Wikipedia defines a Guru as follows:
Guru (/ˈɡuːruː/, UK also /ˈɡʊruː, ˈɡʊər-/; Sanskrit: गुरु, IAST: guru) is a Sanskrit term for a "teacher, guide, expert, or master" of certain knowledge or field.[1] In pan-Indian traditions, guru is more than a teacher, in Sanskrit guru means the one who dispels the darkness and takes towards light, traditionally a reverential figure to the student, with the guru serving as a "counsellor, who helps mould values, shares experiential knowledge as much as literal knowledge, an exemplar in life, an inspirational source and who helps in the spiritual evolution of a student".[2] A guru is also one's spiritual guide, who helps one to discover the same potentialities that the guru has already realized.[3] In the Tagalog language, Indonesian[4] and Malay the word means teacher.
There are thousands of self styled Guru's out there. Ordinary people imparting their brand of wisdom in the form of quotes, memes and sound bytes. All wanting to grab a piece of your attention in the hopes you will share their words. It is hard to decide who deserves your attention and who you need to pass over and only your own personal set of standards and values can make that choice.
In the past decade or so my 'personal' public Guru's, from whom I have gleaned the most guidance from, has been the likes of Brene Brown (Gifts of Imperfection), Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat, Pray, Love), Cheryl Stayed (Wild), Julia Cameron (The Artist Way), Mark Nepo (The Book of Awakening). Jon Kabet-Zinn (Mindful living). Through their talks, books and podcasts I have discovered Ted Talks, courses and information which has helped me calm my anxiety, deal with my ghosts and grow myself mentally, physically and emotionally. It has all been soul work into which I have immersed myself on this journey to my Higher Self. They laid the breadcrumbs. It was up to me to follow the trail.
Following these public persona's also led to a connection with 9 other like minded souls scattered around the globe forming a sisterhood I never dreamed possible. Through them I have learnt to dig into my empathy, compassion, tolerance, joy and creativity. We have each lived rich lives made all the more richer through our connection.
Now given the strange days we find ourselves living, where control is truly out of our hands and our movements are dictated to by governments desperately trying to keep us healthy and alive, it has never been more important to find our own personal Guru's. You don't need many, you don't even need more than one. Although I have a fairly extension list of resources built up over time I never usually tap into more than one or two at a time. Their messages are different messages and where I am at in life dictates which I respond to. Right now, given the high levels of personal fear and anxiety I am experiencing, I find myself turning towards the calmness of Mark Nepo's voice on his daily Growing In Place on YouTube. Short 5 minute readings, stories and poems which are a soothing balm. Another has been Patrick Stewart's daily reading of one of Shakespeare's Sonnets. Neither of these require any input from me other than my ears for less than 10 minutes a day. Doable, especially on the days when my concentration is non-existent.
Be kind to yourself during this time.
Love Always
GROW OLD WITH ME
JOHN LENNON (1940-1980)
(Choice of Yoko Ono)
Grow old along with me
The best is yet to be
When our time has come
We will be as one
God bless our love
God bless our love
Grow old along with me
Two branches of one tree
Face the setting sun
When the day is done
God bless our love
God bless our love
Spending our lives together
Man and wife together
World without end
World without end
Grow old along with me
Whatever fate decrees
We will see it through
For our love is true
God bless our love
God bless our love
(1980)