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Spot on! A real Guru must know the Brahma Vidya and that will be known because what the scriptures verify is what a real Guru realizes within when they no longer exist as an identity. There is no debate about that, even though new agers will get mad and try and defend their pop Guru.
"There are more fake gurus and false teachers in this world than the number of stars in the visible universe. Don’t confuse power-driven, self-centered people with true mentors. A genuine spiritual master will not direct your attention to himself or herself and will not expect absolute obedience or utter admiration from you, but instead will help you to appreciate and admire your inner self. True mentors are as transparent as glass. They let the Light of God pass through them.” -Shams Tabrizi (The Guru of Rumi)
A true Guru would want no followers because they understood they got to walk the path themselves, not sit in front of him until the end of times thinking he will save them...
Yes, but what if you _have no guru at all?_ Then what if you "walk it yourself" because you have no one _living and in person_ to teach you? Are things really that binary or is it more than _either_ extreme of that? (with attendant implication of exclusion for those with limited material means, i.e. unable to travel or search widely)
Once, I was walking in Orlando, and a Rabbi was passing by. I'm not Jewish and never had any interest in the religion, but his energy immediately struck me, and I was compelled to speak to him. I didn't know what to say. I just had to be in his presence. It was very cool but also strange. I just could feel God with him.
Today most gurus are millionaires and live a luxury life. They teach people how to detach themselves from the ego while they themselves are living out all the desires of the ego. It’s funny.
I knew a truly spiritual person by his emanations. He did not set himself up as a guru, nor did he talk spiritual things. He had no small-talk, so was silent much of the time. But his demeanour was simple and steady and his actions were consistent with his words. Above all, there was a spiritual energy emanating from him, and he was respected by all who knew him.
I'm not sure if my comment is welcomed here. I lean more towards Buddhism. I may even call myself a Buddhist, although not a very good one. I get caught in samsaric mind every day, and emotions rule me. But I do believe there have been many authentic gurus, Ramana being one of them. His life was incredible. But I'm disheartened by teachers, who I once revered, and learning about them being caught up in sexual scandals and the like. A real guru has no self interest, and isn't affected by carnal desire. They are certainly not immune to experiencing them, but they have reached a certain level of maturity where they aren't dominated by them. They are free. Am I correct in this?
In the Vivekachudamani Adi Shankara says, “ There are three things which are rare indeed and are due to the Grace of God - namely a human birth, the longing for liberation, and the protecting care of a perfected sage.” All great teachers have had Gurus. It is stated many times in the Vedanta teachings of the need for a real Teacher. Otherwise we are just walking the path blindly. If you think you can do it on your own then it would be like the blind leading the blind. Good luck. 🙏
I was given mantra diksha back in 2000 by Swami Chidananda Saraswati of the Divine Life Society of Rishikesh, who was the direct disciple of Swami Sivananda Saraswati...so, direct lineage (sampradaya) has a lot to do with it. Having said that, my guru is Sri Dakshinamurthy, an avatar of Lord Shiva who did nothing but sit and meditate under a banyan tree - like the Buddha and seekers could see and feel his energy from miles around and came to just sit at his feet. Dakshinamurthy never spoke a word...he didn't need to. Nobody asked him any questions...they didn't need to. He gave Shaktipat through Gyan Mudra (Chin Mudra) until all who let the energy in, achieved Moksha on the spot. Dakshinamurthy was the guru of the 7 Celestial Sages - the Sapta Rishis. He is immortal and eternal, like Babaji.
In my opinion...mileage may vary. 1. A true guru shouldn't have a political agenda and/or align themselves with a corporate ideology. 2. A true guru shouldn't be arrogant and try and big note themselves like a "spiritual gangster" in debates. 3. A true guru should use donation money to feed the poor and for medicine and printing literature, not to buy Rolex watches, Mercs and build a 112ft statue or gold plate all the deities and their offering dishes. 4. A true guru shouldn't only cater to the "rich and famous" by telling them what they want to hear and then buy diamond-encrusted spectacles. 5. A true guru shouldn't advertise or charge for their services, but welcome donations from the public sector only (not the private or government sector). 6. A true guru should have the courage to be honest with the student when they are wasting their mutual time and not sugar coat anything for fame or approval. 7. A true guru will be rejected by about 99.9% of seekers out there who just aren't ready to take it seriously.
