Guru
The Educator
DISPELLER OF DARKNESS
In Sanskrit, svabhāva means your nature, disposition, and inborn tendencies — knowing yours helps you align with your strengths and act from a place of natural ease.
NOW WHAT?God-Given Gifts
"A true Guru is peaceful (śānta), self-controlled (dānta), of noble character, humble (vinīta), pure in conduct, well-established, clean, skillful (dakṣa), and highly discerning (subuddhimān)."
शान्तो दान्तः कुलीनश्च विनीतः शुद्धवेषवान् ।
शुद्धाचारी सुप्रतिष्ठः शुचिर्दक्षः सुबुद्धिमान् ॥
śānto dāntaḥ kulīnaś ca vinītaḥ śuddha-veṣavān
śuddhācārī supratiṣṭhaḥ śucir dakṣaḥ subuddhimān
In Indian spiritual traditions, the peacock is often associated with the guru because it symbolizes the transformation of poison into beauty, wisdom, and spiritual radiance.
One of the deepest symbolic meanings comes from the belief that peacocks can eat poisonous snakes without being harmed. Spiritually, this represents what a true guru does: they help transform the "poisons" of the mind — ego, anger, jealousy, lust, confusion, grief, and samskaras — into higher consciousness, beauty, devotion, and wisdom.
Guru's Superpowers
01
Wise
Students are drawn to their clarity.
02
Articulate
Gifted at explaining very subtle ideas, making them easy to understand.
03
Uplifting
Inspires students through their own good-natured character, being free from the poisons of the mind.
The Guru's Learning Hub
Get in on this pristine knowledge from the Vedas. Fill up your cup so you can teach others what you learn! Walk the Guru's path alongside fellow seekers. A weekly study group full of deep, practical knowledge that inspires reflection and many "a-ha" moments along the way.
✦ Live group study weekly with Dr. Joshi
✦ Practical application of concepts in case studies
✦ Dynamic group discussions
Saturdays · 8:30 – 9:30am EST
Online ✦ $199 / month
LEARN MORE
Babaji explains the word Guru
gu
darkness · ignorance
ru
remover · dispeller
"One who takes others out of darkness into the light. Out of misery into magnificence."
Three states of mind
The mind moves between sattva, rajas, and tamas, which affects what kind of teacher the Guru Type is. Discover how the Guru Personality Type expresses in each.
Sattva
Uplifts others by presenting knowledge with clarity, patience and precision.
Rajas
Creative teachers, fiercely engaged. Their love for the subject becomes contagious energy in the room.
Tamas
Preaching about concepts they have not yet realized themselves experientially, but know how to talk about.
You've discovered your svabhāva. Now what?
Knowing your svabhāva is an amazing first step, one that most humans never have the good fortune to know. A big congratulations to you! Ready for the next step?
EXPLORE THE PATHS