Navigating mentorship
In our journey, mentors illuminate the way. But how do we choose the right one? Shri Chanchalapathi Dasa shares tips for selecting the perfect one
By : Anjali Kochhar
Update: 2024-06-03 18:40 GMT
We all recognise the importance of a guru or mentor in our lives, whether personal or professional. Mentors are guiding lights in the dark tunnels of the paths we choose. They know all the whats, whys, and hows! While we understand that gurus play a crucial role in our journeys, we seldom discuss how to choose the right mentor.
Does a beard indicate a guru? Will the calmness on their face be a sign? What key things should you consider when choosing a mentor or guru?
To understand this better, we spoke to Shri Chanchalapathi Dasa, president of Vrindavan Heritage Tower and co-mentor of the Global Hare Krishna Movement.
In five simple points, he broke down how to choose the right guru.
Don’t Go by Feelings: “How will I get the feeling that he is the right mentor for me?” I asked.
“Did your parents admit you to your school based on feelings?” Shri Chanchalapathi Dasa replied. “Do you go to a doctor because you feel like he is the right one for your condition?” he questioned.
He had a point. You can’t choose your mentor based on feelings. There is an educated process that you should follow. Further, in the next steps, we discuss the process. If you have a feeling that this person is the right mentor for you, I advise you to make informed choices and not just go by your feelings.
Do Due Diligence: “We are not educated enough to make the right choices,” he added. So, first, educate yourself about the process. Only with due diligence and research can you find the right mentor. Sit down and check the history of their practices and knowledge before making an informed decision to choose them as your guru or mentor.
Find Your Guru with an Attitude of Service: “For everything in this world, you have to go to your teacher. If you want to be enlightened in this journey, you will have to find a mentor. But how should you approach your guru?” he said. “You should carry wood in your hand. Your guru must be doing yagana. So, you must go with an attitude of offering him something or with an attitude of service and reverence,” he added. Without this attitude of service, you can never find your guru. Even if you find your mentor, you won’t be able to retain his teachings.
Your Guru Must be Shrotiyam:
This entails that your guru must have received knowledge from their guru. “They must have been mentored and learned. Then, I must seek such a mentor.” Just as in medicine, you learn from a doctor who learned from a senior professional, not solely from books. Your guru must have their guru, and so on, with the ultimate guru being God. This lineage, known as parampara, is crucial. The first sign of a guru is their place in this lineage.
Guru Must be Brahmnishtham: This means the guru must be fully and firmly fixed in understanding spiritual truth. “Your guru must not say something to you and do something else behind your back.” The guru must be Brahmnishtham. The practice of his life must be in line with the spiritual truth.
To understand this better, we spoke to Shri Chanchalapathi Dasa, president of Vrindavan Heritage Tower and co-mentor of the Global Hare Krishna Movement.
In five simple points, he broke down how to choose the right guru.
Don’t Go by Feelings: “How will I get the feeling that he is the right mentor for me?” I asked.
“Did your parents admit you to your school based on feelings?” Shri Chanchalapathi Dasa replied. “Do you go to a doctor because you feel like he is the right one for your condition?” he questioned.
He had a point. You can’t choose your mentor based on feelings. There is an educated process that you should follow. Further, in the next steps, we discuss the process. If you have a feeling that this person is the right mentor for you, I advise you to make informed choices and not just go by your feelings.
Do Due Diligence: “We are not educated enough to make the right choices,” he added. So, first, educate yourself about the process. Only with due diligence and research can you find the right mentor. Sit down and check the history of their practices and knowledge before making an informed decision to choose them as your guru or mentor.
Find Your Guru with an Attitude of Service: “For everything in this world, you have to go to your teacher. If you want to be enlightened in this journey, you will have to find a mentor. But how should you approach your guru?” he said. “You should carry wood in your hand. Your guru must be doing yagana. So, you must go with an attitude of offering him something or with an attitude of service and reverence,” he added. Without this attitude of service, you can never find your guru. Even if you find your mentor, you won’t be able to retain his teachings.
Your Guru Must be Shrotiyam:
This entails that your guru must have received knowledge from their guru. “They must have been mentored and learned. Then, I must seek such a mentor.” Just as in medicine, you learn from a doctor who learned from a senior professional, not solely from books. Your guru must have their guru, and so on, with the ultimate guru being God. This lineage, known as parampara, is crucial. The first sign of a guru is their place in this lineage.
Guru Must be Brahmnishtham: This means the guru must be fully and firmly fixed in understanding spiritual truth. “Your guru must not say something to you and do something else behind your back.” The guru must be Brahmnishtham. The practice of his life must be in line with the spiritual truth.