What is it like to be a sangha member and to work closely with a Guru?

(Part 1)

 

“Knock with your whole being and it shall be opened.”

~Leowe

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Dear Heart,

Finding one’s Guru and becoming a part of the sangha brings such a relief to one’s Being that it is not uncommon to feel blissed out for a while. One feels as if finally finding one’s Home. There is lots of joy and spiritedness. Plenty of new ideas and enthusiasm to further the Guru’s work and even adoration for the Guru. Also lots of questions to the Guruji – sometimes about all sorts of things that one has been seeking answers to throughout one’s life. And when one’s devotion to knowing the Truth of who one is is intense, the certainty of one’s liberation when one steadfastly follows the guidance of the Guru floods the Heart with Peace.

But unless one is already firmly established in one’s Being, this phase lasts for only a while, for often, one’s path back Home is so thickly populated with the weeds and brambles of one’s conditionings and unconsciousness that it takes work, much determination, and immense openness to root them out and forge ahead.

And this is not easy, for a real Guru will not tolerate unconsciousness – big or small – in a sincere seeker and might point out every unconscious pattern that rears its head during the seeker’s time with him. Oftentimes, in a quite direct manner. Such directness coming from Life itself that the Guru abides as might feel painful to the ego. In fact, too painful to bear – as if one is standing under a pouring waterfall.

Feelings of frustration, defensiveness, and anger might arise. One’s adoration for the Guru might seem to dwindle and with it, the joy and peace that one felt before. And one’s mind might even get caught up in ideas that seem like the right thing to do at that time, like considering leaving the sangha for good.

(Part 2 cont. in the next newsletter)

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“There are many houses, but only one home, which is the heart.”
~ Leowe

In loving care,
Leowe & the Heart is Home Movement