Happy Guru Purnima
Guru Purnima – Celebration of the Guru
I could begin with a translation of the word Guru. I could go into pages long descriptions about the difference between an Upa-Guru and a Sat Guru. I could explain spiritual traditions and lineages, I could link or argue the Guru in relation to western culture, but this is just the mind attempting to explain the unexplainable, it is the mind attempting to grasp the ungraspable.
In this vain attempt to describe the indescribable and then how to celebrate the embodiment of the highest, I will inevitably stumble and stray due to the limitation of language. The writers ineptness and the discoloration of his mind will also play a part in his clouded efforts to convey the unconveyable. However, his deep, deep love for his Guru may allow for tid-bit of truth to rise above ego and ignorance.
As mentioned, the Guru defies language, they defy the mind that grasps and formulates language, they flummox logic and reason and leave those seeking understanding in rationality will be left slack jawed and dumbfounded.
These incarnations of awe and wonder, of grace and beauty will shake you out of your slumber of ignorance. These removers of the darkness will illuminate those who truly seek. They will comfort us in despair, strengthen us in suffering and be right by our side in triumph. They are the epitome of love; they are the actualisation of truth with the brilliance of a thousand suns.
They know our every need, our every desire, they are our cheerleader and our coach when we surrender into them. Each moment is choreographed for our awakening and they are right there urging us home, whispering the way, chanting the truth for those ears that will hear and those eyes that can see. Just a half turn of the heart–mind towards the Guru and fear will flee, just one recitation of their incarnated name will elevate the depressed and calm the anxious. No matter the circumstance the Guru will serve, guide and encourage, no matter our impurities, our indiscretions, our doubts; they see the purity and perfection.
The Guru transcends time and space, they are beyond the body and the breath, but they will take the breath away and send the body into states of ecstasy and rattle the bones with the vibration of shakti and bhakti.
They, the Guru, come in all shapes and sizes, they are not what the mind or world wants and expects. The Guru conforms not to the rational worlds projections and predictions. They confound expectations and bamboozle the evidence-based naysayers. The minds of the doubters and haters can never experience the grace, the presence, the unswerving commitment to the devotee. Those who want the stamp of authentication, of specific clothing and mannerisms will be disappointed, left holding their criteria blowing in the breeze.
On the other hand the true Devotee will be seeking, yearning for the presence of their Guru always. They may feel unease when the ego’s deceptive tactics have planted the seeds of absence and doubt. But a half-turn inside and there they are, there it is, God, Guru and Self.
This Day, Guru Poornima ask us to go beyond the aforementioned half-turn and take a full turn towards the Guru. To look them in the eyes, to rip open the heart and reveal their presence to all, to bow deeply and hold their feet with a humility that demolishes the unripe ego.
Dedicate this day, the day of Guru Poornima and let the Guru remove the darkness covering the Soul. And if your Guru is yet to reveal themselves pray that today is the day, that today Sri Ramakrishna’s words of God, Guru and Self are one becomes truth in your incarnation.
Hanuman Das
