and her foundation are doing great work.
Take a look at her site and if you get a chance and she
comes to visit your city, experience her presence. But
remember, she's just a human being like you and me.
You have that power and wisdom too.
"This moment, stop right where you are. Stop all effort
to get whatever you think will give you fulfillment,
whatever you think will give you truth. All that is
required is one instant of truly stopping."
Gangaji
