Guest guest Posted September 29, 2004 Report Share Posted September 29, 2004 Hello all, My mother went to the supermarket today and she met an Indian woman who was Hindu. She did not ask about any specific sects or traditions, but talked to her a little bit, told her my interest in Hinduism, and I guess she got her contact information instantly. They say that a guru will appear when one is ready for one. I am not sure if this woman is my guru, but I have some strong vibes...at the same time, though, I have not even met her (or contacted her yet) and am a bit shy when it comes to approaching people. I have the urge to contact her, but as I said, I am very shy and do not want to come across the wrong way. Hopefully this is not too silly of a question or even an e-mail, but I must ask...what should I do? Any advice is appreciated. Blessings, _______________ Get ready for school! Find articles, homework help and more in the Back to School Guide! http://special.msn.com/network/04backtoschool.armx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 29, 2004 Report Share Posted September 29, 2004 In a message dated 9/29/2004 2:47:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time, angelusmortiis writes: Hopefully this is not too silly of a question or even an e-mail, but I must ask...what should I do? Talk to her and see how it goes! Good vibes are good, but moving slowly is also quite fine. You may find her type of Hinduism does not quite suit you, but it will be a learning experience for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 29, 2004 Report Share Posted September 29, 2004 Hi Anya: My first piece of advice would be: Please don't get too hung up on the guru thing. True spiritual gurus are a mighty rare thing to find -- and they generally don't advertise or solicit business. ;-) So let that just sit. It'll happen when and if it happens. Whatever. Okay. Having said that, I'dd add that our lives are absolutely full of "gurus" in the simpler sense of the word -- which really means just "teacher." In that broader (and more realistic; and frankly, safer) sense, you will be gifted with many, many wonderful gurus in your life -- people whose paths happen to cross with yours for a while, and who leave you enriched with a greater sense of who you are and what you can be. That is an equally valid interpretation of that old truism, "The guru appears when the student is ready." If we are living life attentively and well, we are all students, always. And the guru we need at any given moment is always appearing. When we open ourselves to the lessons life needs to teach us, we will find our journeys to be filled with a great succession of gurus. Which brings me to your specific query: Is this Indian woman whom your mother happened to meet in the supermarket "your Guru", capital G? To be very honest, she almost certainly is not. She is probably just a nice woman who was flattered by your interest in her culture, and kindly expressed her willingness to talk with you a little about it. I don't know where you live; but if it's North America or Western Europe, chances are that this Hindu Indian woman is used to adjusting to the prevailing culture as an "outsider." When you are living in a society in which yours is a minority culture, it is more common to encounter prejudice, stereotypes and misconception than it is to meet people who honestly want to understand who you are, where you come from, and what you think and believe. To consider a person to be "spiritual" or a "potential guru" just because they are from India is really a kind of stereotyping in itself -- albeit basically benign and well-meaning. So I'd say start by just approaching her like you'd approach any other human being; just as a nice woman whom your mother met in the supermarket, no more, no less. Introduce yourself. Admit that you're a little shy, but that you would welcome the opportunity to learn a little bit more about her faith. Don't make a big deal of it. Let things unfold normally, naturally. You most probably won't get a Guru, capital G ... but you just might end up with a very nice friend. Anyway, that's my 2 paise ;-) DB , "Anya Mortiis" <angelusmortiis@h...> wrote: > Hello all, > > My mother went to the supermarket today and she met an Indian woman who was > Hindu. She did not ask about any specific sects or traditions, but talked > to her a little bit, told her my interest in Hinduism, and I guess she got > her contact information instantly. They say that a guru will appear when > one is ready for one. > > I am not sure if this woman is my guru, but I have some strong vibes...at > the same time, though, I have not even met her (or contacted her yet) and am > a bit shy when it comes to approaching people. I have the urge to contact > her, but as I said, I am very shy and do not want to come across the wrong > way. Hopefully this is not too silly of a question or even an e-mail, but I > must ask...what should I do? > > Any advice is appreciated. > > > Blessings, > Anya Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 29, 2004 Report Share Posted September 29, 2004 Dear Anya, Gu is a Sanskrit syllable which means darkness (ignorance) and ru is light (wisdom). She is the one who replaces the darkness with light. I agree largely with what DB wrote. My Guru, Gurumayi Chidvilasananda, was made a guru by her guru, upon his death. The chances of running into her in