A real Guru is authorized through a disciplic succession. In India there are 4 Vaishnava successions and one Impersonal from stemming from Shankaracharya. Everything else is unauthorized. I don't know if there are authorized successions in Buddhism too. I can only suggest to anyone serious about the matter, read the books of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami. His books are highly respected in academic circles. He is an authorized Guru in the line of Madhvarcarya.
How about gurus in other cultures and geographical locations where there is little or no knowledge of scriptures? Are the people there unable to evolve spiritually? Although India is rich spiritually, surely other countries have their own spiritual gurus.
The teacher - disciple relationship exists everywhere, but the popularisation of mass following is a particularly modern Indian phenomenon, rooted in the Western and especially American way of thinking. Before modern times, gurus had small sincere followings, but that changed in the past century as Westerners jumped on the bandwagon 😅
Did you ever study the Yogananda teachings? If so, keeping in mind he was working to blend east/west beliefs, what is your opinion of his work in America? Thanks
Hahahaha this video made me laugh when you had that guru figure waving his hand, you've gotten so good with the video picks. I love your channel, brother. Happy Holidays to you + Gayoung
My tradition is very different from yours (dualist Vaishnava) and we would probably disagree on a lot of philosophical points. However, the ability to recognize fakers is important to all spiritual seekers. Thanks for taking on this subject.
Have you heard of Dr. David Hawkins? The author of "Power vs Force", "Eye of I" and many other great teachings. His calibration of the level of consciousness by unbiased people is a good tool for the modern times with so many self-proclaimed spiritual gurus.
Hello Jason, What do you think of OSHO. With the vast amount of controversy around his movement, he still has many devout followers who believe he was genuinely enlightened. He advocated not abandoning worldly life, and his own commune housed casinos and nightclubs. He claims he was not aware of alot of the ongoings in his commune, but he also made claims that he has slept with many of his disciples himself. Does behavior like this automatically rule him out from being enlightened? Thanks for your teachings.
This is what Shri Dattatreya says in Tripura Rahasya in the chapter Variety of Sages 109-12. The vasanas not inimical to realisation are not weeded out by the best class of Jnanis because they cannot seek new ones to crowd the old out. Therefore the old ones continue until they are exhausted and thus you find among them some highly irritable, some lustful and others pious and dutiful, and so on. You'll find realisation is one thing, proscribed conduct for a renounciate or whatever else is another. We get an image of the perfect sage.. has always calm.. sexless and so on.
@@michaelmcclure3383 Thanks for your comment.So from what i gathered from it is you cant really tell by someones behaviour whether they are enlightened.
A real Guru will be a guide. But they must know the Brahma Vidya and that will be known because the scriptures verify is what a real Guru realizes within when they no longer exist as an identity.
@@HeroesOfTarot no, not at all. The word Guru means the one who eliminates the illusions of the disciple. You are thinking about modern "Gurus" and how they have tarnished the title. A Guru is a guide and a mentor. Splitting them is just semantics and it might suggest that you have had a bad experience with a fake Guru and tarnished them all with the same brush.
The issue is you can't run from the world I get it but just because your Brahman doesn't mean the world isn't there I'd rather not Identify with anything in particular and just be the pure potential or consciousness
There are no real gurus now... You can find some in Jainism and Buddhism and more so in the Tantra Samanam tradition but never never in Hinduism which is just a hegemony...
Also I presume these “true” gurus are quite rare … so what should one do given that fact especially if one’s “worldly” circumstances are heavily constraining?
