About Gurukula
Gurukula-the word, the concept
Meaning of the word
Gurukula is a Sanskrit word derived from two words: Guru and Kula. The word Guru refers to the teacher. The word Kula refers to the teacher's domain comprised of: the teacher's home/school, as well as the teacher's extended family - into which the students are embraced.
In traditional India of antiquity, at a certain stage in their development, students spent a few years residing with or near their teacher for the time honored purpose of studying the essential, life honoring / truth revealing disciplines contained in the Vedas.
The Gurukula model of education continues in India, primarily in ashrams and religious settings.
Gurukula Model for Imbibing Sage Wisdom
Vedika Gurukula presents the opportunity for seekers to steep themselves in the timeless truths and learn and grow and flower into their being.
Vedika Gurukula teaches the knowledge contained in the ancient traditions of body healing (Ayurveda), mind healing (Yoga) and spiritual healing (Vedanta) , as taught by the sages of yore in the heartland of India. To explore all three aspect of the human condition - body, mind, and soul is the task of all earth bound beings and Vedika Gurukula offers this rare opportunity to all truth seekers.
Gurukula, the traditional Sanskrit word for "abode of wisdom" points to the existence of the Guru within all of us, or our own Spirit that dwells inside its home, the body. Gurukula is also known as the dwelling space of the teacher who connects us with our own inner teacher. Where and when the Guru is encountered, is a matter of cosmic wisdom and human choice. To consciously choose to study the wisdom contained in the systems of Ayurveda, Yoga and Vedanta systematically enhances our chances of encountering our inner Guru.
Gurukula also refers to a field of souls connected by their inner Guru. In this community or family (kula) - the inner Guru alone is worshiped , the Guru alone is revered. Our inner Guru is our teacher, father, mother and god. The externally manifested Guru merely leads you to the your internally dwelling Guru.
Gurukula is a wisdom family united by love of truth, strengthened by bonds of unconditional acceptance and love, honored by mutual respect of each others inner Guru, celebration of wisdom contained in ancient scriptures and experience of Guru within through stilling the body and silencing the mind and receiving the divine voice from within.
When the inner Guru is awakened, the outer Guru dissolves; the teacher and student become one and the subject of study and the object of study merge into a profound state of bliss and love. What is left is Guru, the highest possible state of consciousness that dwells in the seeker and the knower, hunger and food, thirst and water, lover and beloved, devotee and god, part and whole.
So come on along dear seekers, to learn and play and to connect at a level where darkness is shed spontaneously, the highest that is to be know is known naturally, and the body is deeply understood to reveal its core of mind; and, mind is explored to reveal its true master and essence - the Self and Self, its true identity as God.
With Blessings,
Hema Patankar,
President, Vedika Global
