गुरु
Guru is a word with great tradition, indicating a teacher able to draw the student from the darkness of ignorance into the light of knowledge. In the modern world and particularly in the 'West', it tends now to be used for anyone who purports to have leadership in almost anything. It has been devalued. It has also, subsequently, lost a lot of trust. Indeed, there are many who treat 'gurus' with suspicion.
Having brushed with 'gurus' in various guises and disciplines, it came as a surprise to me that I was able to accept such a one into my life.
The truth is The Guru had always been present; in the form of Christ and His voice in my heart. He remains firmly there, but has expanded for the knowing of a manifest Guru.
परम्परा
Parampara is tradition/lineage. Knowing guru parampara is of prime importance. It is validation of the teacher and what is taught.
My immediate guru is Swami Advayananda. (This is not to ignore Br. Gopal Chaitanya (now Swami Shrikarananda) nor Swami Swaroopananda, (Head of CM), who nurtured my early strides in Sydney.) Acharya-ji presided over the '15th Batch' at Sandeepany Sadhanalaya and his immediate guru is Param Swami Tejomayananda, who was a direct disciple of Gurudev.
His Holiness Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayanda was a man of profound vision who, himself, served long years of study and preparation under, first, Swami Sivananda, then Swami Tapovan Maharaj.
The Maharaj line links all the way back to Sri Adi Sankaracharya (Bhaashya-kara)... and beyond!
Advaita as we know it today, is acknowledged as having been formalised by Bhaashya-kara and the teaching methodology (गुरुकुल /gurukula) has not changed in all the known centuries of the handing down of these sacred works.
It is a strict, verbatim, teaching which nonetheless opens the intellect beyond all expectation. What may seem restrictive becomes the most freeing form of learning possible. It is an all-encompassing experience and I am privileged to have been granted such.
My prostrations are His. It is only by sitting under the feet of the true teacher (सत्गुरु /sat-guru) that one can truly rise...om shree satgurunaath mahaaraajaki jai!
Guru is a word with great tradition, indicating a teacher able to draw the student from the darkness of ignorance into the light of knowledge. In the modern world and particularly in the 'West', it tends now to be used for anyone who purports to have leadership in almost anything. It has been devalued. It has also, subsequently, lost a lot of trust. Indeed, there are many who treat 'gurus' with suspicion.
Having brushed with 'gurus' in various guises and disciplines, it came as a surprise to me that I was able to accept such a one into my life.
The truth is The Guru had always been present; in the form of Christ and His voice in my heart. He remains firmly there, but has expanded for the knowing of a manifest Guru.
परम्परा
Parampara is tradition/lineage. Knowing guru parampara is of prime importance. It is validation of the teacher and what is taught.
My immediate guru is Swami Advayananda. (This is not to ignore Br. Gopal Chaitanya (now Swami Shrikarananda) nor Swami Swaroopananda, (Head of CM), who nurtured my early strides in Sydney.) Acharya-ji presided over the '15th Batch' at Sandeepany Sadhanalaya and his immediate guru is Param Swami Tejomayananda, who was a direct disciple of Gurudev.
His Holiness Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayanda was a man of profound vision who, himself, served long years of study and preparation under, first, Swami Sivananda, then Swami Tapovan Maharaj.
Advaita as we know it today, is acknowledged as having been formalised by Bhaashya-kara and the teaching methodology (गुरुकुल /gurukula) has not changed in all the known centuries of the handing down of these sacred works.
It is a strict, verbatim, teaching which nonetheless opens the intellect beyond all expectation. What may seem restrictive becomes the most freeing form of learning possible. It is an all-encompassing experience and I am privileged to have been granted such.
My prostrations are His. It is only by sitting under the feet of the true teacher (सत्गुरु /sat-guru) that one can truly rise...om shree satgurunaath mahaaraajaki jai!
ॐ श्री सत्गुरुनाथ महाराजकी जै