GURU PURNIMA - I bow my head with folded hands..

 "Light another's path.. and the universe will light your own" such true words from the extremely wise author philosopher and entrepreneur Matshona Dhliwayo!

Guru Purnima is a red letter day for all those who have faith in their gurus.. who is a guru and why should we have one you must be asking? Traditionally, a guru is someone who assists and guides you on your spiritual journey.. it doesn't mean at ALL that you have to be ready to forgo worldly pleasures.. wear loose flowing robes.. sit in the church, temple, mosque or gurudwara.. but having a guru is the need of the hour!

In the pandemic situation.. stress levels are high and things are difficult for everyone.. whether it is stress at work.. lack of work.. discord at home.. financial worries.. interpersonal relationships.. feeling taken for granted.. lonely.. being unable to cope.. time management.. Within the stress.. it IS possible to cope much better if you channelize your internal guru! We have all been born with the "tattva" or essence of a guru inside us.. what remains to be done is to awaken that consciousness and we will get access to the greatest wisdom in the universe! The really good news is that it's relatively easy to tap into that wisdom.. all we need to do is be AWARE of what's going on around us.. 

Of course we're aware you think.. we're up to date on the latest in politics.. Bollywood gossip.. sports news.. the Page 3 scenario.. Covid statistics.. scientific research.. the arts and cultural scene.. trending fashion.. new age music etc.. that is sadly NOT the aware that really matters! What you need to be aware of is.. is everyone in your family in a good mindspace? Do your friends sound happy when you speak with them? Is someone facing a problem alone? Does your watchman look stressed about something? Does your staff at home seem content? Has the newspaper vendor who sits outside your building been coughing for too long? Have YOU been making mental notes to reach out and do something for a few people.. but haven't managed to convert that thought into a reality? You're obviously missing a guru! 

Perhaps someone has even gently reminded you to keep that promise you made to yourself.. but you didn't really register it.. it has happened to me innumerable times! Sometimes a friend or acquaintance has knowingly or unknowingly made an observation to you.. and that is the moment they are BEING your guru.. To share a personal experience, my friend Parul once told me "I am so happy to see that you have made such a tremendous effort to calm down and control your temper.. you seem so much more at peace and happier now".. it was a seemingly simple statement of fact - but had a HUGE impact on me! So rewarding that my efforts hadn't gone unnoticed and the benefits I was experienced were REAL ones and visible to others!

Gurus surround us disguised as various people.. anyone who accepts you AS YOU ARE.. encourages you.. believes in you.. tells you the truth.. holds up a (virtual) mirror to your face (especially when you're not being your best self).. holds your hand through the tough times.. and lets your fly and cheers you on is a GURU to you! This might be a parent.. teacher.. sibling.. friend.. gym trainer.. doctor.. neighbour.. work colleague.. mentor.. 

There are some qualities that a guru must have in order to fulfil their responsibilities in the best possible way - open acceptance of people.. wide knowledge and clarity of mind.. firm resolve to say and do the right thing.. wisdom sensitivity and compassion for others.. willingness to share life experiences.. practising kindness and good conduct.. and leading an inspirational life!

When I pause and reflect on the numerous gurus that have been and still are actively present in my life.. am just overwhelmed with gratitude.. gratitude that they are around me.. and also for the wisdom I have received to be able to perceive and recognize them as such! This post will be incomplete without naming a few of them..

Sumit - who is my best friend and rock solid support! He consistently inspires me to give more of myself.. reach out to others and shows me the sunny side of life even in the darkest times!

Porus - who is a willing partner in gentle jokes at the world in general and at ourselves too! We have the most incredible conversations about life.. love and everything in between!

Jana - who met me as a giddyheaded clueless young person who didn't have direction in life.. she saw the potential.. nurtured it.. encouraged me to dream big and do well.. and STILL does!

Brinda - who constantly shows me the meaning of unconditional acceptance and loves me bigtime no matter how unreasonable I can be when I'm in one of my moods!

Varsha - who always has my best interests at heart and expresses her worries openly.. keeps me on the straight and narrow and is fiercely protective about me!

Shriti - who is the ultimate realist and with me being the ultimate idealist she gives me a reality check whenever it is required.. and would do pretty much anything for me as well!

Lavina - who is the most easygoing and accepting person I know.. and is a great sport and always there right with me on all my travels and crazy ideas too! (She was terrified when I did the world's highest bungy jump.. but still came with me for it and watched it on the screen!

Smita - who is the gentlest and softest person I know.. and the most hospitable person in the world.. it's an incredibly open honest and rewarding friendship that we share!

Renu - the one person who I HAVE to talk to every night before going to sleep.. my soul sister who brings a lot of magic masti and madness to my life.. this amazing woman I love dearly!!

Parul - who is invariably my voice of reason.. good sense.. and very "tuned in" to whatever frequency I may be in.. and keeps my feet firmly on the ground.. love her to bits!

Ujwala - twenty years younger than me.. but one of the wisest people I am blessed to know.. She can explain difficult situations impartially and better than almost anyone I know!

Anu - last.. but.. most definitely not the least! She absorbs my wild enthusiasms.. takes them in her stride.. calls a spade a spade.. and loves me more than words can ever express!

There are so many more.. I could go on and on.. but this post is already too long!

To all the gurus in my life.. I bow my head with folded hands and express the deepest gratitude for teaching me.. correcting me.. guiding me.. advising me.. supporting me.. believing in me.. accepting me as I am.. loving me.. and being such an integral part of my life! Abiding respect compassion thanks and love to you all on Guru Purnima!!