boyfriend as guru?

[SpiritDesire]

i guess i could consider my boyfriend as my personal guru, but sometimes i find that my pride gets in the way. As far as our relationship goes, we are equals, but i feel that his is a bit more spiritually inclined than i am. I truly don't intend for it to be like a competition, but my ego sometimes pushes me that way making it difficult to learn from him.

[mahabala]

Krishna says:

"Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized souls can impart knowledge unto you because they have seen the truth." 4.34 Bhagavad gita

The path of spiritual realization is undoubtedly difficult. The Lord therefore advises us to approach a bona fide spiritual master in the line of disciplic succession from the Lord Himself. No one can be a bona fide spiritual master without following this principle of disciplic succession. The Lord is the original spiritual master, and a person in the disciplic succession can convey the message of the Lord as it is to his disciple.

http://www.krishna.com/gitaframeset/gita_frameset.html

Translation by His Divine Grace A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

[SpiritDesire]

what if I have no access to a bonafide spiritual master? I live in an isolated little mountain town where Christianity is dominate (but most don't really seem to be spiritual at all) so a spiritual master would be hard to find.

Anyway, I guess viewing him as my guru was the wrong idea. We are just two peole at different points on the path trying to help eachother along the way. :)

[mahabala]

If you are serious about spiritual life you must find a bona fide spiritual master in the line
of disciplic succession from the Lord Himself. But you must know who the Lord is. Who
do you think is the Supreme Lord.

[mahabala]

The definition of what the Supreme Lord is.
Bhagavän—the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who possesses in full the opulences of
wealth, beauty, strength, knowledge, fame, and renunciation; an epithet of the Supreme
Person.

The Personality of Godhead is perfect and complete, and because He is completely
perfect, all emanations from Him, such as this phenomenal world, are perfectly equipped
as complete wholes. Whatever is produced of the Complete Whole is also complete in
itself. Because He is the Complete Whole, even though so many complete units emanate
from Him, He remains the complete balance. Sri Isopanisad INVOCATION

[DancerAnnie]

what if I have no access to a bonafide spiritual master? I live in an isolated little mountain town where Christianity is dominate (but most don't really seem to be spiritual at all) so a spiritual master would be hard to find.

Anyway, I guess viewing him as my guru was the wrong idea. We are just two peole at different points on the path trying to help eachother along the way. :)
Why can you not find enlightenment within yourself.

Maybe your boyfriend stands in the way?

[mahabala]

The Supreme Lord is in your own heart and can give you direction but if you try to cheat
him you will be cheated. Trust your heart.
http://www.asitis.com/1/21-22.html

[SpiritDesire]

Why can you not find enlightenment within yourself.

Maybe your boyfriend stands in the way?

I don't really think he stands in my way. I think I just need to find more confidence in myself. I have always been a very meek, self conscious person I think that is what gets in the way, I get too hard on myself.

[DancerAnnie]

The only way to be happy with who you are is to find enlightenment and happiness within yourself. You cannot find it in religion or a person.

[SpiritDesire]

yeah, I guess I already know that. Sometimes I just forget about my true self behind the ego and need to be reminded. Thanks ;)

[scratcho]

Listen to all,sift thru as you go,learn,but let no one lead you.You do not need a "guru".You need patience and to re-read what dancer annie wrote.And above all--a good bullshit detector.Good luck.

[DancerAnnie]

Good bullshit detector?

Where do you buy those?

LOL ;)

[razor_hot_sticks]

Krishna says:

"Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized souls can impart knowledge unto you because they have seen the truth." 4.34 Bhagavad gita

The path of spiritual realization is undoubtedly difficult. The Lord therefore advises us to approach a bona fide spiritual master in the line of disciplic succession from the Lord Himself. No one can be a bona fide spiritual master without following this principle of disciplic succession. The Lord is the original spiritual master, and a person in the disciplic succession can convey the message of the Lord as it is to his disciple.

http://www.krishna.com/gitaframeset/gita_frameset.html

Translation by His Divine Grace A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

" I have overcome all, I know all, I am detached from all, I have given up all; I am liberated from moral defilements having eradicated craving. Having comprehended the four noble truths by myself, whom shall I point out as my teacher?" Dhammapada 353

A real guru may be beneficial on your path, but by no means do you need one. The Buddha didnt. Many other enlightened beings didn't. Find it within yourself.

[scratcho]

You don't buy it-you watch,listen and develope it.It will help divine who christians would call false prophets,keep you from the ordinary dangers of life and detours from a quest for personal and/or spiritual growth.

[scratcho]

P.S I do happen to have a few left that I'm selling for the astounding price of $19.95.For you ,today--because I like you.All freeways lead to,you save big money!

[DancerAnnie]

;)

Glad you got the joke.

