Do You Really Need A Guru?

I was set to interview James Ray back in October 2009, just a few days before the tragic events in Sedona. As the news broke, the interview was cancelled and rightly so. Whether the tragedy was an accident or not, three people died and consequences needed to be faced. In the days that followed, the outrageous comments of a so-called channeller who said that the two people who died had chosen not to return to their bodies because they were having so much fun on the other side was appalling. Did anyone really think that this kind of reasoning would alleviate guilt or hold water in a court of law? That somehow the self help guru would be relieved of all responsibility? On Wednesday, the news of his indictment and arrest was not a surprise.

I think in times ahead many will be asking -- do you really need a guru?

Unfortunately, our so-called gurus of today focus only on enlightenment (the goal) rather than teaching the path leading to it (the process). Anyone can talk about the end goal but a gurus' job is to guide you to self realization. Period. His job is not to dazzle you with promises of more health, wealth and happiness in just 30 days, entice you into believing that spiritual development can be achieved with minimum effort, or endanger your life for the sake of spiritual transcendence. A so-called guru who promises such things in a short amount of time simply takes your money and laughs all the way to the bank. For those who do believe in such a person end up learning a hard lesson.

Lets be clear here, spiritual development is not a five day event, it's a lifetime event. The desire for more peace and harmony in your life should not cost you tens of thousands of dollars. What will give you peace is the honest exploration of your life. Your life is Your Guru. Your life contains all the seeds to bring about healing and wholeness. You need to trust the wisdom of your life rather than the wisdom of a charlatan. You need to empower yourself rather than empowering the ego of a spiritual narcissist.

No doubt, we all have an innate need to worship; we are wired for it. Some choose to worship sports stars, politicians, celebrities but we tend to overlook the fact that these people are just people with human limitations and issues. They may be great at their work but they are nowhere near the likes of Jesus, Buddha or Gandhi. In other words, who are we putting up on our altars? Who are we granting authority over our lives? Blind worship gives rise to false prophets, leaders and gurus who in the end prove they didn't deserve the pedestal in the first place.

In addition, we need to explore why we need a guru. What do we expect to get from them? Are we really interested in spiritual growth or are we seeking a short cut in order to escape the challenges of being human. Our projections onto the so-called guru is the very thing that hooks us -- its not the guru per se -- it is our own projections that blind us. The guru could exhibit questionable behavior but because we are under the spell of our own projections, we do not see what's transpiring right in front of our eyes.

Now I am not suggesting that an authentic guru is not valuable on the journey; on the contrary, it is extremely important to have someone guide your course and help to facilitate your transformation -- but only if they are qualified. An authentic guru will know exactly where you are in consciousness and will help your potential unfold organically. This process cannot be achieved in a weekend and may take years if not a lifetime. Under no circumstances will he invoke, cajole or manipulate your growth prematurely. If anyone advises otherwise, you better make a run for the hills.

How do you then distinguish the real from the false? By the way you feel in your gut. If I had a penny for every person who's told me over the years that despite their gut feeling to leave the group, the ashram, the seminar and for one reason or another ended up staying - I would be vacationing in Fiji fulltime. By going against their intuition, it led them into some traumatic experiences. Always, always follow your gut. Your intuition will never lead you astray but others will.

Bear in mind that the real ones are not interested in anything you have to give them. They already possess everything and therefore won't be tempted by fantasies of power and exploitation. They want nothing from you except your willingness to be guided into truth. You have to ask yourself -- do you want a guru to help you take the short cut or actually guide your journey of a thousand miles?

 

Follow Natasha Dern on Twitter: www.twitter.com/natashadern

Comments

[theflow]

interesting article with some very clear truth running through its veins. I know that I have been on some kind of spiritual joureny for a long time, at least since I was 18 or 19 and im in my 40's now. When I read the articles in this section inner life section they often ring a familiar tone of spiritual awakening that is going on inside of me, except that they often mention guru's and who learned what from whom. In my life the only guru's I have had were either close friends that also felt some connection to a greater consciousness or just learning where to search by listening to my inner voice of direction. I dont consider myself some expert but I have seen how I grow by always trying to search for truth and especially truth in regards to doing honest self evaluations, I really dont think I could trust someone else to intrepret spiritual truth for me as much as I wouldnt want to dominates anyone else's view of reality - why do so many people feel they need a guru to follow, arent the answers inside of each one of us and they will be recognized as we continue to follow where the path leads?

theflow

[Natasha Dern]

Dear the Flow,

First I love your user name. Second your comments are very thoughtful and honest. You are right - do we really need a guru? All of us need guidance, someone to lend us a hand, to give us a push in the right direction. However, this should not over rule your gut feeling...your intuition.

I also agree that sometimes the people around us who are also on the path or searching for a greater meaning to life end up being the guru in our life. Everyday guru's abound on our path to help bring about self realization but are we paying attention? As I said in the article, the guru's job is lead you to self realization but self realization can come in many ways and through many people too. Your life is your Guru, and its inheren wisdom is awe-inspiring...we all need to trust it more.

I wish you well on your journey, and I am sure you will find the answers you seek...you are already on the right path.

Blessings to you!
Natasha

[Pacojam]

The article was OK except for the part where you admit to believing that "real gurus" exist. They don't, they are all fake. Every last one of them.

[Natasha Dern]

Hi Pacojam,

Thank you for comments. However, there are many wonderful teachers who are doing great work and are full of integrity. They are serving with the right intentions. When you meet such a person you will know the difference. Sometimes we need to encounter the 'fake ones' in order to know the real ones when we meet them.

Be Well!
Natasha

[bringitogether]

Yours is the most honorable perspective I've read to date since I've been following the news about James Ray. Your article isn't filled with negative sensationalism about this event; unlike other news stories I've read and heard about of this self-help teacher.

More importantly you've focused upon the right teaching following this tragedy. That one should follow their gut feeling, their emotional guidance in a journey of self-discovery is correct. That journey (like anything valuable and dear to you) is a life time achievement and should not be rushed.

Simply stated and very true. Thank you for posting an article full of wisdom.

[Natasha Dern]

Hi Bring it together,

Thank you for sharing. I agree with you - nothing worth of value should be rushed...slow and steady is the best course of action.

Much love,
Natasha

[Kalachakra]

If by Guru you mean a fully qualified teacher who knows the wisdom you are trying to learn - then yes you obviously need a Guru.
If by Guru you mean a Master to run your life for you - then obviously NO.

People forget that Guru means/is short for Guhy Rukshita which means "Secret Giver" - a person who teaches you something you don't know. It does NOT mean a controller or manager or person who will run your life for you.

[Natasha Dern]

Kalachakra, you are right. Well said.

Love & Light
Natasha