Preserving the Sacred Legacy of Guru Puja in The Art of Living: A Call for Authenticity and Understanding

The Guru Puja, a revered ritual in The Art of Living, is a profound spiritual practice that connects practitioners to the timeless lineage of wisdom and divine grace. Rooted in ancient Sanskrit chants and passed down through generations, this sacred ceremony is neither invented nor discovered by any single individual but is a living tradition that carries the essence of devotion and surrender to the Guru. However, recent developments within The Art of Living, founded by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, raise concerns about the dilution of this sacred practice due to misunderstandings and arbitrary norms imposed by some officials. This article explores the origins, significance, and current challenges surrounding Guru Puja, emphasizing the need to preserve its sanctity and authenticity.

 The Roots of Guru Puja: A Timeless Tradition

The Guru Puja, as practiced in The Art of Living, traces its origins to the ancient Vedic tradition, with its chants, such as *Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu, Guru Devo Maheshwara*, echoing for thousands of years. These verses honor the Guru as the embodiment of divine wisdom, guiding disciples toward enlightenment. The specific method of Guru Puja, as practiced today, was formalized by Jagadguru Shankaracharya Brahmananda Saraswati, the Shankaracharya of Jyotirmath, who was the Guru of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Maharishi, taught various levels of TM practice to his disciple, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, who later founded The Art of Living.

While Maharishi Mahesh Yogi popularized Transcendental Meditation (TM), the Guru Puja was an integral part of the spiritual framework, serving as a ritual to invoke the Guru's grace before initiating students into meditation. When Sri Sri Ravi Shankar parted ways with the TM movement in the 1980s to establish The Art of Living, he carried forward the Guru Puja with a subtle yet significant modification. The chant in the TM tradition included the phrase *trigun rahitam* (meaning "beyond the three gunas" or qualities of nature), referring to the Guru as a transcendent, formless divine principle. In The Art of Living, Sri Sri introduced *trigun sahitam* (meaning "with the three gunas"), acknowledging the Guru's role as an active, physical medium through which divine wisdom flows. This change reflects the organization's emphasis on the living Guru's presence as a conduit for spiritual transformation.

The Role of Guru Puja in The Art of Living

In The Art of Living, Guru Puja holds a central place in the spiritual journey of teachers and practitioners. It is performed before initiating students into *Sahaj Dhyan*, a meditation technique introduced by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, which is essentially a rebranded version of TM. The ritual is not merely a formality but a sacred act of surrender and connection to the Guru's energy, which is believed to enhance the efficacy of the meditation process. For teachers, performing Guru Puja is a prerequisite, and their adherence to the ritual is evaluated through video submissions as part of their training.

The logic behind this requirement is deeply spiritual: *Sahaj Dhyan*, being a powerful practice, requires the Guru's grace to be fully effective. By performing Guru Puja with devotion, teachers align themselves with the Guru's energy, ensuring they can transmit the technique authentically to their students. The ritual involves offerings such as flowers, incense, and the *shriphal* (coconut), each carrying symbolic significance. The *shriphal*, in particular, is offered unpeeled, with its fibers intact, symbolizing the surrender of the practitioner's ego and senses to the Guru. This unpeeled coconut represents the raw, unrefined self, offered in its entirety to the divine.

The Current Challenge: Misguided Norms and Lack of Understanding

Despite the profound spiritual significance of Guru Puja, recent practices within The Art of Living reveal a troubling trend: nominated officials responsible for evaluating teachers' Guru Puja performances appear to lack a deep understanding of the ritual's essence. For instance, some officials have flagged what they perceive as "mistakes," such as the use of an unpeeled *shriphal*, insisting that it should be shaved or peeled before being offered. This critique is not only arbitrary but also contradicts the symbolic meaning of the *shriphal* in Guru Puja. The unpeeled coconut is a deliberate choice, representing the offering of one's unpolished self to the Guru, free from pretense or modification.

Such misguided interventions suggest a disconnect between the ritual's spiritual intent and the bureaucratic approach of some officials. The Guru Puja is not a performance to be judged by superficial standards but a sacred act of devotion that transcends rigid checklists. By imposing their own norms, these officials risk diluting the purity of the tradition and undermining the spiritual connection that Guru Puja fosters.

The Importance of Preserving the Sacred Legacy

The Guru Puja, as practiced in The Art of Living, is a continuation of an ancient lineage that has been passed down from Guru to disciple for generations. It is not an invention of any one individual, nor is it a ritual that can be altered based on personal whims. The chants and methods are sacred, carrying the weight of thousands of years of spiritual practice. To impose arbitrary rules, such as requiring a peeled *shriphal*, is to overlook the deeper significance of the ritual and reduce it to a mechanical process.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, as the torchbearer of this tradition, has a responsibility to ensure that the sanctity of Guru Puja is preserved. The introduction of *trigun sahitam* was a meaningful adaptation, reflecting the organization's unique perspective on the Guru's role. However, allowing officials to enforce uninformed standards risks eroding the authenticity of the practice. Teachers and practitioners must be educated about the ritual's symbolism and spiritual purpose, ensuring that Guru Puja remains a heartfelt act of devotion rather than a box to be checked.

 A Call to Action: Restoring Authenticity

To safeguard the sacred legacy of Guru Puja, several steps can be taken:

1. Education and Training: The Art of Living should prioritize educating teachers and officials about the spiritual and symbolic significance of Guru Puja. This includes clarifying the meaning of offerings like the *shriphal* and emphasizing the importance of devotion over perfection.

2. Standardized Guidelines: While the ritual should not be rigid, clear guidelines rooted in tradition should be established to prevent arbitrary critiques. These guidelines should honor the practice's ancient roots while respecting Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's adaptations.

3. Empowering Teachers: Teachers should be encouraged to perform Guru Puja with confidence and devotion, trusting in the Guru's grace rather than fearing judgment from officials. The evaluation process should focus on the sincerity of the offering rather than superficial details.

4. Sri Sri's Leadership: As the founder, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar should take an active role in addressing these concerns, ensuring that the Guru Puja remains a vibrant and authentic practice. His guidance can help realign the organization with the true spirit of the Guru Parampara.

Honoring the Guru Parampara

The Guru Puja is more than a ritual; it is a bridge between the individual and the divine, a sacred thread connecting practitioners to an ancient lineage of wisdom. In The Art of Living, this practice has been lovingly preserved and adapted by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, reflecting the organization's unique spiritual vision. However, the recent trend of imposing arbitrary norms threatens to undermine the ritual's sanctity. By prioritizing education, authenticity, and devotion, The Art of Living can ensure that Guru Puja remains a powerful expression of surrender and grace, keeping the Guru Parampara alive for generations to come. Let us honor this sacred tradition not by inventing new rules but by deepening our understanding of its timeless essence.