In this episode of “5 Minutes,” Dr. Robert Svoboda explores three traditional approaches for those who do not have an embodied guru and are seeking spiritual guidance.

The first thing to do is remain calm. Just because everyone else, or your neighbour, has a guru does not mean that you are headed on the road to perdition. The indwelling Self is the actual guru.

As my mentor, Vimalananda, used to say, the guru is that which has no qualities whatsoever and no form. That is the Nirguna Brahman, the Supreme Reality that cannot be described by anyone. It is consciousness without qualities, without limitations, and nothing other than pure consciousness. This is the ultimate guru. So, begin there.

If you still want more guidance, remember that Lord Shiva is the Jagat Guru, the Guru of the world. Lord Shiva accepts everyone at any time. After all, he is surrounded by all kinds of spirits and unusual beings, and he is not concerned by them. Shiva is always available to provide guru-like awareness.

Remember that you have to make your mind like a Shiva linga, remaining undisturbed by every kind of stimulus and keeping your focus on the Supreme Reality.

If this is still not enough for you, then you can actively attempt to draw a guru to you. But if you do that, you must be very patient. You may have to be as patient as Changdev Maharaj, who waited 1,400 years until Jnaneshwar’s sister was born, and at the age of fourteen she became his guru. That is real patience.

Sometimes you may know of a great guru but, for whatever reason, you cannot become directly connected with that person. Even then, it may still be possible to receive guidance in another way.

In this regard, remember the story of Ekalavya from the Mahabharata. Ekalavya was a tribal boy who approached Guru Dronacharya and asked to become his disciple.

Dronacharya refused him, saying that he taught only kshatriyas. Ekalavya accepted this without argument. He went into the forest, made an image of Dronacharya, and focused on that image with complete dedication.

He remained patient and continued his practice without distraction. Eventually, that image began to teach him, and he became the greatest archer in the world. Later, Dronacharya demanded his guru dakshina and asked him to cut off his right thumb. That is another story, but it does not reduce the value of wholehearted devotion to one’s guru.

So do not despair if you do not have an embodied guru. Focus on the Supreme Reality. Worship Lord Shiva if you do not know what else to do, and always continue moving towards that Reality, whatever happens.