A guru is a real possibility in your life. Don't miss it. Here I am not specific about a person, but about the tatwa, blessings of the guru. It is possible. Period. No debates, no doubts

Hopefully I will expand on this, based also on my own experiences, disappointments, etc.

Never confuse the personality (nature, dress, traits, likes, dislikes) of the guru to the Shakti kshetra of the guru. Else, your transformation will only be superficial at best.
@mmpandit

That is why Guru is called "Brihat" meaning heavy in knowledge. The agenda is to plug into that source. Guru means dispeller of darkness. The question is this - Is darkness lack of knowledge or wrong knowledge?
@HinduMediaWiki

Here comes the million-dollar question. How do I know if this person is my guru? Many may have had bad experiences with gurus. I certainly have! I have a few observations based on my experience.

If spending time with the guru does not make you calm, compassionate, with anger levels sinking, then he/she is not the guru for you. Such a guru may be very famous globally, but if your internal transformation isn't happening, walk away.

The fault is not with you or with this person. The simple reason is that there is no Rinanubandha. The plug is not connected to the kshetra of the guru's knowledge. The same person would be a guru to someone else bringing in transformation. Remember #Spirituality is YOU first

The word Devata comes from Divu or Deva meaning someone who is illuminated. That is your GuruDeva. However, authentic gurus from a sampradaya will not believe themselves to be any Deva. Why?

This is not just humility. The guru is a pathway to that Kshetra I keep mentioning. It is the guru who makes it possible to be aware of this fountainhead of knowledge. The light is the repository, the guru has the map to YOUR light treasure.

What about you, the would-be student? You must be clear on what is your goal in learning from a guru. You must have an objective. Inability to get this right will mean huge setbacks in your #Spirituality progress.
Liking this thread so far?

Your goals are the sishya must align with the work of the chosen guru. Om Swami in his book says this beautifully. If your goal is #Spirituality, then that focus must be made strong. Many people falter here. I will explain this soon

A close friend joined a famous Ashram and completed all the courses. However, since the organization was a global one, he was asked to head their group expansion. In such a case, the global teacher may not have time to connect you with the kshetra. Hence, your objective is imp

Your own Svabhava towards the guru is important. Do not expect miracles/chamatkars. Every word, gesture of the guru will map to your #Spirituality. In fact, these so-called chamatkars ruin your progress.
Don't be a baby who cries for constant supervision of the guru.

Heads up on my friend I mentioned. He is now the global sales in charge of the spiritual organization. See how his initial focus of learning #Mantras #Spirituality #Agamas never manifested?

The guru will come for you. No doubt. Do not get into when, where, how, etc. The guru will come at the time you least expected and most of the time something very negative is going to unfold for you.
Many times, you would be in daily contact with him/her but unaware.
@mmpandit