Spiritual Guru Quotes & Sayings

Fools only crib about what they do not have. They do not count their blessings. — Radhe Maa

For a seeker, Guru Purnima is a day of significance, is a day of New Year. It is the day to review one's progress on the spiritual path and renew one's determination and focus on the goal, and to resolve what one wants to do in the coming year — Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

I felt the smile grow from within, starting in my chest and making its way up to my face. If what the guru had said about auras and energy was accurate, I must have been glowing. — Brownell Landrum

The meaning of Sannyas is not well defined. Its meaning is not static; it is redefined after short periods of time in the life of a Sannyasi. — Harshit Walia

Do not return evil for evil — Radhe Maa

Love is the process of melting into the other — Radhe Maa

Women come to me and would never tell a male guru the things that they tell me. to me and would never besiege the male guru with some of the things that I hear. And that is because mother is mother and that is the phenomenal thing, it's the most irreplaceable thing in the world because whether we're an earthly mother or a spiritual mother, a divine mother, and everyone is divine by the way, we all have the power of divinity, the power of full consciousness, whether we are awakened to the potential of it all is a different matter. — Maya Tiwari

With the exception of very few who have gained higher spiritual tendencies in prior lives, Self-realization is not possible for anyone without the blessings of a guru. Think of the guru as the manifestation of God in this world. Take even the most insignificant word of the guru as an order and obey it. That is the real service to the guru. There is no greater austerity. The guru's blessings flow automatically to any obedient disciple. That is the real service to the guru. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Spiritual growth is the only real growth — Radhe Maa

There are many who wish to be masters over others. Rare indeed is the man who wishes to be master of himself — Radhe Maa

Not God, but man-made gods kill, by self-will. — Fakeer Ishavardas

But then the subject turned to the spiritual life and Meg talked about her many visits to ashrams in India and her admiration for Swami Muktananda and Gurumayi. That got in the way, especially because he told her of his skepticism regarding the guru industry, and suggested she might profitably read Gita Mehta's book Karma Cola. "Why are you so cynical?" she asked him, as if she genuinely wanted to know the answer, and he said that if you grew up in India it was easy to conclude that these people were fakes. "Yes, of course there are lots of charlatans," she said, reasonably, "but can't you discriminate?" He shook his head sadly. "No," he said. "No, I can't." That was the end of their chat. — Salman Rushdie

Man needs a guru. But a man must have faith in the guru's words. He succeeds in spiritual life by looking on his guru as God Himself. — Ramakrishna

Do not bank on mere mortals. Trust the One who will never fail you — Radhe Maa

Enlightenment isn't a vast field of open opportunities that will change your life, actually it is but first it will destruct anything in its path unattached to the version of you that is awake. That's the part no one prepares for, it will break you to the core but the break will make you something greater then you ever thought imagineable. — Nikki Rowe

When you look in the mirror and see your reflection, your eyes are open; when you look in the mirror and see God, your soul is open. — Matshona Dhliwayo

All the energy is destroyed due to conflict. That is why the infinite energy of the soul does not manifest (is not seen). If the slightest negative intent occurs, or the eye raises (on someone), it is conflict. What happens if you collide with a wall? You will crack your head. In the absence of conflict alone, man could go to moksha. If one learns only this: 'I do not want to get into conflict with anyone', he will go directly to moksha. Then no guru or anyone else would be needed in between. — Dada Bhagwan

Everything is possible through complete devotion to the Lord. — Radhe Maa

My parents' selfless affection and dedication nourished and prepared me to receive the love of my guru or spiritual father, Swami Prabhupada. My parents prepared the soil in which my guru sowed the seeds of his compassion. — Radhanath Swami

If you won't improve yourself, who will? — Radhe Maa

Ashrams and gurukulas (spiritual schools) are the pillars of spiritual culture. If we perform sadhana according to the guru's advice, we need not go anywhere else. We will get whatever we need from the guru. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Observation and expansion are two elements of meditation. While a teacher may guide you to have the right posture and give instruction on following the breath, no one can teach you about the experience. It comes through practice and patience. — Debra Moffitt

I have my own spiritual guru, and I'm so happy, and I feel so satisfied that I might appreciate many other famous gurus, but, you know, I am not attracted that way because I have found the person. — Ravi Shankar

Give and take is business not bhakti — Radhe Maa

Praise the one who speaks ill of you. Before long he will become a friend — Radhe Maa

It is important to reignite our compassion for others because without it we will be lost in the sea of suffering — Radhe Maa

The true value of a gift is the sentiment behind the gifting. — Radhe Maa

You are a god wrapped in flesh; the divinity you've always been seeking is wrapped within. — Matshona Dhliwayo

Children, we can grow spiritually only if we see the guru as the manifestation of God. We should not accept anyone as guru before we are fully convinced personally that he is authentic and truthful. Once we choose someone as guru, we should surrender completely to him. Only then will spiritual development be possible. Devotion to the guru means total surrender to him. — Mata Amritanandamayi

What can you give God but bhakti bhava? He owns it all anyway. — Radhe Maa

Serve your parents if you expect your children to serve you when you are old — Radhe Maa

