by Swami Vimalananda
Even though the day to formally celebrate Guru Poornima has passed, our relationship with our Guru is forever constant. Not only does a Guru light our way, but is the ideal mentor. She/He wraps us in love, steadies us on the path, always pointing the way, and is there to take our hand through our bodily death and beyond. No one is closer to us — in fact, Sri Gurudev has said, “I am closer than your own heart.”
A long time ago, I was sitting on a log looking out at the ocean and saying to myself, “My God, I have completely screwed up my life, and there is no easy out, I have no idea what I should do!” At that moment I felt a warm golden light surrounding me and an inner voice saying, “You will be fine.” I only noticed the light disappearing when I felt the cold and twilight of the evening. I got in my car and went home. After that it wasn’t easy but looking back, sure enough, I was fine.
If we have fear, it only means we have forgotten that the Guru is there, always there, and our minds have just created a false narrative. Our beloved Gurudev will never lose touch. He will never abandon us; even when we lose touch with him, it just means we need to calm our minds enough to realize He is still there.
“Only a candle that is lit and shining can give a little light to the other candles. You have to come, touch the lamp, and get a spark before you get lit. That is the duty of a disciple. After having seen a lit candle, you should go, bow down and then get the touch. Once you have gotten that, you work on yourself, make your life brighter. Of course, since you remember that you got the light from another lamp, you are grateful to that light. This is why we dedicate a special day each year in honor of all the great masters, sages, and saints. They were flaming torches. We touch them in some form or other and get a little spark. We humble ourselves in front of those great sages and saints and express our gratitude, and doing that we are able to receive more.” —Sri Swami Satchidananda
Jai Sri Satguru Maharaj Ki!
Swami Vimalananda Ma, RYT500, is an Integral Yoga sannyasi – monk. She has been involved with Integral Yoga since 1971 and Director of the San Francisco Integral Yoga Institute from 1992-2011. She specializes in teaching yoga philosophy and spiritual counseling.