the grocery store are about equal to encountering the Pope in that same location. A significant test for choosing a guru is by the inner experience you have while in their presence, or while thinking about them. If you come before this person and the material world seems to disappear, while what you experience is the coalescing of energy bodies into one great ball of energy...then you may have indeed found a true guru. I definately had some such encounters ... without having personally met gurumayi. In Tantra, as can be in Christianity, while difficult to believe we are God/Goddess, by our willingness to accept divinity in some other external person (Christ, guru)...we can then accept that these people really represent our true internal nature. The true guru is within you. It is that aspect of divinity within you that seeks self-realization. Or something very similar to this. I think that...it is not that one person can tell us the ultimate truth and we'll be forever blissful. I think that we already know the truth (that we are all Oneness), but that we must shed layers of emotional scars (samskaras) which were our cause for this incarnation, so that we may purely perceive truth without all the personal biasness of our samskaras. I pray that this may add some perspective on your question and welcome your thoughts as well. To All, NAMASTE (THE DIVINE WITHIN ME ACKNOWLEDGES THE DIVINE WITHIN YOU) Robert Wiseowl , "Anya Mortiis" <angelusmortiis@h...> wrote: > Hello all, > > My mother went to the supermarket today and she met an Indian woman who was > Hindu. She did not ask about any specific sects or traditions, but talked > to her a little bit, told her my interest in Hinduism, and I guess she got > her contact information instantly. They say that a guru will appear when > one is ready for one. > > I am not sure if this woman is my guru, but I have some strong vibes...at > the same time, though, I have not even met her (or contacted her yet) and am > a bit shy when it comes to approaching people. I have the urge to contact > her, but as I said, I am very shy and do not want to come across the wrong > way. Hopefully this is not too silly of a question or even an e- mail, but I > must ask...what should I do? > > Any advice is appreciated. > > > Blessings, > Anya > > _______________ > Get ready for school! Find articles, homework help and more in the Back to > School Guide! http://special.msn.com/network/04backtoschool.armx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 29, 2004 Report Share Posted September 29, 2004 Namah Shivaya Anya. DB is right, as usual. I too am sceptical of this being a 'Guru', but I have been wrong before. Your 'strong vibes' could be a reflection of your current intense feelings. That is good, let those feelings remain intense; the 'G'uru will come eventually. When the 'G'uru comes, the attraction you will feel is palpable. For most people, it is like love at first sight, only far more fulfilling and lasting. However, it may not happen at first sight (for e.g., I knew about my Guru for almost 12 years, before I felt that this was it; I struggled with the fact, and consequently shopped around for other Gurus, for long!). Patience is the key here; certainty and a relaxed assurance about life are the rewards. However, being an 18-year old (which you are, I believe), patience might be in short supply. . Good luck! Jai Ma! , "Devi Bhakta" <devi_bhakta> wrote: > Hi Anya: > > My first piece of advice would be: Please don't get too hung up on the > guru thing. True spiritual gurus are a mighty rare thing to find -- > and they generally don't advertise or solicit business. ;-) So let > that just sit. It'll happen when and if it happens. Whatever. > > Okay. Having said that, I'dd add that our lives are absolutely full of > "gurus" in the simpler sense of the word -- which really means just > "teacher." In that broader (and more realistic; and frankly, safer) > sense, you will be gifted with many, many wonderful gurus in your life > -- people whose paths happen to cross with yours for a while, and who > leave you enriched with a greater sense of who you are and what you > can be. > > That is an equally valid interpretation of that old truism, "The guru > appears when the student is ready." If we are living life attentively > and well, we are all students, always. And the guru we need at any > given moment is always appearing. When we open ourselves to the > lessons life needs to teach us, we will find our journeys to be filled > with a great succession of gurus. > > Which brings me to your specific query: Is this Indian woman whom your > mother happened to meet in the supermarket "your Guru", capital G? To > be very honest, she almost certainly is not. She is probably just a > nice woman who was flattered by your interest in her culture, and > kindly expressed her willingness to talk with you a little about it. > > I don't know where you live; but if it's North America or Western > Europe, chances are that this Hindu Indian woman is used to adjusting > to the prevailing culture as an "outsider." When you are living in a > society in which yours is a minority culture, it is more common to > encounter prejudice, stereotypes and misconception than it is to meet > people who honestly want to understand who you are, where you come > from, and what you think and believe. > > To consider a person to be "spiritual" or a "potential guru" just > because they are from India is really a kind of stereotyping in itself > -- albeit basically benign and well-meaning. So I'd say start by just > approaching her like you'd approach any other human being; just as a > nice woman whom your mother met in the supermarket, no more, no less. > Introduce yourself. Admit that you're a little shy, but that you would > welcome the opportunity to learn a little bit more about her faith. > Don't make a big deal of it. Let things unfold normally, naturally. > You most probably won't get a Guru, capital G ... but you just might > end up with a very nice friend. > > Anyway, that's my 2 paise ;-) > > DB > > > , "Anya Mortiis" > <angelusmortiis@h...