Lol awareness is not it. Until shiv Vishnu not merge. That's why even Ramana said focus on heart. Heart is Vishnu. Even if you look at Shivling it's shiv vishnu shakti. If you need to get to unity then all three have to merge. If you are at thirunamalai go to Chidambaram. That's the final ether. You are at 4 element fire in Thirumalai.
From Gurdjieff i have learned that you must 'kill' your guru. Thats means that everything or everyone kan be your guru. In my days, many years ago, there was no internet, no RUclips. We learned from Gurdjieff and the chankacharia, but the most bij observing our own thinking, ego. Now i see some verry good videos and many verry bad ones. For my is the Asthavakra Gita enouf. (Sorry for bad English)
If you knew what" so called" enlightenment looks or sounds like . What would you need a guroo for . As for these collection of pin heads on youtube. Who cares.
New to the channel? Click here -> jasongregory.org/about/. To get exclusive content become a Patreon member www.patreon.com/jasongregory. You can also support me on Paypal: www.paypal.me/JasonGregoryAuthor. All of my books available at: amzn.to/3lUx2iW Merchandise available at: teespring.com/stores/jason-gregory. Please hit the thumbs up, subscribe, and comment. Your support is deeply appreciated. Only love for all. Shanti! Shanti! Shanti!
Spot on! A real Guru must know the Brahma Vidya and that will be known because what the scriptures verify is what a real Guru realizes within when they no longer exist as an identity. There is no debate about that, even though new agers will get mad and try and defend their pop Guru.
"There are more fake gurus and false teachers in this world than the number of stars in the visible universe. Don’t confuse power-driven, self-centered people with true mentors. A genuine spiritual master will not direct your attention to himself or herself and will not expect absolute obedience or utter admiration from you, but instead will help you to appreciate and admire your inner self. True mentors are as transparent as glass. They let the Light of God pass through them.” -Shams Tabrizi (The Guru of Rumi)
A true Guru would want no followers because they understood they got to walk the path themselves, not sit in front of him until the end of times thinking he will save them...
Agree! 🕺🏼
Very important to use discernment on the path 🙏
Yes, but what if you _have no guru at all?_ Then what if you "walk it yourself" because you have no one _living and in person_ to teach you? Are things really that binary or is it more than _either_ extreme of that? (with attendant implication of exclusion for those with limited material means, i.e. unable to travel or search widely)
Once, I was walking in Orlando, and a Rabbi was passing by. I'm not Jewish and never had any interest in the religion, but his energy immediately struck me, and I was compelled to speak to him. I didn't know what to say. I just had to be in his presence. It was very cool but also strange. I just could feel God with him.
If someone considers themselves to be a guru you can be 100% sure that they are not.
That’s not true ! There are wonderful real gurus out there. You need to lower that % to 99%
@ And that minuscule percentage would never claim the title.
Today most gurus are millionaires and live a luxury life. They teach people how to detach themselves from the ego while they themselves are living out all the desires of the ego. It’s funny.
I knew a truly spiritual person by his emanations. He did not set himself up as a guru, nor did he talk spiritual things. He had no small-talk, so was silent much of the time. But his demeanour was simple and steady and his actions were consistent with his words. Above all, there was a spiritual energy emanating from him, and he was respected by all who knew him.
Fake gurus are those who receive payment for sharing knowledge and access to further teachings. 🙏🏽🧘🏾♂️✨️🕉
I'm not sure if my comment is welcomed here. I lean more towards Buddhism. I may even call myself a Buddhist, although not a very good one. I get caught in samsaric mind every day, and emotions rule me. But I do believe there have been many authentic gurus, Ramana being one of them. His life was incredible. But I'm disheartened by teachers, who I once revered, and learning about them being caught up in sexual scandals and the like. A real guru has no self interest, and isn't affected by carnal desire. They are certainly not immune to experiencing them, but they have reached a certain level of maturity where they aren't dominated by them. They are free. Am I correct in this?
