WHAT IS THIS BOOK ABOUT?

Gift of the Gurus, is that shaft of light ready to touch you and illuminate your way. It comes at a time when some feel these days are dark times or that struggles are overwhelming. The light may appear dim but remember, it will take the very same light that will extinguish the darkness. It happens like when one candle is lit by the flame of another candle.

My dissertation on the Pedagogical Methods of Hindu Gurus inspired me to write Gift of the Gurus. As a classroom teacher, I have been searching for ways to help my students become genuinely kinder and caring. For me, teaching about developing moral and ethical values were not enough. I felt that those qualities had to come from within each child. From my doctoral research on four Hindu gurus, I came to understand about their purpose to help humanity and their many methods of teaching for enlightenment.

I extrapolated their teaching methods and created a Self-Awareness Teaching (SAT) model. I also made sure it was suitable for our Western students and that the practice was without any involvement with religion. The SAT became a tremendous success in my classes as well as with other teachers and university students.  The gurus’ methods for meditation helped this process and motivated me to share it to everyone.

The Gift of the Gurus is divided into two parts. In the first part, I describe the importance of role models in my life like my Nanee/ grandmother. She, like the gurus, was a role model. Nanee lived her Hindu culture and religion. By living with her, she taught me Hindu prayers, worship, and Indian cooking. Throughout my life, I learned how to put this knowledge into practice. I have written some of the recipes she used. Just as reading a book of recipes you receive knowledge of cooking, unless you practise cooking, you cannot appease your hunger.

In Part Two of Gift of the Gurus, you will learn the importance of following the steps for meditation as the Gurus taught. There is also a glossary of Sanskrit terms and a description of Hinduism because that is the spiritual tradition that the gurus come from. I have described their lives, their understanding of the mind and consciousness, the individual self, God and meditation.

From the gurus' teaching practices, I have focused on their importance to meditation and its significance for our enlightenment just as they were enlightened. When we kindle this light of knowledge, it is only then that we can fan the fire of self-awareness in each of us, and become charged with peace, real love, kindness and caring and other moral and ethical qualities.