> wrote: > > Hello all, > > > > My mother went to the supermarket today and she met an Indian woman > who was > > Hindu. She did not ask about any specific sects or traditions, but > talked > > to her a little bit, told her my interest in Hinduism, and I guess > she got > > her contact information instantly. They say that a guru will appear > when > > one is ready for one. > > > > I am not sure if this woman is my guru, but I have some strong > vibes...at > > the same time, though, I have not even met her (or contacted her > yet) and am > > a bit shy when it comes to approaching people. I have the urge to > contact > > her, but as I said, I am very shy and do not want to come across the > wrong > > way. Hopefully this is not too silly of a question or even an > e-mail, but I > > must ask...what should I do? > > > > Any advice is appreciated. > > > > > > Blessings, > > Anya Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 29, 2004 Report Share Posted September 29, 2004 I want to thank everyone for their responses. You are right - I should not be too hasty in assuming that someone is the big 'G' guru just because she is of the culture. I also agree that to an extent, we will bump into many teachers...whether one of them is the big 'G' or not, as you guys would call it. I will go with the flow, I suppose, and see what happens. I need to overcome my shy flaw or else I will be missing out on certain opportunities in life, especially an opportunity to learn from an individual such as this woman. *gathers all of her willpower and prays hard to make a good impression* Perhaps the vibes is just a call in general for me to learn more...who knows? Hindsight is only 20/20. Thanks and Blessings, >"manoj_menon" <ammasmon > > > Re: Insight on a situation (possible Guru?) >Wed, 29 Sep 2004 20:13:51 -0000 > >Namah Shivaya Anya. > >DB is right, as usual. > >I too am sceptical of this being a 'Guru', but I have been wrong >before. > >Your 'strong vibes' could be a reflection of your current intense >feelings. That is good, let those feelings remain intense; >the 'G'uru will come eventually. > >When the 'G'uru comes, the attraction you will feel is palpable. For >most people, it is like love at first sight, only far more >fulfilling and lasting. However, it may not happen at first sight >(for e.g., I knew about my Guru for almost 12 years, before I felt >that this was it; I struggled with the fact, and consequently >shopped around for other Gurus, for long!). > >Patience is the key here; certainty and a relaxed assurance about >life are the rewards. However, being an 18-year old (which you are, >I believe), patience might be in short supply. . Good luck! > >Jai Ma! > >, "Devi Bhakta" ><devi_bhakta> wrote: > > Hi Anya: > > > > My first piece of advice would be: Please don't get too hung up on >the > > guru thing. True spiritual gurus are a mighty rare thing to find -- > > and they generally don't advertise or solicit business. ;-) So let > > that just sit. It'll happen when and if it happens. Whatever. > > > > Okay. Having said that, I'dd add that our lives are absolutely >full of > > "gurus" in the simpler sense of the word -- which really means just > > "teacher." In that broader (and more realistic; and frankly, safer) > > sense, you will be gifted with many, many wonderful gurus in your >life > > -- people whose paths happen to cross with yours for a while, and >who > > leave you enriched with a greater sense of who you are and what you > > can be. > > > > That is an equally valid interpretation of that old truism, "The >guru > > appears when the student is ready." If we are living life >attentively > > and well, we are all students, always. And the guru we need at any > > given moment is always appearing. When we open ourselves to the > > lessons life needs to teach us, we will find our journeys to be >filled > > with a great succession of gurus. > > > > Which brings me to your specific query: Is this Indian woman whom >your > > mother happened to meet in the supermarket "your Guru", capital G? >To > > be very honest, she almost certainly is not. She is probably just a > > nice woman who was flattered by your interest in her culture, and > > kindly expressed her willingness to talk with you a little about >it. > > > > I don't know where you live; but if it's North America or Western > > Europe, chances are that this Hindu Indian woman is used to >adjusting > > to the prevailing culture as an "outsider." When you are living in >a > > society in which yours is a minority culture, it is more common to > > encounter prejudice, stereotypes and misconception than it is to >meet > > people who honestly want to understand who you are, where you come > > from, and what