In the Vivekachudamani Adi Shankara says, “ There are three things which are rare indeed and are due to the Grace of God - namely a human birth, the longing for liberation, and the protecting care of a perfected sage.”
All great teachers have had Gurus. It is stated many times in the Vedanta teachings of the need for a real Teacher. Otherwise we are just walking the path blindly. If you think you can do it on your own then it would be like the blind leading the blind. Good luck. 🙏
I was given mantra diksha back in 2000 by Swami Chidananda Saraswati of the Divine Life Society of Rishikesh, who was the direct disciple of Swami Sivananda Saraswati...so, direct lineage (sampradaya) has a lot to do with it.
Having said that, my guru is Sri Dakshinamurthy, an avatar of Lord Shiva who did nothing but sit and meditate under a banyan tree - like the Buddha and seekers could see and feel his energy from miles around and came to just sit at his feet.
Dakshinamurthy never spoke a word...he didn't need to.
Nobody asked him any questions...they didn't need to.
He gave Shaktipat through Gyan Mudra (Chin Mudra) until all who let the energy in, achieved Moksha on the spot.
Dakshinamurthy was the guru of the 7 Celestial Sages - the Sapta Rishis.
He is immortal and eternal, like Babaji.
There's only one Guru, that which is all.
In my opinion...mileage may vary.
1. A true guru shouldn't have a political agenda and/or align themselves with a corporate ideology.
2. A true guru shouldn't be arrogant and try and big note themselves like a "spiritual gangster" in debates.
3. A true guru should use donation money to feed the poor and for medicine and printing literature, not to buy Rolex watches, Mercs and build a 112ft statue or gold plate all the deities and their offering dishes.
4. A true guru shouldn't only cater to the "rich and famous" by telling them what they want to hear and then buy diamond-encrusted spectacles.
5. A true guru shouldn't advertise or charge for their services, but welcome donations from the public sector only (not the private or government sector).
6. A true guru should have the courage to be honest with the student when they are wasting their mutual time and not sugar coat anything for fame or approval.
7. A true guru will be rejected by about 99.9% of seekers out there who just aren't ready to take it seriously.
Thank you for sharing these teachings! I tend to resonate with the teaching that the real guru lies within.
Glad you are discussing this Jason. So many fakes out there
A real Guru is authorized through a disciplic succession.
In India there are 4 Vaishnava successions and one Impersonal from stemming from Shankaracharya.
Everything else is unauthorized.
I don't know if there are authorized successions in Buddhism too.
I can only suggest to anyone serious about the matter, read the books of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami.
His books are highly respected in academic circles.
He is an authorized Guru in the line of Madhvarcarya.
How about gurus in other cultures and geographical locations where there is little or no knowledge of scriptures? Are the people there unable to evolve spiritually? Although India is rich spiritually, surely other countries have their own spiritual gurus.
The teacher - disciple relationship exists everywhere, but the popularisation of mass following is a particularly modern Indian phenomenon, rooted in the Western and especially American way of thinking. Before modern times, gurus had small sincere followings, but that changed in the past century as Westerners jumped on the bandwagon 😅
Did you ever study the Yogananda teachings? If so, keeping in mind he was working to blend east/west beliefs, what is your opinion of his work in America? Thanks
Hahahaha this video made me laugh when you had that guru figure waving his hand, you've gotten so good with the video picks. I love your channel, brother. Happy Holidays to you + Gayoung
Swami Sarvapriyananda ji is🙏🏼
My tradition is very different from yours (dualist Vaishnava) and we would probably disagree on a lot of philosophical points. However, the ability to recognize fakers is important to all spiritual seekers. Thanks for taking on this subject.
I don't need a guru, i just need to follow the eight limbed path of ashtanga yoga. Straighten out my spine this lifetime would also help.
I like Elizabeth Haich as a guru. Her book Initiation has many insights for me.
