Guru Quotes That Inspire Me

Gurus have become synonymous with intellects, leaders or spiritual guides. In Hinduism, a spiritual teacher who passed on the knowledge of the Vedas (a body of liturgical literature) was a guru. Many ancient gurus, were believed to be the living embodiments of a particular deity's spiritual truth. Their words of wisdom ring true in a world where many of us question contemporary leadership and society's spirituality. Guru quotes inspire us to look deeper within ourselves for spiritual guidance.

Actions are the louder expression of thought. The quality of thought is ordered by the nature of our inner belief and faith. - Swami Chinmayananda

Written in in the Uttarkashi ashram on the banks of the river Ganga, the collection of letters by Swami Chinmayananda, have inspired the world for decades. His perception of the nature of love as a contemporary poet steeped in Hindu spiritualism leave an indelible impression in the mind.

When the conscious mind expands to embrace deeper levels of thinking, the thought wave becomes more powerful and results in added energy and intelligence. Maharishi Mahesh

Transcendental Meditation technique founder Maharishi Mahesh understood the more contemporary view that the brain accesses higher levels of intellect the more it is challenged.

Vichara-Marga (the direct path) is the removal of untruth by arguments, leaving over the truth absolute as the real self. - Atmananda Krishna Menon

Sri Atmananda Krishna Menon, was a guru, philosopher and sage. Like Sherlock Holmes suggested, "Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth" So too with the self.

True Realisation of the actual nature of this material world, its perishable, transitory and illusory aspects best dawns on a person in suffering - Guru Tegh Bahadur

In the 17th century, Guru Tegh Bahadur meditated at Bakala for about 26 years 9 months 13 days. His perception of the material world was perhaps unparalleled.

A sense of humour was the most defining aspect in a yogi. - Swami Sivananda

"Do you know the top trait a yogi must have?" asked Swami Sivananda, with a smile he would always answer, "a sense of humor." It is an invaluable strength.

When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all your thoughts break their bounds: Your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction and you find yourself in a new, great and wonderful world. Dormant forces, faculties and talents become alive, and you discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be. - Sri K. Pattabhi Jois

K. Pattabhi Jois's Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga attracted the Hollywood scene. Like many of the gurus on this list, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, understood the benefits of yoga and the potential of the mind.

When you share your misery, it will not diminish. When you fail to share your joy, it diminishes. Share your problems only with the Divine, not with anyone else, as that will only increase the problems. Share your joy with everyone. - Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's Celebrating Silence explores the path of sadhana, service and surrender. His words ring true both in life and in spirit.

No one is fit to preach who does not follow in his own life what he stands for. every true preceptor should live the principle he preaches. - Chaitanya Mahaprabhu

He is believed by many of his followers to be Krishna himself. His spiritual nature helped establish the teachings of the Bhakti. The truthfulness of his nature was as simple as practice what you preach.

Continuous search for what the mind is, results in its disappearance. - Madhvacharya

Madhvacharya was an important proponent of Tattvavāda or the philosophy of reality. There is a point where there is no gain if we lose our mind in its pursuit.

We are what our thoughts have made us; so take care about what you think. Words are secondary. Thoughts live; they travel far. - Swami Vivekananda

Swami Vivekananda was a significant force in the revival of Hinduism in India. He amplifies the connecting theme that runs through the words of all the Yogis, "The mind is a powerful force. It can enslave us or empower us. it can plunge us into the depths of misery or take us to the heights of ecstasy. Learn to use the power wisely."