you think and believe. > > > > To consider a person to be "spiritual" or a "potential guru" just > > because they are from India is really a kind of stereotyping in >itself > > -- albeit basically benign and well-meaning. So I'd say start by >just > > approaching her like you'd approach any other human being; just as >a > > nice woman whom your mother met in the supermarket, no more, no >less. > > Introduce yourself. Admit that you're a little shy, but that you >would > > welcome the opportunity to learn a little bit more about her faith. > > Don't make a big deal of it. Let things unfold normally, naturally. > > You most probably won't get a Guru, capital G ... but you just >might > > end up with a very nice friend. > > > > Anyway, that's my 2 paise ;-) > > > > DB > > > > > > , "Anya Mortiis" > > <angelusmortiis@h...> wrote: > > > Hello all, > > > > > > My mother went to the supermarket today and she met an Indian >woman > > who was > > > Hindu. She did not ask about any specific sects or traditions, >but > > talked > > > to her a little bit, told her my interest in Hinduism, and I >guess > > she got > > > her contact information instantly. They say that a guru will >appear > > when > > > one is ready for one. > > > > > > I am not sure if this woman is my guru, but I have some strong > > vibes...at > > > the same time, though, I have not even met her (or contacted her > > yet) and am > > > a bit shy when it comes to approaching people. I have the urge >to > > contact > > > her, but as I said, I am very shy and do not want to come across >the > > wrong > > > way. Hopefully this is not too silly of a question or even an > > e-mail, but I > > > must ask...what should I do? > > > > > > Any advice is appreciated. > > > > > > > > > Blessings, > > > Anya > > _______________ Check out Election 2004 for up-to-date election news, plus voter tools and more! http://special.msn.com/msn/election2004.armx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 29, 2004 Report Share Posted September 29, 2004 Dear Anya, I am a total newbie to the group (just signed up), and yours is the first message I saw. I was touched by your question as I have hungered for a teacher, too...or guru..and have been praying for a person to appear. Someone I talked to about this shared a prayer with me and suggested I use it. I have found it very comforting as it somehow erased a line for me between my "root Guru" or Teacher who is manifest in everything, and the rest of life. Now I have greater trust that if I am to be taught through a human agent, that will materialize when needed. But I don't feel so anxious for my Teacher to appear that way now. I feel greater confidence that I am being taught in every situation. I tweaked it a little to fit my spirit and thought I'd share it here. Hope it is helpful: O my Teacher, open my eyes to see you everywhere. O my Teacher, open my ears to hear you everywhere. O my Teacher, open my mind to know that you are here, have always been here, and will always be here. O my Teacher, open my heart to cherish you here, now, always. Blessings, Rose Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 29, 2004 Report Share Posted September 29, 2004 It is possible that this Indian lady may be a shishya of your "Guru" to be; it will be good to enquire from her if she follows someone, her spiritual mentors etc. -yogaman , "Anya Mortiis" <angelusmortiis@h...> wrote: > Hello all, > > My mother went to the supermarket today and she met an Indian woman who was > Hindu. She did not ask about any specific sects or traditions, but talked > to her a little bit, told her my interest in Hinduism, and I guess she got > her contact information instantly. They say that a guru will appear when > one is ready for one. > > I am not sure if this woman is my guru, but I have some strong vibes...at > the same time, though, I have not even met her (or contacted her yet) and am > a bit shy when it comes to approaching people. I have the urge to contact > her, but as I said, I am very shy and do not want to come across the wrong > way. Hopefully this is not too silly of a question or even an e- mail, but I > must ask...what should I do? > > Any advice is appreciated. > > > Blessings, > Anya > > _______________ > Get ready for school! Find articles, homework help and more in the Back to > School Guide! http://special.msn.com/network/04backtoschool.armx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 30, 2004 Report Share Posted September 30, 2004 Just cause a woman is Hindu doesn't mean she's a guru. - Anya Mortiis Wednesday, September 29, 2004 1:38 PM Insight on a situation (possible Guru?) Hello all, My mother went to the supermarket today and she met an Indian woman who was Hindu. She did not ask about any specific sects or traditions, but talked to her a little bit, told her my interest in Hinduism, and I guess she got her contact information instantly. They say that a guru will appear when one is ready for one. I am not sure if this woman is my guru, but I have some strong vibes...at the same time, though, I have not even met her (or contacted her yet) and am a bit shy when it comes to approaching people. I have the urge to contact her, but as I said, I am very shy and do not want to come across the wrong way. Hopefully this is not too silly of a question or even an e-mail, but I must ask...what should I do? Any advice is appreciated. Blessings, Anya _______________ Get ready for school! Find articles, homework help and more in the Back to School Guide! http://special.msn.com/network/04backtoschool.armx / b.. c.