Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd.
View your shopping cart Shopping Cart | My Account | Help | Become a Fan on Facebook Become a Fan | Follow Us on Twitter Follow Us | Watch Us on YouTube Watch Us | Subscribe to our RSS Feeds Subscribe
Browse ProductsAuthorsArticlesBlogsEncyclopediaNewslettersAffiliate ProgramContact UsBooksellers
Advanced Search
ENCYCLOPEDIA
Glossary
What's New
Most Popular
List of Articles

Email Exclusives
Sign up to receive special offers and promotions from Llewellyn.

Get the Latest Issue of New Worlds

New Worlds April/May/June 2012 Issue

New Worlds Catalog

Download the PDF File version of the latest issue of Llewellyn's New Worlds Catalog


The Llewellyn Encyclopedia

Term: guru

DEFINITIONS

Guru: (Sanskrit Gu, darkness and Ru, destroyer. Hence, destroyer of darkness) Generally used to mean a teacher or the leading teacher of a particular philosophy or practice. The original concept, however, was more complex. A guru was traditionally an enlightened being and capable of being in direct contact with God. When a student (chela) first meets the guru (meeting a guru in person is called darshan), the guru was supposed to instantly know what unique training the person needed to become enlightened. The result would be a guru/chela relationship where the guru would teach the chela what he or she needed to become enlightened and voluntarily take on the chela’s karma while the chela is with him or her. The chela, in exchange, would do whatever the guru required. This could involve both the performance of spiritual exercises for the student’s training and giving personal service to the guru.


ARTICLES

Cults
The word "cult" used to be synonymous with the word "sect" It meant a religious group. Therefore, Judaism, Christianity or any religion could be considered a cult. But today the word "cult" has taken on a very ominous meaning. Today when the word ...
Relevance:  2 % 2%


Initiation
The word has been given a variety of definitions over the years, everything from the pledging and hazing of college (and even high-school) students into fraternities and sororities to the admissions trials of secret societies, entry into occult and ...
Relevance:  2 % 2%


The History of the Golden Dawn
The story of the Golden Dawn, like that of any human organization, is replete with high points and low points—with human achievements and human failings. There is no need for us to try to whitewash or sugarcoat the faults of some of the individuals ...
Relevance:  2 % 2%



Most of us enjoy a good bone-tingling scare. As a whole, we spend millions of dollars each year trying to satisfy our darker side. We like our horror movies, can’t wait to get on death-defying rides, and we spend countless hours reading the latest thrillers. So let’s be honest—fear sells, and there’s nothing quite like the idea of ghosts to give... read this article
How to Learn Tarot
Steampunk and Tarot Are a Perfect Match
Table Tipping: More Than Just Spirit Communication
Astrology and Intuition: A Dynamic Duo
Psychic Development: Bare the Soles to Bare the Soul

Most recent posts:
A Ohe Pau Ko Ike I Kou Halau
As I mentioned in my previous blog post, I recently assisted at a training for 175 people who wanted to be certified as NLP practitioners. In that...

New Moon in Gemini, May 20, 2012
The New Moon in Gemini occurred yesterday at 7:47 pm EDT (11:47 pm GMT), Sunday, May 20, 2012, at 0 degrees. New moons signify a new cycle, new...

Sun Enters Gemini 2012: Forecast for the Year Ahead
Gemini, The Twins May 20 to June 20 Modality: Mutable Element: Air Ruler: Mercury Keywords: Versatile, charming, engaging, witty, restless,...


We're doing it again! Llewellyn is giving away signed, uncut press sheets from one of our breathtaking tarot decks! That's right! We're giving...



Llewellyn's 2012 Witches' Datebook Llewellyn's 2012 Witches' Datebook
By: Llewellyn
Price: $10.99 $2.75 On Sale!
Llewellyn's 2012 Witches' Calendar Llewellyn's 2012 Witches' Calendar
By: Llewellyn
Price: $13.99 $3.50 On Sale!
Llewellyn's 2012 Astrological Calendar Llewellyn's 2012 Astrological Calendar
Horoscopes for You Plus an Introduction to Astrology

By: Llewellyn
Price: $13.99 $3.50 On Sale!
Llewellyn's 2012 Magical Almanac Llewellyn's 2012 Magical Almanac
Practical Magic for Everyday Living

By: Llewellyn
Price: $10.99 $2.75 On Sale!
The Steampunk Tarot The Steampunk Tarot
By: Barbara Moore, Aly Fell
Price: $28.95