What is a Guru?
Guru translates to “from darkness to light”, and refers to a spiritual master who dedicates herself or himself to serving the transformation and evolution of others. Through the example of the guru, the devotee may discover in themselves the same potential to reach spiritual enlightenment. The guru is vital to the devotee’s spiritual evolution. Their role includes initiating the student into a spiritual practice, instructing them in the use of mantra and meditation, and assigning them individualized spiritual disciplines which will guide their enlightenment.
What is the Difference Between a Teacher and a Guru?
A teacher is someone who imparts knowledge, while a guru is someone who has mastered that knowledge and can provide guidance on how to apply it. While both teachers and gurus can be helpful in learning new information or refining skills, a guru’s wisdom, insight, energy (Shakti) and power make them invaluable in serving students to become more aware and to take action to achieve their goals and to realize their true nature.
What is the Importance of the Relationship Between a Guru and Disciples?
The guru-disciple relationship is one of the most important aspects of Hinduism. The guru is seen as a spiritual guide who imparts wisdom and knowledge to their disciples. The disciple is expected to respect and obey their guru, and learn from them in order to attain spiritual enlightenment.
This relationship is considered to be very sacred and special, as it is believed to be the key to spiritual growth and development. The guru takes on the responsibility of guiding their disciples towards the right path. It is a very intimate relationship, in which the disciple trusts and relies on their guru for guidance and support.
