The guru guides and protects, and enlightens consciousness
Definition
The word guru is derived from two syllables: Gu, which signifies “light” (jyoti, sattwa), and Ru, which signifies “darkness” (tamas).
The word therefore is translated as “the light that removes the darkness and ignorance.”
A guru is someone or something that enlightens us, that leads us from a state of darkness and ignorance (avidyā) into a state of the light and knowledge (vidyā).
The guru is also the power of consciousness that guides, protects and enlightens.
Meaning
In general use, a guru is a teacher, anyone who conveys knowledge to us that enlightens us regarding any subject. For example, we can have a mathematics guru, a music guru, and so on.
The word guru is generally used as a title for someone who guides or teaches, or any respectable person, such a father, mother, any relative or older person. It is said that the mother is our first guru.
A spiritual guru is called a sat guru (also written as sadguru). The word sat in Sanskrit means the eternal unchanging truth or the eternal unchanging consciousness.
There are two forms of the spiritual guru:
- The first is called a shiksha guru; a teacher who imparts information and knowledge.
- The second type of guru is called diksha guru; one who gives initiation (diksha), such as an initiatory mantra.
Initiation is one of the most important roles of the spiritual guru.
The guru tattwa
Guru is that part of your consciousness that wants you to grow towards a more enlightened and empowered state of existence.
This is called the inner guru, the inner guiding light of consciousness, or the inner teacher, the intuition.
This principle is called the guru tattwa, the essence of guru.
Application
A sat guru is someone who embodies the guru tattwa and can teach or convey truth as a living experience to a student.
In order to access knowledge we need a teacher, guide or mentor who knows the science and who has embodied the knowledge.
This is extremely important in terms of the yoga vidyā, as we journey through the extremely powerful, unconscious terrain of our deepest inner being.
To enter into this study ill prepared or with disrespect and greed in our heart is a grave error. To be prepared, respectful and open-hearted is be a good student who can truly receive the knowledge.