According to the scriptures of India the Guru principle originated ever since creation began. The lineage of Gurus originates from Lord Shiva, the primordial Guru.

The word Guru is composed of two syllables: Gu means darkness and ru means light. Therefore a Guru is one who dispels the ignorance of a disciple and bestows them with true wisdom.

The Guru Gita, which is a conversation between Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati sings the glory of the Guru. In this beautiful scripture Lord Shiva explains who a true Guru is, what their qualities are and how one should interact and behave in front of a master.

The sages of India always emphasize a self-realized master is absolutely necessary if one wants to learn about their inner Self. Meerabai, Kabir and many other saints acknowledge that it is due to their Guru’s grace they achieved such great heights in the spiritual world.

A master has attained the supreme knowledge and has the power to awaken it in others. They dispel all the ignorance of the mind and show us our true nature. In fact the master is not an individual at all! As Gurumaa has said a countless number of times they are the supreme knowledge or Gods-grace bestowing power!

A true master is always testing their disciples, eradicating their bad qualities and ensuring that good ones arise. Until a disciple does not completely surrender and follow the teachings of the master they cannot receive their entire blessings.

This is the reason why it is said that it is very difficult to live the Guru. But if one is able to live with such a great being they will surely reach great spiritual heights!

In a similar question in this video, a devotee asks Anandmurti Gurumaa whether he is in real bhakti and devotion towards God or his mind is just playing games with him!

Mind is a very powerful entity. The games that the mind plays are difficult to comprehend without the help of a true master. One cannot know the power of the mind without the help of a ‘Sad Guru’.

A Guru imparts knowledge and guides the seeker to gently, but firmly become the master of one’s own mind.

Mind can cause many delusions and confuse a person if one starts to discuss and try to analyze the thoughts occurring in the mind. A seeker thus asked the holy master; Anandmurti Gurumaa to clarify whether what he was experiencing were symptoms of true ‘Bhakti’ or was his mind playing games with him.

Being a devotee of Lord Krishna, this person says that he feels the ‘leela’ of the divine almighty all around in the people of this world. When he chants or hears names of God, he is overcome by ecstatic symptoms of tears and the voice gets chocked, body trembles and he begins to lose awareness.

All these are experiences that are generated in the mind and who can truly decipher it or understand it, because the understanding too needs to be done by the mind only.

At times the heart and the mind may not agree with one another. What the heart feels is borne out of love where as the mind thinks intellectually and has the power to manipulate thoughts as it desires.

Gurumaa tells the seeker not to pay attention to what others have to say. If he feels it is love then no need to ask others. Why does the mind need a certificate of approval from others?

There can be many attributes to such a situation. Sometimes it can be simply a disease or disorder of the mind. It may be infatuation. It may be simple conditioning of the mind that the mind wants to believe in.

There is a lot that can happen in the mind. Only the person experiencing those thoughts knows genuinely if they are true. So the need is to be honest to your own self and keep calm and be true.

Rejoice in the true love of divinity and real Bhakti.

Renunciation or vairagya is an absolute necessity for spiritual progress in a seeker’s quest for the Absolute Truth. It is impossible for an aspirant to progress on the spiritual path without developing this quality. Vairagya ignites the yearning for obtaining liberation in a seeker and allows the extroverted mind to go within.

Vairagya in the spiritual world is a mental state associated with developing a total dispassion or detachment towards materialistic/sensual enjoyments. It arises when the seeker realizes that everything in this life is impermanent, illusionary and bound to cause misery.

Real renunciation occurs when one gives up the sense of “I” or egoism and realizes their true identity. The veil of duality is lifted and one recognizes that the supreme bliss we are searching for is right within us!

Throughout this world we see people running after money and luxuries. Even after they obtain them they are still unhappy! Then, what is real wealth?

As Gurumaa says real wealth in our lives is the spiritual practices we perform and the knowledge we obtain in the company of self-realized masters.

In the company of great masters we realize that the happiness we are searching for through worldly pleasures is temporary! Permanent joy and peace can only be obtained if we surrender and meditate upon the Lord who lives in our very own hearts!

On this day many people throw wood sticks in fires and perform prayers in order to eradicate themselves from bad thoughts and wishes. Through faithful devotion, prayers and spiritual practices we ask the Lord to burn impurities such as egoism, lust, greed, and all the various desires which exist in our minds. We pray that pure, good qualities like selflessness, forgiveness and love arise in us.

