If one is using the word 'guru' in the Indian strict sense of the word, no, there can be no flexibility in who and who cannot be gurus. But if one is using the more modern and much looser sense of the word 'guru', then of course, we can all join in. We all have the opportunity to learn a fantastic amount from each other. In fact, in the west, where so many women are interested in yoga and meditation, there are many who know proportionately much more than many male seekers. But it is not really necessary to set oneself up as a 'guru' for surely we can just learn from one another, sharing stuff.
Unfortunately, i --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, "authfriend" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Mason" > <premanandpaul@> wrote: > > > > Guru Dev speaks about who and who cannot become gurus, and the > > following are translated extracts of satsang number 74 of 108, > > included in a collection of his teachings entitled 'Shri > > Shankaracharya UpadeshAmrita' > > > > 'There is no mention of women being gurus anywhere in the > > shastras. Women cannot be a guru. Gargim, Chudala, Sulabha etc. > > were women who had become yogis and possessed of self-knowledge. > > But it is not met with anywhere that they made their own > > disciples.' > > > > '...But not everyone can be a guru. Actually, only brahmans to > > be in the position of guru. In addition to brahmans, kshatriyas, > > vaishya, shudras can become shishya (disciples), but not guru. > > Women also have no right to be made a guru.' > > > > 'Nowadays kaayastha, vaishya, teli (oilman), and also kalavar > > (seller of spirits) are taking to wearing the colours of the > > sadhu (holy man) and are eagerly wishing to make shishya > > (disciples) of their own. Actually both this kind of guru and > > shishya (disciple) are to get their downfall. Actually this > > speech we are saying coincides with the shastras, it is not > > something of my own that I have made up.' > > > > Jai Guru Dev > > Paul > > You agree with Guru Dev that women and those of > lower caste should not be gurus, Paul? > To subscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Or go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ and click 'Join This Group!' Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