The road to spiritual enlightenment is an individual experience. The spiritual leader, guru, master or teacher is only a portion of that journey. Eventually, one must "leave the nest" so that they are not limited by the master/student relationship. True advancement begins when the student gains confidence as a practitioner of self-awareness. This can only be done without the constraints of another's journey, such as the master or teacher. — Gary Hopkins

Holy name alone is sufficient to take you back home back to godhead. However to cultivate the mood of surrender You need a Guru. — Bhakti Charu Swami

I came to define God by His handiwork: a craftsman who builds the hope of eternity into our genes, a master electrician and chemist who outfits our brains to access another dimension, a guru who rewards our spiritual efforts by allowing us to feel united with all things, an intelligence that pervades every atom and every nanosecond, all time and space, in the throes of death, or the ecstasy of life. — Barbara Bradley Hagerty

Love is God, and the one that believes in love, believes in God. — Radhe Maa

Guru is not on the way to Krishna, Guru is 'the way' to Krishna. — Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami

To master life, control the mind. To control the mind, guard your speech. — Radhe Maa

Fear exists because we do not have faith. — Radhe Maa

Giving no pain to any creature, let him slowly accumulate spiritual merit, for the sake ,of acquiring a companion to the next world, just as the white ant ,gradually raises its hill. — Guru Nanak

Let me end this chapter with an encouraging story. A young man found his way up to the small apartment of Nisargadatta, my old Hindu guru in Bombay, asked him a spiritual question and then left after this one question. One of the regular students then asked, "What will happen to this man? Will he ever become enlightened or will he fall off the path and go back to sleep?" Nisargadatta said, "It's too late for him! He has already begun. Just the fact that he came up here and asked one question about what is his true nature means that that place in him that knows who he really is has started to wake up. Even if it takes a long, long time, there's no turning back. — Jack Kornfield

Gnan [True Knowledge] means the Guru's experiential talks. — Dada Bhagwan

Spiritual knowledge is fruitful only when it is applied — Radhe Maa

Be Good-Do Good-Be One — Kirpal Singh

Spiritual Practice involves being constantly aware — Radhe Maa

While eating, our attention should not be focused just on the taste. Imagine our chosen deity or guru is present within us and that we are feeding Him. This will turn eating into a spiritual practice. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Plough your fields, cast your seeds, the rains will come when they please. — Radhe Maa

O Nanak, if a blind man goes to assay jewels, he shall not know their worth and shall return after making an exhibition of himself. — Guru Angad

Do not expect too much from the world. We are here to give not to take. — Radhe Maa

We are all poor in the face of God's majesty. Not all of us realise it. — Radhe Maa

Nanak, the whole world is in distress. He, who believes in the Name, becomes victorious. — Guru Nanak

Live a virtuous life, help everyone and spread joy wherever you go. — Radhe Maa

Money comes to those who act intelligently, and God to those who hunger for his grace — Radhe Maa

The other is not outside you but living within you. — Sri Amma Bhagwan.

Cut the cords of attachment. Expand the circle of love. — Radhe Maa

You can lead a truly spiritual life while remaining a householder. You will be able to enjoy the bliss of the Self, but your mind has to be on God all the time. Then you can easily attain bliss. A mother bird will be thinking of the young ones in the nest, even when she is out looking for food. Similarly, you have to keep your mind on God, while engaged in all worldly actions. The important thing is to be completely dedicated to God or the Guru. Once you have that dedication, the goal will not be far away. — Mata Amritanandamayi

A friend of mine urged me to see my pain as an opportunity. And since the same psychic that contacted Dion Fortune had told me that I was a "teacher" - she didn't mean at Columbia, she meant in the spiritual sense - I decided my affliction was the universe telling me that it was time to stop writing fiction and become the spiritual guru I was clearly meant to be. — Heidi Julavits

If your aims are lofty, your achievements are bound to be great. — Radhe Maa

The secret of true happiness lies within unwavering devotion to God — Radhe Maa

Hatred can be cured by love. — Radhe Maa

Whatever our destiny is, whatever our Karma is, if we simply accept the mercy of Guru, "Guru Kripa", it can completely liberate us from all of our previous Karmic bondage. — Radhanath Swami

Guru is heavy, because he carries Lord Krishna in his heart. — Radhanath Swami

Deep within the self is the Light of God. It radiates throughout
the expanse of His creation. Through the Guru's teachings, the
darkness of spiritual ignorance is dispelled. The heart lotus flower
blooms forth and eternal peace is obtained, as one's light merges
into the Supreme Light. — Guru Amar Das

By hearing from the Guru, we can understand what is the desire of Lord within our heart. — Radhanath Swami

Live every day as if it is a festival. Turn your life into a celebration — Radhe Maa

Consider how blessed you are to have the things you do in life. — Radhe Maa

Respect those elder to you in years, in knowledge and spiritual attainment and act with love and compassion with those who are younger or less fortunate than you. — Radhe Maa

Saints love all beings. They love even those who attempt to harm them. — Radhe Maa

I want to know, sir-when shall I find God?" "You have found Him." "O no, sir, I don't think so!" My guru was smiling. "I am sure you aren't expecting a venerable Personage, adorning a throne in some antiseptic corner of the cosmos! I see, however, that you are imagining that the possession of miraculous powers is knowledge of God. One might have the whole universe, and find the Lord elusive still! Spiritual advancement is not measured by one's outward powers, but only by the depth of his bliss in meditation. — Paramahansa Yogananda

Do not gossip about monks and speak ill of spiritual teachers — Radhe Maa

Rebuilding relationship requires a lifelong discipline and commitment. — Sri Amma Bhagwan.