Krishna, one of the most revered gods of Hinduism was also known to enjoy this festival. Krishna sprayed colors on all the gopis of Vrindavan and stole their minds and hearts. Similarly we pray to the Lord to look upon us and color us with His divine love and grace!

The great sages of India say Holi really signifies inner purification. Every year through the festival we receive an opportunity from the Lord to rise above our ignorance and realize the true purpose of our lives.

The real celebration of Holi occurs when the fire of love for the Almighty is kindled within our hearts and keeps shining within us eternally!

According to the sages of India this entire universe is vibrating with the universal cosmic sound Aum. Watch this video by Gurumaa to discover the significance and hidden meanings of the mantra Aum!

Aum is always seen in the beginning of every prayer or mantra, and is also known as a bija (seed) or moola (root) mantra. In fact as Gurumaa says if Aum is not used in the start of an incantation, it is not considered to be a mantra and has no value!

The mantra Aum represents the Hindu trinity, or three principles of existence: A represents Brahma, U is Vishnu, and M is Shiva. The silence felt after chanting Aum signifies the ultimate reality that is present at every moment. This reality is beyond creation (Brahma), sustenance (Vishnu) and destruction (Shiva).

According to Indian scriptures this entire world, along with the human body and mind is made up of three gunas (qualities). A represents the tamas guna (ignorance, darkness), U is rajas guna (passion and dynamism) and M symbolizes the satwwa guna (harmony, clarity). The silence experienced after chanting Aum transcends the three gunas, and represents pure consciousness.

Each letter is connected to a specific area in the body. When chanting Aum, the vibration of A can be felt in the abdomen (navel area), U in the throat and the resonance of M can be experienced in the head. The silence experienced after the chanting of Aum represents the supreme consciousness that is beyond our thinking and comprehension.

These three syllables also represent the three states or bodies that constitute the human system. A represents the waking state (jagrat avastha), U symbolizes the dream state (swapna avastha), while M is related to the dreamless state (susupta avastha). The fourth state is beyond the three levels of consciousness and is known as transcendental state (turiya avastha).

This state is not represented by any letter and occurs when one has finished chanting Aum. In this state of silence only consciousness is present and nothing else exists. This consciousness is the Brahman, or atman that exists within us.

The great sages of India constantly reiterate that Aum is the essence of the four Vedas. Everything has arisen, rests and dissolves in Aum. Anyone can chant this beautiful mantra, and regular chanting eventually leads one to experience God: the pure supreme consciousness, or bliss that exists right within us!

Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya is one of the greatest philosophers of India who emerged at a time when India was undergoing a period of immense spiritual, intellectual and social chaos.

During this period Adi Shankaracharya traveled throughout India to elucidate the true knowledge of the Vedas. In his short thirty-two year life-span he united the teachings of Advaita Vedanta, and preserved the teachings of Vedic dharma.

Advaita (non-dualism) Vedanta is a school of Vedanta which believes that only Brahman is real, and this entire world is created by maya, the illusionary power of Brahman. The individual soul and Brahman are not different from one another and when one obtains realization of this supreme knowledge, they are liberated.

Adi Sankaracharya has composed many works such as commentaries, books dealing with the fundamental concepts of Vedanta, along with hymns and meditation verses. One such work is the Atma shatakam, which is also known as Nirvana shatakam.

This great hymn composed of six stanzas summarizes the teachings of Advaita Vedanta and explains what our true nature really is. Sri Adi Shankaracharya says we not the body, mind, intellect, senses nor anything that attaches us to this world.

What are we? We are the formless, absolute, auspicious all-pervading consciousness that exists throughout this entire world!

Mantra is sound, and according to the Vedas this entire universe has been created from sound, or the cosmic sound Aum. The great seers of India discovered the power of sound vibrations in a mantra, and realized that the mantra can help one eradicate the confusions, fantasies and constant fluctuations of the mind.

The word mantra is derived from Sanskrit, and literally is translated as “mind tool”. If done properly, mantra jaap is a tool that frees one from the various bondages and illusions of the mind.

