I feel this "guru-itis" is a disease which afflicts the most gullible people. They are also lazy, because they entrust their individual "lead my path" to the selected guru and ensure that their so-called spiritual liberation/elevation will thus be fully ensured!< Clipped >
There is so much controversy surrounding the tradition of gurus that when we hear about a guru we don’t know whether he or she is a really enlightened person, a genuine master, a miracle worker, a charlatan, a magician or an imposter. The problem is complicated further by the activities of a few controversial people and the scandals erupting occasionally over the news channels about their alleged misconduct and corrupt practices. Hindu society is now matured enough to understand the risks involved in following spiritual masters blindly. The connection between a spiritual guru and their disciples is emotional, personal and spiritual. It is based on trust, faith, innocence and the promise of liberation.
http://www.hinduwebsite.com/hinduism/essays/choosingaguru.asp
When I saw the thread, I too wanted to leave it alone.I feel this "guru-itis" is a disease which afflicts the most gullible people. They are also lazy, because they entrust their individual "lead my path" to the selected guru and ensure that their so-called spiritual liberation/elevation will thus be fully ensured!
There is a Tamil saying (especially among womenfolk) which goes as, azhuthazhutum piLLai avaLE peRaNum (அழுதழுதும் பிள்ளை அவளே பெறணும் = however unbearable the delivery pains, the child has to be delivered by the mother only!). Now of course there is the Caesarian. If some similar short cut can be found for guru-finding, it will be good.
The question is "I need a guru and can you help me choose one?"
I do not want to give liberal advices about fake godmen/godwomen etc.,
My suggestion would be this:
Please take the guidance from the following stanza of NyAsa Vimsati by Swami Desikan.
ஸித்தம் ஸத்ஸம்ப்ரதாயே ஸ்த்திரதியமநகம்
ஸ்ரோத்ரியம் ப்ரஹ்ம நிஷ்ட்டம்
ஸத்வஸ்த்தம் ஸத்யவாசம் ஸமய நியதயா
ஸாது வ்ருத்த்யா ஸமேதம்|
டம்பாஸூயாதி முக்தம் ஜித விஷயி கணம்
தீர்க்க பந்தும் தயாளும்
ஸ்க்காலித்யே சாஸிதாரம் ஸ்வ பர ஹித பரம்
தேசிகம் பூஷ்ணு ரீப்சேத்||
Why write a sloka without meaning or reference as to where the meaning is provided .. I do not know if the new person or most people here are well versed in Sanskrit to get the meaning
You have now 7 responses, including one from me, to your request.Hi
i'm looking for a guru to lead my path
can anybody help
Here is the link http://www.ibiblio.org/sadagopan/ahobilavalli/nyasa_vimsati.pdf - The quoted sloka is the first one (pages 7-14 of that book).
A subhashitani from here http://subhashitasangraha.blogspot.com/ seems more apt - I will add that the last quarter (knowledge) is obtained by reading from this august forum!
आचार्यात् पादमादत्ते पादं शिष्यः स्वमेधया ।
पादं सब्रह्मचारिभ्यः पादम् कालक्रमेण च ॥
A student gets a quarter (knowledge) from his teacher, a quarter by his own intelligence. A quarter from his fellow students and a quarter in due course of time.
May be a time to start a new business making a eguru or eswami or a virtualguru website [/FONT][/COLOR]
Eliza is a program that behaves like a psychotherapist - Here is an online version http://www.manifestation.com/neurotoys/eliza.php3