The Need for Deeksha
In Hindu spiritual tradition, Shiksha (education) comes only after Deeksha (initiation).
There is a good reason for this. Spiritual growth has a rather undesirable side effect: it can inflate the ego.
The more we learn, or the more spiritual experiences we have, the easier it becomes to feel special; like spiritual royalty. And before we know it, the very path that was meant to free us ends up reinforcing the ego instead.
This can happen with or without a guru.
However, in the presence of a genuine guru, the ego rarely gets a chance to remain comfortable. One way or another, it is challenged and exposed... and gradually worn down.
The Crisis
This brings us to an uncomfortable reality. The crisis that Hinduism faces today.
Across the world, there are currently over 1.2 billion Hindus. Even if only a small percentage are spiritual seekers, we're still talking about tens of millions of people searching for guidance. For instance, if just 5% are seekers, that amounts to roughly 60 million people.
Now comes the question: how many authentic, living gurus are actually available?
A handful? A few dozen? A few hundred?
Whatever the number may be, it is nowhere near enough.
To put things into perspective, even if each guru initiates 1,000 disciples, that's barely around 10,000 people. What happens to the rest?
In such a situation, the demand for gurus naturally increases. And when there is enormous demand but very little supply, problems are bound to arise.
The Hinduphobia
As many of us know, not everyone who claims to be a guru is one. Some are sincere, while others are... better left unsaid.
These "better-left-unsaid" ones are drawn to the dark side of guru-dom because of money, influence, power, admiration, and everything else that comes with it.
The sad part is that seekers often learn the truth only after they have been conned. By then, walking away is not always easy.
Stockholm Syndrome keeps some loyal to their gurus. Many also struggle to leave behind the communities and friendships they have formed. As this continues, dependence grows. And so, even when warning signs appear, many choose to stay.
Such experiences — whether personal or through acquaintances — foster a culture of guru phobia: a deep distrust of spiritual teachers, including genuine ones.
A negative experience with one guru is then applied to Hinduism as a whole. Thus, guru phobia gradually leads to Hinduphobia.
What Is the Solution?
So what are seekers supposed to do?
Blindly trust every guru who appears convincing? Or abandon spirituality and gurus altogether?
Both would be equally unwise.
Instead, the solution begins by staying safe... and then turning inward.
Only you and the Divine; nothing in between.
My Suggestion
If you approach a guru, maintain some distance. Learn without becoming dependent.
For this purpose, I — even though I don't claim to be a guru — have shared the Sri-Om Guru Mantras and Sri-Om Initiation through videos.
But if even that feels uncomfortable, there is another option:
It keeps you within tradition without creating dependence on a guru.
Love,
Suvrata Nirupa Sri