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 30, 2004 Report Share Posted September 30, 2004 *grins* I know, I know. I did not mean to imply that, it was just so coincidental that it provoked the thought. Anyway, as others have suggested, I was being a bit hasty with the big "G" situation. I am aware of my weakness in this situation. Blessings, >"Detective_Mongo_Phd" <detective_mongo_phd > ><> >Re: Insight on a situation (possible Guru?) >Thu, 30 Sep 2004 01:53:05 -0500 > >Just cause a woman is Hindu doesn't mean she's a guru. > - > Anya Mortiis > > Wednesday, September 29, 2004 1:38 PM > Insight on a situation (possible Guru?) > > > Hello all, > > My mother went to the supermarket today and she met an Indian woman who >was > Hindu. She did not ask about any specific sects or traditions, but >talked > to her a little bit, told her my interest in Hinduism, and I guess she >got > her contact information instantly. They say that a guru will appear >when > one is ready for one. > > I am not sure if this woman is my guru, but I have some strong >vibes...at > the same time, though, I have not even met her (or contacted her yet) >and am > a bit shy when it comes to approaching people. I have the urge to >contact > her, but as I said, I am very shy and do not want to come across the >wrong > way. Hopefully this is not too silly of a question or even an e-mail, >but I > must ask...what should I do? > > Any advice is appreciated. > > > Blessings, > Anya > > _______________ > Get ready for school! Find articles, homework help and more in the Back >to > School Guide! http://special.msn.com/network/04backtoschool.armx > > > Sponsor > Links > > > / > > b.. > > > c.. Terms of >Service. > > > > > _______________ Don’t just search. Find. Check out the new MSN Search! http://search.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200636ave/direct/01/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 30, 2004 Report Share Posted September 30, 2004 I agree with Mike and Robert. But I disagree one one sentence of Mike's. He said Anya"may never find a Guru". I beg to disagree. Anya, Pray for her/him. He/she WILL appear. It may not be overnight, but at the apropriate time he/she shall. And in teh meanwhile gather all the information you can. The people who give are called Deshikas - Teachers. They maynot be Gurus but are equally venerable. Thank You robert <panterablanco wrote: Dear Anya, Gu is a Sanskrit syllable which means darkness (ignorance) and ru is light (wisdom). She is the one who replaces the darkness with light. I agree largely with what DB wrote. My Guru, Gurumayi Chidvilasananda, was made a guru by her guru, upon his death. The chances of running into her in the grocery store are about equal to encountering the Pope in that same location. A significant test for choosing a guru is by the inner experience you have while in their presence, or while thinking about them. If you come before this person and the material world seems to disappear, while what you experience is the coalescing of energy bodies into one great ball of energy...then you may have indeed found a true guru. I definately had some such encounters ... without having personally met gurumayi. In Tantra, as can be in Christianity, while difficult to believe we are God/Goddess, by our willingness to accept divinity in some other external person (Christ, guru)...we can then accept that these people really represent our true internal nature. The true guru is within you. It is that aspect of divinity within you that seeks self-realization. Or something very similar to this. I think that...it is not that one person can tell us the ultimate truth and we'll be forever blissful. I think that we already know the truth (that we are all Oneness), but that we must shed layers of emotional scars (samskaras) which were our cause for this incarnation, so that we may purely perceive truth without all the personal biasness of our samskaras. I pray that this may add some perspective on your question and welcome your thoughts as well. To All, NAMASTE (THE DIVINE WITHIN ME ACKNOWLEDGES THE DIVINE WITHIN YOU) Robert Wiseowl , "Anya Mortiis" <angelusmortiis@h...> wrote: > Hello all, > > My mother went to the supermarket today and she met an Indian woman who was > Hindu. She did not ask about any specific sects or traditions, but talked > to her a little bit, told her my interest in Hinduism, and I guess she got > her contact information instantly. They say that a guru will appear when > one is ready for one. > > I am not sure if this woman is my guru, but I have some strong vibes...at > the same time, though, I have not even met her (or contacted her yet) and am > a bit shy when it comes to approaching people. I have the urge to contact > her, but as I said, I am very shy and do not want to come across the wrong > way. Hopefully this is not too silly of a question or even an e- mail, but I > must ask...what should I do? > > Any advice is appreciated. > > > Blessings, > Anya > > _______________ > Get ready for school! Find articles, homework help and more in the Back to > School Guide! http://special.msn.com/network/04backtoschool.armx / Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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