The Guru Looked Good

This is the story of a spiritual quest that begins in fervent trust and hope and ultimately leads to heard-earned, clear-eyed wisdom. -- from back cover.

Blending contemporary and traditional perspectives, this groundbreaking work offers guidance on the profound foundational practices of the Great Perfection. It contains classic commentaries by the renowned Tibetan masters Jigme Lingpa and Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, alongside a lively contemporary discussion by filmmaker, author, and spiritual teacher Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse that discusses how to incorporate these ancient practices into the fast-paced lifestyle of the Western world. Also included are a lengthy introduction to the world of Tibetan Buddhism and its meditative practices, as well as the long and short preliminary practice liturgies and numerous appendices on the nine yanas and other topics. The ngöndro or preliminary practice is treasured in the Ancient School of Tibetan Buddhism as vital for effecting a profound inner transformation and as a foundation for the very highest teachings of the Great Perfection, or Dzogchen. In particular, the Longchen Nyingtik ngöndro—revealed by the great saint Jigme Lingpa following a series of visions in which he was blessed by the omniscient Longchen Rabjam and received the transmission of his wisdom mind—has long been cherished by followers of all traditions on account of its power, depth, and poetic beauty.

This book provides a set of fresh and compelling interdisciplinary approaches to the enduring phenomenon of the guru in South Asia. Moving across different gurus and kinds of gurus, and between past and present, the chapters call attention to the extraordinary scope and richness of the social lives and roles of South Asian gurus. Prevailing scholarship has rightly considered the guru to be a source of religious and philosophical knowledge and mystical bodily practices. This book goes further and considers the social engagements and entanglements of these spiritual leaders, not just on their own (narrowly denominational) terms, but in terms of their diverse, complex, rapidly evolving engagements with 'society' broadly conceived. The book explores and illuminates the significance of female gurus, gurus from the perspective of Islam, imbrications of guru-ship and slavery in pre-modern India, connections between gurus and power, governance and economic liberalization in modern and contemporary India, vexed questions of sexuality and guru-ship, gurus' charitable endeavours, the cosmopolitanism of gurus in contexts of spiritual tourism, and the mediation of gurus via technologies of electronic communication. Bringing together internationally renowned scholars from religious studies, political science, history, sociology and anthropology, The Guru in South Asia provides exciting and original new insights into South Asian guru-ship. The Open Access version of this book, available at http: //www.taylorfrancis.com, has been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 license.

Excerpts from Siree Guru Granth Sahib God is one. It is true. He is the Creator. He has no concern with anything. He has no enemy. He is immortal. He does not take birth. He came into existence on His own. He is realized by guru’s (divine teacher) grace reciting God’s name. “ Recite” Page 9 Be stable like a mountain, patience like a goldsmith. Be humble like an anvil; repeat the name of God like the repetition of a hammer. Intent like bellows and repeat the name of God from within, as fire gives heat. Make sincerity a pot; mint your mind with the name of God. That is how divinity is achieved. Blessed by God is the only one who can do this. Nanak says, only with God’s grace you can miss God and enjoy the fruit. ||38|| Hymn: Using air as a culture, life has been created by the reaction of water and earth. The way, day and night begin and end. Same way the whole creation takes birth and dies. Good or bad whatever they do are accounted for in God’s court. Everyone gets the fruit of their deeds, some soon others late. Whoever worked hard to recite the name of God? Nanak says, they have attained salvation and many more have accompanied them. God’s worship is not wearing saffron coloured or dirty clothes. O Nanak, God is worshipped sitting at home through true guru’s teaching. ||64|| You may wander in all four corners and read four Vedas and all other scriptures in all four ages. O Nanak, if you meet with the true guru, then only God enshrines in the mind and obtains salvation. The guru is God. Worshipping guru the God with devotion attains salvation. First Master: Songs, sounds, pleasures and clever tricks; Joy, love and the power to command; Wearing clothes and food have no place in the consciousness. True intuitive peace comes by enshrining God’s name in the mind. Page 60 O mind, love God as the fish loves water. As the water gets deeper she enjoys more; the mind and body become peaceful. It cannot survive without water even for a moment. Water also feels the pain. ||2|| O mind, love the Lord, as the rain bird loves rain. The ponds get filled, the land becomes lush green but the rain bird does not get a drop. You receive what is in your fate. You only get what you earn. ||3|| O mind, love God as the water loves milk. Water mixed with milk changes its colour but does not let the milk change. Page 262 Hymn: Guru is mother, the father, the master and transcendent Lord. Guru is a friend the destroyer of ignorance, a relative and a brother. Guru is the bestowal, the teacher of God’s name. Guru’s lesson is distinct. Guru is the image of peace truth and intellect. Guru is the touchstone that transforms. Guru is a shrine, pool of nectar. To obtain guru’s divine knowledge is beyond imagination. Guru is the Creator, the destroyer of sins; Guru purifies the sinners. Guru exists from the beginning, for a long time, for ages. Reciting God through guru’s teaching attains salvation. O God; unite me with the guru by your grace; that I the sinner swim across holding on to guru the true guru the God the transcendent Lord the guru; Nanak prays and pays his regard to guru the God. ||1|| ||56|| Once you obtain divine treasure, do not tell anyone O kabeer; There is no market, no appraiser, no customer, and no price ||23|| O Kabeer; take your drum and beat it for ten days. Life is like people meeting on a boat on a river; they shall not meet again. ||80|| Be a pebble stone lying on the road by giving up ego. Such a humble slave shall meet the Lord. ||146|| What good is the pebble; which gives pain to the walking. O Lord, Your servant should be like dirt on the earth. ||147|| What good is the dust, which blows and sticks to the body. God’s servant should be such, as water in water. ||148|| What good is water which becomes cold and hot. God’s servant should just like God: ||149|| O Kabeer; it is good to serve both; one the saint the other the God. God is the bestowal of liberation; the s

