Is Joshua Fuson A Guru?
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You see, I (Joshua Fuson) most definitely consider myself to be a guru – in fact, I dig the idea of being a guru, and I strive to be a better guru each day.
But – my definition of guru is probably different than yours.
You see, I take the literal definition of guru – and I’ll explain that in just a moment.
First, what do you think the definition of guru is?
Probably a big-shot with with a Ferrari, McMansion, and an ego big enough to sink the Titanic.
They talk big, spend big, and expect the world to pay homage to their very existence 24/7.
Yeah – right.
That’s not what being a guru is about.
The literal definition of guru is “from dark to light”.
They are a teacher, and an adviser.
Not a king, emperor, or czar.
And that’s a BIG difference – both to the student and the guru.
You see, when a guru is concerned about developing a following first, then they can’t effectively teach or advise. They are focused not on what they should be teaching, but rather, are concerned whether the teaching is being well-received and is being accepted by the audience.
In short – what is taught becomes dependent on how their audience reacts. So instead of the audience hearing what they need to hear, they get what they want to hear.
That’s not advising – that’s entertaining.
And ultimately, this is a huge disservice to the student.
Here’s why:
Let’s say you wanted to get to your family, but there was a desert in between you and them.
They are waiting for you on the other side of the desert.
But the kicker is that you’ve never crossed this desert before, so you ask someone who has crossed the desert how far it is to cross.
You would consider this person to be a guru; they have done something you haven’t, and are willing to give you answers about it.
The guru knows that if says that it’s a very long way, you won’t like the answer. So instead of saying that it is a long and difficult journey, he answers “oh, not very long, maybe a 2 day drive”.
You say to yourself “OK, no big deal”. So you pack your bags, and enough gas for a 2 day drive.
At the end of day 2, you notice that you’re not seeing an end to the desert.
Just more sand and horizon – stretching out as far as the eye can see.
Then you run out of gas – so you start walking.
Then you run out of food and water – so you start crawling.
Finally, as you lay baking on the hot desert floor, you think back to yourself “if only I had known it was THIS far – I would have flown!
That’s the danger of guru’s teaching to please their audience, versus teaching what their audience really needs to know.
It might sound good at the time – but the student pays for it in the end.
This might sound easy for the guru to do, but it takes guts to do this, especially if what the guru teaches isn’t necessarily mainstream.
So here’s a note for all you gurus out there:
People are listening to you, and they are doing what they teach them. This goes for people in online marketing, all the way down to a parent with their child.
When you give your advice and recommendations, you need to ask yourself this:
“Will this advice help my student get through the desert? Or will it leave them stranded halfway through?”
Peace.
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Jacer
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March 4, 2009, 9:10 pm
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TopThat was quite an interesting post. Although I’ve used the word “guru” before, I suppose I didn’t give too much thought to it’s meaning. You explained it very well. Great food for thought.
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connie
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March 4, 2009, 9:36 pm
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TopSo, the guru has to tell the whole ugly truth about how hard something might be, and not worry about whether the ‘student’ won’t like him anymore? When most of society is all about making things easier and faster, that might be a hard sell!
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Hecuba Tate
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March 5, 2009, 3:22 am
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TopMy definition of a guru matches yours, and you’re dead on with what you say about the giving of advice.
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a. j.
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March 8, 2009, 8:23 pm
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TopI think the term guru is a little overrated.
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Kim
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March 8, 2009, 8:31 pm
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TopI know a guru when I see one…and you are a guru. Keep up the pursuit.
I’ll keep reading. Thanks for all your advice.
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amitkez
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March 9, 2009, 6:18 am
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Tophey joshua is a great guy. can i have the details on this home based success academy blog??
thank you
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Shreyas
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March 9, 2009, 11:10 am
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TopVery inquisitive blog. Firstly great story to explain your point of view. Your dissection of the term ‘Guru’ is very important today’s day and age, where any person worth 2 cents and an internet connection can pursue to be one !
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Deanna
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March 10, 2009, 2:39 am
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TopWhen I think of guru I think of someone who knows the subject well and wants to help others. Not someone that will set you up to fail. Karma is a you know what and setting someone up to fail just to make what you are preaching sound better will only bite you in the butt later.
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Chris
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March 11, 2009, 6:31 am
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TopVery interesting. I hadn’t thought of it that way before. I suppose that makes you a guru of the word “guru”.
