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Gurus, Masters and inspirers at this time

20 March 2023

In my 9th year of life I met my first Guru from India. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi had (and still has after his death) followers from all over the world. He was the teacher of The Beatles. In my teens I have followed many meetings of him and his meditation movement. Devoted as I was, I stood in front of the crowd of dozens, hundreds, sometimes thousands of people who came to listen to the wisdom of this inspirer, with a flower in my head to hand it to him. For years I meditated in groups and lived in the Sidhadorp where a residential community of the TM movement is still located.

With gratitude in my heart for all the seeds that have been planned in my soul for the rest of my life at this time, by the end of my teenage years I have gone more " my own way." Meditation still plays an essential role.

The meaning of the word "Guru" has now become much broader for me. I have met several teachers in recent years. I have listened to their wisdom, but above all I have experienced the methods that they convey to humanity. In doing so, I like to address the guides as pure as possible who are close to their source.

But what is pure? There are so many people who preach to be a Guru, a master, a teacher, a seer, a healer, a clairvoyant…

A guru is a " spiritual leader." The word comes from the centuries-old Sanskrit language. The root of the word is ‘gur’ which means ‘to lift’. Gurudeva is a deified person. Guru means ' he who is enlightened or gives enlightenment’.
As a teenager, this explanation was enough. But now, after having descended more on this earth, I need more practical tools.

Growth on your spiritual path is ensured by having a guru or a teacher; a life-line on your path as a human being. The centuries-old tradition of teacher-student in India offers you as a student the opportunity to identify with your teacher. In that devotion, you shed your ego. Respect is an essential component to develop towards your guide, which increases respect and purity within yourself.

Over the past 35 years, I have been able to meet many inspirers, masters and teachers on my own path (and by running a spiritual center). With the enormous need for spirituality in today's world as a means to deepen our lives, find answers to life's questions or find a way out of suffering, thousands of master/Teacher/trainer courses are now offered. In 2 weeks you can already become a yoga teacher and you will be flooded with short and powerful speeches from millions of coaches on social media.

Unfortunately, there is also a shadow side to this development and I have become increasingly critical of the purity and intention of the guide who wants to show us the way.
I once expelled an Indian fake guru with a long beard from my center and stopped promoting anyone who proclaims anything on behalf of my center.

Now, years later, guru means to me as you pronounce the words in English letter by letter: G U R U (Gee, you are you). You will be referred back to yourself!

A true guru or Master for me is someone who does not move above you, but who coaches you towards your own ‘self’ (inner strength and wisdom) with respect and equality. Who does not confuse the line between teacher and student with his ego. A true master acts according to what he himself proclaims.
When you follow someone in your life, stay alert that your devotion should never be abused because your guide does not know his limits (anymore). A pure guide will always treat you with respect and with the intention of increasing your happiness and insight.

Teachers are everywhere: everyone you meet on your life path is like a mirror of your own inner world; your relationship(s) but also every experience you are presented with. Challenges in your daily life and also your own emotions can be teachers. Your intuition is your guru.

We carry each other on the way to our destination. In my opinion, everyone can be an inspirer for each other. Equal and helpful. With the heart in the right place. Where compassion comes first, because we are human beings. With humor, because we are human. We are all looking, one for this, the other for that. We all have something to heal, but also something to give. We can learn from everyone.

I greet the light in you, which is the same in me, as in each of us.

Namasté,

Dorien