The Path to the Guru: The Science of Self-Realization according to the Bhagavad Gita

Scott Teitsworth’s “The Path to the Guru” is a book of transcendence. In the course of a utilitarian lifetime, we have become practiced in transacting the dualities of nature. Bound to social successes and failures, we incarcerate ourselves in the ‘norms’ of self-made-prisons brutally enforced by social establishment. Servitude to social establishment has become a form of idolatry that confines the innate liberation of the True-Self.The Bhagavad Gita is a book of liberation. Teitsworth’s “The Path to the Guru” serves as a Spiritual Sherpa guiding unto that Self-founded freedom. Teitsworth first identifies the conditioned dysfunction of the psyche, and then compassionately illuminates the transcendent path in actualizing the Truth of Self-Realization. “The Path to the Guru” is definitely a ‘must read’ for seekers far and wide!

A most interesting book. It focuses on the first two chapters of the Geeta and presents a great perspective view, although I recommend the reader to keep one of the older books at hand. This book may be a great compendium for works from Yogananda or Easwaran.

I confess to oft-times skimming the introductions, but in this case it is a 'must-read'. Mr. Teitsworth's exposition is quite illuminating with nuggets of insight for both the novice and seasoned traveler on the "path".

Still reading book

I bought this book because it was recommended to me. I am so glad that I did. The author shows how the ancient text of the Bhagavad Gita offers a wealth of psychological advice that is relevant for modern lives. The story can be understood as a prolonged metaphor for the inner difficulties and conflicts we all experience in life between our duty to society and to our inner values and integrity.The story starts with Arjuna, the hero, in the middle of a battle field between two warring armies who are members of the same family. He feels it would be morally wrong to kill the members of his family who are the enemy, and yet he knows it is his duty to support his side and to fight. The first chapter of the Gita introduces the main combatants with references to their behavior earlier in the story of this war, their motives for fighting and their characters. This is setting the scene for the main teaching of Krishna who is the Guru in this story. The author explains that in modern terms the beginning of life's 'battle' is in childhood and that the process of being shaped to fit into a family and society almost always damages and distorts a child's original personality and potential. As adults we usually see clearly where our duty lies and how to fit in with society's values in the same way as Arjuna knows what is expected of him - in his case as a warrior. However, Arjuna has started to think for himself in chapter two and is torn by what seems to be an impossible dilemma: to fight or not to fight? to kill or refrain from killing? Either way the outcome will be a personal disaster. One decision will lead to his being seen by society as a dishonorable coward and the other will be a betrayal of his own inner values and integrity and so intolerable. Krishna does not decide for him and so relieve him of the responsibility of making a choice. Instead he begins to teach Arjuna how to understand clearly what is involved and how to make the best possible decision for himself. The author's interpretation of the Gita in modern terms is an unusual one. It is written in a lively and accessible way and has many interesting and thought provoking things to say; both about this ancient Indian text and also what motivates our behavior now. Essentially the message of the book is that the path to the Guru and true wisdom in this life is an inner journey. The battle field is in our own heart and mind and ultimately we can each of us discover our own inner Guru.

The Bhagavad GIta is a timeless classic with abundant guidance for the dilemmas we all face as human beings. Too often it languishes under dense commentaries. This book brings its wisdom into a modern context, with clear writing and engaging examples.

Anyone who knows there is more to life than just the prerequsite blah, blah, blah of dogma that is handed down by those who think their version of reality is the only path to the Self, should read this book. The author has done extensive study of the Sanskrit version of the Gita as well as the interprepations of various renowned translations of this enlightening bit of the Mahabarata epoch.His approach to bringing this text into the 21st century, for those of us who do not believe in dogma, is Revise and Restate. It took more than ten years of meditation and reflection to arrive at an Absolute underestanding of the presented topic and the meanings of the Sanskrit words. This author makes the meanings of each verse studied accessible to todays seeker of True Wisdom.Scott Teitsworth has presented his version without any coloratiion or destortion of the Truth espoused by his wisdom teachers. He passes this emlightenment on to us, the readers, and in so doing opens the doors to our inner Self allowing it to soar free. .

Scott Teitsworth's latest book, THE PATH TO THE GURU, is a refreshing examination of one of the oldest religious texts of the world, the Bhagavad Gita. Scott has been studying these sacred texts for over 40 years and along with the guidance of his guru Nitya Chaitanya Yati presents a very liberating interpretation of the dialog between Krishna and Arjuna. No longer trapped by social expectations and dogmatic indulgences, the seeker learns the living yoga of integrating opposites without sacrificing the pleasures of life nor in attachments to pursuing pleasure or suffering in the material world. The battlefield is not one of literal bloodshed but rather in learning how to be true to one’s self in day-to-day relationships, choices and actions. I enjoyed reading this book immensely and found it very valuable in self-observation and in finding clarity beyond obsessive duty or habitual behavior. I think everyone that reads it will find a similar benefit along the path. If you are interested in even further exploration of hidden treasures in the Gita, Scott's other book KRISHNA IN THE SKY WITH DIAMONDS, explores the use of the fabled nectar soma as a psychedelic tool of unveiling more of the sacred journey to self awareness.

I bought this book because it was recommended to me. I am so glad that I did. The author shows how the ancient text of the Bhagavad Gita offers a wealth of psychological advice that is relevant for modern lives. The story can be understood as a prolonged metaphor for the inner difficulties and conflicts we all experience in life between our duty to society and to our inner values and integrity.The story starts with Arjuna, the hero, in the middle of a battle field between two warring armies who are members of the same family. He feels it would be morally wrong to kill the members of his family who are the enemy, and yet he knows it is his duty to support his side and to fight. The first chapter of the Gita introduces the main combatants with references to their behavior earlier in the story of this war, their motives for fighting and their characters. This is setting the scene for the main teaching of Krishna who is the Guru in this story. The author explains that in modern terms the beginning of life's 'battle' is in childhood and that the process of being shaped to fit into a family and society almost always damages and distorts a child's original personality and potential. As adults we usually see clearly where our duty lies and how to fit in with society's values in the same way as Arjuna knows what is expected of him - in his case as a warrior. However, Arjuna has started to think for himself in chapter two and is torn by what seems to be an impossible dilemma: to fight or not to fight? to kill or refrain from killing? Either way the outcome will be a personal disaster. One decision will lead to his being seen by society as a dishonourable coward and the other will be a betrayal of his own inner values and integrity and so intolerable. Krishna does not decide for him and so relieve him of the responsibility of making a choice. Instead he begins to teach Arjuna how to understand clearly what is involved and how to make the best possible decision for himself. The author's interpretation of the Gita in modern terms is an unusual one. It is written in a lively and accessible way and has many interesting and thought provoking things to say; both about this ancient Indian text and also what motivates our behaviour now. Essentially the message of the book is that the path to the Guru and true wisdom in this life is an inner journey. The battle field is in our own heart and mind and ultimately we can each of us discover our own inner Guru.