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Astarte
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March 13, 2009, 12:17 am
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TopIt would seem that the role of the \’guru\’ is to offer advice and encouragement while not minimizing the difficulties you\’re apt to encounter. To use your metaphor, a worthwhile guru would advise someone that while crossing the desert is likely to be a long journey and not without pitfalls, it can be accomplished if you are well prepared and know how to avoid the common dangers and then provide information on how to do just that.
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Abhishek
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March 16, 2009, 7:32 am
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TopWell I do agree with your definition of Guru but would probably prefer to define the word more as a mentor and a director (not in the class of a Czar or a King). But I am not too sure if this will really help your students since the learning has to be more precise, focussed and directed and in a tone and measure that the student can grasp and not what the ‘Guru’ prefers to use. Just my 2 cents.
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zen
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March 16, 2009, 9:53 am
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TopJoshua Fuson is great, and surely you are the Guru. I hope I can have chat with you some day.
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sowmyakollace
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March 16, 2009, 11:34 pm
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TopI agree with the definition of guru it looks apt. I think that a Guru is an idle person for his followers and should be a role model. The guru should be given utmost respect.
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om
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March 18, 2009, 9:18 am
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TopJoshua Fuson is great, and surely you are the Guru. I hope I can have chat with you some day.
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Vladimir Đorđević
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March 20, 2009, 10:05 am
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TopIs Joshua Fusion guru? I would really need to know!
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murray
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March 20, 2009, 4:44 pm
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TopA Guru should never openly be given respect or disdain. He/She understands that which is assimilated from another or comes from within only has meaning by the light in which it is received and given.
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Joe
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March 21, 2009, 2:45 pm
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TopTo be considered a guru you have to have substantial knowledge of a certain topic or idea. You could be a guru if you master a subject.
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Anilkumar
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March 21, 2009, 4:25 pm
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TopI agree with the definition of guru. You have given me really a new definition of guru.
I didnot thought like that.
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CC
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March 22, 2009, 8:13 am
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TopA guru would help your prepare for the difficulties, not just encourage or give advice. He/she should test and guide you before you have to undergo an “ultimate test” like crossing a desert.
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Kaveri
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March 23, 2009, 1:39 am
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TopIt’s true that people now use the work ‘guru’ very casually. But that’s what is the fad these days. From what I understand, it menas a person who is an expert in a field and can share the knowledge.
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Sherri Bowthorpe
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March 24, 2009, 8:58 am
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TopThis post was profound. Thank you for your insight. I\’ve had the stranded-in-the-desert experience and it\’s not fun. I love how you explained that. You ARE a guru!
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Moriah Lindemoen
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March 25, 2009, 6:30 pm
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TopI took World Religions in college so when I think of guru I think of it in those terms. I see it as a person who knows a lot of information about a subject and passes it onto others in hope to better the world.
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Joanie
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March 28, 2009, 6:33 pm
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TopThe word Guru immediately brings to mind Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the one who taught the Beatles transcendental meditation. Quite obviously this is not what you define as a guru, but I wonder if that term would confuse those of us who grew up in the sixties and seventies.
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Abhishek
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March 30, 2009, 7:47 am
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TopI guess anyone who guides can be a guru irrespective of the status / qualifications / experience of the person. But a self professed Guru is the one who takes it on him to guide the world. I guess we all have to wear different shoes in different positions one day at a time !!
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Jamal Noshahi
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March 31, 2009, 2:00 am
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TopI think a guru is someone who has something of value to teach you, and who has a profound effect on your life. I don’t know if someone can proclaim themselves a ‘guru’, I rather think one must be ‘named’ a guru by the person or persons they have made an impression on!
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Nachi
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April 1, 2009, 6:25 am
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Tophi ,
Your post just a fantastic one and the meaning given by you guru are excellent. In my life guru made a important role. I will accept your way of explaining online marketing also.
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jay
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April 7, 2009, 12:45 pm
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TopI also think the word “guru” is tossed around too much and I guess I never actually looked it up to see what the definition was. Your article was very interesting and made me think about all the advice I read online from the so-called “gurus”.
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cangel
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April 15, 2009, 6:41 pm
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TopThank you. As a teacher I can appreciate what you say. What I teach/advise may not be what my students want to hear now but, in the future they will appreciate it, and I know they do when I speak to graduates.
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cangel
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June 4, 2009, 6:45 pm
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TopI like your explanation of a true guru. I would also apply it to any teacher. All too often educators (gurus) either say irrelevant things just because they have an audience, or, as you say, say things that will please the audience rather than what will benefit the audience whether it is pleasing or not. Thank you for sharing your information. You are definitely a guru.