My Guru?
I have an excellent teacher at the studio where I pracice yoga. A few months ago, I was surprised to find how strong my devotion to her has become. At first it scared me because it was unexpected. It struck me as inappropriate to feel that way, but I wasn’t sure why. My mind told me that I didn’t need a Guru – that it is maybe unhealthy and puts me at risk of being manipulated by unscrupulous cult figures. My mind told me people will think this is wierd. My mind told me that my teacher may even think I was strange because of it though I had never gotten that feeling from her. Maybe it is because of the history within some Eastern traditions for some students to follow a particular teacher or “Guru” at a level that is unhealthy. Undoubtedly, this has happened and continues to happen. I don’t think it is typical of the teacher-student relationship within yoga though. Unhealthy relationships are the opposite of the yogic tradition and against yogic teaching. I know that now because I know more about yoga. My fears were generated in part by the negative stereotypes of the guru and mindless/powerless student, not because of anything my teacher did. My fears were part of the imprint I have about how the world is supposed to be given my specific cultural upbringing. So, having identified the source and nature of my bias, I can let go of that to open myself to a new understanding of the teacher-student relationship.
I decided to listen to my heart instead. My heart told me that this teacher is a well spring of love and positive energy. My heart told me that I am being transformed in both body and mind, and that it is my effort, my intention that allows me to benefit in this way from her teaching. My heart tells me I am being empowered and freed. My heart tells me that mt teacher is simply a teacher and it is the quality of the teaching that determines what grows from it. My teacher has never put herself out as a Guru. She simply tries to meet the needs of her students and she brings every bit of herself to the practice. Her devotion and the excellence she has developed because of it inspires me. Her openness and trust in her students inspires me. Her generosity inspires me. I think it is natural to feel devotion to a teacher who brings these qualities to their practice and just so it feels to me now.
Namaste’
Scott
