The physics of your inner space and ‘Guru Tatva’

There is this Bhajan, ‘Ajo Anantaya, Nitya Shudhaya Sat-chid-ananda nanda Guru Om!’ Ajo (Never Born), Anantaya (Infinity), Nitya Shudhaya (Forever Pure), Sat-chid-ananda (Pure Bliss). This is the ‘Guru tattva’ or Guru principle.

Guru tattva is like Space, and you cannot avoid space. Whether you are aware of Space or not is another question. Similarly, you cannot escape Air as long as you are on this planet. Whether you are aware of air or not, is another matter. And the day of Guru Purnima is for you to recognize that just like there is Space and Air everywhere, Guru tattva is also there everywhere. You are oblivious to the existence of air around you. Only when you sit near a fan do you feel its presence. In the same way, only when you are blissful do you feel the presence of Guru tattva. On Guru Purnima, you recognize the existence of Guru tattva and the role it has played in your life.

In our body, the ‘Visuddhi Chakra’ or the throat chakra evokes gratefulness in us. Above the throat chakra is the ‘Ajna Chakra’ or the third-eye chakra (located in between the eyebrows). It is the seat of the Guru. So, ‘Gratefulness’ is the way to reach Guru Tattva. Where does the Guru lead one to? To Bliss, i.e, the ‘Sahasrara Chakra’ or the crown chakra (at the top of the head). So, Guru is the connection between ‘Gratefulness’ and ‘Bliss’! This Guru Tattva removes darkness and removes all types of suffering.

Vishuddhi Chakra is the region of ‘infinite space’. You enter pure space when you experience deep meditation. You reach the Guru situated in the Ajna chakra through this pure space. And it is the Guru who takes you into meditation. You are stuck in the heart region (‘Anahata Chakra’) moving between love, hatred, and fear. If you want to get rid of hatred and fear, you have to get into the inner space of Visuddhi Chakra. And who pulls you into that inner space? The Guru Tattva.

Vishuddhi means absolutely Pure. When you come to the inner space, you become pure. The heart becomes pure, the mind becomes pure, and this absolutely pure space connects you to bliss, represented by the Sahasrahara Chakra. This is the science of Yoga. It is full of wonders if you delve deeper. Every moment, it reveals something more and makes you wiser. Hence, don’t think that just by listening to knowledge, by reading books, or by stuffing yourself with a lot of information, you can become wise. No.

As the ancient proverb goes, ‘Guru bina gati nahin.’ There is no progress without a Guru. A Guru isn’t a person; a Guru is knowledge.

The English word ‘guide’ comes from the Sanskrit word ‘Guru’. Guru guides you into wisdom and knowledge and kindles the life force in you.

Wisdom comes by that ‘shift’; the shift of perspective that can only dawn in through ‘Grace’, the grace of a Guru.

The journey from Gratefulness to Guru tattva and then finally to Bliss isn’t one way because when you find that kind of bliss, you feel more grateful. A Guru makes you aware of yourself, which is nothing but bliss.

Hence, Guru bestows you with the wisdom of who you really are.

(The author is a global humanitarian leader and spiritual master who founded The Art of Living in1981. As Gurudev turns 70 and The Art of Living steps into the 45th year of making life a celebration on this planet, month long celebrations are underway at The Art of Living International centre with eminent personalities from the sphere of politics, entertainment, arts, academia and faith arriving at the centre for thoughtful conversations, cultural showcases and launch of several service initiatives.)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

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