[scratcho]

Yeah--it's good and right to be spiritual---but always go the humor ,eh.Or life gets to be a real drag!-------nitey night.

[mahabala]

SpiritDesire

I would like to say be careful in your pursuit for enlightenment. There are many cheaters
out there. It is very important to have a bona fide spiritual master in a chain of disciplic
succession coming from god. These people that tell you that it is not important are not
perfect beings and will misdirect you. In the 4th chapter of the Bhagavad gita Krishna
declares the importance of the spiritual master and disciple relationship, there is no other
way.

your friend Mahabala Nitai dasa
disciple of His Holiness Jayapataka Swami
disciple of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Founder-Acarya of
the International Society for Krishna Consciousness

[scratcho]

Mahabala--with all due respect--there are many who say "there is no other way".I'm sorry ,but I think this is what confuses neophytes seeking to expand conscienceness.Now I'm not a salesman for agnostisism,but to find what one considers "the answer"is,I think,an end to inquiry and curiosity about the mytsteries of existence.However ,much happiness is to be found,I observe,in that "finding" by millions upon millions across the world,finding it in differant ways. I just never felt "it" enough to commit my self to a set discipline.And yet I don't feel lost at all.When my being in this form ,in this plane of existence is over,I will find the truth.Or not.-----------------------with respect----scratcho------------- (ever notice that science is stuck smack in the middle of conscience?)

[SpiritDesire]

I mean no disrespect mahabala, but I don't believe it when people say "there is no other way". My heart tells me to be cautious when I hear such words.

[scratcho]

12:59--12:59--wow spirit--it's a wonder we didn't bump heads on the last two!

[mahabala]

The truth is in the Vedic scriptures and the spiritual master helps us understand the
scriptures by the connection of the disciplic succession. The knowledge is coming down
from god but when we try to understand by mental speculation then our understanding is
not perfect, it will be contaminated by our imperfect mind and senses.

[DancerAnnie]

The truth is in the Vedic scriptures and the spiritual master helps us understand the
scriptures by the connection of the disciplic succession. The knowledge is coming down
from god but when we try to understand by mental speculation then our understanding is
not perfect, it will be contaminated by our imperfect mind and senses.
The truth is nowhere, but within yourself. You can't read it in a book, sorry.

[paintingjames]

The truth is in the Vedic scriptures and the spiritual master helps us understand the
scriptures by the connection of the disciplic succession. The knowledge is coming down
from god but when we try to understand by mental speculation then our understanding is
not perfect, it will be contaminated by our imperfect mind and senses.
the truth is the Vedic scriptures were alterered throughout the eons and became direct words of man, which explains all the troubles of your understanding. and yes i don't know you so it may well have something to do with your imperfect mind and senses.
the truth of any religion written by man is inherent in this fatal flaw. it's necessary to go back to the anceints who had it right, yes, and it's necessary to do so in the most primitive of terms. and listen to the Women more!
and yes, you can find the right book, but i can damn sure tell you it's not the bhaglavad gita or any other attemped translation of the Vedas.

[silenceinc]

don't see noone as a guru - see them as teachings ... you can see your boyfriend as someone that evokes alot of teachings. tho it's not him evoking it - it's your state of mind doing it. cause anything can evoke meaning and release teachings - even a stone can do that if we let it be.

[paintingjames]

don't see noone as a guru - see them as teachings ... you can see your boyfriend as someone that evokes alot of teachings. tho it's not him evoking it - it's your state of mind doing it. cause anything can evoke meaning and release teachings - even a stone can do that if we let it be.when you think of a mountain, it is real, but just a big ass stone, one gains perogative on the magnitude of your words! Really beautiful words, thanks for sharing.
on a different note yet all too similar...
people say "i am only human". aye...however they say it without even coming close to being fully aware of the MAGNITUDE of that statement!!!! what a waste, no, what a disease...this plea of insanity.

[LostOne]

people say "i am only human". aye...however they say it without even coming close to being fully aware of the MAGNITUDE of that statement!!!! what a waste, no, what a disease...this plea of insanity.
Very well said

[GanjaPrince]

The truth is nowhere, but within yourself. You can't read it in a book, sorry.
Yes the truth is nowhere (NowHere) Now Here, Here Now, BE.

As you BE, then you SEE, it's the key,

B before C, kindergarten's free, learn ABCs wheee!

Then, the truth is everywhere you look, including a book, can you dig, check out my sig!

[jnanic]

Yes, the "bulshit" detector is being in the here and now. The stillness that brings discernment from within. Having or resting the awareness in the central area of the body brings stillness, clarity and truth into mind, here and now, living truth within the living person. Ancient texts with their interpretations are only second best.

Peace and love
Jnanic