Giving Thanks to All Teachers

Today is Guru Purnima. In most eastern traditions, it is a day of celebration dedicated to spiritual teachers. It is also a day to honor teachers in the academic field.

Guru means bringer of light, and teachers are bringers of light. Let us spend a few moments giving thanks to all the teachers in our life. In eastern traditions two terms for the Guru come to mind—Upaguru and Satguru.

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Upaguru

IIn Sanskrit, Upaguru means “near teacher”—guidance that comes through circumstances, relationships, and the natural flow of life.

In the beginning, our parents are our first teachers. Then come family members, and the teachers in our schools, colleges, temples, and churches. Books and people also arrive at just the right time, offering lessons, and then leave once their teaching is complete.

This is the principle of the Upaguru: knowledge acquired through nature itself, through relationships, and through the synchronicities of daily life. Every encounter can become a doorway to learning when we remain open.

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Satguru

In Sanskrit, Satguru (or Sadguru) means “true guru”—an enlightened teacher who reveals the highest truth and guides seekers beyond ordinary conditioning.

Literature, art, and music often reflect our resonance and connectedness with one another. They carry vibrations that help us navigate life.

Much of what we perceive is shaped by the conditioning of the mind—our tendencies, what we have learned from others, and the influences around us.

What feels real to one person may not feel real to another. Each of us forms our understanding of God and truth through our own experiences, readings, and relationships.When the heart and mind are open, the right teacher appears. Knowledge begins to flow, and we recognize the synchronicity of the universe.

At such a time, a living spiritual teacher may enter our life. This teacher is called the Satguru—the one who purifies the conditioning of the mind and reveals truth. Sat means truth, and the Satguru guides us toward seeing it directly.

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Prayer of Thanks

• Thank you God for your grace.
• Thank you for everything and everyone in my life.
• Thank you for sending Guruji (insert name if you wish).
• Thank you Guruji for all that I have learned from you.
• Thank you for your blessings.
• Thank you for opening my heart more than I could have fathomed.
• Thank you for taking away fear, depression, and anger.
• Thank you for changing my thinking and being.
• Thank you for peace.

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Embracing Change

The universe dances in constant motion. Let us embrace change within ourselves and on the planet.

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Transformation Video – pictures as I transformed with music

Video montage of Parbatee’s journey with her mother, her guru, and her transformation.

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Teaching Video – my explanation of what the guru is, followed by my original song.

Closing Reflection

On this sacred day of Guru Purnima, we bow in gratitude to all who have guided us—parents, teachers, friends, books, and the living masters who illuminate our path. Each encounter, whether fleeting or lifelong, is a spark of the Divine reminding us that love and wisdom are never far away.

May we continue to walk with open hearts, receiving the lessons of the Upaguru in daily life and the grace of the Satguru who reveals truth. In this way, our love flowers the universe, and the dance of change becomes a song of peace.

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Closing Invocation

Let us close with prayers from the Guru Gita, offering salutations to the eternal Guru.

Prayers to the Guru (Guru Gita)

Gurubrahma
Guru-vishnuh,
Guru-devomaheswara;
Guruh sakshat parabramha
Tasmai shri Gurave namah.
Guru is Brahma (Creator of the Universe). Guru is Vishnu (Preserver of the Universe). Guru is Shiva (Reformer of the Universe). Guru is the Supreme Soul. Salutation to such Guru.

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Om Chaitanyam Shashvatam Shantam

Om Chaitanyam Shashvatam Shantam
Vyomateetam Niranjanaha
Nada Bindum Kaala Teetam
Tasmai Shri Gurave Namaha
The one who is verily consciousness‑incarnate, eternal, ever peaceful, beyond even the ether, blemishless, beyond all sound, beyond all measurement, beyond all time — we offer our salutations unto such a Guru.