Yoga Guru
A yoga guru is one who has perfectly mastered the science of yoga through continuous and persistent sadhana. Through his practice he can have siddhis, but this is not necessary. In any case, a yoga guru should have an insightful intuition, be calm and balanced.
He doesn't have to be educated and philosophical. But he must know well the laws that govern the mind and body, and live in accordance with these laws. His life is a model of discipline and endurance, and he must demand the same from his students. For yoga, the guru, mind and body are the two main tools that must be mastered to perfection before one can advance in the spiritual life. Such a guru has a passion for excellence and should teach his disciples the same. If he notices that his students are lazy, he can bring them back to their senses with rather harsh methods. The whole life of such a guru is an expression of yoga, and this is reflected in his actions, words and habits.
A guru who has perfectly mastered his mind and body often develops certain psychic powers (siddhis). Sometimes he can use these powers to inspire and help his students.
There is a big difference between a yoga guru and a yoga teacher. A yoga guru is in control of his mind, body and emotions. Any of his actions is yoga.
A yoga guru systematically applies yoga practices, first controlling the body, then the mind, and then he goes beyond the body and mind. Often he subjects himself to severe austerities to master difficult practices. Having mastered these practices perfectly, he can teach them to others. Although he can only teach asanas and pranayama, his real knowledge can go much deeper. He transfers his knowledge in accordance with the abilities of each individual student.
A yoga teacher, on the other hand, is still in the process of mastering his body, mind and spirit. He may have more complete knowledge than the student, but his experience is limited. He has not yet attained perfection on the path of yoga.
Yoga practice forms the core of spiritual sadhana. In order to cleanse our perceptions, balance energies and expand consciousness, it is necessary to integrate yoga practices into everyday life. Yoga practice should be as regular as washing your face in the morning and brushing your teeth. Therefore, a yoga guru is essential for any spiritual seeker. It is an important stage on the path - it gives the first impetus to development, laying the foundation for more complex practices.
Yoga is not a limited science. It is closely related to tantra, and with other esoteric philosophies. The practice of hatha yoga gradually leads to raja yoga. Raja Yoga and Kriya Yoga go hand in hand. Kriya yoga leads to the ultimate goal of tantra. Therefore, a yoga guru often has knowledge of tantra and philosophy, and can teach selected students these advanced practices take this goal in your teachings.
However, very often we find that we cannot go beyond the intellect. In fact, it only grows even more and becomes stronger and stronger, and we are left with a large store of knowledge, but with zero experience. Those who find themselves in such a state experience great disappointment. This can be corrected by synthesizing practices. You can attend satsangs and lectures by a jnani guru, and at the same time practice your yogic sadhana. This will be the joint development of not only the intellect, but also the body, mind and intuition.
A jnani guru is usually unable to convey direct experience, but he can push us to unravel many of the mysteries of the universe. The jnani guru is also called brahmakshotriya, which means "one who is well versed in the Vedas."
Jnani guru
A jnani guru, as its name implies, has deep knowledge of various scriptures. He gives detailed explanations of the scriptures and thus stimulates and satisfies the intellect of the student. Intelligence is the domain of such a guru, and he inspires students to develop their mental faculties to perfection.
What is Brahman? What is the Higher Self? Is there a creator? Is he God? The jnani guru can give an exhaustive answer to such questions. The jnani guru is smart and delights his listeners with a solid analytical approach to the most difficult metaphysical issues. He deeply understands the connection between ancient truths and the realities of our days. Such a guru may not have developed the psychic powers in himself to influence the disciple, but prudence and wisdom are reflected in his personality.
If, with this description, the image of a gray-haired wise old man appears in your imagination, this does not have to be so. Some great jnanis - people of infinite wisdom - despite all the maturity of their knowledge, display childish simplicity and innocence. Together with wisdom comes humility and respect for those higher forces that exist in the universe. For the jnani, life is an endless process of learning, and he will not stray from the path of knowledge.
Jnana yoga is one of the paths to enlightenment and it is intended for people of a deeply rational mindset. This is a long and difficult path, and on it you can easily get bogged down in mental acrobatics. It is often said that in order to know the light of truth, it is necessary to drop the intellect, mind and feelings. But in this case, we are using the mind to conquer the mind. Sri Aurobindo said, "The intellect was the helper, the intellect became the barrier, surpass the intellect."
The jnani guru teaches to go beyond the ordinary mind. Intuition is beyond the mind. To awaken intuitive knowledge, he teaches how to neutralize the mind. If your mind is overflowing with book knowledge, then your reactions will be determined by this knowledge.
