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In my opinion, 99% of people misunderstand the term guru.
The notion of a guru is generally perceived negatively.
The term “Guru” actually has two meanings.
The first meaning is the positive sense of teacher or master, and the second meaning is the one generally portrayed in the media: that of a cult leader, referring to groups of people where there are usually various forms of abuse or excesses, or even more serious events.
If we refer to the dictionary, the primary meaning of the term guru is that of a master, like a teacher in primary or elementary school.
Then, for this positive sense, we can talk about a master in a field, such as a martial arts master or more generally a master in a master-student or master-disciple relationship.
This concept of master and disciple is generally used in a context of spirituality or religion.
In American terms, the term guru is marketed as that of a mentor.
The term mentor means nothing other than life master.
The goal for a person who wants to flourish and succeed in life is to have a master as a guide.
The mentor will teach us to evolve in all areas of life.
Choosing a person as a mentor means choosing someone who has their qualities and flaws, failures and successes, and also a great deal of experience from which we will learn.
We will therefore reproduce in our own way this path to follow by appropriating the principles of life and the guidelines the mentor gives us to live a fulfilling life.
The term guru is not very different in its primary sense from the term mentor and thus also from master, teacher, or professor.
The meaning that 99% of people perceive when hearing the term guru is generally its second dictionary definition.
That is, the meaning of a cult leader, a negative connotation that symbolizes risks of all kinds.
Such as risks to one’s finances, thoughts and life philosophy, behavior, and even a risk to one’s own life.
Indeed, the term guru is generally portrayed in the media and perceived by most people as having a very negative meaning.
In 2025, more people are interested in personal development, spirituality, well-being, healthy nutrition, and also the general quality of life that we can have in our society.
The term that will be used to achieve these results, that is, to have a fulfilling and rich life, is to have a chosen mentor, to learn from this person, and to act in society by following his or her philosophy.
I have noticed that entrepreneurs choose a mentor to achieve exceptional results.
Choosing multiple mentors is a mistake because when you choose a mentor, it’s like a second family, and similarly, you can’t change your birth name.
The best thing we can do is to follow and honor the mentor from the moment we choose him or her, ideally for life, by defending his / her values and life philosophy.
Ultimately, there can be gurus in all fields of knowledge, and it’s true that we won’t talk about gurus in philosophy or gurus in literature or art for exemple.
It’s not common to use these terms, yet in English too, it can make sense.
However, society disseminates the negative meaning of the term guru.
For example, we might talk about a guru in computer science, but this is generally poorly accepted due to the negative perception that still exists about computer science in our society today.
To reach the level of master or mentor, a great deal of experience is needed, as well as the ability to demonstrate through one’s network their success, quality of life, and the continuity of the transmitted movement over several generations.
It is this consistency that will make the disciple a good student and will enable him or her to become a master in turn, once all the knowledge has been acquired and applied before being passed on to others.
The results that the disciple will achieve by defending the values of his or her master, ultimately becoming a master himself or herself, can exceed all initial expectations.
What is necessary is to have a life guide and to choose the right person as a mentor and defend what this mentor has defended throughout his or her life to flourish oneself and one’s surroundings.
It is generally said that when the student is ready, the master appears.
It is on this principle that I conclude this article, wishing you the ability to distinguish the true from the false, the good people from the bad.
Know how to distinguish the truth among false appearances when you consult social networks, when you watch TV, or when you meet other people.
Choosing the right mentor is an extremely difficult task that commits us for the rest of our life.
I hope this article has inspired you and that you now have a different perception of the term guru.
Yours sincerely,
José D.