Remembering the Guru: Guidelines for Sharing Experiences
Devoted Learner
Chief Editor
Beyond just remembering an ordinary person, this is a platform to renew the memories of an extraordinary spiritual master who lived among us for a long time like a commoner.
The objective of this forum is to transform life experiences with the Guru into a guiding light for future generations.
People have known the Guru in different ways across different periods—as a friend, a colleague, a teacher, a guide, a father figure, and ultimately, above everything else, simply as a 'Guru'!
Therefore, rather than imposing strict restrictions on writers, general guidelines to help share experiences beautifully are outlined below:
Devoted Learner
Chief Editor
1. Categorize Experiences into Small Topics
Care should be taken not to write a lifetime of experiences with the Guru into a single, long post.
People prefer to read shorter posts. To make it easy for readers to understand and enjoy, each experience can be written by dividing it into distinct topics.
When adding images, ensure that only those most suitable for that particular context are included.
Examples:
Travel Memories: Journeys undertaken with the Guru to various places and the insights gained from them. (e.g., With the Guru in Ooty).
Ashram Life: Gatherings at the Ashram, seminars, and memories of the days spent living together. (e.g., Gurukula days at Varkala Ashram).
Days of Caregiving: Moments spent caring for the Guru during his days on the sickbed and times of physical ailments. (e.g., Caregiving experiences during the Guru’s final days).
Meetings and Phone Calls: Ideas shared by the Guru during personal meetings and telephone conversations. (e.g., A telephone conversation at midnight).
Days of Book Writing: Experiences of working alongside the Guru in writing and proofreading his books. (e.g., Preparing the manuscript of the new commentary).
Farming and Daily Life: Engaging in farming activities with the Guru and simple moments from daily life at the Ashram. (e.g., Tapioca cultivation days in the Ashram garden).
Philosophical Discourses: Clarifications given by the Guru for spiritual doubts and the great lessons learned from conceptual debates. (e.g., Discourse on Atma-Anatma Viveka / Discernment between Self and Non-Self).
The Guru's Humour: The simple sense of humor and heartwarming jokes maintained by the Guru even amidst serious discussions. (e.g., A joke cracked by the Guru in a solemn gathering).
Speech Platforms: The Guru’s speeches at various public forums and the spiritual impact they created. (e.g., The speech at the Philosophical Conference in Delhi).
The Guru as a Guide: Life advice given by the Guru standing by one's side as a friend and father figure during times of crisis. (e.g., The confidence instilled by the Guru during a personal crisis).
Devoted Learner
Chief Editor
2. Include the 'Philosophical Element' in Experiences
The Guru was a master of high spiritual stature.
Therefore, whatever the shared experience may be—whether it is farming together, a moment at the hospital, or a small disagreement with the Guru—an effort should be made to clearly state the spiritual advice or philosophical principle realized through it.
The goal should be to convey a great lesson of the Guru hidden within every ordinary event to the readers.
Devoted Learner
Chief Editor
3. Respectful Language and Expressions
Use the term 'Guru': While writing, addressing the Guru as 'Guru' itself rather than using pronouns like 'He' or 'Him' will set an exemplary model for future generations.
Maha Samadhi: To denote the physical departure of the Guru, it is highly appropriate to use the term 'Maha Samadhi', which symbolizes spiritual perfection.
Devoted Learner
Chief Editor
4. Privacy and Digital Code of Conduct
Avoid Personal Information: Priority is given to user privacy on this website. Therefore, sharing your own phone number or email ID in posts or comments might cause inconveniences in the future. If you choose to disclose information at your own risk, the forum administrators shall hold no liability for it.
Decent Communication: Use only decent language and appropriate images on the website. Since no one can contact another person here without their consent, a digital environment of mutual respect must be maintained.
Summary: No matter what kind of personal bond you shared with the Guru, transform those memories into small topics and pass on the spiritual light received through them to the readers.
Let us immortalize the memories of the Guru through decent words and appropriate images.
— Editor