Tantric Guru
The tantric guru is a synthesis of yoga, jnani and tantrika. Usually it is initiated by a tantric yogini. It is she who initiates developed souls into the secret practices of tantra. Yogi gurus and jnani gurus often become her students. Upon contact with a tantric yogini, there is a complete transformation of the personality and spiritual values of the yoga guru and jnani guru. Only after this initiation does the knowledge of yoga guru and jnani guru take the form of direct experience. After the initiation is completed, the tantric yogini can fade into the background, but not earlier than the moment when her student receives the necessary experience and can become a tantric guru himself. Yogi gurus and jnani gurus who have not had this experience usually cannot go beyond time and space, and remain in the realm of mind and intellect. In the case of a brahmanistha guru, such an experience is unnecessary, since he is already in a transcendental state beyond time and space.
The tantric guru is the master of his mind. The mind is used like an ordinary tool - much like we use an electricity switch. If we need electricity, we turn it on, if not, turn it off with one click of a button. The tantric guru controls his mind just as easily. The power of thought projected by him can cover any distance instantly, and will be transmitted with the same accuracy as a telephone conversation.
A tantric guru is able to project several bodies, and appears in front of his disciples in several places at the same time, or take other forms. He can project the astral body endowed with full awareness of what is happening, anywhere, at any time. Such a guru can appear before his disciples, no matter where his physical body is.
A tantric guru is able to fully understand the mind of his disciple and then absorb it into himself. Then the disciple will act strictly according to the will of the guru, having the continuous and one-pointed guru consciousness. During this period, the student experiences many amazing experiences. His consciousness is expanded and he can even develop psychic powers. A tantric guru can create events that seem impossible in ordinary life. Thanks to his psychic powers, he is able to materialize objects out of nothing.
However, most tantric gurus do not display their siddhis. Although they are able to control the minds of their students, they rarely do so. If this happens, then only in accordance with natural laws and taking into account many subtleties. Violation of these laws means a violation of the natural balance, and tantric gurus try to prevent such anarchy. They realize that siddhi is just a step on the path to higher states. If used irresponsibly, they will quickly become an obstacle and most likely disappear.
If at a certain moment the guru needs to take control of the disciple's mind, this will only be done in accordance with the higher laws. The disciple's karma is completely predetermined, and the time that he will be under the control of the guru is also predetermined.
When the allotted time ends, the student gets his mind back and develops on his own. And although the guru can control the disciple's mind at any time, he will not do this, since there is a great risk of harming both the disciple and the guru.
When a disciple comes to a tantric guru, the guru first studies his karmas and level of evolution. Everyone has certain karmas that can be destroyed instantly, and deeper karmas that need to be seriously dealt with.
This is how the guru gives the disciple a certain sadhana. Or if a disciple lives in a guru's ashram, he is assigned to work according to his karma. Under no circumstances will a guru violate the laws of karma because he deeply respects them. A tantric guru can also take on some of the disciple's karmas and destroy them without too much trouble, but this is only possible if there is a deep connection between the guru and the disciple.
The teaching method that the tantric guru uses is direct transmission. Certain instructions may be given orally, but this is done only if the student is unable to receive the transmission. Direct transfer of experience is the main teaching method in any spiritual discipline. The guru constantly transmits thoughts and then observes where obstacles arise that prevent the energy from flowing freely. In this way he prepares the disciple to be his medium.
The student, in turn, must be aware of the responsibility entrusted to him, and must constantly maintain a high level of consciousness in order to clearly accept the commands of the guru. Students with this level of consciousness do not need verbal instruction. Such disciples are very valuable. The guru can associate with such disciples even if he has left his physical body. There is complete harmony between them. n to the frequency of the guru. Then he can act against the will of the guru. Imagine that your brain is sending the command to your feet to go, but your hands are taking the command instead! Therefore, the student should always be in oneness with his guru, which is achieved by the practice of constant guru awareness.
A tantric guru exudes an attractive aura. You are attracted to it, like a metal is attracted to a magnet, or like a moth is attracted to light. He lives with a free spirit and free consciousness. He is not bound by social norms and circumstances that limit most people. To better understand the word "freedom", one should turn to a tantric guru. Our concept of freedom often implies freedom in the external world, but the tantric guru has not only external, but also internal freedom. Karmas do not bind him, thoughts do not carry him along. He is the master of his thoughts.
But this is not the only reason to go to a tantric guru. Otherwise, we simply underestimate his abilities. A tantric guru is essential on the spiritual path. Experience and knowledge can be transmitted with just a glance, or by touching the head, or through persistent sadhana. It all depends on your level of evolution.
Brahmanistha Guru
A brahmanistha guru is a person who is fully established in higher consciousness. He is called "jivanmukta" (Jiva - individual soul, mukta - free), or liberated during life. He is no longer interested in teaching others or in any educational activity. He is completely absorbed in higher knowledge, and constantly experiences the experience of absolute consciousness.
The disciples dress and feed such a Guru, because if it were not for them, he would have walked around naked and hungry. He no longer cares about his own body. Like salt that dissolves in the ocean water without a trace, the brahmanistha guru is completely dissolved in the supreme Brahman. It is impossible for ordinary people to understand the state in which he is. It is difficult even to imagine the depths into which he plunges, and the heights at which he is.
