The Inner Guru

“Everything in the world was my Guru.”― Ramana Maharshi

Recently, the concept of the Inner Teacher or Guru has become popular, often seen as a form of self-empowerment. Many people believe that they already know the way or that some internal guide will lead them down the right path. They trust that the things they are naturally drawn to, or what makes them feel "in the flow," are the correct choices based on their intuition. Similarly, they view aversions as signs of the wrong path, protecting them from misguided decisions. However, it's important to reflect on who or what is actually feeling this attraction and aversion. Is this kind of intuition truly different from the craving for sweets, junk food, or substances that provide temporary pleasure, or the resistance to challenges that might push us beyond our comfort zones - challenges that could actually foster growth and maturity?

Upon direct inquiry, one can observe that Life, or Source, is simply open to everything. It allows all experiences to unfold, the most sublime beauty as well as what may seem heartbreakingly tragic. Life is, and it embraces it all. As we relax more deeply and become open and receptive, we begin to notice that the pull of attractions and aversions naturally softens or even fades away. This space is closer to what people often perceive as their intuition or inner teacher. If strong attractions or aversions still persist, it’s likely the personality masking itself as intuition. When we take an honest look at our inner workings, we may realize that this is happening most of the time within the structure of the mind. In many cases, it is simply our ego holding onto comfort zones and patterns of pleasure-seeking, or resisting challenges that push us toward growth. After all, we are human, and this is a natural tendency.

This isn't to say that the true inner guide doesn't manifest; rather, in most cases, the personality hijacks it and takes credit for it. To access deeper intuition, we must first transcend the swirling whirlpool of the mind (chitta-vritti) through a process of undoing. This allows decisions to emerge from a place of soft, gentle clarity, free from the binds of attraction, aversion, or a need to be "right." They are simply choices made spontaneously. Yet, even the personality can begin to mimic this process. So, how can we truly know when a decision comes from a place of Truth? One might ask, "Who or what needs to know?" The part that desires certainty or correctness is the personality. It’s a bit of a paradox.

The best we can do is to be radically honest with ourselves, releasing the need to be "right." This is a form of surrender and natural humility. Simply do your best, without the compulsion to prove correctness. Learn to live without the need for validation while still holding an open, loving, respectful, and humble approach to all things.

On the other hand, the idea of the self-empowered Inner Guru seems to undermine one’s openness to receiving guidance from those who have already walked the path and know the way. When people claim that their inner self will guide them, I find myself puzzled. If that were truly the case, then why aren't they already realized or enlightened? In my own experience, I’ve only encountered two individuals who attained a high level of realization at a young age without the help of a physical teacher - though they had spiritual guides and teachers beyond the physical realm. Even the Buddha sought guidance from teachers before attaining enlightenment.

It’s interesting to me that these same individuals would readily accept the necessity of schooling and mentorship to become a doctor, engineer, or nuclear physicist, yet when it comes to something far rarer and more difficult, like realization, they assume they don’t need the guidance of someone who has already completed the journey.

When I first encountered the concept of the inner guru, it was one of the most profound experiences of my life. Through deep inner exploration, I came to realize that qualities such as selfless love and compassion, openness, receptivity, humility, truthfulness, and equanimity aren’t simply virtues to promote harmony or be a good person. They are the very essence of one’s True Nature. When we embody these qualities, they naturally emerge from within. Ultimately, there is no distinction between an inner or outer Guru - All of manifestation, and beyond, is the Guru. When one becomes truly humble, small, and soft, the grace of Knowing and Being is ever-present.