Being a guru is not much different from being a rockstar. The way people are enraptured by someone they love is intoxicating, and gurus can easily get caught up in the peril of attachments formed by adoration. But respectfully, I disagree with the idea that gurus should bask in such reverence. Not because I am unenlightened or seek contention, but because I believe liberation from suffering comes through teaching positive messages.
We should roll these messages up, put them in bottles, and cast them into the sea, hoping the right person will find them, amplifying their compassion and truth. We are here to help each other. Gurus err if they think their enlightenment is solely from their efforts. Teachers and guides throughout our journeys push us towards gratitude, compassion, and love. Reflect on that and test me, for as I age, I realize that what once seemed crucial often fades in importance. New priorities emerge, shifting my focus and reality.
This realization comforts me, affirming that I am evolving. My philosophies remain, but my methods adapt as I seek better ways to embrace healthy habits like eating vegetables, breathing exercises, and meditation. In our modern, hectic lives, maintaining discipline is vital. Each of us has a unique stress threshold. Stress, not fear, is the true mind killer, triggering anxiety and fear. Stress is the overload on our physical and mental processes. A loud crash, for instance, can imprint a traumatic memory, activating our fight, freeze, or flight response. Our adjustment to trauma is influenced by our upbringing and parental attentiveness.
These truths follow nature's laws of causation. Every action causes a reaction, like striking a match: the friction ignites the highly flammable material, creating fire that burns briefly before turning to smoke. This smoke can inspire thoughts and actions, illustrating the interconnectedness of cause and effect. The sun's energy, absorbed by plants, fuels growth and sustenance, producing fruits, vegetables, seeds, and beneficial bacteria essential for life.
What I discuss is not new, but my perspective as an outsider in the philosophy world—a retail merchant without a Messiah complex—adds a unique voice. I create to give back positive contributions to the planet. Guilt from past mistakes taught me to be better, driving me to alleviate that guilt through positive action. This, to me, is the essence of enlightenment and growth.