His being is a manifestation of pure spirit. When this happens, there are no ears to hear, no eyes to look, and no things to think about.
Brahmanistha lives in complete silence, internal and external. He does not give any complicated teachings and preaching. His speeches are simple and short.
Often he is not even aware of the presence of his students and followers around him. He can sometimes pronounce words that seem meaningless to an outside observer.
Only a bird can understand the language of birds, and only Shakespeare can fully understand Shakespeare.
Despite the behavior of a brahmanistha guru, thousands of people flock to him. Apparently, his very presence inspires and guides people. Disciples and followers of brahmanistha gurus often encounter miraculous events in their lives. But he doesn't even realize that these things are happening thanks to him.
Divine powers manifest themselves through brahmanistha gurus. He is a living example of the endless possibilities that are inherent in everyone from birth. Despite the fact that he is completely absorbed in himself, he is able to awaken in us faith, devotion and self-sacrifice. He awakens the highest qualities in the personality, and turns our gaze inward.
Ramana Maharishi was a real example of a brahmanistha guru. He was born in southern india in the twentieth century. Often he was so immersed in the depths of himself that he was not aware of what was happening around him, but people who came to him in thousands were sure to find a solution to their problems. The transfer of energy to the students took place spontaneously, without any effort on his part.
Sometimes such jivanmuktas can completely forget about their body and the need to eat, even if they are offered food. They are not aware of their body, and then they are called "videhamutka." Usually after that, within ten to twelve days, they completely leave their mortal body. Brahmanistha guru is the culmination of all stages of spiritual evolution.
The brahmanistha guru should not be confused with the avatara purusa who comes to earth with a specific mission. Avatara Purusha can be called a little god. He is outside the cycle of birth and death. He does not need to evolve, he is not subject to the laws of karma and evolution. He is born to fulfill God's will. When this will is fulfilled, he returns to unknown distances.
Guru Woman
The description of the different types of gurus would be incomplete without including female gurus. Due to orthodox tradition, women are rare among gurus. Priests, clergy, and religious leaders, driven by abusive and patriarchal social order, have done their best to keep women out of guru positions.
In India, women gurus have always had a special role to play. They have been revered since ancient times, and especially during the period when tantra flourished. Evidence of their existence can be found in the Vedas, Upanishads and other scriptures. However, over time, certain religions began to form that forbid a woman to be a guru. Women have lost their social positions. Recently, women are gradually regaining their rights, and if society can step over its prejudices and complexes, then we will again have the opportunity to receive initiation from a female guru.
The female guru is an extremely powerful force that is difficult to resist. Her innate intuitive and psychic abilities allow her to move very quickly along the spiritual path. A woman thinks at finer frequencies, and therefore it is easier for her to communicate with higher forces.
It is believed that the main obstacles on the spiritual path are intellect and ego. Spiritual development requires love, compassion, tenderness, unselfishness, childlike innocence, faith, devotion and humility. These qualities are inherent in a woman from birth, and she easily manages to go beyond the intellect, allowing her faith and devotion to flourish. Bhakti is considered the highest path to spiritual experience that all spiritual seekers aspire to, and this quality forms the basis of a woman's personality. This makes it easier for her to deal with the awakening of this great energy.
There is one saying: "There is a woman behind every great man." We have often seen women inspire men to perform heroic deeds. Many great gurus at some point in their lives have been blessed with meeting a tantric yogini, or female guru, who initiated them into tantric rituals. Although they may not publicly announce such a meeting, this is usually the case.
Surprisingly, despite all the potential and innate ability of a woman to guide humanity in spiritual life, she is not allowed to do so. Is this religiously oriented society discouraging women from playing the role of guru? Or the reason lies in the desire of a man to suppress the spiritual aspirations of a woman, so that it would be easier to use her in his carnal interests?
In tantra, a science that is older than any civilization, the role of the guru is assigned to the woman, not the man. It is She who initiates a man into practice. It is She who prepares and performs the ritual. She puts a mark on the man's forehead and tells him which point to meditate on.
A tantric yogini guru can completely control his disciples. That is why they are often called witches, witches, and accused of black magic. This is absurd. It is true that she, like any guru, is looking for worthy disciples. Her energy and natural magnetism attract people to her. She is not a witch or a witch. She has developed great mental and psychic strength through hard work and persistent sadhana. Thanks to her independent, fearless nature and devotion to a higher spirit, she can live in solitude, sometimes in the wildest and most harsh places. Her behavior and moral standards separate her from society as an independent person. Only the most courageous can follow this path, which even angels are afraid to tread.
Outwardly, she may look like an ordinary person, and not at all correspond to the image of saints, exalted gurus, as we often imagine them. But in the depths of her eyes, you can see the radiance of a pure soul. Just as a jeweler makes beautiful jewelry out of gold, giving them shape and purpose, so a woman guru helps developed souls, exploding a charge of hidden potential in them, and giving them the right direction on the path of evolution.
