The word guru comes from Sanskrit, where gu means darkness and ru means light.
At its core, the word represents the journey from darkness to light. Traditionally, a guru is thought of as the ideal teacher or guide—someone who leads us toward growth and enlightenment. In India, many people have a guru, but unfortunately, the word has sometimes taken on a negative connotation due to the misuse of power by a few self-proclaimed gurus.
However, in its purest sense, a guru’s role is to guide a student toward transformation, to keep the ego in check, and to foster humility.
Many of us search for the perfect guru, longing for someone to help us stay aligned on our spiritual path. Some wait for years, feeling uncertain about how to move forward without that guiding presence. But here’s the truth: the greatest teacher we could ever want is always with us—it’s our own life.
No one else walks through every experience with us. Our most intimate, unbroken relationship is with our own life. As the saying goes, “We come alone, and we leave alone.” Life, in its unfolding, is constantly offering us lessons. Every person we meet, every challenge we face, every joy we experience—all of it is an opportunity to learn. The question is: are we paying attention?
Those committed to growth and evolution know that the journey never truly ends. For all we’ve accomplished, there’s always more to discover. Every situation and experience is a potential lesson, as long as we remain open to it. Interestingly, these lessons don’t always come from a formal guru or teacher. Often, the most profound insights come from the everyday events of our lives.
Life is like a school where we’re constantly being taught patience, presence, compassion, and perseverance. We learn to let go, dig deeper, and push through obstacles.
But here’s the real question: Are we willing to listen and learn from what our life is teaching us?
This reminds me of a story, one of the most unlikely teachers I ever encountered—
I’ll never forget the first time I met Benjamin. It was a 6 PM class, and I noticed him as soon as he walked through the door. He had this big, welcoming smile on his face, the kind that instantly lifts the mood of the entire room. There was something about his energy—eager, positive, like he was truly excited to be there. I could tell from the start that he was going to be a good student.
Throughout the class, Benjamin was fully present. He listened intently to every cue, made adjustments with care, and even took breaks when he needed to, resting in child’s pose without a hint of self-judgment. As a new teacher, it filled me with joy to see someone approach the practice with such openness and enthusiasm. I thought to myself, This is what teaching is all about.
After class, Benjamin came up to me, still smiling ear to ear. “Sumit, wow! That was the best yoga class I have ever taken,” he said, his eyes wide with sincerity. I could feel my chest swell with pride. There’s nothing quite like hearing those words as a teacher, especially when you’re just starting out. It felt like a stamp of validation—proof that I was doing something right.
I told him, “I’m so glad you enjoyed it! You should come back tomorrow.”
And come back he did. The next day, the same thing happened. At the end of class, Benjamin came up to me and said, “Sumit, yesterday was amazing, but today… today was even better!” I could feel the same sense of fulfillment wash over me, like I was giving him something meaningful, class after class. This pattern continued for weeks. Each time, Benjamin would come out of the room glowing, telling me how that day’s class was the best he had ever experienced. It was like he treated every practice as his new favorite.
Then came a day when I wasn’t teaching. I had decided to join the weekend class as a student, and it turned out that Benjamin was in that class too. Nancy, one of my colleagues, was leading the session. I settled onto my mat, curious to see if Benjamin’s enthusiasm would be the same with another teacher.
As the class ended, I watched as Benjamin walked up to Kim, his eyes sparkling as usual. “Wow, Nancy, that was an incredible yoga class. I’ve never had a class like that before!” he exclaimed. I stood there, watching their interaction, and felt a momentary pang of doubt. Had he really meant all those compliments he’d given me? But then, something shifted inside me, and a valuable lesson became crystal clear.
It wasn’t about me, or Nancy, or who was teaching the class. It was about Benjamin. His approach to yoga wasn’t about finding the “best” teacher—it was about practicing in a way that made every class feel like it was the best he’d ever had. Whether he was flowing through every pose or resting in savasana, he treated each session like it was his ultimate practice. He showed up fully, embraced the experience, and took ownership of his journey on the mat.
Benjamin taught me that the real teacher is within. Each of us is our own best guide if we’re willing to listen. The magic didn’t come from me or from Nancy—it came from Benjamin’s mindset, his willingness to see the beauty in every practice, and his commitment to being present, no matter who was leading the class. He wasn’t there to judge the experience; he was there to experience the moment.
That realization was profound for me. It changed the way I viewed my role as a teacher. I understood that I was there to facilitate, to guide, but not to be the source of anyone’s transformation. The students’ willingness to embrace the practice, to see each class as a new opportunity for growth, was where the true magic happened. Benjamin reminded me that yoga is about showing up—again and again—with a fresh perspective and an open heart, ready to find something new, even in the familiar.
Benjamin’s enthusiasm was a powerful lesson. It showed me that the real gift of yoga isn’t in achieving the perfect pose or hearing praise from others. It’s in the ability to step onto the mat, let go of expectations, and treat each moment as if it’s the best one yet. That’s how we become our own best teachers, and that’s how we keep finding joy in the practice, every single day.
The essence of a guru is not limited to one person or one role.
Life itself is the perfect teacher, constantly guiding us toward greater understanding. If we allow ourselves to see beyond fear, beyond ego, and embrace the unknown, we discover that every moment is a lesson in growth and transformation.
Love
Sumit
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