Have you heard of Dr. David Hawkins? The author of "Power vs Force", "Eye of I" and many other great teachings. His calibration of the level of consciousness by unbiased people is a good tool for the modern times with so many self-proclaimed spiritual gurus.
What are your thoughts on Robert Adams? If you can find a recording of him, it is worth a listen.
The Spiritual Message is the immortal being ✨🕉️✨🫶🏻✨💜✨🙏🏻✨
Thank you! 🕉️💜🙂
“Only the true messiah would deny His divinity”.
Hello Jason, What do you think of OSHO. With the vast amount of controversy around his movement, he still has many devout followers who believe he was genuinely enlightened. He advocated not abandoning worldly life, and his own commune housed casinos and nightclubs. He claims he was not aware of alot of the ongoings in his commune, but he also made claims that he has slept with many of his disciples himself. Does behavior like this automatically rule him out from being enlightened? Thanks for your teachings.
This is what Shri Dattatreya says in Tripura Rahasya in the chapter Variety of Sages
109-12. The vasanas not inimical to realisation are not weeded out by the best class of Jnanis because they cannot seek new ones to crowd the old out. Therefore the old ones continue until they are exhausted and thus you find among them some highly irritable, some lustful and others pious and dutiful, and so on.
You'll find realisation is one thing, proscribed conduct for a renounciate or whatever else is another. We get an image of the perfect sage.. has always calm.. sexless and so on.
@@michaelmcclure3383 Thanks for your comment.So from what i gathered from it is you cant really tell by someones behaviour whether they are enlightened.
An important video.
Nobody needs a guru.
Everyone needs a guide.
A real Guru will be a guide. But they must know the Brahma Vidya and that will be known because the scriptures verify is what a real Guru realizes within when they no longer exist as an identity.
@harrygreen3277 A guru wants to help themselves. A guide just wants to help others.
@@HeroesOfTarot no, not at all. The word Guru means the one who eliminates the illusions of the disciple. You are thinking about modern "Gurus" and how they have tarnished the title. A Guru is a guide and a mentor. Splitting them is just semantics and it might suggest that you have had a bad experience with a fake Guru and tarnished them all with the same brush.
🙏
OM Draam Dattatreya Namha
Sat Guru
Sripada Rajam Saranam Pradaye
Correct.
The issue is you can't run from the world I get it but just because your Brahman doesn't mean the world isn't there I'd rather not Identify with anything in particular and just be the pure potential or consciousness
There are no real gurus now... You can find some in Jainism and Buddhism and more so in the Tantra Samanam tradition but never never in Hinduism which is just a hegemony...
@10:37 rofl 😆😆😆
How did you _learn how to recognize them first,_ _without_ the aid of a video like this?
Also I presume these “true” gurus are quite rare … so what should one do given that fact especially if one’s “worldly” circumstances are heavily constraining?
❤️🪷🙏
Lol awareness is not it. Until shiv Vishnu not merge. That's why even Ramana said focus on heart. Heart is Vishnu. Even if you look at Shivling it's shiv vishnu shakti. If you need to get to unity then all three have to merge. If you are at thirunamalai go to Chidambaram. That's the final ether. You are at 4 element fire in Thirumalai.
From Gurdjieff i have learned that you must 'kill' your guru. Thats means that everything or everyone kan be your guru. In my days, many years ago, there was no internet, no RUclips. We learned from Gurdjieff and the chankacharia, but the most bij observing our own thinking, ego. Now i see some verry good videos and many verry bad ones. For my is the Asthavakra Gita enouf. (Sorry for bad English)
Exodus, Idol worship. 😮
If you knew what" so called" enlightenment looks or sounds like . What would you need a guroo for . As for these collection of pin heads on youtube. Who cares.
Sorry, basically there are few true guru but thousands of followers.
So direct contact with such guru is not possible !
Sadhguru and Osha
The US workplace safety agency? Or Ohso the sex pervert money launderer.
Prime examples of Charlatans!!!