The sound of the mantra permeates the entire body and frees the mind from negative emotions and impressions. It gives rise to pure happiness and allows one to become absorbed in God. Ultimately the spiritual centers in a seeker are awakened, which allows one to enter deep states of meditation.

It is extremely necessary for the body to be balanced and still while practicing mantra jaap. As Gurumaa says if the body is unbalanced how can the mind be stable? The mind becomes restless as the body moves, and therefore it is important to sit in a proper, comfortable posture during this time.

Regular practice of yoga asanas and breathing techniques not only help keep the mind and body strong but allow the body to become prepared for sitting in meditation. After all, a strong, healthy body not only remains disease free, but allows one to perform spiritual practices with ease!

The word mantra originates from Sanskrit. Its root word man means mind, while tra means tool. Mantra is a tool used to calm the mind.

A mantra is a group of letters or phrases that generate a specific vibration within our system. Different mantras produce different vibrations within an individual and invoke different gods.

Mantra jaap is one of the easiest ways to purify the mind and transform one’s inner being. It eradicates countless negativities and impure emotions stored in our mind.

Mantra repetition also allows a devotee to obtain one-pointedness, or focus, on the specific deity of the mantra. If the mantra is practiced with full faith and devotion its vibrations can awaken the spiritual centers located in our subtle body, and bring about experiences of higher consciousness.

It is the nature of the mind to waver and become entangled in worldly desires. Mantra repetition draws the mind and senses into the inner world and allows one to connect with their true, blissful Self.

Once a person experiences the tranquility and peace of the inner world, the outer world becomes insignificant to them. As Gurumaa says, allow the mind to become focused and absorbed in the mantra: It will take you to the source of true happiness!

Here we have a seeker from California, who tells Gurumaa that he does not know Hindi and is very far from India, yet wants to start his sadhana under Gurumaa.

Gurumaa tells him that this will not be difficult since most of her meditation techniques have two versions, Hindi and English and these CDs can be bought from www.gurumaa.com and practiced by seekers knowing any or both these languages.

Regarding distance, if the seeker is sincere, the concept of distance can vanish in a moment. Gurumaa visits the US or the UK almost every other year. In fact, Gurumaa tells Josh (who has asked the questions) that she is planning to visit California very soon for a meditation retreat and Josh will have an opportunity to be in the presence of the master.

Secondly, to use the term ‘teacher’ and ‘study’ for gaining spiritual knowledge from a master is inappropriate. The words ‘master’ or ‘spiritual guide’ and ‘spiritual guidance’ or ‘spiritual instructions’ would be more appropriate.

The site www.gurumaa.com has many videos of Gurumaa’s discourses and satsangs, which can be watched by seekers across the globe at their own convenient time. Similarly, they can purchase meditation CDs online and practice them at home.

Live programs of Gurumaa are also beamed from time to time. When time and cost permit, the seeker can either visit India to be in the presence of the master or attend Gurumaa’s talks or retreats when they are held in her country of residence. Many of Gurumaa’s videos are in English and she speaks both in English and Hindi at her talks and meditation retreats.

So we can see that language and distance are not a barrier for the seeker in today’s global age. It just requires some sincerity and effort from the seeker. It is said that if you walk just one step towards God or your master, she will walk ten steps towards you.

If your attitude is positive, divine help is just round the corner. So never let doubts creep into your mind. Once you start following the master’s guidance, you will never feel that she is distant from you.

Gurumaa says that for a seeker in the elementary stages, it is important for him to control his mind and body. Only then can he think of higher things. For this, you need a spiritual teacher or guru.

Once all the chakras open, only then Samadhi is possible. But for the initial seekers, purification is a must. Once you balance the nadis, Ida and Pingala, only then the breath from the Sushumna nadi which remains closed in most men, will flow.

There is a prayer to the Kundalini for its awakening in our subtle body. It is called the Kundalini Stava. This is derived from the Rudra Yamala tantra. It is said that if one chants this prayer every morning while doing all the practices for opening of chakras and controlling the breath, there is every chance that a seeker might be able to reach the Samadhi stage.

So one cannot make a general statement saying that if one’s breath ceases, Samadhi happens. It depends from person to person and the spiritual level of the person.

Spiritual practices are a must for a seeker whose ultimate aim is to merge with the absolute. And for that he must repose his faith in a realized master and diligently follow the path shown by the Guru.