What qualities does it take to be a successful entrepreneur? Are some business ideas better than others, and how can I pick the one that's right for me? How do I obtain financing to start a business? How do I write a successful business plan? What is the secret to finding and keeping customers? How do I find, hire, motivate, and retain great employees? For answers to these and other critical questions on the minds of every entrepreneur and aspiring business owner today, there is no better source than those who have been there and done it. Few entrepreneurs have achieved the level of business success realized by the gurus covered here. Now you can find out what they have to say about the most practical aspects of starting and succeeding in the business of your dreams. The Guru Guide(TM) to Entrepreneurship is an indispensable source of inspiration and ideas for anyone who runs, or dreams of running, a business of their own. Some of the Gurus you'll meet: Paul Allen, cofounder, Microsoft Corporation J. Walter Anderson, cofounder, White Castle Mary Kay Ash, founder, Mary Kay Cosmetics Jeff Bezos, founder, Amazon.com Richard Branson, founder, the Virgin Group Charles Brewer, founder, Mindspring.com Warren Buffett, owner, Berkshire Hathaway Ben Cohen, cofounder, Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Michael Dell, founder, Dell Computers Debbi Fields, founder, Mrs. Fields Cookies, Inc. Bill Gates, cofounder, Microsoft Corporation Earl Graves, founder, Black Enterprise Steve Jobs, cofounder, Apple Computer, Inc. Herb Kelleher, founder, Southwest Airlines Phil Knight, cofounder, Nike Corporation Ray Kroc, founder, McDonald's Corporation Edwin Land, founder, Polaroid Corporation Charles Lazarus, founder, Toys "R" Us Bill Lear, founder, Lear Jet Corporation Tom Monaghan, founder, Domino's Pizza Akio Morita, cofounder, Sony Corporation Fred Smith, founder, Federal Express Thomas Stemberg, cofounder, Staples, Inc. Dave Thomas, founder, Wendy's International, Inc. Jay Van Andel, cofounder, Amway Corporation Sam Walton, founder, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

Investing like a guru is a detailed investment introduction book on value investing. The concept that is used by Warren Buffet, Charlie Munger and other billionaire Investors all through history.

Tammy--Each day is a journey. Millie's morning devotions are so inspiring and encouraging to me. As her thoughts and experiences are applied to the Scripture--it gives me a new perspective for each day. Millie's words come so naturally, and I know it is her Love for the Lord. These devotions help me to stay focused on my journey with my life and my Love for the Lord. Jessica--I enjoy the morning thoughts. Millie began writing the morning thoughts when COVID began. In such uncertain times it was nice to have a devotional come through reminding us to stay connected to God. Everything--big or little--can be related to God and you can see God working in everything if you just take the time to look and listen to what message the Lord is sending to you and that's what the morning thoughts do for me. I always try to see God in everything and when Millie sends out our messages, it's another refreshing way to open my mind to how much the Lord loves us and cares for us. And as Millie shares them with us, we can send them to others and spread the loving message of the gospel in a way that others understand and enjoy as well. God Bless Jack--I would like to say that I like to read your little stories about when you and Mitzi go on your days walk. You talk about the weather, the people see, the flowers, workers along the way and how it reminds you of scripture sayings. I really do enjoy them. Thank you for sharing them. Bob and Joyce--We have been reading Millie's Devotionals for several years now and for us they are very uplifting. They seem to address all the things that are happening in our everyday lives. And out of the darkness of times, today they are a bright spot in our day. Jim and Melissa--We are amazed at how this sweet, kind soul has opened our eyes, through word, to God's presence- not only on a good day but difficult days as well. Rich and Lori--"Praise God for Miss Millie's devotion to Christ. These Holy Spirit. inspired writings with concise, detailed connections from everyday experiences help us realize that our God is in every moment. Such a blessing!" Pastor Jeannine--"I love these devotions because I can read and understand them easily; and I can relate so many of them to situations in my own life as well as others. I anticipate reading the next one and the next one. A daily blessing!" Kevin--Oh, how lucky I am. And a reminder of how humble I need to be. Daily inspirations with a lesson and guidance from the scriptures of our Lord. Walks with Millie and Mitzi...smiles abound! Everyday messages that speak to splendor of life, or a description of nature's creations, that are around us. A counsel for us to have empathy to hardships and sorrows that others may face. Pausing in my daily tasks--for in each message I may find comfort and some joy, a need to grin, or a need to pray for others, or even a reflection I find I need to take on myself. And how fortunate I am, receiving multiple blessings in each message, as I receive a thought in my own journey with the Lord and a daily walk with her--my mom!

When your past continually haunts you, sometimes you need to look within. John can’t sleep. Nightmares plague the hours of darkness, traumatic flashbacks fill his days. It’s affecting his health, and it’s affecting his relationship with the woman he loves. An unusual but charismatic man he meets in a Sri Lankan hotel claims to have all the answers. He says he can help John heal his troubled mind so, on a whim, John journeys to his picturesque ashram high in the Sri Lankan hills to find out for himself. Will John find what he’s looking for?