Guru is one who is out of the mess

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Life is a dichotomy. Life is not simple, it is so complicated. Opposites make life, such as pleasure and pain, happiness and suffering, greed and generosity, passion and dispassion.

Life is full of opposite values, and they pull you in different directions. When the complications in life become too much, the poor mind is unable to handle it, and it just breaks down. That is when it needs support. And for that, the Guru is available.

Importance of Guru

Guru is not the body, Guru is light, Guru is wisdom, and light and wisdom are essential in human life. When one’s life and wisdom are inseparable, then you call them Sadhguru or Guru.

When is it possible for the wisdom in you to remain intact? When you are not involved in a situation. You might have noticed that you give great advice when you are not involved in a particular situation. But when you are in trouble, you don’t get those ideas. This is because wisdom dawns when you are out of the mess.

If there is wisdom, how could there be a mess? A mess would not be there at all. So, the Guru is one who is out of the mess and who watches the chaos amidst the chaos.

You must have heard of something called circuit breakers. When the surcharge electricity comes, the circuit breakers stop the excess flow of electricity and save the apparatus. You can say that the Guru is such a circuit breaker.

When there is something that the mind cannot handle, the Guru comes into the picture and saves the mind. So, whatever you cannot handle, whatever appears too much for you, give it away to the Guru, so that you remain sane and balanced.

In the same way, when there is a compelling desire that bugs your mind, then also the Guru is there with unconditional love and support to tell you, ‘Don’t worry, let’s make it happen for you.’

Guru Purnima is the day of feeling grateful for this source of wisdom that keeps you balanced amidst the troubles of existence and allows you to walk with confidence and with a vision.

Day of reflection

Guru Purnima is the day of reflection. It is the New Year for a spiritual seeker; for one who is on the path. Just like you have the calendar New Year on 1st January every year, for a spiritual seeker, the New Year is on Guru Purnima.

It is a day of reflection; to review on one’s credits and debits and look at the balance sheet. It is a day to be grateful for all that we have achieved in the past year, and a day to resolve to do what we are here to do in the coming year. That is the essence of Guru Purnima.

So feel grateful for all the blessings that you have received. Be grateful for all the knowledge, and see how knowledge has transformed life. Without the knowledge we will be no where – realizing this, feel grateful for all that has come our way, and celebrate!

Thank all the masters of the tradition who have preserved this knowledge from ages, and brought it to us. It is very significant.

Consciously or unconsciously you are all a Guru to somebody already because you do give advice, guidance, love and care to people.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is an Indian spiritual leader who founded the Art of Living Foundation in 1981. Guru Purnima was celebrated on July 16.