If you wish to enjoy a position, find ways of being useful, hard working and cooperative with the people whose favour has given you the position — Radhe Maa

Very few spiritual or religious masters know that the student is sometimes a teacher because they haven't acquired such level. — Daniel Marques

They, who have no eyes in their face, are not called blind. They alone are blind, O Nanak, who stray away from their Lord. — Guru Angad

There is but one God. True is His Name, creative His personality and immortal His form. He is without fear sans enmity, unborn and self-illumined. By the Guru's grace He is obtained. — Guru Nanak

Children, we are told to make an offering at the temple or at the feet of the guru, not because the Lord or guru is in need of wealth or anything else. Real offering is the act of surrendering the mind and the intellect. How can it be done? We cannot offer our minds as they are, but only the things to which our minds are attached. Today our minds are greatly attached to money and other worldly things. By placing such thoughts at the feet of the Lord, we are offering Him our heart. This is the principle behind giving charities. — Mata Amritanandamayi

God and devotee are bound for ever in ropes of love — Radhe Maa

You begin to notice what it is that makes this person a teacher, beyond the limits of his individuality and personality. Thus the principle of the "universality of the guru" comes into the picture as well. Every problem you face in life is a part of your marriage. Whenever you experience difficulties, you hear the words of the guru. This is the point at which one begins to gain one's independence from the guru as lover, because every situation becomes an expression of the teachings. First you surrendered to your spiritual friend. Then you communicated and played games with him. And now you have come to the state of complete openness. As a result of this openness you begin to see the guru-quality in every life-situation, that all situations in life offer you the opportunity to be as open as you are with the guru, and so all things can become the guru. — Chogyam Trungpa

To live without an aim is to wander in a wilderness. — Radhe Maa

To live in a peaceful home is to experience paradise on earth — Radhe Maa

When you choose a Guru you become a follower. When your Guru chooses you, you become a disciple — Guruji Naushir

Love does not expect anything in return — Radhe Maa

You are never a real guru until you understand that you are serving others and delivering them to the light. — Robin Sacredfire

Don't wait for the right conditions. All you need for your growth is available to you in this moment — Radhe Maa

Burn worldly love,
rub the ashes and make ink of it,
make the heart the pen,
the intellect the writer,
write that which has no end or limit. — Guru Nanak

I don't know if it's the economy, but finding work as a spiritual guru is really hard. Maybe I should grow my hair out. — Dov Davidoff

Know the one who wants nothing to be the wealthiest. — Radhe Maa

A guru is not a crutch, he is a bridge. — Jaggi Vasudev

Nobody seems more obsessed by diet than our antimaterialist, otherworldly, New Age, spiritual types. But if the material world is merely illusion, an honest guru should as content with Budweiser and bratwurst as with raw carrot juice, tofu, and seaweed slime. — Edward Abbey

Think, how hard it is to change yourself. How can it be easy to change others? — Radhe Maa

In this world, it is not possible to forget about obligation of these three people: father, mother and guru; the one who has made us walk on the correct path. — Dada Bhagwan

No one knows what path you should follow except yourself. You are your own wise teacher. You are your own Guru. — Grace G. Payge

By practicing compassion and forgiveness, one can control hatred. — Radhe Maa

The Wayshower is a compelling, multi-layered and complex spiritual journey about a guilt-ridden man searching to understand his connection to his guru J-R. Followers of the real-life guru, John-Roger, as well as a segment of new-thought seekers, will resonate with the messages and life lessons shared throughout. — Arielle Ford

God gives us opportunity to serve him by serving humanity. — Radhe Maa

That man who is without religion and mercy should be rejected. A guru without spiritual knowledge should be rejected. The wife with an offensive face should be given up and so should relatives who are without affection. — Chanakya

Do not desire a long life or an early death — Radhe Maa

Humility is more powerful than egoistic pride. Water is more powerful than the strongest cliff and Love is more powerful than might. — Radhe Maa

All these stories of Janamsakhi were like an artistic instrument that was yielded more to spread Nanak's spiritual sovereignty as a mystical prophet than as an effective teacher in flesh and blood. In the midst of ignorance and mystical craving, they provided a simple method to guide people, or rather allure them to a newly formed religious path by sermonizing through stories of mystical non-sense. — Abhijit Naskar

Water and grace flow to persons and places that are lower. — Radhe Maa

I have spiritual beliefs that I could literally go out and make an entire comedy routine about, and tour as some sort of spiritual guru, but it kind of goes against that [as] I actually believe the things, so I'm always kind of caught in the middle. — Jim Carrey