Krishna Das – Ep. 52 – Guru Within
On this episode of Pilgrim Heart, Krishna Das talks about the ripening of our spiritual practice and finding the Guru within.
Show Notes
Ripening of the Soul (Opening) – One of the more important things to keep in mind about spiritual practice is that it is not something that provides instant gratification. Krishna Das discusses the slow process of practice that ripeness like a fruit as we discover the Guru within.
“You do the practices; you expose yourself to the teachings; you do your best to understand what direction you are supposed to be going in, and you live your life. Everything is already within us, you just have to unlock that door.”
Come, Eat, Go Away (8:15) – Krishna Das talks about what it was like staying at Maharaj-Ji’s temple.
“That is what is was like, there was no nothing. There was no spiritual teaching, no practices being done. Maharaj-Ji said, ‘When you come here to this place you should feel like you are going to your Grandfather’s house. Everything is given to you. Relax, take it easy, you don’t have to do anything.”
Mind on the Mantra (18:20) – How do we go about finding our personal mantra? KD talks about the role of the mantra in different traditions and finding the right one for ourselves.
“All these practices are a way to help us get found. We have to follow our hearts about how to do this stuff.”
Guru Within (31:00) Krishna Das talks about the faith and understanding needed to find the Guru within.
“Guru is not outside; Guru is your own true nature. Guru is what is looking out of your eyes right now, what is aware of your thoughts. That is the Guru, consciousness, presence, being. We identify with the physical body, so we think that the Guru must be a physical body.
There is no sense in waiting for a Guru. Guru is not outside of you, but because we think we are the body and the thoughts we think that is what a Guru is too. A teacher might be, but not a Guru. Guru is no different than your own true self, and you are never without that.”
Govinda Hare (47:40) – KD and company close the podcast with a performance of “Govinda Hare Gopala Hare.”
“Govinda hare Gopaala hare
He Prabhu deena dayaala hare”
