Guru is a Sanskrit term that translates as the removal of darkness. Therefore, a Guru is an entity that helps shed light (figuratively) on doubts and guides the Sadhaka or seeker of Truth during their journey.
The term Guru exists in many religions, beliefs, and cultures. In Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, and Buddhism, a Guru is a spiritual teacher; a person who initiates practitioners on a spiritual path. The term Guru in Tagalog, Indonesian, and Malay also translates as teacher.
As yoga practitioners, as we engage ourselves as disciples of a Guru, we not only have an opportunity to express gratitude to the Guru but also have access to the Guru’s blessings, often in the form of initiation. The initiation can be understood as the process of being taken under the Guru’s wings by his/her willingness to help and guide.
It is important to choose one Guru and not become confused. Sticking with a process long enough will allow us to feel the Guru’s initiation experientially, via Yoga practices. Gurus are thus revered and even worshipped because of this phenomenal, altruistic role and benevolence.
Gurus are often worshipped through the practice or ritual of Puja. The process is known as Guru-Puja. This is a process that involves offerings and chanting and the goal of the Guru-Puja is to welcome the Guru in sixteen different ways to our space-place of practice.
Puja is derived from Sanskrit ‘Puj,’ which means to worship, respect, revere, honor, and even consecrate. A Puja can be an external and internal process. This Puja is a device or ritual where offerings such as fruits, flowers, incense, mantra, and chant recitation are offered to invoke and invite the Guru(s). This is done with absolute trust that the Guru will be present during the Yoga Sadhana or practice. The process is less about the offerings and more about creating a genuine invitation to the Divine. An internal Puja involves visualization of the ritual though there are no materials involved. Still, genuineness and gratitude are felt during the ritual. Both internal and external processes of a Puja are akin to devotion or Bhakti for the Guru and involve emotional engagement and positive intentions of the seeker.
A Guru, therefore, is a guiding Light, a dispeller of darkness and it should be noted that a Guru need not be present in physical form for the ritual – the Presence is an instrument, just like the puja ritual and if one makes themselves energetically receptive, Divinity will have little choice but to be present for guidance. A Guru, therefore, is a real or perceived symbolic force that seekers have as the ultimate resource, guide, and protector throughout their Sadhana or spiritual practices. Thus invoking a Guru at the beginning of the day and before beginning any Sadhana is a great way to honor and respect the powerful Entity which provides non-judgmental support as long as the seeker genuinely seeks it.