Guruji's teachings
A short teaching from Guruji: do not accept anything blindly, not even his words. Your own effort is your Guru, and your experience is what counts.
Written by Sri Amritananda Natha Saraswati (Guruji), posted on his blog by Vira Chandra. Originally published at amritananda-natha-saraswati.blogspot.com on 7 November 2016.
I experienced many things: I saw 10–20 of my previous lives; expansion of time — during one night I lived a whole life... various things like that. But it is much better for you to have your own experience.
You need to have a Guru who can help you to cope with difficulties. Fortunately, in my case it happened that it was a Guru inside me, so I didn’t need to go anywhere. And I wish to communicate with you in a way in which you can get connected to your inner Guru. That will be the most appropriate thing I can do for you: not to give you an Experience directly, but the means to get this experience is what is the subject of discussion.
Ritual is one way, meditation is another way, yoga is another, tantra is another... there are so many ways and you have to choose the right path. When the time is right, Guru comes to you. And Guru is inside of you — your own effort is your Guru.
What I am trying to say is: don’t accept blindly what others say (including myself). Depend on yourself. Your experience is ultimate.
Make efforts to eliminate your bondage; God will come Himself and remove them all. To get everything, Guru’s grace is necessary, followed by your untiring effort. How to gain grace? Grace will be proportional to effort on sādhana.
From the teachings of Sri Amritananda Natha Saraswati (Guruji). Original post: "The Inner Guru and the Authority of Direct Experience", 7 November 2016, https://amritananda-natha-saraswati.blogspot.com/2016/11/your-effort-is-guru.html. Posted on Guruji's blog by Vira Chandra.
This teaching sits at the centre of inner worship in Kaula practice. The guide is not only a person outside you. It is also your own awareness, and you meet it through steady practice.
It does not throw out outer worship. Guruji lists ritual, meditation, yoga and tantra side by side, so yantra puja, homam and deity worship stay valid paths. The test is your own experience.
In daily terms, this means practise, notice what changes in you, and keep what is true for you. Guru Amma Annapurnamba teaches today, and Guruji's words here are a guide to how to use any teaching.
In Guruji's words, the Guru is inside you, and your own effort is your Guru. He says when the time is right, a Guru also comes to you.
Guruji says no. He asks readers not to accept blindly what others say, including himself, and to depend on themselves.
He lists all four as ways and says you have to choose the right path for you. He does not say one is above the others.
The text says Guru's grace is needed, followed by untiring effort, and that grace will be proportional to effort on sadhana.
Read the original: The Inner Guru and the Authority of Direct Experience, on Guruji's blog. Guruji left his body in October 2015. This post was shared on his blog in 2016.
If something in this teaching landed for you, the best next step is a short private conversation.
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